Gastric Bypass - Gaining weight back and trying to lose
mzenzer
Posts: 503 Member
This is for a friend I'm helping. She has the standard medical answer, but is trying to gather information from the fitness community because she is not losing weight. She had a gastric bypass about 10 years ago, lost probably 100 pounds, and has had two children since and put back on about 30-40 pounds since before pregnancy, at that time her weight was already a little elevated since the surgery years ago. She is 5ft 4in, about 175 pounds. She'd be happy losing 40 lbs. I believe after surgery she was about 125lbs. I'm trying to help her with a plan, but I've never advised anyone who has had a gastric bypass.
Again, she has consulted with Dr's and their plan (1200 calorie no exercise, restrictive foods) has had some affect but not much. We are just looking for a solution from the fitness community. I had her do her blood work, and their is absolutely nothing there that would negatively affect her weight loss such as a thyroid issue. In fact, she is in perfect health according to her blood work.
Has anyone here had a gastric bypass and put weight back on then lost it? Or know of someone or a website that deals with this specific issue? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Michael
Again, she has consulted with Dr's and their plan (1200 calorie no exercise, restrictive foods) has had some affect but not much. We are just looking for a solution from the fitness community. I had her do her blood work, and their is absolutely nothing there that would negatively affect her weight loss such as a thyroid issue. In fact, she is in perfect health according to her blood work.
Has anyone here had a gastric bypass and put weight back on then lost it? Or know of someone or a website that deals with this specific issue? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Michael
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Replies
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Gastric bypass does not address the root cause of weight gain.It does not teach lifestyle change or address emotional eating.Tell her to figure out the root cause and start a solid strength training program and eat calorie restricted smart food.Starving will not help her anyway.0
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No exercise? Not even walking? Walking is the only exercise I do, and it helped me to lose and keep off over 50 pounds for six years.0
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Gastric bypass does not address the root cause of weight gain.It does not teach lifestyle change or address emotional eating.Tell her to figure out the root cause and start a solid strength training program and eat calorie restricted smart food.Starving will not help her anyway.
I couldn't agree more, but this doesn't help much and I'd appreciate moving past opinions about why people decide to do that and just respond with practical helpful answers, or not at all. Her surgery was a mistake she admits that, but it was 10 years ago and she put the weight on because of her last pregnancy, not because of emotional eating. Where did that come from? The reasons for the initial weight gain pre-surgery are WAY in the past. She successfully kept it off prior to the last pregnancy for years. Eating healthy, swimming (strength training being implemented) has been going on for quite some time. Weight loss is happening, but slow, and I just want to hear from those who have experienced the same thing, and what worked for them.0 -
No exercise? Not even walking? Walking is the only exercise I do, and it helped me to lose and keep off over 50 pounds for six years.
To clarify, the Dr's plan does not SPECIFY exercise. They support it, but do not help with the consideration of calories if she DOES exercise. She swims, and can swim laps (pun intended) around most young people in the pool. I know what the problem is, it's calorie deficiency and getting balanced meals with a much smaller stomach. BUT, I'm hoping people who have gained weight after a gastric bypass can offer some insight as to what they did to lose it.0 -
Weight loss is happening, but slow?
Slow progress is better than no progress!0 -
Weight loss is happening, but slow?
Slow progress is better than no progress!
Agreed, but nothing wrong with trying to tweak or find better solutions if available, right?0 -
I had Gastric Bypass 10 years ago also. I had a child seven years ago and put weight back on. I initially lost 160 pounds but gained back 57 pounds over time. Unfortunately over time, the surgery stops working and I had to actually start losing weight the hard way (but right way) with diet and exercise. I am down 40 pounds this time around. I started around January of 2013. I workout with a trainer three times a week and do strenth training and cardio on my own 2-3 times a week. I average around 1500-1800 calories a day. I defintely stay at a 1,000 calorie deficit a day in order to lose 2 pounds a week. I avarage around a one pound loss though. I'm not sure if it's due to the stress I put my body through by having the surgery or not. I have just resorted to the fact that I will just have to work really hard to lose the weight but at least it's coming off!0
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If all else is equal (meaning she has no medical or metabolic issues) I would think that calculating her TDEE <15-20% should do the trick. I used a fitbit to estimate my activity level and make sure I was on track.
