Question:
Does anyone else gain & lose weight every few days long term post-op? FRUSTRATING!!

It's kind of strange! I am 2 & 1/2 years post-op RNY & have unfortunately gained back about 40 lbs. Obviously I'm trying to get it back off. I seem to lose any where between 10-15 lbs. then is seems that I gain it all back in the next day or two?? It's a never ending cycle & I never get anywhere!! How is that possible? At first I thought it was just water retention or the monthly problem but it happens over & over again. It doesn't make sense! I'm not doing anything differenly other than "the rules to follow" water, exercise, protein etc. This is so frustrating it's an exhausting mental roller coaster! Any one else have this experience? Any suggestions? PLEASE!!    — Allison T. (posted on September 8, 2004)

September 8, 2004
I am 1 & 1/2 year post op and I have also gained about 10-15 lbs. I am working very hard to get this weight off but it is not moving!!! I have been following the rules but I am not getting any where! I am very concerned. Any suggestions?
   — raymee

September 8, 2004
If you start working out you might gain muscle. What I would do is just keep doing what you're doing and try to get to the next size down. Screw the scale. What's it ever done for us?
   — mrsmyranow

September 8, 2004
Most home scales are going to fluctuate by a pound or two, so that kind of daily difference is endemic to home weighing. As for 10-15 pound differences, that just doesn't seem possible for a body to change weight by that much in 24-48 hours, so it just might be a scale problem. But, I kind of think that you might want to ask yourself why you are weighing yourself every day, particularly being out as long as you are. Some of us get into that habit early on and step on the scale to keep us honest-- but, in reality, how many of us haven't cheated and then weighed ourselves to see if we did any damage (or to see if we could cheat like that again)? Or, how many of us haven't sometimes jumped on the scale to confirm a weight loss so that we could reward ourselves with a little treat? I know I have fallen into those ruts. For me the difficulty has been keeping in mind that my successes are less reflected on the scale than in the happiness I have in knowing that I have kept my food demons at bay for almost two years. Rather than looking to the scale for any sort of affirmation, I use it as a general guide (weighing myself about weekly) but tend to assess my condition based upon how my clothes fit and how much energy I have. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

September 9, 2004
WEIGHT, WEIGHT, WEIGHT.... We are so stuck on our scales. I can't believe that you can gain 15 lbs in 48 hours! Are you writing everything down that you are doing (eating, exercise, where you eat, how long exercise, etc.) If this continues I would consult a dietition. Like the other person I weigh only once a week and judge by my cloths. I know if I'm not exercising or eating the wrong foods. You should be eating NO MORE THAN 1/2 cup of food per meal. That is the maximum regardless of how long you have had the surgery. Are you eating more than that? How many meals a day? If you don't eat you can also gain weight (believe it or not)? Do you belong to a support group? It would really help you.
   — Linda R.

September 9, 2004
Allison, I agree that it's frustrating, but that if you continue to eat right and exercise you're unlikley to have a real problem long-term. The amount of weight fluctuation seems dramatic (you would notice a 15 pound gain in your clothes), so I do wonder how much of it is a reflection of your scale. Water retention also plays a big part, at least for me. Eating salty foods, and mid-menstrual cycle bring on water weight gain for me. I do want to comment on a comment by Linda, though. While her program may call for her not to eat more than 1/2 cup of food per meal, that is an unusual requirement for most of us this far out. Depending on what the food types are, 1/2 cup per meal may not provide enough food. 1/2 cup of salad or soup would not provide the needed nutrition. Most guidleines that I have seen this far out are one to one and a half cups of food on average per meal (more for less dense foods, less if dense). If you're concerned about the volume of food you eat, then check with a registered dietitian familiar with WLS for advice. However, based on what you've said, I think it's more likely to be natural weight fluctuation combined with an inaccurate scale. Best wishes.
   — Vespa R.

September 9, 2004
Allison, I am also 2 1/2 years out and have to agree with those who think you have a scale problem. I'm sorry, even with water retention, 10-15 pounds is impossible to gain and lose again in a day or two. That would be an entire size! I suggest investing in a new digital scale. I hope the rules that you follow include heart pumping exercise to boost the metabolism and more efficiently burn those calories, and eat often. Every few hours eat a little something, preferably healthy and concentrate on protein. By feeding yourself often, you keep fuel coming into the body and coupled with the regular exercise, helps the metabolism to keep burning. Don't get frustrated, just keep at it, you'll get there.
   — Cindy R.

September 9, 2004
Also, a gentle reminder..you haven't updated your profile in 2 years. I went there to see what you are eating, type of exercise etc, if your 40 pound gain put you within a reasonable weight range etc, etc...not much help...
   — Cindy R.