Question:
Is it possible to regain most of your weight?
I don't even plan on it but I was thinking about whether it was physically possible to gain 100-200+ lbs back. I am assuming you lose 80-100% of your weight after surgery. I am guessing it is totally impossible to ever gain it all back as the pouch would never stretch that much. I know you can gain a significant amount but just curious on peoples thoughts.<p>For me I don't see a problem of gaining a lot, but realize I might gain some over time, but hope to keep it in check by using the tool given to me. Based on previous massive weight loss experience I know I will love being able to move and do things and will enjoy exercise, so I believe that will help me to work through any gaining problems. I believe, having the tool, would have saved me before of gaining it back if it literally would have been impossible for me to eat massive amounts of food once my depression surfaced. I had no prior warning, that I saw, of the depression coming and it played havoc on my weight loss, but now I'm in a good place to move forward with this long-term committment to a healthier life and the tool to help me get there. I'm excited about having the energy I used to have just a few years ago. I'm only 41 and have many years ahead of me. — zoedogcbr (posted on December 22, 2002)
December 21, 2002
I do believe it IS possible to gain all your weight back. I know you pouch
will stretch some, but don't know if it will ever stretch back. The thing
is.. if you drink shakes, eat candy, cakes and such (drink sugary sodas
also) you are putting in calories and carbs that go through the stoma
easily. If you follow the rules of protein first, then veggies and then
fruit, it shouldn't be a problem. I have started eating sweets again and it
is a struggle once you start, so for YOUR sake .. DON'T. Happy journey.
Gail Small
— Gail S.
December 21, 2002
Our nutronist told us a sad story. The lady lost nearly 100 pounds, then
began sipping dairy queen shakes at her desk all day long. She was a dumper
but by sipping slowly could defeat her tool. This is known as grazing and
is a goiod way to regain. But why go thru surgery and all it entails to
intentionally defeat it? Last I heard they were working ewith her and
making some progress.
— bob-haller
December 22, 2002
YES YES YES! you can out eat this surgery, by constantly grazing on high
calorie food and beverages- I have several friends that have regained
between 30 and 100 pounds! I believe belonging to a support group will help
because it helps us to be "accountable"-
— ~~Stacie~~
December 22, 2002
Hi, I can relate to that feeling of depression and the increasing of the
weight. I've had that fear myself. But I vowed that if I was able to have
this surgery, I would not let any one or any thing put me back in such a
state of depression -- no relationship or job is worth my health, ever
again!!! Reading and counseling has also helped me to identify the
depression triggers. Exercise, even just a walk, is the number one tool to
fight off depression! I feel so incredible already at just 5-1/2 months
post-op. You make this commitment to YOU and you'll do fine. Just like the
other posters have said, it can be undone by grazing and by too many
high-calorie, nutrient-empty foods. Promise yourself you'll do whatever it
takes...but also don't beat yourself up for the occasional
"treat." Plan your treats and you'll do fine. Best of luck to you
and Happy Holidays! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -98lbs.
— Anna L.
December 22, 2002
The nurse at my surgeons office said they have a patient who has gained
back 100 pounds. It is possible to out eat the surgery.
— sherry H.
December 22, 2002
Depression is a tricky thing! Are you being treated for it? If not there
are things that can help. I think anyone can gain weight back if they try
hard enough...the real question is what is the trigger for this behavior
and how can we prevent it. I agree with all the answers. We need to be
accountable (support groups) we need to work on our issues that made us
receive solace in food to begin with. There was a payoff somewhere to
remaining fat and unhappy. What was it? This is where counseling will help.
If I had a friend who lost both legs would I recommend he get some
counseling? You bet I would. It is also important when we lose over half of
whp we have "always" been. You don't have to see a counselor for
support but you need a sounding board to help process your feelings and
fears and your success. We aren't used to being successful at weight loss!
When someone is depressed the chemical balances in the brain change.
Medication is a tool to use as well, as it gives the depressed person some
breathing room; changes their chemical balance, makes it more normal so
they can cope a bit easier. There has to be a reason why someone could sip
milk shakes all day knowing they are gaining weight. I think we all fear
that as we know whata hold gorging and grazing has had on us all at some
time or another. It is easy to ignore symptoms if we are isolated. That's
why it is good to share with others, attend support meetings, see a
therapist if needed. I think we are all scared at one time or another that
this time will be like all those other times when we gained 30-50-100 lbs
or more for whatever reason. But remember that people are successful with
WLS. You could look at pictures on this web site all day and all night and
still not see every one! If as you say, you have a tendency to eat when
depressed that is a good part of the battle. You know what you can watch
for and nip it in the bud before drink 1000 shakes!
