I had RNY 4 1/2 years ago.  Was awesomely successful.  Got to a comfortable, easy to maintain weight, and life was good.  Since last fall, I've gained back 30 pounds!  YES!  in less than a year...  I feel horrible.  I look horrible.  My clothes are all too tight.  I had to shop in THAT section of the store again.  I'm so depressed.  Any advice on how to kick start myself and get those 30 pounds back off?  I'm NOT happy!!!!  Appreciate any help...I want to fix this NOW, before it gets worse.  

Well, MyLady Heidi, I was told in my first surgeon visit and for the last 8 years that if you drink while eating a meal, the food washes out of the pouch; therefore, you get hungry sooner.  You are definitely a success having been at goal for 11 years and I applaud you for that.  For several year I stopped drinking 30 minutes before a meal, but now I drin****il I start to eat. 

Not sure where you think the food will get washed out to?  There is no reason to not drink right up until you eat and honestly I believe my success is due to always having sipped as needed with meals, I eat small meals and stop when I feel full and I don't ever feel hunger.  I spend my entire life drinking calorie free iced tea with lemon or lemon water and have been at goal for 11 years.

Good Luck.

In the beginning (8 years ago) I stopped drinking 30 minutes before eating a meal and didn't drink for 30 minutes afterwards.  I still wait 30 minutes after a meal because it makes sense that the food would be washed out and if I drink too soon after eating a meal I'm in pain.

However, now I drink up until I start to eat a meal.  What do you do?  Is there a reason I should stop drinking 30 minutes before eating? 

Christine,

Seems funny to me why your Gastro Dr. wouldn't give you the results of a test THEY performed. It doesn't matter *****ferred you to them. I can relate to your acid. I am currently taking Prevacid, Protonix, Prilosec and Carafate, all prescribed by my Doctor. Oh, let's not forget the Rolaids I carry everywhere! 

I know the answer to my acid. By the time I was 6 months out in 2000, acid ate thru my staple line. I  had bleeding ulcers, where I was first DX. as anorexic, because I couldn't eat or my stomach hurt. They thought I was just refusing... I showed them, literally! I woke up sitting on the toilet, with my head in the sink, (that's how moms are), and filled both with blood. That'll teach 'em to say I was a liar! (Next time I would do it at the hospital, and not at home first.) So now I have 5 holes too.

The feeling of fullness and your bathroom habits.... are you on any medications? Meds like pain killers, especially opiates, muscle relaxers or anxiety meds can/will slow down your digestive system. They can slow it down to where you are bloated, nauseated, stomach..side..back pain, gas, ACID.

Sometimes having the same Primary Care isn't the best thing, or going to the same Hospital. It's amazing when you hear a whole different group of Doctors point of views. Sometimes it can literally save your life. It saved mine 3 times.

Best wishes to you!

Kelly