I don't usually reply to postings, but this one really caught my eye.

I feel that the community has not given this person the benefit of the doubt and just assumed that he/she went back to old habits to gain the weight.

I had a VBGB in 1998 and lost roughly 150 pounds. Naturally, I became more active and began participating in life and taking care of my yard, etc.

When I was doing yard work, I sometimes felt a pull or a snap-like feeling in my belly but it didn't hurt and I didn't pay it much mind.

I noticed that it was starting to take more food to satisfy me but wasn't too worried until I stepped on the scale and saw that I had gained about 30 pounds back!

Little did I know I was actually pulling out the staples that had held my pouch together and that was why I had a bigger appetite.

Tests were done and it was confirmed that my staples had, indeed, been pulled out and that I was left with a stretched out stomach with a bypass.

Thankfully I had a good surgeon that knew his way around insurance companies and I was able to obtain approval for a second VBGB due to surgery failure.

I'm happy to report that I had the second procedure done in 2005 and today I weigh 143 pounds. That is 172 pounds lost and maintained in a total of 21 years.

I do not diet. I eat whatever I want. The key (for me), is EXERCISE! I am active at least five days a week. By active I don't mean taking a walk... I mean work... I mow 2 large lawns with a push mower, I shovel my own snow in the winter, I do things the old-fashioned way by using my body to get things done instead of using machinery, etc.

Unfortunately, my doctor retired so I cannot help you with his name, etc.

I wish you well and hope that by now you have found what you need to continue on your path to a thinner, healthier lifestyle.

I had my VSG to RNY, plus hernia repair, on July 29th. I was in the hospital for two nights, took two weeks off of work, and just came back to work today. (I have a desk job, so my doctor had no problem clearing me to come back to work.)

I'm pretty tired today, but I'm holding up OK, so I should be fine to keep working as long as I can take naps when I get home from the office.

I'm not sure who Amy is talking about but I'm 19 years post op and am working on an 80-90ish pound regain. I was 340 pre-surgery (2000) dropped to 165-170 (2003), went back up to 260 (2013), hovered between 210-235 for several years, weighed 225 (2018), and am currently 170-175. I still want to drop another 30ish pounds. This summer has been difficult for me to maintain a proper life style, but as things clear up this fall I hope to get back on track and reach my goal weight.

I had talked to a surgeon in 2015 about a revision and he basically told me to get off my butt and start doing/eating what I'm suppose to. His words hurt, but he was right. I only know of one person that needed a revision because of damage to the pouch. Her problem didn't cause weight gain, but instead she had excessive weight loss that almost killed her. When I went back to basics and followed the life style of protein first and no processed carbs, the weight came off.

Good luck in your journey. It can be challenging but can also be accomplished.

Hello Group!

I'm scheduled for Hiatal Hernia repair/ revision from VSG to RNY surgery on December 12, 2019. My question for those that had this type of surgery, how long is the recovery time? How much time did you take off from work? I understand it varies from person to person, but I would like an estimated recovery time.

Thank you

I'm 66, and looking at doing the distal RNY or the change to the DS. I had my RNY in 1997. It served me very well allowing me to lose 212 pounds and keep them off until the past 2 yrs. I have regained 40 of the 212 pounds over that time. I have DDD, spinal stenosis and arthritis from early onset and severe Osteoporosis. I took Fosamax x 7 yrs which did nothing for me. I took 2 years of orteo injections (daily) and that has slowed the Osteoporosis but not built any bone. I have been fighting back pain and now excruciating back pain for 5 yrs. Had Xrays ,MRI and last week was told I need a 10 level spinal fusion to help the pain but no guarantee it will stop the pain. It will stop me from EVER bending or twisting or stretching again. Ortho wants me to lose the 40 pounds and maybe 30 more prior to the spinal surgery.

I have an appt at a large Medical Center/Teaching hospital that does revisions to the RNY. I don't know which they will offer but I feel comfortable allowing them to evaluate me and at least give me their thoughts. I feel at 66 ye old it really matters little the malabsorption side effect etc....I have then from the original RNY. I was dedicated to taking all the Vitamins, B-12, etc and had my labs drawn yearly and still got handed this mess. If it works and I lose the 40+ pounds then I get to decide about the spinal fusion. I won't allow anyone who has not been doing these surgeries to do my surgery.