MSWDiet

I was 47 when I had RNY gastric bypass twelve years ago. There was no "honeymoon" period where the pounds melted away for me. I do not believe this was age related because my surgical peers at the time lost weight at about the same rate as younger women. Nonetheless, I exceeded my surgeons goal and have maintained this with a lot of difficulty. An autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism and medications are to blame for an average loss of less than half a pound weekly. Watching the scale go down and up then repeat was frustrating but I had a good experienced surgeon who also had the same procedure. The metabolically challenged as he put it need to stay on plan even when it seems there is no progress. Not what I wanted to hear at the time. I was angry and beginning to have regrets but a good support network "talked me off the ledge". After a year of following the rules I made changes to my doctor's plan. Using information from the body building community I Incorporated eating practices used to increase lean muscle mass. None conflict with the needs of gastric bypass patients. I researched options I believed could serve me better. At 17 months post op I made my desired maximum weight. I'm still pushing to get 5lbs lower. I deliberately left out the numbers. Not because it's a secret, I've posted this info in the past. Some individual readers may distinguish between weight/BMI classifications then rate difficulty and speed of weight loss to evaluate "success". That is not the point of my reply. Also, I make no claim to post op diet perfection nor do I blame metabolism for my obesity. No matter where you start at any age you will need to work your plan. You may work hard and see only small results as you watch surgical peers break their surgeons rules and do well. Further, you will likely have to make Healthful adjustments to augment your progress based on your needs. I've met many success stories since I committed to surgical intervention and I'm in good company. Today my weight is 30lbs up because of steroids, hypothyroidism, and binge eating disorder. It was 40lbs up a few weeks ago. Age is not the only issue in my struggle but "I Got This". This is one of a few episodes of rapid fat gain. I'm not talking about pounds and Water weight. You will not hear me say I've gained my weight back. What I've put on is fat but it's not mine and I'm not keeping it. I've learned how to "re lose" body fat and curb weight gain in spite of menopause and other factors. There is no secret to my maintenance. Never buy a larger size, period. Clothing measurement, not size number is my guide. I avoid stretch fabrics when I can without sacrificing style. I also monitor my body fat percentage. Formulas used by the YMCA and the military are easy to find. Ten years plus post op forced me to figure this out. A support network even before your procedure can help you learn what you need for the long term. If you have access to counseling or mental healthcare take advantage of it. Many of us with recently recognized mental health concerns like binge eating disorder and compulsive over eating do not know these illnesses exist. They can even be incorporated into a healthy post op eating plan with your nutritionists blessing. The more you know about why you are obese the easier and more successful your maintenance plan will be. Yes, I said maintenance plan. You asked for post op support but You WILL Succeed. We all find our way here because we want to be well and we all can be. I've included what I wished I knew pre op. This process is emotional as well as physical. Every pound lost is joyful but for some even a week with no change feels devastating. Get ready for the highs and lows knowing will be the Winner. Some famous writer somewhere is quoted as not having had the time to be conscise. For me include spell checking and grammar too. You have my story and I hope it's helpful. All the best!

Thanks for asking [emoji846]Every day I have GRATITUDE for having had weight loss surgery. No surgical complications. No surgery related problems short or long term. I have medical issues unrelated to obesity that frustrated my weight loss. It took a long time but I made it below my surgeons goal to ensure a "normal" BMI. I struggled with the usual ups and downs you can expect over the years. Overall, I'm maintaining. There is no way I will allow myself to go backwards. Pre wls I wore 18/20/2x in most brands. At my personal goal weight I wear 0/2/4 at Gap/ Old Navy. Today I can't wear my size 0 jeans but I'm working my way back into them. My un breakable rule of maintenance is Never, Ever Buy A Larger Size. This keeps re gain in check. I shop with a tape measure to ensure consistency between brands. I consciously work on my disfunctional eating to address what surgery cannot. I hope my story is helpful. MSW

I haven't had a revision but I had no post op pain after RNY. Pain was my only concern but I did not need the hospital's pain med drip or Rx at home. Fingers crossed, you will have little or no pain too. I wish you well. This time around you will reach your most healthy weight. MSW

