No Weight Loss After Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Question Below Submitted By:  

Linda Daniels (a patient from Indianapolis, IN, USA)

I received Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery and did not lose weight. My doctor ordered an upper GI and determined that my anastomosis was too large and the food was traveling through my body as if I had never had the surgery.

Subsequently, I received gastric bypass revision surgery. I am now four months out and have lost no weight.

My surgeon has said he will consider an additional revision after I am 6 months out. I am on Atkins again to minimize any more weight gain.

I am so disappointed and willing to have the additional surgery. I have co-morbidities and want to alleviate some of the problems associated with them.

Submitted 9/20/2010

Advertisement
01.

Expert Responses to the Question Above

No weight loss/weight regain after GBP

by: Anonymous

Dear Linda,

It must be really be disappointing to not lose weight after you have had weight loss surgery.

I do hope that after your revision your anastomosis is smaller and you are able to have greater satiety! As you well know that surgery alone will not take the weight off or keep it off. Weight loss surgery unfortunately is not a "wash and wear" tool, the patient must make the effort to change behavior/lifestyle to achieve health and quality of life.

The surgeon only operates on the stomach and not the head.

Whatever behaviors led to the obesity will persist and thats what needs to change. There are some specific behaviors that will help with the weight loss: Exercise (do something you enjoy) and make that a habit.

This doesn't mean you have to go to the gym but that would help.

Focus on EATING protein at every meal, drink ample fluids (water) in between meals, eliminate the junk food/fast food and alcohol, no snacking, keep a food diary, and join a support group (and consider joining our free online support group [click here] - we'd love to have you!).

Best of health,
Nadia Barhoumeh-Lee, RN

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the details provided. The above should never replace the advice of your local physicians as they have the ability to evaluate you in person.

02.

Patient Responses to the Question Above

I'm so glad it's not just me

by: Anonymous

I had duodenal switch 3 years ago and couldn't eat at all for the first 2 months, finally diagnosed with a stomach ulcer.

During my period of not eating I was lucky if I lost 500 grams a week, some weeks nothing. I fought tooth and nail to lose 60 lbs but haven't lost anything in the last 2 years despite cottage cheese for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch and chicken and veg for dinner plus 2 hours of exercise every day.

I have PCOS, still have diabetes despite my type of WLS supposedly being the best to cure diabetes.

I'm embarrassed to see the people who know about my surgery as their eyes immediately fall on my stomach and I see the judgement in their eyes.

I'm still 60 lbs overweight and believe I always will be, I feel really angry about that.

Bodies change physiologically after weight loss.

by: Anonymous

For everyone here that cannot lose weight (or enough weight) with WLS, I read a really interesting article and wanted to share what I learned.Research is now finding that once weight goes down, our bodies change physically to MAKE US REGAIN.

Hormones change (ghrelin, leptin, Peptides etc) and brain structures change.

In the brain, the pleasure center gets bigger and the willpower center shrinks.

The end result they found is this: every time you diet, your body metabolism changes so that it takes FEWER calories to remain the new lower weight for you than it does for someone that was that same weight their whole life. Your own body fights your weight loss by changing so that you regain and can't lose.

It changes so that to keep the weight off, you have to eat 400-600 FEWER calories than a normal person would at that weight you got down to.This means with every diet, you make it harder for yourself to lose and harder to keep it off. That includes weight loss surgery because it is a diet that restricts calories.Research is now saying that people who were put on calorie restricted diets as children will always have slower metabolisms and weight problems because their bodies are permanently changed to have slower metabolisms.

No weight loss after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

by: Regretful

I am happy I found this page, good to know I am not the only one.

I just had surgery 2 and a half weeks ago and have only lost 2 pounds.My surgeon say not to worry it will come. I don't see how since I am not eating much and not losing either.

I don't feel any restriction, I can drink as much as I want, no problem and now that I am in the pureed stage, I notice I can eat a lot if I let my self however I eat the recommended 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

I think there is a problem but all everyone keeps saying is you have to follow the plan, well I am following the plan. I also work out 5 days a week, walking and strength training.Best of luck to everyone.I started this journey at 250 lbs. Date of surgery i was 222 lbs, 2 and a half weeks after surgery 220 lbs. I lost more prior to surgery.Did I really do this to my body for nothing? NO, that was not the plan! I try really hard not to regret the decisions I make because I'm a planner so I do ample research on everything. This is the worst decision I have made in a long time and the first regret I had in many many years.

G n Y

by: Anonymous

I had a RNY gastric bypass on September 17 2014, and although I hate to admit it, I have not really followed any of the rules from day one. However, it did't stop me from losing weight. I went from 255 to 124 in a year and although I have had minor complications, the weight is still coming off.

I'm actually to the point where I wish I could gain a few pounds. So even if you are cheating there should be some weight loss. Not everybody is the same. I would consult your Dr if the weight loss stops suddenly, or doesn't start at all.

Weights loss slower after surgery

by: Anonymous

Had RNY bypass surgery six weeks ago. I had lost 70 lbs prior to surgery. Now in six weeks post op, I've only lost 13 lbs. I am following instructions religiously with diet and exercise, fluid intake, protein intake and vitamins. Very discouraged.

Few questions

by: Ag

I'm 6' had the RnY in Aug 2015. After I became very ill: throwing up severe pain in my left side, etc. Spent three weeks in the hospital with no real diagnosis other than I must have been very sensitive to surgery. Eight weeks out I can eat little bits of just about everything and I mean little bits. I've gone from 268 to 225 and have remained there for about two weeks. I can't find a lot of protein to eat. I try peanut butter crackers and also feel if I don't drink a little with the food it doesn't go down.

Any suggestions? I only want to loose about 30 lbs more..

I too thought it was only me!!!

by: Anonymous

I had surgery in 2000 and I followed everything to the letter.

I gained the weight I needed to lose over the past 3-4 years prior (150 pounds) and still don't understand how that happened.

But I had the surgery, followed every direction that was given to me, I ate right, exercised everything.

I lost the initial 50 pound or so then everything stopped and now I have gained about 20 pounds back.

I can spend 12 hours a week at the gym working out, work full time and eat nothing and I am still not able to lose weight.

I am going crazy.

I wish I would never have had this done maybe I could at least lose weight then.

It's like because I had this done I can't lose any weight! HELP!!!

Interesting RNY Stories

by: Anonymous

Today is 9/21/2014.

I had my surgery on 11/19/2014.

At the time my weight was 237lbs.

By 4/13/2015 my weight was 178lbs.

The day before I went on a 23 mile bike ride and felt great.

From 9/2014-4/2015 I was getting sick from everything that I ate.

I even got sick when I ate green beans smashed up.

What the heck??!! On 4/13/2015 I woke up from a dead sleep in excruciating pain and was rushed to the hospital.

They immediately began running tests on me as soon as I told them that I had RNY in November.

What they discovered is that there was a perforation in my stomach.

I was rushed to surgery and ended up in the hospital for over a week in ICU with tubes down my nose and in my stomach draining my intestines.

5 days into my stay they weighed me and I had gained over 20 lbs of fluid.

That quickly went away along with another 15 lbs a week later.

Since April 2015, I've lost even more weight and I'm now down to 138 lbs.

Since the perforation surgery, I haven't vomited once and I"m able to tolerate just about anything except for alcohol and pasta.

I stay away from it. I'm not even a year into my surgery and I already fear gaining weight back.

I'm 5'6" tall and I wear a size 4 and sometimes a size 2.

I wasn't even this small when I was in high school, so if I did gain 10 lbs, I don't think I would be too upset.

I'm not trying to gloat or brag about my weight loss.

But, I do know that if I was having issues, my doctor's team would be there to help and not ignore me.

If you're not losing weight, I'm thinking it's time to consult with another surgeon or two to find out what's happening.

It seems to me that the doctor isn't doing enough to assist you.

You are not alone

by: Anonymous

First off I haven been morbidly obese my entire life.

I have had weight losses to extremes of 100 lbs or more.

I was on optifast for 10.5 months and lost 176 lbs.

Went from 289 down to 113, then was being treated for anorexia (which I was not).

I started gaining 10 lbs a night and I wasn't eating anything, went to a nutritionist who said I was malnourished and put me on all kinds of stomach, digestive enzymes and a high protein supplement.

I also developed numerous foods allergies from being off food with optifast and those allergies I still have today.

I was a mess from that program.

I then gained weight upto 476 lbs, my highest ever.

I started the Richard Simmons program and lost 246 lbs in about two years but got stuck at 230 lbs.

No matter how much I didn't eat and not matter how much I exercised I could not make the scale move.

Eventually, I started slacking off and gain back up to 365.

That is when I decided to have the RNY surgery done.

I had the surgery in 2/2004.

My weight loss was extremely slow.

I lost 100 lbs not in 6 months but in 1 year.

I lost a little bit more and that was it.

Again, no matter what I did I could not get the scale to move.

I again gained weight over the years back up to 345.

I started following weight watchers point system and lost 60 in a year.

I charted all me meals and wt. every week.

Then that wt. loss stopped too because I loosened the so called reigns.

I have now in the past 5 months probably gained most of that back.

I'm not eating all that badly, I'm just not eating 3 healthy meals a day.

I'm so.....tired of working so hard at this and not getting the rewards.

I walk away from food that everyone else is eating and I make wise choices.

Thank goodness I have a husband that witness what I do and don't, incase some one didn't believe me.

I'm not a sedentary person either.

I'm thinking of trying one more time on my own to loose with the having some kind of revision done in the next two years.

I don't regret having the surgery at all, it definitely has helped in the more massive gains but still I expected and wanted a lot more out of it.

Best thing I ever did

by: Anonymous

I had RNY 7-8-14 and have lost 155 pounds. I have 37 more pounds to lose. I am a rule follower and I believe that this has added to my success. I am a stickler about portions,I eat 2-3 ounces per meal, no snacks , eating slowly, takes 20 minutes to eat, and NEVER drink while eating.I log ALL of my food so I keep myself accountable. I walk 3 miles everyday , I swim once a week, yoga once a week and bike once a week.

Its difficult and the pouch is not a cure but a tool and you must take advantage and use your tool correctly.

Keep pushing yourselves. But remember you have to make big life changes the surgery wont work unless you change.

staying positive

by: Anonymous

I had RYG March 6, 2015 & have lost 68 lbs.

carb or fat blocker

by: Anonymous

Try a natural carb or fat bloker after the initial six week period. Maybe you just need to reduce your calories a little more. Make sure to get protein and exercise when cleared by your doc. If this doesnt work, wait for science to come up with another remedy. Dont worry, other solutions will come up. Just hang in there!

Still working at it

by: teacher

I had the RNY 12 years ago. I was 285 lbs and 5' tall. I lost 40 lbs in 6 mos and then nothing. After a year, once I was healed ( I was cut from breast to bellybutton), I got moving - gym & walking. At the gym, my goal was to build some muscle to help burn the fat. Not weight-lifting! Just strengthening. It took me 5 years but I lost another 75 lbs. Not an ideal weight for sure, 170.

