Need encouragement that not everybody gains back all of the weight they lost after gastric sleeve

[Mzdiggs 169]

I find that I have to keep this thing in front of me. I am 2.5 years out and recently gained 8-10 of my 115 loss back due to medication change etc. this topic was a reminder of the little things that can cause you to gain. I first started gaining weight when I started working out with a personal trainer about 4 months ago I quickly gained 5 pounds and then a change in my medication led to the additional gain. I am the type that steps on the scale every morning and every evening so I know my body well. For others this is not a good practice but for me it keeps me accountable and I can quickly see when things are going to the left. Side note love the way the body looks from the workout so not upset in that area lol.

[ShimmyShade 93]

My high school sweetheart that I'm still friends with had the sleeve and gained most of it back. This doesn't seem to be the norm and he's the only person I know who did it. He admits it's because he didn't change his lifestyle before or after surgery. He didn't see it as a tool. Went right back to drinking soda when he could and he never exercised.

[shrinkingpamela 17]

I am 65, 10 yrs post surgery in a few months, and I have maintained my weight loss. Weighed 275 at surgery and I now weigh 177. My weight fluctuates within a 5 pound window. I do not feel that my stomach has stretched beyond the initial healing, I can eat approximately 1/3 - 1/2 cup of food at a time. I eat about 5 times a day.

That said, I came here to post an update on mineral deficiencies which I have encountered. Will be posting on another thread here on the VSG forums. ot trying to be scary, just want others to be careful.

[Mzdiggs 169]

2 minutes ago, shrinkingpamela said:

I am 65, 10 yrs post surgery in a few months, and I have maintained my weight loss. Weighed 275 at surgery and I now weigh 177. My weight fluctuates within a 5 pound window. I do not feel that my stomach has stretched beyond the initial healing, I can eat approximately 1/3 - 1/2 cup of food at a time. I eat about 5 times a day.

That said, I came here to post an update on mineral deficiencies which I have encountered. Will be posting on another thread here on the VSG forums. ot trying to be scary, just want others to be careful.

Yes, keeping up with the nutritional aspect of VSG is as if not more important as food intake and exercise. All three we have to stay diligent about. thank you for mentioning this @shrinkingpamela

[horrible_monster 3]

Five+ years out and I have much less restriction than I did a few years ago. I think losing some restriction over time is normal, but I also know I overate and sickened myself many times and that didn’t help. (I’ve sought support for my deeper-rooted food issues and am largely doing better.)
But even after several years of swinging back and forth from “Good Patient” to “reckless,” there is definitely still restriction. It’s not as powerful as it was at the beginning, but it’s there and it helps a lot.
FWIW, my highest weight was ~250 pounds, my very lowest weight post-op was somewhere south of 150, and I look and feel my best somewhere between 160-165. I don’t own a scale, but I think I’m currently between 175-180 and am getting back on track with Protein, Water, movement, and tracking food and exercise in hopes of getting below 170 again before too long.

[Danny Paul 761]

On 6/22/2018 at 7:58 PM, New1 said:

In my opinion, the obese brain is much like other addictive brains

This is something that I've found out for myself. Nobody made me eat the vast amounts of food I ate, I did it all myself. I am a compulsive overeater and even with WLS I will still be a compulsive overeater. The WLS has given me a great head start in the right direction but, if I don't control my compulsion I will be back to where I started before my WLS. That is why I sought help with Overeaters Anonymous (OA). It is modeled after the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I go to meetings, call my sponsor everyday and most important I work the steps. I have said this in the past, there are many on here who can maintain the weight loss by themselves, I unfortunately am not one of them. I will never be able to eat like a normal person. If you feel that you need help, look for it and embrace it. I am only nine months out from my WLS, I don't consider myself a weight loss success just yet. I hope that I can maintain long term and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

[Mzdiggs 169]

20 minutes ago, Danny Paul said:

This is something that I've found out for myself. Nobody made me eat the vast amounts of food I ate, I did it all myself. I am a compulsive overeater and even with WLS I will still be a compulsive overeater. The WLS has given me a great head start in the right direction but, if I don't control my compulsion I will be back to where I started before my WLS. That is why I sought help with Overeaters Anonymous (OA). It is modeled after the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I go to meetings, call my sponsor everyday and most important I work the steps. I have said this in the past, there are many on here who can maintain the weight loss by themselves, I unfortunately am not one of them. I will never be able to eat like a normal person. If you feel that you need help, look for it and embrace it. I am only nine months out from my WLS, I don't consider myself a weight loss success just yet. I hope that I can maintain long term and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

I totally agree. Though I am not a compulsive eater I do feel that extra support is a must for me. I do an online weight management program for the accountability.