I had the similar worries because I need a cocktail of daily meds including psych drugs. Over a decade later I'm proof that this can be done successfully immediately post bypass surgery and long term. My surgeon believed bypass was necessary although I sought him out for his experience with the sleeve. Twelve hours post op a nurse sat with me and showed me how to take 21 tablets & capsules, not including supplements. I did then and still do this 7 times daily. Among my meds are a few commonly used psych drugs. Both short and long acting drugs were in the mix from the start. My doctor did not allow me to crush pills because medical conditions unrelated to obesity required meds that could not be crushed or broken. He insisted I learn to continue my regular medications beginning on the day of surgery. None were changed to crushable forms. It took 20 minutes. I went home the day after surgery and swallowed my 3 dozen meds and supplements including psych drugs 7 times a day. Zero complications since 09'. Every single medication worked as it did before surgery. Best wishes for your success! MSW

Hi there, February 09 surgery and maintaining. My binge eating exploded a few years post op. Our need for short and long term mental health support following weight loss surgery is under valued. We need available support for our head issues even if we've not needed mental health support in the past. Almost every day is a battle but I'm managing. Hopefully I'll find answers to my dysfunctional eating patterns. I look forward to the day when my relationship to food becomes "normal". This is my elusive goal. Achieving a normal and rational perspective on food and body image. High five to both of us for losing weight. High hopes that each of us will find what's needed to move from a daily struggle to normal maintenance. MSW

YES YES YES! After a lifetime of obesity I feel fat with a closet full of jeans sized 0/2/4. At size 18/20/2x I didn't feel fat at all. You are not alone. It will get better. MSW

I can identify with how you perceive your body. Vanity has kept me gorgeous from size 18/20 to size 2/4. However, post op I began experience insane body dysmorphia. I felt obese a few pounds above my ideal weight after a lifetime of not feeling fat despite my obesity. Weight loss can alter one's self image and spark un anticipated behavioral changes. Therapy was not in my post op budget so I'm continuously working on my self image. Reality vs my perception is a long term struggle. You are not the first to experience this particular flavor of crazy . For some of us it's a normal part of adjusting to our new reality. Therapist define these experiences as "Adjustment Disorders". Step one to resolving your issues is awareness. You've begun the introspective work. That's a good start for reconciling your perceptions with reality. Best wishes! MSW

While I know nothing about the skin issues I can comment be on the hair loss. Biotin 5000 daily is still my hair best friend a dozen years post op. Hair loss is common within the first six months post op as others have already explained. For me the hair loss slowed but never completely stopped. I take my vitamins religiously and have no nutritional deficiencies. Nonetheless, biotin is a must or the hair loss starts again. MSW

I also struggled with sleeve vs bypass. The best thing you can do for yourself is research the reasons you doctor discussed with you. Then research any other pros and cons from a strictly medical perspective. I suggest you ignore opinions and preferences of other patients until after you've evaluated the objective medical facts. Patients may have strong feelings about certain procedures. I've seen "surgery wars" on many message boards. The surgeon I selected because of his sleeve experience recommended I have a bypass be it roux-en-y or duodenal switch. Like you, I believed the sleeve would be less complicated over time. However, after research I could not deny the reasoning behind this recommendation was sound. With my underlying medical conditions the sleeve would most likely have required a revision within ten years. I only wanted to do this once. Two days before surgery I agreed to a roux-en-y gastric bypass. I should have agreed to the more drastic duodenal switch. Despite knowing the surgeon was on point, I could not bring myself to go there. NO Regrets! I'm glad I studied all angles even though I went middle of the road instead of with what MAY have been best. My decision suits my comfort level. That was in 2009. Today I still struggle with ups and downs but overall I'm maintaining. Back then Gap & Old Navy had nothing for me. Now I float between the vanity sized 0/2/4 made for us amplely proprtioned American women . No revision needed but I will always struggle. Best wishes for every you decide. [emoji106] MSW

Congrats to you! I'm only 12 years successful but I stay squeezed into my goal weight sized jeans daily. The discomfort serves as a reminder that I will not let myself down. MSW

As I understand it, this may be normal if you have metabolic issues and or use certain medications. This was the case for me. Two to three weeks post op I began gaining after being stalled from the start. My surgeon called me metabolically challenged but insisted I stick with the program. On average I lost less than half a pound weekly. Despite sticking to my program, I repeatedly had weight gain to re loose. After almost a year and a half, I made my personal goal which was about 15lbs below the medical goal. There was no wls "honeymoon" for me. No fast weight loss whatsoever. Hang in there. Try not to be discouraged. It will happen for you too although it may not be as expected.

