Question:
Can our Malabsorption issues change?

Is it possible to lose the ability to malabsorb calories..thus causing weight gain? I had surgery in 2002,lowest weight was 127 have gained 10 lbs..and no matter what i do now..doesnt go away.I am overwhelmed with fear that if i can gain back weight...at all...cause so far up to now...have not had problems..maintained loss...eat healthy...exercise...ect. all of a sudden ...Bam...here its coming back.what can go wrong with our tool...i need all and ever scenario to know where to go from here! Thanks so much    — Diane M. (posted on March 14, 2008)

March 14, 2008
My surgeon told me that RNY patients loos mos of their weight in the first 18 months, and level off about 2 years. But a good portion of these people will gain some weight back, meaning most people will be 15-20% above their target weight. Some weight gain is likely, but watch what you do and it will settle into this new, slightly higher number. I don't think the malabsorbition is changing, it's that we settle into a more relaxed mode, maybe not watching the diet as closely or exercising every day, etc. I don't think it's the tool going wrongly, I just think this is somewhat normal, according to my surgeon.
   — Dave Chambers

March 14, 2008
I was told the same as Dave. There are some people that get to the perfect weight and never gain a pound back, but you can expect over a 5 year period to have some small gains unless you are very focused on the diet and excersize. What does not change is the fat and Sugar absorbtion still does not occur and it will make you sick. Your 5 years out so you should be stable in your weight. I would call your sergeon, as the things we are told today are different then they were when RNY was first done in the US. I hope that I can do as well as you have. Hang in there. That 10 pounds will not kill you like the weight you had before. Just refocus on your diet and exercise program to make sure you are doing all you can.
   — William (Bill) wmil

March 14, 2008
I don't know anything about the malabsorption. I had VSG, but my doctor told me that all WLS patients lose to a point, then settle in to that wieght for a while then cain back to 5-10% from goal. Don't worry too much. Pat
   — pjennjr

March 14, 2008
10lbs is completely normal. Keep in mind that your body was basically starving itself. Once your body stabilizes there is a weight gain, 10 lbs is nothing.
   — bariatricdivalatina

March 15, 2008
Malabsorption declines over time as the villi (that part of the small intenstine that actually absorbs the nutrients and calories) tend to regenerate. Remember, our bodies are not designed to continually lose weight and eons of evolution through famine make our bodies want to conserve calories. So, to lose your "bounce" weight, it takes a little more work at 2-3 years out than it did to lose the initial weight.
   — SteveColarossi