It sounds as though someone is kind of impatient and I expect that if this is not viewed as a lifestyle change, it will be more of the same if and when goal weight has been achieved.
If she's currently losing at an acceptable rate (about 1#/wk) then it's a matter of staying the course.0 -
I think your friend needs to understand that she's going to have to do some work this time. She's not ever going to have the same kind of rapid weight loss that she did when she initally had the surgery. Slow and steady is the way she will have to do it now. Even with a modified diet, exercise is a must.
Is she being completely honest about what she is eating and her portion sizes? Sometimes a little tough love goes a long way. She has to change her brain first and her body will follow.
P.S. I work in a doctors office and I'd say 75% of gastric bypass patient gain quite a bit of their weight back because they eat properly in the beginning then fall back into their old ways.0 -
Lots of people lose weight lots of ways and put it back on. As your friend is under medical supervision has no identified reasons for being unable to lose weight through cutting calories and exercise, she should be able to use the same techniques as everyone else.
Those would include calculating how many calories she really needs based on her lifestyle, choosing healthy, whole foods that she will actually enjoy and finding an activity that is comfortable for her. Many of us have had to tweak our program to make it work. It's simple. And yet complicated. But it's what must be done.0 -
I had Gastric Bypass 10 years ago also. I had a child seven years ago and put weight back on. I initially lost 160 pounds but gained back 57 pounds over time. Unfortunately over time, the surgery stops working and I had to actually start losing weight the hard way (but right way) with diet and exercise. I am down 40 pounds this time around. I started around January of 2013. I workout with a trainer three times a week and do strenth training and cardio on my own 2-3 times a week. I average around 1500-1800 calories a day. I defintely stay at a 1,000 calorie deficit a day in order to lose 2 pounds a week. I avarage around a one pound loss though. I'm not sure if it's due to the stress I put my body through by having the surgery or not. I have just resorted to the fact that I will just have to work really hard to lose the weight but at least it's coming off!
Thank you! This helps tons and validates some of my thoughts I had.1 -
I think your friend needs to understand that she's going to have to do some work this time. She's not ever going to have the same kind of rapid weight loss that she did when she initally had the surgery. Slow and steady is the way she will have to do it now. Even with a modified diet, exercise is a must.
Is she being completely honest about what she is eating and her portion sizes? Sometimes a little tough love goes a long way. She has to change her brain first and her body will follow.
P.S. I work in a doctors office and I'd say 75% of gastric bypass patient gain quite a bit of their weight back because they eat properly in the beginning then fall back into their old ways.
Thanks. She did fall back to her old ways, but before her last pregnancy. During her pregnancy and since has been all about health. This is not someone new to my life, I am 100% certain she is being completely honest. She did lose 10 pounds, but has been on a 90 day plateau and has even gained a couple pounds back. I think the initial 10 was water weight, the shock of a new way of eating, and everything a body goes through in the months after pregnancy, breast feeding, hormones flying every which way, etc.
It's not that she is impatient with the slow n steady approach, it's that she is frustrated because no weight is coming off at all. She is noticing small changes, feeling better, clothes a little lose, etc, and we have been over that 100 times if once that it's a lifestyle change not a "diet", and to not pay attention to a number on a scale. BUT, she is definitely not at her ideal weight. Mentally she has made that change, but she is also ready to look better too, and no loss in 90 days is an issue no matter what cheery spin is put on it. It's going to be hard work, she knows that, I am just trying to help my friend and do it in the best way possible and best for her health.0 -
If she had the surgery 10 years ago and managed to put that much weight back on then she's stretched her stomach back out so you aren't dealing with the same limitations as a fresh surgery. Diet and exercise are going to be the key just the same as anyone else trying to lose weight.0
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What blood work was done? Wonder if there is some insulin insensitivity after the pregnancies.0
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Gastric bypass does not address the root cause of weight gain.It does not teach lifestyle change or address emotional eating.Tell her to figure out the root cause and start a solid strength training program and eat calorie restricted smart food.Starving will not help her anyway.
