Update on me...

I haven't posted in a while. I was feeling a bit down because things weren't going as I had planned.

Priority refused my request for VSG. Dr. Foote and his group fought it, but PH has changed their policy on VSG and I do not qualify. I have agreed to go ahead with the RnY and have finally been approved for that. I have cut out caffeine and tried watching food intake, but am still having difficultly loosing weight. In fact I am 4 lbs up from where I was at my first appointment at MMPC. I have a message in at MMPC to schedule my surgery. I am hoping for some time in early September.

how long were you on the pre-diet surgery? I thought it was suppose to be 2 weeks, but then I read something that mentioned 4 weeks. Any other suggestions/thoughts/words of advice for making final preparation for surgery???

Kelly,

Congratulations on being approved for the RNY although it wasn't your first choice.  A word of caution - please make sure that you feel confident and comfortable about going through with the RNY because it is very difficult to reverse.  I very much wanted to have the surgery and there are minutes that I wish I hadn't gone through with it.  I can't imagine how I would deal with it emotionally had I been reluctant to make these changes.

For me, I went through 3 months of nutritional counseling where weight loss was encouraged, but not required.  Once I was approved for surgery though I was put on a 3 week liquid diet.  All patients where I went had either a 2 or 3 week liquid diet (I guess I got 3 because I was so big).  I lost 35 pounds in that 3 weeks prior to surgery.  It was hard, but it was a fantastic start to this journey (now that I look back on it).

Hope to hear more from you as you continue your journey.

Every surgeon/surgeon's practice is different on pre-op and post-op diets.  My surgeon required a 2 week pre-op liquid diet.  Post-op I did another 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks pureed, 2 week soft foods, followed by two more progressions into food.  It was a long process, but was well worth the effort.  It taught me to relearn eating and gave me a gradual progression so that I wasn't eating things too soon or too fast.

Congrats on the insurance approval.  You'll be on the losing side before you know it!

Kelly, many of us have no choice as to what surgery we have because of what our insurance dictates.  If you feel like WLS is the route for you and you are happy with that decision, RNY sounds like what the insurance will pay for unless you are willing to self-pay.

Many post-ops have regrets within the first 3 months following surgery due to many reasons.  Your system is out of whack, you can't eat what you thought you'd be able to eat, your energy is screwed up, you may have minor complications, you dump, you get the foamies, you mourn the loss of food, etc. 

There were times early out when I had issues eating when I thought "what did I do?"  But when the pounds start flying off, and when the compliments start coming in, you quickly forget about those minor issues and focus on your very bright, healthy future!

I was on a 5-day liquid diet prior to surgery.  It could include up to 3 protein drinks a day the first 2 days, put pure clear liquids the remaining 3 days.  The idea behind this is to shrink your liver that lays on top of your stomach. The smaller the liver, the easier the surgery is to perform. 

Keep us posted when your surgery gets scheduled.  It's so exciting!

NOt to be a squeaky wheel around here, but what about the Duodenal Switch?  It has the VSG for part top part of the surgery and then there is intestinal re-routing.  It is also covered by iunsurance plans more than the VSG as a stand alone ( which they consider to be more investigational).  It is just something to think about if you are not happy with the RnY stats.  Please visit duodenalswitch.com or visit us on the ds boards for more info.

Jennifer

thank you everyone! I appreciate all the kind words.

I did consider the DS, but had decided that RnY was my 2nd choice.

Kelly - i hope it all works out for you. I did a 2 week liquid diet (optifast) prior to surgery and lost almost 20lbs, after the first 4 days you really stop being so hungry.  Try walking every day, i wish i had done that.  Keep us posted on you, ok?  lys

ugh another minor roadblock!!! I cant schedule my surgery until after my follow up with the sleep doctor. I am scheduled to pick up my CPAP machine on the 29th. My follow up will be 2-4 weeks after that and then he has to give my surgeon a report! UGH!!!!! I really dont see having the surgery the 2nd week in Sept now! I wont be able to see the sleep doctor until at least the 19th of August because I will be out of town the week prior.

Okay I changed my appt to this friday!!