Guest guest Posted September 13, 2000 Report Share Posted September 13, 2000 FAILED SURGERY > This is a rant. Hit delete or skip to the next message if you > don't want to hear it. > > It has been four months since my surgery. > > My stats are posted at: > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > I have lost 37 pounds in 4 months. > > I lost 11 of that with the diuretics given at surgery, so in > actuality, in 4 months, I have lost 26 pounds. > > That, folks, is a failure. I do not care how you slice it, > dice it, or try to get around it. > > ============================================================== > > WARNING: Please DO NOT write me any shiny-happy messages > about " at least you're losing. " See the stats page. > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > ============================================================== > > And as for the difference in my appearance, you may note > that I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks on my own, > without drugs, BEFORE surgery -- which is 5 times faster > than any weight loss produced as a result of the surgery. > > However, I have a picture-perfect gastric bypass, > according to xrays and tests. > > Yet, I have been TORMENTED for FOUR MONTHS, losing weight > so slowly, and only losing if I ate less than 700 > calories a day. > > As soon as I stopped watching calories like a hawk, the weight > has gone STEADILY UP, as you can see. That's me. That's my > body. > > Yet we aren't supposed to have to diet. That is the WHOLE POINT > of this surgery, isn't it? And the weight isn't supposed to > come back, right? I want to shriek those last three sentences > somewhere, but the echo would only come back to mock me. > > Yes, the MGB is safer, faster, easier -- I'm not > trying to say it isn't. There is no better alternative. > > But now, for me, it has failed and the only solution > is another surgery. That's the bottom line, so now DOUBLE > the risks. (The RNY, etc. all have their failures, too, > and the risk from a second operation after RNY is even > greater. I'm just whining about *my* personal issues.) > > For over a year, trying to get the surgery, getting > the surgery, and now 4 months post-op, my life has > been on hold, consumed with this solution that has > become a torturous nightmare -- a carrot on a stick > that just keeps moving a little farther away every day. > > Now, let's up the ante even more: if you lose 30-40 > pounds and stop, then your BMI will be below 40 and > insurance isn't likely to pay for a second surgery, > either (that *exact* thing happened to another woman. > Right now, my BMI is 36.4 I don't know if insurance > will pay or not). > > Just something to think about. You *might* be one of > the people like me. The mental anguish of this failure -- > after a lifetime of suffering, seeing a solution, and > seeing it fail -- is extraordinary. > > And before anybody sends me their astute assessment that > I'm depressed, I am *on* an effective anti-depressant > as I write this. > > Kind regards, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 It should matter that you have lost quite a few inches. But that is small consolation, isn't it? I can't believe your weight is up for the last few weeks. Up! What's that about? Maybe we should speak with RR regarding express and implied warranties? J FAILED SURGERY > > > > This is a rant. Hit delete or skip to the next message if you > > don't want to hear it. > > > > It has been four months since my surgery. > > > > My stats are posted at: > > > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > > > I have lost 37 pounds in 4 months. > > > > I lost 11 of that with the diuretics given at surgery, so in > > actuality, in 4 months, I have lost 26 pounds. > > > > That, folks, is a failure. I do not care how you slice it, > > dice it, or try to get around it. > > > > ============================================================== > > > > WARNING: Please DO NOT write me any shiny-happy messages > > about " at least you're losing. " See the stats page. > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > > > ============================================================== > > > > And as for the difference in my appearance, you may note > > that I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks on my own, > > without drugs, BEFORE surgery -- which is 5 times faster > > than any weight loss produced as a result of the surgery. > > > > However, I have a picture-perfect gastric bypass, > > according to xrays and tests. > > > > Yet, I have been TORMENTED for FOUR MONTHS, losing weight > > so slowly, and only losing if I ate less than 700 > > calories a day. > > > > As soon as I stopped watching calories like a hawk, the weight > > has gone STEADILY UP, as you can see. That's me. That's my > > body. > > > > Yet we aren't supposed to have to diet. That is the WHOLE POINT > > of this surgery, isn't it? And the weight isn't supposed to > > come back, right? I want to shriek those last three sentences > > somewhere, but the echo would only come back to mock me. > > > > Yes, the MGB is safer, faster, easier -- I'm not > > trying to say it isn't. There is no better alternative. > > > > But now, for me, it has failed and the only solution > > is another surgery. That's the bottom line, so now DOUBLE > > the risks. (The RNY, etc. all have their failures, too, > > and the risk from a second operation after RNY is even > > greater. I'm just whining about *my* personal issues.) > > > > For over a year, trying