Need honest answers from Vets

Thanks Kim - You have been an inspiration since I was a wet behind the ears newbie! Your advice along with other vets is always welcomed and comforting.

Warmly,

Jackie

Thank you everyone (Especially you Taz!!!) I understand what you mean about "preparing" 2500 Kcals and eating 2500 Kcals...I suspect (obviously) I am eating probably far less, more around 1500 Kcals.  Right now, I have NOT been exercising the last 6 months because first I had I liver disease (Very high AST/ALT levels that are getting better now) and 2nd, I dislocated and broke my shoulder in 3 places tripping over my dogs the day before Christmas. *sigh*... Even though I take my calcium I am osteoporotic. 

I did have an MRI when I had the liver problems and they scanned the remnant stomach, pouch and intestines. The found " an over amount of fecal matter" inside the intestines (Going back to my saying possible Hernia because of constipation and often severe pain in the lower gut that I literally have to massage out and/or use a mineral oil enema)  Sorry for the TMI.

My rheumatologist checked to make sure my Myositis was not flaring, which it wasn't. I just had a lot of ammonia in my blood along with the elevated AST/ALT (8 to 10x normal amounts). Liver Doctor prescribed Xifaxin for HE (Hepatic Encephalitis) which bought down the AST/ALT and ammonia levels.

As many had discussed before, many Bariatric surgeons don't want to touch someone elses patient (even if my Doctor has retired...Catch 22 isn't it?!?). Anyway, again, I thank you all... It sounds like something is going on, (They never found out what caused the liver problem...It was not hepatitis or NASH or Cirrhosis.)  I think as some of you had mentioned maybe my body is losing so much weight it is "cannibalizing" it's own organs? I'm not a Doctor, I don't know and haven't found anything like this on the internet.  I can only say (honestly) it is not a mental thing of not eating or transfer addiction.  It's just frustrating.  I'm on medicare and hopefully I can find some other bariatric doctor who will take me.

Warmly,

Jackie (aka "Ducky")

I know alot here are wondering what I am really eating, so I will post todays menue and amounts.

Breakfast: Diet Direct Whey Isolate Protein Hot Chocolate (15 g protein 86 cals) 3 oz sugar free Oatmeal (70 cals)

Snack: Quest Cookie Dough Protein Bar: (190 cals 21 protein)

Lunch: Mei Fun 4 oz rice noodles with scrambled eggs, beef, bamboo shoots, cabbage. 200 cals (From local Chinese place)

Snack: 5 Graces Best Sunflowerseed Cookies (Yeah, a naughty goody. It's under 9 grams sugar) plus Activia Yogurt

Dinner: 4oz Corned Beef, 1/2 medium red skinned potato, 1/2 cup red cabbage.

Snack later will be a greek yogurt and probably another Protein bar or homemade smoothie (Banana, frozen berries, 60g protein, 5 oz water 3 oz almond milk) with the yogurt on the side.

So That is pretty typical....I do eat constantly throughout the day as well as allow myself some "naughty goodies" as I don't dump (IE: Half a Hershey bar once every 3-4 days, or a small bag of potatoe chips).  I LOVE Sugar Free/Low Sugar Hot chocolate and Vitamin Water Zero and Crystal light so am drinking that...I even occasionally "break the rule" of drinking with a meal to allow myself to eat a bit more.  I have no problems eating a 6oz Flo's Filet extra rare from Longhorns.  :)  Or having 1/4 cup of almond trail mix at home.  I just didn't want people thinking I was not "eating" and believe me, if I had the opposite problem of gaining weight I would NOT be drinking with dinner or having a donut once a week or a cannoli or eating out a mexican place. 

Warmly,

Jackie

It might just be my awful math 'ability', but I'm not seeing 2500 calories from what you posted.  (You did say 2500 right?  I can't see your original post in this response field).

As QoftheU said, I don't see 2500 calories in what you posted (unless the 5 sunflower seed cookies (which don't sound like cookies to me, LOL!) are really high in calories)

If you are taking in over 2000 calories per day on a regular basis and are still losing, something is very wrong.

Lora

You should use something like myfitnesspal to really track your food for a while. Although most use it to lose weight, it will work both ways. From what you posted, you are eating very little. It sounds like you were very attached to supplements, and when you stopped those, you lost a big part of your daily diet. 

Weigh your food, keep an exact log. It will at least give your doctors and dieticians an accurate picture of what you eat, and help fix the problem. Information, precise information, is vital.

Most people think, or say, they are eating far less than they actually are. But a small percentage eat far less than they claim. I think you are in the latter group.

