Long term post ops

[vicky]

How are you doing? Are there points of life that surprise you or create struggles for your life related to RNY or significant weight loss?

[elenamurray1]

Hi. I am not an avid poster. I just read a lot. I had gastric bypass 17 years ago. A lot different than the advances that are done now. I weighed 398 when I had it done and was 17 years old. I lost 200 lbs. in a year and a half. I got pregnant at 19 so stalled for a while. Regain over the years of about 20 lbs. up and down. Had another child in 2003 when I was 26. Did very well until about 2005. Since then have been in the hospital 9 times. Two of those times in the last three months. I would have loved to have a revision or reversal but ended up having a gastrectomy in October of 2011. Since 2005 I have had multiple hernia repairs, small bowel obstruction, was septic, and so many bleeding ulcers that it resulted in having my stomach removed. I have had to have my esophogaus dialated twice since november because it closes up. I really am not anti WLS, I really was just not prepared for the complications this late in the game. I live in Louisville, Kentucky and at the time no one even did weight loss surgery and I traveled out of state. In October I lost 40lbs in two weeks from being so sick. Definately not the way to do it. I have had multiple iron transfusions and 4 blood transfusion. I had two in October in the hospital because my remnant stomach was bleeding so much. The only choice I had was to remove my remnant stomach. I have severe vitamin def and have pernicious anemia. I still take a ton of vitamins on top of B-12 injections and iron transfusions. So I did do what I was supposed to as far as that went. I have a wonderful surgeon now though who is very dedicated to helping me.

[elenamurray1]

That said- I would still have had to have a weight loss procedure done. I would have been dead by 25 because of my weight. So while I do have regrets, I do not regret WLS. I just wish I could have done better with follow up.

[vicky]

Elena,

Oh my! What a story! It is good to hear you have a competent medical team now to help get your health on track.

I agree there are many advances to the range of bariatric surgery field in the past twenty years. Just as in every medical need. It is hope for the future of treatments and diagnosis advancements.

In 1961, my mother died of breast cancer. She knew she wasn't well and sought medical help for 18 months. and died within a month of finally being diagnosed. If she went to a competent doctor now, she would have a diagnosis in hours and presented with possibly life saving treatments. Although I lost my mother when I was a toddler, I know her path has made advancements in breast cancer for today.

Be well and best wishes!

Vicky

[sinkim]

Wow Elena! This is a story and I'm sorry you are struggling ...

Finding a good doctor is a big part of your particular journey and I hope he is able to find you a solution that gives you long term health

Kim
x

[elenamurray1]

Hey thanks to all! I really enjoy reading your stories! I honestly feel better today than I have in years. I really feel like my surgeon is extremely competent and takes great care of me. I know that I am on the way to recovery! People have went through way worse! I agree Kim that a good doctor makes a huge difference. Vicky- totally agree about the advancements with medicine. My journey has been difficult but at the same time I would never change it. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people along the way! I feel better everyday!!

[elisa]

Yikes - you've been through so much - so glad you are doing better, Elena.

I am 6 years out. My starting weight was 360 lbs, and I lost 200 lbs in 2 years. I am up 20 lbs from my lowest (which was hard to maintain) and 10 lbs from my happy place.

Overall, I think I am doing pretty good. I have a handle on why I gained 10 lbs, and am working to get it off. Too may carbs, crazy work schedule, and not enough consistent exercise. Working to change all of these factors

Biggest change in my life since surgery - I am now a runner. I find it amusing to say, since I never, ever considered running a possibility. Now, I've been running for 3 1/2 years, and completed 7 half marathons. Every time I go out for a run, I think to myself, "holy shit, I am running!!"

[Justa-Puter-Name]

Hello Vicky,

I'm 9 years postop this month and it's been one hell of a ride. I had a Distal-RNY and started off at 401 lbs with a BMI of 60%. That being said, I was the healthiest large woman I knew. No comorbidities to scream about, my PCP had put me on a mild blood pressure med about 3 months before I started looking into surgery. It's probably that and my excessive BMI that got me approved through TriCare with no issues, thank goodness.

Fast-forward to today, Im still thrilled with my decision. I maintained a 233lb weight loss pretty much effortlessly for 7+ years, then I got cocky and started to drink my calories. My food intake was def'ntly within normal portions to maintain, but when you drink stuff like milk, juice, coffee with lots of creamers, wine, etc with calories. They're the "silent calories" that sneak up on you and turn into pounds. 2 years of silliness and it did, to the tune of 30 lbs.

