Hello, a few quick questions.

Hello everyone! I am new here and I am very sorry if I ask questions that are either very commonly answered and/or sound immature to you. Well, here goes. I am currently looking into weight loss surgery. I am at this time over 400lbs, and it is very hard for me to stay standing for long periods of time. Now, I am also very young so I don't have much other problems and I can still get around fairly well but standing/walking for a very long period of time is nearly impossible for my back. This makes it incredibly hard to exercise a lot, and is causing strain on me going to school and also trying to find a job. Now, my questions to you guys are the following. What do you suggest for me? I have looked at both the RNY and the Lap-band procedures and my doctor currently believe RNY is my best option because I have so much weight to lose. However, RNY is a very permanent decision and is life-altering and is a very hard one for me to make at such a young age. As far as my eating habits, I will not miss them at all..really won't. However, as I get older I would love to be able to drink alcohol socially..which can be hard/impossible at times after surgery..correct? So, what do you guys and girls suggest for me? Like I said, I am very committed to losing weight and will gie 100% to whatever I decide. A few people have told me ( not many ) to give it more time. However, I do not want to wait too long as I feel I am just prolonging the almost inevitable and am doing nothing but hurting my body more. Also, I have heard that the skin will be easier to "spring" back up because of my age. I also have a few other questions if you could help:

1. Does anyone have any problems with energy after surgery ( even later in life )? I am a very energetic and outgoing person ( despite my weight ) and wish to remain that way.
2. I like to think I know at least a little bit about RNY, but I honestly do not know much about the lap-band system other than what it does. With the lab-band it doesn't effect the way your body takes in enzymes and things like that correct..so you do not have to take vitamins?
3. Is there anything else you believe I should know?

Like I said before, sorry if anything sound immature or is asked all the time. Would appreciate your help in any way!

Thanks,

Tim

You do not sound at all immature and have many good questions.  I turned 53 years old in April and had RNY in February.   I weighed 328 lbs when i started my 2 week presurgery diet and now weigh 242 and still going.   I went with RNY as i did not want the foreign object in my body and have to do fills and also since i had so much to lose, it is quicker with RNY.    For the first 8 weeks after surgery i was exhausted and told it was from anesthesia.  I also had my thyroid checked and was hypo active when means low and i needed synthroid to supplement it.   Since then, i have had more energy than i have had in years!    Depending on your doctor, you may be able to drink.    At 3 months post my doc said i could have a drink once in a while.   One is all it takes and i am pretty tipsy. 

Hope this helps you on your journey!

Take care, Pam

I just wanted to welcome you to the board Tim! nice to meet you!! I had RNY last September and have lost 101 lbs and Im currently 4 lbs below my goal weight. I would do IT AGAIN in a heartbeat! I have no problems with energy, actually I have more energy now that I am not dragging around 101 lbs!! we have a great group here of RNYers and Lap Bandits!!! welcome to the board and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Darcie

Tim --

I don't know how *very* young you are, but I had RNY at 25.. I was (at the time) the youngest patient my doc had.. and I was the first to have kiddos post-op.  More and more young people are looking at the surgery choices and deciding not to live half their lives bogged down by extra weight.

With that said, I would choose a malabsoprtive and restrictive procedure.  There are two in common practice.. the RNY as you know, and the Duodenal Switch (or DS).  Both make a smaller stomach (the RNY creates a pouch with the "extra" stomach just hanging out to produce gastric juices; the DS creates a banana-type stomach, removing the excess completely), and both reroute the intestines, but in different locations.  This means each malabsorbs differently and different foods react differently in our bodies.

Now, don't get me wrong.. the band is a wonderful tool.  But I'd simply recommend a more permanent solution with your young age.

As for skin.. well.. I still have a ton.  I started out at 320, had two kiddos post op, and I have sagging skin.. and I'm not even to goal yet.  Our skin does have a bit more elasticity.. but not a terrible amount more.  Sorry to be the bearer of that bad news.

I have *no* problems with energy most days.  Of course, I have a 5 month old and a 2yr old, so hey that could explain my almost zombie-like appearance some days (right now?  2 hours of sleep last night.. and no, not kidding).  I still make it to the Y 5-6x per week to do 30 min of cardio and 30 min of heavy weight training.. and I only abuse coffee in the morning.  You *will* be very fatigued right out of surgery.. and that can last several months.  But long run?  If you keep your vitamins and minerals up, watch your labs for deficiencies and catch those early, you'll have tons more energy than you have now.

Banders *do* have to take vitamins, just like RNY'ers and DS'ers.  They don't have the same malabsorption, but that doesn't mean they get off without supplementation.

Hi Tim,

Welcome to our board...you've found a great place to get your questions answered, and they're good questions too!  I do know quite a few people who have been very very happy with their bands, but I can really only talk to the RNY since that's what I had.  I've lost 104 pounds since Oct 2007.  I am at my goal and maintaining, and if you read my post from earlier today, you know that this surgery dramatically changed my life.  As for RNY being a permanent decision and life-altering...you're right.  But that's one of the main reasons it would be such a good choice for you too.  You need life-altering to be able to maintain these new healthy habits for life.  It is worth it.  Your weight right now is holding you back, but you're lucky that you're generally still healthy.  That's another good reason to do this now.  You should heal well and you'll quickly find that you can move around easier. 

As for alcohol, my Dr said I could drink again after a year, which will have to wait even longer, since I'm now pregnant! :)  - but we're all pretty sure that won't be happenning to you!  :)  Mind you...a little bit will go a long way with the RNY pouch, but that's fine.  You won't want too much anyway, because that's a lot of empty calories.  In time you'll be able to drink, and you'll be able to eat small amounts of pretty much anything too.

