Newbie's questions about rny surgery & life after...

Hi Everyone - I haven't had surgery yet - I'm still researching. I am 5' tall/250lbs, no co-morbidities except that diabetes & heart disease both run in my family. I'm hoping that this surgery would help me avoid falling victim to my genetics. I have a few questions, and would greatly appreciate anyone's feedback or reference. I'm asking specifically about the RNY type of surgery. Why get the actual surgery? Would simply following the same post-op diet yield the same results? Is it the smaller stomach pouch and the faster "full-signal" to the brain that makes the biggest difference? Can anyone point me to a reference or provide some idea of an actual post-op diet along with required supplements? I'm trying to understand how I would receive all the necessary nutrients on a daily basis. I've read some horror stories about the opening to the small stomach pouch closing up - is this common? I've also read about the stomach leaking into the body - is this also common? For the rest of your life, after surgery, are there any limitations?(other than dietary) What about ulcers & obstructed bowel syndrome - I have read that this surgery would place me at a higher risk to these - is this true? Again, I'd appreciate any advice or links to references. Thanks :-), Amanda

Dear amanda if you bring up the forums for new jersey , where you posted. I posted right above yours. If you open mine, it gives you two web sites to click on where you would watch two lap bands being done, with alot of good info: from the doctors. That might help you. You can never have too much info: I'm going for the lap band surgery. I don't like the parts being moved around. Plus if you follow the good directions, on what to eat and what not to eat, and you move and get phy. I think the lap band works just as good. But get your info: something different for everyone. Nobetterwomen, bridget k.

Amanda~ You have so many good questions. I don't think you will get a lot of specific answers on here though. Most people don't like to answer questions that should be adressed by a doctor. We are just plain people here, pre op or post op, and you shouldn't take any concrete answers given on here. People mean well, I guarantee all of us here would like nothing more than to help you, but these questions are very specific questions. Of course, with any surgery, there can be complications/risks/higher risk to certain diseases/illness. This surgery does change your body. It changes everything. For me, my entire life changed for the better as of August 31,2006. I was one of the lucky ones, very blessed ones, that didn't have any complications or problems with my surgery. I had lap. RNY and have lost 50+ pounds to date. I am very pleased. Do I enjoy food anymore, no, not at all. Can I drink diet Pepsi anymore, nope. Can I have dessert or pasta, nope. Do I miss food, sometimes.... but would I do it all over again...... YES I WOULD. To get QUALIFIED answers to your questions I would call a surgeon near you, and you can get a list from this site, and go to a free seminar, they will answer ALL of your questions, plus some you haven't even thought of yet. OR you can go to a support group locally, they are very informative too. There, you will see people who have had the surgery and get to talk to them personally. Some groups even have the surgeons there, along with nurses, dieticians and psychologists. I am sure someone here can direct you to a local group, just ask. Good luck on this journey, wherever it may take you. Michelle Brennan Brick NJ

You are asking some of the same questions a lot of us ask. When my best friend had the surgery I asked her all those questions and more. Gathering information is a good way to learn. Since you are still at the beginning stages you may want to check with your insurance company to see if they require a "supervised diet" for six months prior to surgery. If they do, you may want to start visiting your PCP while you are considering surgery as an option. It will cut your waiting time down if you decide to have the surgery. I am also a pre-op and am opting for the RNY. I think the malapsorption is an aid I need to lose weight. I know there are times when I am full and I do not stop eating and that is why I do not think the lap band will work for me. I think you need to examine the type of eater you are when deciding which surgery to get. What is the right surgery for one person may not be the right surgery for someone else. These boards are an excellent source of information. I am glad I was pointed in this direction during my waiting period.

Bridget K., Michelle Brennan, & Esther G., Thanks so much for your feedback & advice :-) I'm going to keep all of that in mind...it does seem like this surgery is very different for each person. I am planning to go to an information seminar at a surgeon's office very soon, so I'm working on getting as much info as I can. Thanks again! Amanda