I'm Considering Weight Loss Surgery

Hello, my name is Brenda and I'm considering having weight loss surgery.  I plan to attend Dr. Enoch's seminar next week.  I don't know for sure which weight loss surgery I will have or what Dr. Enoch will suggest, but I would love to have some feed back from you all.   I've been over weight all of my adult life.  I've lost weight and then gained it back.  I've never lost down to what I should be weighing though.  I am a type II diabetic and that is one of the main reasons why I want to have this surgery.  I have a lot of living to do and I'm tired of having this monkey on my back.  I want to be healthy, fit, and feel comfortable and sexy in my clothing. Look forward to hearing back from you all.

Hi Brenda,

Welcome to the forum and to my group and circle of friends. I look forward to getting to know you. 

My own journey started when I was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Like you, I had been overweight, actually obese all of my adult life and like you I had lost some and regained more for years. I knew that I had to lose the weight and to get control of the diabetes. I had originally wanted to have the lapband, but because the RNY has a higher rate of reversing diabetes and for me the malabsorption of iron would likely be a blessing and help me control my heriditary hemochromatosis. It has been very successful for me on all accounts. That said, I know others who have had wonderful success with the lapband. 

I encourage you to do just what you are doing. Go to the seminar and talk with the Dr. I'd even suggest that you go the seminars at Duke and UNC and ask them questions as well. That doesn't mean I don't think that you should use Enochs. It means that you'll gather more information.

Wishing you all the best,

Barbara,
     I'm sorry that I'm just now responding to your posting to me.  I just found it here today.  I'm so happy that you had a great success in your WL journey.  I look forward to the day when I can feel better and stop taking my medication.  My brother has gone nearly blind because of his diabetes and has several heart surgeries.   I don't want to wait until I'm in that bad of shape.  
     I'll be sure and check out Duke and UNC's programs before I make my mind up where to have the WLS.  Thanks for your advice and I thank you so much for sharing your personal journey with me and look forward to learning more from you and everyone else.

Thanks,
Brenda

Welcome! There is alot to learn but it's learnable. I just had surgery 3 weeks ago, RNY and so far I have no regrets. My heart rate used to stay around 100-115 at rest which is really too fast. In just 3 weeks it stays around 84. That makes me feel better already. I used to worry about my poor heart flying all the time. Take in all you can, when you can, so if you do have wls there will be no surprises, is the best advice I can give. Someone is always here to answer your questions also. Good luck!

Michelle

Michelle,
    Congrats!!  Glad you are doing OK and I'll keep you in my prayers and thoughts.  That's great that your heart rate has gone down.  I'm hopeful my diabetes will go completely away when I have my WSL.  I've been praying about it alot and I think that I'm making the correct decision. Look forward to hearing back from on your progress.

Thanks,
Brenda

Brenda,
I had the RNY gastric bypass almost 2 yrs ago and my ONLY regret is I didn't do it years earlier. I was 323lbs, tight size 30, BMI 52, with Diabetes so bad I took insulin 4Xs {two different types} a day and metformen 2Xs a day, I had high blood pressure took two different meds to manage it, acid reflux another medicine, sleep apnea {c-pap}  they are all gone! I have osteoarthritis and degerate joint disease now while those types of things do not go away... my pain has went from raging to barely there because there is less of a load for my body to carry. I'm 5' 8" and now 140lbs, comfortable size 4/5, BMI 20 and the co-morbities are gone and I just take vitamins. And proud of myself for all the hard work it took to get here. If you want to read more about my journey or see Before and After pics check out my blog at http://bariatricbites.blogspot.com/  I had misc bits of information I had collected, recipes, thoughts, ideas, challenges and triumps of the past 2yrs and thought it best to put it in a blog for myself but have found that many people from my local support group wanted to here "My Story" so I began to share it all over in hopes it will help someone make the educated descion about WLS whether it's right or wrong for them. Take care and read as much as you can on the subject before forging ahead. Take Care, Steph

Step, you look great and I'm so happy for you.  Thanks for sharing your weight loss journey and I am going to go to your blog as soon as I'm finished this response.  It's helped me so much reading the positive comments that you and others have shared with me.  I'm so excited and I'll be glad when Oct. 1 gets here so I can attend the seminar.  I weigh 236 and I'm 5'4".  The weight is very hard on my knees and I pray that my diabetes and high blood pressure go away after my surgery.  Thanks you very much for responding back to me.  Look forward to reading your blog.

Thanks,
BrendaNNC

Thanks Brenda... I feel better than I have in year and years...only regret is I didn't do it years ago

research, research, research....I had originally looked into the lapband with a surgeon in Virginia - I  ended up with RNY and a North Carolina surgeon. I'm so glad. For me it was talking to actual patients of both practices that changed my mind. PLUS I've learned so much here.

My surgeon's office and the nutritionist have been wonderful about answering my questions but 99% of the time I've already posted the question here and gotten the same answers. I trust the advice I've gotten here plus it's available to me 24/7.

I'm tickled to say that my diabetes is gone. As well as the aching joints, high blood pressure, high cholesterol,  breathlessness, exhaustion and depression - all gone. I cannot believe how much the quality of my life has improved.

Good Luck with your decision - we're here if you need us.

- Iris

Iris,
    I'm so happy that your diabetes and other medical problems are gone.  That is what I'm praying will happen when I have my WLS.  I've not made up my mind whether to have the lap band or the RNY.  Hopefully when I go  to the seminar this next week, I'll know more about it then.
    I'm curious to know exactly what you can and can not eat after you have had the WLS.  How long did it take after your surgery before your diabetes went away?   Did your hair thin out very much and if it did does it grow back thicker over time?
   I'd appreciate anything that you would be willing to share with me.
Congratulations!!  You look great and I'm so happy for you.

Thanks,
BrendaNNC