Have stayed there for ages. am now having difficulty with not getting enough protein - brittle nails, loosing hair and eyelashes, & feeling tired. need to go back on protein shakes and have no idea what to take anymore. My surgeon retired several years ago. Any ideas? I am 61 and would like to lose another 50 lbs.

Me too!

by: Mikki

I had Gastric Bypass in 2007, I lost a lot of weight but gained it back in 2 years. In 2009 I had a revision gastric bypass because, in the words of my doctor, "I don't know why we left your stomach so large at surgery, but we must have had a goo reason at the time." Help!

gained it all back

by: Mikki

I had Gastric Bypass in 2007 at 42 years old. Never had a problem with alcohol until after surgery and gained all the weight back within 2 years. I know it feels hopeless to me, but I am sure someone out there has experienced this problem. Please contact me if you were successful. I cry now because I lost my husband from my alcohol.

sleeve and gastric patient

by: Stressed

I had the gastric sleeve in 2012, lost over 160 lbs. Within the last year, I gained approx 50 lbs back due to unhealthy eating habits and drinking high caloric alcohol. 4 weeks ago I had my sleeve converted to a full RNY - I have lost only 10 lbs! That is it.

With the sleeve the weight fell off extremely fast and I was expecting the same result with the RNY. I just called my drs office and was told that my weight loss would be slower this round as I am not 400 lbs like I was originally when I had the sleeve.

I am just still so puzzled that I am only intaking around 600-800 calories a day and the weight is at a stand still. #frustrated

Lots of weigh gain 20 months out from gb

by: Melissa

Around 22 months out from surgery. Never came close to a heathy bmi. Diabetes, gastroparesis, neuropathy, hb. Now I'm almost at 200 at 5'4. I'm one that has ALWAYS done what my doctor told me. He passed away last year in Dallas. Having trouble with constipation, some pain. Lots of vaginal bleeding for weeks with severe clots. Periods been off awhile. I have seen some blood in stool. Bloated. No energy. Checked iron it's good. I take all my vitamins as instructed and then some. Always have. Something isn't right.

Had a car wreck last April caused by a young girl texting and driving. The mri's, ct, us, and Transvag all couldn't locate my right ovary. Did show a small amount of free fluid in the pelvis. Contrast seen in the distal and right colon. Always say there's tons of fecal matter and gas. A 6x5 mm hypoechoic subdermal density in epigastric region. One report said something about a possible para-aortic lymph node. There were unsuccessful with a lot of testing do to habitus and bowel gas. I know I do NOT feel good.

It's all I can do is make it through the day. I need help!!! Something isn't right.

not much weight loss either

by: Anonymous

I had surgery 2 years ago now...lost 45lbs that's all, still at 225....eat properly...stick strictly to the plan...nothing...if I don't completely cut out carbs I gain. I am exasperated. I can still only eat a saucer of food at a meal.

They have assured me the pouch is fine. I was not looking for a miracle just to get under 200lbs. I am losing hope now and very depressed about it. I feel for all of you in my position. The same doctor did other people I know and had excellent results...is it because I said I would be happy to be 175 lbs, not 125?

Why can't I loose

by: Anonymous

I was so glad to read about others who also have not lost weight after surgery. I lost 57lbs before the surgery (about half my weight, but had the surgery for my diabetes - the surgery has helped that aspect) and now I eat less and still exercise the same and haven't lost more than 15 lbs. (which came off in the first few weeks after surgery)in the last 6 months.

My surgeon said he was "baffled" as to why I haven't been able to loose weight. I am frustrated, depressed and feeling like what does it matter. I don't understand how if it was working before the surgery why it isn't working after and I had a bypass which should make it easier.

I am also always hungry. I feel full for about 10 minutes and then the hunger starts again. FRUSTRATION! I sympathize with everyone who is feeling this way!

Weight loss just...stopped at 280

by: Anonymous

Had roux&y in 98.Lost weight fats.From 440 lbs to 280 in less than two years! I was so happy! Became a piscatarian{fish and veggies only{ never drank alcohol,etc.Never lost a single pound since.The doc who did my R&Y in 98 has retired and the replacement doc wont even discuss it w.me! He say s I should be able to do it on my own.Hell,if I could have done it on my own.I wouldnt have gotten to 440's in my mid 30's..280 is a LOT of weight to carry on a 55 yr old skeleton,especially one w.severe scoliosis.

Any docs out here willing to take a chance?If I could lose another 50 or 75?i would never ask anyone in the universe for anything again...Please? Any ideas? Im in Maine,but am willing to travel just about anywhere...Thanks!

weight regain- it sucks but normal

by: Shelley

Sheree and Red - Unfortunately, being more than 3 years post-RNY, makes us vulnerable to weight regain. I also have PCOS, and the aldactone is a diuretic and helps with the hair growth we get with the PCOS.

I have regained 30 lbs and I hate it too, but I realize that I am cursed with a body that craves carbs and hates exercise...LOL.

I just have to be careful with sugars and need to exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 mins.

Building muscle mass will help burn fat, so thats what my plan is.

Cardio and weights will help most in the long run - plus eating higher protein and lower carbs.

Its hard because I too crave sugars, but its our personal responsibility now.

Sheree - no, we cannot have the sleeve now, so its not worth asking.

We just have to get our self together and work at it.

We still have the portion control TOOL of the RNY and we have to put it to good use.

Make good food choices and exercise.

ITs hard to me, and hard for all of us, but we cannot let this TOOL we were given go to waste.

I work closely with a bariatric program and am a medical librarian so I now ALOT about this.

frustating!!

by: Red

i was told straight up that it's normal to gain weight. I went from a nice 142 to 168!! I had been stable at that weight for over a year so I figured I could buy some nicer clothes and I had finally was ok with my weight. I have body dystrophin which means what I saw in the mirror was not actually what I was. I thought I was still fat. I had Dr's warn me I was getting too skinny. One day much to my horror I had the harshest hot flash, I thought I was sick. Nope. It's too dangerous to do HRT therapy nor did it appeal to me.

I have PCOS, really very common in women who are heavier. It doesn't go away with weight loss.

Anyone who has difficulties with weight loss should be tested, especially if you have heavy periods and/or cramps. I take aldactone which helps with progesterone. Surprisingly it helps with Per-menopause! I still can't lose the weight and going back to Overeaters Anonymous because I crave sugar like some crave crack, even if I don't have any.

The surgery doesn't cure that. My Dr basically said that the weight was fine and don't expect to drop to that weight unless I want to workout like Madonnas and tied to a treadmill. The Aldactone helps with meno symptoms and the hot flashes usually only happy around my impending period. I get really tired and my memory is shot. My Dr did some blood work done and I was anaemic as well I was low on vitamin D and B12. She's really thorough and told me the natural HRT regime doesn't really work and soy is pretty bad for you. My advice is get some more blood tests done, and add Calcium Citrate to your diet, not Carbonate. The only thing that was positive (especially for my husband) I have my curves back and I went from a 34B to a 36C! I actually feel sturdier and it doesn't hurt to sit as much. The glass is half full or half empty, it's really tough to adjust regardless! Hugs to all struggling!

Weight loss just stopped

by: Sheree

I had the Roux en Y surgery in Sept 2010, I was over 220 and lost about 50 pounds within about 6 months.

I had stopped my hormone medication just before surgery but I couldn't take the hot flashes anymore so I started using the "patch". I couldn't take any pills and believe me I tried all the holistic and over the counter remedies with no results.

Anyway the day I started taking the medication I never lost one more pound and slowly I started gaining again.

Eating the same or even less the weight loss just stopped.

I am on the lowest dose I can be on right now (pill form) but I now have gained close to 30 pounds back and I am just miserable and feel like such a failure. I know insurance won't cover another surgery but my question is... After you have the Roux en Y surgery can you get the sleeve surgery? The Sleeve is a lot more drastic but I HATE being overweight.

Or should I just accept myself as fat and get on with my life? Sorry that is so very depressing.

Its not the surgery that fails you. its you that fails the surgery

by: Shelley

Vernita - you had the sleeve, so your stomach is not like a golf ball, but more like a tube, a very tight tube.

You said you are drinking a lot of tea.

I sure hope its unsweetened tea, but you really should be drinking protein shakes and working on getting more nutrients into you.

Glad to hear you are exercising any way you can because movement will help immensely.

Its a journey, so as long as you make good nutritional choices, you are on the right path.

WIth a bypass, the section of intestine that is bypassed still produces the gastric juices that empty further down into your small intestine.

The distal portion of your small intestine that is attached to your new "pouch" will start to reabsorb nutrients and not be as sensitive to sugars and fats after 18-24 months post-op (so not as much "dumping"), so thats why its easy to regain weight if you havent established a healthy lifestyle or changed your prior eating habits.

The surgery doesnt solve your problems by itself.

IT IS ONLY A TOOL!!!

Clueless

by: AnonymousYes But ...

I have heard of this; however, even if the opening was the size if a lemon, how do they equate the fact that you are still malnourished and maladsortuve, not having a duodenum, pyloric valve, 90cm - 150cm of small intestine bypassed?? JfB

I agree

by: Anonymous

I agree with the previous post, this is only a tool, between peri-menopausal symptoms and water retention I gained close to 20 lbs. my reason for the Roux-n-Y was a to stop a serious complication from a previous WLS so my goal wasn't weight loss but it was great - I was a size 7/8 and was comfortable a size 10 was was really baggy. I can't even get s size 7/8 near me!

My hormones are really right of the charts and getting a physical done shortly, but lots of factors are involved. I take it day by day. I am considering going to overeaters anonymous as I do have disordered eating, it doesn't matter what size you happen to be. I just want to be happy with the way I look, I'm still fighting my inner negative self-talk, I was doing it at my skinniest too.

The surgery is just part of many aspects of being healthy!!

If one more person ask me, have you STOP losing weight?!!

by: Vernita

I am so sad. I am 2 months and 13 days since I had the sleeve. Not eating hardly anything and still staying away from the bad things on my list like fried, sweets, chips and all of that good stuff. When I eat maybe I can do four forks of food. Drink lots of tea, in fact, I would rather have tea than food but I do eat.

I am in a wheelchair so I don’t walk not even a little bit, but I just started going back to the gym and working pretty hard when I am there. My problem is I nor any of my people can really see a weight loss in me. How can I have the new stomach the size of a golf ball with little to nothing to eat and not really lose any weight?

Its not the surgery that fails you. its you that fails the surgery

by: Shelley

I had RNY 5 years ago and have lost 125 lbs, with a 25lb regain.

That is NORMAL.

To struggle with weight regain after two years is NORMAL.

Your small intestine will start to reabsorb nutrients like it used to before surgery around that time, so its vitally important to have learned a new lifestyle by that point so you can keep most of your weight off.

The surgery is ONLY A TOOL.

It is up to you how you use that tool.