— Joy A.
December 22, 2002
Thanks everyone! However, I think I got my answer it is basically
impossible to gain back 250 lbs. Everyone mentions 60-100 lbs but 100 lbs
would be less than 1/2 my weight loss, so still a huge success. What I was
looking at was more the physical mechanics of the surgery and whether your
stomach could stretch that much. Basically I have no intention of
sabatoging my surgery as I will have gone through hell to be on the other
side. I realize I could gain quite a bit by sitting around and eating high
calorie things but think about what it would take to gain 250 lbs when all
you can eat is a few ounces at a time and not all that many times in a day.
Heck it took me 7 years to gain back 200 lbs and that's with a full fledge
stomach. Besides I'll be having too much fun with my dogs to sit on my
butt. I'm looking forward to getting back on my bike also. Haven't used
it since about 1998.<p>I am now the poster child for mental health.
I have my psychitrist and counselor and medications all on my side. I've
been in treatment for 7 years and the depression has been under great
control with meds for the past 2-1/2 years. I see my psychiatrist every
1-3 months and my counselor monthly. It was actually my psychiatrist that
brought up the subject of surgery as he feels I am in a good place to deal
with this and weather the ups and downs. I know I will always need to be
cognizant of what I am putting in my mouth and getting my protein etc. but
I am not worried about gaining too much weight because I know that tool
will always be there for me use. I take comfort in knowing I will always
have that reality check. I eat crap and I will pay for it big time -
dumping, sick etc. It's why the RNY is the better choice for me instead of
the DS. I believe with the DS I would continue to eat too much and too
much crap. It would not be absorbed, but to me that's no different than
bulimia. You eat too much because you can get rid of it. With the DS it
would go right on through unabsorbed. For me I need the carb/sugar check
the RNY provides.<p>Don;t worry my eyes are totally open. The last
thing I want is to lose tons of weight again only to regain it. I know
what life was like at a reasonable size and what I could do without even
considering my weight as part of the picture and I was down to 240 - far
from the 170-180 I ideally should have been. I want that life again and am
willing to do what I have to, to get there - which is surgery. I need the
tool to help me with the long term loss and maintenance.
— zoedogcbr
December 22, 2002
Don't assume that you will be a dumper on sugar/fats. Approx 30 percent of
RNY'ers do not dump. Some dump with just a few grams of sugar, and some
can push the envelope and eat larger and larger amounts and get your system
used to acepting more and more sugar. Best advice-learn to like SF
products and avoid finding out!
— Cindy R.
December 22, 2002
Yes, you can regain every single lost pounds & the freinds they made
while they were gone. Doesn't matter your surgery type, pouch size. What
matters is sugar & grazing. If you eat every half hour, you will eat
as much as pre-op, so the volume thing becomes n/a. Sugar alone can do it,
even if you maintain your small meals. It's scary, isn't it? There is a
certain amount of behavior modification that we must do. But it isn't
ABNORMAL to eat 3-4 small meals a day, normal food. Many people avoid
sugar for LOTS of reasons other than wt loss. So, it's not like you have
to be a freak to maintain your loss. And of course, there is the
mechanical thing. Having a surgery that is performed correctly, right for
your needs, and having it remain intact.
— vitalady
December 24, 2002
YES IT IS POSSIBLE! UNFORTUNATELY IT IS VERY POSSIBLE.
Personally I know two women who have. I "think" the one may have
had the older sugery (stomach stapling) however the other woman had the RNY
and was'nt transended (or whatever it is called). Anyway, we can eat around
our surgery. Also we can sabatage ourselves with high calorie drinks.
Personally I take nothing for granted as I hope to keep most of whatever I
will lose off.
— Danmark
December 24, 2002
It is possible. I should know I did it
— snicklefritz
December 28, 2002
First, a successful surgery is losing 65% to 70% of your EXCESS weight.
This does not mean your IDEAL weight. Have you done your BMI on this site?
My ideal weight is 147. I started at 360lbs. That means my weight after
surgery should be approx. 211lbs (70%). Some surgeons feel losing 50% is a
successful surgery. Yes, you can regain every ounce you lose also. That's
why so many are going back into surgery to have their surgery done distal
or changing to a DS. Like Daniel, I take nothing for granted and do
everything I can to make the weight loss as big and long-lasting as I can.
— grammie5
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