Mid West

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been around for ages but I've had nothing to say. Now after several months, I have my second opinion as to why my bypass didn't work (no restriction). Well, it seems there are 2 surgical errors. One is that the stoma is indeed too large (15-20mm) and is ineffective, there's no hold up of food at the site. And secondly, I have what they call an extra limb that comes off the pouch and looks like a hockey stick or candy cane. Has anyone else had experience with either of these problems? xx

Hi guys. There are a few threads on here where people are talking about how slowly they think they're losing, compared to others. Of course, we're all different, we all start at different weights and we all do some things differently (calorie intake, exercise etc). And I don't mean to start this thread so we can compare ourselves to others, that's not the point. But rather, this could be a thread where we can keep encouraging each other and people who are worried they're not losing as fast can see and be reassured they're not alone :-) I think it's so interesting that our nuts/docs aren't worried and tell us how they've heard it all before and it will happen etc. It's reassuring but also kind of weird - what do they know that we don't? Lol. I know that if I continue to lose at 1 lb a week, I'll be where I want to be this time next year. I can handle that, especially as I don't feel deprived and I don't feel like I'm dieting. If you are losing slowly, please know that you're not the only one and please post your feelings :-) Lx

Does anyone else get really bad hiccups regularly? Mine are like really big hiccups that last for a while. Does anyone else have this and do you know why it happens after surgery?

Hi guys. As previously posted, my bypass didn't work. I think it's because they left the stoma too big and I have zero restriction. They have been less than helpful in finding a cause for the failed surgery and have started to say things like 'I might have to accept that bypasses just don't work for done people' lol. They have, however reluctantly agreed to a second opinion and I will make an appointment to see another surgeon soon. However, I need some advice on what I should ask. He'll have both sets of X-rays that have been done but no other tests have been done and I'm not really sure how to get the best out if my meeting with him. Any advice? Thanks :-)

New set of X-rays tomorrow. This time they say their machines will be calibrated properly to be able to measure stoma size!

Hi there. I'm really interested to know what aftercare you guys receive? Do you have regular check-ups or weigh-ins? Do you have periodic X-rays or scans to check all is ok? Do you have blood or any other kinds of tests to make sure you're not vitamin deficient? Is there anything else you have? And how long does your aftercare last? Thanks x

Hi guys, Does anyone know the size of their stoma between stomach and intestine?

Thank you, thank you, thank you! That's exactly what I need - any other links anyone could send post would be much appreciated. I have spent hours Googling and found many sites that say the stoma size should be around 10 - 12 mm. Mine is 'around 2 cm' and I have no restriction. food goes in, food slips out but my doctor thinks 2cm is ok. I need to find as much info as I can that this is considered 'enlarged'. Much appreciated!

Guys, I started this thread because I thought I was a slow loser. Now it turns out, as I suspected that there was something wrong with the surgery I had. They left my stoma too big and so food goes straight through to my intestine and I have no restriction. I wanted the bypass as it's supposed to be the gold standard and I wanted the restriction. It wasn't to be. I don't know where I go from here but are all of you guys sure that your surgeries went as they were supposed to? You may be feeling bad and blaming yourselves for something that's not your fault.

I will do :-)

I haven't posted for a while as I've had nothing new to say but I have officially moved from slow loser to 'no' loser. The RNY just hasn't worked for me and yesterday, my surgeon says that he thinks my stoma is too big and therefore food is going straight down my throat and into the intestine. I t's nice to have an answer but I have no options for treatment as yet as they need to consult further. Does anyone know what the possible treatments might be? Has anyone else had this situation?

Thanks Lynetta, that's a great link, loads of information, thank you!

Thanks for the replies everyone and for sharing your experiences too. Whoever says that WLS is an easy option should think again!

Hi all I'm so glad this thread has been useful and a support for people. I haven't posted for a while as I've had nothing new to say but I have officially moved from slow loser to 'no' loser. The RNY just hasn't worked for me and today, my surgeon says that he thinks my stoma is too big and therefore food is going straight down my throat and into the intestine. It's nice to have an answer but I have no options for treatment as yet as they need to consult further. I've had my little spell of tears and tomorrow I'll start researching what can be done. Feeling pretty darn deflated.

Ok so yet again a side effect of RNY that I don't have. I can drink as much wine as I used to. I don't get tipsy any quicker and I don't dump. Sometimes I wonder if I did actually have this bloody surgery, lol. The only effect from it I do have is hiccups!

Ok so I am not a happy camper today.... Surgery Oct 29, 2012... That was 15 months ago almost. Started 285 - now 220. Yes that's only 65 pounds an not a one has come off in the last 9 months. So i have figured out- its up to me for the next 50 to come off.. Yes folks- I'm a slow loser and a slow learner. So- recommitting myself to diet and exercise because I can eat anything. Me too!!!

I'm not sure but I'm going to ask about it when I talk to my Dr. Let me know what you find out too. I'll try and find out too. I see my dietician on Monday. The only thing I can think of is the Depo Prevera contraceptive injection. I think I read somewhere that the average increase in weight in people who take that is 11lb. That's ok, I'd take 11lb over horrible, debilitating periods :-)

My surgeon mentioned something about hormone tests with an endocrocrinologist to see if anything might be slowing my weight loss. Do you have any idea what hormones they might mean?

We don't know why as the pouch looks ok. But I can definitely eat more than many people. I'm happy to be a slow loser as long as I'm losing something. And I have no evidence to back this up but I have heard that the slower you lose, the more likely you are to keep it off.

Me too Mary. Band to bypass conversion on 10th October and losing around 1lb a week.

I'm a slow loser having had a bypass. That's ok, I'm resigned to losing about 1lb a week. But I had to know if my pouch was normal before I could reach that point. I had an X-ray and whilst it's not tiny, it is normal and I can eat less than I used to. Could you go and have an X-ray? If your sleeve is too big, you don't have the 'tool' you went for. Good luck :-)

Every afternoon since my op in October, I've come home and fallen asleep on the sofa. I was always tired. And then I started exercising, just lightly three times a week and my energy level has just shot up!! I have more energy for everything and don't nap anymore. Weird hey?

You are not alone. Join some more of us in the 'Slow Losers Thread'. I also had my surgery in October and have resigned myself now to the fact that it's better to be a slow loser than a no loser :-)

Has anyone tried the cottage cheese test to see how much your pouch will hold before you're full? If so, what were the results? Thanks Lx

Hi guys. I started this thread as I thought I was the only one this was happening to. It's good to know that I'm not but it's a shame any of us are slow losers. I had my surgery on 10th October - in all since then (weighed last on Monday 6th Jan), I have lost 18lb, in 13 weeks which is an average of just over 1lb a week. I've had and seen an x-ray and my pouch is 'normal'. It's not tiny, the cottage cheese test came in at 7.5oz. Apparently they can be up to 9oz without any impact on weight loss. For 5 weeks since I last saw my dietician, I wasn't dieting in any way and Christmas, New Year and my birthday fell in the period too - and I still lost 2lb. So, I have deiced to just accept that I'm a slow loser and to do 2 things that might help me continue to lose 1lb a week. One is exercise and the other is to cut out sugar which I have done since 1st January. I get weighed again on Monday 27th January and I will be a happy bunny if I've lost 3lb. Better to be a slow loser than a no-loser which i was scared I was! Good luck everyone, we'll get there :-)