Question:
Can't stop losing
I had my RNY May 2003 at 270. I am now at 118 and can't stop losing/can't gain. My surgeon advised me to eat higher calorie foods (not junk) and drink meal replacement drinks along with my meals. It's not working. He doesn't have any more advice for me. My blood panels are normal, not anemic....I eat healthy foods, several times a day. I don't exercise, but that's because I get all dizzy and stuff if I'm up for too long. They can't figure that one out, either...I've tried. Anyone have any advice? I know this isn't a replacement for a Dr's advice, but I'd like input from others who have been in this situation. — Jennifer P. (posted on November 14, 2006)
November 14, 2006
What about low iron? Have you checked in with a nutrtionist or some other
specialist? I know you said you're not working, do you have insurance that
will allow you to see other specialists. How about an internal medicine
specialist? Those are pretty good. I use them as my PCP -- they don't see
kids.
— the7thdean
November 14, 2006
I am sorry you are going through alot with still loosing so much weight. I
did get to read your profile and I was wondering if you have ever been this
site to see if can get good protein shakes that you my like to help with
upping the calories and stuff. The tealicious I hear is very good. You
can buy a a thing of smaples to sample them out. I hope it helps. Here is
the site. Wishig you the very best.
http://store.bariatriceating.com/
Cira
— Cira S.
November 14, 2006
My iron levels are fine, I take supplements. I do have insurance as well,
through the Army. The husband's insurance.
Protein shakes...Those are touch and go with me. I have gotten sick off of
every one I've tried. I dunno if you'd call it dumping ro not, but they
make me vomit. Maybe it's the taste of them. Thanks for that site with the
samples, I will definitely go check that out!
— Jennifer P.
November 14, 2006
JUst because your blood work is normal does not mean that is o.k. WLS
patients the #'s need to be a little higher than normal as we do not obsorb
nutients very well anyway. Protein shold be WHEY protein & There is
several sites the do samples Bethsbotique.com & vitalady.com. I also
think you might need to see anothe Doc for a 2nd opinion as to why the
weight loss has not stopped. How far out are you? if you are
still in the 1st year than it is possible you should start slowing
soon. Are you eating mostly protein foods & very little carbs.
In your case the protein Insure might work. just ck the sugar content so
you don't dump on it. Hope this helps Marilyn, the Bearlady
— Marilyn C.
November 14, 2006
No, I do not mean my blood lvls are normal for just anyone. My surgeon did
all my bloodwork and said everything is good, nothing is borderline,
everything is perfect for a WLS patient. And I have tried the whey protein
in the form of powder, ready made shakes, I believe I addressed that
already, they make me sick...I have talked to my PCP and my surgeon, as
well as a gastroenteroligist at the hospital where my PCP is. I can't get
an opinion from anyone else, Tricare (Military insurance) will not allow
for it. It's an unnecessary referral and a waste of money, they say.
And if you read my original post, you will see that I am 3 1/2 years out.
It's not like I'm in the honeymoon perios and am just flipping out over
nothing.
— Jennifer P.
November 14, 2006
Hi Jennifer - I too am experiencing this problem. I believe I read
somewhere that if you start out at a lower weight this may be an issue. I
started out at 230 and am down to 119 and can't seem to stop loosing
weight. My doctor's have advised me to stop loosing before I become
underweight. I haven't been able to find anything that works so if you do,
please let me know.
Kim
— kimmy
November 14, 2006
Hi! I am going through a similar situation. I have been bouncing from
105-108lbs. When I went to see my surgeon he said that I am not eating
enough. I have been seeing my nut. once a month since surgery(1.5 yrs
ago). I have been maintaining 1500 cal. per day. My nut. said to eat high
cal. food. My surgeon said to eat whatever I want, when I want and as much
as I want. But it almost seemed like his answer was to blame me for not
eating enough and threatened me with a feeding tube. That really upset me
beacause since surgery I have done nothing but follow his rules. He can not
explain why I am losing so much. But he did tell me that I am the only one
in his practice that has a bmi of 18. He claims most people get down to 22.
I am not sure that my surgeon is helping me. I also suffer from dizziness
and it seems my blood pressure gets very low. My labs are normal. I have
gone down to 103 but was very active at the time. I don't have any answers
but I have seemed to level off. I still think I am too thin and I am going
to try to gain back at least 10 lbs. So maybe you may weigh less than you
want but hopefully you will stop losing and level off. Email me if you
want. [email protected] wish you the best, Amy
— nurseamyb
November 14, 2006
Jennifer, it sounds like you need a 2nd opinion.
— Patricia P
November 15, 2006
When I felt that my weight loss was going a little too far, I increased my
carbohydrates--- not sugars, but complex carbsd from a variety of sources.
