NEED PERSONAL ADVICE!

Hi Everybody! I need to know more detailed, personal (if you wish) information about the different types of WLS, and how it affected you and your life. I have my first conceltation May 15, and I have no idea which surgery would be best for me. I mean, I'll take the Dox advice, but I really need to hear the "true" effects of their particular WLS's. I know the facts, just not the truth. I'm F, 325 , 5'5'', BMI 54. I don't care about scars, it's the health I'm after. Oh, and I clean houses, so I would need to know when I could return to doing so after the surgery. Any help would be so appreciated! PollyBMcM

WELCOME to the NY forums POLLY. When i first began my journey i was looking into the gastric banding procedure. BUt after discussing with my surgeon and knowing my weight history i opted for the LAPRISCOPIC RNY gastric bypass. WHEN i first saw my surgeon i did have a BMI of 51. I had my surgery June 1 and i am lost a total of 138 lbs. I am in great health now, I have so much energy and now fit in size 8 capri jeans and i am sooo HAPPY! DONT know if that helps if you have anymore questions feel free to email me ! LISA

I had an open RNY. It saved my life. I chose it because (a) it is non-reversible; (b) the success rate is high; and (c) because if I didn't drop 100 lbs, I was going to die. Now I am one of those very fortunate people who had no negative side effects whatsoever. I did this to be HEALTHY, not to be sickly. I had a really good mental outlook, which greatly assisted my physical recovery and I was back to work in less than two weeks. You stick around this board and you will see the good, the bad, the ugly ~ the plain truth. The co-morbidities you have will play a factor in how your body deals with the surgery, as you will see from the many stories here. Good luck and God bless

Hi Polly and welcome. Like Angel if I didn't have this surgery, I was going to die and would probably be very sick by now. I had open RNY in Dec. of 2003. I chose it because (a) it is non-reversible; (b) the success rate is high; and (c) because if I didn't drop 100 lbs, I was going to die. Also, and this just comes out of my crazy head. I didn't choose the lap band, because the thought of having that port under my skin grossed me out. It reminded me of a colostomy, but as I said, that just came from my crazy head. This board is very informative and there are alot of caring people here who are willing to help and be supportive any way they can. Joanne

Hi Polly! I had a Lap RNY procedures on 4/21/05. I'm 5'5" and I was 255 pounds (BMI: 42.3) when I had my surgery. I now was 154 pounds and am in the best shape of my adult life!! I believe it changed my life. I've had some minor complications (although they didn't seem so minor when they were happening) and I'd do it again in the proverbial New York minute. I wore a size 20 and now I'm a 10, on my way to an 8. I've been off my high blood pressure medication for a few months now with perfect reading; I'm consistantly 120/80-85. My surgeon says I have the cholesterol levels "of a newborn." I needed a B-12 shot in January, but that's it, all I take are vitatmins.... I'm dealing with some body image issues. I still wear clothes that are too big for me; I feel like I still have to be ashamed of my body. I'm coming out of my shell slowly in that regard. My scars are mostly faded; you can only see one clearly. I still miss food. It brought me comfort when I needed it most and never let me down. I've learned to cope with stressful situations using different methods, like meditation, exercise and journaling. I'd strongly suggest you start these things prior to surgery so you know who to utilize these tools right away. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey, L*

