7 years Post Op - Regaining my weight!! What is happening?

I will be 7 years post op (RNY) next month.  I believe it was a successful surgery as I had gone from 267lbs down to 149 at one point.  With the weight loss I was able to get pregnant and I now have two beautiful little girls!  I can't narrow it down to a specific time, but at least over the past 6+ months I have been gaining weight consistantly and have packed back on 43 pounds! As we all know, this is HUGE! I've gone from a loose size 10, to a comfortable size 14!! I am offically obese again. I feel like my appetite is out of control and I can't seem to stop! Where do I go for help? Did I fail the surgery or did the surgery only work for so long? I'm so lost and confused. Any other post ops dealing with similar cir****tances? Any help or suggestions on how I put a stop to this?

It sounds like your pouch may have stretched and your are getting more food.

Have you spoke to your Dr?  

I'm post op 16 years and I started gaining mine back after 13 years.  I've gained almost ALL of my weight back.

I'm in the process now of trying to get a lap band over my RNY.  Just waiting on insurance stuff to go through.

I would say.... Unless you can put the brakes on and have GOOD proportion control, there is a chance you will gain it all back.. Also NO SODAS!! It stretches the pouch.

Good luck,

Jeannie

Are you trying to get the lap band with the same surgeon that did your lap band?
I'm scared my "Brakes" just don't work anymore.
Soda did make it's way back into my life and was probably my biggest downfall.  I need to start there I guess.

Im sure my insurance would say no way if I even inquired on the lapband.. but.. it's worth a shot.
Best of luck.  Thanks so much for your response!

Trish

My original surgery was RNY back in 1993... I'm trying now to get insurance to approve the lab band over my RNY...   I have Aetna... they seem to be one of the better ones for approving revision surgery..

Cigna was HARD.... I could never get it approved when I had them.

I will keep everyone updated on the board once I hear back from AETNA.

Did you have lap band the first time?  I cant remember if you said or not..

          The true RNY was not around in 1993. Wasn't it stomach stapling?? That is what I had in 1992. I'm having a revision to RNY this coming Monday April 27Th.. I had no problem getting approved. I only gained back 30-35 pounds! But I never got down to a normal weight. I was almost 400 pounds. I went down to 210 for many years.  A few years ago I started gaining a pound here and there...

         I found out my staple line came open. So my Surgery failed me. But look at how long it took! I do not drink soda!! I also for many year..about 14, did not drink with my meals, and I did not drink one hour before and one hour after meals. I followed the rules for many years...I did drink water with some of my meals in the last 3 years. But I have stopped that now too. I took off 15 pounds of the 30-35 I had gained!! Best wishes to you... Alizka

Hi,

You said it all.  Your appetite is of control.  You are eating stuff you shouldn't eat.  You need to get back on track.  There are many good ways to do this.  It will take work but stepping back to the time when this lack of control started and try to pinpoint the triggers that got you out of control.  Also, seeing a nutritionist can give you some guidelines to get you back on track.  If your triggers are something you need support for in order to come to terms with them, then find that support.  How is your exercise program?  The weather is starting to improve.  Maybe start walking.  Hang in there.  We all face this at one time or another.

Thanks. You are right, I guess I have no choice but to take control again somehow.  That was always the hardest part for me.

It is hard.  I struggle like everyone else.  My doctor hit it on the head.  He says that those of us who are far out tend to FORGET we are not normal and have special needs.  We don't go to support groups, we eat and drink the wrong things because we FEEL normal.  I am struggling myself with some issues.  I am going about it a different way.  I am starting a support group here in PA and I am going to have to practice what I preach, so to speak, and hopefully get my mind back in sinc with what I should be doing.  Hang in there and get some support.

I can totally relate with this. I am so out of control with my eating, my appetite is rampant but I don't know how to get back on track. It's been so long since I've done things 'right'.

You're lucky, I started gaining weight back @ 3 years!

This is exactly why I'm getting the DS!

DS has better long term success rate.  (www.dsfacts.com, www.duodenalswitch.com)

I wouldn't even THINK about getting another surgery.  Ok, yeah, I did THINK about it, but then started researching....and discovered that the DS should have been my first choice, had I known about it!

It gives you the restriction AND malabsorption.

Do yourself a favor, stop beating yourself up.  YOU DIDN'T FAIL YOUR SURGERY, YOUR SURGERY FAILED YOU.

Check out the DS if you are thinking about another WLS.  Don't do worse on top of bad.  If you are going to do this a 2nd time, really research it first K???