I, too, am 5+ years out.  I've always dealt with low iron, even before surgery.  I've been taking a liquid multi-supplement for 9 months now, and my doc recently said my "lab work is great"!!  I'm very pleased.  I guess I'll have a bone scan soon, too.  My original weight was 344, I got down to 192, and am now at 201, trying to lose that other 9 pounds.  I'm still thrilled with my surgery and wouldn't change a thing!!  I do drink a soy milk product instead of milk, but that's okay, because it tastes great and who cares if I can't drink the actual moo-juice!  I still like chocolate, cookies, and tater tots, and not much makes me "dump" (can't remember the last time that I did that, either).  I still try not to drink with my food, although I do eat frequently all day, consuming most of my calories before 4pm in the day. Thanks for the "roll call".  God bless! 

Hi, all, my name is Kellie, I had Open RNY on May 10, 2003 and have lost and kept off 165 lbs. In the past few months, I have started having strange night-time pain that is driving me crazy. It does not happen every night, and has happened only three times during the day lately. It may happen every night for several days, then not happen again for a week. I don't see any type of pattern...food I eat, sleeping position, etc. It wakes me up in the night, first VERY nauseous and then the pain starts, always in the same place: right side, right under my ribs, deep inside, and extremely painful, like a knife in my side. The pain lasts 7-15 minutes, then just goes away, and the nausea goes away, too. After that, I am always sore and tender in that area for about 12-24 hrs. I have been seeing my regular MD, but I feel that he is guessing; we have tried several anti-inflammatories and nothing has worked yet. Any ideas?? I am waiting on a callback from my surgeon but thought I would check here, too. Oh, by the way, had my gall bladder removed 2 1/2 yrs ago. Thanks!

Hi Sheila, I am sure our small RNY stomachs grow somewhat but I don't think they will ever get to even half the size that our normal stomach was. Have you called a doctor to ask if this could be done safely on you? It may be that you can do it but it may not be a safe consideration either -- depends on what your doctor or surgeon says. There is no magic bullet for any of us unfortunately. My surgeon urged that I exercise and I do somewhat but I am on disability with a variety of health issues. I weigh an okay weight for me (155 lbs.) but I am not skinny. In fact, I've shrunk two and a half inches due to osteoporosis (I am 58), so I am even shorter than originally. My surgeon told me I would land at this amount of weight (155 lbs.) due to body structure, weight, etc. etc. and he was right on target. I did lose more than 100 lbs. originally but I looked awful and felt awful so I did all I could to gain UP if you can believe it. I hope this finds you doing well.

I had my surgery 4 and half years ago... I too have gained back about 40 lbs since my lowest loss. I weighed 262.5 before surg. got to 167 and now I am at 207. I eat too much, still not as much as i used to eat. I eat too much and eat the wrong things. Sweets and just overeating in general. I am really going to get focused and try to get some of this 40 lbs off again. I found that I do not really have hunger pains like before surgery. I get a slight nudge that I may need to eat. So, I experimented and found that if i consumed 4 to 7 ozs every two hours, that is enough. So, i did the slimfast type shakes, but only 4 oz each serving. I also measured out 4 oz of whatever i eat. i will up date my profile in a week and let you know how it goes. I did two days of this.. for breakfast i had 4 oz shake, then two hours later 4 oz string cheeze, then two hrs later 4 oz shake, then 2 hours later 4 oz tunafish 2 hours later 4 oz applesauce and so on for two more servings that consisted of vegetables and finished w/ 4 oz of meat that i had served my family for dinner. I didn't feel hungry, i also didn't feel the urge to eat anything else throughout the day. I think it is just a matter of planning and knowing what i will take in and staying on a schedule. I know it wouldn't hurt to do something physical too. that could only help. But for now, i am going to concentrate on getting my eating under control again. I am ashamed to admit it, but I can actually eat an entire Big Mac... if i eat fries with it, i cannot finish a Big Mac. The whole issue is... I shouldn't even be eating at that establishment!!!!!! But that is another thing that I struggle with. So many issues so little time!!!!

Hey Caroline! I'm also now 4 YEARS out!! Wow!! What a great "ride"!! I hold steady between 191 and 195 pounds. If I go over 197, I star****ching the little things (they really do add up) and those extra pounds soon melt away. I've never had any problem with throwing up. I do eat anything I want and am on no medications. I struggle to remember to take all my vitamins, but try each day. Please - let's have some more response to you "4 year out" folk!!!!! God bless you all! Lori 344/192/192.5