lmb012182

I am 6 years out, with no complications. I have gained a little bit of weight back, my fault, but I have zero regrets. I do not miss the pain from standing or walking, not being able to find clothes that looked nice, the way people used to dismiss me at a glance. I have two close friends who had the band and have BOTH gotten a sleeve due to complication from that. They had serious medical problems associated with the band and serious regrets as a result. I cannot imagine anyone regretting bypass. It was a lifesaver for me in more ways than one.

WLS surgery is life changing in more ways than anyone could ever guess going in. It's hard, and it's not a perfect solution, but the benefits far outweigh any down sides. I was convinced I would not make it through the surgery, it was my first surgery ever. Yet, I went in and did it because I knew that I had no quality of life as I was. I am no longer in pain, I am more active, more health conscious, and overall much happier. Hang in there, you will be OK and what's more, you'll feel so empowered as those pounds start to melt away.

I have gained a bit of weight back, and I have to admit that it's hard not to freak out completely. I was reading up on post wls weight gain and came across this procedure. Have any of you used it? I am thinking it would be very extreme for the amount of weight I've gained. But I am curious.... http://gastro.ucla.edu/site.cfm?id=321

When I first got the surgery I didn't have enough time off at work so I didn't tell them what I was doing, just that I had to have surgery. Later, I told everyone. It was pretty obvious that I'd done something because I was losing weight so quickly. Now, years later, I rarely tell anyone. Not out of embarrassment but because it doesn't come up and I don't feel like explaining myself to every single person I meet. In fact, just a couple of months ago I realized my MIL didn't know. I just never though to tell her and neither did my husband!

A friend of mine told me once that a man told her that she could be pretty if only she was thin, she told him, "I can lose weight and be prettier but you have an ugly heart and that's not as easy to change." She was right!

Clothes! Even 6 years out, I am obsessed. I will never take for granted being able to wear pretty dresses. At my heaviest I couldn't find a single dress that looked nice. I shop waaay more than I should but I at least find good deals. For a little while, I was swimsuit addict too, but I ran out of room so I've cut that one out. Also, truthfully, for the first year after my surgery I was obsessed with looking at myself in the mirror. Thankfully, that one is gone because it was embarrassing, but I couldn't help it! It was so weird to see myself in a smaller, healthier body.

When I told my husband about WLS and my resulting loose skin, he told me that he thinks I am beautiful and that was that. Since then we've talked about my getting tummy tuck, because the skin issue upsets me so much. I am grateful that he is someone I can tell these uncomfortable things to and that he has never been judgmental about them. I dated a few men who had comments about how weight would affect their opinions about a partner. In those instances I decided that they were entitled to their opinions and I am entitled to say adios!

My doctor recommended ideal protein for me. I have not started it yet as it is expensive, but he said it's a good diet for bariatric patients. I gained about 30 pounds back and I am definitely upset with myself. I had the surgery a couple of months after you did. I hope that you get back on track and that your heart heals. Your husband and brother are true heroes and we thank them for their service.

I've never experienced any regret whatsoever. I've had problems, mainly problems of my own making. I would be shocked to learn that people regret their bypass surgeries unless the surgeries were failures somehow. I would never wish to go back to the health problems I had before my surgery.

I am in a similar situation. I am going to try the ideal protein diet. It was recommended by my doctor. It is essentially a bariatric diet that is also monitored by medical staff. Surgery is truly not a magic bullet and I will struggle with my weight my whole life. At least right now I am starting from a healthy place and have a better idea of what I need to do to be successful.

I wish I could rock a bikini, but until I have a tummy tuck, there is just too much loose skin. HOWEVER, I have tried on many high waisted bikinis and they are not half bad. Also, I have several one pieces with cutouts in them that are hella sexy without showing the loose skin. So there are options!

Well here I am at almost 6 years post op and I have gained some weight back. It pains me so much to type those words. I worked hard to lose the weight I did and reached my goal, only to let bad habits start up again. I am determined to get back on track and that means a major overhaul in my life. I am tracking food, Water, and exercise; keeping a daily journal to help track what's going on in my head; and doing a lot of soul searching. Gaining weight is something that I was never prepared to face but it's a reminder that surgery is not a magic bullet and I must continue to put forth the effort to maintain my weight. Who else is struggling? What have you done to be successful in these years beyond WLS? Any encouragement or tips would be most helpful!

You are by far not the only person who has had poor results (long-term) with the band and has needed another surgery. Do not be so hard on yourself, I think that what the bariatric community is learning is that the band has some serious problems. I had roux en y bypass 6 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I was terrified of the surgery but I bounced back and I am so much healthier and happier as a result. I wish you the very best and much happiness!

I really appreciate the encouragement. I have considered the pouch test and wondered if it wouldn't be too many years since surgery to try it. It sounds like it worked well for you, so I think I will give it a shot. A jumpstart to weight loss would be great. I am also guzzling water and one thing I've noticed is that sometimes when I think I am hungry, I am actually thirsty. So the water has been helpful too!

About a month after my surgery I had lost about 25 lbs and a man I worked with came over and chatted with me about weekend plans. It was the type of small talk everyone engages in at work and it didn't occur to me that this man never really spoke to me. Finally he asked me if I'd lost some weight and I said yes I had. He said, "I thought so. Good for you. It's good that you're finally taking care of yourself." My initial reaction was to be angry because it was a backhanded compliment (which I would learn is part and parcel of weight loss) but then I had to laugh. This was a fit young man, who went out drinking every night of his life, smoked cigarettes, and worked in a high stress job. Of course he was relieved to find out that I was trying to lose weight. But he was far from an expert on taking care of oneself. Also, I know that in his mind, he was being generous to me. So I accepted the part of his statement that was a compliment and ignored his ignorance. That policy has served me well because he was far from the last person to treat me differently because of my weight loss or say something insensitive. People are dumb sometimes, but I think for the most part they are happy for the changes in your life and unable to verbalize that happiness in a way that isn't kind of rude. In the words of my very Southern grandmother, "Bless their hearts."

You were right to be happy and your nutritionist is kind of awful for freaking out. Stalls are normal. Look at how many people on this board are in the exact same boat as you are (most of them at 3 weeks). Take a deep breath everyone, it is going to get better and better and in a year you're going to laugh about how worried you were at three weeks out! I know that it's scary to hit a stall but I can offer a little advice... walk. I know that exercising can be hard, after my surgery I joined a gym and pushed myself so hard that one day I almost passed out and had to take several days off. What I learned that worked for me was to gauge my energy level day by day and on the days that I didn't feel like moving as much, I walked around the track at the gym once or twice. Also, if you possibly can, start working out your core now. Planking works best for me. It will help tighten the loose skin and help you feel stronger. You will be amazed what a very little bit of movement will do for the weight loss. And most importantly, do not be hard on yourselves because you are at a stalling point. You are doing wonderful. You are going to do even better.

Thank you for putting this into words. The excess skin, sagging boobs are tough. I have learned to love my new body because of what it enables me to do. But at the same time I am saving up for a full tummy tuck and a boob job. People think that when you lose the weight you are magically happier with your body, and maybe for some people they are. I have always been and will always be critical of myself and the excess skin is probably my number one nemesis! Well done on your weight loss, and also for keeping it real on the message boards.