Its truly unfortunate that the majority here did not have proper education going into the surgery to understand alot of these issues that many of you are dealing with and are disappointed are totally normal and SHOULD have been expected. After two years out, the most important things are eating healthy, high protein, exercise 3-5 times a week, and taking vitamins.

It is the BEST decision I ever made! I am not a size 2, but a happy size 14/16.

REMEMBER, The surgery is ONLY A TOOL!!

Addiction

by: Anonymous

Actually if a person has an addiction such as food bingeing, if they no longer are able to do it because of the surgery it's a really common reaction by transferring to another addiction such as alcohol/drugs and even smoking. I became a much heavier smoker after my surgery because i needed to have something to express my addiction. It's called addictive transferral, any therapist or psychiatrist will agree. Your brother may have gone through his issues regardless of the WLS.

I don't get it.

by: Anonymous

The previous poster is blaming the WLS for her brother's addiction(s). The WLS doesn't cause alcoholism, in fact most of the people I have known in support groups can't tolerate alcohol at all. I can have A light beer now and then but my blood sugars bottom out and liquor is just not worth it. Food is a most dangerous addiction, I am guilty of bingeing and then feeling so ill. I love hershey kisses. I normally have a popsicle in the morning, my mouth gets so dry and I have to slowly sip something or have a popsicle to wake up my stomach. I know that I am emotionally eating at times. i have to really talk to myself about eating some foods, trying to keep my diet balanced.

I have gained weight back begrudgingly to me but my health care team is most happy. I liked being 138-142 and having a larger build and 5'8" in height I was skinny, but i am 162 now, I had stay at 138 for the longest time and after 1.5 yrs after surgery the weight has crept up. Positive note, it doesn't hurt to sit on hard chairs but going from a slim size 8 to a size 11 is hard on me. . I am officially peri-menopausal and that makes the weight sneak up, age does that as my doc reminded me, I am not 25 anymore ;-( WLS is a start to feeling good about you physically, but it can also trigger other issues, the surgery isn't an instant cure and dysphoria is rampant with folks with WLS. It took me quite a while to accept myself and that is with outside support. The surgery doesn't fix you mentally, I actually got a diagnosis with which body dysmorphia/hatred of self hatred was pretty par for the course. i hope that there is some more help for your brother, but you can't fix someone, they have to do the work.

Sending positive thoughts.

Stay away from this bariatric surgery

by: Anonymous

My brother had the Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery in late 2005. By 2007 he was a raging alcoholic, he did not have a problem with alcohol before the surgery. The alcoholism became so bad he lost his job and at the same time he somehow lost his mind.

It is now 2015 he has been sober for 2 years but his life is a shambles, he has lost everything and cannot seem to pull himself together. He is stuck. He is dealing with the leftover mental illness from the drinking that began with the surgery. He is not the only one that has had this reaction to this type of surgery, there are many people out there dealing with this issue. It is not caused by changing a food addiction to an alcohol addiction it is a physical change brought on by the surgery.

While the severe alcoholism does not happen to everyone who has the surgery it happens frequently enough to warrant looking into a different type of bariatric surgery. If he had it to do over again he would have never had this type of surgery.

I know I screwed up.

by: GaryHO

I was on the steady decline and lost over 150lbs and then it stopped and began gain,very slowly at first and then faster, I am a hundred pounds short of my highest.

My best friend and I went through this together.

She died in 2010, we had the surgery in '06, and she claimed that she was never full, and she out ate me by twice or three times amount. She lost over two hundred pounds and was still in the three hundreds, her surgeon told her that he would do it because if he didn't she would die so they passed her through all the stages. four years later she is dead and I back in the 300's.

I know no idea what to do five years later.

re... lack/slow weight loss

by: Tara

I had GB on Oct. 6th, 2014, I weighed 262 pounds..I had a leak and severe complications, had to be readmitted into the hospital, and 2 more emergency surgeries to clean out an infection, was placed on a feeding tube, and 3 drain tubes..I went up to 300 pounds in hospital due to holding fluid....Had to have a stent put in where the leak was... Was in the hospital 4 weeks and went home, on Nov. 8th with the feed tube and 1 drainage tube...As of Dec. 10th the leak had healed and feeding tube and drain tube were removed...

I have lost as of Jan. 6th 2015 , 3 months post op 37 poundsand am 225 pounds....But, since Jan 7th till now Jan 26 I have only lost 2 pounds in the last 19 days, and I am only eating 1000 calories a day, 60 grams of protein , I am journaling all my food, and limiting my carbs... I am NOT cheating...My doctor feels that I may have a wider opening at the bottom of my pouch bc of the stent placement... And have a sister and best friend who have had the surgery , and said the weight was just falling off them... The doctor just gave me the okay to go back to the gym, and I did twice this week...I Have no plans on giving up doing what I am doing, but have to say I'm disappointed that my weight loss has not been more...btw... I was initially 358 pounds in 2005, and lost 154 pounds with lap-band,and went down to 204 pounds, but it had to be removed bc it was causing complications, and I started gaining weight back.. That is when I decide to go forward with BP....I just wanted to tell my story but, to all who are frustrated... NEVER GIVE UP!!! Love to all who are struggling with weight loss....Tara

re: Your rant

by: Anonymous

You have gotten angry about a lot of things that I did not in fact say. Also: Do you think you're the only one who underwent WLS for health reasons? Did everyone else get it out of vanity? My diabetes went into remission, which is wonderful. I'm off metformin. Win! Before you spew more invectives, it would make you look better to actually read the messages you react to. I restate my only point: WLS doesn't always work.

In response to your previous comment

by: Anonymous

I'm sorry that it hasn't worked for you. I'm sorry that you feel the way you do about everything that has happened to you. I NEVER said I didn't believe you. I know may people this does NOT work for but I also know that there are people who give up or feel that since it never worked there was no good in it.

I NEVER WANTED MY SURGERY!!! I had no choice. From a medical stand point I had to do it. When you have 4 different doctors telling you this is what you have to do and tell you this for YEARS then you trust the professionals. So one of the side effects of the surgery is that I lost weight. I lost weight because I took massive steps to prepare myself before surgery to ensure that this would work for me. I know a lot of people who don't even consider doing that. So yes it did work for me. I don't give a damn if I lost weight. I gave a damn because it made me healthier. THAT is what mattered to me.

Sorry that you went through all this and that you are still going through this but don't rag on those that this worked for and don't rag on the people that put in an effort to try and make this work, even if the results are not typical or not what they expect. People do try and that is all we can ask them to do.

You've tried and said it didn't work. OK you made your point. It didn't work. Stop dwelling on it and try something else then. If honest comments get you all worked up then don't read them.

In response to the previous comment

by: Anonymous

Making a blanket statement like that is not helpful, nor is it true. I am proof--as are many, many other people--that it is possible to "stick with it," as you said, and not lose weight.

Did you not read my post before adding your own comment, or are you another one who doesn't believe me (and thousands of others)? Do you think because it worked for you it HAS to work for everybody? That would be equivalent to me believing that because it did not work for me, it doesn't work for anyone. And that would be ridiculous.

To you and others who insist that following the food plan always works: Please stop lying. Stop making big pronouncements, as if your own little experience gives you all the data in the world and your extensive research has revealed The Truth.

If it worked for you, let people know. Your story is interesting; it's just not every story. Say "It worked for me," and leave it at that.

It's a lifestyle change for sure

by: Anonymous

Before I had my surgery I went through about 6 months of changing my diet to what a person who has already underwent the surgery would be doing. I didn't lost much weight in those months but I did lose some. I had to have the surgery not because I was over weight (which I was) but because I was extremely diabetic and was taking 2 different types of insulin a day and taking over 20 different prescription medications daily. It was more medical necessity than weight loss.

I had the surgery in late September 2014. In 4 months I have lost 70 pounds and I average about a pound a week now and I am disabled so I don't exercise a lot but I do walk 20 minutes 3 times a day and do stretching and weight bearing exercises. I do have days where food doesn't agree with me and I get sick or I eat too much and get sick but I have noticed that as long as you stick to the nutrition guidelines they give you after surgery, take your vitamins and calcium and watch your protein, you can be successful at this. Lots of water is the key too.

I gave up a lot of bad habits and bad foods before I went into surgery and it has helped with the cravings and the meal planning tons. I guess if you can get the right mindset and good support the surgery does work and is worth it. Are there days I wish I didn't get it? Yes, but now I am 4 months out and almost off insulin completely and went from taking over 20 pills a day to just having to take 4 and my A1C dropped from 11 to 6.1.

I have to say I am happy I did it and health wise, it was worth it. Hang in there. This does work.

They didn't believe me.

by: Anonymous

I'm an older woman who had RNY two and a half years ago. I lost 50 pounds in about four 1/2 months. Then the weight loss stopped dead. I ate on plan and exercised some (not a lot; I'm not able to exercise much) and did not lose another pound.

What I hate most is that the registered dieticians, psychologists, and physicians at the Oregon Bariatric Center did not believe me. I recorded everything I ate and showed them my food journals. I went in several times to plead with them to find an approach that worked, but they shook their heads, wouldn't make eye contact with me, and said to keep on plan. They would not believe I was compliant. It's been two years and that still hurts.

I'm still obese, having given up (after over a year w/out results) and regained 30 pounds. Lots of risk for virtually no results. I knew there was no guarantee, but I thought failure was an exception.

Pardon the caps, but...BARIATRIC SURGERY __OFTEN__ DOES NOT WORK.

They didn't believe me.

by: Anonymous

I'm an older woman who had RNY two and a half years ago. I lost 50 pounds in about four 1/2 months. Then the weight loss stopped dead. I ate on plan and exercised some (not a lot; I'm not able to exercise much) and did not lose another pound.

What I hate most is that the registered dieticians, psychologists, and physicians at the Oregon Bariatric Center did not believe me. I recorded everything I ate and showed them my food journals. I went in several times to plead with them to find an approach that worked, but they shook their heads, wouldn't make eye contact with me, and said to keep on plan. They would not believe I was compliant. It's been two years and that still hurts.

I'm still obese, having given up (after over a year w/out results) and regained 30 pounds. Lots of risk for virtually no results. I knew there was no guarantee, but I thought failure was an exception.

Pardon the caps, but...BARIATRIC SURGERY __OFTEN__ DOES NOT WORK.

Disgusted

by: Denise

It has been a year since I had the surgery. They said I would lose 80 to 100 lbs. I lost 50 and not another ounce. I think I wasted my money.

Not losing weight

by: Anonymous

I lost 20lbs the first two weeks after gastric sleeve surgery. It is week 4 (post -op) today and I have lost no weight. I am disappointed.I am consuming very little;especially solids and drinking protein shakes. Makes me wish for the olden days when I could eat everything and later regret it with a full stomach. I am not nauseous, no dumping, or in pain. WTH?

Bloating

by: Anonymous

After an open RnY due to complications from my previous WLS, I came home almost 10lbs heavier. I was so bloated, ended up with a bladder infection from the catheter and needed those stocking because I was retaining fluids. I have a bit of a problem swallowing my meds, but I am so sorry to hear the last poster's issues.

