Question:
Gaining weight after 3 years post-op

I am 3 years post-op. I have maintained a weight loss of 140 pounds for about 1 1/2 years now. I got down to 102 pounds with my lowest being 99 pounds and thought I looked terrific. I was really, really skinny and unhealthy looking. I started to abuse Xanax and now I am on a Xanax XR taper, but the Xanax has increased my appetite and I am eating way more than I ever have in three years. Has anyone gained a lot of weight back after a substantial amount of time? It is normal to gain "some" weight back and how much? I am hoping that once I am off the Xanax taper in mid December, my appetite will return to the way it was. Has anyone had something like this happen. I am afraid that once I am off the food schedule that I was on for three years, that I won't be able to get back on it. Thanks, Kathy    — kstonecorbett (posted on November 26, 2008)

November 26, 2008
It's common that most people will gain back 10% of their weight after time. So it's very common to gain 10-20 lbs back and it is scary and upsetting for so many who fear it will continue...I have gained back about 8 lbs at about my 2 year mark and then maintained my weight ever since. My lowest weight was 158 lbs with a loss of exactly 158 lbs! I caught my first cold after surgery and gained 5ish pounds that just never came off...Ever since, I do put on a little weight in the winter as I am just not as active...But come spring I am back to my outdoor sun and fun and I lose it before bathing suit season starts...(usually!) I had to work extra hard last winter to lose a 10 lb gain! But I did...SLOWLY...Now it's winter again! UGH! Some people let old habits slip back and do not stay on top of small weight flucuations and before they know it, they accumulate too much to tackle if they had just worked on the 3-5 lbs to start...DON'T let it get away from you...Stay focused and make good food choices or even cut some calories for now until you are off your meds...and get in some good exercise of some sort! I do not know of anyone at all that has gained back all of their weight... I think it would take an awful lot of abuse to eat your way back to MO... It's easy to lose their confidence in ourselves, but to gain all our weight back, we'd have to totally and completely sabotage everything...and that I could not see myself personally doing after wanting and needing to be healthy so much that I would allow someone to cut me open and rearrange my insides...Stay focused! The meds will not cause you to gain ALL of your weight back! Food will though...so you will have to work at it! Stay focused...You CAN DO IT!
   — .Anita R.

November 26, 2008
Kathy, First things first. Xanax is a strong drug to withdraw from. Let that happen first. Then go to a doctor and a nutritionist for proper follow up care. I did gain some weight back but managed to lose it. Let the professionals help you. Good luck, vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl

November 26, 2008
hi, iam 6yrs.out and i just found myself gaining weight back.i was 104 and now 133lb,.but doc told me that was ok ..cause i was 289lbs befor surgery. but u have to be ontop of it or it will sneak up on u. and it can happen. just do the 5 day pouch test to get u back on track and see how that goes. it is working for me. last week i lost 3lbs. so good luck. glade i could help.
   — FLMAMOM57

November 27, 2008
Wow! I never knew that weight gain or hunger was a side effect of Xanax? I only take it in the evening before bed to calm down. I would be interested in hearing what you know about Xanax and weight gain. Please write and share! Darlene [email protected]
   — dadebrito