Whether you have had a gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass, weight regain is not uncommon. So why is this? The tool still works.
We often see weight regain from 3 years upwards, and there can be many reasons (and excuses) why this occurs. Often, it is down to complacency.
The Honeymoon period (first 2 years post-op) are crucial to the amount of excess weight that you lose. On average patients will lose between 50-70% of their total excess weight. The speed at which weight is lost does vary from procedure to procedure (it’s extremely rapid with a Gastric Bypass), but most patients lose the majority of their weight within the first 2 years. And then they….relax!
Keep the relationship alive with these useful Tips:
Weigh yourself once or twice a month (if you are stepping away from the scales, you are in denial)
Attend your follow up appointments. Accountability breeds response-ability
Eat regularly and avoid ad-hoc eating, as it is easy to lose track on what you are consuming.
Keep an honest food diary and ask your Dietitian to review this with you. (have you started having biscuits and crisps again?) Remember small increases in your daily calorie intake, will equate to weigh regain.
Track your activity levels and step it up.
Drink more water. Try and drink 2 litres a day
Remember the 20 minute rule – eating slowly and chewing thoroughly works for us all (even for those who have never had bariatric surgery) Set that alarm and let those satiety hormones be released.
Don’t blame yourself or your weight loss tool. Sometimes we slip into bad habits and sometimes we just need to be reminded on how to operate the tool efficiently.
You have to work at it - and with it (just like a marriage). So don’t fall out of love with your bariatric partner. When you work together, you achieve more.
*Disclaimer: Please note that weight loss surgery results and benefits are unique to each individual and in such The Bariatric Group cannot guarantee specific weight loss goals as results for each surgery can vary. If you have any questions or would like to know more about weight loss surgery please contact our expert team.
