How was your RNY???

Hey guys, I've been mostly on the RNY board since I've started using OH. now that I have found some of my high BMI friends now I can ask you how your experience was. I started out at 507 with a BMI of 70 and am now at 453 with. BMI around 64. My surgery is on July 5th, so what should I be expecting? P,ease let me know how your experiences were being people like me with a high BMI....

I am 9 months (almost 10) post op and have had no problems.  I started with a BMI just over 61 (389 lbs at 5'3").  I had no co-morbidities at the time of surgery.  However, my surgeon was concerned about a higher risk for blood clots due to both the high BMI and a family history.  As a result, I did have to have an IVC filter put in. 

The fact that you have lost some weight pre-op lowers your surgical risk.  Keep losing what you can and follow ALL your doctor's instructions.  Once you have surgery, walk as much as you can.  It really does help. 
 
Good luck!!!  We will be waiting for you on the loser's bench.

Thanks Jewel... I too have no major do-morbidities. I have mild sleep apnea. That's actually the only reason that they approved me for the surgery. Thank you forthe kind words. I have no family history of blood clots, so I don't know what they will do. I pretty excited for this to happen. I can't wait to join you guys on the losers bench

Hiya!  I haven't had my surgery yet but I am so curious about this question too!  My highest weight is 390 but I've lost some and am currently hovering between 340-350 depending on the week truly....I hope after the optifast stage that I will go into surgery at about 325....I am 5'8 - My current BMI is like 53...I had hoped I'd get it under 50 prior to surgery but I don't think that's going to happen. 

I do know that I have successfully recovered from 2 C-Sections and I was about 370 after my last one and I think I handled that surgery very well so I'm hoping I have the same type of recovery after my RNY.  I am mostly nervous about them putting me under and not being able to put the ventilation tube in.  Eek!!

I didn't have the RNY, but I just want to say congrats on your weight loss so far! It will make your recovery a lot easier I wish you the best with surgery.

   All I can say is having Gastric -By- Pass is one of the best things I ever did in my life.  
  I had my surgery May 23, 2011.  Which was about  4 weeks ago.  It was not easy.  The second  week after surgery you have totally relearn how to eat.  Which was hard.  It took a little stomach pain to learn when to stop.  Also what can and can't eat. 
Everybody is different.
    My starting weight was 390 pounds.  It took me a year and a half  before surgery to lose fifty pounds.  I was suppose to lose Eighty before Surgery. but,  It just never happened.  So my S.W. 340 pounds. four weeks later it is 309.  Which is 31 pounds in a month.
 This is truly a mircle for me.  Because been Fat/ Heavy all my life.  High school weight 280 pounds.  I,m am turn 40 this year and This is the best I have felt in years.  Just going for walk and go places with your family without it being a hardship. Being able to enjoy going to Sea world in the Texas heat.  With having everybody having to stop and wait on you.  

 I had RNY 10 days ago with a BMI of 76.  My surgeon took major precautions because of my sleep apnea and asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.  Before the surgery even started I was given anti-nausea meds in the holding area.  After surgery I went to ICU for 36 hours.  I had those leg massage things on whenever I was lying down to prevent blood clots.  I was closely monitored and it made a world of difference.  I really thought there was a huge chance I would not make it through surgery because of my poor health, but with a doc who knew how to deal with high risk patients with high BMI, I did great.  Better than expected outcome.  Be sure your surgeon has dealt with high BMI, high risk patients before.  Research the doctor.  Your life depends on it.  I traveled 7+ hours for surgery even though there are 2 local bariatric surgeons in my town.  I am still in a hotel.  It hasn't been fun and I am homesick, but my life was more important than the convienence of not traveling for the best surgeon available to me.

Hey Coach,

Part of the question I am wondering about - are you worried about open as opposed to laproscopic?  I ask as I have two male friends who had RNY done while over 600 pounds - laproscopic.  Me, I am female, carry most of my weight below the waist, which made a difference - I was around a 70 BMI when they did mine over six months ago.

I started out with a BMI of 74, I am currently at a BMI of 53, and having to work hard on my weight loss.  I swim five days a week for a minimum of an hour up to two hours for my primary exercise.  My weight loss has been slow, but I am pretty happy to have lost 130 pounds.

Some folks drop weight like a rock from a high place, others have to be diligent & work hard for every pound.  You have to also consider physical fitness, diet, and past success with weight loss.  I am slow & steady, yet many of my friends left me in the dust, only to have me creep up behind them later.

Congrats on the surgical date & don't sweat the surgery too much.  Your hospital has probably done two or three before you, so (wink wink) they know what they are doing!

Brenda  : )~

Thanks for the advice. Yes, my surgery will be done laprascopically (i think thats how its spelled) thank you for your kinds words. :)

I had a VSG with a starting BMI of 54 (I'm 5'10").  Recovery was smooth, and it has just gotten better and better over the last 10 months.  Assume everything will go well!!

Congratulations on taking this life-changing step.