Hello, I am new....
Hi everyone!
I had Open RN-Y about 5 years ago, I lost a LOT of weight the first 2 years. But have been finding myself slowly creeping back up the scale. I've been suffering with the loss of my mother who died earlier this year. So, my COMFORT carb cravings have been intense. I am also able to eat quite a lot more then I should.... I don't want to admit just how bad I've stretched my pouch, but believe me when I say a lot. I am always, always, always hungry!!! I haven't seen my surgeon in over a year, embarrassed really... feeling like a major failure.
I am seeing my surgeon on Wednesday to discuss possibly doing the stomaphyX procedure, or some other non-surgical procedure to try and lose another 100 pounds or so. I have read that many of the people that have had the procedure only lose about 20-40 pounds, but I also noticed that the majority of them only had 50 pounds or less to lose in the first place. Which would actually make sense as to why they don't lose so much.... where as, I wonder since I have over 100 pounds to lose yet, maybe it would work better for someone in my case? Does anyone know of anyone with 100 pounds or more to lose that had the procedure, and lost more then 40 pounds? I will have my list of questions when I see my doctor this week, so I will know my chances of weight loss better. I have my fingers crossed that I will be a good canditate for the procedure, and it will help me get under 300 pounds. I know, probably dreaming!!!
Anyway, I look forward to chatting!
God Bless
I had Open RN-Y about 5 years ago, I lost a LOT of weight the first 2 years. But have been finding myself slowly creeping back up the scale. I've been suffering with the loss of my mother who died earlier this year. So, my COMFORT carb cravings have been intense. I am also able to eat quite a lot more then I should.... I don't want to admit just how bad I've stretched my pouch, but believe me when I say a lot. I am always, always, always hungry!!! I haven't seen my surgeon in over a year, embarrassed really... feeling like a major failure.
I am seeing my surgeon on Wednesday to discuss possibly doing the stomaphyX procedure, or some other non-surgical procedure to try and lose another 100 pounds or so. I have read that many of the people that have had the procedure only lose about 20-40 pounds, but I also noticed that the majority of them only had 50 pounds or less to lose in the first place. Which would actually make sense as to why they don't lose so much.... where as, I wonder since I have over 100 pounds to lose yet, maybe it would work better for someone in my case? Does anyone know of anyone with 100 pounds or more to lose that had the procedure, and lost more then 40 pounds? I will have my list of questions when I see my doctor this week, so I will know my chances of weight loss better. I have my fingers crossed that I will be a good canditate for the procedure, and it will help me get under 300 pounds. I know, probably dreaming!!!
Anyway, I look forward to chatting!
God Bless
Welcome!
Has your pouch actually failed? A lot of times, we may think the pouch has stretched when it really hasn't, it's just that the evil bad eating habits return and we make poor food choices. I'm not trying to sound superior, it's something I go through every day. At two years out, I can certainly eat more food than I could as a new post-op, and it's easy to eat when I'm not hungry if I don't stay on top of things.
I find that when my pouch needs a tune-up, I do the Five Day Pouch Test. It really helps in terms of getting reacquainted with the pouch and how it works. I don't know if it actually shrinks the pouch, but it certainly feels like it does.
Carbs really are the devil for me. I find if I eat carbs, I eat way more food than I do if I focus solely on protein. For me, carbs are the equivalent of alcohol for an alcoholic. When I eat protein, I do not eat as much food.
I have heard mixed reviews on the stomaphX. Anecdotal reports I've read from folks who have had it done say it doesn't really work they way they thought it would. If your pouch has truly failed, perhaps a lap band is the way to go. Before you go through all that, though, my recommendation would be to refocus your eating -- every time you eat, eat protein. You'll feel full and I'll bet you'll find you aren't eating as much as you do when you eat carbs.
Also, are you doing daily exercise? Exercise is a necessary adjunct to weight loss -- you might be a slow burner like me (if I don't exercise every day, I do not burn a single calorie, regardless of what books say about people burning calories just from sitting! Liars!
).
I'm sorry to hear that your mother passed away. I've been there. It isn't easy. I've been an "orphan" for ten years now.
You're in a safe place here with lots of friends, so feel free to dialogue with us! There's no shame allowed in this group. Our motto is, "If you fall off the @*$& horse, just climb back on!"
Kix
Has your pouch actually failed? A lot of times, we may think the pouch has stretched when it really hasn't, it's just that the evil bad eating habits return and we make poor food choices. I'm not trying to sound superior, it's something I go through every day. At two years out, I can certainly eat more food than I could as a new post-op, and it's easy to eat when I'm not hungry if I don't stay on top of things.
