Anyone 5 or more years out....

Hi I am just interested in hearing anyone's experience that is 5 or more years out from surgery...Complications? Have you been able  to maintain weight loss? How about food tolerance? Would love to hear everything and anything.... Stacey

I'm not five but just about two coming up in July this year.  No complications at all. I cleaned my shower four days post op and pulled a muscle in my abdominal wall but otherwise, no issues at all. Food intolerances: milk, sugar, high fat stuff. I don't know the exact numbers/percentages of people who dump on sugars but some do. I do. I think it has to do with not eating that stuff at all. Then when you do eat it again, it will make you sick. I choose never to eat sugar stuff again. EVER. That's hard for even diabetics to wrap their head around but I just put it in my mind that I'll never eat regular candy again and I'm fine with that so far. A couple friends of mine had the surgery before me and one can't eat chicken or turkey at all. The other can't eat beef at all. I had it in my mind that whatever I had to or may have to give up was worth it to me to be healthy. I have no problem with beef or chicken. I do sort of have a problem with sausage, bacon, ham (sometimes) but not pork chops generally. I think it's high fat stuff. Again, I've cut it out for so long that now having it will make me feel nauseous.  Maintaining is a good question. I don't think I've ever been able to maintain my weight high or low. I was either gaining or losing, mostly gaining. Now I've been the same weight (within a fraction of a pound) since June of 2007 so, is that maintaining? probably.  This is a journey, not a destination.

My biggest complication was because of my own stupidity. I am 5 yrs out this month. Last year I ended up really ill because I had stopped taking my vitamins. My illness did not happen over night, but with months of not taking care of myself. While sick I did end up losing a total of about 200lbs, but I got too small. I have gained about 30 lbs back and I do not like it, but I did need to gain some. I am still reminded of my RNY if I eat too fast or too much and at times I get sick if I eat something wrong. Would I do it all over again? Yes!! But I would of done things a little different. One thing I wish I had taken seriously was the mental health aspect of loosing all this weight. I would of taken the idea of speaking with a counselor as a valid suggestion.

I'll be 14 in Oct. My dh will be 13.

Complications? Or stuff that happens?

Well, back in the day, they didn't know much about calcium or dosing it for us. With rapid wt loss, we lose bone mass, too. So, we were taking way not enough of the wrong type of calcium (me for 6 yrs, him for 5), (1500mg cal carbonate).

We were both diagnosed with osteoporosis. Hhis has come back down to osteopenia, but mine has come from almost osteomalacia back to osteoporosis. I doubt I can ever cross back over, despite my best efforts. At least it's not getting worse.

Oddly, I don't tolerate bread or potatoes now. My fave foods, and I ate them with impunity until a year ago. But now they guarantee me a blood sugar crash a few hours later.

Any form of sugar just makes me fat again. Had 3 regains from falling into bed with sugar. Got them off.

Have been underweight 3 times. Each time, an illness (unrelated) that left me with lousy appetite.

My dh had one major regain, 35#, because as his company was taken over by a mega bank, every person who worked there gained wt. That's what happens when everybody brings donuts, every day. When he was finally downsized, he lost wt immediately and it stays off.

We were lactose intolerant before surgery, so it's just worse now. Even ranch dressing with milk is too much milk! No big deal for the bones since dairy isn't as good a source of calcium as we've been taught. You can only put "calcium" into the bone ban****il about age 30, anyway. Tho you still take it to maintain it! We were 44 (he was 46) when we had our WLS.

We are 58 & 60 now. Grey hairs, some wrinkles, but lovely labs (and that's by MY picky stds) and still holding our basic wt loss. I'm a bit under right now, but I know it's not permanent. When the stress cranks down about 100 notches, I suspect food will become fascinating again. LOL

There's stress eating, then the next stage, which is stress not eating.

thank you for this post.  I know you replied to someone else, but this is very helpful.  I want to have this surgery (already have a date 7/8/08), but my biggest concern is way down the road (I'm 36 right now with 5 children) with nutrient imbalance that may result in other health problems.  i guess it is doable to avoid other health issues if we get the right vitamins with our foods. any other tid bits you can think of that might be helpful would be much appreciated. Thanks, Erica

I now say back track...If only I could have, should have, would have. Not necessarily in that order. Just don't get back to old bad habits??? Yet, we're only human.  Once you start gaining...look out. I gained 50+ since '02. Do not regret my RNY. However...everyone is differant & just make sure to maintain & take heed. Living proof. Take care.

Hi Stacy, I am 8 1/2 years out and doing great. If you want more detailed info PM me and I will be happy to give you all the information I can.

Stacey 5+ rs here, glad to email you off list [email protected]

It is a lifestyle change for sure, hard work to live this way a lifetime but worth it. VIt D deficeincy started 5 yr postop, andemia at 2 yrs after plastics, vits take care of those, need lifetime fup and labs imperative!
Have to change our lives or we can regain and many sadly do...see it at 3 yrsin most...so good u r looking at the 5 yr benchmark! they glorious honeymoon ends for some at 6 mo others get 2-3 yrs!

I had complication 4 wk oout adhesions caused blockage of Y connection intestinal had 2nd surgery to remove them lap. all has been well.
Been through an exercise addiction, maintining my wt of 20# bounceback since 3 yrs out...I accept where I am and no longer strive for perfection..not realistic or healthy IMHO. I stay away from sugar not in 5 yrs have I had it in raw form scared of NOT dumping! I can do enough damage with wt gain on bread sadly! Carbs are still a trigger and SF foods are dangerous!

I can drink m ilk but choose whey shakes for health and nutrition a d hate to drink carbs! 13g in a cup milk!

Never vomited on any food, I can chew well or not well never vomited, calcium citrate got stuck at 3-4 wk oout once never again Upcal D! yeah....
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