2 Year Post Op Looking for Answers - X-Post
Okay... first, I can't believe how totally anxious I was about going for my 2 year post-op checkup. I mean seriously, my heart was in my chest. I weighed in at exactly the same weight I did last February. Uh, that's 10 months, a triathlon, the MS150, a Livestrong Challenge, and countless hours at the gym, ago.
The few here who know me know I have been so frustrated with regard to my lack of progress, in spite of my whole-hearted efforts to motivated, moving and focused. Weightloss, for me really slowed down after just 5 months.
Doc and I talked. He validated my frustration, for what that's worth (that's a lot to me right now). He knows I'm frustrated -- and to that end, I think he is too. We both want to get to the bottom of things; he wants me to achieve my more than reasonable goals. I don't give a flip about being a healhty weight according to BMI or a number on the scale. I just want a healhty hip-to-waist ratio. That's it... that's what defines my idea of being in good health.
He sent me for a ton of bloodwork. Even the Phlubotomist blinked twice at the 3 pages of reqs. He said it would probably take up to 2 weeks to get anything back, but he said we should know something by Christmas but here's what we're looking at:
1) Thyroid Issues (never dectected before in the past, but possibly asymptomatic?)
2) Insuilin Resistance - A state in which your cells are not responding to insulin appropriately, so the sugar in your blood cannot get into your cells. To compensate, your pancreas pumps out more insulin to try to get the sugar out of your blood and into your cells. The hyperinsulinimia (high blood insulin) that results is able to maintain normal blood sugar levels and delay the onset of diabetes.
3) Testosterone Levels (could just be out of whack -- never been before, but who knows?)
4) A Fistula -- more common in post-ops who smoke or are prone to ulcers, but a possibility still. The way I understand it is essentially sutures open up post-opand can create alternate paths for food where absorbtion can happen, therefore stopping weight loss. Often it can go undetected and is found because weight loss has pre-maturely ceased, or significant weight-gain has occurred. I haven't had weight gain, but I stay at the same weight. This sure sounds like me... but I so hope it's not!
Anyway, does anyone have experience with Fistulas 2 years out? I haven't had any other symptoms other than my weight loss ceasing dramatically. It's been a little challenging to find proper information on the Internet.
Thanks!
Donna
The few here who know me know I have been so frustrated with regard to my lack of progress, in spite of my whole-hearted efforts to motivated, moving and focused. Weightloss, for me really slowed down after just 5 months.
Doc and I talked. He validated my frustration, for what that's worth (that's a lot to me right now). He knows I'm frustrated -- and to that end, I think he is too. We both want to get to the bottom of things; he wants me to achieve my more than reasonable goals. I don't give a flip about being a healhty weight according to BMI or a number on the scale. I just want a healhty hip-to-waist ratio. That's it... that's what defines my idea of being in good health.
He sent me for a ton of bloodwork. Even the Phlubotomist blinked twice at the 3 pages of reqs. He said it would probably take up to 2 weeks to get anything back, but he said we should know something by Christmas but here's what we're looking at:
1) Thyroid Issues (never dectected before in the past, but possibly asymptomatic?)
2) Insuilin Resistance - A state in which your cells are not responding to insulin appropriately, so the sugar in your blood cannot get into your cells. To compensate, your pancreas pumps out more insulin to try to get the sugar out of your blood and into your cells. The hyperinsulinimia (high blood insulin) that results is able to maintain normal blood sugar levels and delay the onset of diabetes.
3) Testosterone Levels (could just be out of whack -- never been before, but who knows?)
4) A Fistula -- more common in post-ops who smoke or are prone to ulcers, but a possibility still. The way I understand it is essentially sutures open up post-opand can create alternate paths for food where absorbtion can happen, therefore stopping weight loss. Often it can go undetected and is found because weight loss has pre-maturely ceased, or significant weight-gain has occurred. I haven't had weight gain, but I stay at the same weight. This sure sounds like me... but I so hope it's not!