Deciding to have WLS is a major, life-changing event and shouldn't be made on impulse (I am not saying this is you I am saying this for anyone thinking about it!). I recommend anyone be 110% sure this is what you want to do because it is PERMANENT! Things to think about: · How long have you been researching WLS?**Hopefully at least a good 6 months or so****for many it is years! · Do you understand the procedure, I mean really understand the nitty gritty of what they are going to do to your intestinal system! Not just it will help me lose weight but that they are going to cut your stomach in 2,make a small pouch, the old stomach hopefully is transected from pouch by staples and surgically cut in 2! Then the intestines are cut a few feet or so down and rerouted so you lose weight because the tummy is restrictive and bypassing the intestines decreases absorption....Know the risks involved with this!!!***(nutritional/metabolic/physical/psychosocial): ex B12 and vitamin deficiencies/protein deficiency/hernia/adhesions, risk of depression post op related to grief over loss of food and hormonal surge of estrogen/trauma of surgery, marital/relational difficulties/high divorce rate)... · Surgical risks: (not all inclusive.. Bleeding · Complications due to anesthesia and medications · Deep vein thrombosis/clots · Wound Dehiscence · Infections · Pulmonary problems · Spleen injury · Stenosis · Hernia · Depression possibly related to grieving the loss of food, decreased metabolism, and hormonal surges from estrogen being released into the body from rapid wt loss/fat breakdown.... · Gallstones.... · Long-term osteoporosis, vit./mineral deficiencies · hair loss (temporary due to anesthesia, trauma of surgery but will continue if you are protien/vit and mineral deficient!) · Food intolerances (possibly meats, esp. red meat, lactose intolerance, sugar, fats, fried food) · Dumping syndrome (Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/chestpain/palatations/sweating/tiredness for minutes/hours/days) EXCESS SKIN....OK my philosophy is you fit in your skin or you don't...Do say you don't want to feel bad after, ask yourself do you feel bad now? If yes are you healthy now as a MO person? Yeah many insurance companies pay for some plastic surgeries if medically necessary it may be a fight, but you can get some of it removed possibly....If though this will deter you I say the chances are great you will have some amount of excess skin, no one knows how much...Age, gender, prior diet/weight changes, pregnancies all affect this and the best chance on has to control this is (although limited) exercise, water and protein....So if this is a huge issue don't have surgery.....Perhaps join : · http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG_Reconstructive_Plastic_Surgery/ · http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GastricBypass-PlasticSurgery/ · http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OC_PlasticSurgery/ · http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSandPlasticSurgery/ · a great site and look at before pictures and after....Excess skin may be by far the most distressing side-effect for people as we already come with altered self-esteem/body image!!! · What type of research have you done? (Internet, in-person support group meetings, talking with others who have had surgery, surgeon consult, surgeon seminar, articles, books?????)***Knowledge is power and is the best tool we have for success and happiness afterwards**** · What are your present support systems? Friends, Family, co-workers.....**Although not 100% necessary if others are on board it sure as heck makes the ride all that much easier!!!*** · What are your current stressors? ***WLS is a time when you need to be as stable as possible, going through a divorce, bankruptcy, death of a close relative, job loss...well WLS may be a good option but pick the optimal time as it is stressful enough if everything is good, when you are going through something extra stressful you are hampering your success possibly and not having the old standby of food to rely on can be HELL!***This is not to say there ever is a right time and things can happen post-op but be kind to yourself and do what's best for you, waiting 3 months may make all the difference in the world! After all this is about forever!!! · What is your nutritional/obesity/diet history?***WLS is not for everyone, it is for the Morbidly obese (BMI above 40 or 35 with major comorbdities such as sleep apnea, Coronary disease, Diabetes....)This should be no ones first attempt at dieting (*I know this is not yours again just general guidelines)...Anyone who says this is the easy way out, KNOWS NOTHING about the surgery or the struggles you will endure and lifestyle changes necessary post-op for success! They are usually ignorant, jealous or both! Again your education and knowledge here goes a long way...Everyone seems to know someone who 'died' or had a 'terrible experience' with WLS...BUT no one seems to have a name or number to call that person!!! It is again based on hearsay alot of the time and their own fears and insecurities...You are doing this for you remember that, it is nice to have support, so educate friends and family, bring them to a support group!!! It can only help! Many programs require wt loss preop...I know many people disagree with this or don't understand why..IMHO I think it is a generally good idea to start instilling dietary, exercise and overall lifestyle changes preop, there is nothing magical about the surgery that makes u wake up and think like a thin person (*I WISH!!!!) So making small changes are helpful pre-op...EXERCISE is one of the biggest keys to success (IMHO again) and anything you can do preop will help you keep up with this and be healthier for surgery!! (and a better surgical risk!)...Start eating smaller portions, it is hard if you go from eating super sized fast food today to clear liquids for 2 weeks (*this is my equivalent of psychological hell/torture!!!) Start slowing down when you eat, put that fork down in-between bites, cut up your food to small pieces, stop drinking and eating at the same time (cant do it or shouldn't postop so start now!) Start taking in 64 ounces of fluid a day if u aren't already, will need to postop! Cut out carbonation, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and chocolate (these are 5 recommended things to avoid postop for many esp. in the first year) again make postop life easier on yourself not harder start ahead!!!!Try on new coping skills for size, they wont miraculously appear postop! Stock the house with clear liquids, crystal lite, diet kool-aid, broth, diet jello etc so u are ready when u get home!!!!Try and avoid the 'last supper syndrome' you will eat most everything again eventually, perhaps in smaller quantities, so don't have a feast each night of things u think u will never have again! · Ask yourself: What is my ability to make lifestyle changes? Be compliant with post-op recommendations??? This is only a tool....(*sorry can't say that enough!).... a. Need to exercise daily for health/wt loss and help with excess skin b. Need to supplement with B12, multivitamin, folate, Iron, Zinc, Calcium citrate, protein shakes possibly give or take things. c. Need for LIFELONG FOLLOW UP!!!! · Know that extended release medications may not be as effective or absorbed well (**esp. birth control pills in woman of childbearing age use alternative form of BC) I could probably ramble on all day about this..I hope some of this helps you! Any specific ? email us or me offline! Take care and good luck it is an awesome journey!! *not perfect and a positive attitude helps! DO this for you and only you!!!!Start journaling now www.obesityhelp.com is a great site, start your own profile there! Also if you haven't seen this document (pouch rules) print and read! A good basic guide to things that will help you use the tool and be successful as possible (*for most of us!!!) http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/pouchrules.htm I chose lapr rny for ME the band was not here for very long in the US (approved 6/2001 by FDA), even so wt loss is not as high and I wanted chance to lose it all, I needed threat of dumping as I was a sugar eater, I wanted an irreversible surgery. For ME I researched them both! RNY won out! No matter what u get it is only a tool, they fix the gi tract not your head, the food demons still haunt and need lots of work, this is the hardest thing I have ever done, it is challenging but worth the effort in the dietary and exercise habits I choose! www.asbs.org has story of wls nice and informative! Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/101/106101.htm?printing=true a good article! Jamie Ellis RN, MS, NPP Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh, Albany, NY 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King, Albany, NY www.albayplasticsurgeons.com