Question:
Any one else started to gain after 2 years post op?

I am 25 months post op. I lost 135 pounds the first six months after surgery. I was able to maintain that weight for several months but within the last year have gained 15 pounds. I started Weight Watchers new program last week to get my healthy eating back on track. I just wanted to hear from other people who have gone through the same thing. I am feeling like such a failure at this. My eating habits had gotten pretty bad. In the week I have been on WW I feel so much better and I am back to eating my protein first then veggies and fruit. Any support would be greatly appreciated.    — tulagirl (posted on September 7, 2004)


September 7, 2004
Yes, it eventually becomes work. This is when the "Pouch Rules" (if you do a google search, you can find them) really are a necessity. Those, combined w/ the South Beach diet, helped me lose the 15 pounds I re-gained after getting to goal. I still go back and forth some, but as soon as I start to go back up, I get back on the program. I found out that for me, anything with white sugar or white flour is EVIL!
   — mom2jtx3

September 7, 2004
Well I am almost 2 years post op and I actually am gianing wt with no change in eating or in my working out. I am scared to death. I see myself getting bigger by the day and I dont know why. I am about ready to give up.
   — Sabrina H_NC

September 7, 2004
Tammi, My thoughts are with you!! I'm still only 13 months postop but the losing appears to have stopped and I'm having major struggles with eating as I should. It's as if I'm back to the "old" me of 112 lbs ago. One thing though - I saw that you said you feel like a failure. But take a minute to remember - have you EVER been successful at keeping weight off for TWO YEARS and even now regaining only 15 lbs? And you said you're DOING something about it - joining Weight Watchers. I think you are a GREAT success and will continue to be. Getting into a marriage, an intimate relationship, is one of the most stressful things a person can do. It's a life changing event and although a happy one, still a STRESSFUL one! Make's sense to me you might have a little eating trouble related to that. Best wishes and keep up the good work.
   — JaneN

September 7, 2004
You are doing great. You recognized that you were getting off track and you did something about it. I think it will always be a struggle for us, especialy during times of stress. I have good weeks and bad weeks. I've gained between 8 and 10 pounds from my lowest weight, and I know it is because I eat more volume as well as more carbs. I watch the scale and when the weight starts to creep up, I really pay attention to what I am eating. I still use fitday.com to keep track. Good luck to you!
   — maryburton

September 7, 2004
I am almost 3 years p/o and started fluctuating up after 18 months. I have yo-yo'ed up and down 10 lbs. and it is such a struggle to keep it down or even get it back down. My eating habits have not changed, in fact are probably better than when I was losing. I still don't eat sugar, and I have even cut back on my fruit which I ate lots of during my weight loss phase. My eating habits changed all for the better since the surgery, so gaining weight back was a terrible surprise. It didn't make sense. But that seems to be the way it is for lots of people. I did South Beach and lost a few in phase one, but as soon as I moved on to p2, I started gaining again. Sometimes it seems like a hopeless cause, but I just keep plugging away and cutting back on my healthy foods:(
   — Cheri M.

September 7, 2004
Tammi, I had to deliberately gain about 10 pounds when I was about 20 months out. Since then, I have been in a maintenance mode... Trying not to lose more. The strange thing is that shortly after I hit the 2 year mark, I noticed that I could eat significantly more than I did just a few short months ago. In the future, I know this might have an overall impact on my maintenance...but I also am an avid exercise buff, so I honestly think I will be able to keep it in check. It is something that we all fear. Do not feel like a failure though! Realize that you are just at a stage when it is not as "easy" anymore.. and that you may need to go back to the basics and focus on eating healthy, exercising and then you will be just fine and dandy. Remember, it took a lot of hard work to lose the weight.. and it will also take a whole lot more hard work to ensure that it stays off. I doubt we will ever get to fully "rest" when it comes to this feat. You can do it though!! Hugs, Kathie in Hawaii (Down 200 pounds in 2 years)
   — KathieInHawaii

September 8, 2004
I had surgery 12/2002 and I've lost 140 lbs, the scale goes 5 lbs either way. I've never reached my goal, but I hear I look good at 5'10" wearing a size 16/18 sometimes 18/20 I was a tight size 34 - 5X. I feel great and am very pleased with the results. It took along time to stop beating myself up about not losing as much as others or as fast. I dont have a big problem maintaining but I do trying to lose more. I need to lose another 60 - 75 lbs. I have learned you really have to be careful with food choices and exercize is a must for me, no refined sugar or pop..but I love chips and junk food so I have to be careful with everything especially the carbs--I go on a binge easy. I have some days that it scares me how much I can eat and other days I'm not into food at all. It sounds like you are doing well and I wish you the best. My goal is to be healthy and happy and not put any weight back on. Take care!
   — debmi

September 8, 2004
The 2 yr wall is so frightening. But you're not alone. Several of us have grappled with regain or just odd things. The Grad list is for those 1+ years out to speak, but anyone can lurk. There are post ops who are many years out, average being about 5 yrs. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

September 9, 2004
I want to thank everyone for their support. I went back to Weight Watchers after my first week and lost 9 pounds. I am getting back on track with my eating and I feel so much more in control of the horrible monster I call food.
   — tulagirl




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