Have heard many of stories of gaining the weight back. Does anyone have a success story of losing the weight and keeping it off. I understand a few pounds but is it really possible to keep the majority of the weight off?

A lot, and almost every person I knew that had weight loss surgery in the late 70's or 80's gained it back. But I see way more long term success now. I just talked to a woman I used to work with who had gastric bypass in the early 2000's, she also had plastic surgery, she looks great! You would have never known she was ever overweight.

I'm still 4.5 months out but a friend had gastric bypass in 2003. He started at 450, lost 200 pounds, and has gained back 100 pounds at this point. He attributes it to doing no exercising and discovering a new love for craft beers.

I think when you consider the fact without surgery the success rate for obese people with long term weight loss effectively falls to 0, any kind of success in the long run is an improvement. Maybe half us will regain some (or all) the weight, but I'd rather have a 50% chance (or a 20% or 10% chance) of success than what medical science basically says is a 0% chance. Without surgery, no amount of will power is going to get the job done for 99% of us (at least not in the long run), but with surgery, I think will power comes back into play. Maybe it's a reset button that gives us a second chance, and then we have to decide what to do with that second chance.

I think when you consider the fact without surgery the success rate for obese people with long term weight loss effectively falls to 0, any kind of success in the long run is an improvement. Maybe half us will regain some (or all) the weight, but I'd rather have a 50% chance (or a 20% or 10% chance) of success than what medical science basically says is a 0% chance. Without surgery, no amount of will power is going to get the job done for 99% of us (at least not in the long run), but with surgery, I think will power comes back into play. Maybe it's a reset button that gives us a second chance, and then we have to decide what to do with that second chance.

Very well said whoknows that's exactly how I see it .

my hospital (a center of excellence in bariatric surgery) claims that 80% of its patients keep off at least 80% of their excess weight for 3 years. i dont know if they track longer than that. they say 20% fail, mostly because of dietary non compliance.

Oh GOD That's my mayor fear:(

I know I am new at this guys but we had major surgery and need to understand that we must control ourselves and build healthy habits. We cannot cut 80% of our stomachs and go back eating like pigs. We must have some self control and respect our bodies

My sister had the surgery done 13 yrs ago.. She lost 150 lbs and kept it off..... I think she looks great... But she thinks she's still the fat girl,and wishes she could lose 20 more.......... But I can say she still watches what she eats............. I'm hoping for the best for myself..... I was sleeved on 11/20/13 and I'm down 78lbs....