I am confounded though if someone doesn't lose weight and then wants sympathy. Have they been following their Dr.'s orders? Perhaps they aren't sensitive to sugars at all and may still be eating badly? I have only met folks who've had issues keeping weight on! If I don't have a couple fruit juice Popsicles I drop underweight! I think everyone plateaus for a period of time, I think if y end up losing at least half your weight you are a success!

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

by: Anonymous

When I had my open RY surgery ( open due to complications and scar tissue from a previous surgery) I ended up with my spleen removed due to connection of scar tissue between my spleen and stomach, they couldn't stop the bleeding.

I have been sick pretty much most of my recovery time, from a blocked G tube which was placed in the residual stomach at time of surgery incase I needed tube feeding, infections, vomiting, nausea, constipation, a stricture of my esophagus which was stretched once and after only two weeks needs to be done again...so after all these health issues I'm mostly frustrated at my weight lose.

At my surgery on February 18, 2014 I was 252, I'm now 215 but I have gained like 6 to 7 pd. in two days? Really? I'm on liquids barely any food at all and I've only lost around 30/35 lbs, now gaining weight overnight? I'm so frustrated especially when you hear people dropping 50 lbs in a month?

I am due for my esophagus to be stretched in three days I have bloating,pain, unable to eat any foods barely keeping down liquids, maybe that's the weight gain from bloating? I really have no clue...and no I'm not cheating for some very unsympathetic people on here, it's great you've done so well but I bet you were so condemning when you weighed 350 to start with, now your perfect...so from people who understand where I'm coming from...Any suggestions?

Due to being ill I haven't started exercising yet but look forward to it, I'm going to start swimming and biking plus the gym..after all I've been through 24 total days in hospital I just wish I would've lost more so far...kind wish I wouldn't of had the surgery , just waiting to feel normal and well again.

Sugar dumps

by: Anonymous

I had the RnY like someone else here did because their first WLS in Alberta was screwed up big time. To the person who's craving carbs like bread and pasta, you will get very sick if you tried anything like that for months post-op. I can only tolerate this type of carb like other simple carbs is if I take Glucophage. When you are obese you make a larger amount of insulin if you aren't diabetic, I am now hypoglycemic and can get dumping syndrome, not going to the bathroom but I get nauseated, rapid heart beat and dizzy. I have a blood sugar monitoring kit now and they suspect I make far too much. I was only 25 lbs over my goal weight, I'm underweight now and see a dietician at least monthly. I personally don't get how someone doesn't lose weight, boy I cheated for a couple of days and I feel so sick now I am in a cold sweat and green! The blood sugar pills don't work on these simple sugars so you shouldn't cheat unless you want to go through this. I tried to have a beer last week, not such a good idea even though I am a year out of surgery.

Your life completely changes, I seriously suggest going over to over eaters anon it can and will help you. Trust me though, your first dump will be the hardest and I hope you learn from it.

Look at the carbs as well as sugar content when you shop for food. I still want a donut trust me but after having a waffle at IHOP even with sugar-free syrup, I found out they put a lot of sugar in their batter, it must be an American thing, they put sugar in their scrambled eggs too. I travel a lot and now mostly get suites with kitchens so I can make my own food.

I make a list so that when I am shopping I don't binge buy, I am almost gluten-free as wheat flour can make your blood swing more. Don't shop for yourself if you can for a couple of months, it will make things much easier. You might even hate food for awhile, I did but I got called by my dietician a couple of times a week post-op and I really had to go hard and heavy on proteins, I hate Greek yogurt now, but I still have to watch my proteins. I can eat a lot of salads but have to make sure whatever I am eating has protein in it. I wish you a healthy recovery, I had a lot of complications.i am getting tested for diabetes because my blood sugars can swing harshly and I just got diagnosed with Glaucoma, f*ck. It may be because of my pre-surgery diet which was loaded with carbs due to nausea. Please be careful and get your sugars get checked often.

6 days past my surgery

by: Anonymous

okay, the first thing I think of is food, food in my head not in my mouth. I think that is the hardest thing to get over. I have lost 14 lbs so far. I love to cook, invent recipes, but with limits on what now, bread, pasta, grains, out - It is all in my head. I am sorry for those who haven't lost any more then your initial loss. But I wanted to share my food in my mind thing.

15lb weight gain

by: Cathy M

I had weight loss surgery on Halloween of 2011. My doctor was and is awesome. I was 250 lbs and went down to 137. I went from a size 26 to a size 7/8 where I still am.

I work out 5 to 6 times a week with a personal trainer and have gained since last May 15lbs. I am watching my carbs. My dietician told me to not go over 136 a day..meaning 30 carbs per meal and 23 carbs per your two snacks in between your meals. I am on a 1200 calories also.

I realize some of it is muscle toning but I cant seem to get back into the 140's. I don't want to go back next October if I am not in the 140's.

Also, I have low blood sugar now as where I never had that before surgery and when it goes down let me tell you its not pretty. It takes me a while to get it back where it should be and No I am not diabetic---this all happened after surgery. I am happy with the way I look but I want back to close to my 137 mark. I don't know what else to do. I would say the only thing that I didn't like about the surgery is the Low Blood Sugar symptoms because of the malabsorption. I have had no other problems. I do consider myself lucky but am still frustrated...

Gastric Bypass NO Surgery

by: Anonymous

I thought that this dietary supplement has side effects so I didn't give attention to it at the beginning. But after a few research, I found out that it will even work for oldies like me! I'm 79 years old and it made me feel that I'm on my fifty's! Thank you Roca Labs!

pain and eating

by: Anonymous

I had the Roux-n-Y and I have had pain since my surgery - my small intestine is inflamed and my body is really sensitive to sugars now. I'm having a really hard time keeping weight on!!!

How do people gain or not lose at least a bit of weight, from what I gather and experience with others at my clinic that pain alone will stop you from eating and that was hard for me to keep up with food especially the first 2 months, ouch.. it's been 6 months and I'm just starting to eat normally but I still have pain with some foods like meat. I tried to eat 4 hershey kisses and that was almost too much.

I hope that people don't cheat after going through all that pain with the surgery, but hope they can fix whatever the problem is.

frustrated losers

by: Anonymous

My doctor told me once I start taking in 1000 I will stop losing weight. I don't know if this helps anyone else but I thought I would share just in case. Keep fighting you guys...we didn't go thru this not to be healthy and happy.

Walked in their shoes

by: RedHeadChick

I had a different WLS and gained 90% of my total weight back, so I KNOW for a fact it's possible by cheating.. so yeah, I can say it's easy - you can, and I've been told people will eat through the sugar dumps and find other ways. I found with my other surgery many ways to cheat.. so I can say with experience, and with hearing others who freely admit to cheating, that it's possible.

to: Redheadchick

by: Tonya

While I'm glad surgery has worked well for you, I don't believe it's fair to automatically assume that other posters who have experienced little to no weight loss are totally at fault, not following the program, etc.

There are so many who seem to be having this problem & I truly feel for them. Personally, & out of respect for them & their struggles (& bc I treat people the way I want to be treated), I feel that, unless you know without a doubt these people are "cheating", you really shouldn't accuse them of cheating--& honestly, I'm almost positive you haven't been in their homes to witness their supposed "cheating". It's disheartening enough to go through this & have little to no results w/o someone who doesn't know you/your regime calling you a cheater.

Again, I'm happy for your wt loss, but I felt I had to speak up on behalf of those who haven't enjoyed your success.

How can you not lose weight?

by: RedHeadChick

I had my surgery May 29th, 2013 - this time to go in and fix the GERD from an old type of procedure called a vertical banding which tightened up over time and the acid was burning out my stomach.

I gained some weight back because I lived on breads which weren't acidic.. so I went up to 215 but got sick went down to about 170, but had to gain a bit of weight for the surgery...went to 180lbs. I'm 140 as of Oct 21rst and my Dr's are worried about me.

How in the world can you NOT lose weight from this? I'm having a hard, hard time keeping the weight ON!!!!!! I eat 3 times a day, eat a popsicle every day, sometimes two - my indulgence, I can't really tolerate any other sugar, I don't touch any other sugars for the most part, even fruit juice.

I've had a bit of ice cream now and then, but small amounts, but I had a cookie and I got a bad sugar dump from that. I have meds now just in case. But with sugar dumps, I guess you could desensitize, and drink when you eat.. I guess drinking when you eat.. but why have the surgery? You've wasted the time that someone who really wanted the surgery could have used.

You can't really cheat without bad consequences.. grease is bad.. makes you get the trots..

I just don't believe these people who complain that they didn't lose a pound. I've gone in total, from a size 24 to a size 6. In this surgery from a 14 to a size 6.

I have no fat on my butt and I'm pretty much skin and bone. I get the okay to work out this week, but I'm having some issues with either my intestines or the muscles over it.. my right side hurts quite a bit, they thought it was my gallbladder, but the ultrasound done in Aug cleared that. I see my Surgeon finally on Thurs after not seeing him for 3 months, maybe he'll give me some answers.. my own GP has been great, my case is pretty complicated especially with 2/3'rds of my stomach removed.

If you are still not losing weight, you need to see a therapist and read that book the previous poster mentioned and go down to Over Eaters.. or what I prefer to call Food Addicts Anon.. you still have a problem..

I have no problem walking away from a table of sweets or thinking of them now, like I did today.. they make me ill to look at them.

Good luck and get healthy.. this is the only life you have and you were given a second chance... use it!

Getting your head right after surgery

by: Anonymous

I was a band patient that had a revision to an NY because the band prolapsed and I started gaining the weight I had lost.

I am 10 months out and I have done well, I am under 200 pounds for the first time in 27 years.

However, I realized that this had to be the last surgery.

I had to get my head right and that was to deal with my food addiction and to retrain my body to recognize hunger and then to recognize being satiated after a meal.

First, it's ok to be hungry.

You won't die.

I like to feel physical hunger before I eat.

It makes me aware of my level of hunger and then the chemicals go from my stomach to my brain correctly and are not truncated because mostly obese people rarely let themselves feel physical hunger.

I have a feast beast, and it talks to me when I am in the grocery store, or tells me it's ok to get some fries at the drive up...or tells me to ignore the RNY rules.

I know that sounds odd or nuts, but putting a name on that voice, the voice of addiction, makes it so I can combat that voice and recognize it.

I only eat now when I am hungry, I let myself feel the hunger and then I eat slowly with no liquids as RNYers are supposed to do.

I am retraining my brain to recognize that I am now full when I eat.

I use the concepts of Rational Recovery because it is not based in losing your personal responsibility to a deity, and the control of your body to a deity but it empowers YOU to do what you must do.

Get the book "Taming the Feast Beast" by Jack Trimpey.

It changed my whole point of view about eating.

It got my head right as long as I practice what it preaches.

This thread is sad....

by: Anonymous

It is heartbreaking to hear of people going through the surgery and not losing much weight or any at all.

