Ashamed & Desperate

I had a RNY 11 years ago and lost over 100#s.  I couldn't get past 200#s and felt like a failure (my mind hadn't caught up with my weight loss and I didn't have any pics to show the difference).  All I've ever worn was loose clothing, so that's still what I wore. 

Anyway, my weight climbed right back up to my pre-opt weight and to my horror passed it by almost another 100#s!!  I NEVER thought I'd be at this weight, and now I have several medical issues.  I wear oxygen 24/7;  have Asthma, have to take updrafts 4x daily; have Pulmony Hypertention; Thyroid Issues (take Synthroid); Depression (take 2 kinds of anti-depressants); have Sleep Apnea: had 2 brain bleeds; got pneaumonia tha left me too weak to walk; have had seizure-spells that doc thinks at least some were strokes.  The thing about all of this is when I was too weak to walk, I gained up a little bit, got hit with a virus, was bedridden; got back up to a little bit of walking; got another virus and was bedridden.  It's been a vicious cycle of  that for the past 5 years.  I've gained so much weight, it's unbelieveable. 

I had a test SEVERAL years ago and it showed my stomach still at 4 oz pouch, and no staple disruptions.  I still have problems over-eating, eating certain foods, eating when stressed or nervous.  I throw up every time.  Is it possible to get back to post-op eating or whatever and use this to lose weight again?  Do I need another surgery?  I'm lost and desperate!  Please help!!!  
Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm pre op but you could look at a revision to ds, but it seems like your rny is not messed up. Maybe the stoma could have stretched? Have you ever looked at overeaters anonymous? I hope someone else can help you./

This is only a obstacle you will get thru this, don't give in to the illnesses, because you are stronger then you think you are, this is a temporary situation for you and I bet you will start losing the weight again out of the blue I met a guy who said he hit plateau for two years then all of sudden he lost 15lbs in a month and started losing the weight again so don't give up I do think you should go get your pouch tested again

I could feel the pain in your words, so I felt compelled to reach out.  I don't want to belittle your pain by saying something like "Oh, we all have setbacks, plateaus... blah, blah,blah..."  Just know that there are people out here who care and are hoping you find your way back to your old self.

I don't have any medical knowledge, but it seems like if it has been SEVERAL years since your stomach was checked, it can't hurt anything to have it checked again.  Don't be afraid to express your desperation and frustration to your Doctor, and seek help.  If there isn't anything he/she can do medically (regarding you surgery/stomach), perhaps you can get a referral to a counselor or support group.

My surgery is coming up in a few weeks, so I am at a different place in the WL journey than you are.  I'd like to recommend two books that I've recently read.  One is called "The Expert's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery" by Garth Davis, and the other is "Weight Loss Surgery, Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You!" by Barbara Thompson. Both books have a lot of information and advice in them.  Specifically, read and re-read the parts about post-surgery care and tips to get weight off the fastest and keeping it off long term.  It might help you just to reiterate what you already know; and to start a fresh, new weight loss journey. 

I wish you the best of luck conquering all of your health issues.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Feel free to send me a personal message if you'd like to.  I'd love to hear how you're doing.

Take Care! 

Tina

Thank you all for your input.  I will take all of this and see what I can do.  I see my PCP again next month and will see if he can schedule a test for my stomach.  I'll also look into other programs available. 

It helps so much just to get all of this out of me!  I've been holding it in and trying to deal with it without anyone's help because it's just embarassing.  And, yes, I know better than to do that! lol  This has caused such a release that just maybe something will start happening again!

Thank ya'll SO MUCH  for taking the time to care! :)

I too would like to encourage you to come over to the duodenal switch forum.  Ask who has had a revision from RNY to DS and see what you find--you'll be amazed at how much better your life can be with a DS.

mspppants

Hi Carol,
I've been in your shoes - had an RNY 8years ago.  Lost 175lbs, then gained 175lbs.  My pouch was also fairly small but you graze enough the weight will come back on.  Statistics show a 30% failure rate of the RNY for people with BMI's greater than 50.  Anyway, I had a revision to a DS about a month ago and am feeling good - I've come to the realization it's the only way I'll lose my weight and get my health back.  I need both the restrictive and malabsoptive component the surgery offers. 
Best of luck in your reserach and soul searching, it's a lot to think about.
Debbie

Dear, dear Carol, I too hear the pain in your writing. I am a novice to all of this and trying to get through the insurance business and not having surgery for several months. However I just wanted you to know there are obviously many ppl who care about you and even though we may be strangers we want you to feel better and get healthy emotionally and physically. Don't give up. You can do this. Talk to your doctor and do whatever he or she advises and definitely hookup with a support group. We are all in this together.

I think somehow I missed your post.  Thank you for your support!  I'm surprised at just how many people care!  Sure do wish I'd gotten on here a long time ago!