Bariatric Surgery/Weight gain

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Expert: - 11/30/2011


Question
Hello, I am 3 1/2 years after surgery, I have had problems, blocked bile ducts by stones left behind back in May 2010 than in less than a year later July 2011 my bowels were block (size of Football) My bowels were backing up into old stomach.  I worried that my pouch was stretched out. However, I was so skinny (size 4) but I felt and looked so unhealthy that I wanted to gain some weight but in a healthy way. Now I am at a size 10, but worried that I am not going to stop gaining. I was wondering if once your pouch is stretched is it too late or can you get back on track and get it to shrink a little.  Thank you listening and for being there for all of us.

Answer
As your bariatric physician likely told you, the surgery only serves as a tool to help remind you that you should eat less. I'm assuming that if you were too "skinny" you consulted your doctor before taking steps to gain weight. If not, why not? Nothing can be done to "shrink" your stomach if it in fact has been stretched. Revision surgery may be an option; consult your physician. And before you take actions to adjust your weight in the future, consult your doctor FIRST!!!   GOOD LUCK. And please let me know what your Doctor suggests.

Bariatric Surgery

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Steven West

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I can answer any and all questions from the perspective of a weight loss surgery patient. I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - Roux-en-Y - and can answer questions from the perspective of one who has experienced the pain and suffering of murderous obesity. I have mustered the courage to open myself to the opportunity to live life again! Let me help you get there, too! Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but for those who fit some specific criteria, it is a viable option. With the rise in obesity in America, there are suddenly weight loss surgery centers springing up on every street corner, it seems. Choosing to have weight loss surgery is a major decision in your life, and choosing the right center can mean the difference between weight loss success and failure. There are three main types of weight loss surgery being performed today at most all surgical weight loss clinics: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is similar to the first surgery, but is done laparoscopically, so it reduces the size of the incision, and reduces the pain and recovery time of the surgery, and the LAP-BAND surgery, which is a band fastened around the stomach to create a small pouch. Weight Loss surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In most cases, candidates must be at least 100 pounds overweight. Surgery should be the last resort, rather than a quick-fix. Surgery is a long-term answer to managing your weight, and you need to be aware it will change your life.

Experience

I am a post operative patient of Weight Loss Surgery (Gastric Bypass, RNY). I am interested in providing coaching for pre-operative and post-operative patients.

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Member of obesityhelp.com.

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Profiled in Obesity Help Magazine.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. I am an engineer working for Computer Sciences Corporation in the Washington, D.C. area.

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I am a retired veteran with over twenty years of U.S. Naval Service.

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