changed my mind from sleeve to bypass

Hi everyone,  since meeting with my surgeon last week, I have decided that bypass is the best way option for me, rather than sleeve (because they do not have long term info on the sleeve and my insurance will most likely not cover the sleeve).  So with that being said I am really nervous about all the possible risks/compications with bypass.  My surgery is going to be at the beginning of January, so of course that means more time for me to dwell on this... I have never had any type of surgery so not knowing what to expect is scary too.  I am going to Hershey Med center for my surgery and my surgeon is Ann Rogers.  Can anyone offer me advice/ what to expect, etc.  thanks!

I have RNY gastric bypass and the "long term" rules are fairly simple (hopefully I don't forget anything - I am 12 weeks pregnant and sick lol)
1) no sugar - sugar will make you dump. Dumping = miserable, cold sweats, heart racing, throwing up, diarreah - general yuck!
2) low fat - keep your fat intake low. IF you eat something too high in fat = dumping again but this version is mostly stomach cramps and diarreah
3)low carb - the only carbs you should be eating are whole grain (oatmeal, whole wheat etc)

I love my RNY and am almost 3 years out (Jan 30th 2007) and I wouldn't change anything for the world. This was the best decision I've ever made. It gave me my life (and my fertility) back. I have no defied their odds and am pregnant. Not to mention great things like being comfortable in my skin and living life to it's fullest!!

Please don't hesitate to ask ANY questions!

Liz

We've all heard scary stories of complications from bypass surgery.  But I think the reality is that most of us do not have complications.  Sorry I don't have any statistics for you about complications.  I'm 4 1/2 months post of RNY, and it's probably the best thing I've ever done for myself.  I originally went into this interested in the lapband, but I had terrible heartburn and heard that could make it worse.  The thought of RNY terrified me---I had heard of complications and was afraid of permanently altering my body like that.  But I'm down about 79 lbs and feel great.  I haven't gotten sick from anything, but I follow the rules pretty closely.  I had to wait a year before surgery (pre-existing condition for my insurance), and I used that time to research and learn.  I spent (and still do) a lot of time on this board and have met some awesome people. 

Feel free to ask any questions!  It's a great way to learn!

Good luck!

I wouldn't give up on what I wanted unless I was 100% sure insurance wouldn't cover it.

Either decision is a scary one, and I think we've all been in your shoes before!  Totally normal.  Regardless of which option you get you have a LOT of research to do in order to fully understand your life style changes that will need to take place.  THe band, the sleeve, the RNY....NONE of them are easy fixes, and in my opinion, taking the step for surgery demands that you also take the step to change your lifestyle.  That's how I viewed it, anyway.  I wasn't about to risk my life on an operating table just to "screw it up" down the road.  When I have trouble following the rules, I remind myself of that little saying.

Liz summed up most of the rules.....I'm not gonna say I haven't tested the sugar waters.  Dumping does not happen to everyone - and everyone has their own tolerances.  Some on this board have not had sugar since surgery (think like 3 years) and I wish I could say the same.  Because, in all honesty, some of that fear is good for you.  You really really don't want to find out you can TOLERATE sugar...it will, eventually, lead to weight gain if you are eating crappy food agin.

Vitamin supplements - you will be on these for life due the malabsorptive properties.  It depends on your surgeon what you will be on but expect something of the following:  A multivitamin in the morning and night, vitamin b1, vitamin b12, calcium, vit D.  There are "rules" for which vitamins can be taken with other ones but there's no need to get into that mumbo jumbo now.

The carb issue liz mentioned....carbs are generally tolerated after surgery - so it's not that you will get sick on them (although some can make you feel really full really fast and really nauscious if you aren't aware of that and eat to much) but your pouch has such limited room - you need focus on getting protein in first, then fruits and veggies, and theoretically, limited amounts of carbs if any.

