New to these forums

Hi all, I registered a few years back HOPING that one day I would be able to have WLS. Well the day is coming closer! I haven't been here for some time, but I'm sure glad I came back. I was very happy to see a men's forum. I love being inspired by people's journeys and I am very proud of the women that have done so well, but I realize I need to be in the company of men are in my shoes to motivate and inspire me into reaching that goal. A very big man wanting to find that skinny man that he's never seen. I had my first consult with my surgeon today and she seems really great. The last real hurdle is of course the approval from my insurance, but I don't see any problems there. My biggest questions that I thought of after hanging out here for a couple hours are... 1. Other than cost, is there any reason to choose open vs lap RNY? 2. My surgeon was not listed here. Should I be concerned? (Lily Chang, MD FACS) 3. I have about a 65 mile drive to/from the hospital. Post op, is there any concerns with travel? 4. Food prep... how many people here do mass-prep of meals over a few days/week's time? 5. If you had one thing about your surgical "process" to redo, what would that be? (other than do it sooner,  ) 6. Last one for now... My Dr. told me that I should expect to lose 30% of the weight from my IBW. At 421 (as of today), that only puts me at around 294. With a strict exercise regimen, is 200 a realistic personal goal? I am very excited to move forward in my journey. And I thank you guys for being here and supporting each other as it has been so inspirational to me.

Hey John, 1. My doc told me that open is safer because the doc can actually see what they are doing "first hand." If I had it to do over, then I would go lap. The open way hurts like a ******! 2. Experience is what makes a doctor a good one, not whether they are listed on some website. I'm sure you did your homework. 3. The drive will be a pain, get it. Don't worry, you will be doped up anyway.  4. Don't even think about doing any food prep pre-op because your outlook on food, and your tastes will change drastically. 5. I would change the procedure to lap DS (just being honest). Those guys tend to lose more, and can still eat more. I'm still happy with my decision to have RNY though. 6. Sounds like your doc is setting a realistic goal, one that she knows you will accomplish. Based on the success of many of us "guys", you will blow right past 294, and propbably drop to at least 225. The surgery does a lot of the work for us, but you still have to watch what you eat, and exercise regularly, to be successful.  Glad you found us! Ronnie

1. Other than cost, is there any reason to choose open vs lap RNY?      My surgeons always try to do lap because it is less invasive, faster healing, and less chance for         infections/clotting.  I had to sign a waiver to state that if cir****tances required open when I       was under anesthesia they would switch.  The surgeon says that sometimes (less than 1%)        they have to switch to open because of things like enlarged liver or bleeding.  There are also       other reasons.  The lap also has less scarring. 2. My surgeon was not listed here. Should I be concerned? (Lily Chang, MD FACS)       Just make sure she is experienced and certified.  Find out if they operate at Center of        Excellence. 3. I have about a 65 mile drive to/from the hospital. Post op, is there any concerns with travel?       It might be uncomfortable.  Take a pillow for the ride home.  Ask if you can purchase pain        meds ahead of time, or get some for the road.  Discuss the ride with your surgeon. 4. Food prep... how many people here do mass-prep of meals over a few days/week's time?      I prepare my food to take into work every morning, but I plan out my meals weekly. 5. If you had one thing about your surgical "process" to redo, what would that be? (other than do it sooner,  )      My hospital wing for bariatrics was being remodeled at the time of my surgery.  I got put into a       room with a stabbing victim who had a massive family (eating fried chicken all day long) and       was being questioned by the FBI.  It forced me to spend the bulk of my hospital stay in the       lounge.  So if I had to do it over, I guess I would ask for a bariatric roomie. 6. Last one for now... My Dr. told me that I should expect to lose 30% of the weight from my IBW. At 421 (as of today), that only puts me at around 294. With a strict exercise regimen, is 200 a realistic personal goal?      Very realistic to get to 200 if you follow your surgeon and nutritionists rules and stick to it.         Plus add exercise to your new lifestyle very early on. Good luck with your journey. Rob

First of all Welcome John,

1. My surgeon does lap and only changes to open if he has to. I had lap and could have been back to work in a week, but took two because I had already planned it.

2. Nope. As long as you have checked him/her out; number of procedures done and complication rate and so on.

3. I had a 40 minute ride on the way home. I felt pretty good, but it did hurt a little when my wife would hit a big bump. The pain was from one of the incision sites where it was stapled.

4. I wouldn't do anything prior to surgery. Now I fix my lunch to take with me either the night before or when I fix breakfast. For a long time I would just go to Wendy's for a small chili and a side salad.

5. Can't really think of anything

6. My highest weight prior to surgery was 375 to 380 range. 360 my first visit with the surgeon. I was 324 my last weight before surgery, I had to do a 6 month pre-cert diet for ins. Thursday was 50 weeks and I weighed 173 this morning. I went from a size 54 jeans to 34. I would think that 200 is a real possibility. Follow your Nut's diet plan and get moving. Walking is the main form of exercise that I have done. I started about two or three hours after surgery and haven't stopped since.  Good Luck pan head

John, Welcome to the Men’s Board! I’ll take at stab at these…..

 

1. Other than cost, is there any reason to choose open vs lap RNY? Go with what ever your doc has the most experience or success with. Lap is great, particularly with recovery time, but if your doc has done 1000 Open and only 20 Laproscopically?  I would ask for the “Old School.” 2. My surgeon was not listed here. Should I be concerned? (Lily Chang, MD FACS) Nope.  Just means they didn’t put out the bucks to be “Sold” by THIS Site.  Paul in Dallas posted about a recent “Policy Change” at OH where they are pulling all docs who aren’t paying for space here.   I didn’t have the forethought to save his post. Ask him if you are curious.  http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/339427/

It is after all a “For-Profit” Company selling the clicks we as members make on various links…. 3. I have about a 65 mile drive to/from the hospital. Post op, is there any concerns with travel? Shouldn’t be.  Many travel that or further. 4. Food prep... how many people here do mass-prep of meals over a few days/week's time? Sometime if I cook a big batch of chili I’ll divide it up and freeze in smaller portions, but not something that do often. 5. If you had one thing about your surgical "process" to redo, what would that be? (other than do it sooner,  )  Have the good luck to avoid statistically rare complication. 6. Last one for now... My Dr. told me that I should expect to lose 30% of the weight from my IBW.  At 421 (as of today), that only puts me at around 294. With a strict exercise regimen, is 200 a realistic personal goal? What’s your procedure? I had an RNY and lost from 385+ to my present 181 to 184. It’s been there for over 3 years now.  No strict exercise regimen for me. I’m also only 6’1.5” If you’re like some of the 6’ 10” Basket ball height guys here, 294 may fall within a normal BMI range for you. Throw out any thoughts or questions that pop up for you. (One at a time will get more “hits.”) Some have an aversion to reading a long post or having to type too much to respond. (It’s rumored that I am free of such aversions….) Best Wishes- Dx