There is a study saying people tend to gain a lot of weight back by 5 years.

And other studies say that most people gain at least -some- weight back at some point.

Why is this?

You would think that if it was old bad habits returning then the longer you have had the new healthy habits the more sticking power they would have (not less).

Is it the body fighting the weight loss like they mentioned in the biggest loser article?

Do you adjust to the low levels of ghrelin and so a tiny amount starts making you feel hungry again?

This concept is scary to me...

I'm four years out and 9 pounds over surgeons goal and 19 over my lowest weight. Yes, I'm hungry and it's a struggle to keep the weight off. I'm very active- I am a long distance runner. This is one of the reasons why I'm hungry. Lol. I can gain if I'm not eating 1200 or below and that's with running 4-5 times a week. I think my metabolic rate has slowed. My husband says all the time that my body is not normal and he is in disbelief when I am lamenting about the numbers on the scale. However with that being said I love sweet and salty food. It's a combo. Even though I run, I can't eat anything I want. The struggle is real. This is part of the reason why I popped back on the boards. The sleeve is amazing! I'd do it again in a second but I still struggle with my weight. I don't think that will ever go away.

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It's shocking that you can gain on so few calories even as a runner. I'm a runner now too and have to force myself to eat 2200-2400 calories a dayto not lose anymore weight at 20 months out. I seriously have to eat 8 times a day to get enough calories in.

It's shocking that you can gain on so few calories even as a runner. I'm a runner now too and have to force myself to eat 2200-2400 calories a dayto not lose anymore weight at 20 months out. I seriously have to eat 8 times a day to get enough calories in.

Lol!! Yes, I used to be that way too! Then I switched from marathons to ultra, started running long, but slower, and that's when I started gaining. It's been a challenge ever since. It just so happened that I was also three years out too. The last year has been a challenge.

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Does your matabolism slow down? Like, even a year or more after your weight has stabilized?!?

I can speak only for myself at 20.5 months post-op ... not so far!

@@Medowsweet,

Have you ever lost weight and gained it back? Many of us (weight loss surgery patients) did, many times, before getting surgery. For me, it was the result of going back to old habits. I would gradually stop being as careful as I was when I was dieting. Or I would go off of my diet, which often was some extreme diet plan that was completely unsustainable, like drinking a bunch of shakes instead of eating real food. Since I didn’t develop healthy habits, I didn’t keep them up when I went off the diet.

Post-op, it’s easy to gain weight back if you move away from the strict diet rules. At the beginning, you’re probably super careful to eat slowly, measure your portions, track your Protein and calories, and avoid all high-calorie foods. As time passes, it’s easy to gradually become less strict – maybe only log food on some days, eat the occasional serving of pizza or another high-calorie food, have a bite here and there while you’re cooking…

Eventually, these tiny changes in your strict habits can become more normal and become bigger, and the weight can creep back on. That’s especially true if your sleeve isn’t as powerful a tool as it was in the first year or so post-op.

Yes, ghrelin can go back up after weight loss surgery and make you hungry again. It’s definitely something to consider before getting surgery. You might also want to ask yourself if you’re overly hungry now, or if you’ve been eating for other reasons, like boredom or comfort or poor choices.

@@Alex Brecher " It’s definitely something to consider before getting surgery. You might also want to ask yourself if you’re overly hungry now, or if you’ve been eating for other reasons, like boredom or comfort or poor choices. "

Ummm, if we were all of the above we should...?

I hit goal in Feb 2013 after losing 150# (surgery was Dec 2011) I was morbidly obese or overweight most of my life. This morning I am 4# over goal...I have to work at this pretty constantly. I am very active and avoid fast food and crappy food generally but I do indulge too.

So, here is the scoop. The surgery is still there as a tool even years later BUT it's probably 80-90percent on YOU at that point. Given the decades of obesity, it's no wonder my body is always"wanting" to regain.

I am ever diligent that my 4# over doesn't turn into 40 or 140....right? I stay ON IT. I view obesity as a disease that I have in remission but will never be cured of. I have a level of determination that is sharee by quite a few die hards on these forums and frankly that FOCUS is one of the reasons I am still here on BP. I can't ever forget that I am not just a normal trim woman. I am someone who can easily regain. It is also one of the reasons I got skin removal...it is like tossing those 3X sweatpants cuz I ain't EVER going there again.

So awesome congratulations

You're an inspiration

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Well for me, I can eat more and do feel hunger. I am still a food addict. Also, started snacking on foods that I "missed" and couldn't eat in the beginning. Having cravings. Now the real work begins, maintenance for the rest of my life and figuring out what works best for me. The struggle is real, but I tell people it's been hard work but totally worth it!

@alexbrecher. I assume u r not hiding under a rock. You read the revent NYTimes article abt the bidy fighting to regain the weight. Did you disagree with that scientific evidence?. Do u have scientific disputes of same? I am bummed out sice reading it and really depressed. Ready to thow in the towel.

@alexbrecher. I assume u r not hiding under a rock. You read the revent NYTimes article abt the bidy fighting to regain the weight. Did you disagree with that scientific evidence?. Do u have scientific disputes of same? I am bummed out sice reading it and really depressed. Ready to thow in the towel.

Oh, stop it. That study was done on people who had not had WLS. I've seen another study showing that those of us who have had WLS are at an advantage as far as keeping the weight off and improved metabolism.

You're going to throw in the towel over the possibility of you not succeeding? Ridiculous.

Pull your big girl panties up and do what you need to do to succeed.

Metabolism is metabolism no matter how u eat or dont.

Metabolism is metabolism no matter how u eat or dont.

Metabolism is metabolism no matter how u eat or dont.

Metabolism is metabolism no matter how u eat or dont.

Seriously? We can change our metabolism! Don't starve yourself, eat real food, develop good habits and friggin move! Your head is in your way. Get it dealt with because your weight is just a symptom. Otherwise your "I'm going to quit or not even try because I might fail" attitude is going to win every time.

Edited May 15, 201610 yr by sleevenv

I move when my arthritis allows it. When it doesnt i do upper bodybwork on the parts that dont hurt. Currently PT 2x week for fractured patella, 2x week for foot arthritis, personal trainer 2x a week and pool or chair yoga other times. I also see a counselor. Anybother co trucrive criticism? Your body will fight to regiain the wt you lost nomatter HOW u lost it. Prove that wrong and i wilk start hoping again

You need help reallyrosy, because your not. You're depressed and a real downer. People come here for support, not negativity! We would like to support you, but your attitude makes it really difficult to want to.

It's shocking that you can gain on so few calories even as a runner. I'm a runner now too and have to force myself to eat 2200-2400 calories a dayto not lose anymore weight at 20 months out. I seriously have to eat 8 times a day to get enough calories in.

Lol!! Yes, I used to be that way too! Then I switched from marathons to ultra, started running long, but slower, and that's when I started gaining. It's been a challenge ever since. It just so happened that I was also three years out too. The last year has been a challenge.

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Have you talked to your NUT about this. This kind of running/training sounds like you would need a very specialized diet. Maybe you are gaining because your body is fighting for nutrients?