over 500 pounds

Is there anyone out there that has been over 500 pounds and had bariatric surgery? I am at 546 right now and so scared about having this done

my cousin's wife did.  she is around 150 now.  She looks amazing.  She is encouraging me with my RNY. 

Hi Alicia!

Check out the BMI over 50 board. You may get an answer there.

Many of us heavyweights need to lose some weight first to go into surgery healthier. Many insurance plans require some pre-op weight loss - some only 25 lbs, others a 6-month supervised diet. I know that OHSU encourages all WLS patients, regardless of size to loose weight pre-op, to shrink the liver and have more room inside for the surgeon to work. Your doc may want you to do something similar, but then, Doctor D. is a very skilled surgeon. (You got a good one!)

The best thing is to be knowledgeable and follow your docs instructions.

At your BMI, have you considered the DS?

Patty

"At your BMI, have you considered the DS?"

FYI, Dr. D stopped performing the DS procedure earlier this year.  None of the other WL surgeons at OHSU perform it either.

What id the difference between the DS and RNY???

OH has lots of good info about many different procedures.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/wlsurgery.html

The RNY and the DS were the 2 I've been considering. If Doctor Deveney is not longer doing the DS, that limits the options unless you are willing to travel out of state. I'm not. I want to be reasonably close to my surgeon.

I didn't know that Vicki. Did he have a reason that you are aware of?

At my WLS prep seminar, a guy mentioned that his weight had dropped to the low 500s from about 600# and went on to have his RNY the same week I had my DS.  The attendees all applauded his efforts!

If he can do it, then anybody else can!

I have meet a couple of people that were that heavy when they did have the surgery. Did you go to one of the orientation meetings? They are pretty willing to answer any questions you may have regarding your size and WLS. They do usually want you to lose something before the surgery but you should have heard about that by now. They don't usually get approval until after they see an effort made to lose the weight. If you are worried or have questions call them, they have always been wonderful about answering anything I shot at them during the process as well. Good Luck!