haven't had surgery yet, worried about regain - no restriction.

Hello all,

I've been perusing the WLS graduate board and there's a lot of people (it seems) who have regained 5-10 years out.  They seem to have no restriction and the malabsorption part of the surgery has disappeared.  I'd hate for that to happen as when I had the band (since removed) I lost a lot of restriction and began eating larger portions again - gaining back the weight.  The doctors tell me the RNY is the "gold standard" for long term and permanent weight loss.  If restriction disappears after a few years I'd be in trouble. And it wouldn't be worth it. 

Can you all comment on your experiences? 

Thanks,

Christine (sometimes I show up on this board as stonerose - I haven't figured out how to fix this yet).

 

Longer term success perhaps with a DS. See www.dsfacts.com.  : )

--gina

Hi Gina and Price,

I skimmed your website - why are results better with DS?  I thought it wasn't an option for me because no one near by does one, but then I looked again and it looks like the surgeon who did my lapband does.  Now, I was looking forward to having the RNY done in my hometown because I felt the other surgeon's office was not that supportive and the 60 minute drive was difficult.  Maybe it's worth a phone call, though.  Can you tell me more about why you consider it better?

Christine

The malabsorption with the DS doesn't go away whereas it does with RNY after about a year. Most have to travel to get the DS. Many including me even go to other countries. It's worth it to make this your final WLS.

Sorry I had to post quickly and get back to work. You've gotten some excellent responses this afternoon. If you have any questions just ask and we'll all be here to cover for each other and respond the best we can.

--gina

 

You can out eat any WLS. 

do look at DS.  I love my RNY but maintainance is not easy, no one said it would be and it isn't with DS either.  At least you have a fighting chance and if you stay on top of the gain, it is managable. 

I am almost 3 yrs out.  I do eat more than I used to  when I was a newbee, but I look at what non-WLS folks are eating and I don't eat anywhere near that much.  About 1.5c is a typical meal for me and I eat 4x a day.  I still have restriction.  What WLS has given me is life free from co-morbidities and the ability to be active again.  the active part is important because that is part of how you keep the weight off. 

WLS fixes our tummy, not our brain.  If you need help there too, do it before you make the decision. 

I personally wouldn't go back for anything.  It has been the best thing I ever did for myself.

Like Price....I Love my RNY but if I would have found out about the DS sooner I might have gone that way. 

I will be 5 years out  in October. I dropped down to 106 and started maintenance before my body was ready. I've been around 119 for a few years now. My mind and body are happy here. 

 I still have some restriction and I still get shaky and tired when I eat sweets/fats so that still reminds me to watch those things. Food still gets stuck if I don't chew or if I eat to fast. I really don't like the feeling full.

What's worked for me personally is using Protein drinks instead of food to reach my Protein totals. I drink 4 Protein Drinks (one is breakfast),  eat 2 small meals, several snacks and try my best to avoid bad carbs like pasta, potatoes, bread etc. during the day.  tried early out to only eat food and I found that I was eating a lot at meals....plus I hated adding totals (felt like I was back to counting points on WW).   I feel sure if I had continued that way I would have gained back a lot when I increased my calories when on maintenance. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Roz,

I hate counting all the time too, and feeling like I'm on a diet.  With the band, when restricted, I ate healthy, just not too much - I'm counting on that for the next surgery.

Christine

Major Mom (Gina) is our DS leader on this board. I think she is about 6 years out. Send her a message and she might be able to help you.

 

Hi Christine,

I am 4 years out. I did really well to start but became over confident and started eating high calorie foods in slightly larger portions. I gain 35 pounds back. It was an awful feeling. I felt like a failure and so alone. But, since re-engaging with this board, logging my food on Fitness Pal everyday and exercising, I have lost 20-23 pounds of that regain. I'm optimistic that I'll actually go below my post surgery weight in time.

I attribute that loss of the regain to the fact that I went back to fundamentals. I went back to the diet plan of the doctor's. Many people on here don't count calories, but its imperative that I do. I love rich foods, and although they may be low carb, they are high in calories. In my opinion calories (taking in less than you are expending) is as important as a low carb way of life.

Regardless of the regain, I wouldn't change anything. The surgery is the best thing that ever happened to me. Don't let the graduates on the other board scare you. I suspect they haven't taken the initiative to take off their regain, and were simply over confident or ****y about what they could eat with the tool.

Best of luck. Keep us updated.