savannalady

I had an open RNY at 53, in 2003. The first year was awful. I could barely eat ANYTHING. But it got better. Pre surgery I weighed 292 and I am only 5'3". I was BIG. Now, I have trouble maintaining a normal weight. My pouch never stretched as it should have. Its still about 1.5 ounces. I am always trying to gain weight. This is very weird, for someone who was overweight all her life. My mind still cannot get a hold of this, and part of me still thinks I am fat!!! I have had several kidney stones which I passed on my own, but one had to be "blasted." I became very anemic the second year after surgery. ALL of this stuff has levelled off. I was told I would need to take Vit B12 shots for the rest of my life. NOT TRUE. My labs are completely normal, I feel just fine, and have ot taken a B12 shot in about 9 months. Go figure that one. I sure dont. One of the most frustrating things has been that NONE of doctors know much about gastric bypasses. They dont know what labs to order and dont understand how difficult it can be.

I had an open RNY is 2003. I was 53. Recovery was tough, I wont lie to you. I could barely eat a thing for a year. Constant nauseousness. I drank protein shakes so mucvh that the smell now makes me want to throw up. I lost a lot of weight that first year. Now, they are doing much better weight loss surgeries. The gastric sleeve, and others. Wish they had been doing that back when I had the surgery! My surgery worked almost TOO well. My stomach ( a pouch) did not stretch from one ounce to 3 ounces as promised. I would guess it is 2 ounces now. I still eat tiny amounts, slowly. It is a royal PIA bu then again -I wouldnt want to be obese. In 2003, I was 5'4" and weighed 292 lbs. I am now 67, and weigh 109 lbs. It i snow a struggle to GAIN some weight! Totally weird to be in the opposing shoes. NEVER thought I would WANT to gain weight. Weight loss surgery is NOT the "easy way out." No matter what anyone says. For whatever reasons, we eat too much and put on too many pounds. Comfort - that was my reason. Over time, that comfort cost me a great deal. I do like being thin, but I always have to balance health with my weight. much love to you all....Annie

I just wrote a reply on another thread about this. I was born in 1950. Had the RNY in 2003. I lost a lot of weight (too much, at one point-) but have had quite a few problems such as kidney stones and osteoporosis. And yes, I have followed the proper diet and taken the right supplements. Don't want to scare anyone, but apparently Im not all that unusual. I have mixed emotions as to whether I should have had this surgery. But I think I would have died if I hadn't. Its a puzzle. Anyone else out there who has suffered some of the severe post op problems like me????? How do you cope, manage, etc.??? Thanks.

I think each person has to decide for themselves....based on knowledge. Honestly - I didn't do a lot of research before having the surgery. I read a few things.....not enough. I was quite desperate! And there weren't as many options in 2003, either. I have such mixed feelings about it. I guess, on the whole, I am glad I did it. But, for me, the side effects have been rather severe.

Ive spent the last month not feeling great - injured my back lifting something I shouldn't have been trying to lift, took a lot of ibuprofen and got a severe stomach ache that's lasted for several weeks. I feel so old and decrepit! Today, I have plain old nausea from food.....with a one ounce pouch, that's not unusual at all. (Mine never stretched at all-). I will be okay, Im sure. I have a huge kidney stone but no pain, and waiting to find out when surgery will be done. He cant "blast" it....the pain pump is in the way. I don't want surgery, but I don't want to lose my kidney. Caught between a rock and a hard place, for sure. But....you know? I would NOT want to be morbidly obese again. I truly believe that without the surgery, I would have died. I like being thin. I like wearing a size 8 (Id be a size 6 except for old lady tummy!) You may have a point...that there are more people like us but who are afraid to speak up. I know I was. I felt ashamed, that somehow I wasn't living up to all the great things we read about gastric bypass surgery. I had somehow "failed", by getting these complications. Plus, I didn't want to frighten newbies.

Oh, that's great! Can you explain what the sleeve is??? I finally made an appointment with a urlologist for the kidney stones. I hate going to doctors now, but I have to for this. Urine has been reddish lately....no pain. Same as last time. Annie

When a gastric bypass is originally done, most stomacvhs are only one ounce. Then after about a year and a half, its supposed to stretch to maybe 2 ounces. Mine never did. No one knows why. Its not a mistake the surgeon made, no one has thought. I live with it. Sure, I can take TWO bites of a Mickey D's hamburger. And thats it. So why bother to pay for a huge thing I cant eat?! If someone else gets one, maybe Ill ask for a bit of it. I think we all live in fear of regaining. I do, even though its very, very unlikely.Couple weeks ago I went through old photos and aw a couple of me not even at my biggest. What a shock. I had nearly forgotten. Brought back all that misery of being big, sweaty and uncomfortable. YOU know. Annie

