Recent Posts
Thanks for the info. Yes, my iron went back to normal once I started the Doxy and an elimination diet, not to mention 2000 units of Venofer, ha! My CBC actually looks great as for as hemoglobin, RBC, iron, etc. It's the MCH, MCV that are still problematic. My B12 was great for a time, over 1k, but tanked after my recent hysterectomy, so they're putting me on sublinguals to try to bump it back up. We'll see. I'm headed to Mayo next week for a GI and Neuro consult. It will be interesting to see what they say. They tried a traditional ERCP this week, just to see if they could avoid doing something more invasive, but it didn't work because I have a very long limb. I knew it was a long shot. If it is my bile duct again, that is also contributing to the infection and absorption issues. Oy!! Thanks again for the info. Very helpful!!
RNY 2/2003, Cholestectomy 10/2003, 270 lbs lost
I had RNY in 2002. Started at 340, and got down to 203 for about a day, then stabilized at around 208 for a while. A few years later, I got up to 240 an stayed there for a LONG time. The past 3 years have been very stressful, and I totally went back to my old habits: drinking with meals, eating tons of carbs and little protein, and eating all day. Last August I had gotten up to 282 and couldn't live like that any more, so I contacted a surgeon I had heard good things about and asked him to take me on and he agreed. The first thing he did was check out my insides, because I could SWEAR my stoma got much bigger (foot long sub is possible for me too!) and he said my pouch is very small still, and said that studies have shown that the size of the stoma is irrelevant if patients eat the right food and follow the rules. I still think my stoma has stretched an do believe it makes a difference in my struggling with success. I am envious of you for being able to have the apollo technique! Anyway, I started following the rules to a T and went down to 220 in 5 months starting on about 1500, and later 1200/day. I am currently at 229 trying to get back on track as the past 5 months I got my head messed up again. My goal is also to be below 200, preferably eventually 175 but will see how I feel below 200 first! The biggest challenge even when following the rules is my own head. I HAVE to plan my days ahead of time, follow the rules, and even then I have troubles every day with what my head is telling me. I believe that is my main obstacle and will probably always affect me, although I hope someday I can get into a healthier mindset and quiet it down more. As far as being another dieter, I think my surgery definitely has given me the advantage of not being as hungry on little food. I also have different rules from a regular dieter in that yes, I have to watch calories but I have to eat much more protein and can't get away with simple carbs nearly as much. I remember cutting way down on food with my normal stomach and it was awful! At least now I have satiety for a few hours after a smallish meal as long as i follow the rules, especially if I load up on water starting an hour or so after I eat. After my surgery I was on a cloud because I had no interest in food at all. I believe those days are permanently gone, but I still have the tool left to work with if I work it.
Maybe someday I can also have the Apollo. When did you have it and how has it been for you? Hope this helps. I feel for you!
It is really inspirational hearing from the long-time successful people. It is an amazing accomplishment and you should be proud. I hope to be in the same spot as you when I hit the 9year mark! I know the results are in my hands. I am responsible for how I use this gift. Thank you for the inspiration.
RNY February 2012
starting BMI 40
I'm only 3 years out so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I think (for me) the biggest factor is in my head. I started addressing my food issues pre-op and have been struggling with them to this day. I lost all my excess weight then gradually started gaining again. I realize that no matter what tool I have, I HAVE to work on the wiring in my brain or I will find myself back at square one. I finally feel I am making progress in that department and the extra weight is slowly coming off. I don't know about how quickly things will come off but they will if you follow the rules. However, following the rules means buy-in from your emotional/brain part as well in the long run. So, I believe loss is absolutely possible in your situation. The key (IMHO) to long-term success will be how well you address the issues that got you to your heaviest weight in the first place.
WRT your sister, sibling issues can be a big part of things too :) however, I think with hard work (both physically and mentally) you have every possibility of getting there. Your journey (especially the second time round) may be slower, but LONG TERM success is the ultimate goal so keep your eye on the prize.
Good luck,
Andrea.
RNY February 2012
starting BMI 40
I'm more a "regular" RNY veteran, 6 years out. And I've had to deal with regain. My philosophy is this: We have a powerful tool, and yours has just been sharpened! Your loss may be slower - I don't think anything compares to that initial honeymoon post RNY. But loss is loss - and if you're heading the right direction, that's what matters.
Follow your guidelines to a T. At some point, yes, we all become "just like another dieter." We will always have to watch, to be aware, whatever type of surgery we had. We are, after all, experts at eating around all the rules. And we know here that we are vulnerable to regain and those old habits creeping back in.
Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Your sister's journey is her own, and yours is different. It's not a race. I don't know what is realistic for you but every single day that you do what you need to do to take care of YOU - whatever the number on the scale says - is a day of victory.
Keep in touch with us here! Best wishes to you!
Well I'm only a little more than a year out but I do think progress is possible. Try posting in the rny & revision forums, you might get some more feedback.
If everything checks out ok by your dr, I'd say go back to the basics. You've lost the weight b4, so I'm sure that you can do it again. I would incorporate some kind of therapy or go to a support group to tackle the issues behind your eating. It's very easy to forget about the mental process while concentrating on the physical one.
From what I heard, people who've had revision surgery tends to lose more slowly than those who've only had the 1 surgery. So losing slow is normal, you'll just have to stay more on top of your eating.
I wish you all the best, I'm sure you can get it off again, especially with hubby there to cheer you on.
No one surgery is better than the other, what works for one may not work for another.
T-Rebel
I am 11 years RNY post-op. I went from 354 to 215 in 2.5 years then slowly gained to 301 over the next 8 years. I attempted to have a revision a few years ago, but insurance denied me because I had been "successful." In December of last year, a new surgeon was able to determine that my weight gain was at least partly to a stoma that was 5 times the normal size. I had a self-pay revision (Apollo Overstitch) in January and am now at 264. A very slow loss and a mental struggle, especially considering my sister just had the sleeve and is already under 200 while I never made it there. My husband just had the sleeve today, so with him finally on the same page, I think this will be much easier.
BUT...it is realistic to think I could actually get to my personal goal of 175 (with all that extra skin, 175 would be acceptable to me). If, once you've had surgery and missed that golden window of opportunity, is your body resistant to weight loss? If I do all things right, will I lose just as any other "dieter?" Does anyone have experience for getting back on track with their tool after such a long hiatus?
- SIBO Antibiotic
- Rifaximin may be used for all cases of SIBO. ...
- Neomycin is effective for constipation cases and is used in addition to Rifaximin, as double Abx therapy. ...
- If alternating diarrhea is present with constipation, the use of Rifaximin alone has been suggested.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
I am 3 1/2 years post surgery. This happens to me as well! I find it hurts to much so I go to the restroom and cough it up into the toilet. (I do NOT use fingers or anything just cough) I know this isn't necessarily the best solution but the pain to me is just way to much.
MaronitaMay
Congratulations to you! I am right behind you - I'll celebrate 11 yrs in July! This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I hate when people say it was the easy way out. This was never easy and still isn't, but the results are worth every struggle. I have been fortunate enough to keep my weight off. I do, from time to time, go up a few lbs, then buckle down and get it off.
You should really be proud of yourself, a lot of people do not keep their weight off.
JA
RNY 7/21/2004 - 100lbs forever
