Question:
Does it sound like I need a revision?

I am 17 months post-op. I started at 385 (I'm 5'8") and lost 100 lbs. in the 1st 6 months. I took 3 more months to lose another 15. I have not lost since. I ended up with a HUGE hernia from my RNY and had it repaired in July. Because of the hernia, the doctor said no more gym workouts till it was fixed and so I got away from exercise all together. From the beginning I have been able to eat more than anyone else I knew that had had the RNY done. I didn't come close to the old days but I feel like I was getting off too easy. I had occasional dumping from too much sugar at first, and had things get stuck sometimes but that was it. I have been able to eat like a "normal" person for over 8 months now. I still don't come close to the old days but I can eat a lot! Like 3 slices of pizza or a whole pork chop with veggies and bread...and let's not talk about fast food. I have fallen back into old habits of stress eating but I can't seem to help it. Now I'm gaining again...only about 10 lbs. but it's so frustrating that it seems like the surgery just stopped working after only 6 months. According to my surgeon I have another 100 to lose but I'd be happy at about 225 which is only about 60 or so lbs. away. But it seems impossible. I have started dumping again from too much sugar...which has really made me conscious of eating sweets too often. Helps keep me more honest. But when I eat I feel like a bottomless pit and it takes a lot of food for me to feel full! How did I manage to screw up the last ditch effort to finally lose this weight??? I feel like such a failure!! Should I look into getting a revision? Would my insurance pay for it? I have CareFirst Blue Choice (BC/BS) now.    — kahlualoverinva2 (posted on November 22, 2002)

November 22, 2002
Sounds like you may have a staple line disruption if you can eat that much. I'm 13 months out and there is NO WAY I can eat that much. I would go back to your surgeon and ask his advice and maybe get scoped to see if there is a SLD or if your pouch has stretched. If there isn't one, then its up to you to change your habits. Maybe counseling to see what is at the root of the stress eating? Good luck.
   — Kris T.

November 22, 2002
Shannon, now that your hernia is fixed, any reason why you cannot get back to the gym? I find that if I am consistent with the water, and the exercise and the protein, the weight continues to come off-though pretty slowly now. Do you know if you are transected? If so, then it is not a staple line disruption. As far as eating so much, have you noticed whether you eat to get full or just satisfied? One thing I do is eat just enough to get satisfied-not full. Then I eat whenever I feel the slightest hungry- if I choose something before I get HUNGRY, i can make better choices. I probably eat every 2 hours- 1/2 an apple, 1/2 a meat sandwich on wheat bread, small cup of bean soup, handful of nuts, small salad, hard boiled egg, etc, etc...I find that if I continue to eat this way, I make better choices and I am never really hungry.Instead of 3 slices of pizza, try 1. For fast food, which I do go to too, try the grilled chicken sandwiches and remove 1/2 the bun. Hope some of these suggestions help.
   — Cindy R.

November 22, 2002
Please check for mechanical failure. A staple line disruption or stretched stoma can change EVERYTHING! You could eat PER-FECT-LY and still gain if your tool is broken.
   — vitalady