5 years post op and 50 lb regain

I just got back from my doctors and saw I have a 50 lb weight gain from my lowest weight after surgery. I scheduled an appointment with a bariatric doctor in their facility to see what I can do to take the weight back off. I am curious because I feel like my stomach has really stretched and I was thinking maybe there might be a 2nd procedure I can do to tighten my pouch. I know I need to diet and limit my food intake but I am also frustrated because my stomach CAN now eat a big mac from Mcdonalds when I was told my stomach wouldn't stretch because they also put a ring around it. Hoping to get some answers soon. If anyone has any recommendations or gone through this I would love to hear from you!

Hello! My mom had the gastric bypass down about 9 years ago. She has also gained weight back (75lbs to be exact) BUT she doesnt exercise or eat right anymore. She can eat mcdonalds Big mac, fries and Tea with no problem. She actually had a doctor appointment a week and a half ago for a revision. So yes there is something you can try. see your doctor about gettin a revision. Hope it helps!  

 No disrespect to your mom intended, but if she is eating Big Macs and fries again (and drinking  calorie-laden sweet tea along with it!), even after a revision, she will still be fighting a weight battle.  The problem isn't her surgery, the problem is what she is eating.

Lora

   Being able to eat an entire sandwich at 5 years out isn't that unusual.  The pouch is expected to expand as time passes over the first couple of years (if it did not, we would all either have to eat every hour or two or would starve to death eating only 2 ounces at a time once the excess weight was gone to live off of), and the ring only prevents the stoma from stretching (which is actually more common that people truly stretching out their pouch).  It is actually very unlikely that you have stretched your pouch unless you have been significantly overeating on a consistent basis.  (My surgeon said less than 20% of people that get a scope to check the size of the stoma and pouch... when they swear they have stretched things out... are actually stretched.  Even if something is stretched, you are still in control of how much you eat...

   None of the surgical procedures that I have heard of  (such as the Rose procedure) have even decent success rates (so finding a surgeon to even do it, let alone get insurance to pay for it, can be problematic. 

   I would suggest going back to basics... Eat the way you did at 6-12 months out... Protein first always, low carb, lots of water (but never with meals), limited portions.  Chances are that at 5 years out, your portion sizes have increased (the saying around here is "just because you CAN eat the whole thing doesn't mean you SHOULD eat the whole thing) and that too many carbs have crept back into your diet.  I am 4.5 years out and I know that I have to watch both things or the weight starts to creep up.

Lora

I agree Lora, The doc did tell my mom to start eating all over again like she did when she had the surgery.  Your Def Right on that!

 I am glad to hear that (you were posting this as I posted to your reply).  Ther are some surgeons who are all too willing to just try to get another surgery approved without trying to address the real issue.

Lora

Can I add to Lora's excellent suggestions:

1. Min 80-100gms protein per day by way of food (this will help you limit carbs) and will keep you satisfied - don't be tempted to start any fad or liquid diets at this stage.
2. 45-60 mins exercise at least 5 x per week
3. Log EVERYTHING that passes your lips into something like MyFitnessPal.com BEFORE you eat it!
4. Limit carbs to complex and/or brown - nothing processed or white works for me!

Your goal should be to adopt this LIFESTYLE for life - not until you shift the weight but for your lifetime maintenance.

50lb and bad habits are not a valid reason for revision - unless there has been a physiological failure of your surgery.

Seeing your surgeon is a good thing.  Find out if there is any malfuction of your surgery and proceed from there.  Saying this do you track your intake, drink at least 64 oz of water per day, move (any movement, exercise small or large).  When were your last labs taken?

Losing again can happen, it won't happen as quick as before but remember the rules and focus on dense protein first.  McDonalds IMO isn't something you want to be eating often it's just not a good, healthy daily choice.

Start logging your intake and let your surgeon know what and how much you are eating per day, hopefully you'll get some help from a nutritionist that knows post-op RNY life needs.

I always wondered about the qualification for revision. Like I'll use myself as an example.

My low weight was 172. If I gained 50 back I'd be 222. I am 5'8. I don't know that I'd qualify for WLS at all at that point, would I? At least not without co-morbidities.

To be clear, that was an example. I am NOT seeking a revision (I have had a significant regain but alas at 200 lbs. and 5'8 I know for damn sure I probably wouldn't qualify and I don't think my surgeon would consider it anyway.

But I'm just curious about that.

 Before my surgery, I went to McDonald's often and ate tons of that crap. I haven't been since. I tell myself how awful the food is - processed and I imagine disgusting ways the workers fix it, and how horribly the animals are treated, and all kinds of mind games to make me think of McDonalds (and all fast food...and lots of junk food) with contempt. I can't go to McDonald's once, cause if I do, I know myself, I'll want more more more. Read or watch supersize me or Fast food nation, and become dsgusted with those types of food.