to get the surgery, getting > > the surgery, and now 4 months post-op, my life has > > been on hold, consumed with this solution that has > > become a torturous nightmare -- a carrot on a stick > > that just keeps moving a little farther away every day. > > > > Now, let's up the ante even more: if you lose 30-40 > > pounds and stop, then your BMI will be below 40 and > > insurance isn't likely to pay for a second surgery, > > either (that *exact* thing happened to another woman. > > Right now, my BMI is 36.4 I don't know if insurance > > will pay or not). > > > > Just something to think about. You *might* be one of > > the people like me. The mental anguish of this failure -- > > after a lifetime of suffering, seeing a solution, and > > seeing it fail -- is extraordinary. > > > > And before anybody sends me their astute assessment that > > I'm depressed, I am *on* an effective anti-depressant > > as I write this. > > > > Kind regards, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: > MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 I'm sorry for you, Judith. I pray that it gets better. Ruqayya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 I meant , I'm sorry to hear that . I pray that it gets better for you. Ruqayya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 are u exercising? hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 , What does RR say about all this? Are you the ONLY one this has appened to? BC/BS of AL said they wouldn't pay but for one WLS in a lifetime and no revisions. Did they pay for all your tests? Boy, I know you are depressed, I would be too. Do you think maybe you should wait a little longer before you start thinking about another surgery? Hasn't it only been 4 months? I am so sorry for you to be having to deal with this, but I am happy that you are sharing this with all of us. Take care, ===== Kristi in AL BMI49 current 288 surgery date 9/21 __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 , No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. says about this. Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best support would come from him. I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it just doesn't make sense that if you make the stomach that small and bypass 2/3 of the calories that it wouldn't be a dramatic change. I am pre-op and in the learning stages - I am not a t all discouraged as I feel that even 30 pounds would be a relief at this point and I can tell you that I couldn't lose them on my own at this point if I had too. - So I don't see your surgery as a " failure " - let's face it - at least the scales are moving in the right direction - no matter how your getting there. I wonder where you'd be (scale wise) today without the surgery. Most of the people I am meeting say that by the time they got the surgery - the scales were racing upwards - and their health was racing downwards. Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped many people with your spirit - maybe God want's you to stay online as long as possible and is dragging it out. If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly ever get to see you anymore. Love Debby (in Arizona) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 : I can certainly understand your disappointment! While 37 pounds is a significant weight loss for someone just cutting calories and " watching " what they eat...having taken the surgical step would allow someone to think that the results ought to have been better. I think you're entitled to rant. Who better to rant to than your MGB family. I haven't lost in three weeks and am bummed...but I did lose 60 pounds in three months so I really am still way up on the chart. So for me, even with this period of plateau, I have no complaint. I hope this changes for you...rant when you need to. We care about you. And we understand as no other group can! Flo > ** Original Subject: RE: FAILED SURGERY > ** > > ** Original Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 23:11:57 -0600 > ** Original Message follows... > > This is a rant. Hit delete or skip to the next message if you > don't want to hear it. > > It has been four months since my surgery. > > My stats are posted at: > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > I have lost 37 pounds in 4 months. > > I lost 11 of that with the diuretics given at surgery, so in > actuality, in 4 months, I have lost 26 pounds. > > That, folks, is a failure. I do not care how you slice it, > dice it, or try to get around it. > > ============================================================== > > WARNING: Please DO NOT write me any shiny-happy messages > about " at least you're losing. " See the stats page. > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > ============================================================== > > And as for the difference in my appearance, you may note > that I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks on my own, > without drugs, BEFORE surgery -- which is 5 times faster > than any weight loss produced as a result of the surgery. > > However, I have a picture-perfect gastric bypass, > according to xrays and tests. > > Yet, I have been TORMENTED for FOUR MONTHS, losing weight > so slowly, and only losing if I ate less than 700 > calories a day. > > As soon as I stopped watching calories like a hawk, the weight > has gone STEADILY UP, as you can see. That's me. That's my > body. > > Yet we aren't supposed to have to diet. That is the WHOLE POINT > of this surgery, isn't