Dreaded Bounce Back

I know I'm still early and likely still experiencing malabsorption but is it possible to never have bounce back and be able to maintain our full weight loss? Just trying to prepare, as psychologically I get very crazy when the scale goes up.

I've been thinking about this question a bit myself, just planning and looking forward to the future. We know that as RNYers we're going to lose the malabsorption of calories at some point. When, exactly, can be different for each of us. In my imagination I picture that if you weigh daily, the moment the scale starts creeping up after holding steady for a long time is the moment to either cut calories and/or increase exercise. In my case, my plan (subject to change and modification, of course) is to watch for an uptick of no more than four pounds. At that point I'll drop back from whatever calorie level I had been at, increase activity and then watch for the pounds to drop back off. Once the weight stabilizes, then that intake and exercise level becomes the new normal. This is all projection into the future, obviously, and based solely on what I've seen other people dealing with so far.

I think it's possible to avoid significant regain if one is disciplined and diligent. I'm not sure it's possible to avoid any bounce back at all due to the nature of the process that gives us a good deal of our weight loss to begin with. Some lucky folks out there just may have the metabolism to do it, but I wouldn't count on being one of them for myself.

There's actually quite a few people on here that haven't had a bounce back. I've stayed at about the same weight, give or take five lbs. So it is possible by watching what you eat and exercise.

This is great to hear. I still weight and measure my food and use MFP to log everything. And weighing myself daily helps me be accountable. Thx for your input!

My bounceback happened over a summer when I decided to hide the scale.  I went from 128 to 142.  After I went back to daily weighing I stopped gaining, but it was very difficult to get rid of that weight and I never did get back to 128.

If you weigh yourself daily and pay attention, it would be possible to avoid bounceback, but not effortless.  Your malabsorption will go away and you will have to eat less to keep from gaining.

I was eating about 1800 calories a day for a good year and not gaining.  When I wanted to lose, I had to go to 800 calories a day and for me that resulted in one or two pounds a week.  Fortunately I did not look as good at 128 as I do at my present 135.  My boobs were saggy.  When I regained they were the first thing to come back.

Thx for your response. I'm going to do everything possible not to encounter too much if any bounce back. I still follow all the rules to the letter, without any issues or cravings. Feeling good about the future. Hoping it lasts.

I had some bounce back recently, I think it started around Sept.  I was surprised because nothing had changed in my eating.  Since I got too low anyway I wasn't going to go on a diet or anything but I just kept an eye on things, weighing daily as I always have.  It is never fun watching the scale go up so I had to detach myself emotionally from the numbers on the scale.  My weight had stayed absolutely stable for over 2 years so it was unexpected.  I thought I passed the "danger" zone.

Over the course of several months I regained around 5 lbs.  I hit 110 and have stable since then.  What I found funny is that none of my clothes fit any different then they have from the beginning.  I actually got too low at one point, under 100 lbs and I really did up my intake and put on about 5 lbs but I have worn the same clothes since I hit my lowest.  They fit exactly the way they always have.  If I hadn't of been weighing I would never have a clue that I put on weight.  

Today I went searching in the back of my closet for some jeans I haven't worn in a while.  I tend to have my favorites and wear them all the time and recently wore out 2 pairs.  That was an experience since I don't think I have ever worn out clothes before I out grew them.  I found a few pairs I hadn't worn in years and tried them on, fulling expecting them to be tight on me like they always were in the past when I tried on clothes I hadn't worn in a while and they were both actually a bit loose and that is when I remembered why I never wore them in the beginning because they were too loose and I hate to wear belts.  That is why I won't just go by the way my clothes fit.  The numbers on the scale are a far better gauge for me on how I am doing.

Hoping I can be as successful as you over the long term. You are a huge inspiration for me. Thx!

I never had bounce back. I have always been diligent with my eating plan and have never swayed from the rules. Please see my profile page if interested.

I read your profile. Very inspiring. I'm following all the rules and tracking my food, exercising daily and weighing myself daily. So far, so good. Thx