it has been 4 years... since my RNY

I had good days and bad days.
Lost over 100 lbs, gain 30, lost 20, gained 5, lol... you know the drill.. Now I eat as much as I need to, limit foods that do not work well for me, and try to do the best I can.  I could lose the extra 10 lbs that I gained -- but that will not make me happy - I could lose the 10 lbs and fit again in size 4... but the price for that is too great, and  looking back on my pictures - I didn't look that good at size 4..  Now I can wear size 6-10 and live as good life as possible.

I do maintain reasonable loss. I did not weigh myself lately.  I do not feel like it..  I know I am within 5 lbs from one day to the next.  But my belly is flat (unless I get gas lol ) and I can wear size s-m-L (depends on the brand), and I can move when I want it..

Do I regret it? hmm... RNY yes... WLS - not really... I would do it again - just would opt for VSG.. 
But what's done is done. No point dwelling on it. I got what I got and I work with it.

As many of you know - that means watching what I eat and how often, taking vitamins and minerals, taking care of myself. 

Do I live normal life? not even close... but I was not living normal life when I was MO...

Would I have RNY again? only if my choice were that or the band.   Nver would have the band.

And knowing me - maybe RNY is the reason I lost and maintained the 100  lbs loss? Maybe the sugar issues, RH and dumping is what is keeping my weight off? who knows...

I started my journey almost 12 years ago, I had the RNY as well.  I have no regrets, and I do remember why I did it to be more expectable to the opposite sex...however, it's been 12 years and I am still single. 

I only started to struggle over the past four years where I have been between jobs and I was on a roller coaster ride with my weight, currently I am in a size 14/16 and I need to get off 20 more pounds...but I am no longer stress to get it off, I just need to learn how to once again eat health, by the way I have learned a few things from your posting.

Hang in there!  :-)

If you don't mind my asking, why don't you like
RNY and why would you choose VSG?

Edie

O babe... so many...
For one - the severe RH... due to most likely overactive pancreas - real common post op RNY.
That is my major issue.  That limits what I can eat, and makes me eat as often as I have to. Forget about vegetarian diet.  I am not talking about eating cake or cookies...but even whole grains, some veggies, fruits - create real health issue for me.  And knowing that even if I follow my diet - my sugar still can drop because of extra stress, or because I did not sleep well the night. 

 Vitamin - mineral deficiencies - I can deal with that for now. But it is not easy.  I do need to consume 120-150 gr of proteins a day, every day. If I do not - my numbers drop and I do not feel good. Now I need weekly B12 injections. Iron infusions - probably every few years, and not sure what others microninerals - that are not tested I may be missing. 

Over last 4 years I developed sensitivity (allergy) to Splenda and other artificial sweeteners. Sugar can kill me (RH). lately I also developed allergies to dairy products including whey. - most likely got leaky gut syndrome now...   With soy and beans intolerance - it is getting challenging to get enough proteins in my diet.  

not so new data...

New Data on Weight Gain Following Bariatric Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery has long been considered the gold standard for weight loss. However, recent studies have revealed that this particular operation can lead to potential weight gain years later. Lenox Hill Hospital’s Chief of Bariatric Surgery, Mitchell Roslin, MD, was the principal investigator of the Restore Trial – a national ten center study investigating whether an endoscopic suturing procedure to reduce the size of the opening between the gastric pouch of the bypass and the intestine could be used to control weight gain in patients following gastric bypass surgery. The concept for the trial originated when Dr. Roslin noticed a pattern of weight gain with a significant number of his patients, years following gastric bypass surgery. While many patients could still eat less than before the surgery and become full faster, they would rapidly become hungry and feel light headed, especially after consuming simple carbohydrates, which stimulate insulin production.

The results of the Restore Trial, which were published in January 2011, did not confirm the original hypothesis – there was no statistical advantage for those treated with suturing. However, they revealed something even more important. The data gathered during the trial and the subsequent glucose tolerance testing verified that patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery and regained weight were highly likely to have reactive hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood glucose drops below the normal level, one to two hours after ingesting a meal high in carbs. Dr. Roslin and his colleagues theorized that the rapid rise in blood sugar – followed by a swift exaggerated plunge – was caused by the absence of the pyloric valve, a heavy ring of muscle that regulates the rate at which food is released from the stomach into the small intestine. The removal of the pyloric valve during gastric bypass surgery causes changes in glucose regulation that lead to inter-meal hunger, impulse-snacking, and consequent weight regain.

Dr. Roslin and his team decided to investigate whether two other bariatric procedures that preserve the pyloric valve – sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch – would lead to better glucose regulation, thus suppressing weight regain. The preliminary data of this current study shows that all three operations initially reduce fasting insulin and glucose. However, when sugar and simple carbs are consumed, gastric bypass patients have a 20-fold increase in insulin production at six months, compared to a 4-fold increase in patients who have undergone either a sleeve gastrectomy or a duodenal switch procedure. The dramatic rise in insulin in gastric bypass patients causes a rapid drop in glucose, promoting hunger and leading to increased food consumption.

“Based on these results, I believe that bariatric procedures that preserve the pyloric valve lead to better physiologic glucose regulation and ultimately more successful long-term maintenance of weight-loss," said Dr. Roslin.

http://www.lenoxhillhospital.org/press_releases.aspx?id=2106
 

Congratulations Hala on hanging in there.  Life is what we make it and I am grateful that my RNY gave me the chance to have a better one.  I am not sure any of us have what I would call "normal" but definitely better than before.

Who wants to be "normal" anyway! LOL, Congrats on your accomplishments.

Congrats Hala!!

What is HR? Tried to google it but didn't find
the answer.

I know it hasn't been easy but you should be
proud of your success. You inspire me to do
better in my efforts.

Happy Surgiversary

Edie

RH = Reactive hypoglycemia - or just hypoglycemia due to the excess insulin response.