Question:
Does anyone know how to tell if the surgery isn't working like it should?
Had my surgery in July of 2000. I have never had that full feeling ever since haveing surgery. I can eat amounts about like I did before surgery. I have lost about 45 pds or so. This is so discourageing and frustrating especially when I come into the site and see how other have lost about 100 pds in just a few months or so. I have only been back to my doctor twice since surgery. At last visit he ordered a upper GI to be done. I have not had this done because the insurance is changing and now if I can get back to him it won't be til after April. After my surgery I had a lot of vomiting of blood and other complications. Three weeks afterwards was put back in the hospital for a pulminary embolism. I know he bypassed 6ft of intestines but I just think something must be wrong. I feel like a total failure and wonder what could have happened because this is not going well at all. I never expected such slow loss and I never expected things to be like this. I go days now where I get so discouraged I hardly eat a thing. It is not good but know if I do eat that I will be able to eat a whole lot more than four or five bites. I know I have not gained any wieght but certainly by this time I should have lost more than this. My husband and close friends try to be supportive by telling me that I am not like everyone else and my loss will be slower but I don't think so. Does anyone know if surgically something could have failed. I had a vertical banded gastroplasty in 1985. Only lost about 80 pds haveing that done but even then I don't remember feeling the fullness that I should have when I ate. Help me Please! I am so frusstrated. When I come into this site I do not feel like I can contribute to other anymore. I just cry and wonder what is wrong with me. — [Anonymous] (posted on March 15, 2001)
March 15, 2001
No words of wisdom, just a hug (((((((((You))))))).
— defatbroad
March 15, 2001
Ok, Girlfriend. A little bit of tough love coming your way. WHY haven't
you returned to see your doctor?? WHY haven't you had the tests done that
he ordered?? You don't mention following any type of nutritional plan.
Please think carefully about what's going on inside your head and consider
talking to a professional who can guide you toward mental and emotional
health. Sounds like you have a lot of other issues going on besides
worrying about weight loss. See your doctor and talk to him/her! Get
those tests and some answers! You deserve to be healthy and happy but YOU
have to work at it. No one can do it for you. Take care and remember - you
are NOT a failure. Carpe Diem - SEIZE THE DAY! Get going, Girlfriend!!!
— Lynn E.
March 15, 2001
Hi there!
Please do not procrastinate any longer. Make an appointment
with the physician who did your most recent WLS. Be totally
honest and "tell it like it is." If he is compasionate,
caring and professional, your long term health will be
very important. (((Hugs))) Sharon in Arizona
— Sharon M.
March 15, 2001
You need to have the test done that your Dr. ordered. I understand that the
ins. is changing but it's not worth the risk. Your Dr. can't help you
unless he knows what he is or isn't dealing with. If something comes back
positive on the test you'll be in the Dr.'s office very quickly. Call and
get the 1st appt. available in April.(it can always be cancelled)The longer
you wait the longer the appt. date will be pushed back. As far as weight
loss goes. Not everyone will lose the same. The people who are losing so
rapidly had more to lose to begin with. I only have the 100 lbs to lose. I
know I will not lose as quickly as someone who has say 2 or 300 lbs. It's
mostly water weight and all in the beginning.So, stop comparing to everyone
because we're all different. You need to eat and take care of yourself.
Maybe your body is going into starvation mode. If you're not feeding it and
taking care of it than it's going to hold onto the fat and you won't lose.
Also, are you drinking and exercising? I know when reading from people who
plateaued that once they increased the water and protein they started
losing. However,I think that's not important at this point.(the weight
loss). You need to be diligent in finding out what is or isn't wrong. It
may be you need some added support with a nutritionist or something. It
dsn't have to be all glume but you won't know until you have that test and
see your Dr. We're sending you lots of hugs and support. It sounds like a
very frustrating time for you. However, you know what you need to do,
sounds like maybe you're a little scared.Many times we become afraid of the
"unknown". After all you've been thru you are worth taking care
of. No one can do that but you. So, I encourage you to go make that appt.
It will all work out okay.Best wishes.
— Linda M.
March 16, 2001
Call your doctor TODAY!!!!!hugs,hugs,hugs..
— Debora H.
September 14, 2002
Hon, please don't give up, just bug your Dr. till he gives an answer. I had
the surgery Oct 2001, and have been blessed to lose 125 pounds, but I had
terrible stomach pains, and found out I had ulcers where my stomach
connects to the intestines, and when I went through the upper GI found that
my stomach had migrated back to my large stomach with a tiny hole going
into the large stomach,due to taking vioxx for a knee problem. Well, I was
devestated to say the least, but when I went into the Dr's crying without
an appointment, I would have sat there all day, he said don't worry if you
stop losing or eating out of control we will check further. Well I have
lost since then, and I am maintaing my weight. But hon, things happen, just
don't give up, pursue it, and don't let them give you the run around. If I
have any problems I will be right back there. Let me know if I can help
o.k.? God Bless, Susie P.S. I am on wlscenter.com under Patient Success
Stories, or read my bio below, the first site doesn't work but the other
two do, and the wlscenter on. Bye for now, Susie
— lostitall
September 14, 2002
Hon, please don't give up, just bug your Dr. till he gives an answer. I had
the surgery Oct 2001, and have been blessed to lose 125 pounds, but I had
terrible stomach pains, and found out I had ulcers where my stomach
connects to the intestines, and when I went through the upper GI found that
my stomach had migrated back to my large stomach with a tiny hole going
into the large stomach,due to taking vioxx for a knee problem. Well, I was
devestated to say the least, but when I went into the Dr's crying without
an appointment, I would have sat there all day, he said don't worry if you
stop losing or eating out of control we will check further. Well I have
lost since then, and I am maintaing my weight. But hon, things happen, just
don't give up, pursue it, and don't let them give you the run around. If I
have any problems I will be right back there. Let me know if I can help
o.k.? God Bless, Susie P.S. I am on wlscenter.com under Patient Success
Stories, or read my bio below, the first site doesn't work but the other
two do, and the wlscenter on. Bye for now, Susie
— lostitall
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