Your health care professionals work for you. Replacing any doctor is your decision. However, you must be willing to do the work needed to find a replacement in a timely manner; and, to evaluate exactly why you believe this relationship is not in your best interest. Do you have someone reliable who you can talk this through with? Someone who cares enough to tell you if You are the problem? Is there someone willing to accompany you and act as your advocate in dealing with the medical staff? Can someone assist you in communicating your needs and responding to the reply? Should all indications conclude that you are not getting the care you need FIRE YOUR DOCTOR. "This is not done" is no reason to jeopardize you health. Get copies of your medical records from the doctor's office and the hospital. Replacing your follow up care professionals may not be easy but it can be done. Understanding exactly what is wrong with this relationship will help you to find a good fit for the future.

While I have not experienced this (nor do I understand what your other condition is), I'm *Wishing You Well* with this reply. Over the years a number of online friends have had additional surgeries tacked on to their weight loss procedures. Each recovered well and has been successful overall. Good health and success are yours.

I share this issue. The formal diagnosis and treatment for hypothyroidism came over 25 years after a goiter was first noted. Fat people are often un treated or under treated for this condition. You can absolutely have long term success. It will take longer. The myth of rapid weight loss immediately after surgery will be dispelled. However, at an average weight loss of 0.34lbs per week, I reached my goal over 17 frustrating months. You may gain weight while being faithful to your program then start losing weight again. The metabolically challenged (my surgeons term) will be successful over time. With multiple metabolic complications, I've lost the fat and maintained my desired weight. Twelve years post op I've been able to beat down each incidence of re gain. Stay on program and research healthy alternatives to boosting your metabolism. While your doctor's plan is your primary guide, a little tweaking may be needed over time. You Can succeed. You WILL succeed. EDIT: After reading all replies written before mine, I have a suggestion for everyone. -Make a chart of all medications and supplements with their interactions. Apps and web sites with this information are abundant. -Prepare a doseing plan to ensure each item is taken timely and correctly. Include each dose for anything taken multiple times daily. Include the strength and form for every medication be it Rx or OTC. Include the brand and form for all supplements. Include items taken only as needed and those on a schedule other than daily. WHY? -You will maximize the benefits from your thyroid medications and avoid cancelling the effects of your supplements. -You will learn how best to take everything you use. Your goal is to minimize side effects and maximize benefits. -You will have details at your fingertips for your weight loss support team to review if needed. -In case of a medical emergency, you have this vital information on hand. While it seems like a lot to do, you already have the information. It is likely your pharmacy's app can do this for you with its doseing reminder service. (My intention is to be helpful based on the original post. Therefore, I've supplied no backgroud. Castrad01 posted for support not my autobiography.)

@ge0rgette2,Yes RNY is a gastric bypass but there are others. Any WLS that re-routes digestion to bypass part of the digestive tract such as a duodenal switch is in this category. I learned this when my surgeon asked me to state my name, date of birth, and procedure before having me moved from my pre-op room. I replied gastric bypass and he had me specify explaining RNY is not the only one. This was particularly important for me because I decided against a duodenal switch. Just imagine if I awoke to the wrong bypass? It all sounds scary but it seems you have prepped yourself to do the right thing. Stick with your plan. Follow all of the rules. You will likely never dump. As for Hot Flashing... I've also got quarantine brain but someone in this thread asked how it compares to menapause. I've just had one menapausale hot flash and it was like a momentary hit from a blast furnace (or an open door to hell, lol). Dumping was very different. I felt the heat of a full body flush rise and dissipate in waves several times. I did not sweat but others have told me they were sweaty. Some just the face but others from head to toe.