Question:
15 months post-op and considering revision

I had surgery on 3/11/02 and my weight loss was slow (in comparison to others at my same starting stats) from the beginning. I am now over 15 months post-op from Open RNY and started at about 273 and am down to 189, where I have been at for about the last 6 months. The majority of my weight I lost during the 1st 2-3 months. My bypass amount was 40cm... I'm not sure where to turn, what to do, the doctor I went to before is retired and the office is no longer on my insurance. So I feel like I'm starting all over again. And I'm not in the weight range to qualify for surgery now... Any advice????    — Jennifer C (posted on June 1, 2003)

June 1, 2003
Hi, I can't even imagine how frustrated you must be at this point! I think your best bet is just like you said..starting over..by starting with a consultation with a surgeon you've researched etc.. and let them inform you of your options. You just might be surprised! Good luck :))))
   — kathleen-Joan piper

June 1, 2003
Hi J! I don't really have an answer for you but I wanted to let you know you are not alone. My surgery was Jan 10 2002 I started at 290 and have been between 195 and 185 since Nov. and I am only 4' 10 3/4 so I am still in the obese range. My surgeon quit due to the high price of malpratice insurance so I saw another doctor recently for a checkup and he did an upper GI and said he thinks I have a large stoma and since I am not gaining any weight insurance won't pay to fix it. He suggested I talk to the dietician. I have started to exercise more and I think that is helping me to loose inches. I hope everything works out for you. I will keep you in my prayers. Best of Luck!
   — POOBEAR

June 1, 2003
I can feel your frustration .. and know what it is like to want to lose the excess weight. Since you dont qualify for surgery due to your current BMI.. I suggest that you find another surgeon, get some tests done to see if your original surgery is intact.. like getting a scope done to see if your pouch is still small, and etc.. Also, find someone reputable that will go along with your needs for a revision surgery.. I had two revisions.. not due to inability to lose weight but due to complications and mechanical failures of my open RNY surgery. I am not at goal weight yet either.. and I am almost 30 months post op.. The only suggestion I can give you is to seek the opinion of other surgeons.. I flew 3000 miles across the country to have the best of the best to repair one of my failures and to restore my life.. Thank goodness for helpful people on this site and others.. Take care.. email me pvtly if you want more info.. Hugs,
   — Gina Landers

June 1, 2003
I know how it feels to not lose after that first 6 months essentially. You did not list your height, but when I entered a 5 ft. 4 inch height on the BMI and Goal Weight tool page on the website, it said that the average weight loss is 65% and you are right at it almost with 84 lbs lost (90 pounds was 65%). While this may not make you feel better, you have lost alot compared to most diets or other methods. I know that many of us wish to get to that magical 130 range, but I just think it isn't possible for many of us due to our genes, our lean body mass, number of years overweight perhaps, and who knows what else? I am at 2 years post-op this month and have stabilized for the past 6 months or so at about 155 from 268. I lost the majority of that (100 lbs.) in the first 7 months like you which means in the past 1 1/2 years I have lost only 13 pounds. I feel your frustration and wish you luck in your search. I am feeling the need to re-commit and really focus on the fundamentals as well and hope to lose some more that way. Best Wishes!
   — Molly S.

June 2, 2003
J, unless you have a mechanical problem with your surgery,I doubt that you will find a surgeon that will revise someone who is at a BMI of 30. You didn't list your height, nor on your profile what you are eating, if you are exercising, drinking water, amount of calories per day, grazing etc, so its difficult for us to help you. I, too, am 15 months post-op and have been at a weight standstill for the past few months. But I know why its not going down any more, and that is because I eat a little more, and enjoy daily sugar and carb treats. If I wanted to move it along again, obviously the first thing to go is the treats and then to cut calories/carbs. So, once you check wit the doc to see if there is a mechanical problem and get that eliminated, go back and check out how many calories you have in a day. Unfortunately, at this stage its a game of calories in = calories out and the amounts are different for all of us. You may be eating more calories then you realize. Then look at your exercise. Can you add a session a week? Alter the exercise routine? Are you drinking 64 oz of water at least? Getting in more protein than carbs? You can e-mail me off line if you'd like.
   — Cindy R.

June 5, 2003
I am right there with you. I too have been stalled, but unlike you I never lost more than an average of 8lbs a month. My best weight loss was the first six weeks out, since that time I have plateaued more times than I can count and have lost a total of 108 lbs. The ironic thing is that I am compliant 95% of the time. The only times I have slipped were when I was suffering from PMS or had a special occasion. I do everything I am supposed to do. I drink my water, I eat sensibly, (no sugar and low carbs,) and not more than 5 small meals a day (like half a chicken breast and veggies.) I also do 3 30g protein shakes per day. So, why haven't I lost like gangbusters? For crying out loud I started out at 313! On a tiny 5' 2" frame that is a lot of weight! I am thinking that I should've been bypassed more, but there is no going back. I have considered that if I stop losing altogether or God forbid start to gain, that I may need a revision as well. And, by the way, revisions are not based on your BMI, they are based on mechanical failure of your original surgery. That could mean an enlarged stoma, dilated pouch or unfavorable weight loss and subsequent regain due to non-compliance or not having enough intestine bypassed. It depends entirely on your insurance. Good luck.
   — Diana M.