Time for me to work on me...anyone else in same place?

I have watched and read this back on track to both make myself feel better and reassure myself others can do this...lose the darn weight AGAIN and now I want to join in.  I had Gastric bypass WLS in 2004 and lost from start 310 to 180 in 6 mo... ended about 160.  Happy Days!!! Then ALL support stopped when WISH Center closed overnight just before my 1 year check up.  No more PSYCH, NUT, DOCTOR.  Am considering revision surgery as DESPERATE...have now regained ALL lost weight...but also know I do still have smaller but stretched pouch and need and want to use my WLS tools...I am afraid because what if II can't do it?  I tried many large weight loss plans before and always regained weight.  I really want and physically need to lose this weight again as BMI over 50 and knees are giving out so it's hard to walk and can't climb stairs. 

I will keep reading and posting... usually much more positive than sounds like.  

Karen

Karen. Welcome to the group. Sorry you are in situation like that. Hugs. It is tough... If your pouch and stoma are still OK... You may be able to use the tool and lose the weight. Can it be done - sure...... But be prepare for a long hard work. Only you can decide if it is doable. If revision is an option... Then you may seriously consider doing that - revise to DS... But if you do ...MAKE sure you get a doc that is great in revisions from RNY to DS. There are a few only. That surgery is very complex and require a very skilled doc. Hugs.

Hi Karen,

 

I'm just wondering, are you assuming you've stretched your pouch, or do you have documented proof from medical exams?  A lot of us make that assumption based on weight regain, but it is not always so.  A stretched stoma is also a possibility, but so is weight regain from slider foods, high calorie fluids, and just plain old falling back into old habits, which is one of my reasons for regaining some of my lost weight.

I had an UGI and EGD in May of 2011 which showed that my pouch was the same size, but emptied faster due to a stretched stoma.  At the time, I was 11yrs out from my RNY.  I still continued to eat whatever I wanted until I found this group in Feb, this year.  I did the 5day pouch test and de-carbed my body, and went back to square one.  The biggest change for me, besides de-carbing, is absolutely NOT drinking with my meals.  I stop drinking at least 30 mins before meals, and don't start drinking again until 1 hr after.  I do that religiously, and I time myself.

Of course, these are just my guidelines for myself and what is working for me.  If you've definitely had pouch stretching which has been verified by tests, then you might want to consider revision surgery.

If you're looking to get back on track, then a lot of us here are just trying to be accountable for what we put in our bodies.  Trying to eat in a more healthful way, decrease calories, fat and carbs, take our vitamins, drink our water, and exercise...just the same recommendations we had post-op, which lets our 'tool" work for us.  There's lots of support here, so I hope you'll stick around and post whatever and whenever you feel.  It helps us all to know that we are not alone, and each of us can offer insight and encouragement to one another.

Welcome aboard, Karen.  So glad to have you here :)

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html

I have been battling weight regain as well.  I found reviewing and following the pouch rules given on the website referenced above to be very helpful

Hi, Karen! 

I, too, feel desperate to lose weight. Mine stalled after a 50 pound loss and I'm still there, a year later. I am frustrated! And scared. And sad. And angry.

But I'm hopeful, too, and determined. The past three days have been a test to see if I could stick to my food plan and lose a pound. I stuck to plan for only one day. That's failure in my book--but my old therapist would say it was a partial success.

We can do better, but it might take practice. With eating issues and a history of setbacks, it might not be that we can fix ourselves overnight. We can improve, though.