Question:
post op dissapointment in myself
I have just seen my surgeon for a follow up for the first time in over 3 years. I went in for stomach pains and had a diagnostic lap done, coming out with a ruptered ovarian cyst, a lot of scar tissue removed from the bypass and past tubal ligation, and one less appendix. I have gained back 30 lbs. steadily over the last six months due to my neuropathy medication (Neurontin), hopefully switching to something else next month. I asked my surgeon (he's one of the best nationwide) about a revision to help get the weight back off because I can only walk short distances at a time and can't do aerobics because of severe asthma, but he just said "diet and exercise like normal people have to". I don't see how I can do this effectively. Any suggestions and support? — got_pigs (posted on February 19, 2006)
February 19, 2006
I would not expose myself to the risk of wls for 30 lbs.
— walter A.
February 19, 2006
I do not think that you would qualify for a revision for just 30#. The
doctor is right you need to knuckle down like a normal person does and go
back to basics to loose the extra pounds. Sorry, but I do not have any
other suggestions. A lot of people have rebound weight, myself included
(10#) and I just took a good look at my lifestyle and realized that I got
sloppy with my diet and exercise and went back to basics.
— ChristineB
February 19, 2006
I know a RNY patient who is struggling with 20-30 extra lb 5 years out.
She recently started using a caloriecount.com and was amazed at her intake.
She didn't realize how much she was eating. Maybe you could try that for
awhile and track your trends, then work from there.
— Jeanie
February 20, 2006
Lisa,
I read the answers to your question and none seem to be along the lines of
what I wanted to say, so here's my 2 cents :-)
First, please don't be disappointed in yourself. People that do not have
Neuropathy, do not know how difficult it is to do things like "normal
people". Especially walk!!!
I have Neuropathy also (non-diabetic) and prior to surgery, I could barely
walk without out an amazing amount of pain. The more walking the more pain
and swelling. I also have Lymphedema.
My suggestions: Do you have Orthotics? If not, check into them. Have you
tried a medication called Cymbalta? It worked great for me. I was on
Topomax and it was nooooooo good for me. The Cymbalta is a new drug that
works for Neuropathy as well as Depression. It worked fantastic for me. I
am also seeing a doctor that does a treatment called "manual
manipulation" for the Lymphedema, this has helped TONS for both the
Lymphedema and the Neuropathy. If you can get the pain in check, then you
will be able to increase your exercise. The weight gain may be from the
medicine and not from what you are eating.
If I can help or answer any questions about what I have posted or anything
else, please feel free to e-mail me.
Tammy
— Thin2WinNOklahoma
February 20, 2006
I went to the same weight loss center (Bridges in Phoenix, AZ) but I had
Dr. Fang. I am 14 months out and have lost about 100 pounds. I know that
they have support groups that are available. There is a great group that
meets at the Mayo Hospital (on 56th Street just north of the loop 101) The
first Saturday of the month at 9am. I have a friend that has struggled with
some rebound weight gain...remember what you have lost, and not what you
have gained. Also, try to treat yourself as a friend, and do not get into
the negative spiral of self-hating talk. Best of luck to you. Yvonne
— yvonne1953
February 20, 2006
Hi I just wanted to suggest to you to go back to step one Liquids for a few
days then pureed then start in on your eating but journal it all... re
learn to eat... I need to take my own advise here... We can Do this I know
we can...
Love Flo
— Flo
February 20, 2006
Can you manage some non-weight-bearing exercises? Maybe swimming or aqua
aerobics? Or maybe eight training? Or a reclining bike? If you can walk,
it does not have to be fast. I do not know exaclty what you can do. I
have asthma, too, but mine is mostly controlled with Singulair.
I would suggest you see an exercise physiologist, if you can afford it, or
at least a personal triner, and work with him or her to come up with a plan
you can manage.
— Novashannon
February 20, 2006
In answer to the neuropathy medication, I am going to either try cymbalta
or lyrica hopefully next month. I was at my goal weight (surgerywise) at
190 (not what I wanted) for about a year or so, where I only had about 20
more pounds and then I could get the ok from my PCP for plastics. Then, all
of a sudden, I developed the neuropathy. I am not diabetic. Dr. Juarez has
told me that this is a one-shot deal-once my stomach stretched there is no
way to shrink it back even if I were to go back to liquids and barely
eating and such. He told me that I have to work up a sweat, that walking by
itself wouldn't help get the weight off. I am wondering if step aerobics
would be too difficult for me. I tried walking last night for about 20
minutes (strolling since my 2 day hospital stay) and my legs were zinging
enough to need my pain meds for sure. If I don't have them, I can't barely
walk! I am thinking water aerobics might be good, too, but does it really
work you out that much?
— got_pigs
February 22, 2006
Hi Lisa,
I too have regained weight and also have severe asthma. First consult a
pulmonary physcian and get on a proper asthma treatment program.
Second go back to basics and review what and how much you're eating, modify
your eating habits and cut out junk and snack foods. Visit the nutritionist
again.
Unfortunately what we were told pre-op is true ,WLS isn't a free pass to
eat whatever and lose lots of weight and be thin. We all have to work at it
and the further out you get the harder you have to work. I'm in the same
position and my doctor told me the same thing; to diet and exercise, no
revision is acceptable for when the weight gain is minimal and the fault
for the weight re-gain lies in poor eating and lack of exercise, no surgeon
or insurance would approve a revision under these circumstances. If you can
only walk short distances walk them, exercise helps asthma. I'm steroid
dependent for my asthma, but I'll be honest that I haven't been eating
properly and exercising enough, so I'm to blame for my weight gain. I will
need these meds for probably the rest of my life and that being the case I
need to work around them and deal with it and not use it as an excuse.
After all not all neuropathy patients and asthmatics have weight issues.
Good Luck.
— goldroses
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