86% will regain the weight they lost after WLS

[Dreamin Again 112]

Thank you all for your replies! I will definitely ask her about this when I have my next appointment. I will then decide if it is worth my time to continue seeing her or if I will need to find a new nutritionist. You all have made very valid points and I am just swimming in information overload on so many levels...trying to absorb everything and learn all that I can. It's a very exciting time for all of us new people So thanks again and I am so happy I found this site!

[Prudence Ticknor 75]

If you are still in the process of deciding whether to have WLS or not; I think you are asking a great question. I have been a professional specializing in bariatrics for over 10 years. I will say I have never heard that high of a number and I have not seen any research to support it. I will tell you that the research does show between 30 - 50+% of the people gaining the majority of their weight back after two years depending on which research you look at. It's a big concern and a topic of discussion within the professionals of the industry/surgeons. Many surgeons will just recommend a different WLS never really to address the real issue; your mind and the mental aspect of behavior change. Many people go into surgery with no education or training and really believing the surgery does it all for you. The surgery is just a tool and probably one of the strongest tools with in weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. Without WLS, the stats on losing weight and keeping it off is less than 2%; so that 50+% increase sure does make a huge difference. If you do the prep work, working on being a mindful eater, becoming aware of your emotions, etc.. and know that the surgery is in your stomach and not in your head and there will be work for you to do to make the surgery work, you will be successful! I wish you the best of luck in your journey to health!

[terry1118 1,274]

This is what the nutritionist told me when I met with her "About 86% of people who lose weight with WLS will regain". Is there any way that number is correct? If that is true why do so many people continue to go through with these surgeries? Of course I said "I won't be one of those because I want and need this sooo much." I am assuming those 86% said the same thing...

Do you think that many people actually lose their weight just to gain it back? That is very discouraging to hear. Have you all heard those same statistics?

Actually, I chose RNY because statistics prove that it has the highest LONG-TERM success rate. After being very successful at LOSING but not so very successful at keeping it off, that is what I was looking for. It's understood that it will only work if I make PERMANENT lifestyle changes. If I'm not willing to do that I WILL fail! I am bound and determined NOT to fail! :-)

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I used the regain argument for years of why to not get sleeved. My sleep apnea doctor asked me... if you regained 50% in 5 years, would that quality of life improvement be worth it? How about 100% in 10 years. I was so freaking miserable. ..He was right. Even with a regain risk...still worth it. He convinced me it was worth risking "failure" in an attempt to save my life.

2.5 years old and holding steady at a 23 BMI (was over 50)...

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Even you get and keep half the weight off, that is still a success. I'm wondering where her figures are. Most everyone gets some regain but not 86% regaining all the weight.

Its a tool and you have to do some work, but I've not seen or heard of that much.

[Dreamin Again 112]

Thank you all for your replies. This has been an interesting thread for me. I am learning so much from all of you

Thanks again!