Tuesday Question of the day
I hope to have surgery in January.
I chose the RNY because there are certain foods I want to no longer be able to eat like sweets and fat. RNY patients for the most part can't tolerate those things and they are my downfall.
So far the hardest part has been the waiting game. I wish I would have done this last year when I started out too. Now that I am on the road I will not turn back again.
The easiest part has been getting in for all the pre-op testing that must be done.
At this point the only thing I would do differently is I would have done it last year instead of letting my husband talk me out of it.
I chose DR Katsis after I went to the seminar. He and Dr Fisher were both giving the seminar, and I just felt a real connection with Dr Katsis. I didn't like Dr Fisher's personality at all. In my area,, Surgical Asscociates are the only ones that take Medicare so I was limited between those two doctors.
My starting weight is 301. 8 and right now I am at 298 and trying hard to drop some more before I go for my consult visit.
Emily
How far pre/post are you? 7 months
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose? Sleeve, didn't want plastic in my body (killed my mom), didn't want my intestines rerouted or to not absorb medication. Knew what to eat, just ate too much of it.
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far? Staying away from popcorn.
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far? My surgery.
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey? Don't wait until you're 52 to do it. I've wasted a lot of time living as a fat person who couldn't do what she wanted to be able to.
How did you choose the right dr for you? Absolutely. From the moment I met him and he said we'd stay there until every one of my questions were answered I trusted him.
Are you happy with the results? Unbelieveably !!! Just wish my eyes would catch up with my body.
How close are you to goal? 66 pounds
Starting stats vs current - Starting weight, 364 pounds; weight day of surgery, 317; weight as of last time I weighed, 231; Goal weight, 165.
Are you Pre-op/post op? How Far?I will be 7 months post-op on September 28th
What’s your story on which surgery type you choose?
It was a choice between RY and Lapband because that is what my insurance would pay for. I researched doing weight loss surgery for years, but honestly was too chicken to have the surgery. My fear of dying on the table kept me from going forward and at the time the insurance I had would not cover it. As my weight continued to grow I figured out I was going to die if I didn’t lose the weight, so it was time to make a change. Because I started at such a high weight it made more sense to go with RNY. I also did not want to have to worry about fills.
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
The hardest part has been getting my fluids in everyday and giving up Mountain Dew!
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?Adjusting to my new eating lifestyle. I really thought I would struggle not eating pasta, rice, and bread but it has been easier than I thought it would be.
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey?The only thing I would do differently is waiting so long. Other than that all I can tell anyone is to research, be ready to make a change, and follow your doctor’s instructions after surgery.
How did you choose the right dr for you?Dr. Gorospe has a wonderful success rate. He requires so much before you have surgery and this made me feel safe.
Are you happy with the results?YES a million times over!
How close are you to goal?I am 88 lbs away from my initial goal but I think I can go lower.
Starting stats vs current stats?
I started at 440 lbs and as of today I have lost 152 lbs in 7 months. All weight loss was after surgery.
I chose the sleeve because I needed to be able to take NSAIDS and couldn't with the RNY. Never considered the band.
The hardest part of the journey is my slow weight loss. And, the fact that I cannot "see" the changes in my body. I still see an almost 300 pound woman.
The easiest part was giving up diet coke. I thought that would be impossible but it was really easy in reality.
I wish I had done this surgery many years ago (too bad it wasn't being done.)
I chose my doctor based on recommendations from people I trusted.
I am very happy with my results so far. I weigh less than I have since my freshman year in college- 30+ years ago!
I would like to lose another 65- 70 pounds- I think. I am not sure really how large my frame is since no one has seen my bones since I was 2 years old!
I am down a total of 78 pounds at this point.
40 pounds lost pre-op
How far pre/post are you? 6 weeks
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose? When I went to the seminar I was pretty set on the lap-band but as soon as I heard about the sleeve that is when I made my mind up to have that instead.
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far? Taking vitamins (Yuck)
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far? Quitting the Dr. Pepper (Suprisngly)
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey? The first 4 weeks are pretty difficult
How did you choose the right dr for you? I attended the seminar at WW with Dr B. and I just knew
Are you happy with the results? so far couldn't be happier
How close are you to goal? about 50 pounds
Starting stats vs current stats? Starting weight 227.5
Current Weight 197.4
How far pre/post are you? 26 months 7/5/06 Dr. Walton - WeightWise
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose? There were only 2 options at WW when I had surgery - RNY and Lapband - I was pre-diabetic so I chose RNY to alleviate the possibility of full blown diabetes later. Also I felt that I could out-eat a band with the sugary items so I wanted to have the "dumping" issue.
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far? The unfortunate set of complications that I have had - early on Stricture & Ulcer & Dehydration- putting me behind in my food stages. Additional Bleeding Ulcer 14 months post op that putting me in the hospital for almost 5 days.
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far? Knowing that I would DO IT AGAIN even with the complications!
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey? Be 100% compliant - listen to your doctors/surgeon, dietitian, psychologist, physiologist, etc.
How did you choose the right dr for you? At the time, I worked for WeightWise - Dr. Walton was our only surgeon on staff, but I loved him the minute I met him even before I decided to have surgery. I would trust my life with Dr. Walton OR Dr. Broussard! They have always been there for me no matter what, they never lead me wrong and they accept that I am human and fail sometimes!
Are you happy with the results? HECK YES!! I love my new self!
How close are you to goal? I would like (personally) to get to 159 which is a "normal" BMI for me. Will it happen - unknown - I am starting to believe this is the right weight for me right now.
Starting stats vs current stats? My highest weight was approximately 375 (but I refused to weigh then!) I am currently at 170-175 consistently.
350/326/173current/159goal
Certified OH Support Group Leader
COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR BUT RATHER
THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE IN THE PRESENCE OF FEAR.
Almost 11 months
I chose lapband , because i had other issues that i felt would be complicated with RNY
The hardest part of the journey has been getting in touch with my emotions as a "thinner" person , if that makes sense..
The easiest part of the journey was tthe surgery itself , and being 100 percent sure i had made the right decision
Honestly i cant think of anything i would do differently...
I chose Dr . Gornichec because i work for Integris and i knew of his reputation and the fact that he is easy on the eyes too :) sorry i had to say it ! And once i met him I knew i would trust him with my life and that he might be the one person who could help me.
I am extremely happy with the results .
I am probably 20 or 30 lbs from goal , i have not really set a goal , i wont know til i get there , i have never been this thin so i dont know at what weight i will feel best.
My weight was 247, i am currently 177 give or take a couple
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain. " 
Scheduled for sugery Oct. 20.
My doctor made the choice! I am having the realize band. I have too many medical problems for any other surgery.
Hardest thing has been the wait & trying to get through all the pre-op requirements.
So far, its all been pretty easy.
I'm not real sure on the anything different question, maybe I'll have an answer post-op!
My insurance only approves 2 doctors in the state, so it was pretty easy to make the choice.
I am happy with my doctor and his staff.
Shelly
