almost 5 years out and gained some!

I'm so glad I found this site.  I'm 4 and 1/2 years out from RNY and I've gained back about 40 pounds.  I find that I can eat a lot more than I expected I would!  I could use some support!

Hi Barbara,

Welcome in...For sure the further out from your surgery the easier it is to slide back into old habits...From what I see, on this site, on others and in person, many struggle with regain of at least some of the weight they lost in the 1st year out...Personally, I have been lucky to keep mine low, 10lbs at 4+years out...I feel strongly I manage to keep it here because I am willing to take drastic steps when I see a big pickup in my weight...Currently I'm trying to dump off the 10lbs and have recently remove all white carbs and processed sugars from my diet...My next goal will be to reduce the total daily carbs to under 50, then goal 3 will be to get my daily fat below 30grams a day...Its baby steps, all these were rules I observed when I was a fresh out of surgery newbie, but it is harder to do ALL of them cold turkey at once, now that I am so far out, so one little chg at a time...I hope to reach my goal of 10lbs by the end of the year and be reasonable with my expectations of myself...

Make a plan for yourself you can work with...Look at what you are doing...Track your food again...If you are not following all the "rules" of surgery try going back to basics and start following them again, if you have too, do it one at a time...And look for support - one line or in person at a local support group, talking to others helps...

Good Luck, you can do it - WE can do it...

Hi Alesia,

Thanks for the support.  You've got me motivated.  I am planning to track my food now and I have a personal trainer that I've been working with for the past year.  I have lost 15 pounds and 20 inches.  So, I'm exercising but I need to watch the food.  I'll keep watching this site for motivation and I'll be going to my support groups at the Barix Clinic in Langhorne.

Thanks,

Barb

Hi Barb,
Don't wait too long to have things checked out with your doc as well.  I was experiencing weight gain too.  I tried to handle it on my own thinking it was all my fault.  When the weight gain hit 47 pounds, I finally swallowed my pride and went back to my surgeon. Turns out my stoma was enlarged allowing food to empty too quickly from my pouch.  Had I checked into this and had it repaired sooner, I would have a smaller amount of weight to get rid of.  I made myself miserable by waiting.   
Good luck .   It's all about the attention you pay to yourself and your health!   ginny

I'm curious as to how your stoma was repaired.  I recently had an EGD and my gastro doctor said that my stoma was wide open and pretty large.  I've been having a lot of nausea and he thinks that may be part of my problem.  I didn't know the stoma could be "repaired."  Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Linda D

My stoma was repaired by an endo procedure called sclerotherapy.  It has only been a bit over a week since I had it done and I have heard mixed reviews on its effectiveness.  Right now it seems to have made`a difference.  I am just taking it one day at a time.  ginny

I looked up sclerotherapy and all I can find is that it is used to treat vericose/spider veins.  Did your surgeon do the procedure? 

Thanks.

It  is difficult to find information on this.  I know of a few docs who are doing it.  Only 1 in my area.  My bariatric surgeon didn't do this.  A GI doc who has been working in this post gastric bypass area for awhile did it.  Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution into the stoma area which creates scar tissue.  The goal is for the scar tissue to help shrink that opening that is stretched.  The doc will check on my progress in October and decide if I need a second round.   ginny