Considering WLS but what's your opinion?...and an Ah Ha! moment

Jupiter6
on 5/21/08 9:36 am - Near Media, Pa- South of Philly, NJ

I chose WLS because I was very ill and required rapid weight loss. While I apparently lose weight really easily on my own, the stats say that doing so without regain only happens for about 5% of the population-- and I needed better odds. The doctors I visited told me time and again that most people who are super morbidly obese lose about 100 pounds and then hit a plateau they cannot get past. My SMO friends who have done so corroborated this. I needed to lose more than 100 pounds to alleviate my health issues. I'm very vigilant about diet exercise and supplementation. Weight loss does not work long-term without patient compliance. I treat my RNY exactly as I did my pre-op diet. I only eat what I plan to, without exception. I spend at least an hour a day palnning my intake, balancing my diet plan, or cooking. Also-- while it's not true of LapBand or VBG, both RNY and DSers malabsorb a fair amount of fat-- in my case, it's about 30% (this decreases over time.) That's not something you can do on your own, and some people find this beneficial. Some also find the restriction and potential for dumping helps keep them from sweets and fatty foods. (Not anything I wanted or needed-- I don't dump, in any case.) Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
     Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U.   Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift
     12/08
     Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09  -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
     Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
     6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
     Total Cost: $33,500   Start wt: 368   RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150   Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7

Cherylita
on 5/21/08 9:46 am - Bastrop, TX

Thanks! Those are good bits of information to have. I wonder why we plateau. I would think that if we are sticking with the lifestyle change it would keep progressing. This is definitely something to consider as I have over 100 to lose. Sounds like you are very responsible with the planning and balancing and such. I will definitely keep this as I continue my thought process. I appreciate your input, very informative!! Thanks!

Jupiter6
on 5/21/08 10:09 am - Near Media, Pa- South of Philly, NJ

RNY on 07/16/07

Here's a great example-- use my Sig Ot, Ray. Ray was on a medically supervised 1600-1800 calorie diet starting in March of last year. Ray was absolutely compliant, exercised daily, took vitamins, ate very few bread type carbs. From March to September, Ray lost about 50 pounds. From September to this April? Nothing. Gained and lost the same 3 pounds for 7 months, with nothing to show for it. There's a multitude of reasons why this can happen-- from metabolic syndromes to just plain wrecked metabolisms from lifetime dieting, to undereating your BMR (and therefore kicking in a starvation mode and holding your mass.) He treid the things you do to shake these up-- and none of them helped. None. I really didn't want to wait around and find out if this was in store for me. I lost 70 pounds on my own in 4 months, and 108 since my RNY. (And Ray-- he had his RNY last month.)

"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
     Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U.   Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift
     12/08
     Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09  -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
     Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
     6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
     Total Cost: $33,500   Start wt: 368   RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150   Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7

Cherylita
on 5/21/08 10:52 am - Bastrop, TX

ahh I see what you are saying. I can actually relate to him because I have been going back and forth between 360-365 for the last couple of months. Doing the same thing that I have been. no sugars, no sodas, watching what I eat. Man, I thought I had it all figured out! I really need to look into the future and see what is going to be better. I just had a convo w/ my mom who has been thinking about me and asked a friend who has had gastric. Her friend told her that she had some complications at the beginning, but she would do it again in a heartbeat! She also said that the band would have to be replaced in about 10yrs. I hadn't heard that. It's something I need to research. Why spend all this money now only to have to do it again 10yrs down the road. Then there's the thought of dumping syndrome, the wound not healing completely, death. Those things scare me of course. So all this information is really helpful. Thank you!

Neecee O.
on 5/21/08 12:44 pm - CA

Hi Chery! I am definitley a person who sees WLS very viable in the following conditions (this is the collective you, not you you): 1. You have really exhausted all conventional paths: WW, Atkins, South Beach, etc. And gave them a fair try - 6 months each at least. 2. You do commit to movement each day- whether it is a 20 minute walk or a half hour swim. 3. You are 40 years or older and 100# overweight. The statistical chances of you losing a meaningful amount of weight are pretty slim no matter what your age is, but the older you get, the harder it is. I cringe to see young folks run to get WLS, though I do understand that if they have been fat most of their lives how tempting that must be. WLS does not fix your head, so if you're compulsive/addictive/obessessed with food, you will eat yourself right back to where you were, after the honeymoon period. The stats for people to lose 50% or more of their excess weight with WLS is 25% success rate - so not exactly a miracle cure, yet it is 10x more successful than what the old fashioned way is. 2-5% of those who try to do it any way you can name will regain without surgery. HOWEVER, each of us is more than a statistic, right? Of course, there are people who lose it and keep it off. So, i do applaud you for trying to become the exception, like all of us here! Your food intake is 80-90% of this regime - exercise helps ya tone and try to train your body to become more efficient. Good job, YOU!

Cherylita
on 5/21/08 1:48 pm - Bastrop, TX

Heya Neecee! WOW!! I am really getting so much information from everyone. I love it! It is so wonderful and informative! I have #1 pretty much covered. #2 can definitely commit to movement and #3 well i'll be 35 in August and def 100# over...and then some! I will continue on my trek and thank you for your input!! Believe me I am soaking this all in! BTW I have seen your comments around too and I like what you have to say!

rebeccaz
on 5/23/08 9:34 am - Rockford, MN

RNY on 01/23/11

Cheryl, I have exausted many of my options for losing weight, I've worked with a trainer, been on LA weight loss diet, gone to the gym frequently and watched what I ate, although I have a sweet tooth I will admit! But I've come to the conclusion that I'm ready for a change a BIG DRASTIC CHANGE! Thats why Im going with the RNY in Nov or Dec. Things are not working for me and I know with the surgery I will be able to lose the weight and it will curve my sweet tooth because of dumping. I wish you the best of luck with what ever you pick. Just remember WLS is a big change and should not be taken lightly. I think I researched this for 2 years before making a decision. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Jupiter6
on 5/23/08 1:50 pm - Near Media, Pa- South of Philly, NJ

RNY on 07/16/07

Keep this in mind; dumping only occurs in about 40% of RNY patients.

"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
     Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U.   Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift
     12/08
     Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09  -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
     Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
     6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
     Total Cost: $33,500   Start wt: 368   RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150   Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7

Considering WLS but what's your opinion?...and an Ah Ha! moment

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Considering WLS but what's your opinion?...and an Ah Ha! moment