I couldn't agree more, but this doesn't help much and I'd appreciate moving past opinions about why people decide to do that and just respond with practical helpful answers, or not at all. Her surgery was a mistake she admits that, but it was 10 years ago and she put the weight on because of her last pregnancy, not because of emotional eating. Where did that come from? The reasons for the initial weight gain pre-surgery are WAY in the past. She successfully kept it off prior to the last pregnancy for years. Eating healthy, swimming (strength training being implemented) has been going on for quite some time. Weight loss is happening, but slow, and I just want to hear from those who have experienced the same thing, and what worked for them.
a person can eat too much and stretch out their stomach pouch. She needs to go back to eating what she first ate - protein first, and then veg and then fruit.. tell her to cut out all the food that is junk food, since she needs to fill her (used to be) small pouch with nutritional food first. She is probably drinking soda pop which they advise the patient not to drink (empty calories and causes gas which makes her feel full so that she cant eat the healthier foods she must eat a few weeks after surgery.
She's probably eating too much, and not chewing thoroughly, and eating too fast, consequently stretching her stomach out.0 -
I think your friend needs to understand that she's going to have to do some work this time. She's not ever going to have the same kind of rapid weight loss that she did when she initally had the surgery. Slow and steady is the way she will have to do it now. Even with a modified diet, exercise is a must.
Is she being completely honest about what she is eating and her portion sizes? Sometimes a little tough love goes a long way. She has to change her brain first and her body will follow.
P.S. I work in a doctors office and I'd say 75% of gastric bypass patient gain quite a bit of their weight back because they eat properly in the beginning then fall back into their old ways.
All that pain they went thru, and all the cutting out of body parts/modifying body parts, and the risks patients take, all for this? that they now have to lose weight the old fashioned way. i cant wrap my mind around that. You are right - surgery does not cut out the demons in your mind that cause you to overeat.0 -
If she had the surgery 10 years ago and managed to put that much weight back on then she's stretched her stomach back out so you aren't dealing with the same limitations as a fresh surgery. Diet and exercise are going to be the key just the same as anyone else trying to lose weight.
Stomach stretching does seem to be a normal part of gastric bypass as the years go by, but she gained the weight during her second pregnancy. I knew her before, during and of course after the pregnancy. She ate like any pregnant woman would, but also was healthy about it as much as possible.0 -
Gastric bypass does not address the root cause of weight gain.It does not teach lifestyle change or address emotional eating.Tell her to figure out the root cause and start a solid strength training program and eat calorie restricted smart food.Starving will not help her anyway.
I couldn't agree more, but this doesn't help much and I'd appreciate moving past opinions about why people decide to do that and just respond with practical helpful answers, or not at all. Her surgery was a mistake she admits that, but it was 10 years ago and she put the weight on because of her last pregnancy, not because of emotional eating. Where did that come from? The reasons for the initial weight gain pre-surgery are WAY in the past. She successfully kept it off prior to the last pregnancy for years. Eating healthy, swimming (strength training being implemented) has been going on for quite some time. Weight loss is happening, but slow, and I just want to hear from those who have experienced the same thing, and what worked for them.
a person can eat too much and stretch out their stomach pouch. She needs to go back to eating what she first ate - protein first, and then veg and then fruit.. tell her to cut out all the food that is junk food, since she needs to fill her (used to be) small pouch with nutritional food first. She is probably drinking soda pop which they advise the patient not to drink (empty calories and causes gas which makes her feel full so that she cant eat the healthier foods she must eat a few weeks after surgery.
