Weight still off after 1 or 2 yrs??????

I am wondering as I found information about the long term and GBS. Is there any information about weight gain and I am talking about complete weight gain after surgery????? I know a portion is possible. Also, how many people have the stretched pouch????? If the pouch is bigger which it will be at some point do you still have dumping????? Wouldnt weight still be controlled because of bypassing part of the intestine????? I had read that eventually the stomach would hold about a cup and a half of food down the line. I think that is reasonable but am scared of the thought of gaining after all of this.  Any input from those who are a year and more out????? Thanks to all. Jennifer

Hi Jen - I had rny on 8/2/05 and have lost about 140 pounds.  I say about because due to some ferocious hormonal issues, which were weight loss related and not surgery related, and the need for frequent Depo-Provera shots, I have gained SOME weight.  It is possible to regain all of your weight, plus some, back.  In the end, it's just like any other weight loss program; this is not a quick fix like so many of the uneducated seem to think, rather it's a powerful kick-start.  If you're compliant with the directions of your surgeon and nutritionist, and follow the basic rules of protein first (protein will keep you full longer), LOTS of water, vitamins, not drinking with your meals or for 30-60 minutes after and exercise, there is no reason why you shouldn't be a success.  Having said that, unfortunately, the surgeon only operates on our stomachs, not our heads, and personally, I would've paid extra for that.  I still deal with emotional eating issues, self-esteem issues, etc., but with the help of this board, my support group and a wonderful therapist who is a wls patient herself, I'm on the right track.   I believe it's normal for the pouch to stretch - how much, I don't know.  I do know that by continually grazing, eating more than fills you and drinking with your meals, you can stretch it beyond what's normal.  Your pouch size has nothing to do with dumping - dumping is a metabolic result of your body getting too much sugar/carbs, and for some people, fats.  Dumping can make you feel sweaty, shaky, irritable, tired, etc., kind of like having low blood sugar, and it usually occurs within 1 hour of eating the offending item.  Getting food stuck at the pouch opening is another thing entirely - this comes from not chewing well, from too big a bite of food, food that's too dry, etc., and can be incredibly painful, sometimes forcing you to throw up the food (if you can), or, if you can't having to wait for it to pass on it's own.  To me, the pain is reminiscent of the worst gallbladder attack I ever had, and fortunately, it happens less the further out you get, because you never want to experience that pain.  Now, once the food is expelled or it passes, the relief is instant.  If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick dumping any day.  I can honestly say I've never been sick from eating too much or making poor choices, but I have been sick from getting food stuck.  Just follow the established parameters and you'll do fine!  I also can honestly say that I am never hungry - I find that if I think I'm hungry and it's not head hunger, it's probably because I haven't drank enough.  If I get in my daily requirements of protein and liquids, then I'm fine. I hope this helps and answers your questions.

Tia

Thanks so much for the info. I truly do understand it is a tool but you are right about the head thing. I mean the reality is that if I could lose the weight and keep it off then I certainly wouldnt need the rny as a tool. I have gained and lost so much over the years and find that no matter what just one slip and that is the end of the diet. I dont want to use that word ever again.  What is it about most overweight humans and me for that matter that we simply cant walk away from a table when full????? I will continue to the point of being uncomfortable. What is it that the wrong foods just cant be avoided???? I realize the genetic thing but what makes thin people just be happy with a little??? Can I walk away after the surgery???? I look at the diet that is what I will live by and think.........this is reasonable. How do people who have had the GBS just never eat a cheesburger, or pizza. Will I be able to say no.  I know that the path I am on will lead to coronary bypass before I am 50. My dad is a medical nightmare and I am his daughter. My meds pretty much sum that up. I guess the bottom line is that I want to have the tools to make a permanent life change. Did anyone ever wonder if they would fail after going through so much???? Jennifer

