I have gained 80 pounds-- the surgery did not fail and I am not a failure

I had Gastric Bypass surgery October 2004. I will be 45 yrs. old in March. I am an evangelizer of the good news and a credit analyst.  I have been morbidly obese all my life. I have a lifetime of mental and physical scars from obesity. Before and after surgery I tried Weigh****chers, other methods of losing weight.  Every thing! 

I have gained back 80 of almost 300 pounds lost initially. I joined Barbara Thompson's back on track program so I can get back on track.  I never reached my goal of 200 pounds. I am considering a revision but I am not getting my hopes up on that front since revisions are hard to get approved.  My program leader already checked with my insurance and they is an exclusion in my insurance that will not approve lap band over pouch.  

I weigh 382 today and  My lowest weight after surgery was 302, and then I went up to 311, next year 321, last year 338 and this year Jan 2010 372 and to date 382.

I use to exercise on average 5 to 6 times a 45 to 75 min each session and weights at health club and at home with Leslie Sasone DVD's. I was very active and one reason for my gains over time I am less committed to my workouts. So far in January I am exercising 3 to 4 times a week 30 to 45 min sessions with walking away the pounds DVDS. I am ashamed to go back to health club since I have gained 50 pounds since the last time I was there--which was February 2009.

2009 my knee gave out and did not exercise for 2 months last year and I have not been able to get back on track since.  I am a failure I just need a readjustment and not sure how to get mind back in focus with my goals.

My biggest down fall is my addiction to and love of food. Surgery can not fix this so I have to fix my head with this problem. My plan is to start attending support groups each month and doing on-line back on track program with Barbara Thompson.  If any one has any more suggestion please HELP.  Thanks in advance for all replies.

You're right...you're not a failure because this is a journey not a destination. Yours is just longer than others but that doesn't mean you can't get to where you want to go. After all, you have lost 220lbs- that's still pretty amazing! I wish you luck on your path...

You have accomplished SO much-please take pride in all you have done for yourself these past years.  You can get back on track, and you know that you can.  I struggle with exercise, too, and I know that there are healthy ways to get fit even when injured.  I am early post-op, but I already know how amazing support group can be.  I was discouraged earlier in the week, and got motivated by some wonderful advice at group.  I also LOVE coming to this board-I imagine I will be on here a lot for a long time to come!

(this isn't against you but against the RNY), Your post is the reason I highly recommend that SMO people look into getting the DS. Yes, it is possible that a SMO person with the RNY can get down to a normal weight and stay there, but the odds are stacked against them (less then 50 percent chance of losing 50 percent of your excess weight). With the DS, a person has a 95 percent chance of losing 75 percent of their excess weight and keeping it off long term.

There are several RNY to DS revisions on the Duodenal Switch forum. You can go to www.dsfacts.com to find the latest list of DS surgeons who are doing revisions. The lap band won't solve your problems, the odds of success with the lap band are even worse then the RNY working.

Scott

thanks Scott.

You seem to believe that a revision will not be covered.  After talking with surgeon's etc, you will have that information and can make your decision OR to put it poetically your revision decision!

I agree with the others - you've come a LONG way, baby!  Don't dismiss it or allow it to defeat you.  You sound good and you can do this.  The love of food is something we probably all feel, but we have to be diligent - your post is helping me - that's what these forums are about.

I thank you for sharing your story and your frustration.  I hope you can find your way - your renewed dedication to working out will certainly help.   Take your time and find your answers - you are a good person with a difficult problem.  I believe you will make it!!!!

Thanks Mary!! 

So far the key for me always seems to be exercise, but I too have knee troubles. I got a little exercise pedal thingy that can be used on the floor or on a table. I do a lot better with it on a table. I got one with resistance, and I can burn quite a few calories that way.

Revision is certainly something to consider. I confess that I have not seen people have the success that Scott posts of with the DS -- because the people I know have not made the dietary mind/mouth changes, none of them have lost more than 60 percent of their excess body weight and kept it off (so same stats as RNY pretty much).

I think no matter what we all have to realize that we're fighting nature for the rest of our lives. It's hard. Someone who is thin and always has been can't get it. We have to work for every pound we lose.

Good luck!

I stalled, too, for a few weeks. A food/exercise journal with everything written down helped me where I was slowly putting in more foods and more often. A bite here, a cheese stick there...the total actually amounted to a 4th. meal!

Get a child's divided plate for your always plate. Then, never eat more than 3 bites from each of the 3 sections. Write down everything. Give up all flour, all sugar, and all oils/fried or saute'.

Go for this for 3 weeks and see if it kicks you back into a weight loss cycle and a weight loss mind set. The hardest thing for me has been admitting I will never, ever be like I want to be...........thin and eat anything. That is what got me where I was. I started with surgery 6/1/09 at 333 and age 61 with severe diabetes, kidney and eye damage.................and am 180 today, at almost 10 months with no medications. I just know the health effects alone are worth it. But, the cute clothes are good, too!Carly61