She's probably eating too much, and not chewing thoroughly, and eating too fast, consequently stretching her stomach out.
Clearly you did not read anything I posted. She doesn't do any of that, no soda or fast food or junk food.0 -
It could be a recording issue:
Weigh solid foods and measure liquids. If she doesn't do this she may actually be eating 10-40% more than she thinks she is eating.0 -
Gastric bypass does not address the root cause of weight gain.It does not teach lifestyle change or address emotional eating.Tell her to figure out the root cause and start a solid strength training program and eat calorie restricted smart food.Starving will not help her anyway.
I couldn't agree more, but this doesn't help much and I'd appreciate moving past opinions about why people decide to do that and just respond with practical helpful answers, or not at all. Her surgery was a mistake she admits that, but it was 10 years ago and she put the weight on because of her last pregnancy, not because of emotional eating. Where did that come from? The reasons for the initial weight gain pre-surgery are WAY in the past. She successfully kept it off prior to the last pregnancy for years. Eating healthy, swimming (strength training being implemented) has been going on for quite some time. Weight loss is happening, but slow, and I just want to hear from those who have experienced the same thing, and what worked for them.
a person can eat too much and stretch out their stomach pouch. She needs to go back to eating what she first ate - protein first, and then veg and then fruit.. tell her to cut out all the food that is junk food, since she needs to fill her (used to be) small pouch with nutritional food first. She is probably drinking soda pop which they advise the patient not to drink (empty calories and causes gas which makes her feel full so that she cant eat the healthier foods she must eat a few weeks after surgery.
She's probably eating too much, and not chewing thoroughly, and eating too fast, consequently stretching her stomach out.
Clearly you did not read anything I posted. She doesn't do any of that, no soda or fast food or junk food.
I read it, and i was writing while thinking out loud, giving some possible examples, since i dont know all she ate. i was saying what that food can do to a person and some common culprits on how someone can strech out their pouch.0 -
OP, I haven't had the surgery, but have been haunting a lot of web sites about it (I'm considering the sleeve surgery, but have ruled out gastric bypass for myself).
I wanted to suggest that she look into something called "five day pouch test"—it's a way for people with GB to get back on track. Not sure how it works, but if she does an Internet search on it, she'll find the diet and instructions. Basically, it takes her back to square one with GB pouch and lets her know if it's still functional and gets her back on track.
Hope this helps ...0 -
Someone can stretch out their stomach eating 20 apples every single day.
Doesn't always have to come from 'junk food'.0 -
It could be a recording issue:
Weigh solid foods and measure liquids. If she doesn't do this she may actually be eating 10-40% more than she thinks she is eating.
My money is on this. I'll bet that if she religiously weighs and measures everything that goes in her mouth for two weeks, she's see movement.0 -
I had Gastric Bypass in 2009 - only 4 years ago. I already know for me, the only remaining benefit of the surgery is that I cannot eat the large portions I used to and I cannot tolerate sugar. The malabsorption benefit is long gone - so, 1000 calories in is 1000 calories in (whereas before I only absorbed a fraction of that). I gained during my pregnancy last year and to take off that weight I have been eating at a 500 calorie deficit for a 1 pound per week loss. I have been exercising and am currently eating at 1500 calories a day. It is hard, and I recognize the shame that comes from regaining after a weight loss surgery.
There's actually a group you can check out called Gastric Bypass - Regain and also Groups specifically for folks who've had WLS. Those MFP members may have different insight.
Best of luck to her. Sounds like she is back on track and hopefully will see the results she is looking for.0 -
Hi!
