Question:
Is is easier to gain weight back after surgery?
I have been reading a lot about weight gain after WLS. My question is this. Is it more likely, or easier to gain weight back after having WLS (RNY) as opposed to say loosing weight on your own? Weight watchers etc? I am wondering if the surgery itself sets this up. Is my body now "prone" to weight gain, or is it just like before, before surgery. thanks — Karil G. (posted on November 16, 2009)
November 16, 2009
95% of all traditional dieters will regain the weight they lose plus some
within 1-5 years.
I don't know the statistics with surgery. I do know RNY and lapband tend to
have very high regain rates especially 3-5 years out after the 'honeymoon
period.' Now you will see a few people come here and defend their RNY
surgery and show how successful they are at 4 or 5 years post op.. and for
every one of those I can find 10 who are unsuccessful and have gained.
If I had a do-over with surgery I'd have Duodenal Switch. Best stats as far
as long term weight loss. Research this one also. Good luck.
— Katrina B.
November 16, 2009
I think it is largely going to depend on weather or not you change you
lifestyle. Just as in losing weight on your own you have to change what
your eating how much you are eating and increase physical activity. The
surgery is only a tool to help you get to your goal. If you continue with
old eatng habits and continue to eat more until your back to similar
volumes you ate before then you will gain. I don't know that having WLS
makes you more "prone" to gaining weight back than loosing it on
your own it's in the choices we make and how we decide to live our lives
and what we feed ourselve and the amount of exercise we get. I know I am
speaking to myself hear too becasue if I'm not careful I could gain weight
back too. I am 7 months out VSG and at times I have platued and have
bounced back and forth in a 10 lb range with gaining and losing until I
drop again and I know that my food choices and lack of exercise are part of
the problem. Making healthy choices is always better for us in the long run
so we just might as well do it. I do hope you have great success.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
November 17, 2009
With the surgery you will loose weight. Keeping it off is a job. You must
change the way you eat. Being committed to it is important. So if you do
the surgery realise that you still will have to watch what you eat for
life.
— trible
November 17, 2009
I am 5 years post-op with the Lap-Band. I am at my goal weight, but still
have room to adjust the size of the band to assist me if I am getting
hungry more than 2-4 times a day, or if I am able to eat too much. As long
as you stick with the guidelines that helped you lose the weight, you'll be
able to maintain the loss. Unfortunately, it becomes easier to overeat
(and eat the wrong things) after the first 2 or 3 years. That is why it's
important to have the surgery knowing that it is only a tool to help keep
you from getting hungry as often and to keep you full longer. Being in
control of your hunger allows you to make wise and healthy food choices.
As long as you follow the surgeon's guidelines, visit him regularly every
1-2 months for a follow up visit and "fill" when needed, you
should be able to experience long term success. Remember that this is a
life LONG change in eating and activity habits. Remembering how much
better your life is once you've lost the weight, and going into the surgery
to become healthier (not just skinnier) should help. I also recommend
joining and regularly attending a WLS support group. I've found that the
members in our group who attend regularly, have had more success with both
losing and maintaining their weight.
By the way, for anyone who had the bypass, but who is struggling to keep
the weight off, I know that some surgeons are now revising their surgery by
adding a Lap-Band. I'll bet you could revise it with other methods too.
If anyone's interested, check with your original surgeon to see what new
techniques are available. I hope that helps. God Bless.
— KimM
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