24 years post-op Gastric Bypass with Complete regain - Starting over

KatATonic717
KatATonic717 Posts: 29 Member
edited August 28 in Health and Weight Loss

Hi Everyone,

I'm Kat, and I've been on MFP off and on for 15 years. In 2001 I had laparoscopic RNY Gastric Bypass surgery at a highest weight of 340. Within 2 years I got to my lowest weight, 154. Within the past 24 years I've had ups and downs, a revision surgery, and a battle with substance abuse disorder (11 years sober now). With all of those factors and a complete disregard for what I'm "supposed to do", on April 27, 2025 I topped out at 333…only 7 lbs away from my highest weight ever.

Yesterday I hit 283lbs, a loss of 50 lbs in the past 4 months. I did it with increased activity (walking, Zumba), maintaining and logging a safe calorie deficit for a person my size, a goal of 1750 calories per day.

I chose to throw all of the "rules" of a gastric bypass out of the window at some point. It didn't happen overnight, and either did the weight gain. I remind myself that daily: This didn't happen overnight, I won't lose it overnight.

If you are a bariatric patient worried about regain, here are some things different with today's surgeries: At the time I had surgery I was 20, I wasn't required to do therapy, I wasn't asked to prove I could change my dietary habits by losing weight on my own first or do a liquid diet prior to surgery. I wasn't warned that alcohol was a huge problem for many post-op folks, and could be an easy switch of addictions. I got lazy and stopped the things I knew I should be doing, I got to a point where I was eating more than "normal" portions, let alone a gastric bypass portion. I stopped with routine follow up visits or any monitoring of bloodwork. The surgery was a tool, it didn't fail me. I lost the thread and failed myself.

I know I'm not the only long time gastric bypass patient to regain their weight. I'd love to hear from any of you long timers who have regained, and fought your way back to health.

So here it is:

Record Highest Weight: 340lbs

Record Lowest Weight: 154lbs

2025 Highest weight: 333lbs

Current Weight: 283

Goal: down to 165lbs by 2028 (10th anniversary trip to Ireland)

118 lbs to lose - One Day at a Time.

Kat

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Replies

  • rudyzenreviews
    rudyzenreviews Posts: 74 Member

    Wow Kat, thank you for sharing all of that so openly. I know how tough the ups and downs can be after bypass, and it really takes a lot of strength to be honest about the struggles along with the wins. Huge congrats on your 50 lbs loss and that’s amazing progress in just 4 months!

    You’re so right about surgery being a tool and not a cure. A lot of people don’t realize how much work goes into the long-term side of things also tracking, movement, follow-ups, and staying mindful about habits.

    I think it’s awesome that you’ve got such a clear, realistic goal and that “one day at a time” mindset. You’ve already proven you can turn things around. Ireland in 2028 is going to feel incredible!

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