Has anyone had an OPEN RNY in the past 6 months? Or scheduled for one?

Just wondering. I'm scheduled for an OPEN on 11/30 and can't seem to find anyone else on this board who 's had one or is scheduled for one also. I would love to find out firsthand what their experience were coming out of surgery as well as first few months at home. Peg G.

Hi Peg: Try posting on the main board as there are more people that visit board and will respond quicker to you. I'm still pre op and can't help. Sorry. But I do want to wish you the best of luck with your surgery and journey. Hugs, Lorraine

Thanks for the tip Lorraine. Going to post there next...wanted to try local first.

hi Peg. my friend had open RNY with Dr. Thayer at Newton Wellsley last January. I can ask her questions if you want. I don't think she goes online. she's not even a year out and she's lost over 150 pounds! I know she had a pretty easy time except for her emotions. but being a woman, our emotions are out of whack anyway, lol. she looks fantastic for the most part. she's 44 years old. ask away and i'll relay if you want. i'm going to the same hospital as her and i'm having Dr. Gazmuri. he does lap but will do open if needed. good luck

Thanks Deirdre. I'll let you know if I have any questions. I think I'll be all set once I've posted on the main boards.

Hi Peg, I too had open RNY. It was three years ago by Dr Randall. I was 57 and it was not all that bad. Spent four days in the hospital, all I can say is walk and walk more as soon as you can and drink as much as you can. It really does help. I went back to work after three weeks, I don't do physical labor and do have the option to come in later or leave early. Email me if you have any questions. You'll do just fine he's the best both professionally and personally.

I had an Open RNY last Janaury with Dr. Thayer at Newton-Wellesley and would be happy to talk to you directly about the experience. The first month was a tough one, but I think it is for many of us and there were times I was wondering what I was thinking in having this done. But the time passed,I healed, graduated to solid foods and the weight came off. I've lost 110 lbs and feel great. I have energy, mobility and my life back. The doctors at the practice were and are fantastic as is the support staff. I attend a support group monthly and being able to share the experience with others is invaluable. Linda

Hi there and Welcome I had open RNY with Dr. Thayer at NWH almost 3 months ago and feeling great, feel free to contact me for any info you need and/or check out my profile. Gwen

Hi Peg, I am also going to have open rny with Dr. Randall hopefully in January. I want to wish you the best of luck. Joanne

Hi Peg Your date will be here before you know it. I know I have shared some of my story with you before. I had open RNY on 11/21/05 with Dr. Randall at LMH. I was very nervous the morning of surgery. My husband drove me in. Shortly after arriving I changed into my lovely hospital gown and brought into the pre-op room. The nurse got an IV going the anst. stopped by to introduce himself, eventually Dr. Randall came by to see me. My hands were in such a cold sweat that I had to wipe my hands on the blanket before I shook his hand. I was then brought into the OR where Dr. Randall was there as well as the anst. I was told to take some deep breaths then I was given something in my IV. That is all I remember about the OR. I have no idea how I got to the post-op room. I could hear people talking but didn't know who was talking or what they were saying. As the anst. wore off I remember being in a lot of pain. I was saying I didn't think it would hurt this much. For some reason I thought this surgery would feel like having a C-Section. Was I ever wrong, also no one led me to beleive this either. The pain was controled with a morphine pump. By the next day I was up and walking a few times a day. The pain was gone and it became more of a discomfort due to where the incision is placed. You don't realize how much we use our abdominal muscles. I went in on a Moday morning and was released on Thursday afternoon. Dr. Randall came around to see me twice a day. When I came home I slept in a recliner for about 4 weeks. Everytime I tried to sleep in my bed it felt like everything was being pulled inside. It was hard for me to drink any of those protein shakes or water. I mostly ate SF popsicles. Once I was given the okay to eat regular food I never looked back at another protein shake. My GI hormones went out of wack. Things I used to love to eat such as chicken I could no longer stand even the smell of it made me feel sick. I did quite a few times by eating too fast, not chewing well enough, drinking to soon after eating and food that just did not agree with me. After vomitting a few times I learned what and what not to do. Things become easier as time goes by. I am now able to live and eat as a normal person now. This surgery has given me another lease to life. Everyone reacts differntly to any type of surgery. I was mostly nervous about after surgery and not the surgery itself. You are in great hands with Dr. Randall. If you want to e-mail me with any other questions please do so. Best of luck on your upcoming surgery! Janet