Newbie in WDM!

Hello all! I've been lurking around the boards for a while, and finally added my profile. I look forward to posting as I beging my journey. To find out more about me, visit my profile page and read "my story". Counting the days to my consultation with Dr. Coster in Grinnell! Anyone have Laproscopic RNY done? If so, how long was your recovery time before you could go back to work? Thanks! Jillybean

Hi Jill, I had lap RNY done by Dr. Coster this past May. I was only gone 13 days before returning to work (office job). I did not even need any pain pills after leaving the hospital and only hit the pain pump at the hospital twice because I thought I would have pain but didn't. If your surgery goes as well as mine did you will have no problem. By the way I am within 6 pounds of my goal weight and am under my doctor's conservative goal. If you have any questions let me know. Good luck. Hawkeye Mike

Hello Jill, Dr Coster now does laproscopic RNY? back a few years ago when my brother had the surgery with Coster, all he did were open RNYs at Grinnell. I'm curious about why you are choosing Grinnell over one of the Des Moines programs, since you live in DSM. Am I being too nosy? I will be two years post RNY next month. Today, I had a check up with my surgeon (because I had a bowel obstruction operation 3 weeks ago) and my weight at the Mercy Center For Weight Reduction was 139. I am now in the "normal" BMI range!!! So, I have lost 126 lbs. in total. I had lap RNY at Mercy Capitol and Dr. Smolik was my surgeon. At the time, I did not work outside the house (I am a tax preparer and work seasonal), and thank goodness for that, because I had a major g-tube infection and would not have been able to go back to any kind of a job for a long time. I didn't even feel like living for 7 months. I puked mucous constantly. Most people sail right through their recovery, but just be prepared to be one who does not. Then, when you do get through it easily, you will be relieved. I smugly thought I would sail through it with no problems. I was the least likely to have complications, I wasn't even all that heavy going into the surgery (265), and I really didn't have any other co-morbids, except for sleep apnea. No diabetes, or anything. So that just shows you, that you never know who is going to have complications and who isn't. Be prepared for the worst and be glad when you come out the best. Welcome to the Iowa boards and we will look forward to following you on your journey to health. jean

Hi Jillybean, I think you and I were in the same educational class. I was the one that can in late....They gave me ther wrong time. 8:45 instead of 7:45.....Oh well I made it and enjoyed it. When is your surgery date...Mine is Nov.29th...Two weeks from today...I can't wait, can't wait to start a new life.... Good luck Jill, hope everything goes well for you. Will you be going to the Support Group Meeting in Grinnell. Best of Luck, Mollymae.

Thank you all for the warm welcome and for sharing your insight, difficulties and success stories! I chose Dr. Coster as my Internist (Dr. Louis Schneider - who is awesome) said if he would ever need WLS done, Dr. Coster is the only one he would want to do the surgery. He did not recommend anyone at Mercy or Methodist to do the surgery. I also know Dr. Sundberg left Boone to go to Grinnell. They both have a strong reputation in Bariatric surgery. This is just my inital consult on 12/7. The appointment was made my Dr. Schneider directly, so I'm wondering if I need to attend an informational meeting before the appointment. I'll call them. Mollymae, good luck !!!! I can't wait to hear about your success with surgery on 11/29!! Jean .. hope you are feeling better since your obstruction. Mike .. way to go!!!!! Take care all .... Jillybean