Eventually, I bounced up to where I wanted (and then endured some worry
about maintaining at that weight).
I would have thought that sugeon would have done some greater investigation
given that you are enduring weight loss and dizziness from being up for too
long.
Assuming that he's already ruled out that you might be experiencing a drug
interaction, and your issues is solely dietary try to find complex carbs
that you can consume throughout the day--- things like beans and nuts might
help provided you can get enough. Also to force your body to process the
food your're eating, you might want to consider reducing the amount of
protein you are taking in.
Good luck-- it is a very frustrating process that, unfortunately, takes
lots of experimentation before finding the right balance for you.
— SteveColarossi
November 15, 2006
you might consider increasing you salt intake, you may be
dehydrated...causing the dizziness and tiredness...try standing up slowly,
if you stand to quickly your blood pressre will drop and you will get all
those symptoms.....try eating more fat with bread or something along this
line...you need the protien, but with out carbs this causes weight
loss.....I must say I'm waiting for surgery myself....I'm not an
expert...but I read extensively..... Liz
— Liz
November 15, 2006
Yeah, I try to get as much sal as I can, my blood pressure is always really
low. But not low enough for the docotr to medicate me for it. It's usually
in the 80-90's over 50's or something along those lines. I will try eating
buttered bread or something with my meals, I suppose. I looked at those
protein juices on those sites and they are way too expensive. With 3 kids
and xmas coming up, that's not happening. I get in my protein with my food
anyways. I'm a total beef jerky addict :0)
— Jennifer P.
November 15, 2006
This is bit different, but when my son was on meds for A.D.H.D the doctor
suggested a carnation instant breakfast mixed with whole milk not 2% or
skim, twice a day morning and before bed. dont know if this would help but
its an extra 600-700 calories ..
— Stormchild
November 15, 2006
Think that would work with the ready made ones? Those are the only meal
replacements I can tolerate, the Carnations that are already made. It would
thin it out a bit and make it more to drink...Those only have 250 cals in
them tho. I dunno about the powder.
— Jennifer P.
November 15, 2006
2nd opinions!!!! All insurance pays for them! If you don't get a clear
answer from your current PCP, Surgeon, go to another one!!!!! A good Dr
WILL do research to find out why this is happening to you. If he doesn't
bother with the research, he is not a good Dr. Keep looking for a new PCP,
or surgeon! Good luck!
— crystalsno
November 15, 2006
Hi,
I think the most important thing to determine here is whether your problem
is due to low food/calorie intake or malabsorbtion.
How much calories are you eating each day? Do you keep track? You can
find various calculators online that will tell you how much calories you
need to maintain and/or increase your weight. Remember, these calculators
are built for people who have not had WLS so you may need to eat even more
than what they suggest.
If you are consuming enough calories to maintain/gain weight but still
losing, then I would imagine you are having a problem with malabsorbtion.
If this is the case, it might be helpful to see a GI doc rather than a WLS
surgeon.
You said your blood panels are all normal, any idea if that included
thyroid tests? A malfunctioning thyroid could cause you to lose weight.
As for the dizziness, have you been tested for orthostatic intolerance?
http://www.ndrf.org/orthostat.htm is a great webpage with info about it.
Orthostatic Intolerance basically means you have problems when standing up
that are relieved by sitting/laying down. There are different causes but
one type is when you stand up, your blood pressure drops really low causing
the If it is determined that this is your problem, they can treat you for
it.
I guess my last suggestion is to find a new doc. If your surgeon is unable
to help you/doesn't know whats going on, perhaps he could point you in the
direction you need to go.....maybe you need a nutritionist, maybe you need
a GI doctor, maybe you need someone/something alll together different.
I was contemplating WLS but I developed gastroparesis and went from 300 to
220 in 2-3 months. I'm still losing but slowly now--thank god I had/have
this extra weight to protect me. I know a lot of people who were unable to
stop loosing/gain who ended up with feeding tubes---gastroparesis is when
your stomach doesn't grind up or push food to the intestines---symptoms
include nausea/vomitting, lack of appetite, early fullness, pain, bloating.
Hang in there. If you want to talk more, feel free to email me.
Sid
— mrsidknee
November 15, 2006
Be sure to continue your carb intake. Just be sure that they aren't the
ones that contain sugar. Believe me, it does make a difference. We all HAVE
to have good carbs to help with digestion and balance. No carbs or very
little carbs can devistate your system. Just be sure they are complex carbs
and NOT simple carbs (which is sugar.) Complex carbs are what you want. You
get them from potatoes, pasta, breads, fruits and vegatables.
