8 Years Out--Success and Failure (not necessarily in that order!)

[Dana in IN 1]

Hello, everyone!

I had RNY in November of 2004. I started at 325 lbs and went down to 190. My goal was to weigh something that started with a "1"!

Not long after I'd left the 200s behind, I had to have a hysterectomy. Since then, I've also had 4-5 kidney stones, a broken foot, my gall bladder removed, a hernia repair, 2 knee surgeries, and a root canal. :-) Ok, the root canal has nothing to do with it. Now I have kidney failure and was looking dialysis right in the face. My kidneys went from functioning at 18% to 32% when I stopped taking Advil. (Dialysis starts at 15%.)

Since the hysterectomy, I've steadily gained weight. I'm now at 270 and NOTHING will make it go down. I can't stress my kidneys out by drinking large amounts of Water like I should. And kidney failure makes you feel like a slug because the toxins aren't being removed from your blood like they should. Slugs don't exercise well. :/

I also cannot take the Calcium because I keep getting calcium kidney stones. The lack of calcium may be what caused the broken foot. I've also had small fractures since and am having a bone scan/density test tomorrow.

Honestly, I eat very little. (I'm also on Adderall for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and it kills your appetite.) I have no idea why the weight will not come off unless it's the lack of exercise. We have 2 daughters (ages 7 and 9) whom we homeschool. Doesn't that count as some exercise some days? It should!

So, does anyone have any encouraging words for me?

Please?

Pretty please?

Pretty please with sugar on top?

Wait...Pretty please with Stevia on top?

[slowtogo 301]

Welcome. I can give you encouraging words. You can DO this! Can you talk to your old surgery group? Do the 5 day pouch test? Go back to pure liquids for two weeks then switch to Protein and veggies?

What are you willing to do?

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Welcome to the group! Congrats on the weight lost. Do you have a nutritionist?

[Dana in IN 1]

Well, slowtogo--that may be exactly what I needed to hear. I wasn't familiar with the 5-day pouch test, but I'm giving it a go! When it comes down to it, I guess the real question is "What am I willing to do?"

Blessings--

Dana

Welcome. I can give you encouraging words. You can DO this! Can you talk to your old surgery group? Do the 5 day pouch test? Go back to pure liquids for two weeks then switch to Protein and veggies?

What are you willing to do?

[Dana in IN 1]

Thanks, much. Yes, I do have a nutritionist who specializes in nephrology (kidney) patients.

Blessings--

Dana

Welcome to the group! Congrats on the weight lost. Do you have a nutritionist?

[michelecaples 224]

I am so sorry to hear this story! One thing we cant prevent is a decline in health. Take it back to the beginning to cleanse your body. Hopefully that will work, but more important than the weight is your health.. I pray you get better

[worm2872 635]

Prayers and hugs!!! I would have your nutritionist for your kidney issues consult with one that specializes in WLS like RNY. You have two very special needs and just one may not be "all knowing" like drs. :-). Good luck and we are here for you!!!

[Dana in IN 1]

Ok, so I went back to the beginning, so to speak, and did the 5 Day Pouch Test--so did my husband. He lost 11 pounds and I lost 2. :/ I know that weight loss isn't the really the goal of the test, so I'm ok with that. If I'd done any diet in my pre-surgery days, I'd have been thrilled with a loss of 2 pounds over 5 days. Weighing myself to begin with was probably a mistake.

I'm juggling the nephrologist, my RNY, and all of my other issues right now and trying to figure out how it needs to work for me.

Thanks for all the support! Encouraging words are always appreciated!

[Dana in IN 1]

Heather--

My nutritionist who is the gastric bypass specialist is also a nephrology specialist. She seems to know what she's talking about, it just doesn't seem to matter to my body! :-)

Thanks for the suggestion! I need all the help I can get!

Dana

Prayers and hugs!!! I would have your nutritionist for your kidney issues consult with one that specializes in WLS like RNY. You have two very special needs and just one may not be "all knowing" like drs. :-). Good luck and we are here for you!!!

[worm2872 635]

Dana, That's awesome she knows both! Also, it is really good you lost two pounds in five days. It means you can lose you just need to find the right trigger. :-)