I completely understand your logic and you're probably rightl I don't know much about the sleeve, though. Yes, I WAS too thin! 5'4" and 89 lbs is WAY TOO THIN. There were other issues involved, but having a 1 ounce stomach was the main cause. And 80 lbs really isn't that much though I know it feels like it. Most surgeons wont even do the bypass unless you're 100 lbs overweight. Maybe they've changed that.....? You sound very intelligent and informed and I bet you make whatever is the right decision for you. There are many, many support groups online for weight loss surgery. Wish I knew of one that was ONLY for those over 55! We have sort of different issues, I think. I know for me, its often hard to know whats from the surgery and whats from old age. My health has gotten better since losing all that weight, but I also gained new problems. But Im not lugging around 170 extra lbs!!!!! Good grief, I just did that math and was shocked. 170 lbs. My God. Funny....when you're a newbie after surgery, you obsess about numbers, time, etc. You think," You're not losing fast enough! You will be the ONE person who doesn't lose weight!" Now, 11 years later, I don't even think about it except times like right now. And body image....you know, there's still times I look in the mirror and "see" a fat lady. Oh, not "real fat," but in my warped eyes every little bit of flab is seen as too fat. I know what the scale says. Its in my mind that's mixed up. And of course, losing so much weight does mean I have a bunch of excess skin! But its just skin, not skin covering fat. I even lost a shoe size! Don't get the idea I am obsessive about my weight. Im not. In fact I haven't weighed myself for months. I go by how my clothes fit now. Numbers don't mean much. But again, sometimes I simply CRAVE McDonalds!!! That used to be my real food addiction. Double quarter pounders, fries, and a DIET coke. LOL!!!!! Annie in Florida

I agree with you. However, I am 11 years out. My complications did not show up until I was about 6 years out. However, I am not kidding: I would not go back to being obese, and these things are the price I pay for life changing surgery. I admit it, I did not do enough research. I am an RN, and thought I "knew enough" .And I DID know about things like osteoporosis, kidney stones and anemia. But it doesn't matter, because at nearly 300 lbs, if I hadn't had the surgery, I might not even be alive today. I didn't mention one issue I still have. For some reason, my pouch never stretched at all. Its still the 30 cc it was right after surgery. I doubt it was anything the surgeon did. My guess is its just ME. And it sure prevents me from overeating! But boy, sometimes I do crave a McDonalds cheeseburger!

Nicey, Im not real up to date on surgeries they do now but since you only have 80 lbs to go, why not consider a lap band? MUCH less risk and fewer problems in the years after surgery. I weighed 292 before my bypass (The Big One.) I am 5'4". I had never been able to lose weight, only kept gaining. So, for me, bypass was a life-saving thing. I had it in 2003. I rapidly lost weight, in fact, became TOO thin for several years. Now Im a normal weight and I like it. BUT - I also have severe osteoporosis, and have had three bouts with kidney stones. I have "Short Bowel Syndrome," too. The first two are serious issues. Because I needed to lose so much weight, the bypass really was my only option . I had a good surgeon, and he did warn me about the possible post-op problems but frankly, everyone thinks "it wont be me." Whatever - its great you've lost some weight already! Let me know what you decided.

Dream water? What's in it???? Tell me. I doubt its anything I haven't tried, but what the heck. Oh a c-pap! Mercy! I don't know how anyone stands those things. Im so glad I don't have sleep apnea! I saw an MD about my insomnia. He said, "Im not surprised you cant sleep. You took a benzo for 30 years!" He also said there's NO proof that those drugs cause brain damage...but I'm still wondering. Its been 18 monthes since I last took one....you'd think my brain would have healed by now, and would let me sleep. Weighed myself - 120 lbs. That's a good weight for me, a little thin. Next month I plan to join a local gym. Its one that does NOT cater to the "muscle crows." Just ordinary folks with ordinary bodies.

Well, uh, yes. I have terrible gas. Its embarrassing!!!! Sometimes I cant control it, either. I assume it does have to do with the surgery. Oh, the price we pay! Constipation - yes to that, too. But I have a pain pump, and figured that the tiny bit of a narcotic I get is causing it. In fact, before I got the pain pump, I had diarrhea! I was diagnosed with IBS. It resolved after I got the pump. But now I have constipation. I go about every 3-4 days. The one thing that helped me is taking a stool softener every day. And the generic (ie cheap) kind do not work for me. I have to buy a name brand, like Phillips.But its worth it.

