AboutKarla K. Expertise I'm very familiar with the four main types of bariatric surgery: Lap-Band/Adjustable Gastric Band, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y, and Duodenal Switch. I'm familiar with the Mini-Gastric Bypass and Revisions as well. I'm also beginning my seventh year post-op as a successful bariatric patient--so I can answer questions regarding pre-op, post-op honeymoon, and maintenance phases. I'm less familiar with the nuances of plastic surgery following bariatric surgery--but I do know a bit.
Experience Have been an avid researcher of the science of obesity and bariatric surgery for over ten years now. My professional career used to involve medical device research.
Education/Credentials Master's in Business Administration.
Expert: Karla K. Date: 3/30/2008 Subject: gastric bypass
Question i had gastric bypass jan6,05 i weighed 353,i now weigh 235 i had a baby a year
ago,i eat everything from cakes,cookies,soda bread,McDonalds .all my old
eating habits are back i hate it,it scares me so bad that I'm going to blow up
again to 300's i want to get back on track so bad but i don't know where to
begin did my stomach stretch,where do i start again?
Answer Hi Julie:
First off, congratulations on your new baby, as well as keeping off 100 pounds through a pregnancy. There is a great technique that has worked for many longer-term post-op bariatric patients called the 5 Day Pouch Test. It's only five days... and it's free. www.5daypouchtest.com Basically, you're going to go back to drinking protein shakes for a few days, and then slowly add back in some healthful foods. For some reason, the break from regular food gives you a chance to "feel" your pouch again... as well as helps break some carb cravings.
Following this, you'll need to figure out how you can continue to work your tool. Some bariatric patients find trying Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or NutriSystem is what they need. Because of their bariatric surgery, they find it much easier to stick with the program than they did pre-op. It also affords you weekly accountability. Usually you can find free registration at Weight Watchers meetings. You can purchase as little as one week of NutriSystem's food via Amazon to see if you like it. Jenny Craig also has limited time specials--20 pounds for $20.
Another option would be to first trying the bariatric mantra of protein first, followed by healthful carbs, and a little good fat. So, choose a piece of lean protein (animal or vegetarian), add some fruit or whole grains, and a little healthful fat like nuts, avocado, or coconut. Do this for each of your meals and you should get back on track.
Other patients find that low-carb is the way to go. "Protein Power" by Drs. Eades is supposed to be one of the best written and researched. "The South Beach Diet" and "The Zone" offers a modified carbohydrate plan.
Finally, you should contact your surgeon's nutritionist. Many bariatric surgeons are seeing a bit of regain 2-3 years out, and because of this some offer graduate support groups and nutrition classes to help you get back on track.
If none of these work, you can look into a revision. There are newer procedures known as Stomaphyx, EROS, and ROSE which basically use an endoscope (tube down your throat) and a fastening device to make your pouch smaller. You could also consider having your gastric bypass made more distal or switch to another procedure like a duodenal switch. Finally, a surgeon could also put an adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band, Realize) over your pouch.
There are many options out there, so don't give up hope!
