I just read an article that 50% of sleeves patients regain their weight back!!! Is this true? I’m feeling some type of way. How does this happen? I just got sleeved and my insurance only gives one bariatric surgery a lifetime. I chose the sleeve, mainly because I was afraid of losing too much weight with the bypass. I will stay focused each day and do what needs done, and thank my higher power for this new chance at life.

I don't know what the statistics are, but a lot of WLS patients DO gain back weight. Maybe not all of it (although some do...), but big gains aren't all that uncommon. I think the biggest reason is that people start slacking off once they hit maintenance (if not before). You really have to keep on top of your eating for the rest of your life or you WILL gain weight.

5 hours ago, Tinesia said:

I just read an article that 50% of sleeves patients regain their weight back!!! Is this true?

[...]

I chose the sleeve, mainly because I was afraid of losing too much weight with the bypass.

Weight loss is fairly similar with sleeve and RNY (don't know about the MGB).

You can do a search on pubmed yourself regarding regain rates. Yes, a lot of patients gain at least part of the weight back within the first years.

Unfortunately there are usually quite high drop out rates when it comes to studies so nobody knows what's up with these patients. One could assume that everything is fine and dandy and therefore they don't want to bother anymore. Another assumption would be that they don't want to be scolded because of regain and don't make follow up appointments because of this reason. Maybe drop out rates are evenly distributed between the two groups, maybe not.

On WLS boards the selection bias is way too high to draw a conclusion, plus there usually aren't that much "long timers". If you're out two or three years and still posting - that's already a long time when it comes to being active on a board but it's a really short time when it comes to lifelong maintenance of the weight loss.

It's a valid fear when you look at the statistics. However keep in mind not a single person who has gone through WLS since it was originally invented, failed unless they simply ate too much.

Probably most of us got to an unhealthy weight becuase we drew off of our childhood eating habits, aggravated by today's corporate food pushing culture. We were never really taught how to eat well, over an extended period of time.

We have now been given an opportunity to begin again, and much like everone on here can probably learn any new skill for a job or hobby, we have to use this opportunity to learn new eating skills. After that, it's just a matter of being an expert at your own nutrition.

People learn new skills all the time. Kind of like "don't put your hand in a hot stove". It's up to each of us to learn, the just follow through. Hopefully if we keep this in mind, we won't be mere statistics.

luck!

I wonder how much weight they gain back. A few pounds? All of it? Yes, the surgery itself is not the solution, it's just a tool. We still have to watch what we eat for the rest of our lives.

In my opinion, any WLS is what you make of it in terms of weight loss. WLS is only a tool to help you along a weight loss journey. It's entirely up to YOU to follow your dietary and exercise recommendations, not only for immediate post-op but to continue to eat healthy and exercise well past maintenance.

https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-misconceptions

Misconception: Most people who have metabolic and bariatric surgery regain their weight.

Truth:

As many as 50 percent of patients may regain a small amount of weight (approximately 5 percent) two years or more following their surgery. However, longitudinal studies find that most bariatric surgery patients maintain successful weight-loss long-term. ‘Successful’ weight-loss is arbitrarily defined as weight-loss equal to or greater than 50 percent of excess body weight. Often, successful results are determined by the patient, by their perceived improvement in quality of life. In such cases, the total retained weight-loss may be more, or less, than this arbitrary definition. Such massive and sustained weight reduction with surgery is in sharp contrast to the experience most patients have previously had with non-surgical therapies.

I am happy to pitch in on this thread. I had VSG 10 years ago next month and have regained all my weight after successfully losing it but I do know why- First mistake was to do it prior to my pregnancies, both my pregnancies had medication associated which also increased weight and after the two kids I had gained back 40% of my weight loss. The second mistake was just not sticking with the lifestyle changes needed to maintain. I kinda bottomed out today so joined back on (I was a member in 2009!!!) to meet others who are struggling with this- my advice is not to be too harsh on them, they are probably hard enough on themselves.

I just rejoined - actually I don't remember if I initially joined or not - but I am feeling desperate and trying to do something before these last 10 pounds take me back to my pre-surgery weight. I hope this does not deter anyone from getting the surgery; everything went well and worked (I initially lost 60 lbs, not my goal, but it was significant) but then I messed up and basically acted like I never had the surgery. I've never been one to exercise and I've been eating anything that fits into my mouth. It's embarrassing but I'm hoping that talking about it might help. I have been trying to do a pouch reset but I get 2 days into it and stop. I'm pretty sure my downfall is mental stuff but I haven't been to my therapist in months. I think I feel like therapy has given me the tools by now to deal with everything, but I suppose I need to rethink that. I dunno. I guess I just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience or if anyone can relate and somehow overcame it.

Has anyone thought about going to Overeaters Anonymous?

Interesting, Tinesia - I have not thought about that, but have in fact recently become a fan of support groups. Hmm.