Assumptions versus truth.....
Hi RM,
I had the Lap RNY in Nov. 2005. I have lost 90lbs exactly, which I believe is on the slower end. I started out at 5'3 weighing 255.5. I am relatively young (31) and did not have any comorbidities at the time of surgery. I have been told that age and pre-op health facotr into recovery time, so inlight of the above information, here are the answers to your inquiries.
1. COMPLICATIONS--I had no surgical complications, and I have not had an serious post-op complications. I have, however, had some issues with low blood pressure and dizziness post-op. It was the worst at about 5 months post-op, and both my PCP and surgeon believe that my body was just having a difficult time adjusting to rapid weightloss. A decrease in blood pressure is normal with weightloss and mine was normal/borderline low prior to surgery. I also have some occasional vomitting. It is usually when a piece of food feels stuck in my upper asophegus/chest. I don't really consider this to be a complication though.
2. RECOVERY TIME--I had my surgery on a Friday and went back to wrok 10 days later (on a Monday). My first day back at work, I drove from Charlotte to Asheville and had a hearing (I am a lawyer). Later that same week, I was in Raleigh, Durham and Wadesboro. I was a little more tired than usual (I think because of the protein drink only diet), but I was fine.
3. DIABETES RESOLUTION--not applicable
4. PAIN & DISCOMFORT AFTER SURGERY-- I had serious back pain immediately after surgery. This did not ease up until I spent the night in my own bed at home. the morphine pump did not help with the back pain. Also, I had a very swolen throat and enlarged epiglotis from the tube they used during surgery. This was mildly uncomfortable, especially the first day when I could not drink. The swelling almost completely closed my throat. This too got better in ablut 2-3 days. I did not have any abdominal or incisional pain. The staples do start to itch though as they heal, but this is not painful.
In general I was amazed at how good/normal I felt so quickly after surgery. I did think that the weight woudl come off more quickly and be more obvious to others more quickly. It wasn't until I had lost 40-45 lbs that people started to notice. Now, though, every 5lbs seems to make a difference in appearence.
Good luck with everything.
Roberta
RM
Complications? You'd better believe it. Two days after my open rny my old stomach blew up with gastric juices and burst at the staple line. I had emergency repair surgery and was in a drug induced coma for a week where the intensivist would not give my wife any hope that I would make it through. He told her she just had to wait and see. I spent two more weeks in the hospital before being transferred to a rehab hospital where I had to learn to stand and walk again. (Yes, in three weeks of complete bed rest your muscles atrophy and you can't walk or stand). I was out of work for three months.
I told my coworkers I'd be back in two weeks. Surprise. I had to have two more surgeries after that to help with the healing process. I had home health care nurses come three times a week and home physical therapists come twice a week.
I started out at 363 pounds and now weigh 208. Even with everything I've been through I would run and jump up on the table again for this surgery. I can't even begin to explain the better quality of life that I now have. As a matter of fact...next Monday, July 24th I will be going back to surgery for an abdominal hernia repair, abdominal wall reconstruction and panniculectomy...can you say ouch? 
I guess that answered number two as well.
Diabetes? What diabetes. I had diabetes going into surgery and took 6 pills daily just for diabetes. I no longer have diabetes. Actually I went to my PCP yesterday and my fasting glucose was 76 and my A1C was 5.1. I no longer take anything for diabetes.
I don't remember the pain and discomfort after surgery...good pain medication and drug induced coma do much for pain. 
I went into surgery knowing that if I didn't have the surgery I would soon die of other weight related complications. My complication is extremely rare and so far on this board or any other have I found someone with this same complication. I am unique and therefore I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
Like I said before. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, complications and all.
One question for you. If you are a student why not wait till the end of the semester? You'd have at least two weeks before Christmas and Christmas break to recover fully.
Larry
Complications? You'd better believe it. Two days after my open rny my old stomach blew up with gastric juices and burst at the staple line. I had emergency repair surgery and was in a drug induced coma for a week where the intensivist would not give my wife any hope that I would make it through. He told her she just had to wait and see. I spent two more weeks in the hospital before being transferred to a rehab hospital where I had to learn to stand and walk again. (Yes, in three weeks of complete bed rest your muscles atrophy and you can't walk or stand). I was out of work for three months.
I told my coworkers I'd be back in two weeks. Surprise. I had to have two more surgeries after that to help with the healing process. I had home health care nurses come three times a week and home physical therapists come twice a week.
I started out at 363 pounds and now weigh 208. Even with everything I've been through I would run and jump up on the table again for this surgery. I can't even begin to explain the better quality of life that I now have. As a matter of fact...next Monday, July 24th I will be going back to surgery for an abdominal hernia repair, abdominal wall reconstruction and panniculectomy...can you say ouch?
I guess that answered number two as well.
