Why/how do people regain?

[catwoman7 10,867]

47 minutes ago, summerset said:

Some people simply engaged in a gung-ho lifestyle after surgery that was unsustainable in the first place. They burn out and start to eat more and all the beloved foods they restricted for so long. The usual gut reaction to this is to be even more stricter for some time with an even worse backlash.

You will be able to eat more with time before reaching your point of "maximal possible portion" so to say at maybe about 1.5 years after surgery. So the restriction is one effect that will wear off at least up to some point. I can only speak for myself but it's still way less than I could eat before WLS.

Your metabolism will slow down up to a certain point. "Slowing down" in this case means that you need less energy to sustain a lighter body. There is less tissue that needs warmth, blood supply etc.

I agree with all of this. Also, if you have gastric bypass, then you also have the malabsorption factor that helps you lose weight. That's pretty much gone once you hit around the 18-24 month mark. So that can make at least some difference as well.

plus when you're losing, you have the constant feedback and reward of being down a pound or two (or more) every time you step on the scale. That can be very motivating. Once you're at your goal, you don't have that anymore. You pretty much stay the same, plus or minus a couple of pounds (that is, unless you start gaining again...)

and another factor - people tend to have a lot of resolve the first few months or year after surgery. That sort of wanes after awhile. Diet fatigue, you might say. It eventually sets in for a lot people.

[summerset 5,261]

11 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

Once you're at your goal, you don't have that anymore. You pretty much stay the same, plus or minus a couple of pounds (that is, unless you start gaining again...

That is why I think you need to find a sustainable, i. e. rather pleasant lifestyle - when the boring part sets in and the thrill is gone, this dieting and exercise thing gets old really quick.

Quote

and another factor - people tend to have a lot of resolve the first few months or year after surgery. That sort of wanes after awhile. Diet fatigue, you might say. It eventually sets in for a lot people.

This is exactly what I mean when I say "burn out"!

[Momcat 29]

My experience is a little different from what I've read here...I am 6 years out from VSG. Went from 263 to 150 in about a year. Kept the weight off for about three years, and then started gaining. Over the last three years I've gained about 25 pounds. Problem is, I have no idea why I'm gaining, which is really scary for me. I am 63 years old, which may have something to do with the gain??? I have never strayed from the program. Have eaten very low carb, absolutely no sugar, for the past six years. I eat only Protein, veggies, and a little fruit. I do eat a product called ThinSlim Pasta, as well as their Bagels, which are low carb and low calorie (55 calories and 8 carbs for the pasta and 90 calories, 0 carbs for the bagels). I also occasionally eat Built Bars and Enlightened ice cream bars (also low cal and low carb). I track my calories and stay at around 1400. I exercise regularly (I walk 3 to 4 miles about three to four days a week at a pace of 3 miles per hour). And yet, I am gaining. I have tried and tried again to take off the 25 pounds I have gained without success. In fact, I am continuing to gain a little at a time. Have had my thyroid checked, which is normal. Any advice???