How discouraging that must be!! I am left to wonder if it is the surgeons error or just lack of discipline with diet and exercise.

Either way, it is sad.

The surgery is not easy to get through and to do it for less than results is a shame. Honestly, I didn't even know you could have surgery and not lose weight, until I just read this.

I have been fortunate in that I had surgery on April 8, 2013 and in 5 months have lost 75 lbs.

And although the surgery is a powerful aid, it takes discipline as well.

It always will.

I wish you luck with your struggles.

lost 60 lbs in 2 months

by: Anonymous

iam sorry to hear about your experience,i had my surgery june 17,2013 and its aug 23,2013 and iam down 60lbs.i was 247,and i weight now is 180lbs,i drink 2 liters of water,,and eat simple foods,boiled egg in the morning,cheese stick,,lean turkey breast for lunch,and dinner soup or something light,,plus exercise everyday for 30 min

It didn't work until my MIND changed

by: Finally Happy

I remember my first visit back to my doc after surgery.

After 30 days on broth, lost only 12 pounds.

He and I were dumbfounded.

So I went to work, followed directions, swam almost every day, and lost about 80.

But then I just got exhausted.

Found I was grazing, gained weight.

I've always been good about my 2 Flintstoes a day, B-complex supplement daily, etc.

I now also take trace minerals every day.

The only thing that changed is that somehow, without trying, I just became bored with food.

It was like "I've already eaten that, it's not going to taste any different this time." Literally boredom, nothing I take any credit for.

But I encouraged it, I began actively saying, "No, I've eaten that [whatever] more than once in my life, and I don't feel like it again." I can't begin to explain where it came from, only that I took advantage of the feeling and encouraged myself to separate my feelings and anxieties from food.

I truly believe that until the mental changes are made, I was going nowhere.

I happen to see a therapist for other issues, we haven't talked much about this, but now I'm a size 12 instead of a 26.

Okay, sometimes a 14 in really cheap clothes.

I believe it's the mental work that did it, more than the surgery, more than the exercise (I take the stairs now whenever possible, walk, no more arthritis in the knees).

Overweight people who want to lose weight are so much like any other athletes -- so much of it is in the mind.

For what it's worth, that's what helped me, an accidental thought that I encouraged.

Good luck.

WLS

by: Redheadchick

I had the "Vertible Banded Gastroplasty", which has nearly killed me - AND I gained most of my weight back and then nearly starved me to death. I go in in 4 days for the RnY so I can eat real food like a couple of other people. I will lost about 30lbs in the first month then I will work with a Dietician to stay at that weight. How can you not lose weight with the strict diet, especially if you are morbidly obese and putting in more the 2000 cals a day going down to 500 for a period of time? You have to lose weight.. even at 1400 cals a day you'll lose.

You have to be cheating and in denial not to lose a pound. Please seek some help, deal with your addiction or you've just wasted your time, pain and a space where someone else could have had the surgery instead who sincerely and readily wanted to lose weight, pretty selfish. Go to Over Eaters Anon and get ahold of your addiction like someone else said here I think, we all have them or we wouldn't be having the surgeries or we'd be successful with diets.

Blaming someone else for not losing weight is just wrong, get a reality check, because you really aren't seeing things clearly, see a dietician immediately and be truthful.

10 years out

by: Barbara

I had ruin-y in 2003.

I lost about 100 pounds and only got down to about 213 from 317.

I am no at 243.

I was 236 5 years ago......I am thankful though that I have maintained what I have.

I am sure that I would have been 400 by now if I would not have done this.

My husbad had the surgery last year and has lost 160 lbs.

He weighs a few pounds less than I do....yikes! I know that I need to exercise more and lower my caloric intake. I can't say that I have done everything to keep losing weight.....I have pushed the envelope.

I have suffered all my life with weight.

I was 212 in the 5th grade....heartbreaking for a girl.

There was no limit on what we could eat as children.

Please, please don't let this happen to your child.....it is not pleasant for a child to be overweight.

Teach your children proper eating habits so they don't have to deal with this over their life-time.

Think about it though....I weigh 243 now at 47 years old.....and at 12 years old, I weighed 212.

That is only a 31 pound difference....can you imagine what I felt like as a child.....I could not have been 5' tall at that age.

I have always thought there was something else wrong, but was always turned away from testing because they would do initial tests and say there were no abnormalities.

Anyway, I can function at the weight that I am at and it does not draw that much attention because it is not as severe as it was.

I'm happy, but would love to be rid of about 60 more pounds.

My heart goes out to all of you....just remember who you are inside and keep trying to solve your weight problem. I finally met the man of my dreams and I saw through his weight problem because I have been there and have been able to help him with getting his surgery.....but I loved him before the surgery......and would have kept loving him even without it.

I just know that his health was in danger and I worry less about him having serious issues.

I'm not giving up on my weight loss and I hope you find the strength to keep fighting this problem.

Get a Dietician

by: Dumbfounded

I had the vertical banding which is stricter then the RnY and I lost a lot of weight, but because of massive GERD I ended up eating only simple carbs. I gained most of my weight back, through chocolate, bread and crackers.

I then got IBS, I could barely eat anything but rice, bananas, cooked squash and potatoes, yogurt and lactose free milk and legumes(sometimes), but fat was really difficult and meat and most veggies impossible and sometimes popsicles were all I could manage. I lost 60lbs in 4 months. I know you gain weight from cheating even if you are in huge denial, a little bite here, a sip of something sweet here, even natural juice is bad for you.

Now I'm getting the RnY because I'm underweight and malnourished and I'm trying to gain some weight before the surgery. When I hear people that don't lose weight, there is more to the story then what they are saying. I also say that you can't just have the surgery, you need to deal with the addiction. I finally went to OverEaters Anon and for the most part I avoid sugar unless I am really sick and all I can manage is jello or a popsicle. These surgeries work if you do the work.

non-weight-losers

by: Anonymous

I must say Im terrified with the idea of surgery nowadays. The causes of obesity are still unknown, I guess. Also, the industry of surgery is high... I believe I was somehow pushed into surgery... The bad news are...I cannot go back to the doctor or clinic that operated on me back in 2006, because I moved countries, moved states...so...it´s complicated... I hope we can have more help in general... of it all...

Haven't Lost One Pound

by: Anonymous

I had gastric bypass surgery exactly one year ago...and I have not lost one single pound. I guess the good news is that I have not gained any weight. However, I did not go through the pain (I was in the hospital for 7 days) and expense (I will be paying for the surgery for years) to be stuck at my current weight.

To make matters worse, I swear my weight has shifted due to the surgery scars and my stomach is actually bigger and I have a lot more back pain. My doctor claims he has never had a patent who has not lost weight and all of my friends and family are baffled. They routinely comment, "I don't get it. You don't eat that much and you exercise."

So anyway...one year out and I am still overweight and more depressed than ever. I am regretting the surgery which left me with awful scars and changed the shape of my body.

Dear Depressed

by: Reddheadd72

Some words of wisdom and perhaps I can follow myself. First, go see your doctor or surgeon and let them know what's going on. Something inside may have caused the weight gain. That's my next step because I was following the plan and doing everything right and though I haven't gained anything, I'm not losing, so...it sounds like you are trying a few things.

Was therapy helping? If so, keep going! Go back to the basics. Protein first, vegies then some carbs if you able. I would stick to fruit, brown rice or sweet potatoes for carbs. NO SNACKING. Log your food, be accountable. That's a start.

Good luck!!

Deppressing, too - any words of wisdom?

by: Anonymous

Dear All, It´s relieving to know I´m not alone in this battle. I had my by-pass surgery back in 2006, thinking that would be my last chance and attitude to change and get back to "normal". After the first couple of years, I had lost about 33kilos, even though I needed to lose its double. Yet, I got most of those kilos back over the years and keep struggling over diets all over again, as if I´ve never been operated on! I really feel desperate and deppressive, because it seems it´s all my fault, as I´m back with overating and bad habits...I tried psychotherapy, exercise, different diets... I really wanted to win this battle but I feel deppressed and impotent. My weight before the surgery was 125kg. After the surgery, 88kg (was the lowest I could reach) and now I´m back into 102.

Any words of wisdom here? (thank you for the person who wrote under the title of "Deppressing", because I sympathise with you).

Pro gastric bypass

by: Jenny

Hello i had my gastric bypass on dec 20 2012 weighing in at 277 and my current weight is 199. Ive lost a total of 78lbs in 3.5 months. I started working out after the 9th day of my surgery. I still do not tolerate any kind of meat unless its in a soup ans i excersise between 3-4 days a week. The surgery was the best thing i did

I'm joining the "No weight loss" club

by: Reddheadd72

I had GB July 2011. I had lost almost 40 lbs prior to surgery and after I've lost about 40 lbs and that's it. I earned every pound too. I have been in the gym 3-5 days a week pretty religiously and I track my food intake on myfitnesspal. I've even tried the HCG diet which helped me lose maybe 15 lbs only to gain it back.

But basically I've been stable at 189 +/- 5 lbs, right now on the plus. :p Carbs are my enemy, I do know that but I agree with all of you...I didn't get this surgery to lose 40 stinkin pounds and the top it off my surgeon was happy with my weight loss! Ridiculous.

So now I'm trying to find a way to lose the rest on my own (which is why we all had the surgery because we couldn't do it on our own, right?). My protein and vitamins are good but I have no idea what to do. I've tried 12 wk programs that included weights. I gained muscle but didn't lose fat. Right now I'm concentrating on cardio but it's still getting me nowhere. Oh recently I tried taking raspberry ketones and green coffee, nothing. My calories are at around 1350 net and I use a bodybugg.

Bypass Surgery

by: Anonymous

Responding to all..Has anyone heard of the no surgery gastric bypass by Roca Labs? It is suppose to have good results without surgery and medication. I looked into it few years ago and just decided to order it. I went to look at others success with it on video documentation. I considered surgery and in 2011 was at my all time weight 298 by Nov 2012 was at 291 and went on medication weight loss. Now I am at 271 in 3 mths and was at a stall. I stopped eating potato, rice, bread, and pasta...just eating meats (hardly any red meat) veggies and low sugar fruits, nuts eggs etc 12-1500 cal. I started doing to rockin bodies work out because its fun adding dancing and working out 6 dvds for only 20$ it's by beachbody the 15 mins seems like an hour lol.

My order will be here in a couple of days. Hope this will take the place of meds and kick me over my hump to continue losing and begin living life to the fullest. I have always been interested in boxing but as a girlie girl only as training don't want anyone pounding on me lol...

Roca labs no surgery mini bypass I saw some nursing moms use it with no problem they have it for childhood obesity too so if an 11 yr old can lose 15 lbs in a month with it then so can I some lose more depending on how much they have to lose. I dont care if only 10lbs (my goal) a month as long as its going in the right direction.

Saving this site so I can see if anyone else tries it or let you guys know how I do with it. Glad to know that although you all have had trials and tribulations on your journies that you are here to write about it and as long as you have breath it's never too late to begin again and succeed.

