Can I get a revisioin?

Greetings All, I"m 6 months post op. I had my surgery with Dr. George Woodman 4-25-06. Initially, all went well. I love 50lbs in the first 3 months. Then I gained 7 lbs. I was drinking protein drinks and eating protein bars along with eating regular food. I thought was was supposed to keep pushing the protein as it was emphasized so heavily. I got chewed at my check up. I stopped all the drinks and bars and at the next checkup, 5 weeks later, I had lost 5lbs. The problem? I"m able to eat so much more than people who are years post-op. I can drink a 20oz protein drink in less than 45 minutes, comfortably. I can eat a whole banana and feel absolutely no discomfort. This isn't right, being only 6 months out. Others have suggested to me that I pursue a revision. Is that possible? Can you get one? Would insurance pay a 2nd time? Has anyone had this done? Please let me know. Dispairingly yours, Susan

Hi Susan, how much water and excercise are you getting in each day? Sounds like with the protein bars, the drinks, and getting in protein from foods sounds ok, but what about the water? Water and excercise are very important. If you are getting in your protein with your food and the shakes inbetween meals, you don't need the protein bars, that's like snacking and no snacking allowed. Now if you are eating the bar in place of a shake. Becareful, as it may fill you up just before a meal time. Keep a log of how much you are eating, drinking, protein grams a day, how much excercise and water you drink. The more water and working out, the more lbs you lose. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Kathy

Has your surgeon checked you for a fissure? This is a small opening between the pouch and remaining stomach. Because they don't remove our old stomach it is possible for a reconnection to occur during the healing process. The instance of this is rare but my surgeon says it can occur. He sat in on one of our support group sessions and there was a lady there who was gaining and complained of always being hungry and being able to eat normal amounts of food at less than a year out. He told her to have her surgeon check her for a fissure. Another question - Are you drinking with your meals? Remember nothing to drink 15 minutes before a meal and for 30 minutes to an hour after a meal. (My doc says an hour but I've seen others on here who have been told 30 minutes) Drinking too soon after a meal will wash the food out of your pouch and leave you hungry between meals. Before you check into another surgery I would check things out to see what the problem is with this surgery. Susan

Hey Susan, Did you surgeon completely bisect your stomach or just staple off the pouch? I know with mine, the pouch is completely separate from the old stomach so there was not a possiblity of a fissure. But I've also read enough to know that not all surgeons perform the surgery the same way. Anyway, just courious. Toni

My stomach is bisected from the pouch. Like you said though, not all surgeons perform the surgery the same way. Several years ago they didn't bisect the stomach at all. Susan

TALK TO YOUR SURGEON and nutritionist, you may not be a candidate for a revision. It may just be a matter of relearning how to eat and making sure you are getting the exercise you need. Good luck. Toni

Thanks bunches to those *****sponded. I was feeling so down the day I wrote my concern. I"m feeling better today. If I remember, my surgery was a pouch seperated from the stomach, but still connected. so, I fissure would be possible. The Doc told my I had already stretched my stomach out, but I can't see how that is possible only 6 months out from surgery. I drink about 32oz of water a day. I also drink my tea and coffee and milk. I'm getting plenty of fluids. I don't drink with my meals. I can't recall that I was ever givenn instructions about how soon after a meal to drink. I thought the no liquids with meals was because it would take up room that was need for protein. I was never told it could wash the food out of the pouch. I'm going to CURVES. I'm averaging twice a week, which is not enough. I"m working to increase that amount. My concern is that the restrictive part of the surgery, the pouch, is too large. I had a bowl of bean soup and a large piece of cornbread for dinner tonight with no problem containing it all. After about 30 mintues, I had a banana for dessert. I'll definitely talk to my surgeon about 'fissures'. I just know that the results from the surgery are not what I have seen with other people. At times, I feel like the surgery was never done. Thanks so much for every's support. Susan