I recently put this question out there and.....

Linda Anne.....I agree with you too. I am doing everything I can to maintain my weight. I go up a couple pounds but it drops back down the next day or so. I do not want to gain weight!!

Thanks for the post sweetie!!

Love you...hugs....connie d

I loved the replies over there and here.  The one thing which hit home for me was from Jenny R

And the rules are for life. NOT the first couple years. I think some people think WLS was a get-skinny-for-a-couple-years-plan.

We don't have enough people stick around after the first couple of years, I know it's mostly because they are off living their lives off the internet, but I am sure it's also because of other reasons, regain being one of them,

I have kept 80 pounds off for 5 years, and struggle each day to stick to my plan.  That said, I lost 15 pounds and a whole size in 2008.

That comment from Jenny that you pointed out HG also reminds me of one of the surgeon's in an informational session that I attended saying "I once had someone sit through this class that asked how soon after they lost their weight could the lapband be taken out. People with any weight loss surgery we do, including the band, it is for life. You don't get to just take it back out because you got to your magic number. That's not how this works."

I honestly hope he says that in every info session because it was a real eye opener for a few that attended that same class I did -  it was VERY evident! Sad.

LA -- you know I couldn't agree with you more.  You are what you eat!!!  If you think you are "expected" to gain weight back, I believe it's an excuse not to be accountable.

And Happy Girl == I'm trying real hard not to give you my reasons for not being as active as I used to be.  I made a lifetime commitment to eat healthier and that's exactly what I'm gonna do.  I don't have time for the "acceptable" behaviors that others know is wrong and listening to everyone saying it's okay.  It's not and I'm not going to be part of it or the drama responding to posts of disagreement with the new "norm" for those.

Here's to making healthy choices and fighting the "normal" rebound!!!  How about just sticking to it.....We all tried it our way and we see how that worked out for us.  Why would we not do it the right way when given the chance.  I just don't get it.......

 

Thanks for this, Lindaanne. I've read about the "inevitable" weight regain so many places and have also thought, well that's disappointing. To get to goal and then (how so much I've read made it sound) have no control over gaining weight back just made me plain sad. In the back of my mind, it seemed like it shouldn't have to be true. Thank you (and the others who posted on that thread) for showing me that it doesn't have to be. I am really looking forward to getting down to my 150 goal and I'm happy to know that it is a fully reasonable expectation to stay there if I do the work.

Anna

well I  hate to burst anyones bubble but I know many people including myself that have had this happen to them! usually the bounceback is in the 20-30lb range and it is a simple fact that if you don't exercise follow the protien first and eat lots of those wonderful processed carbs you will gain some weight back becasue of the slurry factor!  also drinking with your meals will create this slurry issue also. Remember when you were a newbie and when you ate that those first solid meat meals how full your pouch was and how you never seemed to get hungry??  I am in the process with my annual out of control with carbs back to the real world 5 day pouch test and after getting rid of all the crap and getting back to the basics I have lost 6of those 20 pounds in a matter of a week. Of course the people that know me know I exercise 5 to 6 days a week and am religous  about it so I guess being almost 5 years out I consider myself a success.  and remember if you follow the rules I whole heartly agree with the statement about gain! maybe linda you will be one of those persons that proves this wrong and I hope so!!
good Luck to all!
Jim

I'm afraid I have to agree more with Jimmy on this one. 

I haven't faced this yet, but I believe the regain stats are there for a reason - because it IS more common than not for people to gain a few after reaching their lowest weight.  That doesn't mean it has to happen, doesn't make it allowable, inevitable or acceptable, it just makes it a reality that needs to be recognized and dealt with.  

Anyone that can manage to avoid it?  More power to ya! 

But for everyone who DOES experience regain, that doesn't mean it's over.  WLS is, for most people, for the rest of your life.  You can choose to forgive yourself, get back in control, and re-dedicate yourself to using your tool, OR, you can accept yourself with a few extra pounds and know that it beats the hell out of where you started.  That is a personal choice. 

But I would NEVER suggest that re-gain be accepted as a person's final fate - a sign that they failed and can't ever succeed.   I personally know a few people who have had the re-gain and given up on themselves, and that's sad, and wrong - IMHO.