Weight Gain after Weight Loss Surgery. Let's support each other

Also 72, had surgery a decade ago, went from 220 to 150, gradually added 30 back on, basically because life happens. Other than dumping syndrome, the surgery was a great success. However, when I was told I would be a terrible candidate for a knee replacement, I knew I needed to revisit the weight.

Never considered revision surgery, to be honest -- perhaps I should have -- so I'll be curious to see how this post unfolds.

I did, however, bite the bullet and start tirzepatide (zepbound). It was profoundly strange to have the "food noise" in my head go away -- I now have a reminder on my calendar to have breakfast. It was also extremely helpful to have gone through all the prep and followup from the prior surgery; I fell right back into appropriate eating habits that prioritize protein. My goal was to get back to 150 (really not interested in replacing my wardrobe again) and overshot, so I'm now at 136.

On the one hand, it really helped my arthritis pain. On the other hand, I've been a poster child for side effects. (My prior experience with dumping syndrome was quite helpful in that regard, actually -- I have much better coping skills for GI issues than I did before the surgery.) I'm now on a quite low dose of semaglutide (ozempic, because I'm a complete fan of the control a multi-pen gives you) which was a productive switch for me.

As far as I'm concerned, the big difference between revision surgery (assuming you are a good candidate for it to begin with) and the GLP-1 RAs is that the first is one-and-done major surgery, while the other is a drug I will be on for life. I'm old enough now that I'm more skittish about elective surgery, but hey -- people replace their knees in their 80s, so that's just me. Both of these choices are also expensive, so it may be worthwhile to really dig into your insurance coverage if you haven't done that.

I just knew that self-discipline wasn't going to cut it -- spent most of my life intermittently succeeding and failing with that approach, and I'm done with pretending it will work over the long haul for me.

I had a sleeve gastrectomy in 2010, and went from 216 lbs. to 146 lbs. I slowly put some weight back on, and reached 177 lbs. The only solution that worked was going on a very low carb, and no-sugar food plan. My partner lost 50 lbs. and I’ve lost 20 lbs., and am currently 157 pounds. Our weight loss has stopped, as we’re eating keto bread (1 gm of carbohydrate in each slice, vs 15 carbs in regular bread) and fruit, but we still do not bring anything into the house that has sugar in it, and no snack foods, except for (measured) nuts. We have dessert every night, of zero calorie jello and sugar-free Redi Whip in the aerosols can, which is our only “treat”. If it isn’t in our house, we don’t eat it!! We have huge salads with many different veggies just about every day; we used to eat a lot of deviled eggs in the beginning, but we grew sick of them. I cook from scratch and make use of no-sugar barbecue sauce for my crockpot, and Splenda in my tea and coffee. We enjoy our meats such as steak, and cooked veggies, and have almost no cravings now. Eating sugar and carbs makes you crave more and more of it! I don’t eat until I’m hungry and usually eat in late afternoon or dinner time. We have been on this for 10 months…it’s actually doable!

@sbradford
Very impressive, thanks for sharing.

Had RNY in 1987 (39 yrs ago). Today have low protein, b-12, b-1, b-6, anemia, d-3. No amt of supplements help. I am 76 and thinking of a complete reversal. I have lost most ability to live well. One physician thought I might have too short a bowel for good absorption of nutrients. Please weigh in and let me know if you had a revision or reversal and your story about it. Thanks.

@max2 - losing your ability to live well is a big deal. I'm sorry to hear your RNY has presented nutrient issues for your body.

You might check out this discussion about reversal or revision of this surgery:

- Things I'm looking forward to again https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/things-im-looking-forward-to-again/

Thank you for directing me.

Hi, @grandmar - thinking of you and wondering how things are going with your weight loss efforts? Are you still able to have your shots covered by insurance?

Hi!
Thanks for reaching out.
I am still taking the shots and they are still covered by my insurance. I am at the lowest I've been in a very long time. I cannot remember the last time I've been this weight. I do not think I want to lose much more.
I heard a woman speak about how she used the shots, reached her goal and with the help of her doctor, she reduced the amount to help maintain her weight. I never heard of that, but I will ask my doctor.
How are you doing?????

@grandmar - so glad you're still taking the shots - covered by insurance - and you are at the lowest you've been in a very long time. That is wonderful.

I was at my lowest in a long time about a year ago (53 lbs down), but I was having terrible side effects from the semaglutide (Wegovy) shots. I guess I didn't realize that in asking if I could be put on another medication instead, I was in for a long process, and one where I'd gain weight back. That has been the case, and I'm more than 20 pounds above where I was a year ago at this time. For whatever reason, the tirzepatide (Zepbound), which is supposed to work better than the semaglutide (Wegovy), hardly moved the needle on my appetite or weight. With semaglutide (Wegovy), I would even put a bite in my mouth and then remove it, as I realized all of a sudden I was that full. That did not occur with the tirzepatide. And right when I arrived at the top dose of it, my insurance coverage ran out for weight loss shots.

I don't blame anyone or anything, but kick myself for not hanging on to the semaglutide (Wegovy) regardless of my terrible side effects, just because it did suppress my appetite and I lost weight on it.

My doctor is willing to discuss other options, but my appointment is close to two weeks away. Odd how the clock is like a ticking time bomb when you feel like your weight is going in the wrong direction. I'm trying to be patient, continue in my good exercise habits and be smart about what I eat.

I realize there are so many difference medical insurance plans out there, and they are all a bit different. Will your insurance continue coverage for you if you take a maintenance dose for years? How are you feeling just functionally in everyday life now?

I really don't know if my insurance will continue to cover me. I know my daughter, who takes Wegovy, too, will no longer be covered with her insurance. She is so scared! I'm thinking that many of those walk-in medical places offer the shots, too. I also see ads in Groupons. Perhaps that will be the way for me to go.
I have many physical issues that keep me down. I can hardly walk and when I do, I get exhausted and have a lot of pain!! I am in the middle of seeing several specialists to see what is causing all my ailments and if there is a way to reverse or slow down symptoms. So, exercise is not currently an option.
As far as the side affects from the shots, I had them. I have not been able to increase my dose. I've stayed on 1.7 for a long time. At that dose, I can manage .
Good luck with your doctor appointment. I hope you can come to some good resolution.