Question:
I am worried about regaining weight

HI, I am preop but I have been reading about regaining the weight. I know that the surgery is a tool, but I still worry. I have always had a tough time with the will power, though I am pretty good at getting the exercize in. I know that the weight will come off, but will it stay off? By the way I am having open surgery on April 29. any thought post op people? T    — Tracey L. (posted on April 1, 2002)

April 1, 2002
I went into my surgery not wanting to hear any more about the "tool" business - yada yada yada. <G> but, it's more accurate than I care to realize! Now that most of my weight is gone, I really do need to pay attention to what I eat, and how much. Will power is still a struggle, and in fact there are moments where I will have that internal battle while I'm standing there with a candy bar in my hand trying to decide whether to eat it. So far, so good. At almost 2 years post-op, I am within 10 lbs of my goal weight. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

April 1, 2002
This is a great question. Realistically, the only one that can answer it is you. Are you willing to use your tool correctly? Are you willing to give up the "bad" foods? (Not saying that you cant ever have a piece of candy again)Are you willing to never drink with your meals? Are you willing to commit yourself to this new way of life? If you are, and you exercise, there is no reason why you can't take and keep all your weight off. It ain't easy though. I struggle on a daily basis to make good choices and avoid drinking while I'm eating. Am I successful? 8 times out of 10, yes I am pretty controlled. I lost all of my excess weight but it isn't so easy to keep it off. I must work at it. If you begin to consume more than you burn, you will gain. It's really that simple. But the bottom line is this: Without WLS, it was impossible for me. Now that I got it, I am trying my hardest to keep it. I hope to God that's enough.
   — Jeannet

April 1, 2002
Weight loss is a math game. You have to burn more calories than you eat. WLS is a tool and a very good one at that. Is there a chance you will regain your weight? Yes, I suppose. Or at least some of it. Can you be successful? I firmly believe that you can take off 75%+ of your excess weight and keep it off (maintain) for the rest of your life. In my opinion, the key is daily exercise, concentrating on the protein, staying away from the grazing and weighing yourself every few weeks just to make sure you're not gaining. It's possible. I have lost 171 lbs. so far and have 46 lbs. to goal!!! YES!!!
   — Terissa R.

April 1, 2002
I'm 14 mos post op; I continue to lose, albeit gradually. I worry alot about regaining the weight, mostly because the things that are the easiest for me to eat are things I shouldn't. I didn't have willpower then and I don't now. If I could do all the things I should, I wouldn't have had to have the surgery. I was told that they cut out a portion of your intestine that works to absorb food into fat. Is that true? If so, there's some hope. I'm amazed still every time I get on the scale & have lost. I don't eat alot, but I do eat junk foods.
   — Penny W.