Any bypassers out their 3 years + ???

[callysplace]

Hello all, a few days ago the lovely susie forwarded onto me an email containing a article about Carnie Wilson the singer who had bypass surgery and lost a huge amount of weight, but has regained a large amount of it over the past couple of years. Now I was aware when I went into my op that for some people they will regain some if not all of their weight, but the article got me doing some really serious research, two days googling later and it appears to be that what has happened to Carnie is a lot more common than what I first thought. One of the points made on a site I came across was that its only bypassers in the honeymoon period i.e first two years after bypass that we hear from and the majority only have positive things to say about the surgery. So what I would really like to know is if there are any bypassers out there that have had their surgery over three years ago what their experiences have been, have they had any weight gain or has it stopped the same? have they suffered long term with malabsorbsation? Realise that a lot of ladies and gents on here have just had or about to have the op and Im not here to change anyones mind, for myself the op has been a life saver and even if I did regain some weight it is not a decision that I regret!

 

[charliegirl]

Not yet had my surgery but had to say what a great post this is and I am sure if its gets some replies it will be a great help for the rest of us....

 

[hopelesscase]

Caroline a very interesting post. I have read several articals regarding weight gain after bypass surgery particularly Carnie Wilson the singer. The one thing that she admits too is a two and a half years binge drinking after her bypass. She then went on to have a baby and gained excess weight then. How many of us blame being pregnant for weight gain i for one did and looking back when i looked at what i ate just because i believed that i was eating for two. For someone in the public eye and under so much scrutinity she replaced one coping mechanism food with another drink.
Sadly whilst reading variouse articals none of them refere to ongoing baritric support be it from dietitian, surgeon or nurse. The one thing that has been enphasised on me by the endocrainologist who runs the weight management clinic is the need for life long ongoing attendence at the bariatric clinic. It is also the reason for the appointment with the psycologist to check out my understanding of the commitment i will be making.
I recently met a woman who is 6 yrs post bypass she lost 12 stone plus anothe 2 when the had surgery to remove excess skin. One of the thing she emphasised to me was the need to change yr whole relationship with food. She said the head hunger was the hardest thing to get over but once you have educated yr head that yr stomach is now in control and not yr head she felt that was her turning point in life.
You have done fantastic with yr weight loss so far and i feel that having the support of furums like this plus the support of out weight loss teams we will all do well.
For all of thoes who have had bypass have you got good ongoing support from yr weight loss teams?
take care HC

 

[callysplace]

Hi hc and charlie, Im in agreement with you that forums like minimins are a must in giving the ongoing support that we all need after such a major op, I also concur that we all need ongoing support from bariatric specialist such as dieticians in the future years, but Im wondering if the nhs provides such support further down the line? or do they feel there is a cut off point for post bypassers

 

[Mini]

One of the thing she emphasised to me was the need to change yr whole relationship with food. She said the head hunger was the hardest thing to get over but once you have educated yr head that yr stomach is now in control and not yr head she felt that was her turning point in life.

This is key for everyone who loses weight.

Very interesting thread this.

Love Mini xxx

 

[Floella]

This article (from Times, last month) addresses some of the points raised in this VERY interesting post.

It also mentions Minimins site.

Sorry - link won't work but if you go to The Times
and search "gastric bypass" it will come up!http://www.timeonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4312000.ece

 

[hopelesscase]

The psychological effects of gastric bands and stomach stapling - Times Online

Thanks floella a very intresting read. I have actually found it very reasurring to read knowing that my specialist has insisted on me seeing the psycologist but also that my primary reason for having a bypass is because of my bloodpressure and that i have never had any eating disorders or addictions.

 

[tammy]

I have just read your thread and have found it very interesting and surprising. Was not aware of the possibility of weight gain following bypass. The surgeon emphasised that this was the best option for me as the band could be cheated and had a high failure rate. None of this was mentioned re the bypass. Will be interested too to see other peoples long term experiences following bypass. Thanks for the info x

 

[tammy]

This is key for everyone who loses weight.

Very interesting thread this.

Love Mini xxx

I agree fully the key is to retrain you brain and relationship with food. Very interetsing thread and look forward to hearing peoples long term experiences x

 

[callysplace]

Really interseting article there, does Stamper Lou realise she has published work in the Guardian ??!!! Interestingly the part that states we can easily replace one addiction by another makes some sense, no Im not quite yet a sex addict but have started smoking again! Im Putting here another link to a site called Melting mama, I do not know how convincing this site is or the credibility of the "newspaper" articles that it contains but I think a few of the stories make for an interesting read. I think all of us need to be forewarned to be forearmed to any problems that we may encounter on the road to been "normal"

 

[Floella]

I have just read your thread and have found it very interesting and surprising. Was not aware of the possibility of weight gain following bypass. The surgeon emphasised that this was the best option for me as the band could be cheated and had a high failure rate. None of this was mentioned re the bypass. Will be interested too to see other peoples long term experiences following bypass. Thanks for the info x

Tammy - you could also look here, another very recent article.