Happy to say, I stopped the senseless silent calories and Im down 16 lbs as of today, 14 to go.

Never had issues with dumping, rare issues with things getting stuck, but it's because I INHALED the stupid thing instead of chewing it. There isnt a food, sauce, seasoning, etc that I have problems with. The only true side effect that I still notice is that if something is too high in grease/fat content, carbs or sugar it does leave me feeling sleepy. Lasts about 15 minutes then Im my same hyper self all over again.

One thing Im having problems with just recently [last month or so] are my sugar levels keep crashing. Im monitoring it now and it's all over the charts, lows of 60 and even a high of 200. Ooops? My mother is a brittle-diabetic [severe] so if I find myself on insulin down the road, I suspect it's all in the genes, not the WLS.

Hope you're enjoying your last six years of WLS?

Leilani

.

[Justa-Puter-Name]

Sorry, forgot to mention the blood pressure meds Im on is also probably FAMILY gene related and not WLS [although I'm sure obesity accelerated it].

I've lost my grandmother, grandfather, father and brother ALL to heart-related/pressure deaths.

[foxymama]

Sorry that you had so many problems with your wls. I, also, had complications from my surgery. I spent 10 months in hospitals and a nursing home. Within 2 years of my bypass, I had 6 more operations and was told that I would need long term nursing care and be on oxygen for the rest of my life.

[elenamurray1]

Foxymama, I am so sorry you are having to go through all this.

[vicky]

My story is far less difficult with very little health issue due to WLS.

I did have a skin cancer diagnosis at two years post op that created some real issues. I was basal cell, not life threatening, but very invasive. I had surgery to remove the tumors and then began reconstruction to repair. The issues of infection and malabsorption of antibiotics created a real surgical ride for the next two years. Nine surgeries later I am doing great!

The toughest part of the WLS journey for me has been the emotional roller coaster. I was never a normal size teenager or adult. Being there now.................... whew!

And the affinity for red wine. This is my current battle. I am using wine as my coping tool and it is not a good path. I am working to minimize my dependency but it is harder than giving up foods that harm me.

Sigh.

[elenamurray1]

WLS is such an emotional procedure anyway. I really think some people really need good follow-up with a therapist. I know a lot of people do seek this treatment out. I wish I would have a long time ago! I have always viewed myself as way bigger than I am. Still see that girl from so long ago. I have to tell myself all the time- no I am not that size- no I don't wear that size.

[Lena]

I will be 8 years out in May. I must say it's pretty much been smooth sailing for me. One child post-op. I didn't struggle with regain until around year 6. Working hard on getting rid of about 20 now. All in all I think I am one of the lucky ones. My original surgeon moved away and the one I saw for f/u after he left put me on Phentermine because of gaining 10-15lb. Talk about a mind f***. It turned me off from her, and I haven't gone back. I know it sounds stupid but it really did a number on my esteem. I have no desire to go back and see her now.

[~Dani~]

Well I am 3.5 years post op and am currently struggling with a 20 pound regain (due to a divorce and carbs). I thankfully went to a therapist both before my surgery and after. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and a binge eating disorder. I think that if I didn’t have my therapist I would have struggled psychologically with the changes my body was going through. I thankfully have no other medical problems and am currently working very hard to lose my extra weight before plastic surgery.

One of my biggest struggles I have encountered is all the attention I receive from other people. I was always the big and outgoing girl but for some reason since I lost weight I get so much more attention from people. I have a hard time with this, and I know a lot of it has to do with our society but come on….. you couldn’t see a 353lb redhead standing in front of you but now since I lost weight I’m visible?

[So Blessed]

Jan 10, 2012 15:19:33 GMT -5 ~Dani~ said:

One of my biggest struggles I have encountered is all the attention I receive from other people. I was always the big and outgoing girl but for some reason since I lost weight I get so much more attention from people. I have a hard time with this, and I know a lot of it has to do with our society but come on….. you couldn’t see a 353lb redhead standing in front of you but now since I lost weight I’m visible?

Dani, I noticed that too. It's not fair, but that's just how people are. All you can do is be the best person you can be and try not allow it to make you bitter.

I try to greet everybody I meet with eye contact and a smile because I would never want to make anybody feel like I did not acknowledge them as a person with feelings. I do my best to not treat other people that way because I remember how it felt. Whether it's because of their weight, what they're wearing or any other superficial reason, it's all the same.