No drinking liquids 15 mins before, during, or 15 mins after eating.  This is two fold.  One, is because it takes up room in your prescious pouch which should be used for protein.  You have such limited capacity, especially early out, that filling up on the fluids is not a way to get in your nutrition, nor is it a way to stay full.  That second part is said which is also the second reason of the fluid rule.  The fluids will turn whatever you ate into a "slurry" if you will and just let it whip right out of your pouch and slide right on down through your intestines.  This will A) make you hungry earlier after eating and B) not allow the food to travel slow enough for the body to absorb the maximum amount of nutrition.

I am by far the perfect WLS picture.  However...I am 2 years out and down about 110 pounds.  I have been at my goal weight, and within 5-7 pounds of that goal weight, since about 11 mos out, hitting it before my year anniversary.  I have drastically changed my lifestyle and love the tool and the new lease in life!  By far the best decision I ever ever did for myself!!

Like liz said - ask anything!  You'll definately get the truth from us, good bad or ugly, LOL

personally... surgery had absolutely no complications.  I was up within a few hours and off the morphin same day.  (did not have to wait till next day).  But again with any surgery (gallbladder, c-section, hip replacement etc) there are possibilites of complications. 

I have had almost not issues post op,  (although meat still gets to me unless its saucy... Dr. Brader described dry meat like a piece of gum... chew it up, spit it out and you will see it looks like a piece of gum... blocking that little hole). 

I don't go over my alloted 'unnatural" sugar grams per meal.  EVER.  but... i have found a great love for fruit that I did not have before surgery.  gimme an apple, a pear, an orange anyday over pies and cakes.  :-)

and I agree with another post... make the decision on your surgery based on what you feel comfortable with.

Hi Liz, I had my surgery on Oct 15th at Hershey Medical Center.  Ann Rogers and all the other doctors are wonderful.  I had gastric bypass and I am feeling wonderful.  I was also scared of the risks with the surgery but so far so good.  The only pain I experienced was the bloating pain, that is terrible but it goes away.  I lost 32 lbs already and I feel totally different already about life and myself, I seem to have energy to want to move, to go forward with life.  In the hospital I had excellent care, everyone from the start till the end of my hospital stay were wonderful.  They made me feel so comfortable and if I had any questions big or small they were right there to give me advice.  Good luck on your surgery and your new life. 

Hi,
Nice to talk to someone who had their surgery at hershey!  Dr Shope did my dad's band and originally I was going to schedule my surgery with him, until I found out he was leaving in Oct.  So then I met Dr. Rogers, she is so nice and down to earth, she sat with me for 2 hours anwsering all my questions and asked me to come back with my husband to talk with him, since he is not really for me getting the surgery.  Wow that is great you lost 32 lbs already!  I am scheduling my surgery for early January, and I am nervous but very excited!

Thanks everyone for all your feedback and advice!  I have decided to schedule my surgery in early January,  I will know an exact date later this week.  Does/did anyone have a spouse that was against them having the surgery?  My husband does not think I "need" the surgery, however I don't think he realizes that I am still morbidly obese- even if he doesn't think I have alot of weight to lose.  Also he is worried about the complications and risks, that is why I am taking him to talk with my surgeon.  Another thing I am concerned about is how will I know how much to drink and if I am getting enough fluids?  I am also not doing too well on my diet, I feel as though I need to eat junk because it will be for the last time, or atleast for awhile, anyone experience this?   Thanks everyone!

I liked Dr. Shope too and I think I was his last patient before he left.  When I scheduled my surgery I didn't know he was leaving at the time or I would have asked for Dr. Rogers so she could be familiar with me and my post of appts.  But it all worked out and I have Dr. Rogers as my follow up surgeon.  My husband said he wasn't going to tell me yes or no about getting the surgery but that either way he would be behind me in every step.  The only one I had problems with was my youngest daughter, she thought something bad would happen to me in surgery.  It will do your husband good to see the doctor with you because he'll get to understand so much more and all about the risks and how low they are.  I lost 35 lbs and I can tell a huge difference already with energy...so tell your hubby he'll benefit from that.  As far as the diet before surgery, I really didnt do good either on it and the last month was the hardest because I just wanted to taste all the foods I knew I wouldnt be able to have afterwards.  I thought the 8 day fasting would be hard also and it wasnt.  Again good luck.