Hi guys.
Hey Novo - WELCOME! As many of the others above have posted, glad you found us and hope you get some good wisdom, encouragement, and the occasional butt kick'n (only when needed of course). As I love to say to new guys, there is a TON of experience and knowledge here.
This adventure is just that an adventure, a life long adventure and a very wild ride. The main thing is to embrace the adventure and enjoy it. As one of the "older" guys, my best encouragement to you is to be thankful you are doing this while your young. As several of us will tell you, our only regret in having WLS is that we waited so long. I honestly wish I would have had the surgery in my 30's. I think of the years I lost to obesity and bad health. But, thank God, I was able to have the surgery and have been very successful thus far. I say "thus far" as I also know that even though I may be at my weight goal today, I can never give up the new lifestyle of exercise and 'right' eating.
Here comes another famous Grandpa G saying, "WLS is only a tool...it's a damn good tool, but just a tool. Like any other tool, it you don't use it properly, it can really hurt you. However, if used properly, you will have amazing results."
Good luck on you journey. I hope and pray you get your insurance approval soon and can quickly move forward with your RNY. By the way, from my own personal experience, the RNY is the BEST way to go! Just my very biased opinion.
Come back often. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If we don't know or have an answer, one of us will make up some smart ass comment!
Mike
This adventure is just that an adventure, a life long adventure and a very wild ride. The main thing is to embrace the adventure and enjoy it. As one of the "older" guys, my best encouragement to you is to be thankful you are doing this while your young. As several of us will tell you, our only regret in having WLS is that we waited so long. I honestly wish I would have had the surgery in my 30's. I think of the years I lost to obesity and bad health. But, thank God, I was able to have the surgery and have been very successful thus far. I say "thus far" as I also know that even though I may be at my weight goal today, I can never give up the new lifestyle of exercise and 'right' eating.
Here comes another famous Grandpa G saying, "WLS is only a tool...it's a damn good tool, but just a tool. Like any other tool, it you don't use it properly, it can really hurt you. However, if used properly, you will have amazing results."
Good luck on you journey. I hope and pray you get your insurance approval soon and can quickly move forward with your RNY. By the way, from my own personal experience, the RNY is the BEST way to go! Just my very biased opinion.
Come back often. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If we don't know or have an answer, one of us will make up some smart ass comment!
Mike
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
Wow, I really didn't expect this kind of support and encouragement from all you guys so quickly. Gratitude to all of you. It is greatly appreciated.
Grandpa-G, thank you for the sage advice. I will take all of it to heart. I'm very glad I decided to do this now as well. I had looked into WLS several years back, but I was just not ready mentally to walk that road yet. A few years older and wiser, and I'm a lot more confident now.
Don, I am up here in lovely Shreveport, LA where we are currently freezing. Are you from near around?
Grandpa-G, thank you for the sage advice. I will take all of it to heart. I'm very glad I decided to do this now as well. I had looked into WLS several years back, but I was just not ready mentally to walk that road yet. A few years older and wiser, and I'm a lot more confident now.
Don, I am up here in lovely Shreveport, LA where we are currently freezing. Are you from near around?
Shreveport. Lovely place. I have made many sacrifices to the "21" gods there. Some times I appease them and some times I don't. 
I'll be through there on the 11th or 12th when I go to GA for Valentines. I'm 50 miles or so west of Tyler on TX Hwy 31 in the big city of Trinidad. I'll shoot you a PM with my cell number when the time gets closer.
I'll be through there on the 11th or 12th when I go to GA for Valentines. I'm 50 miles or so west of Tyler on TX Hwy 31 in the big city of Trinidad. I'll shoot you a PM with my cell number when the time gets closer. Never, and I mean NEVER, trust a fart!! 
I loved living in Shreveport for the brief period I did. Shreveport helped my family and myself rediscover what is important in life, after of lifetime of living in Las Vegas it was one of the best things that could have happened.
I often miss my friends from there.
