Dr Garth,
Please help i am at a loss. I am 29 years old and had rny gastric bypass in 2000. I lost weight initially and went from 417lbs to 265lbs,never got down to a smaller size though. I then got pregnant, i went back up to 290lbs but lost that by my six week check up after birth. That was five years ago and i am now back to 360lbs with no explanation. My surgeon dumped me because i no longer have ins. My family dr did a scope and said my stomach has not stretched but i am gaining. I have to have b12 injections and have had two iron infusions. I still get sick if i try to eat a whole sandwhich. So Why am i gaining. My obgyn said it could be from my pcos. Is this true? and what can i do to help it. We want to have another baby but i cannot get pregnant i believe due to my weight, and now my stomach hurts every time i eat. Please help if u can.
Hopeless in Ohio

I'm jumping in to give you my support and encouragement. I wish had an answer for you. Don't give up. Keep taking it one day at at time and you will succeed.

Are you in a group or visit message boards like obesityhelp.com? You might try that to find others that have gone through what you are. You're not alone.

I didn’t see anything in your post about exercising. Are you trying to walk or do any type of exercise? Also, have you tried increasing your protein intake? These are a few things I’ve heard about doing to get through a platue. I know someone with PCOS and she is having a horrible time losing weight with the lap-band.

I wish you the best and hope that you find some answers soon.

Thanks for the advice i have upped my protein by starting back on the shakes. I am doing protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and eating a sensible dinner. I have been exercizing since the very beginnig but have slowed now due to my knee the osteoarthritis i had has returned with a vengeance currently this week i am using a walker just to get around. I started school last week and i feel like even if i finish i will not be able to do my job. My doctor placed me on glucophage it took me two days to realize i was allergic i vommited and had severe migrains for two days the dr stopped the meds and we are looking into other options i still have no ins and have to pay for visits out of pocket. Even tried looking for a study in my area for something new. I keep hopeing and praying something will change soon. thanks again.
Jen

Can you get medicaid? Not perfect but an option or maybe your school has insurance options?

Hi, Doug,

I hope Dr. Garth looks in and gives you some thoughts. Meanwhile, though, I wanted to tell you that you're not alone. My sister had RNY last year, and lost 85 lbs. But she has since regained quite a bit of it. I've been watching her eat, trying to understand what's happened, and I think I may have part of the answer.

First off, her nutritionist told her to eat six small meals a day. These days, NUTS are saying to eat three meals, and limit snacks to just protein drinks as needed to get that essential protein in.

My sis hasn't stretched her stomach, at least by what I see her eating. She will eat half a gyro sandwich for lunch, and maybe an onion ring or two. But then she eats the other half of the sandwich for her snack. If she does the same for breakfast and dinner, then she's eating about what she did before at her three larger meals. Add to this, because she can only eat small amounts, she's gotten it into her head she can have the higher calorie treats she once denied herself. She drinks milk shakes, non-diet soda, etc. She doesn't have a problem with dumping, obviously, and maybe that's not a good thing.

Anyway, you may want to take a new inventory of your food choices and see whether you're compensating for your tiny tummy by eating more often or eating more calories.

Also, support is huge, especially if you've used food as a support in the past. If you can't get into a live support group and meet with a nut right now, consider joining an online support forum like the ones at www.obesityhelp.com. That will help you immensely.

I'm so sorry about your regain, but if you haven't stretched your stomach, then that "thin" you is still within reach. Find exercises you can do with your arthritis, and go back to focusing on lean proteins and limiting "bad" carbs.

WLS isn't a fixit, it's just a tool that hopefully makes it easier for you to eat the way you need to to be healthy. Keep up those injections and hang in there!

Hope this helps!