it? And the weight isn't supposed to > come back, right? I want to shriek those last three sentences > somewhere, but the echo would only come back to mock me. > > Yes, the MGB is safer, faster, easier -- I'm not > trying to say it isn't. There is no better alternative. > > But now, for me, it has failed and the only solution > is another surgery. That's the bottom line, so now DOUBLE > the risks. (The RNY, etc. all have their failures, too, > and the risk from a second operation after RNY is even > greater. I'm just whining about *my* personal issues.) > > For over a year, trying to get the surgery, getting > the surgery, and now 4 months post-op, my life has > been on hold, consumed with this solution that has > become a torturous nightmare -- a carrot on a stick > that just keeps moving a little farther away every day. > > Now, let's up the ante even more: if you lose 30-40 > pounds and stop, then your BMI will be below 40 and > insurance isn't likely to pay for a second surgery, > either (that *exact* thing happened to another woman. > Right now, my BMI is 36.4 I don't know if insurance > will pay or not). > > Just something to think about. You *might* be one of > the people like me. The mental anguish of this failure -- > after a lifetime of suffering, seeing a solution, and > seeing it fail -- is extraordinary. > > And before anybody sends me their astute assessment that > I'm depressed, I am *on* an effective anti-depressant > as I write this. > > Kind regards, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > >** --------- End Original Message ----------- ** > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 I would be happy if i just could loose the diabetes and the sleep apnea. I think the warrantee would be voided unless u followed post op directions to the tee. hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 I am with u debbie i couldnt have said it better hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 If anything, I need a stop gap measure. My weight keeps going up little by little each year but it keeps going up. To tell you the truth if I can get rid of fifty or sixty pounds and keep it off I will be very happy. Stern Las Vegas, NV preop selfpay 290 missdebby@... wrote: > , > No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. says about this. > Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best support would come > from him. I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it just doesn't > make sense that if you make the stomach that small and bypass 2/3 of the > calories that it wouldn't be a dramatic change. I am pre-op and in the > learning stages - I am not a t all discouraged as I feel that even 30 pounds > would be a relief at this point and I can tell you that I couldn't lose them > on my own at this point if I had too. - So I don't see your surgery as a > " failure " - let's face it - at least the scales are moving in the right > direction - no matter how your getting there. I wonder where you'd be (scale > wise) today without the surgery. Most of the people I am meeting say that by > the time they got the surgery - the scales were racing upwards - and their > health was racing downwards. > Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped many people with > your spirit - maybe God want's you to stay online as long as possible and is > dragging it out. If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly ever get to > see you anymore. > Love > Debby (in Arizona) > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 Well , Please be very sure before having another surgery. And I know it goes without saying that you will research extensively first. Your'e in my thoughts, Ruqayya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 - that sucks. No other way to say it. Can't - okay I don't - even want to think about the MGB failing. Like someone else who posted I am also interested in knowing what Dr. R says. I think I had read where you said your body had developed its own " Fobi Pouch " - no result of the MGB. Is that the main cause do you think? Again - I am sorry. You have been instrumental in helping so many that it seems doubly wrong that your MGB would fail. > This is a rant. Hit delete or skip to the next message if you > don't want to hear it. > > It has been four months since my surgery. > > My stats are posted at: > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > I have lost 37 pounds in 4 months. > > I lost 11 of that with the diuretics given at surgery, so in > actuality, in 4 months, I have lost 26 pounds. > > That, folks, is a failure. I do not care how you slice it, > dice it, or try to get around it. > > ============================================================== > > WARNING: Please DO NOT write me any shiny-happy messages > about " at least you're losing. " See the stats page. > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm > > ============================================================== > > And as for the difference in my appearance, you may note > that I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks on my own, > without drugs, BEFORE surgery -- which is 5 times faster > than any weight loss produced as a result of the surgery. > > However, I have a picture-perfect gastric bypass, > according to xrays and tests. > > Yet, I have been TORMENTED for FOUR MONTHS, losing weight > so slowly, and only losing if I ate less than 700 > calories a day. > > As soon as I stopped watching calories like a hawk, the weight > has gone STEADILY