Question:
4 years post op--336lbs start weight, 253 current weight?
I have been embarassed by this because almost everyone else who's had WLS has gotten well below 200lbs but I just stopped, then had a slight gain. I want to know if anyone else out there had such a long plateau-I haven't lost weight w/o trying since 9mths post op. Everyone who has posted has been relatively recent post op but after 4 years, now what? I still can't eat a lot but I can almost eat the normal amount of food for an 8 year old. I haven't seen my dr since 1999 (insurance changed). What should I do at this point to really jump start the weight loss again? Your advise is greatly appreciated... — Ms S. (posted on July 22, 2002)
July 22, 2002
Sharon,
Given that you still have ~100lbs give or take still to go, it sounds more
like you would need a revision to increase your weight loss and get to goal
weight. I don't think dieting will enable you to lose and maintain a 100lb
weight loss or there wouldn't be so many of us that need surgery and
dieting would be seen as more successful. There are several groups
available for revisioners, such as one on yahoo groups. Go to
(http://groups.yahoo.com) and there is a DS_revision group (people who had
previous WLS and want to be revised to a DS. There is also an OSSG-Hungry
group for people who find post-op life a lot more like dieting than they
thought it would be, etc.
Good luck!
*hugs*
Anita in Denver
11/08/01 Dr Keshishian
— Anita N.
July 22, 2002
You said your insurance changed. SO does your surgeon not take your new
insurance? I wonder what the cost would be just to see him for one visit,
it might be worth it, just to get his opinion! You may need a revision,
just as the previous poster had mentioned. But i have read that many people
jump started their weight loss by doing a few weeks of the liquid diet like
we had to when we just had the surgery. It's boring and no fun, but it has
worked! Goodluck to you, i wish you much success!
— Lezlie Y.
July 22, 2002
Sharon, I came across an interesting article that you might find helpful
(please note I did not title this!): Pouch Rules for Dummies.
http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm Best of luck!
— Robin W.
July 22, 2002
Have you been checked for mechanical failure? Staple line disruptions are
oh so common and can happen at 2 weeks, 2 yrs, 5 yrs (mine) or whenever.
Before you beat yourself up, check the mechanics. You may just need a
repair, OR you may decide to go more distal than you are. Or both.
— vitalady
July 22, 2002
I weighed 365 when I had my VBG done 5/98. By 11/98, I weighed 275 (for a
few days). Never lost more than that. Found myself fantasizing about
winning the lottery, so I could sneak off to LA where surely some doctor
had heard of some moron failing with a VBG. December, 2001 I let my
fantasy slip to my husband. I told him I was too embarrassed to call my
surgeon again. HE called him for me and found out that Revisions for VBG
are standard now. 5/02 -- Revision to an RNY. 7/02 -- down 41 pounds.
— Karen F.
July 22, 2002
I would check with your dr. Most dr's include follow up appointments in the
inital cost. I would definately think there's a problem to not be able to
get lower than that. i started out at 314 and am now at 257 1/2 and i just
had surgery on 5-2-02. good luck...
— candymom64
July 22, 2002
I agree that you need to see a doctor. If I had a guess I would say too
many carbs. I would try going on liquids for a couple of days then mostly
protien for a few days. Try using a Ketostix to see if you start losing
again. If you do, you are just getting too many carbs and not enough
protien.
— Pam G.
July 22, 2002
Thanks to y'all for responding soooo fast! I really didn't think I'd get
much of a response. I'm definitely getting in touch w/the Dr tomorrow to
see what needs to be done at this point. I hadn't considered a revision
& my Dr's website speaks as though it's tougher than the initial
surgery. I will have to discuss the DS w/him and see what we're looking at
now. Anywhoo, I'm so thankful for this group because I know I'm not alone
anymore. Thanks again all of you:-) I'll have to keep you posted...
— Ms S.
July 23, 2002
Sharon - I am only 14 months post-op (May 29, 2001) and have been on a
wicked plateau for 8 or 9, maybe 10 weeks....have gone from 333 and stopped
at 211 - anyway...my company switched insurance 30 days after my Open RNY -
my surgeon accepted it until January 1, 2002 - I then started follow-up
with my PCP (who is WLS ignorant - GREAT PCP though). I started having
slight pain on my left side & realized I really need to see someone who
is familiar with WLS - I researched until I found a Surgeon who accepted
not only my insurance but someone else's patient - I contact 5 WLS Doctor's
and of the 5 only one would see me. Since seeing him, I have had an upper
GI & Gallbladder Ultra-sound (gallbladder is bad) and tomorrow he will
perform a gastroscopy to rule out any minor leaks or undetected ulcers in
my pouch. I know I am just rambling....if you need to use insurance -
research other WLS Doctors - I found one that I happen to like VERY much!!
Also, joining the OSSG-Protein & OSSG-Graduate groups on Yahoo and has
be a GREAT source of information!! Good Luck, Karan
— chance2lv
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