i,m having proplems with low red cells and low iron. has anybody else had this problem? i've been good for over 6 years till the last couple of months.

I have to say that just after my surgery I thought I had made the worst decision of my life. But, I now realize that it was the best. I feel great. I feel younger, look younger, and have energy to keep up with my grandchildren.

.. I got my innards rearranged into a much better configuration. Best thing I could have done for myself, ever. Five years later, down over 110 lbs, never had any regain, and I'm down about 25 lbs since November 2006 without doing anything appreciably different. I DID start exercising a few months ago, but that has not had any noticeable effect on my weight -- though I have gone down a size in my clothes. My labs are damned near perfect after 5 years. A few tweaks this year -- I will probably add some iron, and a third 500 mg dose of calcium citrate -- nothing was out of normal, but I watch not only my absolute values, but also the trends. I take very little in the way of supplements, as I am able to eat pretty much anything, although there are some things I chose not to eat, especially white flour products and large amounts of fluid milk. I eat about 3000 calories/day, high protein and high fat. This is far more than I ever ate pre-op -- the DS is a delight to live with. I continue to pay it forward to help people learn about the DS, in recognition of and thanks to the people who led me to the DS when I had just about despaired of being able to have WLS, as I knew I could not deal with the RNY or Lapband "lifestyle." I co-lead a DS support group in San Jose, speak about the DS at various venues from time to time, work with the CA Dept. of Managed Health Care to try to make the DS and reconstructive surgery more accessible to Californians, and am the lead plaintiff in a class action suit against Health Net to force them to follow the California statute mandating coverage of reconstructive surgery as well. I spend a few hours a day spreading information about the DS on OH, where many people first start learning about WLS, and I personally meet with pre-ops and help people write their insurance appeals. Some people may not like how I do what I do, but I have no doubts I am benefitting many other people. And life is good.

It's been a while since I have been on here. Next month I will have the 5 year anniversary of my RNY. I lost about 115 pounds and have since gained about 30 pounds or so back. I am still happy that I am no where near what I was before, but I am starting to get depressed again. I look fine form the waist up, but the remaining wait has weighted itself to my hips, thighs, and knees. My thighs are the worst. How do you loose fat from the thigh/knee area? I hate shopping for clothes again, and get very depressed when I go shopping. I drink my water like theres no tomorrow, and I do ok with my eating, sometimes I overeat and I still feel it, and I do dump occasionally. I think my stomach has stretched out again. See I play volleyball once a week and play softball once a week, not sissy games either, very competetive. I need a jump start to get motivated again. I would rather play sports than go to the gym. Please help!!! Any encouraging words are helpful!

I'm almost 5 years out and have gained about 20 lbs. back in the last year. I want to eat better to get it back off but I found that fresh fruit & veggies make me sick. I can eat a bite and as soon as it hits my stomach, I'm heaved over. I have to be very careful at restuarants because if there is ANY fresh fruit or veggies in whatever I order, I get terribly sick. I've also never been able to stomach protein drinks or bars. I can eat 1/3 at a time so it takes me all day to finish one bar. I admit I've gotten lazy and need to get back on track. (I got married a year ago & been under some stress from blending families and dealing with his ex) On a side note, I can eat candy, cookies, cake and other junk without getting sick. But some sweets do make me dizzy. Has anyone else had any issues with fruits & veggies making them sick? I have also become lactose intolerant. I can eat canned fruit & canned veggies but I used to love tomatoes and all fruit. I also can't eat eggs unless they are hard boiled.