(Updated July 2024) – Bariatric surgery is a game-changer for people battling obesity, offering a chance for major weight loss and better health. But, it’s not unusual for some patients to gain back some weight a few years after the procedure. To keep those pounds off for good, it’s important to understand the reasons for gaining weight after weight loss surgery.
In many cases, it’s a combination of things. Your body is undergoing massive changes in the first few weeks and months after surgery. But as you begin to adapt to those changes fully, some old habits may start to creep back in while new emotional states start elbowing their way to the front.
Gaining Weight After Weight Loss Surgery? 4 Areas to Consider
There are any number of reasons you might gain weight after gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, gastric bypass, and other procedures affect the body in slightly different ways. So let’s take a look at the different ways your body–and mind–react to these changes.
- Metabolic Changes
- Lifestyle Factors
- Dietary Habits
- Psychological Factors
Metabolic Changes
After bariatric surgery, significant metabolic changes initially help rapid weight loss. These changes include alterations in gut hormones that help you feel full, increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased hormone ghrelin, which stimulates hunger. However, over time, the body may adapt to these changes.
The initial boost in metabolism can slow down, making it easier to regain after bariatric surgery. Additionally, as patients lose weight, they often lose muscle mass, which further decreases the metabolic rate. This metabolic adaptation is a natural response of the body trying to maintain energy balance but can contribute to weight gain if not carefully managed.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in the long-term success of weight loss surgery. Despite the initial weight loss, maintaining a healthy weight requires an ongoing commitment to healthy habits years after surgery. Sedentary behavior, such as spending long hours sitting, and lack of regular exercise can lead to weight gain after gastric surgery.
Stress and lack of sleep can significantly impact weight management, too. Establishing a balanced lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, stress management techniques, and sufficient sleep is crucial for preventing weight regain. Joining support groups and engaging in community activities can provide the necessary motivation and accountability to maintain these healthy habits long-term.
Reasons For Gaining Weight: Dietary Habits
Dietary habits are a critical factor in the success of weight loss surgery. Even after surgery, it’s possible to experience weight gain if dietary habits are not properly managed. Over time, some patients may fall back into old eating habits, such as consuming high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, or eating larger portions than recommended.
It’s important to follow a structured nutrition plan that emphasizes balanced, nutrient-dense foods. Eating regular, small meals can help maintain satiety and prevent overeating. Patients should focus on protein-rich foods that help them feel full longer and support muscle maintenance and avoiding sugary and high-fat foods is essential to prevent calorie excess.
Psychological Factors
Emotional and psychological well-being plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices. Some patients may struggle with emotional eating, where food is used as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or depression. This can lead to overeating and poor food choices, which contribute to weight gain.
Body image issues and unrealistic expectations about weight loss can affect motivation and self-esteem. It’s important to address these psychological factors through counseling and support groups. Engaging with a therapist who specializes in bariatric patients can help address emotional eating patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Sound Familiar? Common Reasons for Gaining Weight
We have ALL been there. The scale is creeping, creeping, creeeeeping in the wrong direction as we’re regaining weight. What’s to blame?? Here are a few reasons your scale might be going the wrong way–in no particular order.
1. Mindless Picking. We hear it all the time, “I didn’t even notice how much I was eating until I paid attention.” It’s hard to know everything we mindlessly pop into our mouths. Looking at the screen, walking through the kitchen and grabbing something out of the bowl, or having a bite of a friend or spouse’s snack. It all adds up, and we don’t even know it! Our biggest recommendation is a food journal.
2. Oil Overkill. Fat is very, very sneaky. High-fat cheese, high-fat meat, and one of the biggest offenders: nuts. Packed with oil = oil overkill. Be sure to utilize 2% cheeses, lean cuts of meat, avoid nuts, and choose cooking spray over oils. Yes, even olive oil.
3. Not Enough Zzzz’s. Surprising isn’t it? A lack of sleep can slow your weight-loss progress. Your body becomes more stressed which can affect metabolism. Not to mention…tired eating is hard to fight.
4. Stay Hydrated. Water is the cheapest appetite suppressant out there. When the coffee overtakes the water intake, our brains get confused and send us hunger signals when thirst is truly to blame. Even light dehydration can make you hungry.
5. Working out too hard. Yep. Working out at a higher heart rate increases your hunger level. It also takes your body out of fat-burning and into carbohydrate-burning. This means more hunger, more food intake, and less fat-burning in your workout. Take it slow and talk to an exercise specialist to see about testing out your best heart rate for burning fat.
6. Missing meals. For some people, hunger doesn’t come consistently. “It’s lunchtime, but I don’t feel like eating yet.” This creates more hunger later in the day which leads to poor hunger control. Missing meals also slows metabolism and people who under-eat tend to lose slower than those who eat a regular meal pattern.
7. Sneaky starches. Almost as sneaky as oils, carbohydrates can be big culprits. Too much coffee creamer, high carbohydrate protein bars or shakes, higher sugar condiments, and even too much fruit. It doesn’t always come in a clear “bread/pasta/rice” category, but it can add up. Using MyFitnessPal calculate your intake into a pie chart of fats vs carbs vs protein. Ideal pie chart? At least 50% protein and less than 20% carbs. If it’s out of whack, you’re more able to find the sneaky starches.
8. Slider Food Slip Ups. Softer texted foods that slide out the post-op pouch faster. We use the “funnel factor” as a visual for this process. For example, eating cottage cheese or tuna salad allows you to eat larger portions and creates hunger faster. Choose more lean, solid proteins like poultry, beef, and pork for prolonged fullness and smaller portion sizes.
Plateaus are normal and we recommend weighing just once weekly. As always, consult your dietitian to help you determine what could be causing your weight loss to slow or reasons for Gaining weight.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery for weight loss, WeightWise has decades of experience in helping individuals achieve their weight loss goals and decreasing symptoms of obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Our team of experts provides comprehensive support, from pre-surgery preparation to post-surgery care, ensuring you have the guidance you need at every step.
With personalized exercise plans, nutritional guidance, and access to support groups, we help you build healthy habits and stay motivated on your journey. Trust WeightWise to help you achieve lasting success and a healthier, happier life. Take our assessment to see if you’re a candidate for weight-loss surgery or watch our free online webinar to learn more about our process.