Question:
I was wondering if people that have wls keep weight off perminantly?

   — penelope R. (posted on February 13, 2004)

February 13, 2004
Well, permanent hasn't happened yet, but I'm 9.5 yrs from a very distal RNY. Have done stupid stuff, but then stopped, so yes, the weight has stayed gone. I follow a formula, though, and any deviation will cause trouble for me. There are others from my peer group, same surgery, same formula who have also kept 100% of their wt off.
   — vitalady

February 14, 2004
Wow, this is a great question and the 1st answer I've seen from a 9+year post-Op is encouraging. I also emailed a 6 year post-op. They are both going to be my role model even though both admitted to "messing up" a few times. I have read a few "sad" story in which others regained, but they were extremely honest too and shared the pitfalls of failing after WLS and that takes courage as well. Thank you for asking and thank those for sharing!
   — Anna M.

February 14, 2004
Having surgery alone won't guarantee you will keep if off permanently. You have to follow the rules, you have to use this as a tool to help you lose and maintain weight. I have a friend who lost 80 lbs from her surgery, (I think she wanted to lose about 140) and then regained 50 of it. She didn't follow the rules, and ate alot of junk, at first for me seeing this first hand with someone I knew personally, made me decide not to have surgery, but then after 2 years of not getting any weight off, I decided to take it as a lesson, that when I had surgery, I had to follow the rules and that surgery alone wasn't any guarantee that it would stay off forever. You have to make a permanent change in your life and eating habits.
   — Patricia T.

February 16, 2004
This is not an answer to the question but a question to what Michelle Curan responded. I was curious as to what the formula was, in helping to keep the wt. permamently off. I tried to e-mail Michelle but couldn't get through due to her not wanting to be contacted thru e-mail. Would anyone know what she was referring to? Thanks for your help in advance and God BLess.
   — Myrna E.

February 16, 2004
There are many post-ops, long term who are successful at keeping the weight off, but this surgery is no guarantee that you will do so. The surgery does the initial work for you and continues to limit the quantity of food you can take in at one time, but you can gain some or all of your weight back if you don't make the committment to keep the weight off. Myrna, Michelle is speaking of her plan for keeping her weight off, which she had done successfully for 9 years. She relies heavily on protein shakes. All those who are successful have their own plan, in other words, what has worked for them. I am 2 years post-op and maintaining within a few pounds of my goal. I have to ensure that I eat good healthy meals, keep up with the regular exercise, and don't let myself get carried away with the sweet treats, which is all too easy for me to do. and when I do I gain!
   — Cindy R.