I am really sorry to read about your struggle - your post has haunted me throughout the morning and so while I am not a vet to the RNY I do have 8 years of WLS experience to draw from.  As others have said - I think that you are most likely not eating as much as you think and that you should meticulously track every single thing that you eat over at least a week so you can give a Nutritionist or new Bariatric surgeon a realistic and accurate accounting of what you consume so they can evaluate your nutritional needs.  

For what it is worth - my WL clinic recommends to it's patients that when we need to slow down or stop completely our weight loss for whatever the reason - we can always add into our diet more nuts, especially Brazil nuts, Hazelnuts and walnuts. These are preferred as they contain high levels of good fats and have lots of calories.  100g of Brazil nuts (4oz I think) has 600 calories.  They recommend nuts as opposed to carbohydrates as they tend not to awaken the carb monster and they are full of dense protein and help with satiety as well.  

I really hope you can get the help you need to get back in fighting form!  Keep posting so we know how you are getting on!

I didn't know that about nuts Ash - I'm gonna file that info away and use it when it's time - not that it's a big sacrifice to eat nuts - oh MAN! 

Yeah - I know what you  mean!  I was sorta sad as I like to eat nuts as my go to in the car or when I need to crunch.  Now when I grab a few I think, hummm Stall anyone?  It's all a tricky balancing act my friend!

UPDATE...UPDATE

Found out what is going on with me losing so much weight/being malnutitous. when your doctor says complications can happen they CAN happen. 

First, I would do this surgery again if I had too. I have NO REGRETS about my RNY.

Now the bad news. Many people who have RNY either regain weight or have other problems. This has happened to me. Sadly I am in Terminal Liver failure. I am not a candidate for liver replacement.  I have Hepatic Encephalitis, severe malnutrition (I am just bones) and my gallbladder "died" (went necrotic) A year after my surgery  the doctors have diagnosed me with autoimmune hepatitis....  My liver no longer works, and I often have seizures and Alzheimer/dementia from all the toxins/ammonia built up in my blood stream.

Because I am an RNY paitient (Had my surgery June 29 1010) of course I can have NO Tylenol or NSAIDS.  I used to go o the gym and horseback riding post surgery but can no longer do that as I have broken bones. I have a tibial plateau fracture (Knee) I fell and dislocated my RT shoulder and broke it in 3 places. 3 months ago I had a grand Mal seizure and broke my left collar bone.

I am NOT trying to scare anyone, but please know there are many complications that can happen with RNY surgery. Hypoglycemia being one of the most common. (Yep, I have that too...And low blood sugar with a messed up liver makes for someone who can appear drunk, drugged or demented.) I am not any of those things. I am still me, logical and sane within my head but cannot get the words out without slurring or appearing "dumb". 

Each surgery (RNY, D&S, Lap Band, etc) can ALL have complications. I take my vitamins and calcium and vitamin D3 daily but still have osteoporosis. I am 5'3 and have a VERY hard time keeping weight on me (On a good day I will weigh 110 lbs on a bad day only 100)  I have no muscles anymore, I look like one of those starving people in another country.

Again, I am not  trying to talk ANYONE out of the surgery they want. But be aware when they say complications it can happen. I might have 2 weeks or 20 years it depends on my liver and kidneys. I have been in the hospital about 5 times now and have had every liver test known to mankind. (No I don't drink or do drugs) I am in between because protein puts a strain on the liver, but to much carbohydrates will put me in hypoglycemia.  Do your research and know that your surgery "might" be more than you bargained for.....

There is never anything "attractive" about some all skin and literally bones.

PS: The reason I said I would do the surgery again was that my PCP and Rheumatologist said I would be dead within 3 years without losing weight. Personally I think it was the gallbladder that caused my current liver problems as it went necrotic and I had NO pain from it and no "normal" symptoms.

To my friends on here I haven't chatted to in years, now you know why. It is very hard to type on occasion and make logical sense.  If anyone ever wants to know what HE (Hepatic Encephalitis) is, there is a wonderful video on YouTube called "Wrestling the Monster" >https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&c d=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QtwIwAGoVChMIqfHswuKayQIVSxUeCh02 xQOX&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNQBXlrb 8Xmk&usg=AFQjCNFqP6e1miGIwi0QfRk-EEQRN7DJXg&sig2=37r2Vg2I9od apnaUiOqBdA&bvm=bv.107763241,d.dmo

Warmly and with love,

Jackie

PS: I wear the hat a lot as I am losing my hair from malnutrition. This is me weighing around 105 lbs.  I am also seeing a Therapist to talk about terminal disease. She is a blessing and great Therapist.