Long term maintainers?

[drmeow 323]

I would love to hear from some people who are 5+ years out from surgery and how they have done, good or bad. I realize that there are probably fewer longterm people on this forum just by the nature of it - ie support in the early days. Does anyone know what the statistics are for bypass patients after 5 yrs? I have my first appt in a few weeks, and once I start to tell family and friends I know I'm going to hear all the negatives (I do not plan on telling many early on, even among my closest family/friends) and I'd like to be able to give some positive info back. I am doing this for my health and to be active again, not for vanity (although I sure won't mind looking better) and am 52 yrs old.

Thanks!

[catdaddy 232]

You may want to look into the veterans forums. Plenty of our vets watch and provide inputs.

[drmeow 323]

Thanks, I had not found the Veterans Forum before you posted that, and now I've looked through it - found a few helpful posts but despite the label of being only for 1+ years out from surgery, it's still filled with lots of posts from people a few days or weeks after surgery, so it's taking me a long time to weed through and find anything really helpful. I did, however, find a link to bariatric girl's website through one of the WLS magazine articles, and she has quite a few people posting in her comments, etc. who have had long term results.

[carolk36 142]

I had RNY in September but my sister had it in 2006 and is still doing great! She lost 100+ pounds and went down to 119 but her and her doctor said that was too low. She has maintained around 135 (she's 5'4) since about a year after surgery. She is my role model!

Best of luck,

Carol

[HoustonMama3 17]

I had the rny gastric bypass in August of '05. I am almost ten years out.  Initially lost 136 pds have gained back about 15 but have also had two children and preg with a third, due in July:) the only issues I have had have been anemia and a tendency to get dehydrated. Best decision I have ever made for myself.

Edited January 17, 2015 by HoustonMama3

[Golflady 19]

I have heard recent statistics of 85% success rate after five years with gastric bypass's versus 75% with gastric sleeve and 65% success rate with lap band. A good website is theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com She is a long-term WTS and just speaks from the heart, also has great tips and recipes.

[MSWDiet 64]

WLS holds the best track record for long term success. I still struggle & yoyo but I'm holding between 135 & 150 lbs total weight loss after rny on 2009. I know several people who have lost more than I and also maintained their weight loss for far longer.

The nay sayers have no better options to offer. Were there a real alternative, the multi billion dollar diet industry would not exist.

Conservative stats say 95% of wls patients maintain the loss of 50% of their excess weight. For diets, stats show 95% of dieters will regain more weight than they lost. Many, myself included thought we would be in that 5% of successful dieters.

A decade after looking into surgery I accepted the definition of insanity. Diets alone were hopeless. My post opp diet for life is working for me.

[wvugal 8]

My nurse case manager had her RNY at Duke almost 13 years ago... She has maintained her initial weight loss and throughout the 12 years + has only regained about 12 lbs. She contributes that to a sedentary job vs. a nursing job on the trauma floor, but honestly, she looks great at the weight she is now. I have other friends that are 2-3 years out that are maintaining with ease as well...
Can't wait for more time to pass for myself. I am only 3 months post surgery.

[Dar200 285]

@MSWDiet. Those are wonderful stats to be reminded of. I thought I could do it myself and so have spent way too many years being in miserable pain and watching my health deteriorate. I'm so happy I've decided to live healthy and strong for the time I have left. Yay WLS!

[HELLCATT81 88]

I had the rny gastric bypass in August of '05. I am almost ten years out. ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1421496573.412900.jpg ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1421496584.412140.jpgInitially lost 136 pds have gained back about 15 but have also had two children and preg with a third, due in July:) the only issues I have had have been anemia and a tendency to get dehydrated. Best decision I have ever made for myself.

Wow you look AMAZING!

[Trayjay33 138]

I had RNY in September but my sister had it in 2006 and is still doing great! She lost 100+ pounds and went down to 119 but her and her doctor said that was too low. She has maintained around 135 (she's 5'4) since about a year after surgery. She is my role model!

Best of luck,

Carol

Hi Carol,

Do you remember how your sister gained her weight back after losing too much weight and what she does to maintain her weight?

[jelaine5280 4]

I had RNY in March of 2005. I lost a total of 110lbs and maintained that for about 5 yrs. then I noticed my weight increasing about 10lbs a year and at about year 8 I started noticing changes in my tolerance for food, IBS, and the ability to continually eat with no restrictions and also no Satiety from food. So at year 10 finally went to see what was going on and found out that I had an enlarged storms which was causing all the issues with my eating and weight gain. This is regardless of eating good or bad. So after about 4 months of tests with a Gastroenterologist's it was decided that I needed a revision. I am currently a little more than a week out from my revision. Bottom line follow the rules of the tool and pay attention to your body definitely follow up annually with Doctor.