The Miracle Weight Loss that Isn't -
The miracle weight loss that isn’t - Diet and nutrition - MSNBC.com

It's a 3 page article so make sure you read it all. Page 3 in particular reveals a lot about the weight gain that often happens following this op.

I'm not sure why people are not being told about possible weight gains, but they SHOULD be! How can a person make such a huge decision without knowing all the facts? :sigh: Just as the band can be cheated (as you say) the bypass can too - people are finding that they can get more food in their smaller stomachs and stretching them and on goes the weight again.

 

[hopelesscase]

Really Interestingly the part that states we can easily replace one addiction by another makes some sense, no Im not quite yet a sex addict "

ooh ere cally steady on there. It might be an addiction i could take up. Just need to find a fella first:giggle:

Floella i think you have it bob on.

 

[newbie]

hi callie, the only person i've met in real life had the bypass in 2000 and she has kept off the weight and looks teriffic.
susie

 

[tammy]

Tammy - you could also look here, another very recent article.

The Miracle Weight Loss that Isn't -
The miracle weight loss that isn’t - Diet and nutrition - MSNBC.com

It's a 3 page article so make sure you read it all. Page 3 in particular reveals a lot about the weight gain that often happens following this op.

I'm not sure why people are not being told about possible weight gains, but they SHOULD be! How can a person make such a huge decision without knowing all the facts? :sigh: Just as the band can be cheated (as you say) the bypass can too - people are finding that they can get more food in their smaller stomachs and stretching them and on goes the weight again.

Thanks for that will def look at the article. quite frightening really seeing as we've made such huge decisions. x

 

[tammy]

Really interseting article there, does Stamper Lou realise she has published work in the Guardian ??!!! Interestingly the part that states we can easily replace one addiction by another makes some sense, no Im not quite yet a sex addict but have started smoking again! Im Putting here another link to a site called Melting mama, I do not know how convincing this site is or the credibility of the "newspaper" articles that it contains but I think a few of the stories make for an interesting read. I think all of us need to be forewarned to be forearmed to any problems that we may encounter on the road to been "normal"

I too have started smoking again and agree fully that you replace one addiction with another!!!! would much rather your suggestion of sex addiction but will stick with the cigs for the time being HA HA x

 

[Floella]

Tammy - you could of course limit yourself to just one cig but only after sex!! Have a nice day!

 

[alliecat]

I too have started smoking again and agree fully that you replace one addiction with another!!!! would much rather your suggestion of sex addiction but will stick with the cigs for the time being HA HA x

I have a new addiction too - its called minimins - just cant keep away xx

 

[tammy]

Tammy - you could of course limit yourself to just one cig but only after sex!! Have a nice day!

HA HA might haver to start having sex 20 times a day then just so i can have the cig's!!!!! x

 

[tammy]

I have a new addiction too - its called minimins - just cant keep away xx

Me too fab site have had loads of support and advice just wish I'd found it prior to having surgery. x

 

[callysplace]

Hello again sorry about my shameful neglect of this thread! Realised that my link to the weight loss stories did not come up in my last post so will try my damned hardest to get it up as soon as possible!
On the same note as the addiction posts earlier an interesting programme was on last night on discovery health, called family fat surgeons, they had a lady that used shopping as a "crutch" as well as food, she could hardly afford the op even when the operation was offered to her at minimal cost, all her money was spent on handbags! the therapist who took care of her insisted on therapy before the operation but was doubtful that she would curb her spending, this poor lady needed help and full marks to the surgeons for realising that more help was needed before the op went ahead. I was not offered help before my op (I went privately) and feel it should be offered to all patients.
I truely thought that my weight gain was down to eating too much and not the types of food I ate, I gave lots of lip service to the fact I didnt have food issues and did plenty of exercise ohh and lets not forget my bad back that prevented me from exercising boy did I have a big wake up call after the op. I now know I do have huge food issues I made terrible choices ate massive portions as well as grazing and as for exercise well I couldnt walk more than the end of the street before I started sweating and puffing! I really lived in self denial, now Im feeling the outlook is good I cant blaim anyone or anything for my weight gain, it was down to me and me only, I know that it sounds harsh but thats the way it is!

On a lighter note Ladies/gents Im now on the look out for a nice fella to explore the possibilty of sex addiction its has to make a change to the stinking cigs Im smoking! although the handbag buying has potential