10 years ago today I had my Gastric Bypass....And, it failed

10 years ago today I had my Gastric Bypass….And, it failed ...I was 305lbs.  Since that day, 10 years ago…

·        I lost 130lbs
·        I had a Lower Body Lift, a tummy tuck and lipo (6/04)
·        I left my ex-husband (7/04)
·        I got a divorce (2/06)
·        I had a breast lift, a reduction and a brachioplasty – arm lift (3/06)
·        I walked away from my 6-figure wallstreet job to go back to school (5/07)
·        I started my MBA (1/08)
·        I threw out my back, had a bulging disk and started gaining weight (7/09)
·        I graduated with honors (9/09)
·        I re-gained 75lbs (6/10)
·        I spoke to a surgeon about a revision (8/10)
·        I got a revision – Band over Bypass (6/11)
·        I was laid off (10/11)
·        I found a job (6/12)
·        I re-lost the 75lbs I gained (8/12)

A lot can happen in 10 yrs.  Weight loss surgeries fail can and will FAIL.  It doesn’t matter if which surgery you have - stomach stapling, RNY, DS, Band, sleeve, etc.  People Fail  - whether it be the patient or the doctor.  In my case, my doctor was VERY conservative with my pouch size and as such, in my opinion, I was set up for failure. Pre-RNY, I was a volume eater.  I was not a sweet eater not was I a grazer but boy could I eat. So, I thought the RNY would fix that.  It did for awhile, but, with a pouch that wasn’t as small as others,  I continued to overeat.

Fast forward to 2011, I am 250lbs.  I investigated both a BOB, an RNY revision and a DS. I consulted 2 fabulous doctors, Dr. Mitchell Roslin and Dr. Marina Kurian. I went with Dr. Kurian.  Both used to be in practice with Dr. Leitman, at Lenox Hill, back in 2002 and knew me, my habits and my personality from 7-8 years of support group attendance.

Today, I am 10yrs post-op RNY and 14 mos post-op BOB.  Will the Band fail like the RNY, maybe?  If I believe everything others on these boards say, yes it will.  But, you know what, if it does, I can fix it again. I am lucky to live in a country where Doctors are always looking to improve what already exists and/or discover something new.  

Don't let anyone tell you you CANNOT!  I know its cliche, but, you can do anything you set your mind too.  And, if you encounter obstacles, seek help.  Just educate yourself as much as possible.  Don't follow the pack or be bullied into something you don't want.  If you want something bad enough, find a way to get it.

 

 In 2001 I weighed 587 lbs and searched and searched before I found a Dr. that would and could help me. In a little over 18 months I went down to 216 Lbs and was literally reborn it would seem. Then all sorts of trials and tribulations happened and my parents also passed away. I turned to my old friend food. I had one and only one friend who told me I was making a mistake but I was dumb and totally ignored him.  Years later I was thinking that perhaps I was around 380 lbs. To my surprise I was all the way back to 561 lbs. I had sought help from my original surgeon but he just told me to eat healthy and that obviously was not the council I needed.

I again had to search high and low for a new surgeon and finally found a good one on a whim.  I am back on the road to health, down around 130 lbs. But I know this will be a lifetime struggle and if I drop my vigilance even for a moment I will be back to square one. I only pray I have some good years left and will again get some 'health' again. I have learned from the follies I had before when I lost and hopefully will not repeat the same dumb mistakes,

I will say you probably need a support group or at least some council and you should take things one day at a time.  You didn't put the weight on in a single day, but the only way to deal with things is moment to moment.

Hope you can make peace with your demon and find a happy place both mentally and physically. I only pray I to can do that also.

My marrige came within a single straw of failing. I think the only reason it didn't colaspe is neither of us wanted to live with out the other. I am now down 130 pounds on WLS #2 and pray I get things right this time.

Allen:

I've grown up a lot since I first had surgery, I was 31.  Im now 41.  I started volunteering and helping undeserved woman and it changed my life.  I am NOT the same person I used to be mentally, physcially, etc.  Yes, I have demons, but, they aren't food ones anymore.  I think having a revision you do things differently and you no longer take anything for granted.  

Good luck to you.

Heather-

I am looking for a way to get rid of those food demons. I am scheduled to have a tummy tuck in Dec 21. I want to get back down to 164 lbs and I am at 190ls. Do you have any suggestions, or ideas. I was inspired by your story and really admire you. It is a life long battle.

thank you for sharing your experience, it helped me and other people!

Heather

When you say that you're "helping undeserved woman," what does this mean, please? 

 Love my iphone and auto-correct "underserved" women, like through dress for success and bottomless closet.

Ohhh, I see now! Thank you.

 Congrats!  Why did you leave a 6 figure job to get an MBA?  That part I guess I don't get.

 I worked on wall street...sometimes money isn't enough. I started to volunteer, changed as a person and wanted to do something different.

Are you running a charity, is that why you needed an MBA?  I can't relate to the money is not enough idea because I have always loved my job even though sometimes I get frustrated by our corporate decisions.  We haven't gotten raises in over 5 years so money would be awesome right about now.