Question:
What percentage of people gain weight back?

I am almost 4 months post op R-N-Y. A friend from Germany told me that in her research (in Germany) she was told that Gastric Bypass had an 80% rate of people gaining their weight back. I did not believe this to be true. (She has the band) Reading the boards here I do see many messages of weight gain. Does anyone know if the true statistics are somewhere? I am happy with my results so far. I was 246 the day of surgery and am 198 right now.    — robinmarra (posted on March 25, 2007)

March 25, 2007
What does your friend mean, that 80% of people gain weight back? If she means that 80% of people gain back 100% of the weight they lose, that is resoundingly NOT true. If she means that 80% of the people gain back MOST of the weight they lose, that too is NOT true. What is true: Most people gain back some of the weight they lose. How much? Depends on whom you ask, which study (if any) they cite. Lots of people like to say the average person gains back 10% of the weight lost. That's definitely on the low side. Bariatric surgeons say that if you've kept 50% of the lost weight off five years after your surgery, you're a success. That, from what I've seen, is on the high side of weight regain. Most people fall somewhere in between. There just isn't a statistic that will tell you where you as an individual can expect to end up. From my own observations, I'd say people see the pounds starting to creep back at the beginning of the third year after surgery (after the pouch has expanded, the body has compensated for the malabsorption, and the "dumping effect" has lost much of its power--at least in those who've tested it). I'll estimate that the typical person--who's neither rigidly dieting nor grazing all day long--by five years after surgery has reached the weight she will more or less maintain, having regained about 20-30% of the weight she lost, or about 2 or 3 dress sizes up from her smallest point. That's from what I've seen, and without delivering a lecture about pouch rules, being responsible for one's own choices, etc. We all know the moral drill. It never made any of us an ounce thinner before we had the surgery; I don't know why it should work now. On the Lap-Band, parenthetically, I've noticed people citing a recent study (perhaps by Emma Patterson?) that claims that people who've had the Lap-Band kept the weight off better than RNY-er's at the end of five years. I'm skeptical, both because the Lap-Band is so much newer than the RNY (and there are therefore far fewer people five years out, here in the States) and because the idea that a purely restrictive procedure keeping pounds off better than one that both malabsorbs calories and keeps you off sugar, at least in the early years, sounds intuitively incorrect to me. Anyway, back to your question: If your experience proves to be like that of most RNY post-ops, most, but not all of the weight you lose, will stay off. Best of luck.
   — Virginia N.

March 25, 2007
Instead of relying on your friend for your information, do your own research. Then come up with your own conclusions. You can do a computer search by typing in long term success of weight loss surgery, etc. This should give you enough reading material to keep you busy.
   — Kari_K

March 26, 2007
Hi Robin, thanks for sharing your question. It is a concern shared among 100% of surgery patients I think. Let me first say that the Lap Band has a much higher risk of regain because the history of the band is so much shorter than the RNY. The Lap Band has only been around for about 7 years in the US, and there were issues like slippage and imbedding that caused problems, and it took time to fix the design and some of those issues. In the meantime, people didn't lose weight, etc., hense the risk is high. Lap Band can be a very successful way to lose weight. You have to be determined to eat the right foods, there is no dumping, etc with the band, so you have to have a measure of self control that you get help with that issue with the RNY for most people. Having the RNY, you are still at risk for regain because what you have is a tool not a miracle. If you see your new stomach as a tool, use it and stick to the basics of protein, water and exercise, then you have the best shot of success. Some people, success is losing some weight, some people, success is losing all their excess weight. Each one is different. After 18-24 months past surgery, your body has adjusted to all it is gonna adjust. What you do those first 2 years is Vital to your success, it is much harder to have success after 2 years when you goofed around those first 2 years. But make no mistake, you have to contine the path of right eating, and moderate exercise to keep your weight of, just like everyone else. Surgery is a tool and perhaps even a head start, but it is a head start to continue to do right. That has to be the goal. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence. You have to fight the head issues, and the body consequence will be what you want. Ignore the head issues, you can fail miserably and wish you had never had surgery at all. Don't be discouraged by some having poor success, it does happen, but you can choose to have it not happen to you. Stay on course, do right and protect your pouch! As time goes on you do eat more. I am 3 years out now, and have kept off almost 120 pounds. I fear gaining as each year goes by, but I keep this issue in prayer with my Lord Jesus Christ, and trust that the gift He gave me in surgery he will cause me to remember the lessons I have learned over the past 3 years and continue to do well. Statistics are just numbers. Whoever writes them can make they say anything. What is really important is that you stay on the losing side, and fight for your own health. That way you will on the side of the statistics you want to be. We can only control what we do, so I encourage you to choose your side of the statistics and stay on it! Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

March 26, 2007
I too have encountered people who have gined weight back. But, when talking with them and finding out what they've eaten, and how much, it's no wonder they gain the weight back. The bastric by-pass, mine=RNY-is a tool. One must follow the recommended nutritional changes, and get as much exercise they can. People must also remember to count calories, and remember, how they got to be obese. Me, I'm a stress eater. Happily, I've lost 123# so far. My surgery was July 3, 2006. I do "cheat" sometimes, but I don't like the sensation I get when I do eat poorly. I like that I only have 3 perscriptions now, from 17 I was taking before surgery. And the 3 I now take, are not for the medical problems I had before surgery. Well, sort of anyway. I have the menopause patch, lasix ( a diuretic, and my pain pills for my right knee). Again, as stated above, do some more research. Hearing the horror stories, I want to know what a person has done in the diet and physical exercise. Peace, love, health and happiness. Dana
   — Dana M.

March 29, 2007
I am almost 4 years in June and I have maintain b/n 5 pounds give or take. I have followed some people who had surgery around the same time and are doing well. Why? Because they continue to excercise/eat healthy/ take vitamins/ and support through groups like OH or local area groups.
   — Just P

April 14, 2007
I am three and a half years out and am maintaining my post surgical low of 159 give or take 3 to 5 pounds either way... I would say that if the number 80 % is in a statistic it is a number discribing folks who never reached their goal or a "normal weight". I wear a size 6 now, I have some mushy spots that could stand to go away, and if I really put my mind to it I bet it could happen... but I like many never quite got to what is considered a normal weight... I am still estatic I can blend into a crowd easily, and live a healthy energetic life that I didnt have before surgery. It is really up to each one of us to make it to our goals... its hard work, and take a life time commitment... but I have always been able to look back greatful I had the surgery and know for sure I would much rather do what it takes then need it again! What motivates you? Good luck!
   — colette73