Question:
Ability to keep the weight off after 5 years post Weight Loss Surgery,

I am seriouly considering Gastric Bypass surgery. One of my greatest concerns is keeping the weight off long-term. Please write me if you have been able to keep the weight off 5 or more years after WLS or if you have any comments on this question. Thank you!    — Sharon E. (posted on May 14, 1999)

May 14, 1999
I'll be 5 yrs in October. Holding steady at 112 lbs. Email me for details!
   — vitalady

May 14, 1999
Sharon, My cousin had a gastric bypass surgery at the age of 15 in 1981. She is still balancing between a size 6 and 8, and doing great. She does have friends that had surgery in the same time period who did break the staples and reverse the surgery. She has not allowed herself to get full once since the surgery, thus the reason for her success. Any weight loss surgery is what you make of it. They all work, and in the same light, they all fail. Only you can determine how good it works. As for me, I had the VBG in march of this year, and I won't fail, I know that! If you have more questions, feel free to e-mail me [email protected] PollyAnna
   — PollyAnna F.

May 14, 1999
You can keep the weight off but the most important thing I would have to say to you is make sure you pick the correct procedure. My first procedure was a distal & I never had a problem keeping the weight off - until I had a staple line disruption. My 2nd surgery was done by a different surgeon, who revised me from a distal to a proximal & it has been nothing but a flop. Never lost even 1 pound - not even during surgery or recovery period, plus I've gained a lot since. My best piece of advice to you would be to make sure you go to a Bariatric surgeon, talk to him about yourself, your eating pattern, etc. & let him help you make the right decision for the right procedure for you & your body. Don't let no surgeon bulldoze you into doing it the way he thinks it should be done, but research & talk to everyone you can before having it & you won't have the regrets I live with today.
   — Sharon H.

May 16, 1999
I had a gastric bypass with a distal switch in June of 1995. I went from 237 to 132. I had a baby in March of 97 and although I didn't keep the pregnancy weight, I did gain about 8 pounds after I stopped breastfeeding. I eat whatever I want and I don't exercise. I am currently 8 1/2 months pregnant again and have gained 12 pounds since becoming pregnant. My girlfriend is 3 years post-op from the exact same procedure and has lost 110 pounds. She also eats whatever she wants and hasn't gained back any weight.
   — Jenna F.

May 21, 1999
I've met someone 13 years post-op. She had kept the weight off, and felt great.
   — Elizabeth W.