I find that when my pouch needs a tune-up, I do the Five Day Pouch Test. It really helps in terms of getting reacquainted with the pouch and how it works. I don't know if it actually shrinks the pouch, but it certainly feels like it does.
Carbs really are the devil for me. I find if I eat carbs, I eat way more food than I do if I focus solely on protein. For me, carbs are the equivalent of alcohol for an alcoholic. When I eat protein, I do not eat as much food.
I have heard mixed reviews on the stomaphX. Anecdotal reports I've read from folks who have had it done say it doesn't really work they way they thought it would. If your pouch has truly failed, perhaps a lap band is the way to go. Before you go through all that, though, my recommendation would be to refocus your eating -- every time you eat, eat protein. You'll feel full and I'll bet you'll find you aren't eating as much as you do when you eat carbs.
Also, are you doing daily exercise? Exercise is a necessary adjunct to weight loss -- you might be a slow burner like me (if I don't exercise every day, I do not burn a single calorie, regardless of what books say about people burning calories just from sitting! Liars!
).I'm sorry to hear that your mother passed away. I've been there. It isn't easy. I've been an "orphan" for ten years now.
You're in a safe place here with lots of friends, so feel free to dialogue with us! There's no shame allowed in this group. Our motto is, "If you fall off the @*$& horse, just climb back on!"
Kix
Hi,
My heart goes out to you as I am over my 2 year mark and am fearful of slipping u*****t losing anymore. Kix gave you some great suggestions.
I have heard about the Stomphyx and there is a woman on the NJ board who had it and was so disappointed.
I am going to suggest that you visit the revisions board, the lap band board and also the ds board. Once you talk to the surgeon he/she might be able to advice you but please remember that you want the best option for you not for him/her or the insurance carrier.
Best of luck to you.
Jeanne
(deactivated member)
on 8/19/08 7:08 am - San Antonio, TX
on 8/19/08 7:08 am - San Antonio, TX
Hi Butterfly -
I'm sorry you are having weight gain. Like others suggested, it might not be that your pouch is broken, but rather that you've stopped following the rules. Dense protein first - steak, chicken, pork, turkey, etc. See how much of that you can eat before you feel full. I just learned that I can eat an entire package of saltines (eek) and still want more food but when I try to eat say a burger patty, I can only eat a couple of ounces and then food is completely unappealing for hours.
Also, my surgeon at least, feels strongly that I should be supplementing protein in the form of shakes between meals. It seems to really be helping with my recent snacky urges and I am starting to lose weight again even though I am eating more calories than before.
You know the rules - no drinking with meals. Go back to all of the things you did when you were really losing well and make sure its not just bad habits creeping back into your life, not that you need more surgery.
I wish you all the best and hope your surgeon can help you out.
Jenn
I'm sorry you are having weight gain. Like others suggested, it might not be that your pouch is broken, but rather that you've stopped following the rules. Dense protein first - steak, chicken, pork, turkey, etc. See how much of that you can eat before you feel full. I just learned that I can eat an entire package of saltines (eek) and still want more food but when I try to eat say a burger patty, I can only eat a couple of ounces and then food is completely unappealing for hours.
Also, my surgeon at least, feels strongly that I should be supplementing protein in the form of shakes between meals. It seems to really be helping with my recent snacky urges and I am starting to lose weight again even though I am eating more calories than before.
You know the rules - no drinking with meals. Go back to all of the things you did when you were really losing well and make sure its not just bad habits creeping back into your life, not that you need more surgery.
I wish you all the best and hope your surgeon can help you out.
Jenn
Thanks for all the wonderful replies!!
To sum it all up quickly, no, I don't follow the rules and I have only myself to blame. I know this, and I am ready to get back on the wagon and head to skinny town!
I do find it completely impossible to not drink with my meals, or an hour before/after. I am a very thirsty person and always have been. Not diabetic, just love to drink I guess! lol I did drink nothing bu****er (and a few protein shakes here and there) for a year and a half, but I slipped at a Halloween party last year and now I am back to drinking diet pop ALL the time. I am getting back to water and finding it enjoyable again. Not to mention I feel so much better when I don't drink the poison! What are your suggestions to the not drinking before/during/after meals?
Also, I am pretty sure I've "broken" my pouch... I can eat an entire 12 inch tuna subway sandwich and still not be completely full..... I am starving ALL the time, and even when I eat total protein and no carbs, I am still starving within 15-20 minutes.... *oh the shame*
Since my mothers death I have zero energy, I am dealing with major insomnia and I feel old and run down. I know its depression related, which doesn't help the COMFORT eating. I will address this issue with my doctor, hopefully he will be able to steer me in the right direction.
Where can I find the info about the cottage cheese test thing? Although I am sure I've destroyed my tool beyond repair and without another surgery (ugh) I am without hope. I will try the test and see if maybe I have some hope yet.
