Weight Loss Failure!

Thank you so much for the support and information.  You are so right about yo yo dieting.  I can be very strict with myself if it is working but lately nothing has worked.  Not even my favorite diet, Atkins. I hadn't considered RNY because I'm a coward.  But now I will gather all the information to make a better decision.  I will be 65 years old in October so I must get started with this or it will be too late.  Dr. Ahmad has very good credentials and I'm glad you also added your good opinion.  I think I'll make an appointment to go to their next seminar and find out all I need.  What is your experience and success?  Would love to hear it.  Thanks again.

I interviewed 4 surgeons prior to deciding to have RNY:  Dr. Brathwaite, Dr. Cooperstone, Dr. A'Daniel and Dr. Ahmad.  I chose Dr. Ahmad even though he was out-of-network.  It was a long process for me, took me 2 years (a long story) but I finally had my surgery with Dr. Ahmad on Oct 23, 2006.  I had no complications and a classic recovery.  However, no matter who you choose, you will also want to have a good relationship with your pcp for the long run maintenance on this.  I cannot afford to keep going out-of-pocket with Dr. Ahmad since he doesn't participate in any insurance plans.  He will, however, work with you for the surgery, but long term care is another issue.  It seems to be different on a case by case basis.  Given your age, I bet Dr. Ahmad will recommend you go with the RNY simply because you have tried far too long to do this on your own.  It will depend on any other health issues you have that could complicate the surgery.  Dr. Ahmad has seminars the 2nd Tuesday of the month at either St. Charles or Mather Memorial in Port Jefferson Station.  Call his office to find out which hospital he will be at.   At 65 y.o. I think you are holding out on hope that you could actually do this on your own.  At this stage of life, it gets harder and harder so definitely do this asap.  I know your fear, I was petrified!!  But I felt the fear and did it anyway, for my health.  I have no regrets.   Dr. Ahmad will not touch you if he feels that you are too much of a risk.  So if he says it's doable, you can trust that.  He has a great track record and his wife (Seema) is amazing.  You could not be in better hands.  Let me know how you make out.  I'd love to be there for you if I can be of any support.  

Kenny - Welcome back. You are not a failure. This wls is a dificult thing no easy thing. Often people think we have wls surgery and we are fixed, but it doesn't work that way, if only it was that easy. You should go back and talk to your doctor. I know most bariatric doctors no days  push the lapband because it less invasive, but you have to look at what best for you. When I first consulted with my doctor his office really pushed the lapband, but they added if I wasn't happy with the result I could have a rny later.  After fighting with my insurance company to cover the lapband  and being denied several times I ended up having a rny, it ended up being the best decision I could have made. Even had my insurance company had payed for a lapband I wouldn't have had it done. I think the denials were a blessing  because what I found out (going to my doctor's office every month pre op) and just talking to patients with the band  I heard a lot of complaints about the effectiveness of the band. I was surprised only one person who I spoke to who had it done was happy with the results, and everyone else seem disappointed with their results. This ultimately helped me to decide to go the rny route.  Whatever you decide we are here to support you. Welcome back. Donna open rny mar 18 2003 282/145/140  

Hi Kenny, Like ohas said, you are absolutely not a failure, just struggling. You can make this work, your tool work. I had the RNY and can eat anything as well. I haven't run across a single thing that makes me dump, so it's not necessarily the kind of surgery as much as making up our minds to work it, and I'm sure everyone here would admit to working it better some weeks than others. You can do this, YOU CAN, if you want it badly enough! You Can!!!

get a fill!  always kicks up my weight loss.

Hang in there Kenny as someone else suggested, perhaps another fill? (or half a fill?) just to get you re-started a little. Also, maybe an appt with your surgeon's NUT for suggestions that may help (besides simply laying off the Friendly's) Of course, there's always the potential for a revision, but I'm sure you're not looking forward to that possibility.  You did so well to start.  Sounds like you just need a new kick in the pants. Good luck.