“After 6 years i ave regained every ounce and now have a host of horrible side effects”
Cost: $14,000
Pain: Severe
My starting weight was 340. After my surery I lost 165 pounds in less then a year. I had no major complications at first and was happy as a clam with the results. Fast forward 6 years later. I have regained all the weight plus an additional 45 and now weigh 385 plus i have bald spots, multiple vitamin deficiency that has led to weekly vitamin injections, all my top teeth are gone due to acid wear. I look 60 instead of 40. Like many I am have uncontrollable flatulence and smelly stools. Due to this I am no longer welcome at most family gatherings. I am now trying to just hang on, emotionaly and spiritually.
Two of my sisters who were as big as me opted to try eat healthy foods, mainly a plant based diet and have shed 90 pounds over a period of 4 years. They look young and beautiful. We went out last week and I was mistaken for their mother and they are both older then me by 18 months and 3 years.
I would give anything to go back in time and opt out of this barbaric procedure.
I sit around eating ritz crackers and blending up Ben and Jerry smoothies. These are some of the few foods I can keep down and yes I am an emotional eater. News Flash - the gastric bypass does not change your behavior!!!
My advice to anyone considering this is to listen to what people say that have had it going on 5 years out.
If you had asked me one year out I would have recommeded it highly. I also drink now and I never did before.
Apr 10, 2009Comments and replies (7)
4 posts
25 Apr 2009
I'm so sorry about your results. but, if anything you've inspired me to stay on top of my weight loss. I've done very well and am 3 years out. Thank you for your testimonial. Things that I can suggest to you. Join a gym or better yet buy a tread mill asap. join weight watchers and go see a dentist asap. along with joining a support group. as far as your family is concerned if they truely loved you they wouldn't do this to you. I hate them for you. I'm so sorry this happened but, now its up to you. to get your life back. ya your made mistakes and now its time to correct them. give me a call if you need someone to talk to. i've give you my number.
1 post
20 Jul 2009
I am 4 years out and have had a baby and regained 70 pounds, I initially lost 230. I don't have any side effects and blame myself entirely on the weight gain. I would do it all over if I could, but as we all know we can't. Now, the good old fashioned eat right, exercise has to come into play. I still take my vitamins regularly, don't know if that is what has helped me continue to be normal? I am terribly sorry about your issues. I know that this surgery is relatively new and we really don't know the long term effects. Ben and Jerry's is definitely not the way to go though. Switch to yogurt, if nothing else. Counseling really helped me, not that my life is perfect by any means. Good Luck!
2 posts
2 Sep 2009
I feel for you as well. I am 7 years out. In the first year and a half I lost about 170lbs. I got really thin. In the last six years I have regained about 70lbs. I am happy to still be 100lbs thinner than I was before. Over the years, I have been diagnosed with an enlarged stoma (the intestine opening connected to the stomach). My stomach (pouch) is still nice and small - no bigger than it was after surgery. The major problem is that I have lost almost all my sense of fullness. I eat a well balanced, high protein, small meals and I can eat again 20 minutes later. I've tried it all, not drinking during meals, high protein, dry foods only - nothing works. Whatever I eat leaves my stomach and into my stoma too fast. Frustrating to say the least. I have to refrain from eating all day long, because I never feel full. This is harder than it was pre-op. At least then I felt full! I am looking into a revision of the stoma. I wish you well, you are not alone in your struggles. Take Care and God Bless.
1 post
4 Nov 2009
First of all you need to get up off the couch and stop eating ben and jerry's smoothies it is not helping the situation. Go out and take daily walks and find yourself a good nutritionist. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and don't blame it on your family if anything what they say should be a motivation to show them that even though you failed once you can do it on your own and be a stronger and better person. Good luck
29 posts
2 Feb 2010
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!
23 posts
12 Feb 2010
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.