STRUGGLING with weight regain 6+ yrs. post RNY - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Suzanne-photog4fun · 05-23-2008, 08:15 PM

6 yrs. 4 months post-op...STRUGGLING!
I need to get "back on track"!!!!!!
First step, start reconnecting with others that have had gastric bypass surgery on Thinnertimes and the OSSG yahoo support groups. Next, return to support group to see people in person.
I'm embarrassed by my weight gain . One of my biggest problems is that I drink water with my meals which totally defeats the proper use of my pouch by pushing food into my intestines, instead of helping to keep me feeling full as it sits longer in my stomach pouch. Mostly, my eating has just plain been totally out of control, eating tons of sweets and snacking, thus putting on weight.
[B]I had an endoscopy done last week that shows that my pouch has stretched out considerably and the stoma outlet also has enlarged a lot. No wonder I'm having such a difficult time controlling my eating since I don't feel much restriction any more.
I also haven't been compliant with taking my vitamins regularly and my lab results today also show why I feel fatigued. I am anemic and have Vitamin B-12 deficiency. So I have to go back to taking
B-12 shots monthly.
Suzanne from San Diego

Godsblessedme · 05-24-2008, 01:04 AM

um ok i'm sorry that your having struggles again. Nope i am not where you are now and my heart totally goes out to you. Have you ever done that 5 day pouch test? I wish i could give you a big hug, i know thats what you need to kick start your "good ol' tool" again, and you know what Suzanne, i KNOW you can do it! Dont give up and dont get too discouraged you can do this my friend

big hugs from a phoenix 5 month out gal

veroniquetalk · 05-24-2008, 07:41 AM

Suzanne - wishing you the courage and the strength to get back on track! You are taking the first steps -you recongnize what you are doing and you are trying to find ways to correct it.

MiladyB · 05-24-2008, 08:54 AM

Suzanne, I'm not as far out as you are but I do understand the struggle. It is so easy to start drifting back into old habits the further out you get and though surgery was done on our stomachs the old struggles of the head still are there to deal with.

You have taken an important step here though. You have admitted and recognized your struggle. You know what you have to do and you have formulated a plan. I honestly believe that it is possible to get back on track and to regain control. No, it isn't easy but you do still have the physical tool of your pouch and you know mentally what you have to do. You need to get accountable to yourself and others and get back to the basics.

It does sound as if you have the added struggle of your pouch and your connection being stretched out. That has to make your struggle even harder. I am familiar with the Stomafyx but I know it isn't done in this area. I do know though that there are a couple other options out there. My surgeon does something called the ROSE procedure which is much like the Stomafyx except he uses a different instrument. At this time insurance isn't covering that but he also does what is called Sclerotherapy and has been doing that for several years. That procedure is also done during a scope and historicly is covered by insurance. I'm not sure if there are any surgeons in your area that do that but that may be another option for you. I know my surgeon has had great success with it.

In closing though, I want to applaud you for your courage in admitting your struggle and the courage to realize you are worth regaining control.

pummychal · 05-24-2008, 08:56 AM

I am not where you are but my husband is. He had the surgery 13 yrs ago and has gained back about half of what he lost. He is now losing weight with me and doing great. My surgeon told him his tool/pouch will still work. Just had to get back to the rules the way you are. He has lost 25 lbs to my 37. His pouch is still working and he says he gets full with less now that he has gone back to the rules. It can work for you too! Baby steps, one day at a time. We're here for support!

Albertine · 05-24-2008, 10:25 AM

My heart is bleeding for you. I have just started my weight loss journey, but I can imagine the emotions you must be feeling right now. Panic, shame, fear, despair... But it takes courage to face this situation, and when I read between the lines I see a determined woman, ready to fight. Do you have anyone to talk to? Someone who can help you get your thoughts straight and help you make the right choices? We'll be here for you when you need support, a kick in the rear or just a shoulder to cry on.

happiness101 · 05-24-2008, 10:36 AM

After reading your post this is what came to my mind....

Do you realize that you are still 70 lbs down from where you started? That alone is a success. Also, you may be sabotaging yourself with all the negative self talk and the "I'll just have another surgery and fix this problem" idea. You are strong! You have proven you can do it in the past you just need to get refocused. Keep up with the forum and with your support group. Do the pouch test as suggested and get back to the basics. It may take a few weeks to get rid of the cravings you been allowing to dominate your life again but the hard work will be worth it.

With all this said, please understand that I am very new out of surgery and full of hope and promise for my healthy future. I am also trying to help a friend who is in the same position as you are and I find that she is so down on herself that she seems to be giving up and this scares me. Please hang on!

I_love_Hello Kitty · 05-24-2008, 01:19 PM

Suzanne,

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this post.
I am only 7 month out...but I find myself drifting into old habits...and stalled on weight loss. I can only symapthize with your struggle. I believe it will be a struggle for the long haul with all of us.

I do think coming here and reading what everyone else is dealing with helps us all. YOU and others like you are why I come here. Despite your weight gain, you are still better off than where you began...and that is encouraging.

Whether or not you seek an additional procedure, I know you can turn this around for yourself....and posting this was a first step.

Please continue to post and hopefully we can help you while you help us.

shereeks · 05-24-2008, 02:53 PM

Hi Suzanne

I just wanted to reach out and say hi and that I understand your pain and frustration. I am only 20 months out but am facing similar struggles. I haven't gained 46lbs yet but I can see how borderline I am. I have also fallen back into bad habits and yet I was one of those that said I never would as I'm sure you did.

I won't judge you, I will just be here for support. If you have the means for a 'tighten it up' procedure then I would go for it!

(((((((Hugs)))))))

Phoenixfire · 05-25-2008, 08:47 PM

"....Don't judge me! You have not walked in my shoes! Probably 98% of you reading this aren't even three years post-op yet. ...."

Suzanne, We haven't "met" on TT before, but as I'm a few years post-op I thought I'd just say that I'm sad to hear you're struggling and that you are at this place right now. I wish I had the magical answers, and it sounds like you're addressing a few answers already, but I didn't see you address one thing that (for me personally) was a big part of my "brain surgery" post-op: dealing with the reasons for overeating.

I hope that part is in your plan for tackling this challenge. After my body was radically altered, it was very very hard to alter my mind, emotions and relationship with food. It took years.

I wanted to post a reply in a way that doesn't sound judgmental (I'm not) but might be encouraging by way of saying "I did that hard brain surgery and it IS possible." I sincerely hope you find your answer to the underlying cause of your weight gain and the change to your stomach size.

I haven't regained, but I feel for you, seriously. It wasn't until about a year ago that I finally worked on my fear of regaining 150 lbs. I didn't realize I carried that fear around for a few years, but it was there, and working through it hasn't happened overnight either. I think it's part of why putting a few lbs. back on right now is kinda scary. But that's a whole 'nother