Hi Jen, I am almost 3 1/2 years out and pretty much maintaining my loss (even though I haven't reached my 'goal').   I have gained back about 15 pounds from my lowest weight but still 100 plus pounds less than my highest weight. I am not the most 'compliant' and I recognize that fact while I am frustrated that I am stuck and can't seem to lose the last 30 to 40 pounds that I would like to lose.   It took me over 2 1/2 years before I finally got with the program and started to exercise on a regular basis.  If I had it to do all over again . I would have started exercising MUCH sooner!!!   I think my pouch is still the same size it has always been .. my doctor explains it as not that the pouch will 'stretch' more that it becomes more 'efficient' in processing what passes through it.   I've had issues with food from the beginning and still do .. dense proteins really cause me problems so I tend to take the easy way out . and eat carbs that will go down easily .. I can't eat quantity . but sometimes my quality is not the best. As emotionally prepared as I was for surgery . sometimes I think that I still believed it was going to be 'easier' than it has been and I was magically going to be a size 8 . and I'm stuck between a 14 and 16 ..  I would do this again in a heartbeat .. I can't guarantee that I will live longer for having RNY .. but I can say that the quality of life how ever long that may be will be better. Best wishes as your WLS journey continues. Hugs, Mo

Hi Mo, I want you to know how much I appreciate your honesty. I do have fears about the long term. I know someone who has lost 100lbs and she was told her pouch had stretched and she tells me that she can eat normally now. I now have a huge fear of this happening and knowing that all the work would be for nothing. I can also say that food has been an issue. I remember losing 70 pounds ( I gained it back) yet still seeing myself as 70lbs heavier. I also am an apple so I have thin legs and arms and look 14 months pregnant. I am realistic about the weight loss and am prepared for the surgery but I am also a thinker and want to have as much info and materials to be really prepared.  How many calories would you say you eat a day???? Do you still eat tiny meals???? Did you MD say it was normal to put a few back on??? Is that common???? Jennifer

Hi Jen, I definitely cannot eat 'normally' .. if normally is how I ate prior to WLS.   How much I eat definitely depends on the density of what I am eating.   My largest meal volume wise is generally lunch.   On a typical day I take a salad to work for lunch.   My salad may be 3 to 4 cups of cut up romaine lettuce, 1/4 cup (give or take) of bacon bits, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, some chopped olives, blue cheese crumbles (not measured . but I don't go overboard).   If I have chicken or steak strips I'll put in 2 to 4 oz of chicken or steak in as well.  I'll have some wheat thins with my salad as  I am eating it.   There are some days when the salad goes down fine and other days when it's a 'struggle' to get it all eaten. Monday through Friday I make a protein shake that I carry to work and drink when I get there (the way I mix it up to me it's like having an iced coffee drink).  I often times mix up a 2nd protein drink and leave it in the fridge at home so I can grab it when I get home in the afternoon.   I say M-F because my life is much more structured during the work week than on the weekends.  My WLS surgeon is one who subscribes to the 2 protein shakes per day for life school, while other surgeons don't believe in any protein supplements. I use South Beach cereal bars for snacks at times and the meal replacement bars when I need something to eat and don't have time or don't feel like anything else.   I also 'snack' on sunflower seeds during the day.  They sort of satisfy my 'salty' urges. On a 'normal' day I probably have between 1200 and 2000 calories, with the average in the 1400 to 1500 range. I think a couple of pound gain is probably a common occurence.   Whether it is normal I really don't know.   I've gained back more than a couple and I know that it's from the 'quality' of my food.  I have a lot of issues with food and my pouch and I'm not 100% compliant.   I am seriously frustrated with the weight that I've put back on (because I have clothes I can't wear) and frustrated that I eat well and I work out and I can't eem to shake those pounds loose.   As I said before though, I would do this again in a heartbeat and even if I stay where I am right now, I am much better off than I was at almost 300 pounds.   I weigh every day so the weight is not going to 'sneak' back up on me.  I am conscious of what I am eating and I work at it every day as well. WLS is a wonderful tool, but it takes a commitment to lifestyle change to make it work for you. Hugs, Mo

Hi Jen and welcome to the MD Boards Being a year out I am starting to worry about my weight. I am afraid it will come back on and now I am kiscking it back in first gear. I got a book from the library yesterday called Winning after Loosing by Stacey Halprin. so far it is a very good book. I see alot of my self in her words in the beggining. I started at 446 only a year ago and now down to 280 and still want to loose more. My food choices are good but everynow and again there is something I crave and I wish I couldnt give in but I do. My docotor told me to not deprive myself but a few things may happen, 1~ you dump (once you do it once you will never touch it again...not the greateast feeling) or 2~ it wont taste the same.  Like everyone said this isnt a quick fix. You have to work at it but in the end it will all be worth it. The support on and off this board is the greateast. Best of luck to you and keep us posted

