Health Issues 10+ years out???

I am curious for all of you who had RNY at least 10 years ago, have you developed any bad health issues? If so, what are they and how is it affecting you? Do you think it has anything to do with the surgery?

Adasha Knight

RNY, 9/30/03, 246/140

The only aspect that bothers me is fibromyalgia and I was diagnosed with that last year. Things have gotten better, for the most part since my surgery.

I have zero health problems (fingers crossed) but I am extremely health conscious.

I eat protein forward, low carb and I average 12-13k steps per day. I do and have ALWAYS had lab tests and taken my supplements.

My dexa scan is better than average and I don't have any joint problems.

I have had and lost regain and currently maintain a 25.2 BMI

I'm 57 and 15.5 years post RNY and have never regretted having surgery

I don't think I would be alive today if I did not have the surgery.

Are you having health issues?

I am 11 years out. This was the first year I was low in vit K and bottom of acceptable range in A even though I was taking my vitamins and supplements. I switched to bariatric vitamins and will check my levels in a few months, Otherwise, no health issues here.

I'm in a lot better health than I was before my surgery 9½ years ago because of losing the weight and maintaining the loss plus a lot of exercise. My health before surgery was bad and sure to get worse and that was my driving motivation for surgery. The price I'm paying now with paying constant vigilant attention and behaving myself is a hell of a lot less than the price I would have been paying if I hadn't had the surgery and continued the way I was going.

I am 13.5 years out and much healthier than I was before my RNY! Lost 120, have gained back about 20 through menopause and doing Atkins now. I have been really anemic to the point of needing an iron infusion last year but I was anemic before the surgery. I don't think the RNY caused that but probably made it worse. The big thing that happened to me was my fault. I took Advil several times and had a perforated ulcer. No NSAIDs for us ever!

10 1/2 years post RNY and all is well! I take my vitamins. I eat properly most of the time.

Well, I did have a surgery - to repair a torn meniscus suffered while working out with a trainer. THAT wouldn't have happened pre op.

Hi Adasha,

Please forgive my late reply to your post--I just saw this today.

I will be 10 years post op RNY surgery later this year. Prior to my surgery I had type II Diabetes, which is now resolved. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which have also resolved. I would huff and puff just walking to my mailbox. Happily that, too, is no longer the case.

But not everything has improved since my RNY. I had kidney stones prior to my RNY in 2010 and since then I have seen an increase in kidney stones. Since my RNY I have had 15+ stone-related surgeries, including one surgery to cut out a scarred portion of my ureter and reconnect my ureter to a new place on my bladder. My teeth are problematic, too, and I have broken several bits of teeth off just over the past 2 years or so. I'm hoping that increasing my daily Vitamin D intake will help me. My fingernails are very thin and I have increased my dosage of Biotin in hopes of improving this. I was relying on gel/lacquer manicures, which worked wonderfully, but I am about to purchase my first home and I am unable to afford 2 times/month manicures right now. I am finding the Sally Hansen 2-step Gel Nail Polish to be a very good product. For the first 1-3 years my hair was very thin. Again, I credit Biotin in helping me get my hair back almost to where it was pre-surgery. I also recommend Latisse to anyone who is experiencing eyelash loss. It requires an rx, it's under $100 and a small bottle lasts me nearly 3 months. I have also used Latisse on my eyebrows with great success!

I will state without hesitation that I have only one regret with the RNY--I wish I had undergone it at an earlier age. But it's all good; I'm making up for lost time and I'm now enjoying my life.