[hala2215]

Surgery RNY in May 2008. Over 3.5 years. starting at 255, lowest at 145... current app 165. I regained some on purpose and then some... just because.
I am maintaining the 165lbs, size 8-10. At 145 at my height and my age (50) I did not have enough body fat and my BS (blood sugar) was crashing all the time. I was very weak, wrinkled, and depressed. I also got in a menopause. Most likely due to really low cholesterol.
The hormones and me trying to get some energy made me gain the desired 10 lbs and ....another, not so welcome 10 lbs.
The last 10 lbs was most likely due to alcohol, and RH...

Some of the issues I had to deal with was: Hernia, GB removal, another hernia, ulcers, more ulcers.
I dump on too much fat, the wrong fat, and too much sugar, specially in liquid form (as in milk).
I developed really bad RH (reactive hypoglycemia). I react to most starches even complex. I do not need a lot to make my sugar drop. I tolerate some fruits, but I have to make sure I eat them with some fat. (nuts, cheese).

Had issue with iron, and finally got iron infusions. That really helped. I like my wine way too much and if there is any alcohol in the house - I will drink it. I did not have that problem before RNY.
It is a very fine line when I know I have to eat every 2-3 hrs or my BS can drop really low, and trying to maintain the weight.

My RH can be unpredictable. Just because one day something was OK it does not mean that it will be OK the next time.

[Karen M.]

Hi there,

Almost 6 years post-op here, at goal and maintaining. No major unexpected issues at all. Life is good!

[Deleted]

Almost 7 years post-op, no complications. I agree the emotional part has been crazy yet I'd do it again tomorrow if needed.

Did go through a divorce not WLS related but I'm sure my confidence and expressing my feelings (he was an alcoholic) didn't help. I don't really dump (rarely will something bother me), have maintained my weight and don't experience the RH so many are dealing with.

[cbarker]

Jan 6, 2012 17:21:10 GMT -5 elenamurray1 said:

Hi. I am not an avid poster. I just read a lot. I had gastric bypass 17 years ago. A lot different than the advances that are done now. I weighed 398 when I had it done and was 17 years old. I lost 200 lbs. in a year and a half. I got pregnant at 19 so stalled for a while. Regain over the years of about 20 lbs. up and down. Had another child in 2003 when I was 26. Did very well until about 2005. Since then have been in the hospital 9 times. Two of those times in the last three months. I would have loved to have a revision or reversal but ended up having a gastrectomy in October of 2011. Since 2005 I have had multiple hernia repairs, small bowel obstruction, was septic, and so many bleeding ulcers that it resulted in having my stomach removed. I have had to have my esophogaus dialated twice since november because it closes up. I really am not anti WLS, I really was just not prepared for the complications this late in the game. I live in Louisville, Kentucky and at the time no one even did weight loss surgery and I traveled out of state. In October I lost 40lbs in two weeks from being so sick. Definately not the way to do it. I have had multiple iron transfusions and 4 blood transfusion. I had two in October in the hospital because my remnant stomach was bleeding so much. The only choice I had was to remove my remnant stomach. I have severe vitamin def and have pernicious anemia. I still take a ton of vitamins on top of B-12 injections and iron transfusions. So I did do what I was supposed to as far as that went. I have a wonderful surgeon now though who is very dedicated to helping me.

Sorry you are going through this. Here's to a more healthy new year.

[elenamurray1]

Its already so much better! Thank you

[Sharyn, RN]

My name is Sharyn and I am 48 years old. I am the mother of a 12-year old daughter, Emily; the partner to Janet for the last 21+ years; and a nurse. I had my RNY on August 19, 2004 and LIFE IS GOOD!!!


The minute I hit puberty at the age of 12, I became overweight. And my obsession with losing weight began. At the beginning of 6th grade I weighed around 80 pounds and by the end of the school year I weighed around 125 pounds. By the end of junior high I weighed about 140 pounds. I weighed 180 pounds when I graduated from high school. I was overweight throughout junior high and high school despite the fact that I was an athlete, participating in volleyball, basketball, and track. I worked out nearly everyday of the school year for 2-3 hours and every summer we had what we called “2 a days” where we worked out and practiced our sport. I tried every diet imaginable, to no avail.


After high school (and the end of my athletic career due to a knee injury) my weight continued to increase. In college I weighed over 200 pounds. I joined a gym. I ran. I dieted. I continued to gain weight. I began to drink heavily. I gained even more weight. My first relationship ended very bitterly and I lost a lot of weight. Who can eat with a broken heart? Then I got sober and met someone else. I got happy (for a while) and gained it all back, plus more. Then that relationship ended.


