Question:
Is it possible to jumpstart weightloss without a revision?

I had open gastric bypass in Aug. 98. At the time, I was 22 and was 450 lbs. I took some time off from college to recuperate from surgery. Went back to college in Jan 99 and was down 100lbs. Instead of my friends being happy for my weight loss, they told me that they could tell I had lost a little bit of weight!! Hearing this, I retreated back to my old eating habits. I ended up being one of the few people who can tolerate sugar. I have now gained back 25lbs. and I've been at 375lbs. ever since. At this point, its been almost 5yrs since my surgery, I'm now 26, and the health insurance which paid for my surgery, has now ran out. I honestly feel that the pouch is still intact, because I still can't overeat at one sitting, but I know it is overstretched. Finally my question is: is it possible to reshrink the pouch (without a revision) in order to jumpstart the weight loss again? I've read a couple of stories of people who had totally regained all of their weight back and they went back to the post-op liquid diet to help reshrink the pouch and jumpstart the process again. So, is it possible to do this by going back on the full liquid diet? And if so, what items or meal plan would you all recommend that is low-fat and low-sugar? Am at a desperate point right now! Can't qualify for any health insurance or get a decent job! Now that I'm older, am ready to follow the preciples that are required to make the surgery successful. Any advice or info from post-ops four yrs. or more or doctors would be greatly appreciated.    — Marney D. (posted on January 21, 2003)

January 22, 2003
Hi, its my understanding that if you go back on a liquid diet x 1 week it would reshrink your pouch. The reccommended diet is water, water, and protien drinks. Pro-Complex has 55 grams of protien per shake [drink at least 2 daily]. Chicken broth, jello, ice pops are also good. My question to you is if you can't overeat at mealtimes, what caused you to regain the weight ? Grazing ? Also, if you absolutely cannot go without eating, try the Atkins diet. Its all about low carb eating. Look it up on the internet Atkins.com. And finally , piss on the people who have not given you the credit your due on your weight loss. I know what a version of hell it is. I am a year post-op as of this month, and I am about 40 lbs from goal. E-mail me back anytime.... Take care, and remember that we are here, to care, help each other, and totally support you...Sherry Sanchez-Schmidt
   — Sherry S.

May 10, 2004
I accidentally found out I could shrink my pouch again when I went on a gallbladder/liver cleanse diet. Four days of only water/apple juice. I wasn't doing it to lose weight just to get healthy. The main reason why I'm posting is to warn you to start slowly back into regular foods. I ate some fish two days afterwards and barfed it up. I had to stay on babyfood for a while to work back up. Very Best Wishes to you in your success. :)
   — Carmen K.