After 6 Years I Ave Regained Every Ounce and Now Have a Host of Horrible Side Effects

I am 6 years out from a vertical sleeve. My post exercise plans were waylaid when extremely painful periphial neuropathy was triggered by the surgery causing many months in bed until finally the right medication cocktail was applied to me. My stamina has never recovered to my pre surgery level. I suffered through 4 post surgery hospitalizations for dehydration and other things. I went on a cruise 8 months post op in a wheel chair. The lyrica is the only reason I am not in a wheelchair right now. I had nausea and vomiting for the first 10 months on an almost daily basis and even now I intermittently throw up my supper. It took 2 years for my hair to get back to normal. My flatulence is something I live with and many times I avoid social interactions because of it. My post surgery bowel movements regularly stop up commodes at home and also when we travel. I have consulted doctors and am assured nothing is wrong. Now I attend water exercise classes which is the best and only way for me to get exercise. I use a rolling walker as a tool to give me more mobility choices due to my arthritus. Not complaining, just explaining. I once more face dietary meal plan changes as now I am no meds to reduce uric acid and will now exist on skim milk/low fat greek yogurt smoothies and lots of veggies. My gouty arthritus was triggered by trauma suffered due to a fall. Would I have had the surgery if I had known the complications? YES YES YES. Obesity is 'complicated' with many contributing factors. The WLS surgery is a tool for us to use in our lifetime battle. I still have issues in keeping myself hydrated and that is a daily battle that is here to stay. I wish everyone well who has had or is considering WLS. Like all surgery procedures, complications can occur which cannot be predicted. Each of us must weigh the risks and the benefits. It was the right decision for me.

I am a mental health provider with one of my charges being the psycho/social assessment for gastric bypass. Now before you all take the moral high ground of not blaming the obese I will say this, "Who do you want to blame?" Let me add here this is rhetorical for it is simple you can't take in more calories than you burn. Sidebar - I am not a skinny person with no understanding, this is just another way to deflect personal responsibility. Ok, their may be genetic components as well as psychological to obesity albeit, it is still up to the obese person to address. All obese people firmly state they are ready to do whatever it takes to have successful post-surgery results, they will exercise and follow the dietary restriction. This is the "Honeymoon Period." The facts are: 1. No obese person every stated to me they were responsible for their weight gain or daily food intake. 2. Those waiting for gastric bypass believe that with a smaller stomach they will be full faster. Yet, most do not stop eating now when full. 3. Every last patient states, "I have tried everything and nothing works." Hostility greeted my statement there was no need for surgery for if nothing works then this won't either. 4. Weight loss prior to surgery is mandated to show a patient will follow the new restrictions. Sadly the way most try to lose those pounds is by traditional dieting not by instituting the lifestyle changes required for successful weight loss. Curiously, they believe these lifestyle changes will miraculously occur after surgery. The comments here about failure as well as personal regret is exactly what happens after one leaves the "Honeymoon period" only to find they are living the same reality of overeating coupled with lack of exercise. The new stomach can be stretched delivering one back to square one. Again, the obese person has to take responsibility. You did not say no to surgery for you believed this was going to be the magic pill when it was just another Monday(The day most use to start a lifestyle change only to fail.) Many, many warnings are given prior to surgery which are not heeded, fantasies abound only to be replaced by the reality that surgery changes nothing unless the person changes. All patients know the risk and benefits they only focus on the positive. Knowledge did not dissuade desire to have surgery. No need to inform me of the immediate benefits of surgery I am well versed however, I suggest all check the research on weight loss methods for they all have the same 5 year result...Failure. I extend my best to all parting with a recommendation you work on the reasons you overeat not the fact you overeat.

I had the surgery 7 years ago and really regret it. I lost 105 lbs and have only gained 22 back its the other issues, I had a revision last year do to throwing up for a year till my dr finally went in for a look and found I had a bubble like a hernia in my pouch causing me to vomit, so now 8 teeth later and having a hard time getting a partial to stay in. Also have to go for iron infusions my iron level was down to 5. I have had 7 so far and now down to one every 2 months. And s till cant eat meats, breads, milk. Its just not worth it I would rather be overweight. Please do lots of research befor considering this procedure

It will be 9 train Sept. since my surgery. I lost 174 lbs. I had to have 2 other surgeries because of abcess. I have gained 39 lbs back but still loving the new me. I recently had to wear a wig caused I lost all my hair in the front but I'm dealing with it. I pray things get better for you. Would I do it again? IN A HEARTBEAT.

