Question:
Help! I have gained 40 pounds since I had my surgery in 2001

I had an open Gastric Bypass (stapled pouch) in 2001. I lost a total of 125 pounds. I have experienced extreme family stress the last 2 years and have gained 40 pounds. I am desparte. I exercise 5-6 a week at the gym for the past 4 years. I am in therapy but I cannot stop eating and I am terrified by the amounts and how fast it is coming on. I am so depressed over how I look and feel that everyone must be talking about me. I don't know if I want or need a revision. I will take any advise you will give me. If I need a revision do you know of any good Boston drs??? Despartly Seeking Help-Donna    — Janice N. (posted on December 28, 2005)

December 28, 2005
Hi Donna, it sounds like your eating is emotional. I don't know if a revision is the answer because what is going to stop the emotional eating? Seeing someone? Is it someone who is helping? Doesn't sound like it. I really think you need help. Something or someone needs to awaken something in you to make you stop the sabatoge you are doing to yourself. Email me if you want to vent or need a shoulder. huuugzzzz
   — shoutjoy

December 28, 2005
Hello, Donna. Your answer may not be more traumatic surgery, but a lap band applied around the outside of your stomach. The lap band is a life-long tool to control appetite. Traditional bypass surgeries eventually have an expanded pouch and, if a portion of the intestines were bypassed, too, the gut itself adapts to begin absorbing more. .......... You need to consult TWO OR MORE bariatric surgeons who do the lap band as well as revisions, and try to find traditional patients who have now had success with the lap band. ........ But as to the TYPES of foods you are gaining on --- if it is mainly LIQUID and very soft calories (like casseroles full of starches & sauce), then you must be willing to give them up (for the most part). If depression and anxiety are part of the picture, an antidepressant like Wellbutrin or Prozac can be helpful for emotional over-eaters (not guaranteed & not a diet pill). ........ So investigate the band. There are several former GB patients with bands now on SmartBandsters at YahooGroups.com. ----- Theresa
   — SouthTX LapBand

December 30, 2005
YOU ARE IN LUCK!! Since you live near Boston, you might think about having an "endoscopic gastric bypass repair/revision," which is done by only one doctor, and he's at Brigham and Women's!! I have an appointment for April (he's booked way ahead, since so many people want this). Call his office at 617-732-6389 (Dr. Christopher Thompson). You can type the name of the procedure into Google and it will come up with an article about it. Or I can email it to you if you want. I had surgery in 2001 also, and i have regained 50 lbs!! I am too horrified for words. This new procedure is non-surgical; he goes down your throat (while you're under general anesthesia) and does 2 things: makes the bottom of your pouch smaller, and makes the stoma (exit to intestines) smaller too. the theory is that we got 'stretched out' and thereby made it easy to gain weight. I cannot wait to have this done!! I am sooooo sick of feeling like a total failure. Please email me for more info or support!! [email protected] (Veronica)
   — snazzytoes88

January 1, 2006
HI, MY FRIEND. NOW I FEEL THAT I AN NOT THE ONLY ONE REGAINING WEIGHT. i HAD MY SURGERY IN 03, LOST ABOUT 60 LBS, AND IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE GAINED 25 LBS. I STARTED TO DO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT ZETACAPS WHICH IS A STOMACH BLOCKER AND SOME SOUTH AFRICAN HERB CALLED HOOTIE WHICH MAKES YOU NOT HUNGRY. IT IS PRETTY DEPRESSING THAT AFTER GOING THRU SUCH A BIG PROCEDURE WE ARE ALMOST BACK TO SQUARE ONE. I HAVE NO INSURANCE NOW, SO ANOTHER SURGERY IS OUT OF THE QUESTION
   — MUNECA_LATINA

January 4, 2006
Did you surgeon also transect your stomach? If not you may need a revision. In the meantime TRY to control the emotional eating. I know it's difficult...that is how we all ended up being at least 100 pounds overweight.
   — SJP