Regain question

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

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