Someone mentioned the lap-band following bypass..... does anyone know more about that? I am going to do some searching of that now, although I will be seeing my doctor in 15 hours. I am not wanting another surgery, but I need to get ahold of my self NOW, before I gain more then I lost all together! Which, I have a long way to go yet til I regain even half of what I lost... but I fear that is very possible if I don't do something ASAP!
I will update after my apointment, hopefully I will have some exciting news! I am off to check out lap-band after bypass and the revision threads. Thanks everyone! God Bless
To sum it all up quickly, no, I don't follow the rules and I have only myself to blame. I know this, and I am ready to get back on the wagon and head to skinny town!
I do find it completely impossible to not drink with my meals, or an hour before/after. I am a very thirsty person and always have been. Not diabetic, just love to drink I guess! lol I did drink nothing bu****er (and a few protein shakes here and there) for a year and a half, but I slipped at a Halloween party last year and now I am back to drinking diet pop ALL the time. I am getting back to water and finding it enjoyable again. Not to mention I feel so much better when I don't drink the poison! What are your suggestions to the not drinking before/during/after meals?
Also, I am pretty sure I've "broken" my pouch... I can eat an entire 12 inch tuna subway sandwich and still not be completely full..... I am starving ALL the time, and even when I eat total protein and no carbs, I am still starving within 15-20 minutes.... *oh the shame*
Since my mothers death I have zero energy, I am dealing with major insomnia and I feel old and run down. I know its depression related, which doesn't help the COMFORT eating. I will address this issue with my doctor, hopefully he will be able to steer me in the right direction.
Where can I find the info about the cottage cheese test thing? Although I am sure I've destroyed my tool beyond repair and without another surgery (ugh) I am without hope. I will try the test and see if maybe I have some hope yet.
Someone mentioned the lap-band following bypass..... does anyone know more about that? I am going to do some searching of that now, although I will be seeing my doctor in 15 hours. I am not wanting another surgery, but I need to get ahold of my self NOW, before I gain more then I lost all together! Which, I have a long way to go yet til I regain even half of what I lost... but I fear that is very possible if I don't do something ASAP!
I will update after my apointment, hopefully I will have some exciting news! I am off to check out lap-band after bypass and the revision threads. Thanks everyone! God Bless
Alright, here is my update!
I seen my doctor, and I only gained 50 pounds... yikes right! He said that given that I am 5 years out and that is all I've gained in that period of time (which is still way less then even a quarter of the total weight I've lost) he is proud of me for coming in and deciding to make a change before I got too much farther. We talked about different procedures and a possible lap-band. He told me that he doesn't think by what we discussed, that I've damaged my pouch, therefore he doesn't want to do surgery. However, he is going to do a non-surgical procedure that is compared to the Lap-Band, but with out cutting, stapling etc. YAY!!!
Its like the stomaphX, and is done about the same way through endoscopy. But instead of creating folds, he will apply a solution through a syringe into my stoma lining. That will cause scar tissue around my stoma, causing it to shrink the opening, and hopefully resulting in keeping me full longer then 10 minutes! lol He believes that my problem is my stoma has stretched, not that my pouch is the failure. He will know more on Thursday (next week) when my procedure is done. I don't remember what he called it, just that he said its compared to Lap-Band and has good results. He also said that he doesn't like the StomaphX procedure, because the results are not very good.
So anyway, I am feeling very excited!!!
Hopefully by next week, I'll be back on the losing team!!!
God Bless
I seen my doctor, and I only gained 50 pounds... yikes right! He said that given that I am 5 years out and that is all I've gained in that period of time (which is still way less then even a quarter of the total weight I've lost) he is proud of me for coming in and deciding to make a change before I got too much farther. We talked about different procedures and a possible lap-band. He told me that he doesn't think by what we discussed, that I've damaged my pouch, therefore he doesn't want to do surgery. However, he is going to do a non-surgical procedure that is compared to the Lap-Band, but with out cutting, stapling etc. YAY!!!
Its like the stomaphX, and is done about the same way through endoscopy. But instead of creating folds, he will apply a solution through a syringe into my stoma lining. That will cause scar tissue around my stoma, causing it to shrink the opening, and hopefully resulting in keeping me full longer then 10 minutes! lol He believes that my problem is my stoma has stretched, not that my pouch is the failure. He will know more on Thursday (next week) when my procedure is done. I don't remember what he called it, just that he said its compared to Lap-Band and has good results. He also said that he doesn't like the StomaphX procedure, because the results are not very good.
So anyway, I am feeling very excited!!!
Hopefully by next week, I'll be back on the losing team!!!
God Bless
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