I think that the weight maintaining question should go to the ones who are a few years out...being a little less than a year out myself, I am still lossing on a regular basis.  Surgeons and books will tell you to expect to keep losing up to 2 years post-op (obviously depending upon how heavy you were).  For me, I started out at 402 and in 11 months I have lost almost 160 pounds.  Would I be happy if I stayed at 240-250 pounds?  Heck yeah, but I would still like to lose more...and I am. There are meals where I feel like my pouch is bigger than the day before, but than my next meal is 2 bites and then I am so full it hurts.  My primary doctor (who knows about RNY) says that just like a "normal sized" stomach there are times where it expands a little more due to your hydration levels, muscle tone, hormones/enzymes, etc.  and that I should not worry.  As far as dumping goes, I agree with everyone on here...do it once and you wont do it again.  I attempted (I know my bad) non-sugar-free pudding at around 2 months post-op...you know, to this day, I wont touch pudding...even the sugar-free kind!!! Good luck...remember we are all here for questions like this!!!

Thanks to everyone for the support and input. I sit some days (apparently too much time on my hands) and wonder about the unknown with it all. I know for me the surgery is a tool to stop the back pain from all the weight in the middle. Or better yet, the knee that keeps me up at night. I mean the list goes on and on. I wish I never wanted a bacon cheeseburger. I wish I never thought about food. I wish when growing up that there wasnt this clean your plate mentality. As a nurse I think about the nutrition and what it means when I am 70.  Bu then I think about the medical conditions I have going away. Maybe because I am just starting the process and these things pop in my head. I am sure I am not the only one. I see the pics and know the size of the normal stomach and think it is no way the pouch can get that big again but then you hear stories. I guess this is why this forum is so helpful. I have told noone of my plans other than my significant other who is wonderful. I am told that no flaws are seen and that I look wonderful but to do what is best for me. I however am my own worst enemy. Why is food such a big deal????????? You are all wonderful. Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

You have asked great questions...and come to the right place for answers.  I love this board because everyone is so willing to share their experiences (just like most everyone on this site).  I am 16 months post-op, have lost 113 lbs and am working towards losing another 10-15 to my goal.  I have only lost about 3 lbs since my 1 year anniversary, so I guess I am doing a pretty good job maintaining.  I have not gained any weight back although I have bounced between 159 & 161 for the past two months.   I agree with what the others have said.  The only thing I will add is that according to two books I have read and my surgeon, your stomach/pouch will eventually be as large a a large lemon, but should not get any bigger than that IF (and that's a huge IF) you follow the pouch rules.  I am able to consume, on most days, about 8-10 oz (or 1 to 1 1/2 cups) of food.  This all depends upon what I am eating.  I try to consume 3-4 oz of protein at each of my main 3 meals (1-2 oz for up to 2 snacks a day) and veggies.  I try to avoid carbs although I am now able to eat potatoes without any problem.  I tend to dump on carbs and sugars (any more than 15 gr of sugars per serving).  I don't mind this because it keeps me from consuming carbs which for me are empty calories, they just don't fill me up like I need.  I am now able to eat one piece of multi-grain lowcarb bread with peanut butter on it but I do not eat any other bread.  I consider the eating that I do to be "normal" as in what a person my current weight/size should be able to eat.  I hope to NEVER eat what I thought was "normal" when I was nearly 300 lbs.  I don't always weigh & measure my food but still do that a few times a week so I don't forget what my protions should look like.   The hardest thing I have found to avoid is grazing, eating a little bit every few minutes or so.  My NUT prefers if we eat our meals in 20-30 min and no longer.  Then we are to wait 2-3 hours for the next meal/snack.  At work I tend to graze because I eat while I work.  I am trying to break that habit but it is really hard.  I do find that when I stick to the 20-30 min rule I get full and stay that way longer.   I hope this all helps.  You have gotten some really good info from the others.   Take care! Robin