I often miss my friends from there.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Novo, Welcome. This is an interesting voyage to say the least, and it will turn out OK. I'll give you the same advice I give everyone...be realistic in your expectations and be confident that the surgery will work. However, it will not be easy. You will likely have some tough times -- physically and mentally. You may go through a period of wondering why you ever did this to yourself. But, it gets better. Much better. Even if it takes some time to get to your new "normal," believe me it gets better.
Read and learn as much as you can from the boards. Listen to your doctor, but be aware that some doctors may not be as forthcoming about possible issues as they might be. I'm not talking about major complications, but rather about things like a grouchy pouch, bad gas, vomiting from time to time, and Don's personal favorite, the fart that is more than just a fart. Just be aware that these things happen, set proper expectations, and you will be able to deal with these minor temporary inconveniences (if that is what you can call a fart that is more than just a fart). Be your own medical advocate by educating yourself.
This is a great opportunity for you ... and I think everyone on the Men's Board would agree. Good luck and be sure to ask any and all questions you might have. Except for questions about the schlong-thing. Some things are better left unsaid.
Ken
Read and learn as much as you can from the boards. Listen to your doctor, but be aware that some doctors may not be as forthcoming about possible issues as they might be. I'm not talking about major complications, but rather about things like a grouchy pouch, bad gas, vomiting from time to time, and Don's personal favorite, the fart that is more than just a fart. Just be aware that these things happen, set proper expectations, and you will be able to deal with these minor temporary inconveniences (if that is what you can call a fart that is more than just a fart). Be your own medical advocate by educating yourself.
This is a great opportunity for you ... and I think everyone on the Men's Board would agree. Good luck and be sure to ask any and all questions you might have. Except for questions about the schlong-thing. Some things are better left unsaid.
Ken
KenHud
RNY 5/17/10 highest: 407 lb - maintaining a loss of 200+ pounds and enjoying life
RNY 5/17/10 highest: 407 lb - maintaining a loss of 200+ pounds and enjoying life
Novo, as the other guys have said, Welcome to the Men's Forum. It's been a tremendous resource for me, and frankly, just interacting on a regular basis with others who are going through the same process is invaluable. My wife is extremely supportive, but has no idea what I'm going through. These guys do. They understand because they've been there, done that, and got the dirty shorts to prove it (sorry!).
Like Mike (Grandpa G), I wish I'd done this years ago, and am really glad you got with the program early on. One thing you'll notice is the high level of exercise and activity all the guys on this forum talk about. That's one of the real keys to success, I believe. I just got done with 30 minutes on the Nordic Trac machine ****d in here in greater Dallas, and can't get to the gym). One of the reasons I did it was that I didn't want to have to tell the other guys that I'd skipped a workout. I decided from Day 1 that I would be completely honest and forthcoming here, because this is the "safe group" for me.
As Don and Mike (and others) would point out, when you need a good a$$ kicking, you'll find it here. But you'll also find unbelievable support, encouragement, and inspiration. None of us has "solved" it all... We all struggle in some way every single day. But when you come here and "talk" about it, you'll find the burdens get a little lighter, and the insurmoutable problems seem a little more manageable. It's good to know you're not the only one going through a challenge, having those feelings, or experiencing that wierd symptom (that turns out to be just "par for the course").
As someone else pointed out, it's 100% normal to start feeling a bit anxious or apprehensive as you get closer to surgery. But if you've done your research (the surgery-specific forums are great resources for that) and understand what to expect, you'll find that at each step you'll be thinking "yep - so-and-so told me to expect that" and it helps tremendously.
Good luck, and welcome aboard.
Like Mike (Grandpa G), I wish I'd done this years ago, and am really glad you got with the program early on. One thing you'll notice is the high level of exercise and activity all the guys on this forum talk about. That's one of the real keys to success, I believe. I just got done with 30 minutes on the Nordic Trac machine ****d in here in greater Dallas, and can't get to the gym). One of the reasons I did it was that I didn't want to have to tell the other guys that I'd skipped a workout. I decided from Day 1 that I would be completely honest and forthcoming here, because this is the "safe group" for me.
