by Dr. Leon Katz / June 26 2024

Losing weight can feel amazing, whether you do it on your own, with medication, or through surgery. But keeping the weight off is hard. About 90% of people who lose weight with diet and exercise regain it within a year(1). If you use medication, 80% of people regain weight once they stop taking it(2). For surgery, weight regain often starts around 1.5 years after surgery(3).

When weight comes back, it can hurt your health and your sense of accomplishment. You might blame yourself, thinking, "It's all my fault." But it's not that simple.

Why Weight Comes Back

When you lose weight, your body thinks that you are starving and aggressively fights back. Your brain, and intestinal hormones send signals to stop weight loss. Your metabolism slows down,

and the “You need to eat more” hormones increase. Many people say, "I am always hungry" when they start to regain weight. They didn't feel hungry while on weight loss medication or right after surgery, but that changes over time.

What You Can Do

• Healthy Lifestyle: People who stick to healthy eating and exercise regain less weight. It's important to make lasting changes.

• Avoid Self-Blame: Don't be too hard on yourself. Weight regain is often due to biological reasons, not just willpower.

• Behavior Modification: If you struggle to change your habits, working with a behavior modification specialist can help. They can support you in making healthier choices.

Conclusion

Weight regain after successful weight loss is common and frustrating. Doctors should support their patients by referring them to weight loss specialists if they notice early signs of weight regain. If you haven't changed your lifestyle, additional weight loss medicine or bariatric surgery isn't the answer—behavior modification is key.

Remember, any effort to get healthier is a success. Don't blame yourself; focus on what you can do to keep moving forward.