Starting this Journey Again
Nope, I don't know that I've ever been here before.
How it was done back in 1980 was a little different in how the pouch was formed. Back then, they didn't cut the stomach into two pieces, they just stapled off the pouch and then looped the small intestine and connected it to the pouch through a hole they made in it. It worked the same way a modern RNY works, but there was a problem with the staples pulling out because the stomach wouldn't grow together where it was stapled off. I had that happen to me and I almost bled to death, but it didn't really do anything to how the RNY worked so I usually don't talk about when that happened.
I agree that there are successful RNYers and if you like to diet, I think it's a good choice. I hated to diet and I always felt deprived, I love to eat, so the DS is perfect for me.
I also agree that the patient should research all their options and make a fully informed decision.
Kerry
How it was done back in 1980 was a little different in how the pouch was formed. Back then, they didn't cut the stomach into two pieces, they just stapled off the pouch and then looped the small intestine and connected it to the pouch through a hole they made in it. It worked the same way a modern RNY works, but there was a problem with the staples pulling out because the stomach wouldn't grow together where it was stapled off. I had that happen to me and I almost bled to death, but it didn't really do anything to how the RNY worked so I usually don't talk about when that happened.
I agree that there are successful RNYers and if you like to diet, I think it's a good choice. I hated to diet and I always felt deprived, I love to eat, so the DS is perfect for me.
I also agree that the patient should research all their options and make a fully informed decision.
Kerry
Must admit I am an RNY. Problems yep! 15 hospital stays and 8 surgeries since my RNY in 2007. Would I chose it again...yes. I Hate dieting and don't. What I do do is follow the rules of my new life. I had a choice, I could eat anything and stay fat or decide to eat healthier and be a healthy weight. My pouch is simply a tool it was my head that had the best surgery. Sometimes there are foods I miss, but I think about those size six leather pants, getting up and down off the floor with my grandkids, fitting in a public bathroom stall etc.... and I know that food doesn't mean that much anymore! Don't get me wrong I still enjoy most food, just in moderation and know some foods will make me sick as a dog so I use restraint. Glad you are happy with the DS.
That is what makes WLS great. There is something to fit what everyone needs!!
Meggie
That is what makes WLS great. There is something to fit what everyone needs!!
Meggie
Megan
Yea, I liked my RNY too for about 7 or 8 years, but by 15 I was not liking it, by 28 it was like RNY hell.
And IMO you don't want your surgeon selling you on anything, you need to research this for yourself, decide what would work best for you, then consult with a surgeon who can do all the WLS options.
Kerry
And IMO you don't want your surgeon selling you on anything, you need to research this for yourself, decide what would work best for you, then consult with a surgeon who can do all the WLS options.
Kerry
Are you using your insurance, or are you self pay? Do you know which surgeries yours covers or if there is an exclusion for WLS? Unfortunately that sometimes limits your options.
When I had my RNY my insurance would only pay for Lapband or RNY so I chose RNY because it was use my insurance or no surgery at all. If it had covered all the surgeries I probably still would have gone with the RNY because I have a hard enough time getting all my vitamins in some days for an RNY'er and the consequences are much more severe if you slack off with the DS. I have been at goal for only a few months and I have no regrets with my surgery - best thing I ever did for myself.
My oldest son probably is close to a 50 BMI and if he ever managed to get a job with insurance that would cover WLS, I would definitely push him towards the sleeve. Mainly because I knew he would never be compliant enough with his vitamins to stay healthy with RNY or DS surgery, plus the complications (both short term and long term) seem to be less with the sleeve.
Best of luck to you and congratulations on your decision! It took me 5 years to get up the courage to have my guts rearranged.
When I had my RNY my insurance would only pay for Lapband or RNY so I chose RNY because it was use my insurance or no surgery at all. If it had covered all the surgeries I probably still would have gone with the RNY because I have a hard enough time getting all my vitamins in some days for an RNY'er and the consequences are much more severe if you slack off with the DS. I have been at goal for only a few months and I have no regrets with my surgery - best thing I ever did for myself.
My oldest son probably is close to a 50 BMI and if he ever managed to get a job with insurance that would cover WLS, I would definitely push him towards the sleeve. Mainly because I knew he would never be compliant enough with his vitamins to stay healthy with RNY or DS surgery, plus the complications (both short term and long term) seem to be less with the sleeve.
Best of luck to you and congratulations on your decision! It took me 5 years to get up the courage to have my guts rearranged.
I have a hard enough time getting all my vitamins in some days for an RNY'er and the consequences are much more severe if you slack off with the DS.
Where are you getting this information from? The differences in what RNY and DS needs are in the types of supplements, there is no difference in the severity of the consequences if you slack off with either one, they're both big trouble.
Kerry
Where are you getting this information from? The differences in what RNY and DS needs are in the types of supplements, there is no difference in the severity of the consequences if you slack off with either one, they're both big trouble.