Also take this simple test:
Symptoms of Carbohydrate Intolerance:
Nervousness, irritability, fatigue and exhaustion, faintness,
dizziness,cold sweats, shakiness,weak spells, depression, drowsiness,
especially after meals or in mid-afternoon, headaches, digestive
disturbances with no apparent cause, forgetfulness, Insomnia, needless
worry, mental confusion, rapid pulse, especially after eating certain
foods, muscle pains, antisocial behavior, overly emotional crying spells,
lack of sex drive, leg cramps and blurred vision, shortness of breath,
sighing and excessive yawning and craving for starch and sugar-rich foods.
If you answere to more than half of these you may need more higher protein
foods.
Protein and carbohydrates are vital to all-over health. They provide the
materials to repair and replenish tissues that are challenged and
depleated.
If you feel you need more protein (which it sounds like you do) shop for
these items which contain higher amounts:
Baby carrots, celery, lettuce, broccoli florets, mushrooms, green beans,
sliced or diced onions, tomatoes, fresh spinach, fat free turkey, canadian
bacon, lean deli ham/turkey, skinless chicken breast, 95%lean hamburger,
sirloin steak, tuna packed in water, peeled shrimp,whole wheat bread, rye
krisp crackers, cooked oatmeal, apple, oranges, blueberries, cantelope
(cubed), nectarines, canned pinapple in juice, straberries, raspberries,
cheddar cheese, skim mozzarella, string, parmesan, swiss cheeses, 2%
cottage cheese, nonfat light fruit yogurt, egg subtitute, skim milk, lean
cuisine frozen dinners, lowfat popcorn.
Also and VERY important. DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!
I too went down to 118 pounds but have since been able to regain some back.
I am seven years out from my surgery and am down to 155 pounds from 365
pounds and still drinking about two to three quarts of water a day. That's
in addition to tea and coffee. These cannot be counted as part of your
daily water intake. Our bodies (women) are usually 50-55% water.
It performs these functions essential to our well being:
Protects the kidneys and detoxifys the body, creates the water-based
environment necessay for chemical actions and reactions that make the
body's metabolisim and sustain life, provides stable body temperature, and
helps give form and structure to our bodies by plumping up tissues.
I hope this information helps and please continue trying to get another
opinion from a doctor. All the things I mentioned above I learned from my
exercise/nutritionist instructor at the gym.
— Judib58
November 15, 2006
I haqve hypothyroid, which is under control by meds, sut that isn't the
cause for the weight loss. I don't count my calories, but I know that I am
eating enough, and I definitely eat a decent amount of good carbs. They're
one of my favorite things to eat. I am getting enough protein, that is one
thing I do make sure of. And my blood pressure doesn't drop, it's already
low naturally. Just not low enough to warrant meds. And no, I cn't get a
second opinion....I'm serious when I say insurance won't allow it. Besides,
I've been told by an array different docs that they can't find anything
wrong with me. This includes 2 of the PCPs at the hospital, an ER doc and
my surgeon. I've had bloodwork (by docs who know about the surgery and take
that into account), head CT's, MRI's..The works. I've been having that
happen to me since way before the surgery, it's untreatable. I used to go
to a crapload of docs, including a neurologist and all that to figure it
out. I'm more concerned about the weight loss than anthing. I know that if
I didn't have the extra skin I would probably go down to 100. For someone
who is 5'6", that's just not right. Seriously, I eat enough and
consume enough protein and water. I don't drink pop, I stay away from
sugars for the most part and get in lots of good carbs, not sugar carbs.
It's weird.
— Jennifer P.
November 16, 2006
Hi Jennifer - If your regular primary care doctor hasn't done so I would
advise you to get a complete bloodwork covering everything from A - Z.
Don't depend on your gastric bypass doctor to cover things your PCP should
be doing. I had a sore throat that wouldn't go away and because of the
bloodwork my PCP found out I had nodules on my thyroid. I am now taking
thyroid medicine and my sore throat is gone.
Good Luck
— alceen
November 16, 2006
It's nothing to do with my thyroid, as I don't have one. It was
radioactively killed off a long time ago. I think they have exhausted all
blood tests and found nothing. I tell ya, I'm a medical mystery! hehe I'll
see if there's anything else they can do. I'm wondering if I try out the
meal replacement shakes that I can tolerate along with my regular meals if
that would help at all.
— Jennifer P.
November 26, 2006
Hi Jennifer,
I sympathize for you because I'm basically in the same boat. I started out
at 286 and being 5'6. I'm over two years out and dropped to an alarming
low of 115. However, I've finally managed to get my weight steady in the
last couple of months to 120. If I'm not careful the weight will drop. I
have to make sure to eat at least 1200 calories a day or else I lose. I
know you said you don't count calories but maybe your not getting enough of
them. I work out every day and on the days that I run I make sure to up
the amount of calories or else I start losing again.
You've gotten some really good advice from the others that have written you
and I hope that you find what is causing you to continue to lose.
— Belle
November 28, 2006
— Tigs
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