Research all the options out there.  Think it all through.  It is a huge decision, whether you choose RNY, lap band, DS or any other option.  Either way, you're committing to a healthy lifestyle, and it's so much fun to live life that way!  You don't want to wait until you're older.  The one common thread between most people on these boards is, "I wish I had done it sooner."  The sooner you get it done, the sooner you'll loose the weight, and the sooner you'll be living the life you want to live.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other ????s along the way!

Welcome Tim!

I think that it's great you're asking these questions here, and even more so, looking into weight loss surgery earlier in life than I did.  None of what you asked sounded immature so don't ever worry that you are too young here.  Old, young, whatever, we all feel or have felt the same as you are right now. I had lapband surgery about a year ago and I'm happy I did this surgery, it was "right" for ME.  Research the both thoroughly and make your decision on what you want to live with and what your doctor recommends.  Lapbanders loose weight a little bit more slowly, only have to take multivitamin's afterward, can basically eat whatever the heck we want, but do have to go for fills, which doesn't hurt at all, sometimes it's just a pain travelling if you live far. With both surgeries you can expect some hair loss due to low protein but that can be corrected with your food or a vitamin if needed.  One thing I've noticed is that most RNY'ers have a hard time tolerating sweets, compared to Bander's, who can eat them with no problem.  So, I'd say if you've got a bunch of weight to loose, say, 150 + lbs, or you're a sweet addict like I am, then RNY would probably be your best bet.  I sort of controls your self-control.  If you had to loose under 150 lbs and weren't into junk foods, you just eat wise, but larger amounts, then probably the band would be a good decision.  It's totally up to you......this is just my take on it all. Research, research, research and educate  yourself on which surgery you are considering.  It's a wonderful tool that WILL change your life- all for the better! Try finding some support groups in your area and listen to their stories and ask questions there also.

good luck and let us know your progression!
Nancy

I really don't have much to add - seems like everything has been covered pretty well. I wanted to say welcome to the board and post with any and all questions. Good luck on your journey.

- Iris

Hi and welcome.  We each selected our type of surgery because we thought it was right for us.  I had the lap band 9 months ago and have lost 80 pounds, 20 to go.  I'm 60.  My husband will be having the band, he is 67 and has about 125 to lose.  We didn't want our guts rearranged or have to worry about malapsorbtion.  Didn't mind losing slower or having adjustments.  You have to do TONS of research, and make your own decision.  Whatever you choose, good luck with your journey.  It is the beginning of a new life.

Goodmorning Tim,
I read your post last night and it has been on my mind on what I was going to tell you.
First welcome to the NC boards.
Only you can choose which surgery is best for you and which surgery your doctor thinks is best.
I have been where you are now at one point in my life I was 680lbs.
Life was pretty bad at that point.
You can read about my story on my web page at Spark People http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp
I am 49 years old and have battled weight my whole life.
As I got older the many complications of being obese hit me hard.
I think sometimes we like to tell ourselves that it wont happen to me.
It did happen to me and I am grateful I had the courage to make the choice to have RNY.
WLS is scarry stuff but the benifits that come from it are amazing.
I tell people who are looking into wls that you have to want it more than anything you have ever wanted and be willing to accept the life altering changes.
You also must be willing to always follow what your doctor tells you.

I am no longer 680lbs and I am still a good 150lbs from goal but I will not stop trying to reach my personal goals I have set two goals and trying to get to my first goal.

Has my life changed since surgery OH YES it has and it is wonderful to be alive.

As for mobility issues yes I had them too just like you talked about not being able to stand or walk for long periods of time and having horrible pain with my back and knees.

Now I am able to walk my dogs most every morning and I am proud of me and proud of my dogs when I walk.
I also workout twice a day in my home gym.
I could not even think about working out until some of my weight came off but there are lots of simple easy things you can do to just start to move a little.
I dont do heat well either but my early morning walks are bearable.
I am sure you know about all the new medical improvments that are spring up all the time.
WLS is one of them.
My advise to you is you have the choice to improve your life.

Last Saturday I met a wonderful young man who is also looking into wls.
He is 20 years old.
He said somethings to me that have stuck with me.
He said "all I want to do is be able to go to the movies and be comfortable in the chairs".
"I want to be able to go to the beach and feel comfortable".
"I want to be able to do my job well" he is a EMT and told me how hard it was for him to get on his knees to give CPR to people in need.
It was an honor to meet this young man and I wish him all the best and hope he will start posting.
So since that day when I met him now when I get on my treadmill I always say this one is for you Andy. (not his real name)
Feel free to email me Tim if you have any questions.
Questions are not stupid they help us learn. [email protected]
So this morning when I get on my treadmill I dedicate it to you Tim in hopes that you will find your answers.
One more thing if my surgeon called and said "Annie we have to do your surgery again" I would be out the door on my way to the hospital before he could hang up.
                                                               Love & Light,
                                                                   Annie

  Just wanted to add another hello and welcome, Tim! 

As you can see, you will get a lot of very knowledgable, caring support from the wonderful people on this forum. 

I'm only at the beginning of my journey, waiting on initial appointments, but I'm already wishing I had done this YEARS ago.  Having turned 40 last week, I really feel like I lost my 20's and 30's due to morbid obesity.  I would definitely trade drinking socially to have those 2 decades back healthier/thinner! 

Wishing you the best in your decision!