The TRUTH About This Surgery and WEIGHT GAIN!!!

I will be twelve years post op 'open RNY' this year in August.  My highest weight was 325 but I weighed 315 the day of surgery.  I lost 135 pounds the first year.  My final weight loss was 170 pounds.  For about 'three minutes' I weighed 147 right after my tummy tuck back in 2003. My 'average' weight has been 170. It's been a slow uphill climb since then.  Today I weigh 190 and I've topped out at 200 a couple of times but I freak out and start eating healthy to lose again.

As long as I ate 'properly' and stuck to the proteins and low carbs and EXERCISED I would continue to lose for many years.  Then, as the years passed by and life got back to 'normal' and I wasn't 'obsessed' with myself or my weight loss any longer, and ate like a 'normal' person, the weight slowly crept back on. 

Now granted, when I had my surgery I was 43 and I'm only 5'3 so I had two 'strikes' against me to start with.  Then, in 2008 I had a total hysterectomy so, for me, that was 'strike three'.  My metabolism is pretty much at a standstill and I have several health issues, including heart problems and hypoglycemia and circulation issues.  My exercising is a thing of the past now because I get winded just washing my hair in the shower.  I can only clean my home a little at a time or my body will wreak with pain. 

My weight gain has been mostly in my thighs, hips and arms.  They are the same measurements as they were when I weighed 250 but my bust and waist are where they were at this weight a couple of years after surgery.  I think it's odd that my weight gain is mostly in those areas and it makes finding clothes extremely hard.  Most people have their weight in their 'stomach' and they have thin arms and thighs.  I look like I got squashed between a car and a wall and I look thin from the side but a 'christmas tree' from the front.  *sigh*

The truth I've learned about this surgery is this:  We all have a body that will gain weight or lose weight depending upon the caloric intake or energy expended.  This doesnt change when they rearrange our intestines.  Yes, we lose the weight initially because of the tiny amounts we are eating and/or the fact that we eat mostly proteins and low carbs.  But that happens to anyone who hasn't had the surgery either.  And when our lifestyle changes and we go back to eating the way we did before or 'normally' then the weight will come back on.  So, my question is 'why are we surprised?' 

The 'truth' is we will have to watch or caloric intake or eat mostly proteins and low carbs the rest of our lives just to MAINTAIN the weight loss if not to lose any pounds at all.  We can't go back to where we were before - EVER or we will have had this surgery for NOTHING!  That's the bottom line.....

However, on a more 'positive' note, I do want to encourage some of you out there who are struggling like me.  I had a friend die last year after having a revision and and then another reversal after that.  I realized I never want to get so obsessed with weight loss that I'm willing to die for it.  So, I've realized that instead of another surgery, I'll try another option that I never gave much consideration.  Years ago I lost weight on Nutri-systems but I hated the taste of the food.  I've tried WW but I hated counting points because my proteins took up so many of them per day.  So, this last week I tried something new.  Since I don't like the taste of Nutri-system food, I bought WW frozen foods for breakfast and lunch and snacks.  For dinner I eat a small meat and veggie.  I don't exercise (yet) but I did buy some Brooks tennis shoes and they hopefully will help me walk more.  The good news is that I had got back up to 200 but I've lost ten pounds in less than a week on WW frozen foods.  The coolest thing is that they taste so good I feel like I'm cheating.  I honestly don't feel like I'm devpriving myself of anything at all!  I'm going to continue to eat this way and hopefully I can get back to 170 soon.  I'd like to lose more but I'm happy at that weight.  I've gained most of this weight in the last two years from eating out at restaurants all the time.  THAT HAS TO STOP!!!  That is what puts weight on worse than ANYTHING! 

Ok, so that's the truth in a nutshell about weight gain after our surgery.  We've got to accept the fact that we have to eat healthy from now on just to maintain where we are and exercise if we want to lose again for the most part.  That's my 'take' on it all anyway. 

Let me know what you think and what has helped you!

I was told from the moment I went began taking classes to explore weight loss surgery that this is not a miracle but a tool. In order to qualify for WLS I spent over 6 months taking classes, being reminded at each class of all the tools for success. Here's what I remember 6 years later:

- eat protein - 70 g/day

- drink water - 70 oz/day

- take vitamins

- exercise every day

- eat slowly from a small plate

- stay connected to a support group

I incorporate these tools each and every day. I've gained back a little weight but keep my weight exactly where I want it (initially I was too thin). Before WLS I was unable to maintain my weight loss after starvation diets. Now, after WLS, I am maintaining my weight for more than 6 years. WLS surgery is the miracle in my book as long as I keep on the right track and don't forget who I am.

All the best to all of you who are living a life to its fullest and enjoying this amazing gift (tool) we've been given.

Your experience is a little different from mine. When I get obsessed with food and eating, I gain. Or really, I bloat up and retain water, get flabbier and just feel unhealthy. When I leave it alone, I feel better and I seem fitter. I have been the same size 14 through it all... it just seems to be a matter of looking fitter or looking flabbier at the same weight and size.

I think the difference is in how we obsess and what that produces and likewise, how we "leave it alone" and what that produces. I have gone weeks at a time eating a donut everyday plus a burger and fries and a diet soda guilt-free for lunch and not gained an ounce. Sure, it didn't make me feel the best -- we're only as good as our source of fuel and that wasn't the optimum source. I start obsessing and I start tracking what I'm eating and the cravings to binge just come on so strong and somehow I gain weight. And I swear I am tracking everything perfectly.

I'm a firm believer in the power of our mind. And a firm believer that if it were so simple as calories in/calories out, none of us would need surgery in the first place because we all had dieting down to a very sophisticated artform pre-op.

Is this board just for RNY?

I am 4 years post sleeve and I am struggling with regain as well. It's very hard when everyone around me eats so much junk. I know this is just a tool and it takes a lot of willpower to stay away from sugar, chips, etc. I eat right during my meals, but I find it harder and harder to have willpower every day of my life.

I guess I quality as a WLS graduate so i feel like commenting on this subject.  I just recently met my initial goal but would still like to lose 5-10 more pounds.  I try not to obsess about food, eat foods I like and keep track on My Fitness Pal every day, almost 500 days in a row.  Accepting the way we need to eat forever is very important.  Fighting against the reality does nothing but cause stress, guilt and weight regain.  If you don't overeat every day you can have snacks.  I think of it as common sense.  Good luck to all of you!

Robin, I just read your article and you were a huge help to me!  I had the open RNY in February of 2006.  I had lost 120 pounds and put back on 40 of those pounds.  However, I've kept the 80 pounds off now for the 7 years since.  I tend to force food down my throat, which is what I did before my surgery.  After reading your post, I'm soooo motivated again and am going to make an appointment with Dr. Marymor for ASAP so I can get back on track:)

Thank you so much!!

Barbara

the changes required for weight loss/maintenance are still calories in