I weighed 430 pounds in 2000 and had a RNY. I lost 100 pounds then hit a brick wall. I then had my surgery revised to a Duodenal Switch and lost an additional 195 pounds. Unfortunately I looked like an Ethiopian refugee at 135 pounds ( I'm 5'3") and had severe anemia and malnutrition issues. My surgeon told me to gain weight, but I took his advice too literally and I regained 110 pounds.
I spoke to my surgeon and he recommended trying Atkins to lose weight. Tried low carb (under 20 grams) for two weeks and lost weight, but I hated the way I felt and I missed eating carbs. So now I'm using TDEE-20% plus exercise to lose weight. Plus I do circuit training with a personal trainer 3x a week, kettle-bell workouts 3x a week, and at least 60 minutes of cardio each day (walking or stationary bike). The scale is moving slowly, but my clothes are starting to fall off.
I started MFP at 248 pounds and 51% body fat. My goal is to reach 150 pounds and 20% body fat. I plan to reach goal by my 50th birthday in November 2014. Although I would love to lose weight as fast as I did when I first had surgery (1 pound a day), I am content to lose 1-2 pounds a week. It may be a slower process, but a healthier and safer journey.
Just tell your friend to be patient and go back to the rules she first learned after surgery - Eat protein first...Avoid drinking your calories....Walk at least two miles a day.
Hope my story helps...
Cynthia - No Excuses...Just Do It:laugh:0 -
Ok I also had the bypass and after my 2 kids gained 100 lbs of my 135 lbs lost back. I went back to my doctor recently and found out a few mistakes I had been making in trying to lose weight. First no drinking 30 min before or after eating. It moves it through your stomach to fast. Another thing we cant control is we are more sensitive to calories after a few yrs than other people. Our boddies got use to such a low calorie amount right after that we gain faster on lower calories. I have read some people cant eat above 1100 calories or they dont lose. I myself just started eating only 1000 cal a day but twice a week eat up to 1500. Thats some stuff he told me and so far its working. Oh most people are very carb sensitive after the surgery so it can make you plateau fast if you dont watch it.0
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I had gastric bypass in 2003. Lost about 145 lbs. Gained back about 30-35 over the past few years. I am back in the gym, working with a trainer and eating clean(er). I usually have 1 cheat meal a week. But even with all of this, my number on my scale isn't going down either. My trainer said to be patient "...you didn't gain it over night so it isn't going to fall off like before..." Even though I feel a lot better, I admit I am getting frustrated. My trainer assured me that I am capable of losing the weight so I am going to keep at it.0
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Someone can stretch out their stomach eating 20 apples every single day.
Doesn't always have to come from 'junk food'.
yes thats why they have to go back eating in a particular way, per what the nutritionist will tell them. Dont shoot me for this comment but they cannot eat as big a volume because thats why they have made their innard smaller, in order to ideally NOT to squeeze in too much food, of any kind, though for them some foods are going to hurt them more than others, one thing the soda pop is not recommended, and too much things that will cause "dumping syndrome" - their stomach rejects it and it comes back up.0 -
I can answer that a little bit for you because I have a friend who has GB several years ago and gained some weight back. The thing is GBs need to keep to a low carb higher protein plan all their life or they gain weight. Regular exercise - cardio and strength training with the emphasis on strength. She is with the practice that did her surgery originally and since they put her back on the correct diet and exercise plan, the weight is coming off quite nicely. The low carb is started at no more than 50 grams of net carbs for the first month and at least 100 grams of protein and plenty of fat to make up the rest of 1200 calories. After that, she is adding back 5 grams of carbs a week and seeing how that affects her weight loss. She is to do this until it stops and then drop back 5 grams and that will be her number to lose weight on. Always eat protein first!0
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I just messaged you. I was in exactly the same boat. My surgery was 10 years ago yesterday. I did fantastic for 6 years, then had some depression and loss and I gained back 45 pounds.....this year I was able to get my head on straight and not only lost 45, but I have also lost those last 10 pounds that had been haunting me forever. She can turn it around. She just needs the right support. Don't give up on her.0
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