My surgeon said that is true, but that its up to us as the patient to stay on track and continue to eat like we are supposed to not like we did in the past.

Its really a mental thing for the rest of our lives, we have to make wise choices.

I have a friend that lost 170 pounds with her surgery she is 3 years out and has gained 80 pounds back, she said what did her in was the stress and reverting to her eating bad choices while under stress.

Its something to always keep in the back of your mind i believe, but this is just my opinion.

I think that you can either choose to be one of the 20% or choose to be one of the 80%. It all comes down to choice. In the end this journey is not about food. It is about why we eat and what choices we make. Surgery is only a minuscule part of our journey. If you haven't already started counseling or reading books about emotional eating and working on your issues please start. Your journey will be much harder if you don't include the mental, emotional and spiritual sides of yourself. In order to feel whole you will want to work on the whole you, not just the physical shell. Check this post out for what to expect.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dizziness/page2_em.htm

Here are some wonderful books to get you started. Geneen Roth and Doreen Virtue both have great books!


Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth

When Food is Food and Love is Love
Geneen Roth

Excuse be Gone how to change lifelong self defeating thinking habits by Wayne Dyer

You can heal your life by Louise Hay

Losing your pounds of pain, breaking the link between abuse, stress, and overeating by Doreen Virtue
And
Constant Craving - What Your Food Cravings Mean and How to Overcome Them

The emotional first aid kit by Cynthia Alexander

Course in Weight Loss 22 Spiritual Lessons
By Marianne Williamson

Can't verify the research but, just as most traditional dieters will gain back all or some or all of the weight I am sure that a percentage of wls recipients do regain a small amount from their lowest point. Speaking from my own experience (to date) at 16+ mo out my eating habits have so drasticallly changed that I have no desire for sweet and the few times I tested sugary or fatty foods I lived to regret it(can you say dump). I have not reached goal and continue eating high protein/low carb in hopes of losing some more, but the honeymoon period has expired. I am so happy(and heathy) and grateful that I decided to have this surgery that the rest is up to the individual as to whether they do the head work and behavior changes that will insure longterm success. d

While that 20% number could be disheartening I think I'm more encouraged by the 80% side of the equation... I definitely agree that we have to make a choice that the changes we've made in eating because we're fresh out of surgery and still amped have to become a part of our everyday rest of our lives mind set... Its a choice... and I don't even know yet how hard its going to get as I'm only 3 weeks out... but I am working on making this choice so much a part of me that its not even up for debate anymore... From all the reading I did before the surgery and that I'm continuing to do and my own limited experiences I know this is a hard road... but to me so was the road where I was fat... never accepted by the world or myself, unhealthy in fear of dying from all the health issues I was developing... not hardly able to walk... nope... none of its easy... but I am so grateful for the chance to do something about it...

I am 3 1/2 years post-op. I have maintained approximately a 100 lb weight loss. You have to change your way of eating after weight loss surgery - your appetite will come back. Weight loss surgery is a tool.

I do believe that the percent that gain do so because they stop following their program. I think it is easy to get back into the drinking when you eat and not excercising and eating the wrong stuff. It is up to us to maintain or go back to old ways. Sometimes I see people around me who had this go back into the yoyo dieting stages and I wonder why they don't just get back on track with the proper eating and all because weve proven doing that will bring your weight down and your body will decide when it is where it wants to be. I think being sick with this so far has made be to emotional because I get weepy when i see people struggle and then i wonder as hard as the process is maybe the nutritional requirements and the fixing why we got so big parts pre op needs to be harder. I have to do this surgery a second time for illness i dont ever want to do a 3rd one because of loosing my way. A good argument for staying close to each other here on this site dont you all think? :)

I am only 2 1/2 months out but my mother is 12 yrs out and has not gained a pound back she has maintained within 5 lbs of her goal weight but she still follows her eating habits like she is only six mths out and walks everyday. She is my motivation, inspiration and support. We can do it this is a life change not a quick fix.

Thank you for all your comments. I agree it is a tool. You have to follow the plan for it to work. Researched does say that is a 20% possibility you can gain the weight back. However, there is 80% possibility if you diet along with out a tool you will gain the weight back. I know my life will chnage. I am ready with the Lord on my side and my family support!!! I order some my books to read and continue to read the reserch. Have a change my eating habits not much. You may not agree with me, but I know me. Whe I put my mind to something I will do it!!!!!

Wow I really need to read that! My surgeon said he sees three types of people. The first type regain weight after reaching their goal because they think they're done. The second type gain some back, but fight to lose it again and the third type work and work constantly to keep it off. I will defintantly look into those books. I want to be in the 80%

people that gain the weight back i believe go back to eating and living they way they used to when they were overweight. they think that since the hit their goal weight then the deed is done. this surgery is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix!

Amen Justin!!! It is not quick fix, but a life time comment to be healthy!!!

That could be correct. I hope to be in the 80%. WLS is just a tool not a magic wand. You have to deal with why you overeat to make WLS a success I feel. It doesn't cure headhunger. It is important to take the time you have pre op to deal with this so you will be successful post op I feel. Like others have said, it is a life style change and something that you have to do the rest of your life not just till you meet your goal weight.

I would agree with those who have said that the surgery isn't a quick fix. Lcat is also correct in saying that we have to work on our issues before and after surgery. Right now, I'm struggling with eating sweets and it's tough to break. I'm doing fine with the rest of my eating plan, just with having sweets too often. We have to be extra vigilant in staying on track, that's for sure.

Lucy

I think a lot has to do with which weight loss surgery you have. Some are more successful with keeping weight off for longer period of time. This is something to discuss with your Bariatric Surgeon. And, like many have said, it's a tool for us to use in retraining ourselves to a different life style. We "eat to live, not live to eat". Good luck tommietopcat. God bless!!