High BMI and what WLS did you have and why

Hi everyone, My BMI is very high and I have about 300 excess pounds to lose to be considered at normal weight.  I am self paying so my chooses in WLS are completely up to me. I am not being directed by insurance and I originally wanted the RNY but am considering the DS. I am interested in, 1. What surgery did you have as a high BMI patient? 2. Why did you choose the surgery you chose? 3. Are you happy with your choice? 4. Have you had any problems due to your WLS? I am researching my6 options and want to make the right choice. I will greatly appreciate all responces. Thanks so much, Dedee

Hi Dedee, My name is Kristy I am 28 years old married with one adopted child, I was going to get the Ds surgery because my BMI was 63, also my brother had it done and at the time was doing very well, Well I met with my surg and he said he does not recommend the DS for me that the RNY would be better, Well of course I thought I want the wLS that was going to help me with the best results for Weight loss, I two have lots of weight to lose, So I researchen more of the RNY and have decided two go with it and the Doctors advice, I needed to get 25 lbs off two get my BMI under 60 for the RNY Surgery, Well I have lost 13 lbs in 3 weigh in's and I amd doing well but I have my self on Juice plus, cabbage because I love the stuff and it is a whole food and it's free of cal, also 200 oz of water and, one day a week I will have 1 peice of lean chicken breast.  I just thought I would let you know what I have decided to do, but you have two make the choice for your self withyour Doctors advice. God Bless you and yours, Kristy

Hi Dedee, I chose the DS surgery because as I did my research it seemed to give me the best chance to keep my weight off long term. I had a number of other reasons for choosing the DS as well.  I invite you to do three things as you do your research. The first is to come to the DS board where you can see how people live with the DS. The second is to get opinions from a surgeon that does the DS as well as the RNY. You should be aware that the DS is only done by about 50 surgeons in the US as it is considered the most complicated procedure of all the WLS, so you may have to travel for the DS. The third is to visit my profile. On it you will see all of the research and reasons I chose the DS. I had surgery on 8/14/07. I have been blessed to have had no complications and am meeting all of my fluid, protein and vitamin requirements each day. Each of us makes the choice of what surgery we choose based on a zillion personal reasons. People have had fantastic success with high BMI's with both RNY and DS. They are both great surgeries to help us defeat once and for all the obesity monster.  Good luck with your research. Jo

Dedee,

My BMI started at 69.  I researched all of the WLS and then when I went to the surgeon he told me that he recommended the RNY as it was the "gold standard" of weight loss.  I wanted the sugery done and I wanted it done at this hosptial so I was going to go along with what he said.  I am not sorry that I did.  I understand that the DS surgery is also very effective for those of us with high BMI but I didn't do alot of research on it.  I have lost 200 lbs. in 15 months and I have another 120 lbs. to go.  I am having a panni at the beginning of the year to help further in my attempt to get to goal and also to improve my lymph circulation.  I had no complications (I am 52 years old).  I have not been sick only have thrown up 3 times due to overeating and fast eating.  I would do it again.  It is a very personal choice which way you wish to go.  There is a DS board on here that you could probably go to and ask questions of. 

 

Good luck to you.

 

Jeanne

Big Ups for doing your research... I had a high BMI to start with as well, it started at 70.7, I chose RNY, one reason my surgeon had the operation, I was able to wrap my mind around this surgery, it made sense to me.  I had my surgery on 8-06-07, and I am completely satisfied with my choice.  My highest weight was 412, which I was at the beginning of this year, I was 364 when my surgery was performed and I am now at 333.  I have only had two episodes since my surgery and both were caused from eating to fast, thus over-filling my pouch.  I agree with the folks on the board, do your research, check the DS board, talk it over with your surgeon. Best of luck on your journey

I wanted DS but had RNY because the surgeons in my state who do DS (especially lap DS) are limited with long waiting lists and after I finally made the surgery decision I wanted to get on with it.  I have had complications - at two weeks out I had to have a second surgery because of adhesions (leading to a small bowel blockage) and two internal hernias (probably from throwing up so much with the small bowel blockage).  It hasn't been very long since surgery, and so far its been a really tough experience, but I am starting to see the upside and dearly hope for no more complications!  Best of luck on your decision.  Jenn

My BMI was 64.2 to start with.  I had a lap RNY on 8/29/06 and have lost 178 pounds so far with about 50 more to go to reach my goal of 185 which is still considered "overweight" for my almost 5'8" frame.  Anything over 159 is overweight for me.  However, with my height and my excess skin, 185 is my goal. Why did I choose the RNY?  Well, I am in a state with very limited options to begin with.  There are very few bariatric surgeons here.  I'd say less than 5 experienced surgeons in the whole state of WV.  My chosen surgeon does not do DS, so it wasn't really an option.  But, I had already decided that the malabsorption and restriction given by the RNY was the way to go for me.  I am very happy with the outcome depsite the determination of these last 50 pounds to hang around for a while! Keep reading and researching to make the best choice for YOU! Lea

My BMI was 62 when I started looking into WLS.  I chose RNY because I found a surgeon I was very comfortable with, he recommended this surgery, and I felt comfortable with his recommendation.  As many other posters have said, deciding which surgery is right for you is really a very personal thing.  You'll need to balance the surgery risks, the potential benefits, the long-term maintenance issues, the long-term health issues, etc., then make a decision based on weighing the risks and benefits against each other.  Keep gathering information and talking to folks until you are comfortable that you have enough information to make a sound, well-reasoned decision.  Then make it and don't look back!!! Good luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie

I had the lap RNY with a BMI of 66. I chose it because I have been obese to super morbid obese most of my life.  The lap band didn't seem to give the results I wanted in either the amount of weight or the speed of weight loss.  I didn't consider the DS because the surgeons in my area don't do it.  I want to have my surgeon local so if there were to be a problem, he'd be available.   I am very happy with my choice.  I am a few pounds below my goal at 22 months out.  My goal was to have a BMI that put me in the merely overweight category.  If I lose another 10 pounds, I could actually hit a normal BMI!  I like the RNY as it does what is necessary physically to allow my efforts to be successful.  But at the same time, it does require effort this far out.  And I kind of like that--makes me feel normal like any other woman watching her weight.  I feel like I'm the one in control and making choices, but now my body works with me instead of against me. I've not had any problems due to my wls.  I've always been healthy, and this has just made me healthier. Regardless of the surgery you select, make sure you also get your head around what changes you will need to make.  That's the "proof in the pudding" so to speak.  Compliance is your key to success.   Good luck, Sally

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HONEST RESPONSES!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate you all for your answers to my questions and the advise yall have given me. Dedee