Awensraven

AMAZING! Thank you for your story of grace and power. You are truly a guiding light to not just those looking to gastric surgery but to any young person lost along their way. Thanks for your story.

It is possible! I did a really bad thing by stretching out my pouch and my opening all over again! I found out just last week that my horrible reflux is back with a vengeance now. I'm actually aspirating my stomach acid into my lungs when I swallow! That's new. I've been able to shrink by stomach back down to a normal size but the GERD is there for life and it's back to NO liquids with meals like we were told. No carbonated drinks, etc. Its been hard but it is possible. Luckily the dumping syndrome never left. That little gem kept the worse of my high sugar bingeing at a low level. Oh well. Definitely get back into yoga though! Your body and mind will love you for it.

I had my RNY 14 years ago in Wilmington, NC with Dr. David Miles. I can't remember what my weight was before but pre knife I weighed 364 pounds. We had a very strict program we had to stick to as Dr. Miles was trying to re established and reinstated a bariatric program at our local hospital after a very poor MD had botched it up pretty bad. We were all on our best behavior. I was one of the first few that were allow into the surgery line up and we all were doing our best for those who were to come after. No "last meals" for us! Dr Miles was and is an amazing doctor and my operation went without a hitch. I've always been lucky and have never had a bit of trouble since then. I'd heard such horror stories before and since. Ive been very lucky. I originally lost down to 157lbs then drifted back up to the 170's where I stayed for quite a while. (Several years). At that weight I learned to run, surf and my own personal goal, squat without falling over. (It's the little things!). After moving to Alaska, my weight ballooned back up to over 240 and stayed there where I panicked quietly for a few years. At that point I started looking for some form of exercise where I wouldn't hurt or sweat. (Yuck!) I found YOGA!! That gift has brought my weight back down to my current of 133 pounds. It gave me back the willpower to return to my gastric bypass diet, small portions of thoughtful meals. I love it. I feel strong and in control for the first time! Even more than I did immediately after surgery. If anyone is looking for a huge help on their journey, I would suggest yoga. You don't have to be skinny or flexible to do it. Just willing! I hope I can continue to stay healthy and strong. I wish there had been places like this all those years ago. As well as all the years since when I felt so alone. What a great community!!!

I took the Effexor immediate release without any problems after my RNY. My only problem was that it made me gain weight like mad! I ended up changing to a different med. it wasn't worth the trade off for the weight gain.

I'm 14 years out of my gastric bypass surgery and I've lost 231 lbs. I've gone from 364 to 133. I've gained anfew back and lost it again over the years but I have never felt "skinny". I will still buy clothes two or three sizes too big if I don't try them on. I was always fat my entire life. Last time I was this weight I was nine. I'm just learning what it feels like to be small at 50! At this point I doubt I will ever feel normal and I still keep a stash of fat clothes in various sizes "just in case". Very self defeating but I just can't get over the idea that even after 14 years, its all a dream that's going to be snatched away at any time. My own little bizarre hang up I suppose. 😞 Not meant to bring anyone down just letting folks know the feelings may last a long time.

I had a RNY years ago. I had a patient controlled pain pump and liquid pain medication when I went home. It was enough. The secret is to get up and get moving FAST! As soon as your eyes open you need to start thinking about getting up to walk. The more active you are the less pain you will have. You don't have to do jumping jacks or anything, just nice slow walks around the nurses station 3 or 4 times a day. When you get home keep it up too. Don't get on the couch and grab the remote. Do your walks around the house or do stair steps if you house is small. Something to keep moving. It will help get the anesthesia out of your body faster too.