ObesityHelp

A RNY is not a RNY is not a RNY... I have read on this forum over the years of pouches that are 1/2 oz to 3 oz. I have read of bypasses 40 cm to 250 cm. leaving some patients with more malabsorption of calories and nutrients than others. I have heard of stomas made different ways and with different size "stoma punch tools". Often the more obese a patient is, the better the outcome. Perhaps because the original surgery is more restrictive. Post surgical diets and follow up care vary greatly. Some patients are told, "Just because you can eat it doesn't mean you should". That didn't work before surgery why should it after surgery! I know of other patients that have limitations years after surgery who say, "Just because I can't eat it doesn't mean I shouldn't try...lol". I feel some patients are given a tool that works and others don't work from the start because it is inappropriate for a patient. Often surgions will tell their patients they overate and stretched their stomas or pouches. Yet other patients overeat and vomit. I feel the stoma or pouch could be too large for a patient to begin with and then the patient overeats. I encourage all patients to ask their surgeon BEFORE SURGERY the spacifics of their surgery and why s/he is making the decision to give a patient a particular surgery. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and our surgeon should be obligated to inform us. I know too many patients that do not know what they have received before surgery.

This info is so very helpful and reminds all of us to do the work for success and take care to work the tool accordingly! BRE

Thank you for articles like these that remind me that my VSG is a tool. By itself, it will not solve my weightloss problems. If I work with it, I can do anything.

Thank you.. It is such a good reminder that it is a tool not a free ride. After having 2 kids i have to follow weight watchers to keep the weight off, but my bypass helps with the amount I can eat at one sitting!

I am thankful everyday for this tool. I KNOW now that without this tool- my life long battle with weight & eating properly would Never have gotten alligned correctly. I am so happy that alot of this weight has come off & I can see now how it can get misused.

I knew my surgeon was going to make my stoma very tight. It was confirm when I weant the day after surgery to drink that barium for the upper g.i. before I could have ice chips. Even that doctor said oh my goodness your stomia is so tight. it is taking forever for the fluid to go through. I truely feel full on 2 0z or even less if the material is dense like tuna.

I think that encouraging people to learn to listen to their body's signals for cues when they are full is arguably the best tool to be gained in the long-run vs a measured portion of food. That particular weight of food may or may not be ideal for any given person based on gender, WLS type, length from surgery (pertinent for some types of WLS), & activity level. I study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu now and I have the DS. After I get done with one hour of HIGH intensity rolling (floor grappling) with a bunch of men, you can bet your butt that I have absolutely burned through whatever food may have been left in my stomach prior to working out & that, due to the increased metabolic rate in the hours after high-intensity exercise, I will burn through whatever I eat MUCH more quickly than any other meal where I didn't exercise. This is a great example in which it is far more beneficial for me to be able to listen to my body's cues for fullness vs learning one particular measure of food as appropriate in all instances. That simply is not accurate for the multitude of reasons I have outlined. Learning to listen to your body is a better alternative. That requires slower eating than pre-op BY FAR and being attuned to fullness signals from your stomach. Perhaps this articles' recommendation is more appropriate for those with a pouch? I'm not sure, perhaps. It is not the best advice for someone with a fully functioning regular stomach for reasons I have outlined.

Interesting. I have been anded for 31/2 years and never felt that I misused or abused my band. I followed the rules, lost all my weight and felt really in tune with my body. In the past year, I gained about 4-8 pounds up and down and sometimes felt that I ate larger portions than other times but never had pain or threw up more than once a month at most (usually when I forgot to chew well. Then 2 weeks ago, I was in TJ and took the opertunity to routinely have a fluro check. Holy shit! my pouch was distended/enlarged and I had no symptoms!! Once Dr. So emptied my band, I had some referred pain: stayed on a full liquid diet for a week and now am trying to be very careful to stay with small portions, chewing well and paying close attention to any sensation that may indicate pressure. I was instructed to wait 7 weeks until trying a fill with hopes that the pouch will reshrink. I am so afraid that it will not work right again and that I am going to restretch it or have to keep it too loose. The whole point of surgery was that I was not able to control portions before, hence why I was fat. Now I am trying to have "discipline" and feel I am going to fail all over again!!! Anyone else been through this?

I am 6 yrs out, RNY- lost 80-85 in 1st year, but remained a full 70-80 lbs from a reasonable goal. After being somewhat compliant in the honeymoon phase, I floated off into oblivion and, with the help of the usual distractions of life- stress, money, kids, no self-love, blah, blah- fell back into old destructive behaviors to "cope". Now, I am trying to get back to the starting point and pay attention to the everything that we should follow after bariatric surgery with the hope of revivng my pouch's ability to be the tool its supposed to be. I am really glad I came back on board here and all of your comments are very helpful. Yes, I will find go back to find out the specifics of my surgery. I know that my stoma is larger than it is but my pouch is still relatively small. Beyond that, dont know or cant even remember if I am distal or proximal...shame on me!

Thanks for this info. I want to remember each day that my bypass is just a tool. I will get "Back on Track" and start losing again. I have not yet reached my goal.

I am 7 years out and I have gained 20 lbs back. I am trying hard now to get at least 10 back off. It is very easy to fall back into old bad habits. I don't get that really full feeling anymore. I have got to get back to eating protein and stop the snacking. Like my Dr. says, "Do what you know you should" but that is easier said than done. Praying I can get back on track and won't gain anymore.

This month marks my 2 year Banniversary and I am under and have remained at goal. I am happy to see this message because while I control what I eat and how much. I need to get on a regular exercise regimen again. Thanksfor the motivation.