Newbie here looking for some answer/support.
Hi Guys,
Are there any other 500+ lbs guys who have gone wls and how were your experiences?
How long were you out before you could lift weights again?
Did you have a lot of excess skin, how do you deal with it?
I’ve always been a steak and beer guy, but I was told that I couldn't have either after the surgery, I’ve comes to terms with it, but I was wondering if it was true, and what other foods can’t you eat.
Thanks for any information
I was 492 lbs when I had the DS. I lost all of my excess weight and have been able to keep it off. At your current BMI the likelihood of you succeeding with a restriction only surgery is very low. Eventually you will be able to out eat your restriction. Stomachs stretch, ice cream goes down easy, chips go down easy, etc. I'm a steak and potatoes guy myself, and the DS has allowed me to continue eating pretty much the way I did preop, maybe a bit better because I don't worry about fat or regaining weight.
hope that helps.
Scott
hope that helps.
Scott
Just my two cents...You should either go with the RNY or DS...and I would be leaning toward the DS. At your weight you need to make a drastic move for the sake of you heart and kidneys. The RNY and DS will cause malabsorption. While the VSG is more for the guy who is fairly young and needs to lose about 100 pounds or less. It can be converted to a DS or RNY down the road. But why go through 2 surgeries when 1 could do the trick?
I originally went in to get a lapband, thinking it was all I needed. My doctor set me straight pretty quickly; he recommended that I do the VSG because I’m 28 and my size could cause problems by doing the DS and RNY now. I would rather have one surgery than two. Thanks for advice, it is appreciated it.
I weighed between 571 and 576 in July of 2000 wehen I initially sought WLS and joined this site. My weight was near that when I had my RNY on 11-14-2000. Due to the sugeon's concerns about my condition, I was put in the hosp a few days prior to my RNY. And, I had to stay in the hosp approx 7-10 days following the RNY. I was so big and weak that I had to go home by medical transport--about 60 miles.
Unfortunately, I do have mental problems in addition to my eating and weight problem. I've often mentioned that I am a food addict--primarily to typical junk foods. I was able to eat 1/2 gal of ice cream within 1-2 days prior to the RNY but couldn't eat any whey products for the first 9 months post-op. I had to use gritty soy based protein shakes back then. I know that I began "cheating" about 3 months after surgery. It was just a little at first, but it was an almost daily occurance. I'm manic-depressive and haven't been able to have alcoholic beverages since about 1981. There's a good chance that I'd never wake up if I mixed the booze and my meds.
I lost about 235 lbs following the RNY. I was 50 when I got it and I noted that I was starting to regain some weight when I saw the surgeon 18 mos following the surgery. He said that was fine and was just normal bounce-back weight. He said you could reasonably expect to regain about 30% of what you eventually lose. I accepted that for years until I started seeing the posts on the Men's Forum from many men who lost below their goal weight.
In 2005 my primary had some tests run and they found that I had a staple line disruption--it was as if I had never had the RNY. My weight was back up to about 425. I'll never know how much of that weight gain was due to poor eating habits ( eating junk food between meals) or from the staple line disruption. And, I don't know when the staple-line disruption occured. Anyway, I needed a 2nd RNY. My original surgeon no longer accepted my ins. I had to search for a surgeon who would do a revision for a patient who was not his originall.
I had my 2nd RNY on 01-21-2005 with Dr Rapier at the U of Penn hosp in Philly. When I went back for my 30-60 day post-t op visit, I seem to recall that he was satisfied with my progress as I was down to 380+ but one of his nurses seemed to lay into me for not losing more. Now, I may have totally misinterpreted that because I was depressed--with manic-depression you can become depressed even though most people would think you should be happy under the cir****tances.
Once I realized I was depressed, I asked my shrink to change my anti-depressants but he said I was already receiving the max dosage of that med and I had to wait until 10 mos post-op to go through a change. I didn't go to any more follow-up meetings with the surgeon's office nor to his support group.
Luckily, due to the revised RNY, I didn't gain much weight. I did go up a little but was able to come back down to the 380s through exercise in a pool.
I KNOW this is TOO MUCH INFO. But, I just want to point out that, even if you are crazy like me, and a food addict like me, having the RNY can still substantially improve your life. By the way, my primary, my shrink, and my surgeons agreed that I'd be dead if I hadn't had the RNYs.
I get my support from the guys on the Men's Forum. I still struggle with the food addiction but I'm starting to get some exercise for the first time in 10 years.