UP, as you can see. That's me. That's my > body. > > Yet we aren't supposed to have to diet. That is the WHOLE POINT > of this surgery, isn't it? And the weight isn't supposed to > come back, right? I want to shriek those last three sentences > somewhere, but the echo would only come back to mock me. > > Yes, the MGB is safer, faster, easier -- I'm not > trying to say it isn't. There is no better alternative. > > But now, for me, it has failed and the only solution > is another surgery. That's the bottom line, so now DOUBLE > the risks. (The RNY, etc. all have their failures, too, > and the risk from a second operation after RNY is even > greater. I'm just whining about *my* personal issues.) > > For over a year, trying to get the surgery, getting > the surgery, and now 4 months post-op, my life has > been on hold, consumed with this solution that has > become a torturous nightmare -- a carrot on a stick > that just keeps moving a little farther away every day. > > Now, let's up the ante even more: if you lose 30-40 > pounds and stop, then your BMI will be below 40 and > insurance isn't likely to pay for a second surgery, > either (that *exact* thing happened to another woman. > Right now, my BMI is 36.4 I don't know if insurance > will pay or not). > > Just something to think about. You *might* be one of > the people like me. The mental anguish of this failure -- > after a lifetime of suffering, seeing a solution, and > seeing it fail -- is extraordinary. > > And before anybody sends me their astute assessment that > I'm depressed, I am *on* an effective anti-depressant > as I write this. > > Kind regards, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > , > What does RR say about all this? He told me previously (in July) to wait two months, which I have done, and over the last 3 weeks, my weight has gone up, not plateaued or gone down. > Are you the ONLY one > this has appened to? No, of the 90+ patient contacts I made before surgery, 4 people had lost 40-50 pounds and stopped. One of those ladies was at clinic when I was (May 16) to have a revision but then her insurance would not cover it. Trish Lanman is also seeing the same pattern I am and she had her surgery about 2 weeks after I did. So that makes 6 people that I personally know of and I have been told of some others, but I am waiting to get specifics. > BC/BS of AL said they wouldn't > pay but for one WLS in a lifetime and no revisions. What's their basis for saying that? A revision would be the result of a failed surgery and if they approved the original surgery, then it doesn't make sense for them to disapprove a revision at all, much less in some sort of blanket pre- determination like that. Sounds like bad-faith to me. > Did they pay for all your tests? I don't have BCBS. I have a company out of Indiana that has not paid diddly squat yet, though they claim they are " processing " it. So far, on EVERY claim they have received, from EVERY source (EKG, EKG doctor, Dr. R., hospital, anesthesia) sent to the address on the insurance card, with all my insurance info on the paperwork, they have claimed they " can't find me " in their records and sent the paperwork back -- and THAT took them 60-90 days to do. > Boy, I know you are depressed, I would be too. Do you > think maybe you should wait a little longer before you > start thinking about another surgery? Hasn't it only > been 4 months? *ONLY*?????????? The farther out from surgery you get, the slower you lose. It is NEVER faster. Never. Not any type of WLS, anywhere. So do you think if I click my heels together or wish really really really hard, it will change? That suddenly I'll be the miracle exception to that rule, when for the last three weeks I have *gained* weight? C'mon. > I am so sorry for you to be having to deal with this, > but I am happy that you are sharing this with all of > us. Thanks for the well-wishes! > Take care, > > > ===== > Kristi in AL > BMI49 > current 288 > surgery date 9/21 > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > I meant , I'm sorry to hear that . I pray that it gets better for you. > > Ruqayya Thank you, but hoping it will get better isn't going to work. The average person's weight loss begins to slow at 3-4 mos., no matter what type of surgery they had. In my case, the weight loss was very slow to begin with and now, at 4 mos., I'm gaining. There is no statistical likelihood that suddenly the weight will start going down, or go down " faster, " or do anything other than what it is doing, which is going up, though if I go back to starving myself, I might get it to hold its own for awhile. Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > : I can certainly understand your disappointment! > While 37 pounds is a significant weight loss for someone > just cutting calories and " watching " what they eat... In four months? It is not. I lost 26 pounds in a month on Herbal life and 8-10 pounds a month every month after that for 3 months, no problem. And I had a much smaller starting weight of 165. In fact, I *always* lost more weight than this on any diet I ever went on. (And don't anybody say, " Yeah, but this time it's gone forever, " since please note, I am *gaining* weight now.) I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks before surgery doing nothing but cutting back slightly -- nearly half what I've lost in 4 mos. with the MGB. Someone else put it quite aptly to me -- my weight loss since the MGB has been about like being on a sh*tty diet. > having taken the > surgical