Question:
Is there anyone who still lost weight after 2 years post op?

I was told at the consultation (Bariatric Treatment Center)before I had my surgery (Roux-en-Y) that all the weight I was going to lose would be in the first 2 years. The counselor told me that it would be impossible for me to do anything to lose any additional weight after 2 years. I had my surgery in December 1999 and needed to lose 202lbs. I lost 90lbs the first year and 20lbs the second year. I haven't lost anything since June 2001. So my question is, "is there anyone whose surgery is older than 2 years who still lost weight?" Is what the counselor told me really true?    — Patricia C. (posted on July 15, 2002)

July 15, 2002
Well I'm only 5 weeks post-op but my mom will be 3 yrs post-op in october. We both had the VBG but she is still losing weight, alot slower but still losing. She has never once seen the scale go up in the past 3 years. She went from 315lbs to 150lbs. She is so happy and I hope I follow in her success. It is possible!
   — LaKeAffy

July 15, 2002
It's not impossible to lose more weight after 2 years post-op, but it sure as heck "will be a lot harder" according to my surgeon. The reason why? Well, your stomach will have stretched out quite a bit by then, and you'll be back in the same boat as you were pre-op ... and how much weight did you lose then? It is possible to lose weight after 2 years post-op, but you will have to do it the "hard way." I made a commitment to myself when I had this surgery that I would cooperate with this tool until my body stopped losing (at WHATEVER weight that was) and then I would work not on losing more to be as skinny as a super-model, but instead maintaining my loss. I am 16.5 months post-op right now and down 187.5 lbs. to 220. I am hopeful that I will make it below 200 lbs. in the next year. Then my goal will be to maintain that weight for the rest of my life through moderate eating and positive food choices. After all, I didn't do this surgery for cosmetic reasons. I did it to save my life.
   — Terissa R.

July 16, 2002
I just asked my surgeon that type of question at my 14 month check-up. You initially lose alot of weight because your body is not use to eating so little, but at the one year to one and a half year mark your body metabolism adjusts to this and you stop the rapid weight loss. By eating less and exercise you still can lose, but it will not be as easy. Peace.
   — Brian G.