I highly recommed the RNY. I had to have distal open and it worked. I can eat full meals but I can't eat anywhere near what I used to eat. I knew going in for the RNY that my GOAL weigh would be near the starting weight for many other men. That's ok because the RNY saved my life.
If you need more info about me, look at my Latest Posts. That's a good way to get history on anyone who posts her other than going to their profiles or blogs.
I don't think you can successfully lose the weight without the WLS. You can try, but you'll probably be wasting a lot of time. Bob
Unfortunately, I do have mental problems in addition to my eating and weight problem. I've often mentioned that I am a food addict--primarily to typical junk foods. I was able to eat 1/2 gal of ice cream within 1-2 days prior to the RNY but couldn't eat any whey products for the first 9 months post-op. I had to use gritty soy based protein shakes back then. I know that I began "cheating" about 3 months after surgery. It was just a little at first, but it was an almost daily occurance. I'm manic-depressive and haven't been able to have alcoholic beverages since about 1981. There's a good chance that I'd never wake up if I mixed the booze and my meds.
I lost about 235 lbs following the RNY. I was 50 when I got it and I noted that I was starting to regain some weight when I saw the surgeon 18 mos following the surgery. He said that was fine and was just normal bounce-back weight. He said you could reasonably expect to regain about 30% of what you eventually lose. I accepted that for years until I started seeing the posts on the Men's Forum from many men who lost below their goal weight.
In 2005 my primary had some tests run and they found that I had a staple line disruption--it was as if I had never had the RNY. My weight was back up to about 425. I'll never know how much of that weight gain was due to poor eating habits ( eating junk food between meals) or from the staple line disruption. And, I don't know when the staple-line disruption occured. Anyway, I needed a 2nd RNY. My original surgeon no longer accepted my ins. I had to search for a surgeon who would do a revision for a patient who was not his originall.
I had my 2nd RNY on 01-21-2005 with Dr Rapier at the U of Penn hosp in Philly. When I went back for my 30-60 day post-t op visit, I seem to recall that he was satisfied with my progress as I was down to 380+ but one of his nurses seemed to lay into me for not losing more. Now, I may have totally misinterpreted that because I was depressed--with manic-depression you can become depressed even though most people would think you should be happy under the cir****tances.
Once I realized I was depressed, I asked my shrink to change my anti-depressants but he said I was already receiving the max dosage of that med and I had to wait until 10 mos post-op to go through a change. I didn't go to any more follow-up meetings with the surgeon's office nor to his support group.
Luckily, due to the revised RNY, I didn't gain much weight. I did go up a little but was able to come back down to the 380s through exercise in a pool.
I KNOW this is TOO MUCH INFO. But, I just want to point out that, even if you are crazy like me, and a food addict like me, having the RNY can still substantially improve your life. By the way, my primary, my shrink, and my surgeons agreed that I'd be dead if I hadn't had the RNYs.
I get my support from the guys on the Men's Forum. I still struggle with the food addiction but I'm starting to get some exercise for the first time in 10 years.
I highly recommed the RNY. I had to have distal open and it worked. I can eat full meals but I can't eat anywhere near what I used to eat. I knew going in for the RNY that my GOAL weigh would be near the starting weight for many other men. That's ok because the RNY saved my life.
If you need more info about me, look at my Latest Posts. That's a good way to get history on anyone who posts her other than going to their profiles or blogs.
I don't think you can successfully lose the weight without the WLS. You can try, but you'll probably be wasting a lot of time. Bob
I sometimes hesitate and wonder whether to respond in the Men's Forum or to contact the Man directly. In your case I posted on to the forum in case there are other super morbidly obese men out there who are lurking but not posting. I didn't recognize all of the problems that I had. My wife (bless her soul) is the one who had to put up with me and my moods.
What I was trying to point out is that WLS can be helpful for someone as screwed up as I was. I had retired from a Fed job in July 1992 due to the manic depression. I weighed about 280 then and I just ate too much and didn't get enough exercise. I got severe lymphedema in my right leg i***** So, I did have some factors going agaist me. Still, I do suggest that other men look into the WLS. When I had my originanl WLS, the basic choices were RNY distal or proximal. Lap surgery came later. When people start talking about DS and other forms off surgery, I have no idea what they are talking about. So, I let the men who have either had those surgeries or considered them provide their info based on their life experiences.
What I was trying to point out is that WLS can be helpful for someone as screwed up as I was. I had retired from a Fed job in July 1992 due to the manic depression. I weighed about 280 then and I just ate too much and didn't get enough exercise. I got severe lymphedema in my right leg i***** So, I did have some factors going agaist me. Still, I do suggest that other men look into the WLS. When I had my originanl WLS, the basic choices were RNY distal or proximal. Lap surgery came later. When people start talking about DS and other forms off surgery, I have no idea what they are talking about. So, I let the men who have either had those surgeries or considered them provide their info based on their life experiences.
