I had surgery 12 years ago. I lost down to 159 and of course over the years gained back around 40. I worked to get more off but it stayed around 180-190. 4 months ago, I suddenly could not eat normally anymore. It is a struggle to get down 800 calories which means no energy. Has anyone had this happen to them or heard of it happening. I have lost down to 150 in 4 months (Probably 10 pds of that is loose skin). Has anyone ever had something happen to their pouch? I have been to my GI and had tests. Nothing there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Not normal or something I ever heard of.

I would go to a Bariatric surgeon. A GI Doc may or may not understand your altered anatomy.

You don't mention what tests, I would want a barium swallow and/or endoscopy.

We are all happy to lose the weight but that doesn't sound normal.

Have you experienced any emotional or mental crisis at about the same time? Are you drinking a LOT of caffeine/coffee/tea/soda? Are you having reflux?

For example, pre-surgery when I would get upset, I would get hungry and eat. My stomach would literally feel hungry.

Post-surgery, I have become a barfer (or someone who gets the urge to barf but ends up with the foamies when upset). I have/am going through a marital crisis and I find myself heaving over the toilet a LOT. In the beginning of the crisis, I lost like 7 lbs just because I wasn't hungry, when I did eat a few bites would make me full, and then I would just randomly try to puke per day. It really wasn't tied to eating, but sometimes it was. Sometimes my stomach would hurt sometimes it wouldn't.

Well-what ended up happening was an ULCER. I was pretty much under emotional stress, not sleeping, and then throwing down heaps of coffee/expresso/soda per day. RNY pre-disposes us to ulcers, my stress was pre-disposing me to ulcers, and so was the caffeine.

I got on a pill and a liquid (via the bariatric surgeon) and had a recovery.

I still have to watch the caffeine though and do lots of things to make me mentally busy...cuz when I dwell, I get emotional/upset and the urge to puke comes back.

Is your weight loss surgeon still practicing? That's where I would start if he/she is. If they have retired or moved try whoever took over their practice. You may not need the records of your surgery but they would be nice to have.

GI docs can diagnose a lot but they often aren't familiar with WLS patients and their altered anatomy. If you had tests that show nothing out of the ordinary there probably isn't a lot more they can do to help you. There are lots of reasons people start losing weight suddenly.

When you say you can't eat normally anymore, what does that mean? Can you only get down certain foods? Certain types of foods such as soft foods vs solids? Have you tried drinking higher caloric shakes or some such to boost your calories until you get things figured out? Are you currently underweight at 150? What does a normal day of food look like for you right now and can you post a day or two of what you are eating now?

In all honesty unless there is something glaring in your daily diet we likely can't help you much here. It's urgent that you get in to see a doctor that can help you. Weight loss surgeons may try to brush you off since you're so far out. At the least though they should be able to order a full panel of blood tests (that should be at least 10 vials of blood and probably more) and those results may give you some direction.

Lastly, I just wanted to caution you about the responses you may get. You specify that you only want input from those five or more years out. Which would put surgery dates on or before September 2012. You're going to get more than that probably from people who are anxious to help. Check out the surgery dates of posters *****spond in addition to weighing the advice provided - you'll be better able to evaluate responses accordingly.

Good luck and if you think about it please keep us posted.

Why can't you eat more? Volume restrictions? Pain? Intolerance to food? Lack of appetite?

Depends on the reason you can't eat more than that- they may be different causes.

I had surgery over 9 years ago. Over the years I developed or found out that I have food allergies/intolerance.

Plus due to the altered anatomy- I have SIBO. (Google that) that at times make it difficult to eat some foods without being in pain after that.

I try to control that and treat once every few months. When that infection - SIBO flares up- I may have problem eating enough (pain, gas) or absorbing food I eat.

Losing my GB 9 years ago also contributes to my malabsorbtion of some fats. But I try to eat enough of that to compensate.

I doubt this has anything to do with your RNY. You need to go to your PCP and have a full examination, including blood tests. Losing this amount of weight, without trying, is a HUGE symptom that needs investigating.

You need to see your pcp. Best wishes