Question:
Is it true?
Hello, here is my question. I have heard alot of conflicting arguements, some say the farther you go out the harder it is to lose weight again becuase your body readjusts to start absorbing all the "bad" stuff again, so its harder to lose weight , but then i've heard to jump start weight loss again typical post ops (long term) find it much easier than trying to lose weight preop....What are people's position on this? I'm curious becuase while i haven't deviated too far from my original diet post op ( 3.5 years out), i don't snack, i don't do alot of carbs or sugar, however, i keep being put back on prednisone (i have lupus) for bursts of time and whenever i am i pretty much snap my fingers and have gained 15 pounds. Contrary to what people think..no, it just doesn't fall off when you stop taking the meds. That is what put me in a position ot get surgery in the first place. So now i find myself needing to lose 30 pounds again. Thoughts? thx! Heather — hdziema (posted on July 26, 2006)
July 26, 2006
Hi Heather, I am 2.5 years postop and back on Lithium for my bi polar
disorder and have gained about 12 pounds and NOTHING I do will take it off.
I am VERY discouraged. I still had a good 60 pounds to go before I hit
goal. I think we need Jillian Michaels in our life from Biggest
Loser........LOL She will whoop our butts into shape or kill us
one........LOL I wish you all the best!! Mickey Craig..........
— MCraig3
July 26, 2006
I am only 7 months post-op from a VBG and I go to 2 support groups per
month, plus an eating disorder therapist 2 times a month that specializes
in WLS patients. I have been told by the nutritionist at the hospital where
I had my sugery that once you are 14-18 months out your body adjusts its
self and the malabsorbtion goes away and that you are pretty much on your
own again. Having had a VBG, I don't have the malabsorbtion benifit. WLS is
a quick fix for people who are very obese, it does no cure obesity for a
lifetime, it simply "gets you started" and down to a weight where
you can go to the gym and exercise more. My surgeon require me (and all his
patients) to have full psych exam to make sure I was aware of what this
surgery was going to do and to make sure I was mentally prepared for what
my future holds. I was told from the very beginning I would need to
exercise and be "on a diet" for the rest of my life. (If I want
to keeo the weight off that is!) I see people at these support group
meetings that are 3 and 4 years post-op and they have kept the weight off
by continuing to go to support meetings. The moderator at the meeting has
told us she sees people come into the office that have gained back half or
more of their initial loss, yet she NEVER see's them at a support meeting.
Find a meeting and go, you will get lots of suggestions.
Watching your carbs is good, INCREASE your protein. It makes you feel more
full and will get the metabolism going. I know the prednisone can but the
weight on, talk to your GP, if he/she is a "Good" doctor they
will understand and give or get suggestions to help with the weight. If you
have health insurance, use it. I pay a lot for my health insurance and I
NEVER hesitate to go and ask questions about anything. A good doctor will
not find this as an annoyance, they want to help.
— WMKaisla
July 26, 2006
Well, I know nothing about this subject. I'm only 3.5 months post op and
I'm just doing everything I can to survive right now. Haha. But I don't
believe that once you get past the magical 18 months or whatever, all is
lost. You don't lose the tool at end of this time, you're given it for
life. Besides, what do women do after they get pregnant? I've heard from
many women on here who get pregnant, several times even, and are able to
lose the weight afterwards. I'm not saying it's easy work - we all know
that. But I don't believe all is lost. And I understand about the meds.
For me it was bipolar meds. I can't believe doctors can create Viagra,
etc. but not find a solution to this devastating side effect. (my rant for
the day) lol. Good luck!!
— platypus
July 26, 2006
I have rheumatoid arthritis and am periodically put on prednisone for
flares. I decided about 2 years ago that the weight gain and the side
effects weren't worth it. I'd also gained over 200 lbs on it over the
years. I swore I'd never take it again. I have had some pretty bad flares
and I just up my other meds (that don't cause weight gain from the
prednisone munchies), and ride them out. I refuse to ever take this
medication again. If you can ride it out, and get through by adjusting
other meds or doing other things until the flare subsides, I recommend it.