WLS is not perfect. You CAN F__k it up. BUT it is TRULY a lifestyle change. While I did not begin at the weights I see on this forum (of which I am constantly amazed and marvel at how well people have done), I had reached a point where I felt like sh__ and my medical numbers were climbing, I was on a fast track to cardiac hell.
Will you eat the way you do now? NO...Will you be able to eat the things you "believe" you love and "cannot live without"...Maybe. Is that the end of the world, NO..Dying from your weight is the end of your world.
You must say to yourself, this is a Journey. It will take a year, 52 weeks, 12 months, 365 days before you are back to "Normal" whatever that is. But that is ONE YEAR...ONE YEAR in the REST of your LIFE.
You do not say how old you are but at 55 I chose RNY because my wife had it 2 years before so I knew the ups and downs, the + and -'s. My son at 31 chose RNY because he also saw his mom's success and because lapband takes so much longer. (He was significantly heavier then me).
Right now when I "THINK" I should be eating more regular foods, many are giving me problems going down or sitting heavy. But I remind myself...I am 3 MONTHS out. 3 Months of my YEAR. I Must be patient. I MUST let my body heal.
WLS is not the ultimate answer. As I mention, you can Fu__ it up. But WHY would you want to? There are things that are a pain in the a__. Taking meds, vitamins, calcium, getting enough water, protein drinks, everything sweet. BUT these are SO INSIGNIFCANT to the benefits, it is unbelieveable.
Pre surgery, there was NO WAY I could walk by candy, cookies, pastries, hell...food without taking it. Post Op...I do not know what happens, but in addition to the physical, there is little interest in eating. I eat because they tell me I am supposed to . Do I miss it. NO. Going to restaurants is a waste, but that is a social thing.
So I have yet to have a steak and beer. SO WHAT? I no longer feel like sh__, my med levels are all dropped. (My PCP is Soo Pleased), My friends and associates are amazed. AND... I can carry and chase my 2 grandsons more then a few feet without feeling exhausted.
You do NOT need to "do it on your own" This list is AWESOME and may be the only support some members have. But there are support groups. I truly hope your program has them.
Just look at this list to know YOU CAN DO IT. YES YOU CAN. and you will be SOOOOO happy when you finally begin your journey and share with all of us your tiny steps along the way.
Kevin
Will you eat the way you do now? NO...Will you be able to eat the things you "believe" you love and "cannot live without"...Maybe. Is that the end of the world, NO..Dying from your weight is the end of your world.
You must say to yourself, this is a Journey. It will take a year, 52 weeks, 12 months, 365 days before you are back to "Normal" whatever that is. But that is ONE YEAR...ONE YEAR in the REST of your LIFE.
You do not say how old you are but at 55 I chose RNY because my wife had it 2 years before so I knew the ups and downs, the + and -'s. My son at 31 chose RNY because he also saw his mom's success and because lapband takes so much longer. (He was significantly heavier then me).
Right now when I "THINK" I should be eating more regular foods, many are giving me problems going down or sitting heavy. But I remind myself...I am 3 MONTHS out. 3 Months of my YEAR. I Must be patient. I MUST let my body heal.
WLS is not the ultimate answer. As I mention, you can Fu__ it up. But WHY would you want to? There are things that are a pain in the a__. Taking meds, vitamins, calcium, getting enough water, protein drinks, everything sweet. BUT these are SO INSIGNIFCANT to the benefits, it is unbelieveable.
Pre surgery, there was NO WAY I could walk by candy, cookies, pastries, hell...food without taking it. Post Op...I do not know what happens, but in addition to the physical, there is little interest in eating. I eat because they tell me I am supposed to . Do I miss it. NO. Going to restaurants is a waste, but that is a social thing.
So I have yet to have a steak and beer. SO WHAT? I no longer feel like sh__, my med levels are all dropped. (My PCP is Soo Pleased), My friends and associates are amazed. AND... I can carry and chase my 2 grandsons more then a few feet without feeling exhausted.
You do NOT need to "do it on your own" This list is AWESOME and may be the only support some members have. But there are support groups. I truly hope your program has them.
Just look at this list to know YOU CAN DO IT. YES YOU CAN. and you will be SOOOOO happy when you finally begin your journey and share with all of us your tiny steps along the way.
Kevin
RNY 7/20/10 Highest weight 260 Surgery Weight 243.5
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