It's been years since your post, however I hope you receive.
I had my GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY 6 years ago. Was a 333lb woman, now I'm 173. Have gained 11lbs, but I amworried not worried I will loose it.
Now when seeking advice, WE need to obtain it from individuals who struggled, not an individual that has been thin their whole life. EX..we can go to a so called "nutritionists" who has never been fat, cannot and will not understand. The answer is not here, only encouragements and of course ignorance of some folks.
YOUR ANSWER, YOUR WILL POWER, YOUR SOLUTION HAS ONE ANSWER AND ITS SIMPLE........ITS YOU!!;

Go the mirror look at YOUUUU!!! KNOW YOU ARE WORTH IT! Know that the only person that will stick around with you, is looking right back at you. You are beautiful and so worth it, the weight does not, will not define who you are it only defines you with people that look at us, not by who we are but, what our look is. You and only YOU has the will power to change, its hard I KNOW...BUT you must do it if you choose, yes I must say; FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU.

I want you to know I get hungry too!!! But, I try and eat healthy fillers
Ex.: fruits,carrots, yogurt, chicken, water,water,WATER!!!
I have been a member of a gym and work out, start slowly form that habit. I LOVE running, though I'm not currently, and yes I AM SO GOOD IN DOING MY BEST TIME IS 7 miles in 1hr, 5 min!!!! When you feel like eating things like B&J or things you shouldn't LEAVE, Go for a walk, it will help with the stress! Now the rule is the next day you cannot walk the same, you must always walk a few more steps.

SEARCH AND FIND WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU!!! DO NOT LET PEOPLE TELL YOU OTHERWISE, KNOW YOU ARE WORTH SO, SO MUCH. SO MUCH THAT A GUY DIED FOR YOU AND IS ON THE CROSS. Define you, get to know YOU, NEVER STOP LOVING YOU.

YOU HAVE THE POWER!!! TRUST AND BELIEVE IN YOUUUUUUUU!

YOU CAN DO THIS!! DO NOT LET FOOD RUN YOUR LIFE, YOU RUN YOUR LIFE AND YOU CHOOSE WHAT GOES INTO IT!!

p.s. Don't buy B&J, if you don't have it, you will not eat it!!!!

best wishes!!

Sandy

Here's my thoughts. I am 10 years post op, next month. I KNOW WHAT I DO WRONG, WE ALL DO. We knew what we were going into having this surgery and we knew the rules. I STILL have dumping syndrome but know my limits, which is a cookie or a snack size candy bar. That is my cut off. My opinion is that the flatulence and smelly stools is probably a form of dumping syndrome from all of the Ben & Jerry's.

Sadly, your experience echoes what I've seen with the people I know personally who had surgery. Sure, for a few years, they're thinner.....but surgery can't fix what makes you overeat, and they gain it all back and then some. Worse, they end up with horrible health problems as a side effect from having their digestive tract mutilated. I'm willing to be that all the glowing reviews on here won't be so glowing a few years down the road, or are made by people so invested with the idea that surgery HAD to be the answer (it's too late now, anyway) that they ignore the very real problems.

20 or 30 years go, gastric bypass was almost unheard of, and it continues to be in countries that have healthy cultures and healthy eating habits. Only in gluttonous America have we been fooled into thinking that gorging ourselves on junk food is a "disease" and that the only cure is to have a doctor cut out our digestive organs and staple the remnants back together. Our skyrocketing rates of obesity show that there is something very, very wrong with the way we eat, and diet programs only make it worse. The answer isn't repeated surgeries, but a concentrated overhaul on what and how we eat (a huge portion of our calories comes from "healthy" snacking, as if we needed to be eating constantly!) lest we all end up morbidly obese and immobile. This will not happen as long as we pretend that our psycho-social disorders relating to food, and tendency to expect doctors and surgeries to fix everything for us without taking personal responsibility, are beyond our control.

I am sorry you've had such a hard time, and sorry you fell victim to a culture that says that chopping up your insides to treat overeating is normal. I hope you get better.

The ignorance of comments astounds.

