RNY....is it the safest choice for...

someone needing to lose 40-50 pounds tops??  A friend / co-worker of my mother in laws sought me out to discuss my experience with RNY, as she has been approved to have it done, via Medicare...she has poorly controlled high blood pressure along with sleep apnea.

A weight loss of 50 pounds will put this lady smack in the middle of her IBW and BMI.  My concern is if she will end up losing too much weight.  I know this has happened to people...I certainly did not discuss this concern directly, I did ask if she had looked into the lap band, because perhaps restriction and not malabsorption would provide her with the necessary weight loss....she told me that her surgeon had not discussed the lap band with her at all.    I guess I am at a loss.....shouldn't the doctors discuss all options with each potential surgical patient??  I am just concerned for this lady.  I am not one to try and power talk someone into a different procedure, it is a personal decision to have weight loss surgery that comes with undeserved stigmas usually from someone uninformed, example..."your taking the easy way out"

I did tell her to first and foremost, she would have to follow her surgeons guidelines as all doctors and nuts do not follow the same path.  I did stress to her the absolute need to take her vitamins faithfully and to go to her scheduled follow up appts, get the labs drawn as ordered, don't become a slave to the scales, drink her fluids and get that protein in.  And I stressed one of the most important facts....do not compare your loss to others....everyone loses differently.

Have insurance guidelines relaxed a bit since I had my RNY???  How does one get approval for RNY with 40-50 lbs to lose??  I know the co-morbities are an issue, but still....i have seen others who needed to lose a minimum of 150 lbs+ and have numerous health issues have to fight like hell to get approval.

Missy-h

If I only had 40-50 pounds to lose, I'd look at the sleeve.

I just don't understand going into a malabsorption type procedure with 40-50 pounds to lose....i guess I am more mystified as to why the surgeon is not discussing the possible procedures with this lady.  She is having surgery with a surgeon who has many years of experience, at a hospital with a program of excellence....I am just baffled.

I agree....the sleeve would be a good option.

Missy

I'm not sure she'd get approved for ANY surgery if she only (I hate that word!) has 50 pounds to lose.

She has actually already been approved!!!  She has completed pre-op testing and is expecting a surgery date in early September.

Missy

I'm actually shocked she got approved...   even with co-morbidities I think your BMI still has to be 35 or higher... maybe she is very borderline and got "lucky" -- -  she can probabyl lose half of that on the pre-op liquid diet :)

What?

Tell her to get to Weigh****chers.

She has done Weigh****chers off and on for 10 years, successful each time, but then regains.
I am just so puzzled.  Since the surgeon has not even discussed other surgical options with her, I am really wondering if she really comprehends what she is doing....she has a good friend, who had the RNY 5 months ago, and this lady had 125 lbs to lose, she has done really well, no complications so far and is down 85 lbs.  So I wonder if she is not wrapped up in and mesmerized by her friends success so far.

Missy

I have to wonder.....does she really have only 50 lbs to lose......some people have a very hard time saying their weight numbers out loud.  It's just too humiliating for them. 

I have sat down with her after she even got on my scales....she is currently 183.  Surgeon told her to lose 10 lbs to help the fatty liver issue.....well she actually ended up losing 17 in 6 weeks following a super strict Weigh****chers plan that she modified a bit  ( made it stricter) surgeon advised her to slow down, as she could end up not being able to have the surgery.....YA THINK DOC?????

At 5'6" and 183....losing 50 lbs will put her in her ideal weight range.  I am just baffled.
Who am I to try and "push" my thoughts on her....I have told her about my complications, that she should not compare her journey with anyone elses, as everyones is different.....she told me that the surgeon told her that she would not lose too much weight, as your body knows when to stop.....well this one just about made me fall out of my chair!!!  I have read numerous stories on this board alone of people who could not stop losing....

Is there anything else I can say???  Or should I just step away and be supportive??

Missy