Regain

Last week in my nutrition class one of the discussions was about ppl who have gained the weight back. How does this happen? Was anyone worried that they wouldn't be able to use this "tool" properly and would regain the weight? I have thought about it all weekend. What if I have this surgery and it doesn't help me?

I have known people who have regained the weight back. I do not ever plan on that happening to me. I am trying my best to follow the plan. I have lost 27 lbs so far but I am at a slow pace as of right now with no loss this past 7 days. I believe in the surgery, it has already worked for me. I am 2 pant sizes smaller than when I started. I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

Hi there. Keep in mind that it's not the surgery that works or doesn't work. It's how we work or don't for that matter. For me, weight will always be an issue and a struggle. I look at my RNY just as a tool. I have learned that without regular exercise and healthy food choices I will regain my weight back- regardless of the surgery. It's an everyday thing. I know what happens when I drink too much alcohol, don't exercise and eat wrong- I gain weight. I tell everyone that is thinking about this surgery- if you don't plan on changing your lifestyle and eating habits then you will regain all of the weight back. This is a lifestyle change for life and maintaining your weight after you lose it is the toughest part. An example- My best friend this past weekend when we were in Vegas had 2 crosssants for breakfast. I wouldn't ever dream of putting that into my mouth anymore. I used to eat about 4 crossants for breakfast with chocolate or jelly on them almost everyday. I have trained my brain and my lifestyle to never crave that or even consider that as a breakfast option. It's just a lifestyle change. If you aren't open or willing to change then yes, you will regain the weight back.

I tell everyone that if you are thinking about WLS first think about ..."How willing are you to change what you do for life? And you say to yourself ,not alot or some", I guess, then you are not ready for this program because you are not willing to make the life changes it takes to make this tool work!! And no matter what it is a change for LIFE! You can't do it one day and not the next.

I wish you the best of luck.

HUGS
JOY

Realistically, everyone should expect some regain after surgery. Obviously we all hope that it isn't much. With any tool, it's how you use it that makes the difference. We have to change the habits we have gotten into that caused us to get to the weight we were prior to WLS. If we use this tool to make those changes our chances of keeping the weight, at least the majority of it, off are definitely much better than if we don't make changes. It's more than just a surgery, it's a lifestyle change.

Good discussion point actually.  I think we all know someone or a few someones that have gained all their weight back, heck on the Biggest loser there is a guy who had the surgery and now weighs over 500 lbs.  This surgery worked on our stomaches and not our heads.  If we do not change our heads we will put the weight back on.  I think we all need to know that going in and I hope that was part of the pre-qualification for everyone.  It is so easy to take a bit of this or that etc. I know for me it is going to be a struggle.  But I am doing everything I can to prevent the weight coming back.  I am only 8 months out and 110 lbs down.  I still have a ways to go.  What I do is exercise, I think that is a key to this whole thing and I think in my head that sugar/white flour are poison to me.  I also give away clothes when they are too large the second I feel they are loose.  I have not left myself a saftey net.  I hope and pray that I will not fall into the trap of going back.  I feel too wonderful right now and am doing things I have not done in 30 years.  I also come to this board everyday for support so I won't fall back, and I associate with many others that have had the surgery that are successful so I feel accountable.  I feel that if you want this bad enough you have to do everything in your power to keep this weight off.  I wish everyone the best in the adventure with your surgery

Rhonda

Trust me....It's very easy to gain weight.  RNY is not the solution to be skinny forever.  I still have to workout hard honey....I mean hard!  I have to watch what I eat, drink, etc.  It's not easy!

Keeping my weight in check requires commitment to being healthy. I yo-yo by two lbs. If I see the scale move up... I exercise more and stick to protein drinks for a couple of days. If my weight is below, I can eat a few carbohydrates... but the weight comes back up easily. I exercise a minimum of four times per week for at least an hour. I plan for special occasions and eat less for a few days so I can have something out of my usual mix.

I've seen and heard of the struggles after one has met goal. It's all too real. One needs to do the 'inside' work if the 'outside' work has a chance of sticking.

I, totally, agree with Gus!
It is very easy to regain the weight.  It is a constnt struggle.  I don't exercise as much as I should, but I do try to watch what I put in my mouth - but when I am feeling down, or happy, or sad, or... FEELING anything (LOL) I want to eat.  I try to keep to protein when I see the scale move up.  I tend to fluctuate from 165 to 170.  Do I wi**** were less?  YES, but I also know I am not working my tool to get lower.

It truly is about how well you work your tool!