I was single for a whopping 6 months before Janet and I began dating. I was 26 years old and I weighed 210 pounds and she weighed 190 pounds. We fell in love. And ate. And dieted. And gained weight. And lost weight, only to regain it all back, plus more.


After we had been together for about 6 years we decided it was time to start a family. I knew by this time that I had PCOS and that I would need to lose some weight if I was to get pregnant. Janet and I both weighed over 250 pounds by this time. She and I both went to NutriSystem and began to work out with a personal trainer. I lost about 50 pounds and Janet lost about 30 pounds. We went to the gym everyday for 2-3 hours at a time. I was running 3 miles a day and I could not get below 200 pounds. I tried to get pregnant for 3 years, but despite all the fertility drugs that I was on, I could not even ovulate, much less get pregnant. I wanted a baby so badly and I couldn’t even lose enough weight in order to get pregnant. My doctor wanted me to start the injectable fertility drugs (you know, the stuff that makes women have a litter of babies?). In order to take those drugs, I had to be off the fertility drugs I had been taking for at least 6 months. Janet suggested that she try to get pregnant while we were waiting the 6 months. Well, that girl is fertile Myrtle. She got pregnant on her second attempt.

Janet got very sick during the beginning of her 7th month of pregnancy with pre-eclampsia. Women who are overweight are at a greater risk for this deadly condition. She ended up delivering Emily 6 weeks early. Emily was in the NICU for the first 16 days of her life and then she got to come home with us!! We couldn’t believe that they let us keep her!! She was so tiny and beautiful. We were now a family!!


As soon as Emily’s doctors cleared her to go to the nursery in the gym, Janet and I resumed our gym rat ways. But Emily kept getting sick and she would have to stay away from the gym nursery until she was well. Then she would get sick again. Finally, we just gave up on the gym and working out. It wasn’t worth our little girl getting sick to go to the gym. And soon, all that weight, plus some more, was back on our tired, FAT butts.


I began to research WLS, specifically the gastric bypass. I learned everything I could about it and approached Janet about it. I already knew that my insurance covered WLS. But Janet was dead-set against it. She wouldn’t even consider it for herself and she didn’t want me to have it, either. But I was bound and determined that I was going to do it.


Then Janet started to get really bad chest pains. She went to our PCP, who did an EKG. It was abnormal and she sent Janet to a cardiologist. He ran tons of tests, including an angiogram. He found nothing wrong with Janet’s heart, but predicted that she would be dead in 5 years if she didn’t lose weight. That scared the crap out of her (and me!!).


In May of 2003 I got on the internet and found a WL surgeon in San Antonio (no one was doing the surgery in Austin at that time) and signed up for a seminar in September. In July I called them to tell them that I was moving and that is when I found that my seminar appointment was for September of 2006!!! THREE YEARS AWAY!!! I could not believe that the wait was that long. I was in tears.


In December of 2003, I read an article in the Austin AmericanStatesman about a woman who had had gastric bypass in Austin with Dr. Stephen Fass. He and some colleagues had recently opened up a bariatric practice in Austin. Woohoo!! I called right away and signed up for a seminar in February of 2004. I asked Janet to go with me for moral support and she agreed.


We attended the seminar together and found it very informative and straightforward. The doctors didn’t gloss over the risks of the surgery and I liked that. For me, it was mostly a review, but for Janet, it was an eye opener. She decided that she wanted to have WLS. She was interested in the LapBand. Woohoo!!!


As we were leaving the seminar, we picked up our packets and filled them out as soon as we got home. We faxed them to the office the next day. Two days later, someone from Southwest Bariatrics called to schedule our consultations. We were on our way. Janet went first because she had Medicare for insurance and there was no pre-approval process at that time and a Center of Excellence certification was not required. I learned, much to my dismay, that they did not accept my insurance (but they were in contract negotiations - yeah!!).


Janet had her initial consultation with Dr. Faulkenberry. At this time, he told her that he would not do the LapBand on her because of her Lupus. He felt that there was a very slight possibility that, since Lupus is an autoimmune disease, her body might reject the band. And besides, Medicare would probably only pay for the gastric bypass, as they still considered the LapBand experimental at that time. She then had her sleep study, EKG, blood work, and psych evaluation completed and her surgery was scheduled for June 16, 2004. When she went in for her final pre-surgery appointment in May, we learned that they had just signed a contract with my insurance carrier. I scheduled all my pre-certification appointments on the spot!! I was approved within 2 weeks and my surgery was scheduled for August 19, 2004. WOW!!!


