Question:
Is anyone else out there scared they will be the % that gains weight back?

I'm over 7 months post-op, I have lost almost 100 pounds since my LAP RNY. I'm doing great, always losing weight. But I am really scared I will be one of those people that gains their weight back, when my stomach levels off and I stop losing. I am about 15 pounds from goal (I'm 150 and 5'2" now). Maybe I haven't stopped all my bad eating habits and that is why I'm scared. I drink atleast 70 oz water a day, get atleast 60 grams of protein. I try to eat atleast one meat a day, otherwise my main protein intake is from cheese, eggs, milk and ISOPURE. I don't drink with my meals, and completely gave up soda (former downfall for me) But I have been eating candy again, small amounts b/c too much will make me dump. I guess I am just really scared, does anyone else feel like this? - but I know I shouldn't, I just can't stop, it was an addiction b4 surgery and now I feel like it's back! I risked too much with this surgery and have come to far to fail. Any help/comments would be greatly appreciated!    — Lezlie Y. (posted on January 14, 2003)

January 13, 2003
I think our fear of re-gaining your weight is very normal. For me, I was just waiting for my weight to come back, because every diet I had been on had the same outcome. How can you expect a different result after 20-25 years of repeating history? Don't beat yourself up about a bite of a 'forbidden' food every now and then, good grief, we deserve to live a little! Just keep to your few rules and you will be fine. Exercise is critical while you are losing, if you are exercising and eating moderately well the surgery will work. Be reassured by your inability to eat sugar and relax. Most of all, keep this 'bad' eating in perspective. How much candy do you eat now? A couple of pieces? How much were you eating before? Think about it, and really let yourself see how you are succeeding! Get out those old photos, and enjoy this new life! Good Luck to you.
   — Cara F.

January 13, 2003
I think most of us have a fear of re-gaining. I find that after two years I have to be more careful of my food choices. If I really overdo on a particular day then I spend the next few days paying close attention to my diet to make up for overdoing it, etc. Then I realize that this is what normal people do. It's like a lightbulb goes off in our heads and we realize that it isn't always going to be as easy as it was in the first few months. However, when we're facing the simple day to day maintenance it seems far less daunting than looking at losing over 100 pounds. I check the scale every few days and it bounces around - five pounds up / five pounds down - if it goes more than 5 pounds then I give myself a good talking to and before you know it I'm back where I need to be. It takes effort but it's not overwhelming! Best wishes to you and congrats on your GREAT weight loss!
   — ronascott

January 13, 2003
Yes, I have a big fear of gaining weight back also. I'm only 3 months post op, but still I think about it often. I think what Rona said, if we backslide a little just jump right back. One thing that can help 'get back on the wagon' is to elimate all carbs for a couple of days. It seems to REALLY help with the cravings. (I did this pre-op, I learned it from the Atkins diet) Even if you have to overeat on protein for those couple of days, it works. I'm planning on going to WLS support groups or even OA if I need to. To me, if I gain the weight back after surgery, that would be about the most depressing thing I could imagine. Best of luck!
   — Stacy L.

January 14, 2003
Lezlie, I am 11 months post-op and the weight is almost at a standstill with 10-15 shy of final goal and YES, I fear the weight gain every day. How can we not after years of yo-yo dieting? Thats why I weigh myself every morning. Over the X-mas holidays I GAINED 3 pounds and spent the next few weeks doing extra exercise and extra protein to take those 3 pounds off-it worked and I was extremely pleased it did, but it scared me. I've read about too many post-ops that did gain some or even all of their weight back by reverting to their old habits, and grazing their way back to weight gain. It can happen!! Yikes... I think it is important for us to have a healthy fear of weight gain but not to let it get out of control. After all, we had this surgery to be healthy and to live normal lives, which means that you should be able to have some candy and junk food as long as its not an every day overboard situation. I think you've done awesome to lose 100 in 7 months and have no doubt that you will reach your goal...just keep this fear in perspective and do what normal people do. Keep an eye on the scale and if the weight creeps up, take action right away. This is what normal thin people do!
   — Cindy R.

January 14, 2003
Oh yeah! I'm afraid I'll be one of them. I'm 20 months post op and I'm still in the Overweight BMI range. I can't seem to lose anymore. Heck, if I can't get in the normal range, how can I hope to even keep the weight off? Yeah, I've seen several people (I know personally) that gained, most or all of the weight back.
   — Danmark

January 14, 2003
I am only one week postop but fear that I will the one who never loses ANY weight or if I do, I'll regain it all. I think we are all in the similar boat...nothing else has been successful for ME, why should this be? I think it's very normal with the histories most of us have.
   — susanje