Question:
Help!! Almost 3 years post op and starting to gain weight......anyone else?

I am so scared that I will be fat again. I lost down to 155 pounds from 266. I didnt even get as low as I wanted to be. But since I have gained 10 pounds, I feel horrible. I feel as fat as I ever did before my surgery. I am a size 9/10, but now my pants are getting very tight. I have tried increasing exercise, reducing carbs, etc. and even some diet pills. I think my stupid metabolism is playing tricks on my just like it has done all my life. Any one else experience this and find a way to lose weight? Thanks.    — Cory F. (posted on February 19, 2004)

February 19, 2004
Something happens to us between the 2 and 3 year mark where most post-ops gain 10 percent of what they lost back, which puts you right on track. Sometimes you can point to the reason why, we are eating more, exercising less or just eating too many carby or sugary items. I am 2 years post-op and gain a few pounds every now and then but I know why-its my snacking that gets a little out of control. So far, by cutting back on the snacking and increasing the HEART PUMPING cardio, its all it takes, so far, to take off those few pounds. The key is to jump on it while it is just a few pounds and manageable . I add a fourth workout session, change my snack choices to lower calorie ones and a few less of them, and eat a few less bites per meal when I see a weight gain. That usually works for a pound or two loss a week without too much pain. Take a look seriously at how you are eating today -what are you doing differently today than you were a year ago? Eating larger quantities, slacking of of the exercise, drinking enough water, different food choices, more snacking?? If you can honestly say nothing different, then the only thing to do is to cut daily calorie intake, and work out more. But your not alone. Unfortunately I have found maintenance a much tougher job than losing the weight!
   — Cindy R.

February 19, 2004
I'll be 4 years in April and have been controling the gain by weighing myself daily, same time, scale etc. Then if I go up about 4 lbs, go on strict Atkin's for a week. It brings me back down. It's way more work after that first year, but being on top of it before it gets out of control helps. best of luck!
   — ZZ S.

February 19, 2004
I don't know what to add except that I'm going thru the same thing! I'm 2.5 yrs postop and have gained 12lbs. I've cut back on the carbs,switched my snacks to pure protien and veggies and upped my workouts and NOTHING is happening! I'm getting frustrated!! Just thought you would like to know that your not alone!
   — Kris T.

February 19, 2004
I agree with the previous poster about watching your weight closely by weighing yourself daily. I also give myself about a 4 to 5 pound weight gain "allowance". If it starts to go over, I up the exercise and cut back on calories. The weight comes off after about a week. I think it's important to remember that we will ALWAYS have to watch calorie intake and do some form of exercise to keep the weight off for the rest of our lives. The surgery is just a tool to help get the weight off. It's up to us as individuals to change our lifestyle and eating habits to keep the weight off.
   — Patty H.

February 20, 2004
Cory I wish you would not feel horribly about 10 pounds - the average person who has never been overweight fluates back and forth between 10-20 pounds. You're correct in noting the 10 pounds - and perhaps going back to your early post-op high protein drinks and low carb meals when this happens would help. According to your profile and what you wrote you have accomplish a lot don't start beating up on yourself OKAY?
   — Anna M.