Question:
I had open RNY July of 2001. I have lost 90 pounds. Here is the problem...

I seem to be jeopardizing my surgery. I can eat anything I want and not dump, I can eat large quantities, and I snack and eat all day long. I feel like I didn't even have surgery. I swore that I wouldn't do this to myself if I had the surgery. What is wrong with me? I am such a failure. I cannot get back to eating like I used to. I only get full for like 20 minutes, then I am hungry again. I am gaining and losing the same 4 pounds every week. Lucky for me it is only 4 pounds. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to fix it and eat healthy again. I was thinking about joining weight watchers and taking diet pills. Any suggestions?    — Dawn H. (posted on May 9, 2002)

May 9, 2002
Hello. I had my surgery on 10-31-01 and have lost 70 lbs. My doctor says this is on the way low end of the "average". Your question is everything that I feel and wonder about. I am doing the same thing that you are...I feel awful because I dont feel like I have had the surgery either and am really concerned about sabbotaging my "tool". Unfortunately, I dont have any answers for you but would really like to compare notes with you and maybe we can be support for eachother and get back on track...People have always told me to increase the protein intake and the water intake and make sure to take a multi vitamin...Good Luck to you.
   — Brandie O.

May 9, 2002
I think a lot of people have this surgery believing they can't fail. In reality, WLS is just a tool, and you can fail the surgery, just like you have failed countless diets in the past. I learned early on that I needed to "cooperate" with my surgery. Eating sugar, grazing, etc. allows us to gain weight, regardless of having tiny WLS stomachs. From your post, it sounds like you feel out of control with your eating. In that case, you could perhaps consider psychological counseling, OA or some other organization that could help you deal with the emotional aspects surrounding your eating. Best of luck--
   — Terissa R.

May 9, 2002
Dawn, from reading your profile you have done very well and have lost the majority of your weight. You have just gone off the beaten path and most importantly you realize that. You know what you need to do and your are making the right decision tocontinue to accomphished your goal. Don't give up when you are so close to losing all your weight. I am only 5 months out and I go 5 or 6 hours without eating because I am staying very busy and I just forget to eat. Plus I am drinking alot of water etc. Good luck and don't give up on yourself!!!
   — Laura G.

May 9, 2002
Dawn, this sounds so much like me just about a month and half ago. I had my surgery in July last year and have lost 90lbs. I was eating a lot of sugar and grazing all the time. So I started taking some diet pills, to just help with the head hunger. I made myself drink more water, and eat more protein. It really did help. I stopped eating almost all sugar and cut back carbs from bread and pastas. I dont do the Atkins thing, because as a nurse, I know its not healthy to limit carbs that much. It was really hard to get back in the good habits, but I decided that this is the only time in my life that I will have such a great weight loss tool and I cannot fail. Cutting back all the carbs and sugars reset my dumping and now I get sick again when I try to eat sugar. Get some support, e-mail me if you want to. You can do it, have faith. It's hard I know, most of us wouldnt even be on this website if we didnt have a food addiction. So stop putting yourself down, I'm right where you are with the habits and the weight loss. Good luck!!
   — Cory F.

May 9, 2002
I just wanted to thank all of you for your posts. I was expecting to be flamed, but you are all so supportive.I would love to keep in touch. Email me. Thanks again.
   — Dawn H.