If not for the weight gain, for the side effects. Take time to look them up
and what happens to people on it long term. It was enough to scare me right
off the stuff.
NO MORE PREDNISONE FOR ME!
I hope this can work for you too.
Good luck!
— oceanrayne
July 26, 2006
Hi Heather:
I totally agree with the last poster! I have a disease of the immune
system called Sarcoidosis. I was diagnosed with it in the early 80s. I
was put on prednizone, and I must say that I will NEVER take the crap
again. If Iam on my deathbed I may consider it. I was not on it that long
but boy did it reak havoc on my body. Iam convinced that this medication
totall throws everything out of wack for some people. After my WLS surgery
I had some oxygen level problems and had to have many lung treatments, they
did a cat scan of my lungs and it was discovered that I was out of
remission with my sarcoidosis again. I have decided that I will just ride
out the symptoms of the disease rather then be put on the prednizone again.
Sarcoidosis, like lupus, is a very strange illness.
Denise
— Denise H.
July 26, 2006
Aside from the Prednisone issue, which I understand is just the kiss of
death for weight gain, I'll respond to the other part. Yes, we have
malabsorption of calories (good and bad kinds) initially which helps in our
weight loss. But the malabsorption without the smaller pouch wouldn't be
enough. Years out, weight gain can occur because our bodies adjust to the
surgery and we start absorbing most if not all of the calories we were
malabsorbing before (doggone it - except for nutrients!). HOWEVER, the
reason it is easier for us to lose weight post op than it was pre-op is
because we still have smaller stomachs. So it is easier to get full faster
and easier to fill up on things that were hard to fill up on before, such
as veggies, etc. That's why going back to basics helps...not because of
the malabsorption. I don't envy you with having to take Prednisone. I've
seen many people use it and it does wreak havoc on the system. I wish you
luck and speed in getting it back off!!!
— Dinka Doo
July 27, 2006
I think you slow down at 18 or so months but I lost out until 3 years.
— cheryl D.
July 27, 2006
Thanks to all who responded...i was on really high doses of prednisone for
6 years, it made me gain close to 200 pounds. it was. i too vowed never ot
take it again becuase it was doing more harm than good, however several
times i was flaring so bad in the last year or so that i had no choice as
my other meds weren't doing the trick and i physically couldn't move..so
alas...i'm now up to 180 again and it depresses me. its frustrating
following the rules and not being able to have control of your body.
— hdziema
July 27, 2006
Hi Heather, I've been on a maintence dose of prednisone 5 mg for 4 years
before and after my RNY on 9/03. I knew I had RA, Osteo and some really
bad digestive problems before surgery. A yr ago I was told I have Crohns.
I have major ortho problems, nerve problems which have made it very hard
to exercise, I can barely walk. I lost 170# in the first 18 months, I was
very sick also. I now know it was the Crohns and hopefully I can get some
other meds and get off the prednisone. In the last 5 months I have gained
50# back and am just sick about it. My feet and knee problems have gotten
worse, I really can't walk much now. I also found out that I can't eat
beef, any dairy (cott cheese, cheese, margarine, whey, etc) processed
foods, no spices at all, no wheat, no oats, no fish, no shell fish,
basically everything I've been eating. I'm living on boiled potatoes, soy
milk, and rice crispies all stuff I should not be eating. I don't know
what my solution is going to be, but living without the prednisone and no
other solutions is not possible. So I do understand what is going on with
you. I hope you find answers. Nut
— Nut Picker
July 27, 2006
I just hope this doesn't happen to me b/c I have Lupus too!! Good Luck
& God Bless!!
— byHizgrc
July 31, 2006
Wow... Heather,
Sorry it has been a few days, I had someone contact me to get in touch
with you...
I had so many of the same problems!
I fell off the wagon, so to speak...However have gained all control back
and have such an inspiring story!
Please see my post!
I love the fact that now I am just the person I desire to be everyday!
Celeste
from 327 to 125...
I have now the body to remain in perfect harmany of the gal I always wanted
to be!
If I can be of any help to you, please email me, I love to spead my wings!
— shakeyourweight
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