When I had my operation the surgeon worned me that I would probably have bowel issues for the rest of my life, and would most likely at some point need my gall bladder removed. I never suffered with anything except cronic constipation. I learned which foods triggered my bouts and the foods that would releave them if you know what I mean. Though my operation was over 20 years ago I live a life style directed by my bypass. Alternitive (DEAD) from a stroke or a heart attack. So I think I would much prefer the first. We have do be so thankfull for what we have most good comes with a cost, and I am for one willing to pay it. As for your depression I got that too afterwards. Remember your thinking went from what you always hoped and was taught. it,s in the inside that counts to getting your self worth and selfisteem coming from how others presieve you. I am sure you have heard people say everything about you changes when you have this operation and it doe,s but they do not think that they change too. I never truly realized how much people treated me differently afterwards. I was now suddenly approachable and persude in friendship and relationships. So you now know that if you fail and gain a pound or develope other issues that you deal with people will begin to withdraw and treat you like befor but this time you know the Whats in the iside thing is just a bunch of bull. This is were a host of other issues and concerns begin to develope. Wow that was deep inside my brain lol Back on track back. Take your vitamines, drink lots of water. Trust yourself you know what is best for you. Listen and learn from your experiences and others in life not just on your bypass because you are still going to have other problems in life and they may not be related. Good luck and Good life

i know exactly what your saying im sorry about your family situation i also had the bypass started at 359 lost 120 thats it 3 years ago,never worked out i am planning on it i just got sum equipment to help tone ive gained 13 pounds, i lost alot of hair im anemic and deficient on a few other things n when i eat its horrible it runs right thru me im scared to travel im scared to drink coffee or visit friends n relatives because it can hit me all at once then times im constipated its horrible always gasy seems 24/7 and the odor when i do use it is so foul and its uncontrollable i use to be abkle to hold it before surgery not anymore i can eat more now get full n right away feel hungry i cant understand but im working on a healthier diet change because when i was traveling to NY TO VISIT MY HUSBANDS FAMILY I WOULD STARVE MYSELF JUST SO I WOULDNT HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM ITS ALL BAD BUT I LUV THAT I WENT FROM A SIZE 28 JEANS TO AN 18 IM STILL A THICK CHICK IM TOLD IM A VERY ATTRACTIVE WOMAN I JUST AM DEPRESSED ALOT WISH I WOULD HAVE LOST MORE ANYONE WANNA BE FRIENDS SEARCH ME UP ON FACEBOOK be blessed

6 years ago I had my Gastric Bypass. I would do it again tomorrow. I agree with the one person who said to seek counseling. Something can happen during the weight loss. You are not the first person I have heard of that has had severe emotional reactions to the surgery. I too suffer from malabsorbtion and have to take extra (more than anticipated) vitamin supplements. I Lost 168 lbs originally and have regained about 20. It's my fault though because I don't eat as well as I did originally and I don't work out everyday like I use to. Ben and Jerry's is not comfort food, it is killing you. I eill pray for you and I hope you find peace.

I understand the issues you have faced including provides with not getting enough vitamins. I am 7 1/2 years post op and have lost 128 lbs. I need to lose about 28 more but it's a sruggle. Most people have had positive results but there are people have regained all of their weight. I wish you the best of luck. First of all though it's important to take back your eating issues. Without that, unfortunately you will not be able to lose weight. This surgery doesn't help with the mental state if you have issues with over eating. Luckily I did not. Take care

Food is addictive. As you say, the bypass operation does not resolve food addiction. The reviews of this procedure I'm sure would not be so positive, if most were after 5 years. The good news is that food addiction can be treated. The bad news is, like with any addiction, the recovery rate is very, very low. It all depends on how motivated you are. Recovery from food addiction is even more difficult that recovery from alcohol or other drug addiction. To recover from food addiction and lose and maintain weight loss, you must make recovery the center of your life every single day. I wish you well. Recovery is possible, and I hope very much that you will achieve it.

I am working with 3 women who have had this By pass. All 3....complications, one had to have it redone, one has regained 80% of the weight after 3 years. Complications: Vitamin deficient, dramatic hair loss(chronic) Low blood sugar(never had blood sugar issues prior to the surgery., .they also report dramatic Mood swings. The excess skin is a REAL problem: Turkey necks, increase lines in their faces, sagging abdomens & upper arm tissue......not particularly attrative women even though they have dropped 4 pant sizes. I guess if one is going to do this procedure, you need to think BEYOND the actual Bypass and plan accordingly for the cosmetic surgery that eventually will be needed. The $$$ spent do not end with the Bypass. One gal is now working 60 hours a week to fund the cosmetic surgery she now needs. If you are 40 years or less, the excess skin may not be such an issue but if you are older, your skin will NOT contract. After what I have witnessed, I would want to researh the individulas that are living with a ByPass after 5 years not 6 months and 100 lbs lighter!