Feeling stuck

by: Anonymous

I had the RNY on 01/23/2013 and here I am almost 4 weeks out and haven't loss much. I lost 25 lbs right after surgery and now I am stuck. I started at 358 and have been 333 for two weeks now. What is going on? The pain I am supposed to feel in the chest for fullness is now in my lower abdomen. Any suggestions?

To: Roux en Y Not Possible

by: I'd Swear by Mayo

To: Roux en Y Not Possible: Read your post of January 2013 (last month) and have to tell you that I had a sort of similar experience in that I had surgery back in 1992 which was called a "Vertible Banded Gastroplasty" (Before the days of Roux en Y)...anyway, it fell apart and bled and had to be taken down.

Went in the following year and after being take to the O.R. and cut stem to stern, was back in recovery after being closed up because surgeon wouldn't touch it--I had too many adhesions and he said all of my organs were "fused" together.

A few years later, went to the Mayo Clinic under part of a study that were looking for previous FAILED gastric surgeries.

They did a TEN-HOUR procedure on me and took over an hour and a half just to take down the adhesions.

I ended up having to have several revision surgeries afterwards (I think they've been in my belly 6 or 7 times now), but it was to have the roux limb length adjusted because I was having malabsorbtion disorders and nutritional deficiencies and problems with my eyesight.

The biggest price I had to pay for all of this was the fact that I lost 70% of my left eye's field of vision (which I wont ever get back) and also and severe hypoglycemia....but I am at peace with that because I know that if I wouldn't have had it done, I would be dead by age 45 now and they are responsible for giving me the last 20 years I've enjoyed.

I mean with me having previous weighing in at 456# I know that I wouldn't have last much longer.

So get ahold of the Mayo Bariatric Program and explain what has happened and I bet they can help you! Good Luck!

Not losing weight

by: victoryisvee

I too am not losing weight. I don't regret having the surgery, because I am staying positive that in the future I will lose the weight. I had my rny surgery on 12/5/12 I was 228 at surgery and as of today I weight 206. I started walking about 3 weeks ago and lost a few lbs within that week. I am going to start walking again today and I will hope to get under 200 lbs. I'm going to stay positive, and not let this worry me. I'm still happy. Good luck all

Depressing

by: Sherry

Well, I also had bypass surgery Sept 6, 2011. I lost about 40 lbs after surgery. I too expected more. However, I have slipped back into old habits. I keep hearing the mantra, "its a tool, not a cure". I must have heard that several hundred times in the six months prep.

It's nice to hear I am not alone, but it is sad to hear I am not alone. Disappointing. Especially for those who are not overeating. I am overeating and was hoping I would not be able to. Always looking for a shortcut I guess.

Thank you all for the input and I wish you all great success in the future.

RNY Dec 22, 2004

by: Anonymous

I was 385 the day of surgery, 18 mos later I was 215 (after getting excess skin removed)I kind of stalled at that weight and have been fluctuating between 204 and 245 since. I am bound and determined to get below 200. I will be the first to admit that in the 8 years since my surgery, I have developed some nasty habits (liquids with meals and way too many carbs) so I am working on retraining my pouch and my brain to work with the post op diet again. I have had some vitamin deficiencies, I was on weekly iron infusions for 6mos last year.

I am much healthier despite the vitamin deficiencies. I was taking 3 meds for diabetes and 2 for high blood pressure and I had mobility issues. Now I can no longer be considered diabetic, I havent taken any meds for diabetes since 4 days post op. I am only on 1 very low dose blood pressure pill. My mobility is better, however, due to the stress on my hips and knees in the past, I do have arthritis.

I am so glad I had the surgery, I know that my own non compliance as well as an insanely slow metabolism have resulted in not getting to my goal of 180. I am hoping that by refocusing on a diet closer to post op that I will be able to lose the additional weight.

frustrated

by: jackie

I had a Roux en Y gastric bypass in 10/1995, pre-surgery I weighed 298 and I lost over a 150 pounds kept it off for years.I started gaining weight about 7 years ago. I decided to have a revision at 190 pounds! OMG I can eat so much more after the revision, that was April 2012 I weigh 194 now, biggest mistake ever!! The Dr. said he made my pouch smaller. I can't tell!! I don't want another surgey, just would like to find out what went wrong.

I have the Dr do EEG to see if they found something wrong, he claims everything looks fine. I'm just not following the "rules" I will agree, but why in the Hell can I eat so much now? my son had his surgery 10/15 and he has already lost 100 pounds, poor guy can't eat anything without it getting stuck.

Getrting Discouraged

by: Cheryl

I had my gastric bypass surgery on November 28,2012. It has been a month and a half since the surgery, and since the start, I have been able to eat normal foods without having to puree them. The nutritionalist said that that is not something that he is used to hearing, but the just hang in there and see what happens. I am down about 27 pounds, but alot of people have doubled this is the same amount of time. Im not sure what is going on.

Roux en Y Not possible!

by: Anonymous

After they got inside (laproscopic)My intestine would not reach up to my stomach. I had so much scar tissue from my hysterectomy it was a mess down there. Imagine waking up from surgery only to be told it could not even be done. After 6 months of prep and diet to change my life-no change happened. Biggest kick in the teeth of my life.

what the doc told me

by: teeter

My new bariatric doc said that the entire success depends on the length of the arms of the intestines, the size of the pouch and if the surgery was done correctly - mine was not.

The opening to my stomach is like a large funnel.

He wants to do a complete revision but I cannot do that.

I am 53, can barely walk and have all kinds of absorption problems.

My body is virtually in hibernation mode.

Everything i eat goes right to storage.

I tricked my body with surgery and at the 2 year mark, my appetite came back, ravenously.

Although my pouch has not stretched, I am weak, vitamin and nutrient deprived and FAT again.

I never lost all my weight, although initially I did lose the 214lbs.

I had a little over 100 left to go, when it started to come back.

I was 467 at my top weight and wanted to get to 140.

Now I am back up to 383 and miserable.

NOTHING works, NOTHING.

glad to know I am not alone tho.

Didn't lose weight

by: Anonymous

I had RNY in 2006. I weighed 283 the day of surgery. I lost 10 pounds the first week and 25 pounds over the next few months for a total weight loss of 35 pounds. I was eating an average of 600 calories a day and not losing any significant amounts of weight. Over time food just sailed through me and i realized that my stoma had stretched significantly. I now weigh over 400 pounds. I went back to my doctor and he told me that my initial lack of weight loss and current condition was due to non compliance with the post op dietband exercise plan.

I spoke with other surgeons who told me about a revision to a duodenal switch. While im not excited about the idea of further surgery, im so grateful that there is hope. I am fighting with insurance to pay for it; i've had to appeal at the state level. My originalmsurgeon told them that I was in the top 1% of non compliance because i did not lose weight. This man has no business being in bariatrics.

Gastric bypass does not work for everyone and that is not our fault. It is possible to out eat any surgery but 600 calories a day should provide substanial weight loss. And when it doesn't, blaming the patient is just cruel.

Roux n Y surgery failure

by: Teeter

I had severe sleep apnea, I suddenly experienced respiratory failure back in Oct 18 2001. I had caught both staph, and a severe VRE infection from the hospital, and nearly died. I was at a top weight of 467. I had to have a tracheostomy due to the sleep apnea, and res. failure. I had gone through all the preparations and testing and my roux n y surgery was scheduled for Oct 23rd 2001. I woke up from the coma devastated to find I had missed my surgery date.

My doctors all worked to reschedule and I came home for only 2 weeks then went back in and on Dec 4th 2001, I had the Roux N Y.

I had complications, mostly due to being weak from the respiratory failure and staph infections.

I got an infection under the staple line and developed a fever. I had to be on respirator again. Instead of going home in 4 days, I was there 14 days later, unable to walk or move. My doctor took me off liquids and put me on ground food.

A few days later, I went home on ground food. I kept vomiting and vomiting.

I was miserable.

I hated food, and I hated myself for letting myself get so fat! My support group disbanded, my nutritionsist was gone. The doctor was no longer doing surgeries.

I did lose. I lost a total of 214 lbs in 8 to 10 months. I stayed at 214 to 220 for a long while.

Then at the 2 year mark from my surgery, the loss not only all stopped, I began to gain.

I was doing NOTHING different.

Eating small meals, exercising and walking all the time. I continued to gain.

I panicked. I starved myself, went back to the doctor, begged for help.

He prescribed Meridia, didn't help, welbutrin, didn't help. I tried slim fast, didn't help. Nothing helped.

I continued to gain and over time (now 11 years later) I am at 386.5 lbs. I have horrible absorption problems. In Aug of last year, I ended up in the hospital. They thought I had had a stroke. What it really was turned out to be a complete depletion of vitamins and minerals. I had never been told to get any B-12, nor that the vitamins were all that important.

I started on a vitamin regimine and have a new bariatric doctor.

My pouch is roughly the same size as before but the stomach attatched to my intestine is not right. It is wide open like a funnel.

Only the doctor won't do just that surgery.

He wants to do it all again. No.

I am 53 I can't go through that.

The pain was excrutiating.

I am just miserable. I can barely walk. I cannot stand upright. I am hungry all the time, but nothing tastes right. I can't eat anything I like without discomfort and I am miserable.

Any suggestions?

Lost 75 lbs in 2 months then nothing

by: Marjie

Can barely keep down 400 calories a day and haven't lost a pound in over a month! It is really frustrating! Went from 365 to 290 but can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I do some form of exorcise every day and can't eat much or I get sick. I am taking Iron, folic acid, calcium and B12 as well as a B complex everyday because I read those things help, but so far they aren't.

Disappointed

by: Darla

I had the surgery in May of 2005.

I am heavier now than I was prior to surgery.

I immediately lost 50 pounds, but was starving.

I lost my health insurance a few months after my surgery and had now way to pay for follow-up visits.

7 years ago, and I am still angry.

I had to jump through tons of hoops to get the surgery in the first place.

Testing, Doctor's visits, etc.

All that time, all that money.

For nothing.

Does anyone know if after Roux-N-Y if you are eligible for the sleeve or lap band? I'm nearly 50, and every day I spend overweight is another day I am not enjoying the things I'd like to enjoy.

No weight loss

by: Mel

I had gastric bypass surgury on September 19,2012.. I was 230 before the bypass and now a month later I am only 207lbs....I am still on the protein shakes and I still do broths also I am exercising so I don't get it. I was 205 last week and this week I have gained 2 pounds. I am so upset...

not losing weight

by: Anonymous

OMG.....so glad I am not the only one out there.

I had Gastric Bypass Sept. 15, 2011.

Just passed my 1 yr mark and I have only lost 40 lbs.

My surgeon thinks it may have something to do with the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome condition (basically insulin resistance) I have and my primary care doctor put me on the diabetic medication Metformin to control my blood sugar levels (even though I am not a diabetic).

Welp...started taking that in May and I am still stuck at the same weight.

