I sometimes think WLS failed me

Do you think I could be approved for revision surgery??? 

I too feel like a previous poster when she says, what the hell is she going to do now...

A little history, I was small to begin with (212lbs), but was approved for WLS within a matter of a couple of days due to my issues (PCOS since I started my cycles at age of 8, and chronic lower back pain) listed below.  I was considered Obese then (which is called Obesity Class 2).  I am now 178 (which is called Obesity class 1).  I had surgery on February 1st, 2006, and have not lost any weight since my 8 months out.

Fast forwarding to the present issue at hand.....

I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office.  I am almost 3 years out and I have not lost anything since about 8 months out.  I have only lost a total of 42 lbs and have been gaining back and forth these 8-10 lbs.  Never fully lost all of them, but I have been maintaining and still trying to do my thing and get this weight off.  For the past 3-4 weeks I've been back with my nutritionist and then I decided to call my surgeons office today and ask if they did revisions?  The nurse said they did, asked if I had my surgery in that office, which I did, so she just sent me a script to have a baium swallow done to find out what's going on with me, my pouch and my stoma.  Like I said, I haven't lost anything until after 8 months out.  I kept the faith that I would eventually loose some more, but I didn't, and I'm to the point, something has to give even if it's going back into surgery. 

I like a lot of you do not get sick off of anything and I can eat a lot but I don't.  I never quiet feel that full feeling, but whatever I measure out to eat, is all that I do.  I still measure everything and eat my 6 times a day.  I exercise about 4-5 times a week for at least 2 hours each time, and days that I'm not exercising, I am doing some sort of cardio like walking or whatever.

I still have my pre-surgery issues, and I want to get that under control.  I have had serious back pain since the age of 15, I have had a breast reduction as well as RNY to get this undercontrol.  Not only my back, I have PCOS (Polycycstic Ovaries), and that's another issue I wanted to get under way because PCOS is a hormonal imbalance and an insulin resistant thing, which of course leads to weight gain and puts me high risk for diabetes.  So with those issues, I am willing to get things back under way.  My nutritionist thinks I have been doing a good job.  Every Saturday night I email her with my food log for the following week to see that all is well, and she say it's good.  I give her measurements, water intake and even down to exercise for the week to come.  She agrees that it's good.

I'm just keeping my hands together and in prayer that I find a break in this thing here somewhere.  I want to loose at least another 40 lbs.  I'm not sure if my insurance will cover it because now I am fluctuating between 178 and 175, but I have to loose at least another 40 lbs.  I'm still considered OBESE....not just overweight...

I too am at a loss, and am trying to see what can be done.

I am just guessing here, but I bet it isn't the surgery that has failed you. It is the PCOS. I have read a few other post from other women on here who have pcos and they have had a VERY hard time with loosing weight even with WLS.

I have heard though that metphormine (SP?) I believe is a diabetic drug that has helped tremendously with weight issues in patients who have PCOS. Maybe you should talk to your Dr. about other drugs and try to keep your carbohydrates extremely low and see what happens before you go under the knife again.

Good luck

I used to take metformin pre-op to try and regulate my cycles as well as for weight.  It did not work for me well.  I kind of figured that too the PCOS is effecting my weight loss.  I know of people who got PCOS in their late teens or early 20's; however, I've had mine since the beginning of time.  Was diagnosed when I was 10...I was 8 years of age when I got my first cycle and then not again until I was 10.  From that point forward, I have worked with my doctor's to try and get that under control, but to no avail.

I however, now post-op will ask my doctor and see what he says about the metformin now and if he thinks it will be effective for me.

Thank you for your response...

Hello! I too have PCO and had weight loss surgery in april 2005. I had a hysterectomy last year and since then my PCO had returned and now I am gaining. I was in remission for awhile. I think however it came back when I started getting really bad hypoglycemia episodes. They were so bad that I would be eating all the time just so that it wouldn't drop so much. My doctor started me on Metformin and I had been on it before and it did nothing for me either then. This time it is different. I have less episodes of hypoglycemia. I thought it would be a mistake to take it again but so far its has helped. Now my issue is remembering to take it, so I am not sure if it helps with weight loss. I have alot on my platter and with all the stress it is not good for my waist line. Anyway, sorry you are having the same issue. PCO stinks to high heaven! I know! Email me if you ever need me. I would love to talk!
Paula

would it be a waste for me to get the sleeve done? i too have PCOS

I would never say picking one procedure is a waste, necessarily, but I chose a malabsorptive and restrictive procedure because of my PCOS.  I figure the deck is stacked against me metabolically and I need all the help I can get.  So far, so good.

I would do whatever it takes to get my weight off, and get it right. In fact, that is what I am doing. I plan to go back into surgery and get the DS to get this weight off once and for all.

I has RNY gastric bypass done on November 13, 2008.  I weighed 216 the day of surgery.  As of today, I weigh 210.  I can barely eat anything without feeling full, I take my vitamins, drink my water, my protein and exercise!  I feel like nothing I will ever do is going to work!  On the plus side, I was able to go off of my medications for GERD, high blood pressure and two out of three of my diabetes medicines.  Unfortunately, my sugars seem to be creeping back up and I will probably have to add meds.  I am feeling my self giving up.  Anyone else with these experiences of not losing after surgery? 

Hi,

You have been through alot.  Let me ask you something.  How do you feel about yourself now.  Are you satisfied with your success so far?  Are you more active and have the energy you missed?  Stress can lead to weight gain, worry and anger and everything you are going through.  You know, women who try desperately to have children sometimes get so stressed out that they fail.  Then they adopt.  Then uh oh.... they conceive.  Stress and worry can do a number on anyone.  It might be good to pamper your mind and emotions.  Get a massage, learn about aromatherapy.  Take a "vacation" from the scales and worry and stress of losing weight.  You never know.... you may "conceive" that weight loss after all.