I would guess that you're right. if it's gone now you are likely to be rid of it once your weight is gone.

I know that my GERD resurfaced because of the weight gain, because I was off meds and everything...oh well, this is my incentive to keep going and get this last amount of weight off.

I had VSG at a very large, nationally 'big name" center of excellence 5 years ago and had previously suffered GERD for about 20 years.

My surgeon gave me the option of VSG vs. RNY but I really wanted the VSG. He was sure that because of HOW I carried my weight, my GERD would be alleviated. I carry pretty much all my weight directly around my belly, and it looks terrible.

I lost 80+ lbs post op and my GERD was almost completely alleviated!!! Yes, I'm happy to report that he was right...however some really bad life events and bad food choices lead to some regain and my GERD resurfaced. I have since lost my regain but the GERD is still irritated, and I continue to take a PPI daily. Hoping that another 10 lbs will do the trick.

Absolutely, hands down, in a hot second YES. I had VSG in 2014 and it's still an ongoing process but it literally saved my life, helped me see the spiral downward that I was in, and was the first step in regaining my health, identity, and my life.

I'm so happy I did it, and I still identify as a bariatric patient. Some around me find it strange that I still go onto bariatric forums almost 5 years post op but I see my eating disorder as a true addiction, and like any other addict I will seek out support and help from others for the rest of my life.

well don't beat yourself up too much. what's done is done. move on. just get a quick handle on what you did and start fresh.

though I can't speak for ALL, I think most of us have had this same story at least once or twice. just stay focused, get back on plan and don't dwell on it too much. you'll probably find that you either:

1. don't feel quite as physically ill as you thought you would, or
2. you feel totally cruddy

In case it's #1, don't let it go any further and result in regain. that happened for me, I found I COULD and DID start to eat a lot of really bad stuff... in the case of #2, just remember this feeling going forward. you probably won't do it again...

hang in there

I do true Keto (strictly) but I'm 4 years post op. At 4 months you should still be focusing on the basics of bariatric surgery.

Once you are ready to move into a maintenance type eating, Keto is great for bariatric patients. But, there has to be a change of thinking as far as what fat, calories, etc mean to the body. There is definite science behind the state of nutritional ketosis and it's not as simple as 'fat=calories'. There are some fantastic published meta-analyses, correlative studies and longitudinal quantitative studies online. Definitely worth taking a look.

Good luck, Keto is a fun adventure

I kept it a secret for a while, while I came to terms with all of the reactions I might get. Once I started telling people, it became the topic of the moment. No matter what, I stayed VERY focused and talked to everyone close to me, mostly so I would have support and they would understand how things would be for me in the long run. I actually sat down with my kids and hubs and talked with them about 3-4 years down the road (which is NOW), about "are we going to be able to avoid having junk in the house even then, because I don't want junk in the house"...(FYI- they do keep junk in the house but i'm super focused and it doesn't phase me).

The one thing I didn't do was tell any family (other than folks). my 'people' are very much into vanity and possessions. I didn't feel any need to explain my private health issues with them, nor did I have the nerve to listen to their criticism without losing my cool.

Leading up to surgery, my thoughts were only good ones, thinking down the road to how different life would be. It is, but I DID have some regain- which I totally conquered...I also remember thinking about being committed to lifelong change, and I remember thinking about how improving my health issues would give me long-term opportunities with my career.

I would do it again in a second, HANDS DOWN. no question. I was very sick, my health was so poor and I was hardly functional. I am so glad I took this path. Even 4 years out I still identify as a bariatric patient and am still proud of the decision.

I've walked in your shoes! I had VSG in June 2014 and did great, I was THE model patient. did everything by the book. Then, life hit me hard. I moved, changed jobs, went back to school, graduated, lost a parent, went back to school again, switched to night shift- well you get the picture!

Through the first 2 years post op I did fine, I lost my weight and ate like I should. Around year 2.5 I decided to 'test the waters' a bit and well, it all went downhill. I regained over 35 lbs of my initial 80 lb loss. Several health problems resurfaced and I found myself depressed, exhausted from my schedule.

Finally, a health issue smacked me square in the face and I got my act together. Although not for everyone, I found that Keto was the best option for me. I lost 40 lbs since November 18 and feel great. The health issue is pretty much disappeared.

Nobody can tell you what works best for you, but i'll cheer you on as you make the efforts to get back on track!

What a rocky journey. I moved, changed careers, went back to school, lost a parent, changed jobs, graduated, went back to school again, had to change doctors, and in the process of all this I regained 30 lbs. How devastating- I was in the midst of serious depression and anxiety. The next thing I knew I was sitting in front of a GI doctor giving me some not-so-good news.

THAT was what it took to pull me out of my fog. THAT day, I committed to ketogenic eating, hydration, and learning who I was. I also started some basic exercises until I was comfortable moving into a gym.

It worked. Today, 4 months later I have lost all of my regain and would like to lose another 30. that was my original goal so I'm sticking to it. My GI doc told me that the news she gave me is in the clear, but I have to take it seriously.

Tonight I go back to the gym. i'm seriously nervous but it's time.

Wow, what a path it has been. YES you can regain your weight. I'm on the right path this time and feeling great..i'm looking forward to getting to goal and seeing a plastic surgeon for multiple procedures. God is good, my faith is restored, my focus is back and I'm only looking forward!

All, I have checked in here various times asking for some help with regain. I have struggled so many months with regaining and seemed to have no control over it.

However, I got some medical results about 3 weeks ago that were all I needed to kick my tail into action. I've been doing great since.

I started Keto 2.5 weeks ago and am down 20 lbs and counting! I feel great, BP is normalized, GERD is practically gone, and i'm on track. I have about 15 lbs to lose to be back at my lowest, but honestly i'd love to lose another 20 beyond that, which would put me at my surgeon's goal!!

Anyway I just wanted to check in. I'm doing great and on track.

thank you both, very helpful suggestions.

I am just spinning my wheels because I feel like TIME is of the essence...and there is a panic in the back of my mind that if I don't get it together very quickly, i'll only have myself to blame if I go back to the Ob/Gyn next month and face a terrible diagnosis.

I believe that the support group for my new surgeon meets the first week of the month but there are a few others within a decent driving distance so i'll search those.

It depends on how your surgery is done. There is inflammation initially that can last up to 10 months. Once this inflammation subsides you can eat a lot more. Many people confuse this with stretch.

However, it depends on how your surgery was done. if your surgeon uses a very large bougie size, he won't remove all of the stretchy area of the stomach. The upper/outer aspect of your stomach has the most stretch and the majority (or all) of it is removed in a gastrectomy. if your bougie size is very small then this part is all removed.

Ice cream. I can eat a very little bit-1 or 2 spoons, that's it. I have issues with milk too, but have used the lactose free one for my shakes and doing ok. Cheese, yogurt are no problem.

I am 3 years post op and can eat most foods without any issues, but I've learned that just because I CAN doesn't necessarily mean that I SHOULD.