Question:
I'm 7 months postop and have only lost 47 pounds and always could eat too much.

I'm supposed to have a 5CC stomach, bypassed 200Cm and transected. I have never vomited and always felt I could eat to much even in the beginning once I could eat regular food and I don't dump. From reading posts it seems some people can have food spill over directly into the intestine and I think that's what may happen with me. I read there was ring some Dr's put in to block this from happening and would like to know the name of it and if it's ever been put in after the surgery. My doctor states if you follow the diet and exercise plan you will lose the weight but that just puts me pretty close to where I was pre-surgery. Any other suggestions?    — Candace F. (posted on August 21, 2002)

August 21, 2002
Hi...I want to give you a pep talk. I noticed that you are already at a BMI under 40 which is great. You can expect to lose slower because of that. 47 lbs for you in 7 months is probably combrable to my 106 lbs because I started at a BMI of 50. I want to ask you how closely you are watching your diet and are you following the water procedures. Not drinking for at least 1.5 hrs after a meal and water loading 15 minutes before your meals. Read or reread pouch rules for dummies. http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm I find it the best info to put myself in check of what I am doing. I also got very discouraged at about 5 months post op because I was on a plateau and I was not dumping and I felt I was eating too much. I know I wasn't eating 3 plate fulls like before surgery, are you? I was pushing my food through with liquids and not drinking 15 minutes before my meal so that my pouch would feel full. I was also eating way too many carbs. No one ever said we would never have to diet or exercise after this surgery. The surgery is a tool and you have to maximise the use of that tool by following the directions. Gosh, I think we are all so courageous to even have major surgery to try to turn around our lives, but yet we sell ourselves short when it comes to being strong enough to follow diet and exercise. Hang in there, take it one day at a time. Go to the grocery store and try picking up 47 lbs of potatoes and you'll just how far you've really come.
   — SARose61

August 21, 2002
I have the silastic ring. I've read other posts where the opening was so stretched that food never stayed in the pouch. I am not sure if anyone has found a surgeon to correct this. But you are right, it is like not having had the surgery at all. I hope you find a solution to this, but 47 lbs is still great.
   — faybay