As Don and Mike (and others) would point out, when you need a good a$$ kicking, you'll find it here. But you'll also find unbelievable support, encouragement, and inspiration. None of us has "solved" it all... We all struggle in some way every single day. But when you come here and "talk" about it, you'll find the burdens get a little lighter, and the insurmoutable problems seem a little more manageable. It's good to know you're not the only one going through a challenge, having those feelings, or experiencing that wierd symptom (that turns out to be just "par for the course").
As someone else pointed out, it's 100% normal to start feeling a bit anxious or apprehensive as you get closer to surgery. But if you've done your research (the surgery-specific forums are great resources for that) and understand what to expect, you'll find that at each step you'll be thinking "yep - so-and-so told me to expect that" and it helps tremendously.
Good luck, and welcome aboard.
OneFinger
on 2/1/11 1:41 pm
on 2/1/11 1:41 pm
Novo, finding this board has been the 2nd best experience of my recent life. Of course, the 1st best was the RNY surgery.
Sounds like you're well on your way through the insurance goat rope. I'll keep my one finger crossed that it all works out for you.
And, there's plenty of room on our loser's bench for one more guy.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190 
Novo,
Welcome aboard! I am glad to hear that you are going for RNY -- it is the real-deal, the "gold standard" of WLS.
Don't sweat your current weight - I hit 404 on the day of surgery. In just 3 months, I have lost 110 lbs, normalized all my blood numbers and my blood pressure is way down (and medication for it is on the way out). My resting pulse has dropped and I can do much more physical activity. Believe it or not, I am struggling to get enough calories in, even now. Not bad for a guy who was eating 3000 to 5000 calories per day before.
Reducing your weight has many, many benefits in addition to better health. As others have said, sex improves greatly with weight loss. RNY helps to eliminate "disappearing penis syndrome" -- if you know what I mean. You may not be aware of it, but you may also have developed inguinal (groinal) hernias (very common if you are overweight for a long time) -- resulting in an enlarged scrotum -- where fat has descended down from your abdomen from all the pressure. You might be able to have those corrected at the same time as your RNY (sometimes it is better to wait until you lose the weight first).
I am a pilot and have returned to flying now that I qualify for a medical certificate again (and also now that I can fit behind the controls of an airplane again). This summer (when I get below 250), I will satisfy two major joneses I have had for a long time -- sky diving and aerobatic flight. I am also going to do some hiking and mountain climbing -- something I never would have been able to attempt at 404 lbs.
This surgery works very, very well on heavy men. I am sure you will do great. It is a game-changer; you will notice the effects from day one. Everything will be different!
So -- to quote a famous philosopher -- go out and "git 'r done!"
-Joe
Welcome aboard! I am glad to hear that you are going for RNY -- it is the real-deal, the "gold standard" of WLS.
Don't sweat your current weight - I hit 404 on the day of surgery. In just 3 months, I have lost 110 lbs, normalized all my blood numbers and my blood pressure is way down (and medication for it is on the way out). My resting pulse has dropped and I can do much more physical activity. Believe it or not, I am struggling to get enough calories in, even now. Not bad for a guy who was eating 3000 to 5000 calories per day before.
Reducing your weight has many, many benefits in addition to better health. As others have said, sex improves greatly with weight loss. RNY helps to eliminate "disappearing penis syndrome" -- if you know what I mean. You may not be aware of it, but you may also have developed inguinal (groinal) hernias (very common if you are overweight for a long time) -- resulting in an enlarged scrotum -- where fat has descended down from your abdomen from all the pressure. You might be able to have those corrected at the same time as your RNY (sometimes it is better to wait until you lose the weight first).
I am a pilot and have returned to flying now that I qualify for a medical certificate again (and also now that I can fit behind the controls of an airplane again). This summer (when I get below 250), I will satisfy two major joneses I have had for a long time -- sky diving and aerobatic flight. I am also going to do some hiking and mountain climbing -- something I never would have been able to attempt at 404 lbs.
This surgery works very, very well on heavy men. I am sure you will do great. It is a game-changer; you will notice the effects from day one. Everything will be different!
So -- to quote a famous philosopher -- go out and "git 'r done!"
-Joe
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