Anyway, does anyone have experience with Fistulas 2 years out? I haven't had any other symptoms other than my weight loss ceasing dramatically. It's been a little challenging to find proper information on the Internet.
Thanks!
Donna
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
Donna, I'm so sorry I don't have any insight for you, but just wanted to let you know that I truly sympathize with your plight! I'm glad that the dr is taking things seriously and trying to find an answer to get to the bottom of things. Please keep us updated with info if you find anything out b/c I'm sure your problem will be shared by someone here. Good Luck and you're in my thoughts!
~*~Tracy B~*~
328/160 *** 5'9"
start/current
Donna,
After reading your profile, I realized we have a similar history. I only lost 100 lbs and gained back 15. I felt like I did everything right, ate correctly, got a trainer and spent a lot of time in the gym. I used to be really frustrated that I didn't lose more. Now I'm happy for what I've lost and maintaining that. I concentrate on all the good things that have happened.
Like you I had all the labs done at 2 years as well as a scope to see if anything was wrong. Nothing came back, I'm healthly!
Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying for you not to keep trying! Just don't beat your self up!
Michele
After reading your profile, I realized we have a similar history. I only lost 100 lbs and gained back 15. I felt like I did everything right, ate correctly, got a trainer and spent a lot of time in the gym. I used to be really frustrated that I didn't lose more. Now I'm happy for what I've lost and maintaining that. I concentrate on all the good things that have happened.
Like you I had all the labs done at 2 years as well as a scope to see if anything was wrong. Nothing came back, I'm healthly!
Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying for you not to keep trying! Just don't beat your self up!
Michele
Hey, Donna, I can totally sympathize. I am 4.5 years out, and I never did lose all my weight. It took me such a long time to get to 100 pounds... much longer than usual for WLS patients. I went through plateaus at every step! I'm now at 172 pounds, down from 300, which is great! However, I'm still overweight for my height and frame, and I still wear size 14s, and I still struggle with feeling so very fat, whether I look it or not.
I haven't suffered any regain, thank God, but the scale being stuck is hard to take, even this far out. Exercise changes my body shape somewhat, but it doesn't seem to accelerate my weight loss.
I'm also being tested for thyroid issues and insulin resistance, especially since my parents are both diabetic. I don't know anything about fistulas...scary sounding, though.
I'm praying for us. This is hard, and I feel bad for complaining when I have lost so much already. It's just tough. I know you understand.
I haven't suffered any regain, thank God, but the scale being stuck is hard to take, even this far out. Exercise changes my body shape somewhat, but it doesn't seem to accelerate my weight loss.
I'm also being tested for thyroid issues and insulin resistance, especially since my parents are both diabetic. I don't know anything about fistulas...scary sounding, though.
I'm praying for us. This is hard, and I feel bad for complaining when I have lost so much already. It's just tough. I know you understand.
Spring has Sprung 
Corrie T.
300/175/145
Corrie T.
300/175/145
Donna,
I am almost 2 years out and I pretty much stopped losing at 1 year post op (start was 313). I eat right, exercise, but I could never break into Onderland. I got to 204/205 then had my gall bladder out - went back to work from staying at home with my kids and have since gained about 20 pounds.
It is so frustrating especially because my girlfriend had surgery about a month before me, same weight and has been at goal for 7 months! I know I shouldn't compare, but I feel somehow I messed it up, even though I still follow my orders, etc...
I hope you get some answers; and I hope to get into my surgeon soon to talk about this also. I've never heard of fistulas.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Jillybean
I am almost 2 years out and I pretty much stopped losing at 1 year post op (start was 313). I eat right, exercise, but I could never break into Onderland. I got to 204/205 then had my gall bladder out - went back to work from staying at home with my kids and have since gained about 20 pounds.
It is so frustrating especially because my girlfriend had surgery about a month before me, same weight and has been at goal for 7 months! I know I shouldn't compare, but I feel somehow I messed it up, even though I still follow my orders, etc...
I hope you get some answers; and I hope to get into my surgeon soon to talk about this also. I've never heard of fistulas.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Jillybean
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