Janet’s pre-surgery weight was 285 pounds. She wore a size XXXL shirt and a size 50 waist pants. She had obstructive sleep apnea so bad that she could not drive for fear that she would fall asleep behind the wheel. She had hypertension, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and GERD. She slept with a CPAP machine and took about 10 different prescription medications every morning and night.


My pre-surgery weight was 265 pounds. I wore a size 28 in tops and a 26 in pants. I had a mild case of obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, pre-diabetes (is there such a thing?), GERD, PCOS, and chronic knee and back pain. I had recently had knee surgery and back surgery for a herniated disc. Both were due to my weight. I, too, took about 10 different prescription medications every morning and night.


We both had our WLS and life has not been the same. Janet’s surgery went off without a hitch. But on the second day after her surgery, she began to have bloody, smelly diarrhea. She had developed a leak in the staple line. They discontinued the heparin shots and she got to stay in the hospital an extra day. It turned out to be a very minor complication with an easy fix. She came home from the hospital and had one of the fastest surgery recoveries I have ever seen.


By the time I had my surgery in August, Janet was completely healed and had lost 50 pounds!! I had zero complications and Dr. Faulkenberry said I was doing so well that he let me go home a day early. When I got home from the hospital I took my last dose of pain medication. I felt so great that I didn’t need it anymore.





Literally, the weight just flew off. Every morning when I got on the scales, there would be 1,2,3, even 5 pounds GONE. Janet was the same way. We were melting before our very eyes. It was the most amazing thing that I have ever experienced. I think that it was the most exciting time of my entire life, except for Emily's birth. I never experienced any of the stalls that I hear about. Neither did Janet. I don’t know why, because we certainly weren’t perfect in following all the rules. And I didn’t exercise nearly enough.


During the first few months, I threw up three times. I dumped a handful of times. But, for the most part, I tolerated nearly all foods. Even very small amounts of sugar. Janet NEVER threw up and she, too, only dumped a few times and tolerated most foods.


It took us each about 13 months to reach our goal weight. Janet lost a total of 135 pounds and her lowest weight was about 150 pounds. I lost 125 pounds and got down to 140 pounds. Neither one of us take ANY of the prescription medications we took prior to WLS. All of those co-morbidities have been resolved – the hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD. Even my PCOS!!


We chose to have WLS for our daughter, Emily. We had worked so very hard to get her and we were afraid that we wouldn’t live to see her grow up. I know that there are no guarantees in life, but we feel that we have greatly increased our chances of living to see her grow up and become all the things that we hope for her.


After I reached my goal, I was immediately fearful of gaining all my weight back. After all, I had never before reached a weight loss goal, much less been able to maintain it. So I began doing more research on the internet about gastric bypass. That’s how I found the OH website. I have been hooked since my first trip here. I have learned (and relearned) so many things, like fitday.com, “Pouch rules for Dummies,” how many grams of protein I need, and the difference between calcium carbonate and citrate.

Fast forward to today: We both dumped bad in the beginning. Now, not so much. At about the 2 year mark, I began having moderate reactive hypoglycemia. My blood sugar has been as low as 36, that I am aware of. It was so bad that my lip were numb. Now, at 7+ years post-op, I don't have RH so bad anymore, but it is very unpredictable, whereas, it used to only occur with fats and sugars. Now, anything can set it off. But, it might only happen once or twice a week, instead of the daily occurance it used to be.

Both of us experienced about 20 pounds in regain. Janet was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, rather than Lupus. Her inability to exercise and late night snacking contributed to the regain. She has since lost 10 pounds. I have decided that I WILL lose this 20 pounds this year. I will NOT fail at this.


XOXOXO,

Sharyn, RN
The Dyke Princess


Lap RNY 8-19-2004

265/162/150

Ain’t life grand!!

[So Blessed]

Jan 6, 2012 14:18:49 GMT -5 vicky said:

How are you doing? Are there points of life that surprise you or create struggles for your life related to RNY or significant weight loss?

I think the biggest challenge for me was marrying a man with children and adjusting to having an instant family in the house. Eating was pretty much a no-brainer when I was single and there was no one else to consider when shopping and preparing meals.

I have to make sure that my meals are a priority - I get fed first.