Recent Posts
Hi, I had Gastric Bypass in April of 2003 I started at 341, and went down to 117. Now I weigh 200. Oh well. Life happens. I also suffer from low iron anemia. My Ferratin level is a 7. I am supposed to get Iron injections, but have no insurance, and the pills upset my stomach. Also, my vitamin D is VERY low (6), and my teeth are falling out. I only have 9 teeth left. So I am too ashamed to leave my apartment, which is why I have regained weight. I also have had complications (internal hernia, intersusception, adhesions, exploratory) resulting in more surgeries. So... as you can imagine, I am not a hampy camper. Here I am now at 200 pounds, almost no teeth, having intermittent upper abdominal pain so bad it wakes me up, and no insurance to get it fixed, and no $$ to get my mouth fixed. I can't work because who would hire me? :( At the time of my surgery, I was told to take two Flinstone chewables everyday, as well as TUMS for the calcium, and that is it......
Hang in there and don't give up on yourself. Being away from home, even if on vacation, is so difficult for us. Eating out at all spikes my weight for some odd reason, no matter what I eat. So, try to hang tough until you get home and make it your plant that you'll get back on track. This is the most difficult journey ever, but we know how worth it is. Good luck and safe trip home!
JA
Thank you so much for this post! I just joined this site today, I was looking for some encouragement because I am in the process of trying to get approved for the surgery and the closer I get to getting approves the more terrified I have become. I want to lose weight and be healthy but there are so many restrictions so I am scared. Your post helped me realize that life will get back to normal after surgery and I will adjust. I think I am going to go for it! Thanks again!
Kyzze
Hello all
I am 12 years out and I also have gained some of my weight back. I came here today hoping to get inspired and the same way I did before my surgery. I don't understand what is keeping me at this weight, which is 150lbs but I do not feel good at this weight due to my back problems that are never going to let me be pain free. So I figured if I came here there would be others like me. I have a problem with eating & not making good choices. I prefer not eating anything if its going to be hard to make or I don't have the time I just skip it and keep going. My lowest was 116lbs & now I'm 150lbs I am so scared I'm going back to the way I was before my surgery. Out here I always feel so alone because I not like them as far as eating go's. So thanks to all you all and hoping we get back on track as far as our weight is concerned.
I had surgery about 12 years ago and regained weight. Now losing again using non surgical options. What is the pouch test?
Hi Cheryl,
I think you are on the right track as far as a nutritionist and gastroenterologist go. I have had issues off/on over the last 11 yrs with hair loss which I believe is probably along the same lines, but never have gotten to the bottom of it. I so understand your concern with being back to being overweight again; I never want to go back there either. Good luck and let us all know how it goes.
JA
I celebrated the 15th anniversary of my Vertical Banded Gastroplasty in April of 2015. Since my surgery I have lost about 150 pounds and have managed to maintain it. I have Type II diabetes that is very well-controlled.
My recent blood work showed that I have iron deficiency anemia (my hemoglobin count is 89 and "normal" is apparently 125) so I was put on a regimen of 900 mg of ferrous gluconate daily. My follow-up blood work showed that my hemoglobin count hadn't moved at all and my iron storage count had gone up -- wait for it -- 1 point or percentage or however they count it.
My doctor has ordered additional blood tests to see what's happening with vitamins and whatnot in my system and suspects malabsorption. He's referring me to a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist who has experience working with long-term bariatric patients.
This experience is pressing every single "fat" button I thought I'd left behind 15 years ago. I'm terrified they'll put me in the hospital, give me a feeding tube, reverse my surgery, and I'll end up fat again. At this point I'm willing to live or not with the malabsorption rather than face the possibility of being fat again -- even as I am still losing weight without trying because of this issue.
Anyone got any advice for me? I know they don't even do VBGs any more, but any veterans out there with a word of encouragement?
A thousand thank yous,
Cheryl Denomy
steroids or narcotic pain pills..
I have issues with my back - I am lucky that my doc have no problem prescribing some norco pain pills. Most of the time 1/2 narco + an extra tylenol works for me.. 1 narco - makes me dizzy and nauseated.. so I only reserve that for night if needed. But I had days that i had to take that 3 -4 times a day...
Hope you find what works for you.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
My last two weeks have been real struggles with regard to my eating.
I know exactly what to do, and I know exactly where the problem lies in terms of the food that goes into my mouth.
But it's like the little devil on my shoulder has taken over every part of me.
My situation is kind of odd. I have been on an extended work asst. in California for 6 months. Living in an extended stay hotel (so yes, I can cook but have eaten out once a day for 6 months). It ends this week and I return to Florida - hooray! - but somehow all the stress of being away has emerged. I want sugar. Last night I ate a cookie and half a (nice) crab cake for dinner. I'm drinking diet pepsi instead of water (I give myself credit for "in addition to" water). I'm not exercising and this is a far more sedentary job than I'm used to.
My weight has stayed pretty steady throughout the 6 month stay here - which I claim as a victory.
Until now - and the scale is up a whopping 5 lbs in a matter of - what? - a week?
Anyway, just when you think you've got it under control...Today I am going to just consume a ton of water and protein, with a little grilled chicken thrown in. This is insane!
