I am curious for all of you who had RNY at least 10 years ago, have you developed any bad health issues? If so, what are they and how is it affecting you? Do you think it has anything to do with the surgery?

Adasha Knight

RNY, 9/30/03, 246/140

I have no idea if they're related to it or not, but the list of issues BEFORE surgery were such that I'd probably not be here.  They may be exacerbated by it but, still...  I have fibromyalgia and chronic anemia, which are the main culprits. 

My surgeon and nutritionist said "no".  It will happen and there's nothing you can do about it.  Prepare for it and go with the flow.  The hair cycles and it won't stop falling out until it ends that cycle and your weight loss evens out.   Or at least that's what I was told... I lost about 30 strands per day for 3 months, then it stopped.  It grew back curly...

I am almost 3 years post op and I take anything I want for anything that's wrong with me.  My doctor has never told me there's nothing I shouldn't take, and I take it all.  I've never had a problem with anything.

I cannot believe it's been 2 years since I had surgery. If you're wondering if there's ever a time that you don't think about the surgery, the answer is "not really". It's always a part of you. Although I eat pretty normally now, it's still something that has become a part of my life, chewing a lot, eating slowly, etc. It's like I learned all over again how to eat and live, and that's just how it is. Drink, drink, drink, all day long. And then I also eat all day long. I eat at least 5 times a day and people ask me, "How do you stay so skinny when you eat all of the time?" I still weigh exactly the same as I did when I hit goal. I never gain or lose a pound. It's incredible. As I think back to the past 2 years, it was rocky at first due to the pain factor, getting used to my new life, new habits, etc. Now, I still cannot believe it happened and my life is so different. I'm healthy, living right, loving life. I cannot even imagine what my life would be like had I not had surgery, how much I would weigh, how unhealthy I would be, how miserable I would be. I look back at the photos of me and I cannot believe that's me. Then again, I look at myself in the mirror, and I cannot believe that's me. I am so much more active now. It's so nice to be able to get out on the baseball field and help my son at practice, rather than worry about sweating from the heat and trying to find a place to sit. We just went to Arkansas and did all kinds of things that I would not have been able to do, or would have been miserable trying to do. It's still unbelievable when I go shopping for clothes and look at the 8s and the 10s or the Mediums. It's so nice to be hugged by my boyfriend and feel his arms all the way around me. Yes, there's excess skin, but I'm getting used to it. I'd love for it to be gone, but I'm not willing to go through the pain again, nor the risk of major surgery. My faith is one of the things that carries me through life and I feel that everything happens for a reason. When I left CPS in 2002, I thought that would never happen. I then went to work for an attorney with no benefits, started researching the surgery, then went to work for a law firm that had benefits. I could not believe when I checked their insurance and it covered the surgery "if medically necessary". That was a horrible place to work, and I only worked there as long as necessary, but I feel I was put there for a reason. Had I never gone to work at that specific place at that specific time (they quit covering it shortly after my surgery) it would have never happened. I thank God all of the time for what I've been given. I thank Him for putting me where I needed to be to have done what needed to be done. I thank Him for my second chance at having a real life.

Well, in looking at the last 100 posts of the first lady, most are sarcastic, negative, talk about passing gas, etc. So, I won't let her opinions bother me. The second lady uses "hope and pray" in her posts, so I don't see what her problem is. Oh yeah, now I remember why I don't come to this board!!!!!

I cannot FIND a Christianity board. Maybe you could send me the link? I searched. I am not preaching any specific religion. I am non-denominational and would never "FORCE" my religion on others. That's why I said if you don't like it or it offends someone, then don't read it. I am extremely tolerant of others' beliefs and would hope everyone on this board would be the same.

Sorry! Didn't mean to "offend" anyone! I always see people asking for prayers for things that are going on in their lives. Didn't know it was against the rules. I always feel that if you don't believe in something or don't like something, don't read it. That's how I live MY life.

I'd LOVE to see him walking out of the hospital that night and getting in the car, riding home hitting bumps, etc. Some people like that, you just have to smile and say, "Okay, you must be right." Then let him eat his words later.

I would bet that the surgeon's office did not code it correctly when they filed. Have them check that out. If they approved you, they have to pay.

In response to questions as to why I was on there... I had surgery 9/30/03 but went out to film his show 5 days before. So, you all get to see me in all of my fat glory... The show was entitled "My Toxic Parent" or "My Gripe with my Mom". My mom and I have had problems since day 1 and when I wrote asking for advice, they called us to be on the show. We were the "headliners" because we were the most screwed up. In fact, he said we had a "sick relationship". Basically what happens is my mom controls us in any way possible. It's a catch 22 relaionship where she offers help and if you don't accept, you are an ungrateful child. If you do accept, then she holds it over you in order to control you. This show upset me in that they filmed me at my house "having a nice family moment" eating ice-cream. However, when my mom is shown talknig about her concerns with my weight, they show me eating that ice-cream. They also filmed my big butt walking away from the camera. Nice..... As for "since then", my mom actually did listen. He said a lot more after the show than he did during, including telling me to get away from her. I think she got the hint and has been very much more civil since then. I think my surgery also snapped her into reality because I wouldn't let her help me at all, not even stay with me at the hospital. I didn't want to "owe" her for anything. I still don't let her help me at all, for fear of her saying "I supported you and your kids...". So, things are better. I won't get to watch the show today until tonight but I remember him being very hard on her. I hope it doesn't make me sad. Even though she's tough on me, I hate to see anyone get their feelings hurt. Maybe that's why I've always given into her????? Thanks for all of your concerns. Don't forget to write in afterwards so I can redeeem myself!!!! Thanks Adasha -82 pounds

I use the Ortho Evra patch and have since I weighed 247 pounds. I have been termed Fertile Myrtle by my relatives and the fact that the patch has ALWAYS worked for me must mean it's effective. I love it because you slap it on once a week, no pills to take, and no side effects at all, and trust me, if a pill has a side effect, it'll affect me! Good luck! Adasha

I feel like that often, usually late at night. When I feel ravenous, I call it, I eat something I can eat a lot of, like soup or watermelon. Hits the spot! Adasha -81