Question:
Post Weight Loss Surgery Failures. Is There Any Help At All ?

After years of fighting my weight,a 9yr.addiction to diet pills,never losing,I turned to a weight loss Dr. I lost some lbs.but not enough and the doctor would not believe that I was not eating. I have never had an eating problem!Don't laugh,the doctor's thought the same. I was told the only way I could ever lose weight was to have an intestinal bypass. So in 1974 I had the bypass surgery,3 months later and not much lbs.lost and in alot of pain I had to have more surgery.This time for adhesions and an obstruction of the bowel.Years later after extreme diarrhea, the only thing I lost was all of my essential nutrients!butI gained an inlarged liver. I was very sick! In 1978 I had the bypass corrected and because I haden't lost any weight the doctor suggested that I have a stomach stapping done to prevent gaining more weight. He also added that I would go ahead and lose the weight. NOT!!! After all that, here I sit, after years of fighting and fighting,and trying every thing from Medifast to the new diet pill wonder,Redux, that was the nail in the coffin.I took Redux for 4 months,and because I diden't like how I was feeling I stoped,and of course I never lost a pound! but I did gain!! and it was uncontrollable. I am or was a little person,being only 4ft.11in.tall and weighing 260lbs. I can no longer walk very well or far,I have to sit up to sleep, and I have so many health problems related to all the things I have tried and done.I never leave my home any more,and every day I wonder if this will be the day that I will die. From a 56 year old grandmother of 5 who would love to live!! Oh, and all the doctors I have had now say that I was meant to be FAT. Well tell that to my size 6 feet and my back that can no longer hardly carry me.PLEASE,PLEASE,HELP! Pam    — pam H. (posted on September 8, 2002)

September 8, 2002
I would suggest that you get another surgical opinion and maybe opt to have your surgery revised to a more effective surgery.. I dont believe that any of us are intended to be obese and in pain, either physical or emotional .. Start with your pcp,get letter stating that you need additional surgery to lose the excess weight and then find a surgeon who is willing to do the surgery.. Best of luck to you Hugs
   — Gina Landers

September 8, 2002
Pam, You do not mention if you have ever been to an endocrinologist that can work you up for other metabolic disorders that could be causing some of these problems. Before you proceed with any type of further weight loss endeavors, i would suggest that you make sure the docs figure out WHY you are not losing and continue togain weight.
   — Vicki L.

September 8, 2002
My surgeon does revisions on the unfrtunate folks like you. They do very well! You will need to shop around for the right surgeon.
   — bob-haller

September 9, 2002
There are many reasons for obesity. For most of us, it's relating to overeating and making poor food choices. For folks like us, the gastric bypass operation is a Godsend, because it forces us to eat correctly and punishes us with dumping when we don't. Not everyone is obese because they overeat. There are genetic factors, thyroid disorders, endocrine disorders, etc. that can cause obesity regardless of one's eating habits. For people like this, stomach stapling doesn't necessarily work. It sounds like you have seriously tried every diet and weight control method available, and you just can't get this problem under control. Have you consulted an endocrinologist? Perhaps you are suffering from hyperinsulimia or PCOS, both of which cause weight gain. I definitely think you need to get to the bottom of why you're obese independent of your eating habits. God bless ...
   — Terissa R.