By January 2012 I had only lost 40 lbs and 9 months later I am the exact same weight.

GRRRRRR...I eat 800-1200 calories per day, walk and do toning exercises for fear of flabby skin. I am so depressed with this. I was 239 at time of surgery and am now 199.

Excited to be under the 200, but, should be closer to 140 by now!! EEK!! My husband had the same surgery in 2004 and has kept his 180 lb weight loss off.

He lost almost all his 180 lbs in the 1st year.

Well, I'm positive I can keep going on with this, but so depressing, nerve racking, and frustrating!!

Disgusted and Depressed!

by: Joe S

I have RNY November 21, 2011 and I lost 44 pounds by January 6, 2012.

Since then, I've lost nothing, except my sweet disposition and overall positive outlook for the future.

My dietician and doctor haven't the slightest clue why I'm not losing.

I'm on a 1200 calorie program and I excercise by walking each day.

I'm digusted with myself, and terribly depressed.

I'm sorry I got myself in such a nightmare.

I feel so sorry for the rest of the people who haven't lost their weight either.

What do you do when your own doctor doesn't know himself.

I weight 323 pounds now and I have a long ways to go.

I am thankful to know that I'm not alone, but feel very bad for others.

May we all be able to find our way thin.

God bless each and everyone of you.

Don't give up hope!

by: Lindsey

I had rouxen Y bypass in 2004. I was almost 300 pounds, 5 ft 6 in and a small frame. I lost half of my body weight (150 pounds) within 6 months. I was down to 129 pounds and a size 0-2 even after that It stayed off until I was pregnant with two kids consecutively (they are 10 months apart). I went into a major postpartum depression and started drinking. The weight just kept piling on because wine has so many calories (and after bypass you get quite a buzz much quicker) I'm sober now 1 1/2 years and doing great. When I first stopped drinking, I had gotten back up to 200 pounds. 1.5 year later and no alcohol, I'm down to 130 and a size.

Im not trying to lose any weight but it just keeps falling off. Im always running around after my toddlers now Try whatever you can to make it work. The road is hard but good. Good luck. I wish you the very best.

2 months - 36 lbs only

by: Jess

Oh wow I love this page (but don't expect me to say I love the results) ... I too had the gastric bypass on 11/14/11 and it's now 1/24/12 and I have only lost 36 lbs (30 lbs the first 2 weeks after the surgery and 6 lbs after)... some of my ex classmates had it done late November 2011 and have lost over 50 lbs ... some of my co workers have lost over 150 lbs in 6 months and here I am with only 36 in two months ... I don't eat junk food, I do zumba, I eat small portions, drink my protein every day with vitamins, I have no regrets but COME ON !!!!

Thank you who ever made this page ... now I know I'm not the only one without any weight loss results.

REVISION In MY Future!

by: Anonymous

I had my RNY in Aug. 2009 I was 409 lbs I lost 31 lbs in 2 weeks after surg. And than over the next 9 months I lost 91 -92 lbs . I stopped losing completely after 9 months . My weight is stable but I didnt have RNY to be stuck @ 285 lbs. I work out daily ! Rain or shine! I eat right daily . I am just not losing the weight.

I have suffered with iron and vitamin deficiencies the entire process. I had 3 hernias removed a bowel obstruction and gall bladder removed its been a long road. I was told by my Dr. that I should fall between 165-185 lbs and thats what I was at least looking for. This surgery is tricky I still eat less and I exercise but the scale is not moving.

I am very disappointed too

by: Anonymous

Hi I too had surgery just about two years ago. Lost 47 pounds in the first 6 months. Nothing since and I have gained 8 pounds back. I am depressed about it do my best, still vomit if I eat the wrong way or too much. I still think of myself as fat ( I am) 180 pounds now. IEveryone I know that had the surgery is a size 8 or under!! I didnt tell anyone I had it done, so no one looks at me and says I should be thinner. The down fall is I have no one to talk to about tehe surgery etc. Thanks for lettiing me vent.

One Year Later: 50lbs. lost..yep, that's It

by: Anonymous

Today to be exact is my 1 year anniversary since surgery. I have lost 53 lbs. This is not just sad, it's pitiful.

53 lbs is more weight than I've ever lost on my own, but I surely didn't have gastric bypass to lose only 50 lbs. I'm actually about 63 or so pounds lighter because I had lost 20 lbs prior to surgery on my own.

What has RNY done for me...not much. I am depressed about it at this point.

I eat OK, it could be better but for sure I know that I am not sabatoging myself by over eating.

I exercise...3-5, sometimes seven days a week and still no movement on the scale, unless you count 1 lb. a loss. I tracked my weight carefully and in the last six months, I have lost a grand total of....drum roll please 10 lbs.

Yep, that's it.

I don't know what to do, and neither do the doctors.

had gastric bypass a month ago with 10 lbs weight losst

by: so disappointed

All the pain I've gone through with only 10 lbs of weight loss is scary and depressing.

After surgery I cried because I hurt so bad and cried for days. They had to do an additional surgery I guess I had a hernia they'd found during my bypass surgery but now, I work out at least an hour a day and don't overeat but have had barely any weight loss. Doc and nutritionists say don't worry it'll come...with all I do I'd love to know when. I wish I could take this surgery back and am so depressed because of it. I had my surgery nov 16th so almost a month.

Didn't work for me

by: Anonymous

I had a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and lost about 75 pounds. However, it was a total fight all the way. I was alway hungry just like before. I was able to eat anything and as much as I wanted. It cost me $30,000 cash.

In the beginning I lost about 10 pounds because I had to be opened from just below the breat to my belly button. Once that healed I lost nothing. I finally just stopped eating. I would eat an egg a day. I always felt weak. My doctor's assistant (never saw him) said, "you will lose."

After the 75 was gone, I felt too weak to continue so I started eating a normal diet. Nothing in excess and I immediately started gaining back the weight. I had to have a upper-endoscopy today and this doctor told me the surger has become undone. What? How can a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass come undone. Don't they actually cut the stomach away and re-direct it.

I think I was ripped off. Wonder what I can do?

Shocking Lack of Loss

by: Daisy

I had my Roux En Bypass surgery in 2009. In the first 2 months I lost about 14 months, which is tragic and shocking. The only odd thing about me is that I was not extremely obese but pretty much there.

From 255 LBS, I have come down to 180 LBS. Well, this is not the kind of weight loss for which one undergoes such a massive surgery. The fact that I did not lose in the very initial months--a time when I could not even two raising--means that my body does not have a one-to-one correlation with food intake. I wish I had stuck to good old fashioned caloric control and work out. If anything, the surgery gave me significant malnutrition.

80 More to go!

by: So frustrated

I had surgery in August of 2009 and lost 50 pounds by about the next spring.

However, since then, I have lost no more weight and I work out at least 3 times per week for one hour and I take in about 1200 calories per day. I need to loose at least 80 more pounds to reach my goal and it's not happening.

My husband did not have the surgery and recently reduced his calorie intake dramatically and has lost so much weight.

I have never been more frustrated and I do not know what to do.

People who know I had surgery look at me like "shouldn't you be smaller".

Fighting depression and old habits everyday.

I thought I was the only one!!!

by: Anonymous

I had a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and lost 50 pounds (I have over 100 to lose) and then it stopped completely. I gained back 10 and have been stuck there for two years.I can barely eat and I'm still not losing any weight!!! I am so sorry I had this surgery. I have friends who did NOTHING and lost all of their weight after bypass.What is wrong with me?

Doctor

by: Jim Baker

Your soma should be no larger than the size of a dime. What is yours? How much of your small intestine did they make non-absorbent?Sounds like an inexperienced Surgeon.

Did you change your lifestyle after the surgery ?

by: Sam

I don't think the surgery is supposed to be a permanent fix. The amount of hard work required to be healthy (non-surgically) is no different than what's required for most patients even after the surgery (especially once the honeymoon period is over). The surgery is just supposed to give us a kick-start. It's been called a "tool" by most doctors for a reason. If you don't change your lifestyle, nothing will change in the long-term. I am not judging anyone, but everyone knows best exactly what they eat everyday. So just ask yourself what exactly have you done after the surgery :
1) Did you follow the doctor's/nutritionists advice to the letter ?
2) Have you changed to a healthy lifestyle ?
3) Has your food content drastically changed (it clearly couldn't have been good if it lead you to this surgery in the first place) or is your food content more or less the same, albeit smaller portions ?
4) Do you eat fried stuff, processed food, junk food, alcohol, sugary drinks, sweets ?
5) How much physical activity do you do now compared to before the surgery ?

Of course, if you ""truly"" believe you are doing absolutely everything right, and you are 100% NOT eating like everybody else (most people don't eat healthy food, irrespective of whether they look thin or not), and you are definitely exercising regularly, but still cannot lose any weight, then perhaps you have some underlying issues that are causing the weight gain. E.g. there are some medications that can cause weight gain despite weight-loss surgery (and there's little that you can do with your willpower to stop their affect). It's best that you consult with you doctor about any medication you might be taking regularly.

I am not saying there is no such thing as a botched surgery. It's indeed possible, that you are one of those few unlucky patients whose surgery wasn't done properly (perhaps by an inexperienced surgeon) and thus you never got the initial benefit/jump-start at all that you were supposed to get with the WLS.

Some things to consider :

1. Things that you clearly cannot change are ""Genetics"". Some people will respond better to surgery than others. Like me, I am sure you have all seen or read thousands of success cases online related to WLS. So, it clearly is working for some people.
2. The effects of the surgery vary from patient to patient. Some could have hunger control for years as a result of the surgery, while other's may never feel any lost of their appetite after the surgery. (I for one never felt "not hungry" despite the surgery. That was really scary! )
3. Some get dumping syndrome, others don't. (I didn't get dumping either)
4. For some restriction can last for years, for others, they can find themselves being able to healthy almost normal portions like before. (withing 3 months of the surgery, I found myself to be able to eat almost normal portions already)
5. If there's one thing that's completely in your control and one thing that "can" and "will" work no matter if you start it before or even start after the surgery is eating healthy food and doing regular physical activity. This is of course easier said than done, but if you have already taken a serious life-risk and done the surgery, experienced pain, and spent thousands of dollars, then you might as well do this one very difficult task of changing your lifestyle.

I say this as someone whose WLS surgery didn't help very much at all.

Me too...

by: Seeker

Had my RNY 7 weeks ago. I started as a 'low BMI' patient, at 5'4" and 191 pounds. THe scale barely moved the first 2 weeks but then started slowly down. I'm 7 weeks out and now at 177. Thinking of how much money I paid and the difficulty I put my body through I just want to cry. My doctor said I would lose 10% of my extra body weight in the first 6 weeks, 20% in the first 3 months, and 40% in the first year. I am nowhere near that target.

