Question:
I have never lost all the weight I should have from my bypass and have gain 15#,

does this mean I should have my stapline line xrayed and I can eat more. Would their have been any pain associated with a disruption? Do I go back to the surgeon or to my Primary? Can anyone help that has gone through something like this? My bypass was 8/01    — taryncarrol (posted on September 23, 2004)

September 23, 2004
What procedure did you have? If it was a RNY, was your stomach transected? Looking at the date of surgery you may have not been transected. You can have a barium swallow x-ray done to tell if your staple line has opened. Staple line disprution can occur with SRVG or a nontransected RNY. Keep track of what and how much you are eating. Your PCP could order the x-ray then go to the surgeon if there is a SLD.
   — dianne E.

September 23, 2004
I know your doc does not transect, so yes, SLD is certainly possible. I prefer a scope myself, but some do the upper GI swallow. I had SLD at 5.5 yrs out and was revised. I am not far from you and had docs Fox & Oh. I am very pleased with my result
   — vitalady

September 23, 2004
From what I understand, you have lost over 200 lbs and most doctors would consider your surgery a success. Of course there are people that have gotten right down to the "perfect" BMI for their height, but most who started out so large don't. As you said in your journal, focus on how much your life has improved so far. If you can eat a crazy amount of food.. first off find if the mechanics are still in place.. and then find out WHY you are eatin that way. A lifestyle change should certainly be in place at this point. A revision won't help you if you continue to eat around it. Take care and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
   — SarahC

September 23, 2004
wow! You've done an awesome job. I guess I dont understand what the problem is you started out much heavier than me and now you're about 40 lbs LESS than me. I am so proud of you! There are no guarantees that you will reach the RIGHT weight many do but I am still a long ways off. I am 5'10" and the surgeon told me to get down to 149 lbs, I just want to see 199 lbs someday. Be proud of what you've done---if you are having some problems see your surgeon but I have a feeling its just like the rest of us. The honeymoon is over now we have to buckle down and exercise, eat right and work at losing the extra pounds --Take care and be proud!
   — debmi

September 24, 2004
Taryn, since you are not transected, then yes, you should ask to have your mechanics checked. However, even before you do that, take an honest assessment of your diet. As time goes by, we all can eat more. How much more differs with how far out we are, the consistency of what we are eating, whether you are drinking with meals etc. If you have slacked off the exercise, the water, and have let too many calories in than that would explain the 15 pounds. If you have kept up the exercise and are eating healthy meals and a reasonable amount of calories, then it may be mechanical. And BTW, congrats on losing 200 pounds...good job.
   — Cindy R.

September 24, 2004
I agree with Cathy. First, who said you didn't lose all the weight that you should have. This surgery is job a tool. A DIET TOOL. Let us not forget this word. You have a window of about 8 months to one year to lose the bulk of your weight, however, your body will adjust to your eating and this is when you have to work really hard at losing weight that just won't come off. As you lose you have to increase your exercise because you are no longer caring the heavy load it use to. You need to see if some old eating habits have come back. Just so you know... your stomach can go back to its normal size if we graze all day. So... start writing down what what, when and where are you eating. How much exercise are you getting?
   — Linda R.