I have failed...but I am getting back up on the horse to ride again....

I had my weight loss surgery in April of 2000....The open Roux n y. The weight came off quickly. I was over 400lbs and went down to like 210 or 220. I was extremely happy. I maintained that weight for 3 years and then was involved in a serious car accident. I now have bulging and herniated discs in bother cervical and thoracic spine and have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and epstein barr. All of these issues make it very difficult to exercise the way you should. Before the accident I walked 2 1/2 miles a day and did it within 20 -25 minutes. I was lucky if before the surgery I could do a mile in an hour.

I am not putting the full blame on anyone or anything. My doc retired 6 months after I had surgery. No notice...not referral... no tools to keep me going in the right direction (like support groups) nothing. I didn't even know he retired until I called his office to make an appt and was told by the switchboard operator that he no longer worked at the hospital because he retired. I was devastated. I didn't know where to turn...except my old comfort zone.... food. And no i didn't over indulge or sabotage my diet...but i began to have a candy bar here and there and instead of eating 6 small meals a day i was eating 3 larger meals. Since I was extremely sednetary after the accident the weight has slowly crept back on and I HAve since gained about 100lbs since.

I am looking into a revision now. It's a scary process because so many things have changed since 2000. There are a couple of new surgeries on the market from when I had mine done. From what I have been reading it sounds like Drs. are turning to DS for revisions. I know any surgery thats done will be invasive and come with extreme risk. I am mentally ready. Please don't ask why but I still had some "fat" clothes that were in  a bin in my storage spot...I forgot they were even there. And in emptying it out I was shocked...I still didn't get rid of them because I was climbing in my weight. I started going through it and pulled out my 26s. When they got tight i pulled out my 28's... Some of which i can still wear and some are 30s. I cried when i tried to put on a pair of jeans and they didn't fit.

Please wish me luck and pray for me that I will find what I am seeking. I am currently following Weigh***chers and have lost 15 lbs in 8 weeks. I need to be able to grasp the beast one final time and regain control of my life again.  

Best of luck to you! It can be very difficult battling chronic pain and fatigue, but just think of how much less pain you will be in when you don't have as much weight pressing down on your frame! We're all pulling for you, so don't give up!

Just wanted to wish you luck. I'm starting over too. This is so hard isn't it? I like your last line...
"And regain control of my life again"
That really hit home with me.

Blessings to you! (to us all for starting over)
Redy2bHealthy

If you are going to get a revision to the ds make sure you get a good revision surgeon I think there is ne in New Jersey named Dr Greenbaum.  You will love life with the Ds If you come to the DS forum there are many rny to ds revisions on there that might give you some very helpful information.  I wish you the best with whatever you do.

I grately appreciate all of the support from you all. It has been a roller coaster of a journey and I am ready to finally enjoy the ride again. I actually just got a referral to Dr. Greenbaum in NJ. The funny thing is I initially looked into this dr. in 2000 before I was referred to the other doc.

I hope to see you on the DS forum. Come join us there and read some posts about the DS and about all of us who have had revisions.  Good luck in your endeavor. You can conquer the weight!

I have the same back injury and fybro issues. I know it's hard to get proper exercise in, but I've found something that works wonders! Water exercise! I get in the pool and it's SO much easier to get the workout that I need and it IS a good challenging work out without putting the pressure on your back or your joints! I can't walk but a few yards at a time because of the pain, the water has been a life saver for me!! I hope you get where you need to be. Go back to square one and use your tool! I hope everything works out for you!!