step would allow someone to think that the > results ought to have been better. No, the results *definitely* should have been a *lot* better, period. If you decrease calories, you lose weight. It's that simple. If you have a surgery that is supposed to bypass enough intestine that you physically *cannot* utilize a great deal of the food you eat, then you *WILL* lose weight. Now if you have this surgery and do NOT lose weight, then the *only* conclusion is that sufficient bowel was not bypassed. Period. That's the only answer. And with this surgery, you are also supposed to get a much smaller stomach. I know for a fact my stomach will hold 8-10 oz. That's smaller than the 32 oz. stomach I had before surgery, but it isn't " small. " I can eat an entire Weight Watchers Smart Ones Dinner, a Budget Gourmet Dinner, or a Michelina's dinner, and these are all so-called normal sized dinners. Additionally, I now have that stricture between my esophagus and my stomach which makes my esophagus serve as a " holding tank " for even more food and none of that food triggers my stomach that I'm " full. " So to offset that, I'm trying to not eat more than that esophagus pouch will hold, but the stomach will still be signalling that it's hungry, so I'm also learning to ignore stomach cues -- AGAIN -- which is a sure-fire way to get fat again. > I think you're entitled to rant. Who better to rant to than > your MGB family. I haven't lost in three weeks and am bummed... > but I did lose 60 pounds in three months so I really am still > way up on the chart. So for me, even with this period of > plateau, I have no complaint. > I hope this changes for you...rant when you need to. We care > about you. And we understand > as no other group can! > > Flo Thanks, Flo. You're the best! Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > are u exercising? hugs marg Marg: Losing weight after gastric bypass surgery is not dependant on exercising, so your question is some of that " blame the victim " mentality -- looking for somewhere to ascribe blame other than the obvious, and quite frankly, I resent the implication and I'm sorry you still have that " diet and exercise " mentality when the facts show that " exercise " makes only a 4 pound difference in one's overall weight. Dr. Rutledge even has a story he likes to tell about identical twins, separated at birth, one gets exercise the other doesn't -- their weight difference? 4 pounds. Further illustrating that point, I found a web page about a person who had an RNY and literally turned into one of those people who works out 5 days a week, enters all the marathons, etc., etc. -- and she is STILL BIG, four years and umpteen marathons later (about 170 pounds). The difference is that she is wasting major amounts of time and energy doing all that exercise, an activity which would totally despise, not to mention it being a MAJOR time waster that would keep me from doing things I *do* like. Bottom line: it isn't making her lose weight. It may keep her in better shape (though frankly, she does not look shapely, she looks blockis), but if she stops doing the exercise, she will turn into a mountain of blubber. Exercise will tone muscles, it will create a *temporary* increase in the number of calories expended, and it may make a person feel better, but it has *nothing* to do with whether the surgery failed or not. I also resent your obviously thinking any adult who has been obese and been on a lifetime of diets would be stupid enough that they hadn't thought of " exercise and diet. " Really, Marg, just asking that question was incredibly insulting. As all of us thinking adults, already know: You lose weight two ways: Decrease caloric intake or increase caloric expenditure (or a combination of both). If this surgery worked, it should have worked by decreasing caloric intake -- it is that simple. (1) By doing exercise, you burn up more calories than if you don't do exercise; (2) You build muscle, which supposedly uses more calories than fat -- but only if you actually exercise and --importantly -- CONTINUE to exercise, otherwise, the muscle gets eaten by the body (the body eats muscle before fat) -- and your body will replace the muscle with fat stores. Hence, you have no direct benefit from exercise unless you *keep doing it* which I (and nobody on this list, for that matter) will never do; thus, if you start and stop, you are setting yourself up to be HUGE later. Been there, done that. And if you think that at 47 I will ever permanently change my lifestyle, I'd say you are naive. I was *relying* on this surgery to work, to decrease my caloric intake, and cause weight loss. Notice that very very few patients from ANY type of Weight Loss Surgery ( " WLS " ) actually end up small. Most stop in the 170-200 pound range. This is not coincidence, I don't think. ALL of them end up there at about a year. The doctors are able to judge by the person's starting weight, how much intestine to bypass so they person ends up stopping weight loss in about a year. Why do the doctors do this? If a " morbidly " obese person loses weight down to 170 -200, their BMI will be 35, they are not morbidly obese anymore, they did lose weight, and they are a " medical success. " If they lose below a BMI of 25, however, which is only about a 30-50 pound difference, they become a " complication, " a " medical problem, " a bad statistic that has to be counted, tallied, reported and peer reviewed. Hence, nobody WANTS a patient to lose below 150. Period. Not one of the