Diabetes? What diabetes. I had diabetes going into surgery and took 6 pills daily just for diabetes. I no longer have diabetes. Actually I went to my PCP yesterday and my fasting glucose was 76 and my A1C was 5.1. I no longer take anything for diabetes.
I don't remember the pain and discomfort after surgery...good pain medication and drug induced coma do much for pain.
I went into surgery knowing that if I didn't have the surgery I would soon die of other weight related complications. My complication is extremely rare and so far on this board or any other have I found someone with this same complication. I am unique and therefore I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
Like I said before. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, complications and all.
One question for you. If you are a student why not wait till the end of the semester? You'd have at least two weeks before Christmas and Christmas break to recover fully.
Larry 
That is always a possibility of course but for various reasons it will be more and more difficult to get done the longer I wait. My diabetes is not under control very well. Im afraid of the surgery a little but more afraid of not having it done.
I was hoping to get it done in late July so I could have 17 days of no school to recover but its looking more and more like it will fall sometime after August 15th and my fall semester starts the 17th.
Compications - I have had none so far. But you can have complications years out... I was reading about a woman who had a bowel obstruction (I think) and she was 5 years out. I was in good health (as much as could be expected being overweight!!) at the time of surgery. In the preceeding months I worked out 3-5 times a week and lost 35lbs prior to my liquid diet. I wanted to be in as good shape as possible.
Recovery Time - I had surgery tuesday was running errands Friday, worked at my 2nd job for a few hours Sat and was back to work for 5 hour days on Monday at my regular job. After the first day I could have worked full days but didnt want to over do it plus it was gorgeous out and I wanted to relax by the pool
Diabetes - I dont have diabetes but we were discussing last night in the support group I attend. There were 3 people there who had diabetes... one was a year and a half out and was no longer taking meds for diabetes are her blood counts were excellent, same with the 2nd person. Another was 3 months out and was originally on 3 meds... she said she was off one, down to half a pill on the other (blood pressure I think) and still on the 3rd.
Pain and Discomfort - The only pain and discomfort I had was the dern hospital bed and chair (soooo uncomfy)!!!!! I couldnt wear jeans for 2 weeks post op because of the incision above my belly button - had to wear elastic or draw string. That was it. In the hospital I used my morphine pump the first day and that was it. I didnt need my pain meds post-op. I took them the first night home to make sure I got a good nites sleep but that was it.
Lastly - I didnt have a mindset or belief that wasnt true. I have 3 close friends who had the surgery and are 5, 4 1/2 and 4 years out so I pretty much knew what to expect. I saw the struggles they had and knew what I had to do to prepare myself physically and mentally for the surgery. The midset I did have going into surgery was one I picked up from the support group - the woman running it gave some statistic (something like 1 in 5 or 1 in 10 I dont remeber) She said there were people who had the surgery and did wonderfully and everything went smooth as butter for them... they didnt struggle post-op, lost and kept their weight off and didnt have a lot of mental struggles or food struggles. From that meeting until the time of my surgery I told myself that I would be one of those people and so far... so good!
Diabetes - I dont have diabetes but we were discussing last night in the support group I attend. There were 3 people there who had diabetes... one was a year and a half out and was no longer taking meds for diabetes are her blood counts were excellent, same with the 2nd person. Another was 3 months out and was originally on 3 meds... she said she was off one, down to half a pill on the other (blood pressure I think) and still on the 3rd.
Pain and Discomfort - The only pain and discomfort I had was the dern hospital bed and chair (soooo uncomfy)!!!!! I couldnt wear jeans for 2 weeks post op because of the incision above my belly button - had to wear elastic or draw string. That was it. In the hospital I used my morphine pump the first day and that was it. I didnt need my pain meds post-op. I took them the first night home to make sure I got a good nites sleep but that was it.
Lastly - I didnt have a mindset or belief that wasnt true. I have 3 close friends who had the surgery and are 5, 4 1/2 and 4 years out so I pretty much knew what to expect. I saw the struggles they had and knew what I had to do to prepare myself physically and mentally for the surgery. The midset I did have going into surgery was one I picked up from the support group - the woman running it gave some statistic (something like 1 in 5 or 1 in 10 I dont remeber) She said there were people who had the surgery and did wonderfully and everything went smooth as butter for them... they didnt struggle post-op, lost and kept their weight off and didnt have a lot of mental struggles or food struggles. From that meeting until the time of my surgery I told myself that I would be one of those people and so far... so good! To make this short and sweet, I was diabetic and have had no medication since the day of surgery. I've lost 146 lbs and would do it again. If some one ask me the one thing that I feel is most important in making the decision to have this surgery, I would say MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR IS QUALIFIED. That makes all the diffirence in the world. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask him about his complication rate. Everyone is diffirent, but with a good doctor you will be in good hands during and after surgery. Best of luck.
Angie
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