Question:
Has any else had this problem?
I had gastric bypass in 3/02 and lost 150 lbs in a little over a year. Over the past year to a year and a half, I have reained about 50 lbs. I feel like the surgery doesn't help me at all now. I don't get full, I don't get sick, unless I eat a lot of sugar. Now it like before, I have to try and force myself not to eat when I want to. I haven't been to support group meetings for quite some time and I haven't seen my surgeon for a year and a half. I feel like a failure and stupid. Have you had this problem and were you able to get back on track and lose the weight again? — jan M. (posted on February 16, 2005)
February 15, 2005
Jan - You're totally normal, unfortunately! The sensations we counted on
during our honeymoon period fade away for most of us. Hopefully, we
developed new and better habits to help us maintain. It's hard. It was so
easy at first. Now, many of us have to work to maintain or to continue to
lose.
My advice? See your surgeon just in case you do have some kind of
mechanical reason you can eat more. Join a support group. Exercise. I
haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost in 6 months. I'm pleased with
that, but I think I could very easily start gaining weight if I'm not very
careful.
Good luck to you!
Jo
— JoSyrNY
February 16, 2005
I had surgery the same time as you- 3/20/02. I dont get sick (for the most
part). You still have your "tool", but it becomes harder for us.
For me, the ability to eat has returned (of course not huge portions all
at once, but I can certainly eat alot of food over a period of time.)
I try to stress to newer post ops, the importance of learning good habits.
No Snacking, no junk!!
I have gained 20 pounds in the last year. Hopefully holding steady at that
number, I pray this is my "bounceback" weight. I do exercise (not
enough), and try to focus on protien first..but it boils down to calorie
in/calorie out!
I recommend you attend support groups, find some type of support in your
area.
It is possible to gain all of your weight back.
Try going back to basics..liquid protien drinks for 2-3 days, than only
good protein/low fat/veggies..We are not on a diet any longer, but we do
need to maintain a healthly eating style for the rest of our lives. Anyone
thinking otherwize will be in for a lot of disappointment in the future.
Good luck to ya
— ~~Stacie~~
February 16, 2005
I've been experiencing a simillar problem - had open RNY in 1/03 and in the
last year have gained back 40 of the 80 lbs. I lost. I finally realized it
might not be all my own fault and went to the surgeon, who ordered an Upper
GI. Turns out my stoma is "wide open" - which is why I never
feel full and have no problem overeating. Now we're looking into
revisions, insurance and such. But, I have to admit, I feel somewhat
better knowing it isn't all my fault! So, get to your surgeon's office and
get checked out.
— barbdeane
May 11, 2005
Have you had any resolution to this situation? I, too, have regained much
of my weight and am feeling almost suicidal, I'm so depressed.
— Tracey D.
May 11, 2005
I agree with the other folks as far as getting testing done is concerned to
see if there's a surgical failure. But, I would add that at three years
post-op now, I've learned there are simply foods I cannot eat at all (read:
sugary junk foods like candy or cookies), or my old habits return with a
vengeance and I simply cannot stop binging on them. The addictive, crappy
foods are the easiest to overeat, the least dense in texture, and most
calorie-laden, and long-term, my RNY won't stop weight gain as far as those
foods are concerned. However, if I eat dense protein foods first, then I'm
still full easily (whew!), so I've not lost the surgical benefit -- it's
just that it only applies to certain foods at this stage. I think using
the tool may mean, for some of us, giving up or very severely limiting
those foods that the tool doesn't work on any more (if it ever did).
— Suzy C.
May 11, 2005
I'm not yet two years out but have already discovered that, like Suzy C
says, there are foods that I will NEVER be able to eat just based on the
way I react. For me, it's anything that has white flour and sugar. Over
the weekend, I was at my son's house and had 1/2 graham cracker with peanut
butter on it. A graham cracker doesn't have white flour but it does have
sugar, although it's not much so I thought it would be pretty safe. I ATE
all weekend........I kept going back to those crackers like I was starving.
I've spent the last two days detoxing from that stuff and getting myself
back under control and my daughter-in-law promised she wouldn't have them
in the house next time I visit. I know it will take a life long commitment
to eating properly or I'll be right back into the old habits again and I
HATE that feeling of lost control. I'd say get your mechanics checked, get
back to support group, and go see your surgeon. You should be getting your
blood work done regularly.........hope you are. Get all the junk out of the
house and whenever you get a craving, eat a small piece of protein, or
drink some water, or get a cup of coffee. You've done way too well not to
get the head issues under control. Get over the feeling like a stupid
failure. The same thing is just lurking right out there for all of us and
we're all here to support each other.
— scbabe
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