Question:
I am 2 yrs post-op and

I am 2 yrs post-op and I have gained 20lbs and I am still eating the same as I have been and I am going to curves to exercise. I was told by a lady that had this same surgery that it is normal and it will come back off,I am frantic about this and I have been really pushing myself to get this back off. Has anyone else had this problem?    — chrissy41 (posted on February 21, 2004)

February 21, 2004
Join the Grad list and you will see it is quite normal to hit the 2 yr wall and have to learn to adjust your intake to fit the disease. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

February 21, 2004
From what I have erd it is very normal to gain around 20pds back from after 1 or 2 yrs out that is what my dr told me so he said if you do lose more than your goal its ok cause you will gain 10 to 25 pds back also have herd it many times on here from different ppl plus with you excersing you are probly gaining muscle and muscle weight is more than fat Take Care Huggs Beth
   — wildbrat

February 23, 2004
Is there a possibility that you lost too much weight to begin with? Many of the formerly obese lose too much weight because they can or because they are thrilled to be wearing single digit clothes. It doesn't mean that that low weight is right for you. I am also a little over 2 years post-op and maintaining. But I purposely did not lose down to that size 8 or less that I could have gone down to if I had wanted to. I purposely stopped at size 10-12 because I knew that maintaining had always been my biggestproblem. And it still is. I weigh daily and give myself a tight 3 pound window, which if I go over (and I do...sigh)I have to put my plan into action-more HEART PUMPING cardio exercise, a few less bites at meals, less snacking and better snack choices. What I wonder is why you did not try to turn it around before it was 20? I'm not criticizing you, just that I know its easier to try to turn it around while its just a few pounds. Its never too late, of course, but I'm afraid you have no choice but to to change what or how much you are eating to take the weight off. Curves is good for weights but ensure that you have added heart pumping cardio to burn the calories that you take in. You are soooo not alone. Many, many post-ops experience the bounce back of a 10 percent weight gain at around the 2-3 year post-op mark. But as I said, I think most of that is because they went too low for their body type/frame and the amount of food that they take in daily.
   — Cindy R.

February 23, 2004
I'm approaching 3 yrs. in May and I started to gain around July of last year. It's been heartbreaking. I got down to 112 which everyone said was way too skinny for me. I was told that I looked gaunt and hollow in my face. My husband hated how boney I was. Well, I gained up to 130! I just hate it and with the exception of exercise, I did everything else I could to fight off the gain. Well, I've been back on the exercise band wagon for about 3 weeks, and low and behold, I lost 4 lbs last week. I hope to get back down to around 118 even though for some friends and family that will be to low, I'll feel better if I can keep it down there. It's really hard since I was never ever a normal weight until now and I'm just not happy at 130. I can still wear my size 6's but not my very few 4's. I'm only 4'11" tall, so 115-118 should be a good weight for me. I don't know why I gained unless it's stress and the reduced exercise. New job just didn't allow for time or so I told myself. My hours are now down from 60-70 hrs/week plus a 50 minute commute each way to around 45 hours. I can't do anything about the commute, but I can make it to the gym if I don't work more that 9 hrs/day. You are not alone. I understand how hard it is to see the scales creeping and not be able to stop it. I promised myself I'd keep my weight within a 5 lbs range once I got to goal. Well, goal was 140lbs. I never want to see goal! My new target is to stay under 120. Pray for me that I can and I'll pray for you to get back on track and have the success you had before. Don't give up...maybe we both aren't meant to weight what we want right now, but somewhere a little higher.
   — Teri D.

February 23, 2004
I feel you. I will be two years March 22nd and I have put on about 10lbs that I have been fighting to get off. I got 5 off then they came back. I will not let them win. I keep working out and keep working on low carbs and high protein. Hoping one day all 10 will be gone. Good Luck.
   — Chris9672