Newbie here looking for some answer/support.

 Thanks Kevin for the list and the advice.  You are right; I don’t want my weight to end my world. I was always pretty mobile until I dislocated my knee, and injured my peroneal nerve back in 2004. I’m blessed not to have any major health problems only sleep apnea, and two bad knees. I really am looking forward to starting my wls journey. I am not taking this lightly, I know it’s a life change and my diet will completely change. I’m looking forward to a healthier more active life.

 

 First, there is a "ton" (yes-pun intended) of great advice here.  My two cents worth - go for the RNY - the malabsorbtion aspect is a key to the fast and sustained weight loss.

Remember, WLS is only a TOOL.  Like I can cut a piece of wood with a hand saw, but it is alot faster and better if I use a power saw.  Having the "right" tools is a key to success.

As previously mentioned, you can really screw it up and gain back what you loose.  You still have to think about what you eat and you have to exercise.  

I think all of us had the thought that, "I can do it without the surgery."  I'm 53 and I've yo-yo'd my entire adult life.  It was that weight loss and regain, that really screwed up my metabolism and contributed to my diabetes, high blood pressure and other health conditions.  I don't want to regain the weight I've lost, I don't want to go back on diabetes and other meds.

At 6 mos post-op, I am healthier and happier than I've been in years.

Go for the surgery.  My vote is for RNY.  Come back here often and keep us all posted on how you are doing, both pre and post op.

Good Luck!

Thanks for your response, 

I really like your analogy, I completely understand WSL is only a tool, and I need to make it work for me. This past year when I started eating a preop diet to drop weigh. I've actually lost weight, and it feels good. I am hoping to feel a lot better after the surgery.

GA:  Recommendation.  Call and make an appt with Dr. Hazem Elariny 703-778-6000.  I know a few people who have had DS with him with great results.  For your particular BMI it may be the best option.  Just seem him for a second opinion and see what he says.

Having 3 failed RNY's yes 3 of them and being big I was 502 and am currently at 425 I say go for the DS

I.m pleased to see you back on the Men's Forum.  We both go back about 10 years in our WLS journeys.  I wish you success following your latest surgery.  You can help other men here through your life experiences.  You have faced more problems than most of us will ever encounter.  I just encourage you to read the Forum and contribute whenever you can.  Bob

 Thanks for all the Advice, 

I was approved today and is schedule for surgery for VSG on December 8th. I am definitely ready to start my wls journey. 

my face is new to many that are here, but I was a very regular  3/4/5 years ago,   I'm 5'8 used to weight 260 dropped to 235 with the new diabetic meds so I m just over the minimum requirement for wls,  
 I am having the DS on Nov 12. i have been offered  and refused the band, and rny by several surgeons,  I have consulted with 13 of them,,,, I have read post on the main board, ds , band, light weight boards for years.  the only one that has consumer  success stories, and scarcely a negative report of secondary revisions , or failures is the DS.
 go to DSFACTS.COM...  AND THE FORUM HERE , 

Hope I won't get in trouble for posting on the mens forum, but I wanted to mention that I had the VSG and I eat steak all the time, just in small amounts.  I believe you usually can't have beer because of the carbonation, but you may be able to have small amounts of other forms of alcohol but they might effect you quickly.

I had the Sleeve. And I will start off with...Boy do I love my sleeve.

My wife had lapband surgery four years ago and really didn't loose much on it. I saw first hand the trials and tribulations of the band and I knew it was something I didn't want. I approached her doctor to look into the RNY. He explained all the surgeries the risk and the benefits he performs. He does the Lapband, Sleeve and RNY. When he explained  the sleeve. I was on the fence between the RNY and the Sleeve. I did alot of research and I decided to go with the Sleeve. I thought it would give me the weight loss I needed and if it didn't work I could always revise to any of the other surgeries.

A bit about my background. I'm 41 years old. I was always overweight even as a child. I think I may have peaked around 400 pounds although my highest recorded weight was 380 pounds. I have High Blood pressure and High Cholesterol other than that no other medial issues or aches and pains. Diabetes runs in my family and I knew It was only a matter of time before a had a stroke or something. I recently lost both Grand parents so my mortality and concerns of leaving my kids fatherless played a huge role in my decision to take control of my health.

When I saw my Doctor last December I weighed 357 Pounds. He had a requirement that I loose 10% of my weight before surgery. Via the Optifast shakes and bars I lost 48 pounds.

I was 309 pounds on the day of surgery. This morning I weighed 221 pounds. I've lost a total of 136 pounds as of today. 48 pounds preop and 88 pounds post op. Not bad for less than 8 months.

I set my goal to 220 pounds. I reached it in 7 months. I have been maintaining my weight between 218 and 222 for over a month now. The 222 was due to this weekend. Went camping and had too many things that I should of had. But that's life. I'm still toying in my mind of lowering my goal. I have received many comments that I have lost too much from very close friends and family (including my wife). Contemplating hitting onderland or a normal BMI...still not sure yet.

Any way...I love my sleeve. It got me to goal. in a very short time. I can eat whatever I want, just in smaller portions. I've been able to enjoy family functions and eat a wide variety of foods without having to worry about consequences.

At this point I still don't get hungry. I've heard other people never achieve this and for some the hunger returns. I'm making the most of this opportunity to eat properly and exercise so that I develop good habits to manage the rest of my life moving forward.

The most amazing thing to me is that food no longer controls me. I remember if I was in the setting of a buffet. I had to eat as much as I could of as much as was being offered. Now I can resist with ease. Don't get me wrong I do get cravings and once in a blue moon I do give into those cravings. But it's much easier to get back on the wagon as you can't do that much damage.


Keep in mind i'm still a newbie at 7 months out. But I like the direction I'm heading in. For the first time in my life. I think I'm going to be able to control my weight.

I don't knock the other surgeries. I believe that each WLS is a personal decision based on the persons lifestyle and their health issues. You have to weigh the ups and the downs of each surgery (as they all have some) against your lifestyle and sees which one fits the best.

If I had to make a choice it would be between the VSG and the DS.

I eat steak quite often. I can get about 4 oz in depending on how lean it is. I've had a beer or two. I'd never been much of a drinker. But I can tell you that it does affect you pretty quickly. My understanding is that alchol is one of the few substances that gets absorbed into the blood stream directly from the stomach. Since you have such a small stomach it enters the blood stream rapidly.

Good luck...Feel free to contact me if you need any more info on the Sleeve.