Calling Anyone Who's Gained Serious Weight Down The Road?

[sleevedinseptember 69]

I'm early in my sleeved experience but attend a support group where a few members are struggling with regain. One gentleman had regained close to 40 pounds, another 50 pounds (out of 175 pounds lost) and a lady who is about 7 years out had regained close to 60 pounds (out of 200 pounds lost).

The reasons why included big life blows as @@VSGAnn2014 noted but also moving away from the nutrition and activity guidelines. They shared that there is a point in this experience where one might feel or decide that they just want to eat whatever they want, Protein needs be damned. They also stopped tracking and exercise stopped being a priority.

In the case of the guy who gained 40ish pounds, he adopted a vegan diet and has since lost 67 pounds. He also has started tracking, planning and cooking again. The others did not share how/if they are doing anything differently.

what i found interesting was the amount of shame and self-disgust that people expressed. I was really struck and pained by it because to me, they are not failures. they have not failed their weight loss efforts or surgeries. they still have the tool and can develop/resume the habits needed for success.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

"Just an observation, but if someone did regain a great deal of weight, chances are pretty good that they are not active on this forum. We are a self-selecting group and chances are pretty good that participating on this forum is 1) very helpful in reaching our goals, and 2) indicative that we haven't given up whatever our experience."

I think this probably true, so let me modify my question.

Have you or anyone you know personally had a big gain back...

No, but I am still early in my journey.

[jess9395 5,449]

P.S. My shrink says that after people lose all their excess weight have to find NEW motivations and NEW goals to inspire their commitment to the lifestyles that will keep them thin. After the initial weight loss, he says, the compliments stop, the thrill of being newly slim fades, boring real life pales by comparison to the excitement of watching the weight fall off. He says those who are most successful long-term are those who actively identify and work toward new goals. In other words, the most goal-oriented patients are those who have a natural advantage in keeping their weight off.

I LOVE this thinking and it's what is currently working for me! I settled at my new weight at a year out. A big part of my new lifestyle is fitness--running and yoga specifically.

I held steady easily to 18 months out and my goal of running a full Marathon. Then I gained some (8-10lbs) after inactivity following my plastics. Setting new running goals and scheduling races is what got me back down to "fighting weight" and keeps me on track. So far anyhow. Going on two years now so still a long way to go before I feel like I've got maintenance down, but I think continuing to set new goals will be a HUGE part of it for me.

"Just an observation, but if someone did regain a great deal of weight, chances are pretty good that they are not active on this forum. We are a self-selecting group and chances are pretty good that participating on this forum is 1) very helpful in reaching our goals, and 2) indicative that we haven't given up whatever our experience."

I think this probably true, so let me modify my question.

Have you or anyone you know personally had a big gain back...

Yes I think you are correct here

Just an observation, but if someone did regain a great deal of weight, chances are pretty good that they are not active on this forum. We are a self-selecting group and chances are pretty good that participating on this forum is 1) very helpful in reaching our goals, and 2) indicative that we haven't given up whatever our experience.

Yes this exactly

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I know a woman who had RnY surgery about 5-6 years ago and lost 150 pounds. I'd guess she has regained nearly 100 pounds.

She's very smart, highly educated, is a therapist herself. I say that to suggest that the monkeys on some of our backs are very hard to throw off and keep off.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I personally do NOT know anyone who had had surgery only to regain a lot back. That said, I've heard about a lot of "aunts", "cousins", "neighbor's mother's sisters", etc. You know, all the horror stories that people love to share about this "easy way out" we chose - the one that really doesn't work anyway.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Good point, @@LipstickLady ....

For counterpoint, here's a four-year surgiversary announcement made here yesterday:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/354253-4-years-ago-today-i-was-wheeled-into-surgery/?hl=%2Bqueen+%2Bcrop#entry3991321

[Cape Crooner 589]

I personally do NOT know anyone who had had surgery only to regain a lot back. That said, I've heard about a lot of "aunts", "cousins", "neighbor's mother's sisters", etc. You know, all the horror stories that people love to share about this "easy way out" we chose - the one that really doesn't work anyway.

Yes, me too. I have followed them down and they were either lap-bands or old school stomach stapling, thus far no VSG or RNY's.

As I look around this forum, it seems to me that there are two frequent causes; drinking sugary sodas or other drinks all day and/or eating complex sugary/fat carbs rather than Protein and healthy meals (and yes in most cases it was accompanied by some sort of major life trauma).

So to further narrow the question, soda/sugar bad habits not withstanding, has anyone (or anyone you know) gained back more than 10 pounds while following a rather normal person's diet?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Good point, @@LipstickLady ....

For counterpoint, here's a four-year surgiversary announcement made here yesterday:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/354253-4-years-ago-today-i-was-wheeled-into-surgery/?hl=%2Bqueen+%2Bcrop#entry3991321

It's exciting, isn't it?

[Elode 8,093]

My aunt did have gastric bypass about 8 years ago and she gained all her weight back plus some. She's taking "diet pills" now. It's sad and it sucks! On the other hand we are talking about a woman who would still visit the buffets and continue to eat even when it caused her pain. I think it was inevitable in her case. It can and does happen. So with that being said I am hyper aware of this fact and I take measures to keep myself in check. Ex: the 5 day liquid diet as a nice reminder.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

My aunt did have gastric bypass about 8 years ago and she gained all her weight back plus some.

Your "aunt".

[Elode 8,093]

@@LipstickLady Yes! She's for real my aunt! I know her personally, I've seen the butt shrink and extend....we're close like that!

[♥dreamable 189]

I know people who have been successful and people who have not. Those who have not and gained most, if not more weight back, failed to actually change their eating habits. One of them was drinking pop a lot and the other one, well she still continued to eat crappy processed foods like potato chips for her meals.

The ones who did manage to keep the weight off, as was stated by others earlier, did gain about 10-15lbs back around the 3 year mark, but one of them says that is fine with her, as she is very comfortable at the weight she has been maintaining and she didn't feel as healthy and strong when she was the 15lbs thinner.

[longjohs 11]

I completely understand your concern. One of my very best friends had the sleeve, lost 180lbs. Then found out she had ovarian and uterine cancer...between chemo, radiation, neuropathy and depression, she has gained a majority of her weight back. It really worried me how my surgery would effect her, but she is a trooper and helps me out daily. It is time to "retire" my first set of clothes and I am apprehensive about it...it took a lot of effort to find cute shrubs and jeans in my size I am emotionally attached to some of them...

[BestDayEver 418]

Sister had rny and gained back much but not all the weight back. She didn't change her eating habits from day one. drinks regular soda daily, fast food and lot and lots of chocolate candy. She NEVER exercises. The surgery is only a tool and not a miracle cure for obesity. I believe some effort is required for long term success.

[Dr-Patient 830]

@ Just wanna say, I like your username. Cool.