10 year WLS Success Statistics both frightening and comforting - xpost

The question is WHY do they gain back all of their weight? 

I believe it is because there are people, that for whatever reason (not judging), cannot, will not and/or do not make important lifestyle changes and probably do not have a GOOD support group in place...to help them stay on track...

While I believe gaining weight is eaier than losing, it takes almost as much effort to watch your weight as it does to sabotage it and stretch your pouch beyond the point of return by eating above and beyond what your pouch is able to hold.  We're not alking 20-30 lbs...You are talking ALL OF IT!   :(

There is obviously more hope in numbers...but someone is that 20% and that's not frightening to me at all...It's just plain sad.  Breaks my heart...

The 'why' is mostly behavior. As we all know, the surgery ... whichever one you choose ... is going to give you the physical tool, but it's the lifestyle and behavior changes that will make the longterm difference.

I guess that the reason that I find the numbers frightening is that I know that my behavior is what got me into the mess I was in when I started this journey and I don't want to slip into those behaviors again and end up where I was.

Barb

Interesting info, I was curious to read it. I have to admit though, I thought the failure rate would be higher. Wi**** would have been more specific as to what exactly a sig. amount of weight gain was. Maybe to put you in an obese BMI catagory? I went over 2.5 yrs before it was a struggle for me really with weight gain. I see how easy it would be for this to happen. Why did it happen? Same reasons you said, I did not take vitamins, I did not log my food (that's totally key in my opinion) and I did not weigh daily (another biggy although people say it's bad, no way!) It's so easy to avoid that scale again and be afraid of the numbers.

Thanks for the info

I guess that there was a part of me that thought that the failure rate might be higher too which is part of why I find it comforting. So many people say that you are doomed to gain it back, that everyone that they know that has done this does, etc... But the statistics don't bear that out.

When they were talking about a significant regain ... this would be when your loss is no longer enough to be considered a WLS surgery 'success'.

I'm glad that you've gotten things back on track. Keep up the good work.

Barb

That is great information. I never said this is x pounds lost forever. Forever is a long time and I am an addict to food.

I saw a piece of licorice on the counter and I almost grabbed a piece. I stopped and told myself that is a gateway drug...first licorice then pie!

Thanks again for keeping me scared straight.
Heidi

I think it is safe to say that most of us who have had weighloss surgery are food adicts.  You are so funny about the licorice I am totally that way too.  I have to physically remove my hand from sweets or I will grab it and eat it as if I have no control over my hand.  Have a great day and God bless, Penni

You know, that is how I am with brownies, etc.  As if I'm in a trance, and like Sybil--someone other than I is in charge of that hand and that mouth and that chewing and swallowing.

I've told other support group members about my "Sybil" moments, and we agreed that I just need to tell that other person "NOOOOO!" and then walk away.  I have found that hand putting sweets in my shopping cart and I will take the baddies out and put them on a shelf (sorry, clerks, I just cant' take the time to put it back where I found it) and walk away as fast as I can.

It's an ongoing struggle, isn't it?

Wow, that's very interesting. I think 80% success rate is pretty darn good!!! That makes me very happy to hear!!! I also agree w/ the fact that most of it is behavior modification. I know for me personally, when I eat properly my weight stays in check pretty easily~if I eat improperly the scale will start to creep upwards (not good).

Hi Tracy,

I find the same sense of comfort as you ... 80% success! Geez, if we could take that to Atlantic City we'd be RICH!!! I think instead we are taking it to the bank in a different and more profound way as we take care of ourselves. Like you, so far, I've found that if I'm respectful of myself and eat properly my weight stays steady.

Wishing you continued success,

Barb

Helloooooooooo, (raising my hand sheepishly).  I'm one of those people that never reached goal.  I got close 20-25 lbs, but I guess close doesn't really count here.  After years of slacking
off and not reallyusing my tool to the best of my ability, I'm back and I've got my eye on the prize.
I know I can do it with the help of all the wonderful people on OH.  If anyone has any suggestions or want to point me in a specific direction...here I am.

Thanks,
Darlene

PS - I'd still like to lose about 20-25lbs.