Continuing on my Quest for the truth from real VSG veterans, I'd like to pose another question...

I hear and read a lot about "Do's and Don'ts" from so-called experts, dieticians, and nutritionists that we must all follow or risk gaining back the weight we lost once "the Honeymoon passes".

I'm curious, has this happened to any of you?

I'm not talking about a stall or 5-10 pound bounce, I'm talking about gaining back 40% to 50% or more

If so, please share what you think caused it; better yet, if this happened to you and you fought it off and subsequently lost the excess weight, please share your strategy.

Since I know this is a common fear, I'd also love to hear stories from people who were afraid they'd gain weight as they moved the maintenance, but didn't; especially those who strayed from the diet guidelines.

I am very happy with my progress (down 47 pounds), but I'm having a tough time accepting the idea that I'll never be this heavy again...

Thanks

"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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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?

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.

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

Your "aunt".

@@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!

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.

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...

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.

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

My mother's best friend had bypass many many years ago. She never really lost as much weight as she needed to. I think that was mostly due to lack of exercise.