More than one million gastric bypass surgeries have been performed in the past 15 years in the United States, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center. The majority of patients do find success after this weight loss surgery, but 10 to 15 percent will regain weight within two to three years after their surgery. Those who regain weight and are unable to get back on track with their weight loss may need further surgical intervention.
Why Regain Occurs
Following gastric bypass surgery, approximately one in 10 patients will not lose at least 50 percent of their excess body weight, according to the Bariatric Surgery at the West Penn Allegheny Health System website. Regain may occur when the patient fails to exercise, keep all follow-up doctor's appointments, follow the prescribed diet and follow all other post-surgical instructions. In some cases, the patient's poor metabolism may play a role in causing a regain. Patients who eat more than they are supposed to after surgery could stretch out their new stomach pouch and as it stretches, more food can be consumed, which, in turn, can lead to overeating. Patients who eat the right portions can still gain weight if they are consuming high-calorie foods.
Fixing Regain
There are options available to fix a regain and get patients back on track to weight loss. Your doctor will begin by determining why you regained the weight. If the issue was reduced physical activity and increased calorie consumption, the first step is getting the diet and exercise plan back on track, then taking a watchful waiting approach to see if you return to losing weight. If this fails, a secondary surgery to redo or repair the gastric bypass may be done. A second surgery might not be covered by medical insurance and carries increased risks, such as infection and gastrointestinal tract leaks and bleeding, reports Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky.
Risk Factors of Regain
Every patient who has weight-loss surgery is at risk for regaining the weight he loses. While a variety of factors may cause a patient to experience a regain, some common factors may include preoperative body mass index, the patient's self-esteem, socioeconomic status, nutritional habits, mental health and fistula formation, Dr. Kristine Novak writes for the American Gastroenterological Association Journals website.
Preventing Regain
Preventing regain after weight-loss surgery begins before even you head into the operating room. There are factors all patients need to address that have been proven to help prevent regain. Well in advance of the surgery, you should work to stop binge eating. There are treatments available, such as counseling and behavioral therapy. Before surgery, you should already be losing weight. How much weight a patient will lose and maintain after surgery is directly related to what her body mass index is before surgery, according to the Bariatric Surgery Source website. Other prevention methods include strictly following the doctor's advice, getting nutritional counseling, joining a weight-loss support group, taking care of any substance-abuse problems and addressing any emotional issues.
References
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: Endoluminal Gastric Pouch Reduction
- Mayo Clinic; Gastric Bypass Surgery: What Happens if I Regain the Weight?; Katherine Zatersky R.D., L.D.; June 17, 2010
- Bariatric Surgery at the West Penn Allegheny Health System: Risks and Complications of Bariatric Surgery
- AGA Journals.org; What Causes Weight Gain After Gastric Bypass?; Kristine Novak, Ph.D.; March 3, 2011
- Bariatric Surgery Source; Weight Gain After Bariatric Surgery & How to Avoid or Reverse It; Feb. 17, 2011
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