New to the board

Hi,

My name is Tom and have just started the process for wls.
  Met with my dr. the other day. At first wasn't to impressed with her during the open session. After we sat one on one, I felt better about having her as my dr. and having surgery at her facility.
I was considering Lap-Band, but she told me that I didn't qualify because I have reflux. this is the first I have heard about having 4reflux is a d'q for banding, still researching that one. I think that RNY would actually benefit me better, but I have a question that I would to pose to anybody. I am a career paramedic and volunteer firefighter. By nature of my jobs I have to do a lot of lifting. Everybody says I will be out six weeks that I can handle. I was wondering if anybody that had wls had a problem lifting or such after going back to work. just curious.

Thanks for reading.

Don't automatically pick the RNY, because your doctor only does that and the band....  research the Sleeve  (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) and the DS (Duodenal Switch)....  both have forums here and loads of published research on the 'net.....
     The RNY might be right for you, BUT.....  think twice, cut once!
Explore all your options!

My surgery was done lap, not open, but I wasn't allowed to go back to lifting weights for 8 weeks....  I assume they were WAY lighter than your patients!  Most docs make you go to an informational seminar pre-op, you can get a definite answer there...

Good luck on your weight loss journey!  There's a good deal of valuable info here on OH.  
Mary C

Mary is very, very right about researching all the options.....

The surgeon I chose only did RNY & band. That of course limited my options, but I chose a surgeon I had a long feedback on regarding pre-op, OR experiences, and post-op follow-up.

One other thing to consider is what types of surgery your insurance will cover.

I have read of people ending up with RNY when the surgery they had wanted would not be covered by their insurance but the RNY would be.

That limiting does stink, but to see people on here who have to pay all out of pocket makes ya greatful any surgery is covered.

BTW- Welcome to the boards!!!

Bernadette

Thanks for the info.

I read up about the DS. correct me if I am wrong  and I probably am, but one of the disadvantages of he DS is there is more time spent in the bathroom.  I am trying to get rid of that now. It seemed easier to handle with the selection food availible to eat and there were a couple of  advantages.

Tom
 

I'm not trying to push the DS  (grin)  just the researching pre-op....  Can you tell I'm an academic nerd wanna be????  Just don't pick a type because of a surgeon.....  you're going to have to live with your choices for a LONG  LONG  time....  isn't weight loss surgery grand????  It will give you a longer life than you would have had as a morbidly obese person, or at least, that what my Doctors promised me  !!!

For me, I could always lose some weight, even 50-75 pounds, then over the next year, gain it back with some extra....  so one of my criteria was "what has the least statistical average for re-gain? ",    I also knew, with my past history, that a life time of low cal/ low fat eating wasn't something I could stick with.....  maybe for a year or two, but for the next forty????    I couldn't continue eating the way I was....  high cal/high carb/high everything,  but I wanted to eat somewhat like my 'normal' sized friends were eating....where an occasional  piece of birthday cake or an ice cream cone on the boardwalk once in a while wasn't going to send me into 'dumping' syndrome.... 
As a diabetic, (type 2), I've lived with sugar highs and lows, sweats, shakes, etc.....  and I didn't think I could stand dumping, if it was that and worse..... 
Downsides to the one I chose.....  a lifetime of blood work, watching my vitamin and blood counts, and supplementing them forever....  no if , and or buts,  I'll be taking vitamins/ minerals, etc for the rest of my life, and no primary doctor is going to track tham as carefully as I need,,, i have to be responsible for that....  I still count protein grams everyday, because I'm not that good at it yet....  Maybe with time, but right now, unless I think about it,  I don't get in the 80 to 100 gms I need daily...  yep, you read it right,  with the malabsorption part...I have to take in that much just to stay even..... and the bathroom issues???  if I high carb it, I am gassy and bloated and (however unladylike) farty......  if I low carb it, I can be out and about, share a hotel room or a cruise cabin, and it's not a problem....   the first few months were all about learning,  what gave me gas, etc.... but at 6 months out,  I'm in a pattern,  it doesn't interfere with my life....  or my job,  or travel,  etc...  supposedly, from post ops further out, When I stop losing weight, I can slowly add carbs back in to maintain my weight....  that should be an interesting learning experience....  LOL....   I try to stay under 50 gms a day....  so cereal is out, but some wheat breads, a potato, etc in small amounts is in....
The other downside is it took 2 + years of me sueing my insurance company  NJ BC/BS to get them to pay for it.....  that was a giant pain in the ass........  but I am happy I did.....  (Of course, now I HATE all insurance companies, where I have never felt one way or another about them before)

That's my DS experience.....  hopefully, others will chime in with their sleeve, band, and RNY stories....  We have many successful losers here on the NJ board.....  my advice is to figure out what you can live with for the rest of your life....  and persue that type..... 
Good Luck!   Mary.
   

you would be amazed at how many firemen i know who have had RNY -- and not a problem -- my husband is a volunteer fireman and doesn't have any problems

good luck
roberta

Hi Tom

I agree with all the advice!  You do need to do research and pick the right surgery for you.  Do some investigation online and talk to your doctor.  In my case, the lap band was out of the question due to medical reasons but I still looked into all types.

Insurance companies are all different.   Yours may only cover certain surgeries.  They also may have VERY SPECIFIC requirements.  My best advice is to get them in writing (usually a company website or a call to customer service will get this) and follow them TO THE LETTER.  Don't try cutting corners or you will end up back at square one starting over.  If it says 6 month supervised diet - see your doctor every month and make sure they track ALL your vitals.  Whatever they ask - do it and if you fit the criteria they will approve (it just may take time).

After surgery, there was a time period (about 6 weeks) when heavy lifting was to be avoided to give your "insides" time to heal but after that I've had no restrictions nor problems lifting.

GOOD LUCK & Welcome to the NJ board - hopefully, you will be joining us on the loser's bench very soon!

Vicki

Tom,   All these folks are giving you sound advice. The one advice I tell everyone is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH .. and when you’re done - RESEARCH some more. … Speak to a few different Doctors. .. Ask them questions - hard questions - questions that other Doctor’s told you were “true”   I knew who I wanted as a Doctor, but I was open to listen to others. .. Some folks tried to talk me out of the operation I wanted. Some Doctors told me “statistical” facts how one operation was better the other. The next Doctor’s “statistical” facts contradicted the previous Doctor’s. What you’re eventually find is - each Doctor has their own opinion about which surgery is best, and the follow-up. Decide wisely !!   Remember, this is a life altering decision. .. Make sure you’re happy with the decision you choose. .. It would suck if you run into an issue later on, and wonder “would it have been different if I went with ….”   Feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions. Know we’re all here to help you.

Good luck on your Journey.

Tom !!

Thanks for all your great advice. I have spoke w/ my insurance they, have tol me that wls surgery is covered but I need to speak to someone specific to find out which one(s).  I have been trying to speak with anybody that has had wls of any type. most of them had RNY and have done pretty well with. some 5 yrs out w/ relativily few side effects.

I have attended sevearl seminars for LB and RNY. both drs. had mentioned other surgeries, but were against them because of the complication rate and the strictness of the diet. and after reading here. I think the search goes on. My brain is getting fried from so much reading and reading and more reading. uggh

Thanks again

Tom

Dr. O In Atlantic City did my operation. I was back to work in two weeks ... could have done it in one. I was on full firefighting duty at the one month mark and I could have been back sooner if I pushed it. If you have any specific question give me a holla.

Ray