Question:
Confused......

I am so confused as far as what happens to one's body after the surgery. I have had 5 friends in which 2 regained all the weight back. 1 passed away, and the other two have lost drastic weight but 1 is all over weightloss and the other lost tremendous weight on the top half of her body and face and her bottom part of her body is huge. Is there an explanation to all this?    — mperez77 (posted on June 13, 2010)

June 13, 2010
I had my surgery in 2004. I lost over 100 pounds in a little over a year. But even losing that amount of weight really did not change me. I was almost uncomfortable being that this. My weight did creep up on me again. I have regained about 50 pounds in 6 years. I don't understand why some people lose weight so out of proportion. I know that it seemed like I lost it on the top first then the bottom. But ultimately it evened out. I would think that there is an underlying medical condition that would cause the type of weight loss you described with the bottom not losing as well as the top. I've seen it in other women. Good luck with your journey. I did at one point have a therapist with specific cognitive knowledge of weight loss patients. He was a god send. Unfortunately for me he left private practice about 6 months after I started with him. It left quite a void in my life. I would recommend this type of treatment for anyone who is going through the type of changes we've experienced. Good luck.
   — Barbara P.

June 13, 2010
When you have WLS you are throwing your body into shock. It is used to having so much fuel that it eats itself. You have to exercise constantly. Walk,walk,walk. Enjoy your protiens and your vitamins. But say no to sugar. I have watched my 3 members of my family go through this. My mom is 6 yrs out and is in a size 6. She struggles but only if she over indulges in foods she is not suppose to eat. The key to this tool is to know how to use it. Cause the surgery is not the only thing you have to do to lose weight. You have to work at it. It is a change in your life style. A change in habit. Hope this helps some. Basically just follow your doctors orders and you will be fine.
   — Victoria B.

June 13, 2010
I know several people that have had this surgery and have been very successful in this. I too am worried about gaining, so like the other gal said, you just stay on the program and do what they tell you to do. I exercise, eat well, I try only to eat complex carbs when I eat carbs and I get all my protein in. I do not want to mess this weight loss up, I went through a tremendous ordeal to get here.
   — FSUMom

June 14, 2010
Hi Maria, I don't have an answer to your question regarding your friends but I can tell you this, before I had my surgery (rny Oct 29th 2009), I would gain and lose large amounts of weight over and over and over again. At this point I've lost about 170 lbs. I only have about 50 more pounds to lose to reach my goal. In losing weight this time I noticed I had become "bottom heavy" yet my bone structure shows wonderfully in my shoulders and my face and upper torso and are looking so normal. I'm still determined to stay on track and keep to my exercise, eating, and drinking program as well as my regular visits to my doctor. I've recently noticed that with every pound I lose my "bottom heavy" hips are starting to disappear. Has your friend who is now bottom heavy reached her goal weight? The reason I ask is because my doctor told me that when a person loses weight it's lost from the top down, when the weight is gained back, it's gained from the bottom up. If your friend is like me and has gained and lost weight over and over again, then this would cause the "bottom heaviness". One explanation could be that your friend has not yet reached her goal and now she is in the last stages targeting the hardest part of weight loss which is the lower body. If this is not the case, then perhaps this is just the way your friend is built. Each one of our bodies are so different and we will all respond to our WLS in different ways. We all must be aware of how our bodies are handling our exercise, eating, and drinking programs and adjust them accordingly. Try different things based on your doctors advice and the good advice you receive here on this site in conjunction with your program. Target how your body is reacting daily. Of course we'll have questions, and that's a good thing. We've all been through the same things and can help each other out. This is a wonderful site to offer you suggestions and help but at the end of the day you have to do what's going to work for you. Then you can share what's worked best with the rest of us as we continually help each other. Personally I'm so thankful for everyone and their feedback on this site. So, if you have had WLS (not sure if you have or haven't) stay in touch with your doctor. Remember we will all react differently to different things. WLS is no exception. Keep your goal in focus, stick to your program, and be patient with yourself. Give yourself time to let your body react and adjust as you lose weight. Above all remember that WLS is just a tool and yes you can gain ALL the weight back plus more if you're not mentally ready for the drastic life style changes that must take place to be successful with WLS. If you've had WLS, stay focused, if not prepare yourself with all the information about what WLS procedures are available and determine if you are mentally ready for such a big change. Well I do hope this helps. God bless you on your journey/decision and stay in touch with us!
   — annteekee

June 17, 2010
Thank you for all the insight to my worries....I guess its just something that someone like me that has been "overweight" all her life can understand....I was given a surgery date for 8/30/10...now its just grasping the fact that I will become a "new" person, or as I was told at my appointment "reborn again". Thank you to you all good luck on this journey that may seem pety to some but a life long change for those who have struggled with weight all their lives.
   — mperez77