Stopped Losing Weight

I just wanted to get some feedback from some of you to see if anyone has had the same problems I experienced. I had my RNY surgery in April 2003. By Oct. 2003, I had lost 60lbs. However, after Oct., I failed to lose another pound. I told my doctor about it and he kept telling me that I was losing inches, which I could have been. But I have not lost any more weight since that time. In fact, this past Christmas season, I ended up gaining about 15 lbs. I again told my doctor and in December he ordered an abdominal U/S then a CT to determine if something was wrong. He said the results for both were normal. Now I find out my doctor (Dr. James Balliro) has moved to Wyoming. His partner, Dr.Birkendel has taken over his patients, but he does not have the experience Dr.Ballerio had. I was concerned that maybe there was something wrong that he could not detect since he was less experienced. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks. Lenora Antunes

hows your stoma?

Hi Alexa, Thanks for responding. I asked the new doctor if anything could be wrong with my stoma and he said no, based on the CT. But I am wondering just how much he knows or how much he was able to see on the CT. When I was in the hospital and they checked that, they made me drink this "metallic-like" liquid, then took an x-ray to check. There is another doctor here in town that has done the surgery many times, and I am wondering if maybe I shouldn't go see him, just to get a second opinion. My original doctor (Dr. Balliro) was just not helpful at all, even when I told him I stopped losing weight. He kept telling me I was just at a plateau and to exercise more. I even told him I was beginning to eat more and he didn't seem to worry about that either. It was really frustrating. Do you have any other suggestions.

Your surgery was in 2003? What have you tried in the past 1-1/2 years to lose weight? What have the other doctors said that you have seen? Have you tracked what you eat and your activity? That must be horrible to stop losing weight after just 6 months, but if you gained 15 lbs. over Christmas it sounds like you're outeating the surgery and your profile doesn't provide much info with which to help. Jan

Hi Jan, Thanks for responding to my question. I know, I didn't post alot when I stopping losing weight. I was kind of embarrased. Well, like I said, I had the surgery in April, 2003, and stopped losing weight in Oct. I remained at that weight for over a year only fluctuating a pound or two. My surgeon didn't seem to think it was a problem. He kept saying I was at a plateau and I would probably start losing again. He really gave me the impression of not caring. Infact, I went almost four months without seeing him after the initial surgery. I thought it was kind of odd so I mentioned it to my GP and he had a fit that my follow-up appt. was never scheduled. Infact, it my GP *****commended I get a CT this past Dec. This has really been very disappointing. Which of course, only makes me want to eat...back to the old habits. I hear and see all of these other people who have had such great success, and here I am back at almost square one again. I walk or exercise almost every day, and try to watch what I eat. I am thinking about going back to Weigh****chers again, just for the structure. I really don't know what else to do. Do you think I should get a second opinion???

I'm no expert, but from what I've read on these boards, a lot of surgeons hesitate to touch another surgeon's work, but since your original surgeon left town, you might be in luck there. You would be able to go to another surgeon and tell them that you're looking for a replacement for your surgeon who moved and they may be more willing to work with you. I don't mean to scold you, but you should have been YELLING long before now. And I don't mean posting on the boards here (although that may have helped too) but I mean at the doctor's office. Somebody isn't listening to you!! Make them listen!!! You said you "try to watch what you eat". That tells me you may be eating too much of the wrong thing. May I suggest you try Fitday.com and get back to the basics? Fitday online is free and you need to track your protein to get at least 80 grams per day and keep those carbs low and be sure you weigh and measure your food. Don't "try" - just DO! It may be easy to blame your surgeon for the poor results and he may have some culpability, but you must also take responsibility for your own life. Be sure YOU are doing all you can and that you're doing it right! Document your intake and your exercise and remember that the surgery is a tool you have to use because you can gain weight with it. Weigh****chers may be an excellent idea for you, but I've heard people say not to mention the surgery as they frown on that and remember to limit carbs and get your protein in first. And DO get that second opinion! Hope you post an update with a doctor's appointment! Good Luck! Jan

Hi Jan, I don't feel like you are scolding me at all. I think your "encouragement" is maybe just what I need. You suggestions and comments have been very helpful. It has made me realize that I think I have just "forgotten" that the surgery was a "tool" and that it is still my responsiblity to do the rest of the work...getting the protein, limiting the carbs, and not overeating. For some reason when I stopped losing weight after a couple of months, I think I just gave up and forgot about the protein, carbs and portion control. I am going to take your advice and checkout the Fitday website. I need all the help I can get. As far as the doctor goes, I guess I really let him and his reputation intimidate me, (which is VERY unusal for me), and didn't push the issue like I should have. But I am going to call the other doctor here in town and see what he says about my situation and see if he will atleast talk to me. Thank you for your suggestions and help. I think you have given me some hope and steered back in the right direction. I am getting started today. Thank you again. I will keep you posted. Lee Antunes

I would agree with Jan - that it does sound strange that you had lap or open RNY and only lost 60 lbs in 2 years. Have you saved the paperwork or nutritional booklets given to you in the beginning? Not that you should start in the beginning with liquids but try the soft food stage. How much are you eating? Do you feel you're eating 5 oz (if recommended by your doc)? There can be a number of things going on. You could be doing all the right things and something has made the weight stall. I'm going through a MAJOR stall...i'm trying to slow the exercise and eat more protein, cause I may in the starvation mode...i'm doing a set of tests to determine if im in starvation mode - if this is the case - you're body will stop losing. I'm sorry that doctor is no help - he shouldn't have taken on that previous doc's Bariatric patients if he has no experience. I would look for someone else - if you can help it. Otherwise, you can be in a difficult spot - with a doc who knows nothing about what you're going through. Anyway, check to see what's happening. I was asked to keep a log of all calories, and what I burn at the gymp/plus all day long and then check it against the resting metobolic rate..and then if i'm in the starvation mode - consult the doctor - though he's not a proponent of protein supplements it might be what I need. It's so hard to keep up with the protein plus with the liquids to keep hydrated plus the vitamins..geez...I think and work at keeping up with foods - more than before...but I need to make sure i'm doing the right - and that is what I'm suggesting for you to.. Good luck - keep me updated!

Hi Ruth, I want to thank you for your suggestions. Like I mentioned to Jan, I think I just forgot about the surgery being a "tool"...and when I stopped losing weight, I got very discouraged and didn't do all the right things...the right way all of the time. I don't think I ever hit the starvation mode, I think my problems may have been caused by "just giving up" way to soon...I stopped tracking the protein, carbs and just starting eating regular...almost like before the surgery, which has not been good, obviously. Jan suggested I use the fitday.com website to track my protein, which is something I haven't done in awhile. I guess I just thought I didn't have to do that any more, boy was I wrong!!!!! I am also going to call the other surgeon here in town to see if he will talk to me. Thank you for your suggestions and help and good luck with your weight loss. Thanks for your support. You and Jan have been extremely helpful. Lee Antunes

Hey Lenora, I had my surgery in November by Dr. Sieloff here in Tallahassee. He is a very good doctor and very thorough and caring. Call him and see if you can schedule an appt. with him to check you out. His number is 877-6212. He is located inside TMH at Tallahassee Surgical Associates. Cathy