Kerry
Thank you all for your input. I have done a ton of research on all the different options for WLS. One of my biggest concerns with DS is that we would like to have children as soon as is safe after surgery. With DS having issues with absorption it worries me to have it done knowing that I want to try to concieve later. I have read about people who have had DS done and then gotten pregnant and everything turned out ok but the part related to absorption of vitamins and minerals worries me.
You're wise to look into all aspects of each WLS, but make sure you get the real facts and not just what your surgeon is selling. Unfortunately many surgeons really sell what they do and misrepresent surgeries they can't do. I see a lot of misinformation being spread about the DS.
For example; there are real absorption problems with all WLS, but each one has a little different problem to deal with. Like in general RNY has big problems with B12 and Iron because they have no stomach or duodenum, while DSers need to watch their fat soluble vitamins AED&K because they malabsorb 80% of the fat they eat. These are not difficult problems to solve, but they can be serious if you're not pro-active in making sure you're getting what you need in the way of supplements.
I had RNY for 28 years and I was deficient in B12 & Iron before I got the revision to DS. I really didn't know about or understand all I should have about vitamins and supplements before and it took me about a year of supplementing like mad to get all my levels up where they should be. It's really not a big deal if you just take it seriously and take the supplements you need.
There are two or three women over on the DS board who are preggers right now, go check it out, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you about it.
I'm just saying that I had RNY for 28 years and compared to the DS, it really sucked rocks. When I was 2, 3, 4, 5, years out, I thought it was great, I had lost the weight and the problems I had from the pouch and RNY didn't seem like such a big deal. But it really does wear on you and you do feel deprived because you can't eat like normal people do and the deprivation gets worse and worse, it never gets better. And remember, you're going to have to live with this WLS for the rest of your life, so make sure it's something you can and want to live with.
The reason I'm here telling you this is because I've lived with WLS for a very long time and I really hate to see people make a mistake because they didn't know about all their options.
What ever you decide to do, I wish you well.
Kerry
For example; there are real absorption problems with all WLS, but each one has a little different problem to deal with. Like in general RNY has big problems with B12 and Iron because they have no stomach or duodenum, while DSers need to watch their fat soluble vitamins AED&K because they malabsorb 80% of the fat they eat. These are not difficult problems to solve, but they can be serious if you're not pro-active in making sure you're getting what you need in the way of supplements.
I had RNY for 28 years and I was deficient in B12 & Iron before I got the revision to DS. I really didn't know about or understand all I should have about vitamins and supplements before and it took me about a year of supplementing like mad to get all my levels up where they should be. It's really not a big deal if you just take it seriously and take the supplements you need.
There are two or three women over on the DS board who are preggers right now, go check it out, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you about it.
I'm just saying that I had RNY for 28 years and compared to the DS, it really sucked rocks. When I was 2, 3, 4, 5, years out, I thought it was great, I had lost the weight and the problems I had from the pouch and RNY didn't seem like such a big deal. But it really does wear on you and you do feel deprived because you can't eat like normal people do and the deprivation gets worse and worse, it never gets better. And remember, you're going to have to live with this WLS for the rest of your life, so make sure it's something you can and want to live with.
The reason I'm here telling you this is because I've lived with WLS for a very long time and I really hate to see people make a mistake because they didn't know about all their options.
What ever you decide to do, I wish you well.
Kerry
On April 13, 2010 at 6:43 PM Pacific Time, ajourneytofindme wrote:
Thank you all for your input. I have done a ton of research on all the different options for WLS. One of my biggest concerns with DS is that we would like to have children as soon as is safe after surgery. With DS having issues with absorption it worries me to have it done knowing that I want to try to concieve later. I have read about people who have had DS done and then gotten pregnant and everything turned out ok but the part related to absorption of vitamins and minerals worries me.
With any form of WLS it's VERY important to take vitamins and supplements, and get regular lab work. With the malabsorptive kinds---RNY and DS---it's obvious why this is important. But some people don't realize that it's also important with the restriction-only surgeries, too---you simply cannot eat enough to get everything you need from food alone. (In fact, most 'non-ops' really should take vitamins and supplements---they just don't know it.)
With a BMI greater than 50, odds are that you really DO need some malabsorption. You probably have a slow metabolism---most people who manage to get a BMI above 50 do. The DS is the ONLY form of WLS known to make a dramatic and PERMANENT change in one's metabolism.
But only you can decide what's best for YOU. Just make very sure that you understand ALL your options before you go under the knife.
Think twice, cut once.
With a BMI greater than 50, odds are that you really DO need some malabsorption. You probably have a slow metabolism---most people who manage to get a BMI above 50 do. The DS is the ONLY form of WLS known to make a dramatic and PERMANENT change in one's metabolism.
But only you can decide what's best for YOU. Just make very sure that you understand ALL your options before you go under the knife.
Think twice, cut once.
