Hi everyone - I am almost 8 years post-op from RNY gastric bypass. For the first two years after surgery, I dropped from 419 lbs to 270 lbs. I'm a 33 year old male and now weigh 330lbs. I had several problems that happened during the end of my weight loss - laid off from my job, quit college because I financially couldn't afford it and went through a rocky 2-year relationship in which my girlfriend at the time battled cancer. That being said, I lost my focus and turned back to food.

I am worried that I may have stretched my pouch too much or that I may have complications now or in the future. I'm afraid to go to the doctor that did the surgery for a check-up because I feel as if I would have disappointed him and now it's been 8 years. I do still get full quickly when eating, but not like I did when I first had the surgery.  I'm now weighing approximately 330 lbs and have maintained that for several years. I've had a lot great happen to me as well - gotten married, have a two-year old son, completed a degree and working on the one that I quit years ago. I just don't know if I can pick back up where I left off now that it's been so long or what my next step needs to be... Has anyone else been this far out and been in the same boat? 

Tons.  Search regain and you'll find 5,830 results.

There is a group  Back on track together where you will get really good advice from people who have BTDT

Thank you Citizen - I will definitely be looking into that group!

You certainly had a run of bad luck. It sounds like you turned your life around in many areas and now need to conquer the weight gain. You have a little one who needs you to be healthy and able to be active in his life. Your doc will probably not be ecstatic to see that you gained but he has seen others in the same boat. You did great before and know this is not an easy path but you can do it. It took courage to write about your gain. Use that same courage to face your doc and learn what your next step is. Your stomach may still be small enough not to need a region or not. Not knowing doesn't help get you back here you want to be. Think about this as you tuck your little boy in tonite and give your wife her good night kiss. Good luck and better health!

Thank you for the encouragement Karin - the last several years I've felt like even though the surgery worked initially, I failed overall. I've got to get healthier and back on track for my family.

HI!  I lived in B-ham and traveled through Jasper AL a lot!

Anyway, there is a back on track group somewhere on these boards. There is also a "failed WLS" thread too.

I dont think you failed though. You lost focus and need to get it back.

I am only 1 year, 7 months out, I but I would suggest looking at your surgeons plan for the "finished/maintaince phase" and "still losing phases" and do something in between in terms of calories/protein/volume to get you started, see how well you are losing, and then adjust from them.

For example, if I eat 1 cup  (volume of the entire meal) protein forward (2/3s cup), nonstarchy veg (1/3 cup) and NO sliders and no snacks and work out (runnign 8 miles 3 times per week, figure skating for 4 horus per week; resistance 2 times per week and yoga once a week)..I will lose weight. But if I dont workout, I will maintain or even GAIN 2 lbs (depending on time of the month...did the food have a lot of cheese/nuts etc).

So start with a plan, do it for a week (like really stick with it), and then see how it went and adjust from there.

You did it  once. You can do it again! It is just getting off the bench, onto the field and getting your head in the game.

Oh..and maybe finding a professional to find non-food/alcohol ways to deal with stress/problems.  For me, it is running and cardio kick box. If I have a bad day, I leave for the gym and "go all street fighter" on a sandbag or run.  Somewhere around mile 4 (or doing lots of kicks on big sand bag that doesnt move) I am just too damn tired to be aggressively angry/destructive.  Inner peace returns of a time, and I can function.

Might not be the right answer but it is MY answer.

I'm definitely going to see if I can find a group on here or elsewhere for others that are in the same boat. I guess it was one of those things that I just assumed I was alone in this. And I'm going to take your advice and start this week as if I just had the surgery - start back on liquids as meal replacements and slowly introduce foods back into my diet.

Are you still in the South? I now actually live in Trussville, just outside of Birmingham. My wife's family is from near Trussville and both of my parents have already passed away, so we wanted to be as close to grandparents as we could be within reason.

Stop beating yourself up. Go to a Dr. Get a good physical and go from there. I would start by weighing food once again. After all what this surgery does is limit the amount of food we can eat. I had surgery 12 years ago and I swear the secret is portion control. Start all over, remember this is not a diet this is your life and if someone suggests protein shakes I strongly disagree . You were healed years ago. Eat your protein.its never NEVER too late to start over 

And congrats on making the brave move to have a new life . I wish you all the  best

Touch base with your Dr. and let them know exactly what you have shared here, life happened, you have made some changes and need to get back on track. They get it. Obesity is being more and more looked at as a chronic disease... chronic: long lasting, recurring, difficult to eradicate. So it will require chronic treatment, reassessing (is what I am doing working) and adjustment (what more or different can I do) for life. Any good Dr understands this. My guess is they will suggest some counseling (chat about stress management, food addiction, etc.), they will do some tests to see if your original WLS is still functioning, test for potential underlying health issues, and then discuss current weight loss options.

Never be afraid to say... "I thought I had this but I guess I don't. I need help." Then build your support team... Dr's counselors, dietitian, support groups online and IRL, family & friends.