weight loss surgery doctors. Ask ANY of them if they will guarantee or even project that you *might* make your goal weight. THEY WON'T. They are *all* more concerned about their statistics than about whether or not any patient gets to their " goal " weight. The goal weight thing is just BAIT for you to have the surgery. NONE of them intends that you will get to that goal weight as a result of the surgery -- NOT ONE. They want you to lose weight and not be " morbidly obese " anymore, and by that, you become a MEDICAL SUCCESS, and beyond that, they do NOT care. So don't tell me I need to " exercise " or " diet. " I risked my life to have a SURGICAL ALTERATION that should have PERMANENTLY reduced my caloric intake such that it would cause me to lose weight and certainly should have made it virtually IMPOSSIBLE to gain weight, if done properly. Instead, like every other person, I am at a BMI near 35, and stopping weight loss. And I think, no I *KNOW* that was preventable, but I also know it is NOT a goal of this or any other weight loss surgery because right now, I'm a " MEDICAL SUCCESS, " and if I lose " too much, " I become a " complication statistic. " Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > , > No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. > says about this. He is conspicuous by his absence. > Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best > support would come from him. You would be wrong. > I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it > just doesn't make sense that if you make the stomach that > small and bypass 2/3 of the calories that it wouldn't be > a dramatic change. Bingo, so when you don't lose weight, the converse of that logical assumption is? > I am pre-op and in the learning stages - I am not at all > discouraged as I feel that even 30 pounds would be a relief > at this point and I can tell you that I couldn't lose them > on my own at this point if I had too. Well, I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks before surgery doing not much other than cutting back on food a little -- nearly half what I've lost in 4 months after this surgery. > So I don't see your surgery as a " failure " - let's face it > - at least the scales are moving in the right direction - (1) Please note that the scales only went down as long as I was conscientiously eating less than 700 calories a day. The surgery made that easier to do, but the weight loss itself was apparently from DIETING. (2) The scales are NOT moving in the right direction -- I have gained for the past 3 weeks. See: http://www.fourlane.com/mgb/mystats.htm (3) Everyone who has this or any other weight loss surgery sees his/her greatest weight loss in the first 2 months and after that, the weight loss slows dramatically. There is no " magic " going to happen that will change that plain fact. I am at four months now and gaining, not losing. > no matter how your getting there. Please, to me, that is really nonsensical thinking. If I am going to have to " diet and exercise " to lose any weight at all, then why did I risk my life and $14,000 to have the surgery in the first place? > I wonder where you'd be (scale wise) today without the surgery. Why? I HAD the surgery and I wonder why, scale wise, I'm not seeing the results from it that should be expected. Am I supposed to be consoled by what a whale I COULD have become at some point in the future? No, I HAD SURGERY, not just to prevent that very thing, but to GET TO A NORMAL WEIGHT. > Most of the people I am meeting say that by > the time they got the surgery - the scales > were racing upwards - and their health was racing downwards. Well, I had just lost 17 pounds. And I am not one of those people that is distracted by " Well, just because it's bad, it COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, look at Joe Blow over there missing both arms and legs, " blah blah. Stick with the issues at hand. You've gone from " its not *so* bad because, " to " look at how much worse it could have been. " And then to " Maybe it's God's will. " Gads. I had a surgery that is supposed to result in a dramatic decrease in calorie intake and result in a corresponding dramatic weight loss. That is not the result. > Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped > many people with your spirit - maybe God want's you to > stay online as long as possible and is dragging it out. And maybe there's not a God. Or maybe there's a Buddhist or Hindu or Wiccan God who thinks your religious teachings are so much pablum for the masses. And MAYBE God is a God of FREE WILL who really couldn't give a rat's behind if I had surgery or not. And MAYBE all of that is totally irrelevant to the issue: I had a surgery (TANGIBLE, SEEABLE FACT) That is supposed to result in a dramatic reduction in calorie intake (TANGIBLE, SEEABLE FACT, assuming the surgery was done properly) And it DID NOT. The more LOGICAL thing to consider would be that the surgery failed because the stomach was left too large or not enough intestine was bypassed, or both, and that it can be corrected by remedying whichever or both of these problems. I do not mean to be harsh, but honestly, telling me " it's not so bad, " " it could've been worse, " and " maybe it's God's will, " is just a bit much. Don't put on blinders. Not losing weight is a definite and very distressing possible outcome of this surgery, as I am here to demonstrate. Kind regards, If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly ever get to > see you anymore. > Love > Debby (in Arizona) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 Well, , I've lost 37 pounds and I am *not* happy and while I would welcome losing 50-60 pounds, I will *not* be happy with anything other than my goal weight of 114. Period. And I made that plain from the outset. I did not risk my life to " lose a few pounds. " I had surgery to have a NORMAL weight and normal life and not be overweight anymore. > > > , > > No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. says about this. > > Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best support would come > > from him. I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it just doesn't > > make sense that if you make the stomach that small and bypass 2/3 of the > > calories that it wouldn't be a dramatic change. I am pre-op and in the > > learning stages - I am not a t all discouraged as I feel that even 30 pounds > > would be a relief at this point and I can tell you that I couldn't lose them > > on my own at this point if I had too. - So I don't see your surgery as a > > " failure " - let's face it - at least the scales are moving in the right > > direction - no matter how your getting there. I wonder where you'd be (scale > > wise) today without the surgery. Most of the people I am meeting say that by > > the time they got the surgery - the scales were racing upwards - and their > > health was racing downwards. > > Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped many people with > > your spirit - maybe God want's you to stay online as long as possible and is > > dragging it out. If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly ever get to > > see you anymore. > > Love > > Debby (in Arizona) > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 , I understand your frustration. That is why I take things a day at a time. I am having this surgery and I will go with the flow. I am not going to put that kind of pressure on myself because I know myself to well to know I will sabotage myself. Besides everyone is different and you may just loose the weight a little slower than others. To be honest with you if mine comes off slow at least my skin may look better in the long run. I am going to be very very careful the first two months not to stretch the pouch or rupture the staples. Have you worked with Dr. R. about this problem I have not seen any postings about what his response is. I personally would give myself a year. I have been fat my entire adult life as I said before it is just " one day at a time for me " . My expectations are on the conservative side and if I do better than that it will be a plus. My first goal is to get off that dam C.P.A.P. machine and stabilize my weight. When I do that I will be a very happy person. And that will only take about 40 pounds. That's my 2 cents. Las Vegas preop selfpay 290 wrote: > Well, , I've lost 37 pounds and I am *not* happy and > while I would welcome losing 50-60 pounds, I will *not* be > happy with anything other than my goal weight of 114. Period. > And I made that plain from the outset. > > I did not risk my life to " lose a few pounds. " I had surgery > to have a NORMAL weight and normal life and not be overweight > anymore. > > > > > > > , > > > No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. says > about this. > > > Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best > support > would come > > > from him. I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it > just doesn't > > > make sense that if you make the stomach that small and bypass 2/3 > of the > > > calories that it wouldn't be a dramatic change. I am pre-op and > in the > > > learning stages - I am not a t all discouraged as I feel that > even > 30 pounds > > > would be a relief at this point and I can tell you that I > couldn't > lose them > > > on my own at this point if I had too. - So I don't see your > surgery as a > > > " failure " - let's face it - at least the scales are moving in the > right > > > direction - no matter how your getting there. I wonder where > you'd be (scale > > > wise) today without the surgery. Most of the people I am meeting > say that by > > > the time they got the surgery - the scales were racing upwards - > and their > > > health was racing downwards. > > > Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped many > people with > > > your spirit - maybe God want's you to stay online as long as > possible and is > > > dragging it out. If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly > ever get to > > > see you anymore. > > > Love > > > Debby (in Arizona) > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at > Onelist.com > > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > > > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > > > > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: > MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2000 Report Share Posted September 15, 2000 , firstly let me say I thought this was a support group and not an attack group. I too am literate and have read the manuels on this surgery and others. I also know that when u plateau if u boost your metabolism you will again start loosing weight. I was not blaming you just offering up some advice or asking the ? are u excercising. I did not know you were the only person on board that could ask ?I am sorry for your sudden stop in weight loss. But dont take the time to attack me find out what is going on. My doctor told me from the get go that this was not a magic cure. He told me I had to work