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Bariatric Surgery/Regain question

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Expert: - 5/16/2009


Question
I had WLS 9 years ago, I initially lost 130 lbs, but over the past 5 years and 2 pregnancies I have regained 43 lbs. No matter what I try to do in order to lose the weight it doesn't work, I lose 5-8 lbs initially in the first two weeks. Then while still following the diet I begin to regain the lost weight in weeks 3 or 4. I have tried Weight Watchers, very low carb, calorie counting, none of it works. I still do not eat pasta or rice, and only small amounts of bread. What can I do to get the diet to continue to work after the first couple of weeks. It is really frustrating to follow the plan to the letter, and then find that I have gained weight at the end of the week. Is this a common occurence after WLS?

Answer
First of all, congratulations on, in chronological order, WLS and then two pregnancies.  As you already know, pregnancies cause the body's metabolism to adjust to support the pregnancy.  It was wise that you did not try to avoid gaining the weight that you gained to support the pregnancies.  Also, I'm sure that your bariatric surgeon or your PCM advised, as time goes on, the effects of the WLS will become less and less.  Some WLS patients stomachs expand, over time, to the same size as their stomach was to begin with, depending upon their ability to control the amounts that they eat.  After nine years and two pregnancies, you may realistically expect that any advantages you recognized from the WLS may have deteriorated to the point that you may need what is known as WLS revision.  If you are not already, I encourage you to get an account with www.obesityhelp.com and check out the revision surgery forum at http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/   Please let me know how you are progressing after checking with your primary care physician regarding revision surgery.

And take good care.

Steve

Bariatric Surgery

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Steven West

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I can answer any and all questions from the perspective of a weight loss surgery patient. I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - Roux-en-Y - and can answer questions from the perspective of one who has experienced the pain and suffering of murderous obesity. I have mustered the courage to open myself to the opportunity to live life again! Let me help you get there, too! Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but for those who fit some specific criteria, it is a viable option. With the rise in obesity in America, there are suddenly weight loss surgery centers springing up on every street corner, it seems. Choosing to have weight loss surgery is a major decision in your life, and choosing the right center can mean the difference between weight loss success and failure. There are three main types of weight loss surgery being performed today at most all surgical weight loss clinics: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is similar to the first surgery, but is done laparoscopically, so it reduces the size of the incision, and reduces the pain and recovery time of the surgery, and the LAP-BAND surgery, which is a band fastened around the stomach to create a small pouch. Weight Loss surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In most cases, candidates must be at least 100 pounds overweight. Surgery should be the last resort, rather than a quick-fix. Surgery is a long-term answer to managing your weight, and you need to be aware it will change your life.

Experience

I am a post operative patient of Weight Loss Surgery (Gastric Bypass, RNY). I am interested in providing coaching for pre-operative and post-operative patients.

Organizations
Member of obesityhelp.com.

Publications
Profiled in Obesity Help Magazine.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. I am an engineer working for Computer Sciences Corporation in the Washington, D.C. area.

Awards and Honors
I am a retired veteran with over twenty years of U.S. Naval Service.

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