I agree with you. This country is obsessed with weight! All those super-skinny models and movie stars......Yes, too many people are unhealthily obese, but this weird obsession with being THIN is sick! HUH! I spent the first year after surgery eating blender foods, a tablespoon at a time. And because my pouch never stretched, I STILL eat very soft foods, a tiny bit at a time. And having the bad teeth has made it even harder. I have been CRAVING steaks, chops...and the liklihood of my ever being able to eat them is nil. Now, to be positive......at least I was able to afford to get the teeth fixed. It was a one-time thing. Normally, I do not have that kind of money! And the gastric bypass? Well, I AM glad not to be obese anymore. I was miserable back then, uncomfortable, horribly self-co0nscious. And my health wasn't good. Not that it is now...! LOL! But in many ways, it IS better now. Im able to walk a bit, take care of my apartment and my two cats, I get around pretty well. I don't look my age, either!

How is everyone doing? Especially the woman in Alaska. Im in Florida. We had a cold spell (gee, down to 44 at night-) but today its 70 and damp. Gloomy. I long for the sun, so I can take my walks.

Right now, I don't really have a doctor watching over me about the GB. My PMD is a good guy but is no expert and I have to guide him. My surgeon retired (he got Alzheimers, I believe-) and no other surgeons here will see you if they didn't do your surgery. Yes, I know, the cramps could be from MG or potassium. I take Lasix, so potassium is a possible. I had major dental work 1.5 weeks ago and cant chew much of anything so eating bananas is out for now. I had 11 teeth pulled. Partials (temporary ones-) are extremely uncomfortable. I try to put them in, thewy don't seem to fit, and I sure cant chew anything. Ill go back to the dentist next week but Ive already been and was told "You're in an adjustment period" (!(%$@&%#!!!!!) The permanent ones wont be ready for 6 months. Lord have mercy, I have already spent $4500 on all this, and STILL cant chew!!!!! I hate getting old!

OH, I can relate to head hunger! I still have it and am still surprised when I can only eat a tiny amount. How much can I eat? Well, 3/4 cup Rice Crispies with milk fills me up. My lunch was 3 crackers with cheese cubes and 1/2 tsp of cherry preserves on top and that filled me up fine. I basically snack all day, and sometimes, half the night. Tiny amounts. Its a pain because I live alone, and why bother to cook something I'll never finish? Also, I recently had 11 teeth pulled and am waiting for the partial to be ready...it hurts to chew and I cant anyway right now.......Im sick of soft foods! The partial wont be ready for 5 monthes. The temporaries are terribly uncomfortable at the present so I don't bother wearing them. Oh, the joys of getting old! One thing that's bothered me is that I became thin at age 54, and by then, my body had started to age. For two years (before my health went South-) I excercised like crazy and looked real, real good for the first time in my life. I got the "Butterfly Syndrome"....allI wanted to do was dress up, go out and dance and flirt with men. This got me into some trouble, because Id never learned, really, social skills about dating, and how to know if a man is "okay." Ive since read that this is common with us, but it kinda shocked me. My biggest mistake was one night I went to a bar after work at 11:30 and somehow decided to drink 3 glasses of wine fast. By the time I was leaving I was tanked but got behind the wheel anyway. 1/4 mile later I dumped, and basically passed out - not from booze but from dumping syndrome. I wrecked my car and got a DUI, which in my state is a big deal. I spent the night in jail. OIY VEY....such remorse after this! It was a truly horrible experience and one I would never want to repeat. (And I haven't!) Funny, hamburger makes me sick now, too. Spaghetti I can do, if I don't use too much meat. I also cant tolerate spicy foods but I never could. I wish like heck I could really exercise. But my bad leg prevents anything but walking and swimming and I don't have a pool, and dislike the ocean. (Go figure, a woman who doesn't like the beach ends up in Florida!) But I started walking again, after bursitis laid me up. I don't walk too far, my longest walk was 1.5 miles but for me, that's a lot and I was proud. Today I did 1/2 mile and was tired. I do stay active around my apartment, cleaning, etc. I movedinto an apartment 5 months ago after owning my own houses for years. It was quite an adjustment for me. And my new place was filthy and gross and I had to scrub like mad to get it clean. But I did it, and the places looks pretty good now. This is also a new town for me; I wanted a "clean sweep", a new deal, and I got it. Luckily, I get along with my immediate neighbors and am friends with one of them. What do you take for the pain??? How bad is it? Last night I got wicked cramps in both legs.....reminded me to take the darn calcium citrate.

Oh yes, I tried Melatonin and every single other OTC sleep med I could find. Nothing helped. Nothing. I am beginning to think I have permanent brain damage from taking Klonapin all those years. Wow....your story is as bad as mine. Im so sorry. This cant have been easy for you to go through. Do you now have regrets? Are you maintaining a skinny body (probably you cant HELP doing that, like me-). How badly has all this affected your ability to be independent and take care of yourself??? I have had to fight hard to remain independent, but I am. For several years I had to rely on a friend for help, even driving. Now Im on my own. Yesterday I resumed taking daily walks. I had to stop 1.5 monthes ago because of severe bursitis in my hip. Oh god, that hurt, and literally prevented me from moving normally. I saw an Ortho doc, he diagnosed it, gave me a cortisone shot and two weeks later it started to get better. Im nervous about the walking....I worry it will make it flare up again. But I'm restless and need to keep moving or that leg stiffens up. If it weren't for my right leg, Id be a lot happier. That and being able to sleep. What symptoms did you have that were caused by the low thyroid? Im not sure I mentioned that I think Im hypoparathyroid (ie low calcium). Last night twice I got the most horrific cramps in the front of both legs, like wicked bad shin splints. I was reduced to tears. Cramps are a synmptom of low calcium levels. I wonder, how long will it take for the calcium citrate to build up in my blood? Even nurses don't know everything, lol.

