Hi everyone.... Most of you know my story. It was not the easiest ride. The open RNY was followed 4 days later with blocked bowel surgery. This was followed by a horrendous run with a non healing surgical wound that finally required a third surgery. I was just released from wound clinic a month ago. Finally.....until Sunday. Sunday I looked down and saw a two inch bulge poking out of the right side of my midriff about two inches above my belly button. Not a subtle bulge that could be a change in shape. Obviously SOMETHING NOT RIGHT. It is sore, hard to the touch, and seems to go up and down some but never dissapears. I suspect that I have developed a hernia. [a FOURTH surgery????] Has ANYONE ever heard of this? What happens? Any other ideas of what it could be? Anyone ever had this happen to them? I would appreciate ANY advice. I am not having any trouble eating or going to the bathroom. I am overall, down from a pre-surgery weight of 246 [went into surgery at 226] to about 163. My weight loss is slower because I have had so many complications I think. The severe anemia that I am still recovering from keeps me from exercising hard. I was only recently cleared for exercise at all and am still just walking and swimming. The wound kept my body focused on healing that so I think my pouch is still healing. I still have trouble with a lot of foods. I lose about 5 pounds a month and that is okay by me. I understand that the complications would slow my progress down a little. I will get there. But currently I am worried about this bulge. I don't have a surgeon so will have to find out what is going on with docs that have never done bypass surgery.....but given my experience obviously I should not return to the original surgeon! Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks.

Hi Adrienne! That is weird that you posted this! I got this same realization last week! I am a slave to the scale myself and have only lost 3 lbs, so far this month(My month will be up on the 13th). On the other hand....I started doing aerobics and one morning I got up and saw myself in the mirror and thought....wow!!!! The Crunches are working! So I got out the old measuring tape and I was right.....The inches are coming off!! So, I decided Right then to stop fretting over what the scale says and keep doing what I am doing! My size 12's are gettin baggy now!!!! I can't believe I am on the verge of being a size 10!!! I wish you the best!!! LaDena Lap rny 10/13/03 259/166

Hi All, I had a bit of a plateau as well and suddenly the weight started to go down again. I'm now down 94 lb only 7 lb away from my goal weight of 122. I also exercise regularly and this helps, like Jackie I seem to loose about 11 lb a month (except for the first month). I feel great and shopping for clothes is finally fun... I am very grateful for this support group, it has helped me tremendously in my "blue" period. Keep up the good work! Lucie

WHOOPS-total loss since October is 154 pounds.

Today I weighed in at exactly 200 pounds which means I have lost 165 pounds since my surgery. I am still aiming to weigh 185-190 pounds. Have faith all of you who are struggling-this surgery does work! Lester