RNY Revisition (Band or RNY) OPEN?

I have many questions but I'll try to keep it short as I can. I'm 41 and had RNY in 2004 @350#. I was happy with my results when all was said and done, @175#. I was able to maintain my weight for 13 years. Then, something happened... I gained 70# in 6 months. The doctor thinks it's a medication he prescribed me. I am so upset that I can barely look at myself and that is why I decided on revision.

I see people discussing two options. RNY with a lapband around the pouch or an additional RNY. Can anyone give me pros/cons of each option? Would you do revision surgery again?

Thanks for all your help!

Vanessa

Yes! Yes! I cannot spell?

gm,

I am going thru the same thing (RNY), i would like some info on this as well. yes i would do the revision surgery given the opportunity... just need to find a surgeon (NC). i really enjoyed feeling good....

thanks for posting this question.

Vanessa have you had any tests to confirm or deny the possibility that you've gotten a mechanical fail in there somehow?

Before asking to revise, please make sure someone has checked to see if your stoma has been dilated or you have something else physical going on up in there. Because if you don't, the odds of a revision being successful are pretty low. What failed you in the first surgery will fail you again in a second one. Unless there is something they can physically fix going on.

I'm sensitive to your feelings, I've regained three times since my 2008 surgery and my first regain was a bit over 60 pounds. The good news is that any regain can be lost, and if you've already gotten a surgery on board losing will be much easier than for a non-op. It's still hard, but we do have that advantage.

If you're stoma is stretched or something else has gone awry then yes, you definitely need to have someone fix that. It's just that those situations don't happen as often as you'd think and you're likely to be back on your own regardless.

There are so many regain posts on OH. You can search for "regain" or better yet "losing regain" and you'll find a ton of advice and help. There is also a subgroup here called "Back on Track Together". Not sure how active it is but you might want to check that out too.

Honestly though if it were me (and it was) I'd make sure there wasn't something internally going on first. Take care.

edited for atrocious grammar.

i had my surgery in 1999. very happy. lost same as you. looking for revision stories and perhaps advice on finding surgeons. lost 195lbs first time. want to do it again!!!

Hi I have not had bariatric, but did have a vertical 8" open emergency surgery to basically save my life from an abdominal blockage.

I was curious on your question and a 'quick' key word search brought this up...so looks like it could be both options for revisions. they might be a starting point for developing more questions of your own to ask, I am sure there are many other pages that will pop up on this topic online..

http://www.jacksonhealth.org/bariatric-excellence-revisional -surgery.asp

Good luck! Open surgery is recoverable, just takes lots more time, bending over is impossible for a while, getting up, rolling over in bed, lifting your foot over 2-4" step...all are more difficult, you don't realize how much your 'core' is needed for everything. And maintaining 'sterile' or sanity care of the incision dressings are critical once sent home!

I maintained 118-125 for over 10 years after losing 200 pounds. Due to a personal tragedy I gained and hit the 190 mark a year ago. After several starts it finally clicked and I am back to goal losing 70 pounds of regain. If there is not a medical reason for your regain..... Here are some steps that helped me and I hope they will help you too! You may have several starts and stops but don't give up, don't beat yourself up. IT WILL CLICK!!! Our tool works if we work the tool and get back to the basics.

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. I found once I started carrying one of the metal bottles of water to keep it cold I drank water all day.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. Grab a cart and walk all the isles at your local box store. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group. Come here on OH daily for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.