Navigating Recurrent Weight Gain after Bariatric Surgery

A worry that unites almost everyone who goes through bariatric surgery is the dread of recurrent weight gain. We totally get it, bariatric surgery is a massive investment for your body, brain and bank account and it’s natural to be fearful of ‘reversing your progress.’ While we’re always here to support you in achieving your goals, we’re also passionate about reducing the stigma about weight regain and empowering you to navigate these situations with ease.

Read on to unpack recurrent weight gain, why it may happen, and how to approach this.

We have a little saying at Tailor Clinics, that 100% of patients will experience some regain. It’s well documented that the lowest weight that the body gets to isn’t the weight that it stays at. There is always a little bounce back as your body establishes its new set point. Sometimes weight gain is actually a positive thing, particularly for those whose weight may have dropped a wee bit too low in the initial year post op.

Sometimes, however, the weight regain can continue beyond this, leaving you feeling confused, stressed and at times feeling like it’s beyond your control. That’s where we can help, with empowering you with the understanding of why this has happened and strategies to support you.

There are various factors that can contribute to weight regain, including:

● A change in eating habits for example, for example:

• Eating more snacks or grazing through the day

• Eating more carbs - and ‘slider foods’ which are easy to eat but don’t sustain you

• Not eating enough protein - which causes you to feel less satiated and more hungry

● Not meeting your hydration needs, which can lead to an increased perception of hunger

● Drinking alcohol - alcohol is very calorie dense, at 7 calories per gram (which is more than protein and carbs which only contain 4 calories per gram)

● Lack of sleep - sleep deprivation can cause an increase in ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decrease in leptin (satiety hormone) causing you to feel hungrier the next day

● Chronic stress - for some people, stress can contribute to weight gain through increased cortisol levels, changes in blood sugars and behavioural changes such as emotional eating

● Menopause - the hormonal changes which occur during menopause can cause an increase in weight gain for some women - more on this in our upcoming online seminar

You can see how there are various factors that can contribute to recurrent weight gain, and how a different approach may be taken depending on your unique circumstances. This is why we’re so passionate on taking a holistic and individualised approach which addresses nutrition, psychology and lifestyle, and also why we are not a fan of ‘just jumping back on the pre op diet’ or the latest diet trend.

We have another little saying that it’s not about how you get off the path, it’s about how you get back on. Meaning that setbacks and curveballs are inevitable in life, and sometimes we go through challenging times in which our eating habits are impacted. In this scenario, it can be easy to beat yourself up and feel bad about it. But actually, there’s so much power in reflecting on these occasions. Rather than judging yourself, get curious about how your habits changed and what you could do differently next time. If you’re feeling stressed about weight regain - don’t panic. There’s a number of support options available, as outlined below:

● Individual appointments with our clinicians - whether it be nutrition, psychology, exercise or all 3. These appointments are available anytime during your 2 year follow up service and beyond.
We also have options available for those who have had surgery elsewhere. Call the clinic to book in.

● Menopause & Bariatric Surgery Online Seminar - if you resonate with experiencing weight regain through menopause or want to learn more about how to support your body through this transition you can register for the seminar (Tuesday 16th April) here.

● Medical Weight Loss Program - for those who have experienced significant weight regain or are really struggling to keep it off - the Medical Weight Loss Program may be a good fit. This program pioneers the combination of medical, nutritional, psychological and exercise support in a comprehensive 12-week program. Find out more here. Call our clinic if you have any questions or would like to book in for initial appointments. Note: this program is also available to those who have not had bariatric surgery.

● Foundations of Healthy Living Retreats - our retreats are a wonderful opportunity to be in immersive environment to implement changes, gain support and community. You will learn strategies to work through challenges, particularly with mindset and ‘head hunger.’ You can find our more about the retreats and book in here.

If you’d like help in deciding which options are best for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We are always here to support you and help guide you on how to take action.

Disclaimer: this blog is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical

advice. For more support please always seek the guidance of your relevant health practitioners.