The criticism I see on other forums

I would like to express the concern/critism I see on other forums regarding revisions.  I don't know if any of you here will agree with me or not?  I especially see alot of critism on the RNY forum regarding people *****gain weight, express having a revision, or who inquire about other procedures.  As many of you know from my previous post I had the mini gastric bypass 7 1/2 years ago.  I have regained back most of my weight and I am having a revision in 2 weeks to the RNY.  Now I would prefer the DS and I did inquire and called around alot.  Many doctors do not perform this procedure, some insurance will not pay (and I cannot self-pay), I have been told by many that my BMI is not high enough for them to consider this procedure (37 BMI), and I was also told that because of the mechanics of my previous surgery that I cannot have a true DS.  That explains why I am revising to the RNY.   I will not get back to my point.  On these other forums you hear people who criticize people who are not being sucessful or have regained or choosing to have a revision.  Yes, I take responsibility for blowing my first surgery and yes I learned what my mistakes were.  I believe the people who are the most critical are the people who are in the "honey moon" phase of this surgery (meaning they are loosing weight without much effort).  Yes, the surgery is a tool and yes it is easy for people to fall back into old habits or have cir****tances that happens in life that causes them to gain additional weight such as health problems, pregnancy, medication, depression, and so forth.  I believe that if many of us (myself included) had the self-discipline, drive, and will power (if that is a good term) we wouldn't need this surgery to begin with.  It is easy to make judgement when you are still in the "honey moon" phase of this surgery.  Additionally, I do think that people can be very compliant the first few years out.  It is when year 4, 5, 6, or 7 rolls around.  Too make a long story short these other forums can be critical of people seeking revisions.  Has anyone eles experienced this?

Unfortunately, there are many people who judge.  NO ONE is perfect, and you cannot possibly know what one feels without walking in their shoes. G I am sure that you are doing what is right for you, good luck with everything. Tina

I blamed myself too.  So did my husband.  Turns out we were both wrong.  I had mechanical failure of my RNY.  It could well be your surgery is broken through no fault of your own.  Don't be so hard on yourself..........I hope and pray your revision works for you.

While you're noticing people in the " honeymoon" phase, please note those on the Ds board aren't more than a couple of years out themselves. There are maybe 3-4 longer term Dsers posting occasionally. Also after decalring that a surgery is superior, do you think such a one would then come and say " I've gained a lot of weight" ?  The same way you seem to feel about gaining, think how you'd feel if you spent a couple of years taunting and denigrating other surgeries and making claims about never regaining weight back and then find yourself a few years out with some weight back on. So just because you don't see much complaining, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Come back and check these people in a few years.

Dude, I think you are exactley what he is talking about.

With the DS there is nothing to mechanically fail.  Heh.  That really is superior, isn't it?

Exactly, Dawn.  I love that my DS anatomy is PERMANENTLY altered to malabsorb fat and my metabolism is FOREVER changed to be non-conducive to weight gain.  Unlike a pouch that NO DOUBT WILL stretch over time.  Heh.

Darnell, I really haven't visited many other forums, so I'm glad I haven't seen the postings of those self-righteous people out there. Probably the same people who were ridiculed for being fat, befoe WLS. Now that they've reached an ideal weight, they forgotten where they came from, how it feels to be judged. Shame on them.

You're right about the 'honeymoon phase,' it comes off fairly easily, but it's work to keep it off. Luckily, I didn't gain any weight, but I started out with a BMI of 57 so it was impossible for me to reach an ideal weight. My own surgeon also comfirmed this. Presently I also have a BMI of 37.

Stick to the revision forum, we understand your struggles here, because we also have them.

Good luck in whatever procedure you choose.

Nan

 Dear Nan ,

I have just read your post and saw this  " didn't gain any weight, but I started out with a BMI of 57 so it was impossible for me to reach an ideal weight. My own surgeon also comfirmed this " I was wondering why he said that you would not reach and ideal weight? I had a bmi of 52.something  and saw another surgeon a few days ago and he also said that I wouldnt be a "normal" weight ,but only after leaving his office did it dawn on me to ask why I wouldnt get to a normal weight ... and that if I did go for revision I would maybe get another 14bls off ...so now I think there is no point of having a evision if thats all I will get off...  Susie xxx

Hi Susie, I did manage to lose 130-lbs, and I feel healthier; but I'm over 200-lbs. The surgeon told me that when a patient starts out with a BMI over 50, it becomes more difficult to get to the 'ideal weight'. He said that in rare instances it can be done, by following strict dietary guidelines and diligent exercise.

My surgeon told me that with the Gastric Bypass a patient can lose 50% to 70% of their EXCESS weight; so with by his calculation, he didn't think it was possible for me to reach the ideal weight mark and be an average BMI weight.  I lose my weight very very slowly (I'm menapausal), and the weight just stopped coming off about 16-months after surgery. I became excited when I heard about Stomaphyx. My upper endoscopy revealed that my pouch and stoma are stretched...but my insurance company will not cover the procedure because it's too new and there isn't enough results printed about it. So I have no recourse but to wait it out right now. Nan