5 monthes is great. How much have you lost? Any problems? How much food are you able to eat at this point?

I wish you all the best of luck. As someone who has suffered complications (from the lack of absorption of nutrients-) I call tell you this: take those supplements religiously and eat as well as you can. Even though I did this, I have several serious complications, but you can minimize your chances of this happening. And exercise! Im out 11 years but the complications started showing up at about 5 years. Get your blood work done every 6 monthes,no matter what your doctor says. And, by the way, always check with the Bariatric Community about what your doctor says, because they sometimes are not up to date. As an RN of 32 years I can tell you for certain that most doctors simply don't have time to read all the journals to keep fully up to date, But the Bariatric Community DOES.

Thanks. I am taking all those supplements now....did my own research. As an RN I should have done thatyears ago but foolish me, I trusted the doctors. What else can I tell you about "my story?" One thing I should tell you is that the medication I stopped taking almost 18 monthes ago was Klonapin, a benzodiazepine (you may have heard of Valium or Xanax, same class of .... BAD drugs! The withdrawal was absolute hell, and lasted for monthes. Women who take this type of drug are much more prone to falls, fractures of the femur, and other bad things. You're only supposed to take them 2-5 weeks; I took them (prescribed-) for 30 years! Good grief! I took them to go to sleep....now I don't sleep hardly at all but at least Im not falling all the time. Its been a long haul. My leg hurts despite an implanted pain pump, but I keep busy in spite of it. Heavy exercise is out of the question but I walk. I have thought that without the major surgery, I might be dead due to the weight.....morbidly obese people don't do well with the lap band. Tell me more about yourself, please...? Im curious. I am an open book, Ill tell you anything you want to know. Its good to get back in touch with the bariatric community.

Thanks for replying. My story is pretty bad. I began falling a few years back (probably due to a medication I used to take-) and because of the osteoporosis, I severely fractured my right femur.....basically changing my life in negative ways. I also have fractured a rib and needed neck surgery because of osteoporosis. I have had 4 kidney stones. The urologist told me to STOP the Calcium citrate, which I recently found out was the wrong thing to do. There's more but I wont go on and on, I hate to whine. But Im scared. My health is not what it should be. For instance, Im chronically anemic and recently Ive come to believe Im hypoparathyroid (low blood calcium). My hair and nails stopped growing! and I have cramps in my toes...classic signs. Good grief! Yes, Im happy not to be obese, but....feel I wasn't told strongly enough the true risks involved, nor was I even offered the option of a lap band. I realize that for the morbidly obese, an RNY is considered best but the patient should be told the big picture and allowed to choose. I dontknow - I may have opted for the RNY anyway.....I guess we all believe we're "immortal", huh?

I will be 64 in a couple weeks. Had the RNY at age 53. Ive had a bunch of "normal" problems in the years post op such as kidney stones, severe osteoporosis, low blood calcium and other things. Yes, I lost weight and kept it off, in fact, I became VERY think for several years. Dangerously thin. Now Im normal weight. I have had doubts about whether I should have done this radical surgery. But I was morbidly obese (292 lbs at 5'4") and doubt a lesser surgery would have worked. By the way, I followed dietary rules and took proper supplements since having the surgery. My surgeon no longer practices and no other surgeon will see a patient he/she didn't do the surgery on so Ive been on my own for years. Most medical doctors know doodlysquat about WLS. Im an RN of many years and trust me, I do know. Why write here? I know I risk scaring newbies but I too need support. Im looking for similar people, old timers who have had some problems. I need to know how they manage, cope, survive and thrive. Thanks. PS I just noticed...I originally joined this forum when I WAS super thin! I now weigh 126!!!

Hi Sandra, Just saw your post. I had RNY in 2003/ Iwas 292 lbs, and 5'4. My first year was rocky but boy did I lose weight. I was at goal weight by 1/5 yrs. But then I just kept losing. Had a lot of diarrhea, too. I now weight 96 lbs and feel awful about it. Had a scope and was told my pouch was still only 30 cc. I thouoght it was supposed to expand some................? My surgeon told me that was a myth...?? I see your post was in December. Are you doing any better now?