Question:
Is is easier to gain weight back after surgery?

I have been reading a lot about weight gain after WLS. My question is this. Is it more likely, or easier to gain weight back after having WLS (RNY) as opposed to say loosing weight on your own? Weight watchers etc? I am wondering if the surgery itself sets this up. Is my body now "prone" to weight gain, or is it just like before, before surgery. thanks    — Karil G. (posted on November 16, 2009)

November 16, 2009
95% of all traditional dieters will regain the weight they lose plus some within 1-5 years. I don't know the statistics with surgery. I do know RNY and lapband tend to have very high regain rates especially 3-5 years out after the 'honeymoon period.' Now you will see a few people come here and defend their RNY surgery and show how successful they are at 4 or 5 years post op.. and for every one of those I can find 10 who are unsuccessful and have gained. If I had a do-over with surgery I'd have Duodenal Switch. Best stats as far as long term weight loss. Research this one also. Good luck.
   — Katrina B.

November 16, 2009
I think it is largely going to depend on weather or not you change you lifestyle. Just as in losing weight on your own you have to change what your eating how much you are eating and increase physical activity. The surgery is only a tool to help you get to your goal. If you continue with old eatng habits and continue to eat more until your back to similar volumes you ate before then you will gain. I don't know that having WLS makes you more "prone" to gaining weight back than loosing it on your own it's in the choices we make and how we decide to live our lives and what we feed ourselve and the amount of exercise we get. I know I am speaking to myself hear too becasue if I'm not careful I could gain weight back too. I am 7 months out VSG and at times I have platued and have bounced back and forth in a 10 lb range with gaining and losing until I drop again and I know that my food choices and lack of exercise are part of the problem. Making healthy choices is always better for us in the long run so we just might as well do it. I do hope you have great success.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

November 17, 2009
With the surgery you will loose weight. Keeping it off is a job. You must change the way you eat. Being committed to it is important. So if you do the surgery realise that you still will have to watch what you eat for life.
   — trible

November 17, 2009
I am 5 years post-op with the Lap-Band. I am at my goal weight, but still have room to adjust the size of the band to assist me if I am getting hungry more than 2-4 times a day, or if I am able to eat too much. As long as you stick with the guidelines that helped you lose the weight, you'll be able to maintain the loss. Unfortunately, it becomes easier to overeat (and eat the wrong things) after the first 2 or 3 years. That is why it's important to have the surgery knowing that it is only a tool to help keep you from getting hungry as often and to keep you full longer. Being in control of your hunger allows you to make wise and healthy food choices. As long as you follow the surgeon's guidelines, visit him regularly every 1-2 months for a follow up visit and "fill" when needed, you should be able to experience long term success. Remember that this is a life LONG change in eating and activity habits. Remembering how much better your life is once you've lost the weight, and going into the surgery to become healthier (not just skinnier) should help. I also recommend joining and regularly attending a WLS support group. I've found that the members in our group who attend regularly, have had more success with both losing and maintaining their weight. By the way, for anyone who had the bypass, but who is struggling to keep the weight off, I know that some surgeons are now revising their surgery by adding a Lap-Band. I'll bet you could revise it with other methods too. If anyone's interested, check with your original surgeon to see what new techniques are available. I hope that helps. God Bless.
   — KimM