Regained all my weight back. Does my pouch still work?

Hello. I need help!!! I had rny wls back in 2001. my initial weight was 377. I went down to 232. However, little by little I began putting my weight back on. I got married, then got pregnant and lost my child at 6 months. After losing my child, that is when i really got depressed and packed on the weight. That was a yr ago. I now weight 340 and am so ashamed and embarrassed. I know that people are talking about me because i had gastric bypass surgery and and back to where I started.  I want and need to lose weight again, but I am not sure how to do it now. I wanted to know if my pouch can still work for me. I still get "dumping" when i eat too much sugar. Does that mean the surgery still works? Can anyone guide me as to how I can get back on track to losing weight using my surgery as a tool again. Is there a way that I can re-train my pouch or is it a lost cause...I do not have any insurance, so I cannot get the revision done.  Thank you in advance for your help. God Bless
Yesi

I read on here over and over again that you can go back to the basics and pretend you are starting all over again and it will work.   The stomach can only stretch so much, so if you start with liquids and then go to 1/4 c soft foods and follow your initial program you should see results.   Best of luck to you!

Hi,

You have been through alot and have used food as a way of coping.  Yes, going back to the basics is good but you may want to get some councelling to help you find other ways of coping.  I think your surgery didn't fail.  I think you got off track.  There is a great group you can join that may help.  Just click on the group button above and type in Back On Track Together.  Hang in there!

 I also had RNY in 2001.  It is common with the RNY over time to have the pouch and stoma stretch out.  And then on top of that with the years of small amounts of food and the malabsorption it can have an effect on your metabolic system.  If you were proximal, you had a very limited amount of intestine bypassed.  Over time the villi (the little fingers that absorb or malabsorb the nutrients,  fat and calories) learn to compensate for what we had done to our bodies and grow back.   Never all the way but enough to cause you to malabsorb less.

I would suggest to first rule out that you do not have a mechanical issue going on with the pouch or stoma.  Ask your PCP to schedule you for an Upper GI (checks the condition of your pouch) and an endoscopy (checks the condition and size of your stoma).  At least this will give you some comfort knowing for sure if there is an issue or not.

There is a thing called the "5 day pouch test".  It is meant to help shrink your pouch some, clear toxins from your system and hopefully get you back on track.  Some claim it has helped them.  Below is the link

http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I am sorry to hear of the troubles you have been faced with.  I hope you find some peace in your life.

Good Luck

I am a newbie for the wt loss surgery so I might be giving you the information you seek. I have been trying to figure out what the 'bypass' part of the surgery is supposed to do besides give dumping syndrome. It seems we all have to watch what we eat even after surgery or no wt loss.
What I have found out is that the by pass decreases fat absorption to about 1/3 of the intake amount, now over time this might have changed. Also, protein is difficult to absorb which is why it is always supposed to be eatten first, and in divided doses. Lastly, Carbohydrates are the easiest for your intestine to absorb. So, the way I see it, the losing time cannot have simple carbs, only complex and they need to be kept at a minimum with high fiber content, high protein amounts, and low carb veges, milk and milk products are good, protein suppliments are always good as long as they are below 100 calories.
When wt is finally lost  it is maintained by  adding carbos until wt begins to go up and then cut back. At all times measure everything you eat and keep a record. No matter how much you might be over your goal for the day live up to your laps, you are human, and keep an accurate journal. I even use gram measurements because they are more accurate ( 1 cup of cereal vs 28 grams, I find the grams do not make a whole cup)  and easier to keep track of. The site for MY PLATE (put in your browser) is really good  and very easy to use. I also use http://caloriecount.about.com for calorie count of recipies.
Good luck

I would like to thank everyone for their advice and suggestions, You guys have helped me put things in perspective. I have been looking into everything and am going to try the "5day pouch test" I know that I need to take responsibility for my actions and need to have a lot of discipline. Thank you all so much. I feel like I have some direction now. I will keep you posted as to how things are coming along. Thanks again and God bless! 

I'm very sorry to hear about yhour loss, and I can imagine that would make you turn to food.

Now that you want to get back on track, please consider going on one of the free websites like Livestrong's Daily Plate and start logging your food. When you enter your age, weight, activity level, and desired loss per week, it will set a calorie goal for you (that it will automatically alter as you start to lose weight).

You pick the foods that you eat out of their database, and it does all the calculating. A friend of mine that hasn't even had weightloss surgery lost 20 lbs from jus****CHING her intake, and decreasing carbs and increasing lean protein!!!!

It really has helped me to stay accountable.

Eat something every few hours, don't let yourself get really hungry.

Drink your water, take your supplements. You CAN lose the weight.

Frequently eaten foods for me are 2% cottage cheese, tuna with light mayo, natures own double fiber bread (50 calories, low carb), salmon, salads, spinach, squash, fruit, eggs, egg whites, grilled chicken.

You've done it before, you can do it again!

Good luck to you!

Meg

Does your surgeon's office have a nutritionist?  If yes, I would suggest contacting them to see if they can direct you.  Sometimes you can have a phone consult without getting charged.  My nutritionist suggest the following

1.  track everything you eat.  Shoot for 1200 calories a day.
2.  Eat 3 meals a day and 1 snack. 
3.  Eat every 4 to 5 hours - do not snack.
4.  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day 4 to 5 days a week.
5.  Do Strength training - muscle burns more calories than fat.
6.  Make sure you get 60 grams of protein in a day
7.  Avoid simple carbs.
8.  Remember the drinking rule - nothing 15 minutes before and 30 to 45 minutes after.

Remember, you can do it.  You did it before. 

You can use me as a weight loss buddy.  I am trying myself to get back on track.  Have stayed the same weight for 18 months.  Am trying to lose another 40lbs. 

Hi,
I going to try doing the 5 day pouch test.  It's suppose to help shrink your pouch (stomach) back down.  Just google it and you'll find the website.  I am gaining my weight  back and I feel so ashamed.  It's crazy! All I think about is food.  Everytime I think about going on a diet I put more food in my mouth.  I don't exercise.  So I know it's my fault. :(    So I'm going to give it a try and maybe join Weigh****chers for support and accountability.   
 
I hope you find a solution!  Take care,

Brenda

One other thought - as you check back in with your surgeon's office, see if they offer the medifast program.  It may help get your loss ramped back up and allow you start following the basic rules again.  It won't be easy, but then nothing worth having is.   Good luck!