You know I am late with this reply but let me say this. You can listen to all this, do the research, listen to more but then need to make the best decision for YOU and it is ok to change your mind. I had my RNY almost 3 years ago before the sleeve was as popular as it is now. I will tell you I was dead set against any surgery other than the lapband due to all the horror stories I had heard and then in one conversation with about the 200th person that I had talked to I know that was not hte surgery for me. I changed my mind one week before my surgery. But at the time my insurance was paying for either the Lapband or RNY. Ultimately all of them are just a tool. And regardless of the type you choose no matter what others say there is some degree of "dieting" or I prefer MODIFICATIONS to make you successful. There will still be a plan to follow and guidelines. Ultimately you know your body, mind, and what got you to where you are and you and your husband together will make the right informed decision. I will add as I work closely with my surgeon and hospital program that although more and more insurances are starting to pay for the sleeve everyday....some still do not and mine still does not pay for DS. But do not let that stop you. If your choice is not covered by your insurance I have known patients that have gotten either of them by working hard and getting the insurance to approve them.
My BMI was 52.9 and though my surgeon told me later I made the right decision, he did not steer me in any direction as I feel any good surgeon shouldn't. Rather give you the pros and cons of all of them and answer the questions and help guide you to be successful in the surgery you choose. I too have had multiple surgeries since my RNY.....not directly related to it some would have occured no matter what surgery type I had (and no I have not had plastics yet) but if I had to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. At times I have said....if the sleeve had been an option ..... but in my heart I know it was the right surgery choice for me. Yes there are foods that I avoid, but they are the same not good for you foods any of us should avoid in losing weight. I had dumping initially I don't anymore......unless I eat ice cream or foods that I shouldn't. Sure sometimes I have a grouchy pouch....but I have always had a sensitive stomach so that is really nothing new. I am just more aware of it now I think. Sure if I eat firmer proteins I can only eat a very small amount and it stays with me but that is what it is intended to do. The thing that has changed most for me is the phrase you will hear others say " I eat to live instead of live to eat!" I am enjoying so many things that I could not before. Adn what I can or can not eat does nto matter to me. I eat and get on with my very active day. there is nothing that I miss and I eat what I want just in smaller amounts. Yes I did over the last 6 months gain 20 lbs but that had to do with deeper issues than just my surgery type. I have dealt with those and as a family we are all leading a healthier/active lifestyle and are together husband and kids included working towards it together!!!
I am a firm believer that if you stick to the Plan and that is the plan for your surgery type that ultimatley you will get to your goal. But it is when you push that limit that you might find yourself slipping. You have to deal with the issues of what got you to where you are to truely be successful....that is my opinion but do know there are many here that will support you regardless of what you decide.
Good luck to you and your husband in your journey. Oh and by the way my husband will be having the sleeve procedure as soon as he completes the requirements for the insurance....and not that he does not want RNY because of any issues I have had but becuase of previous abdominal surgeries it is the best option for him.
Best of Luck to you and please do not let others scare you away. TMB was and is a great resource to me throughout my journey and we will be here for you too!!!
Donna
My BMI was 52.9 and though my surgeon told me later I made the right decision, he did not steer me in any direction as I feel any good surgeon shouldn't. Rather give you the pros and cons of all of them and answer the questions and help guide you to be successful in the surgery you choose. I too have had multiple surgeries since my RNY.....not directly related to it some would have occured no matter what surgery type I had (and no I have not had plastics yet) but if I had to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. At times I have said....if the sleeve had been an option ..... but in my heart I know it was the right surgery choice for me. Yes there are foods that I avoid, but they are the same not good for you foods any of us should avoid in losing weight. I had dumping initially I don't anymore......unless I eat ice cream or foods that I shouldn't. Sure sometimes I have a grouchy pouch....but I have always had a sensitive stomach so that is really nothing new. I am just more aware of it now I think. Sure if I eat firmer proteins I can only eat a very small amount and it stays with me but that is what it is intended to do. The thing that has changed most for me is the phrase you will hear others say " I eat to live instead of live to eat!" I am enjoying so many things that I could not before. Adn what I can or can not eat does nto matter to me. I eat and get on with my very active day. there is nothing that I miss and I eat what I want just in smaller amounts. Yes I did over the last 6 months gain 20 lbs but that had to do with deeper issues than just my surgery type. I have dealt with those and as a family we are all leading a healthier/active lifestyle and are together husband and kids included working towards it together!!!
I am a firm believer that if you stick to the Plan and that is the plan for your surgery type that ultimatley you will get to your goal. But it is when you push that limit that you might find yourself slipping. You have to deal with the issues of what got you to where you are to truely be successful....that is my opinion but do know there are many here that will support you regardless of what you decide.
Good luck to you and your husband in your journey. Oh and by the way my husband will be having the sleeve procedure as soon as he completes the requirements for the insurance....and not that he does not want RNY because of any issues I have had but becuase of previous abdominal surgeries it is the best option for him.
Best of Luck to you and please do not let others scare you away. TMB was and is a great resource to me throughout my journey and we will be here for you too!!!
Donna
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