at this just like any other diet or weight loss I have done before. I know that in the first months you have the greatest weight loss and if you can follow the instructions in the manuel u will have the greatest weightloss. This is not placing blame on you, just the facts. I dont think i said it was your fault. I also think that yes we do need to change our lifes, because that is why we are all here if we are unwilling to do some sort of excercise if just walking, the weight will creep back. And if your theorie is correct then at least we will be healthier and that to me is paramount. I am sorry for you that this weight loss has stopped at a unsatisfactory number, But again get on the phone and call the doctor, find out what he can do for you. I have met Dr. R and I think he is trying to help us. Also I have heard of others who have needed revisions, to help them loose more weight, while I was in clinic he said this is not an exact science, and sometimes he does have to go back in and do a little more. I know how disappointed u r. I would be also.But please dont attack people who are just here to help. hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2000 Report Share Posted September 15, 2000 Dear , Sorry to hear about your plight. I fear that I, too am in the same situation as I have only lost 16 pounds in 5 weeks (mgb, 8-10). I really had hoped for the average 30 pound loss - even 25 would have pleased me. I hope you get your revision or some kind of satisfaction from this. I already had the 8 foot bypass, so I don't think a revision is even a possibility for me. Seems I am often the exception to the rule, too! Thanks for sharing and for all the help you have given to us all. Good luck, Sherry in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2000 Report Share Posted September 15, 2000 hey Sherry sometimes from what I have heard you loose the inches and then the weight starts dropping off again. you are still kind of early to start thinking you are having a failure. Please dont start getting depressed, all that does is make us feel worse and we eat (or i should say I) and feel even worse. Keep your chin up. and if you dont see some more weight loss soon call the doctor and see what is up. I hope this helps hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2000 Report Share Posted September 15, 2000 > > > > > > > , > > > > No squishy sanctamonial bull - just wondering what Dr. R. says > > about this. > > > > Has this happened to anyone else? I would think your best > > support > > would come > > > > from him. I know that this surgery can " fail " as you say but it > > just doesn't > > > > make sense that if you make the stomach that small and bypass 2/3 > > of the > > > > calories that it wouldn't be a dramatic change. I am pre-op and > > in the > > > > learning stages - I am not a t all discouraged as I feel that > > even > > 30 pounds > > > > would be a relief at this point and I can tell you that I > > couldn't > > lose them > > > > on my own at this point if I had too. - So I don't see your > > surgery as a > > > > " failure " - let's face it - at least the scales are moving in the > > right > > > > direction - no matter how your getting there. I wonder where > > you'd be (scale > > > > wise) today without the surgery. Most of the people I am meeting > > say that by > > > > the time they got the surgery - the scales were racing upwards - > > and their > > > > health was racing downwards. > > > > Look, I know you are a huge icon in here- you have helped many > > people with > > > > your spirit - maybe God want's you to stay online as long as > > possible and is > > > > dragging it out. If you get to a size 4 too fast we will hardly > > ever get to > > > > see you anymore. > > > > Love > > > > Debby (in Arizona) > > > > > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at > > Onelist.com > > > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > > > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > > > > > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > > > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > > > > > > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: > > MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > > and for more on the MGB,Don't miss : > > http://www.fourlane.com/mgb > > > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2000 Report Share Posted September 15, 2000 In a message dated 9/15/2000 9:05:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time, lindat@... writes: << Those comments made it very plain that you were being catty, not supportive in the least. And to then claim that I was " attacking " you by responding to your attacks -- that's the best laugh I will probably have today. I won't tell you to shove it, Marg, but the thought crossed my mind. >> , Can you not see how utterly obnoxious you are being. Marg was just trying to help and you attack her because you don't like what she says. You owe Marg an apology. You have had your rant and in the process totally insulted a few of the people on this list. If you have a problem call Dr. R, don't take out your frustration and anger on the people on this list who actually care about you. You need to take a deep breath and think before you use that viper tongue of yours on how you may be hurting other people who are just trying to show you they care. Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC BMI 42 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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