Question:
What are the odds I gaining back all lost weight after WLS?
I am still struggling with the fears and emotions of gaining the weight back. I know that I am still losing but I have heard of several people who have lost the weight but have gained it back. I hope that going to support groups and the knowledge that I can gain the weight back will help me not to go there. I find myself looking for something to eat when I bored or stressed. I really have to work on that...not really sure what to do though. I would have corrected that a long time ago if I knew how. — PVail (posted on March 8, 2004)
March 8, 2004
Well my surgeon has never had anyone gainall thwe weight back, but some do
get heavy. WLS is a TOOL. We choose to either use or misuse it. We are
warned pre op we MUST add excercise to our lives permanetely and forever.
Also avoid sugar and other high calorie foods. Follow the rules success can
be ours. Ignore the rules and back to the big mens store:( I managed to
loose it all and began a mild regain:( I got off the oreo cookie bars, and
fight other bad food addictions like M&Ms:( I lost what I gained its
all in my profile. Winters are tough for me long nights and bad weather
makes for my body wanting to hibernate. I got a part time grocery stock jo
specifically for the exercise, which I get paid for:) Its not much but
extra money is always useful. I have found I have less appetite and a
better mood too. Although today I am beat so I am trying two nights a week.
Our surgeons are partners with us. Follow the rules and success can be
ours.
— bob-haller
March 8, 2004
I think 75% of people keep their weight off 5 years or longer, compared to
5% through regular dieting.
In general, people who gain the weight back don't exercise regularly and
drink a lot of high calorie beverages.
— mrsmyranow
March 8, 2004
I too have some fears about regain but they are relatively small fears
because I KNOW that I am committed to this long term. I'm making sure I do
everything that was suggested to help me with following the rules. I read
this web site religiously, I go to support group once each month, I
exercise, I consciously choose NOT to eat anything with more than 10g of
sugar per serving, and I avoid refined products like bread and white rice
because those foods will make me think I'm hungry when I'm not. Like Bob
has done, I've come up with some coping mechanisms that work to keep me out
of the kitchen. I no longer sit and read a lot like I did pre-op because
that was a sure trigger to make me think I was hungry. I've started
several projects in the house and I work on them instead of eating or I go
for a quick walk, or sit on my back porch and drink a cup of coffee and
think about how much I enjoy being size 14 instead of size 24! Maybe you
could get an e-mail friend from this site and if you're bored or stressed,
you could log on and put it all in a note. Just some things that have
worked for me..........good luck on finding things that work for you.
— SCbabe B.
March 8, 2004
I think just being aware of this is half of the battle. Many people think
that this is a cure for obesity, even though they have read that it is just
a tool and that you have to do your part to be successful. I think that
going to support groups and having a great relationship with your surgeon
is a great start.
— Sheryl W.
March 8, 2004
Phyllis, I'm one year post op and I know just how you feel. I offten get
the munchies when I am board. And I am terrified that I will gain the
weight back. My biggest nighmare is to be fat again. So I had to put my
foot down and simply not have muchies in the house or I try to snack on
fruit. Hope this helps.
— Jodie S.
March 8, 2004
I have gained about 10 lbs back. I orginally got down to 153 but I believe
it got that low because I was an emotional wreck. After everything calmed
down I slowly krept up to 165. 160 was my original goal then I lowered it
to 155. I am trying to get to 155 and maintain between 155 and 160. I am
a scale watcher. I can also tell when my jeans get a little snug or my
rings get snuggly. I weigh and for sure I have put on but thats usually
around that sweet time of the month. I use fitday.com and really pay
attention to what I put in my mouth. I look for everything low carb. So
now I can have cereal and toast and not worry about the carbs. I eat
nothing that the carbs are higher than the protein. I plan my whole day
and try not to stray from it. Now I just need to kick my butt and go for
the working out routine on a constant basis. After that I should be okay.
If not I always go back to the basics and try again I will either add
something or take something away. I now have 7 lbs to loose to get to my
goal and have given myself till easter to do it. Lent has helped also no
sweets no munchies and if I can do it that long then I can keep it up
ongoing. Best of luck.
— Chris9672
March 8, 2004
WLS is about change and consistency. We HAVE to change our bad habits. Try
drinking water or sugar free liquids when you want to munch. I eat carrots,
peppers or tomatoes for snacks. Almost everyone gains 5-10 lbs back. Over
that, it is up to you to make good choices.Include some exercise every day.
You don't have to be Jane Fonda. Just a little walk will help in a number
of ways. Weight bearing keeps you bones strong too.Good luck.
— Linda Dianne E.
March 8, 2004
I'm a grazer and I am 2 years post op. My grazing began at about 8 months
post op. I stopped losing at 8 months post op and my goal was about 60 lbs
lighter than I ever got. On the positive side of things despite being a
grazer and allowing myself to eat lots of things I should not, I only saw
about a 10-12 lb regain and then stayed within that range. Even though I
can snack constantly, my meals remain resonable. Also now at 2 years post
op I've decided to make an effort to curb my grazing and have started
really exercising, in 6 weeks those 12 lbs are now gone. Even though I
didn't make my goal it is very comforting to know that I didn't gain a huge
amount. If this had been any other diet attempt within 6 months I would
have packed on at least 50 lbs.
— SARose61
March 8, 2004
To generalize and say that anyone WILL gain weight back is going to limit
all of us. That's like saying a kid growing up in a bad area of town will
grow up to be a criminal no matter what. I refuse to believe that I will
gain my weight back as long as I know that I am willing to "do the
work", obey the guidelines set up for me, and know what my limitations
are ahead of time.<br><br>
The most important things you can do for yourself ahead of time are
to:<br><br>
1. Educate yourself about what life will be like post-op, and decide you
will follow those rules,<br>
2. Know your family history, both medically and emotionally,<br>
3. Understand your food waeknesses,<br>
4. Deal with them,<br>
5. Set your self up to succeed, not fail.<br>
6. Keep yourself busy, not bored, and change your old routines which set
you up to gain weight.<br><br>
Yes, there are statistics that people fail, and it CAN be disheartening,
but why decide to be one of those statistics? Be the exception, not the
rule. <br>Some therapy early on can work wonders, and the insurance
system is getting better at recognizing that to make WLS work, they need to
cover at least a little bit of behavioral help to make surgery work in the
long term.<br><br>
Good luck to us all.
— kultgirl
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