Before the 'holier than thou you must be doing something wrong' folks start, I ate a very calorie and carb controlled diet before my surgery. Given the weight of my family members I was far ahead of them at keeping my weight down (my sister weighs somewhere around 400 pounds and my mother around 260). Since surgery I am eating much less but still my weight barely budges. I cannot increase exercise much due to a foot problem (one of the reasons I decided to have the surgery).

Same Boat

by: Anonymous

I talked to my Pharmacist and a lot of the meds I am on cause weight gain. So, I stopped taking them - they weren't working for me any way and the weight has started to come off.

I was really struggling I had my surgery 9 months ago and I just hit 74 lbs down. I also am hypo-thyroid take that medicine. But I think my surgeon and the nutritionist should have went over my meds before and after surgery and tried to get me off any that caused weight gain. But instead I was treated like I wasn't following the diet because the weight wasn't falling off like it was on other people.

Which sure didn't help, but now I feel good about where I am and where I am going. I exercise daily and watch what I eat.

Something should help....Right??

by: Anonymous

I am sorry to hear about other's troubles with losing weight after surgery, but I have to say that I am glad to have found it is not just me. In 2006, I was at my highest weight of 310 and I'm only 5'4". After a family friend had the lapband done, I decided to have it done as well, by the same doctors. It took about a year, but I got down to 190 lbs. But unfortunately for me it made me unhealthy. I lost my hair, wasn't getting enough nutrients, got kidney stones, had to have my gall bladder removed and was in constant pain. I ended up gaining weight because I had to drink Ensure and was back at 270 lbs.

As it turned out, the band caused a hernia, pushed my stomach up through my diaphragm into my chest, shredding my diaphragm and my port torn away from my muscle, flipping around and causing it's own damage. I went to a bariatric specialist and had to have the band removed, my diaphragm repaired, my muscle stitched up and because of all the damage I had to have the routine GnY done.

Two years after this surgery, I am only down to 225 lbs. I do not ever get hungry (no stomach growling) so I have to set alarms so that I remember to eat. If not, I get extremely ill, but still won't lose any weight. I do not get enough nutrients and my body just fights itself. Everything is nearly bottoming out. I have to take iron supplements twice a day, I take calcium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium and I drink protein shakes. Due to all the pills I have to take, I also have to take stomach pills to keep from being nauseated. Even with all this, I cannot eat normal sized meals. I eat less than my 6 and 8 year olds. I cannot drink alcohol, not even a little. My body has a difficult time digesting red meats and if I eat anything that is larger than half a sandwich or 1/2 a cup of cereal (these are examples for sizing) then I get extremely nauseated, sweat and occasionally vomit.

Still with all this drama going on, I do not lose weight. Instead, I get weak, have headaches, have weak fingernails that tear easily, etc. I walk 2 to 4 miles a day, everyday rain or shine and I swim. I do not lift weights or do anything more advanced for exercise because I'm afraid to harm my body with anything more intense because of my low levels and lack of nutrients. During the worst part of my body drama listed above, I was having scopes done every two to three months and blood work done on a regular basis. Surprisingly, I have a very strong heart and liver, which I guess is good or my body would have given out and I could have possibly died a long time ago.

Most of my calories come from the shakes and supplements that I have to take to get nutrients. I guess I should be happy that with everything I have not gained any weight, but after all the hardship and money spent for each surgery (even the repairs because insurance did not cover any of it) you would think I could at least slowly lose something healthily. Aside from my levels being in the toilet and being classified as obese due to my weight and BMI, I am considered healthy. My doctor says that because of my digestive issues, my body is in a constant state of "starvation mode", so any calories I take in, my body immediately stores as fat. My body does not recognize what I eat as nutrients and therefore, nothing registers.

I cannot say if my body would have naturally gone through some of this over time and as I aged if I had not had the surgeries, but I also cannot say that the surgeries did not cause what is going on with me. I can say that the surgeries did not help me to get healthier or to lose weight. Basically, the surgeries provided me with "broken tools" and no way get return them or to get a refund. I am now stuck with a system that does not recognize food and nutrients for what they are, cannot diet/eat properly and cannot increase my exercise because my body might just shutdown. So for people like me, I am just stuck. Stuck with the weight and a body that is in constant battle with itself. So what is out there for people like myself? All I can do is be thankful that I was not one of the individuals that surgery killed. I can be happy that I am still able to live, move and be there for my kids. I just have to get to the point that I am happy doing it as a heavy/fat/obese/chubby (whatever you want to call it) person.

So confused

by: Tjstep

I searched the topic because I feel alone. I have been up and down in weight several times throughout my life - 2 years ago I lost 50lbs in 3 months going on a high protein, no processed food/carbs but fruit and veggies were free so I was still getting in good carbs. I had to have knee surgery and put 30 back on in no time approximately 5 months after the loss. Started the bariatric program 2/16 and had the RNY 12/6/16. My HW was SW was 237.6 - surgery went well, I was up and walking the day of surgery (it's a fight or flight mechanism I have) and was making laps around the hospital the next day every 2 hours so they advanced my diet to unlimited clears. 2 days after surgery I was off all pain meds and doing amazing so they upped my diet to liquid diet and unlimited clears. NO ISSUES and got to go home a day early - I started walking/exercising 5 days post op for 60 minutes a day - nothing too crazy for speed 3 - 3.3mph for my 5'3 1/2" body, severe arthritis in my knees so can't go crazy but enough to feel it. I felt great! Went back to work 2 days the following week because I was bored and was back full time 13 days post op. I lost 12lbs and felt great!

In the last 2 weeks I have only lost 5lbs and I am extremely frustrated. The Dietician wants me to get up to 800-900 calories a day due to exercise and I am trying but that is hard to do when eating healthy.

My diet consists of the following:

  • Danon lit and fit greek yogurt 12g protein only 80 cals - can usually only eat 1/2 at a time but finish it
  • Premier protein shake 30g protein only 160 cals - I only do 1/2 or take 1 hour to drink a whole one in between meals - depending the day I drink at least 1 a day but sometimes opt for a 2nd if I forgot to eat pureed food
  • Some type of pureed meat (chicken, lean beef, ham, crab meat, egg whites) about 6-12g protein only 50-80 cals
  • Protein pudding pop or 2 which is 3.5g protein and 23 cals per serving

In the first 2 weeks I averaged 60-65 grams of protein a day with around 400-450 calories.

Week 3 - working to up my cals per the recommendation and increased my protein intake to 70-80grams a day and around 600-650 in calories.

I also increased my exercise (not on purpose but because I enjoy walking while watching TV) and walk at least 1-2 hrs a day with 1-2 rest days a week. My daily average burn in calories a day is 730 when I do walk.

I am truly eating healthy - taking all of my vitamins and supplements and am frustrated that I am only down 17lbs in 4 weeks. Everyone keeps telling me to stay the course and it will come off so I will but seeing all these posts makes me wonder now.

My surgeon is a Mayo surgeon and I had 120cm of small intestinal bypass per the surgical report.

Updates

by: Christopher Byrum

I read these comments and my wife is in the same boat as a lot of the things I have read. She was at 236 lbs 2 week preop – day of surgery she was 230 lbs. She will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow July 20th and she is only down to 217 lbs.

I am wondering where are the updates? People who have posted on here and 3 weeks to a month out and didn’t have that much weight lost, but you’re not 6 months or a year out from surgery... where are you now? Have you lost more weight?

I think my wife is doing ok 21 days out and she’s lost 13 lbs. That is just over a 1/2 lbs a day which is what the projected weight loss is supposed to be. I am looking for guidance or comfort that I can give to my wife. It can be hard because 5 months prior I had weight loss surgery and started at 330 lbs and in 6 months time I lost 115 lbs.

I am down to 215 and only 35 lbs away from my goal weight of 180 lbs. I know she is comparing her weight loss to mine and where I was. I don’t like seeing her this way and want to try and help her out in any way possible.

Lost 128 lbs, but needed to lose more

by: Candice B.

Had Roux-en-Y GBS 6 years ago, and got down to 207 after a struggle with three different surgeries, countless endoscopies, and now, a regain of 28 lbs. and no way to lose ANY more.

Taking meds for Diabetic Neuropathy, and they stall me out, totally, but nothing else can be done. I'm so tired of being overweight, and even though I can barely eat, and am on my feet constantly at my job, NOTHING else in 3 years, since my last revision.

Keep pushing. Don't give up. I can't lie, I did lose 128 lbs. but I should've been able to lose 150 and have skin removal. Good luck, though.

Hopefully you'll have better results than I did. I barely eat enough to feed a small child, one meal a day, maybe, and it's done NOTHING for me beyond the initial loss 3 years ago.

P.S.- Sorry for the long comment/story, but hopefully others will get the idea that sometimes things just don't work out the way you expect, and when you lose support from your surgeon, it's the worst feeling, knowing there may have been something you could do, but it just didn't happen. It leaves you wondering, "what if."

So, don't give up, and keep seeking answers. Don't just quit out of stress, like I have.

Regretful

by: No weight loss

I also had the sleeve done and lost no weight. I have no restriction and can eat anything. So upsetting. Surgerybwas 9/5. I’m getting a second opinion. Any updates on your situation?

response to Nadia Barhoumeh-Lee, RN

by: bluesky61

I had RNY three weeks ago. I weighed 252 the morning of surgery. I now weigh 244. I haven''t even lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks. Here's the thing, I'm sick of medical people -like yourself- blaming the patient when their voodoo doesn"t work! You must not be exercising enough, you must be cheating on your diet.

I have followed EVERY instruction I have been given. I got up 1/2 an hour after waking from surgery and began walking. I have increased my exercise everyday since. HOW MUCH EXERCISE DO YOU THINK A PT 3 WEEKS OUT OF SURGERY CAN DO?

Medical science -doctors, nurses etc, need to STOP[ BLAMING THE PATIENT when they have atypical results and start working with the PT to figure out what went wrong.

2.5 years out

by: Val

What you have written sounds just like me. I wasn't tremendously overweight and hardly lost at all after my surgery. The good news is that eventually I DID lose the weight, dropping from 200 to 134, where I seem to have stabilized. I am spending several months living with a group of people doing an academic semester abroad, and they constantly comment on how little I eat.

What gets me is that I eat 1/3 to 1/2 of what everyone else eats and don't lose weight. That was typical for me, especially just after the surgery. When the weight did start to come off it was quite slow - I don't think I ever lost more than a pound per week, and several weeks went by when I didn't lose anything.

Once I lost the first 10 pounds and could see the weight come off I didn't worry so much, but tried to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of nutrients and enough protein. I also remember feeling that I had done something terrible to my body for no result, but hang in there - it will get better!

I look and feel NORMAL now and don't have to struggle with weight every second, and you will be there too, I promise! <3

Click here to see more patient comments

Click here to add your own response

Share Your Comments

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement

[ Last editorial review/modification of this page : 05/24/2021 ]

* Disclaimers: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partners and/or submit information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read More

Request a Free Insurance Check

Fill out the below form for a free insurance check performed in partnership with your local bariatric surgeon.

Advertisement

Los Angeles/Orange County

logo
mark