Would like OFF thoughts and opinions
Folks-
Met with the surgeon for the first time today and my mind is whirling. I am sending this to all of you since you've been through this already or are going through it.
My surgeon has done 2200+ RNY and 32 VSG. Her complication rate is really low. She's very confident and strict about the program. If you gain above the initial weigh in you don't get scheduled for surgery. I had my last NUT appointment last week. Today's wiegh in showed a 8 pound gain which I attribute to excess sodium. I tried beef jerky and almonds for snacks over the weekend and according to myfitnesspal.com I was off the charts with sodium. Protein , carbs and calories within limits set by NUT.
Anyway what's blown me out of the water is the frank discussion we had about her concern that I could get into trouble with VSG with "binge" eating. Now this is a term that I use for when I turn to food for comfort. When I research the term binge eating I don't fit the definition because I do not sit and eat until I am sick. I binge when I am sad by using comfort foods like sweets or salties but never to the point that I am physically ill. Anyway, the conversation revolved around the permanence of VSG, If there's a leak or major problems it's irreversable. She emphasized RNY as being the "gold standard" and being reversable.
She did answer all my questions that I had about VSG. When I addressed my concerns about malabsorption with RNY especially since I take an antidepressant and have osteoarthritis and tendonitis her response was we can increase your titer of antidepressant to compensate for malabsorption. She confirmed what I had already read about no NSAIDS for RNY and said the jury is still out for VSG patients.
She asked me to think about everything and contact her early next week with my decision. She said we're ready to submit paperwork. She said she would do either procedure but thinks I would be better off with RNY.
So if you've gotten to here thank you for sticking with me! Now here's my question, many of you are RNY'rs. I have really serious concerns about the malabsorption and pain management for osteoarthritis thus the leaning towards VSG. Now I'm concerned that I may be leaning the wrong way and should be going for RNY due to the amount of weight I "should" be taking off.
Cindi
Met with the surgeon for the first time today and my mind is whirling. I am sending this to all of you since you've been through this already or are going through it.
My surgeon has done 2200+ RNY and 32 VSG. Her complication rate is really low. She's very confident and strict about the program. If you gain above the initial weigh in you don't get scheduled for surgery. I had my last NUT appointment last week. Today's wiegh in showed a 8 pound gain which I attribute to excess sodium. I tried beef jerky and almonds for snacks over the weekend and according to myfitnesspal.com I was off the charts with sodium. Protein , carbs and calories within limits set by NUT.
Anyway what's blown me out of the water is the frank discussion we had about her concern that I could get into trouble with VSG with "binge" eating. Now this is a term that I use for when I turn to food for comfort. When I research the term binge eating I don't fit the definition because I do not sit and eat until I am sick. I binge when I am sad by using comfort foods like sweets or salties but never to the point that I am physically ill. Anyway, the conversation revolved around the permanence of VSG, If there's a leak or major problems it's irreversable. She emphasized RNY as being the "gold standard" and being reversable.
She did answer all my questions that I had about VSG. When I addressed my concerns about malabsorption with RNY especially since I take an antidepressant and have osteoarthritis and tendonitis her response was we can increase your titer of antidepressant to compensate for malabsorption. She confirmed what I had already read about no NSAIDS for RNY and said the jury is still out for VSG patients.
She asked me to think about everything and contact her early next week with my decision. She said we're ready to submit paperwork. She said she would do either procedure but thinks I would be better off with RNY.
So if you've gotten to here thank you for sticking with me! Now here's my question, many of you are RNY'rs. I have really serious concerns about the malabsorption and pain management for osteoarthritis thus the leaning towards VSG. Now I'm concerned that I may be leaning the wrong way and should be going for RNY due to the amount of weight I "should" be taking off.
Cindi
HW - 351 SW 0 342 SurgW - 298! 1st. Seminar July 2010 Surgery August 1, 2011
Cindi, I had RNY 5 1/2 years ago. The only I regretted it was the first few weeks. Thats normal, for a lot of us. It takes a while to change how you eat & drink. If you do over eat most of us get the foamies. That is not fun. I will still get the foamies, rarely. I am on antidepressents also. It's not hard to adjust them so they still work.
Yes you have to keep track of your vitamins & protein. Thats not hard either, I did that for 3 years. I am very happy with my decision, but you need to make up your own mind. I am sure you read about the VSG, now if you haven't read about RNY now is the time to do so. There is a variety of surgerys on this board & I hope people let you know how they feel about what they had. Good luck to you, Nan
I took off 100#. Put as much as 19 back on but am now only 5# over my lowest.
Yes you have to keep track of your vitamins & protein. Thats not hard either, I did that for 3 years. I am very happy with my decision, but you need to make up your own mind. I am sure you read about the VSG, now if you haven't read about RNY now is the time to do so. There is a variety of surgerys on this board & I hope people let you know how they feel about what they had. Good luck to you, Nan
I took off 100#. Put as much as 19 back on but am now only 5# over my lowest.
Hi Cindi ... take a couple of slow deep breaths and know you will make the right decision. What I can offer you is an email address to a nurse *****sponded, day or night, weekday or weekend, to answered all my concerns. Her name is Susan George. She is amazing ... [email protected] Feel free to contact her with the information you gave us here. She can set your mind at ease! 
Marsaglia
Marsaglia 
Cindi, I had RNY just about 4&1/2 years ago and my ONLY regret is that I didn't have it sooner!!! Would I do it again? IN A HEART BEAT!!!! Sure I have problems if I eat too much or the wrong things...its part of the package. I am a foodaholic and always will be. RNY has helped me get my life back and I thank GOD for guiding me to Dr Foote when he did or I would probably be dead soon!!
As for your not being able to take this or that in medications after RNY there are different drugs out there to help you on pain and depression. YOU are the one that has to make up your mind on which surgery YOU want...if I were you...I would go with the RNY. Just my opinion...also your dr knows best also on how any of the surgeries will work for you the best. Good luck on your decision and will keep you in my prayers that you figure out what you want. Its a wild ride no matter which surgery that you have so hang on!!!
HUGS
I had RNY almost five years ago, and the only thing I regret is my relapse with alcohol for two years post-op.
I totally understand your concerns about osteoarthritis and psychtropic medications, as I have both in my life. First, let me share what has happened with my arthritis, which is in my ankles, knees and back. Losing 100 pounds has taken the strain off those joints, so that my arthritis rarely flares up. Plus, I swim for my exercise, which is the best form of exercise for arthritis.
I have been on antidepressants and antipsychotic meds for decades. I stay in close communication with my psychiatrist about my meds and symptoms, which I recommend you also do should you have either surgery. We have made adjustments in dosing, as well as changing meds since my surgery. One thing my psychiatrist did was switch my antidepressant from Lexapro to Cymbalta, because Cymbalta has also been found to help with chronic pain, which I have from pinched nerves.
I do not know anything about VSG, so I speak totally from how I made my decision between RNY and the Lapband. I was first going to go with the Band, but realized that I am a sugar addict, and I would cheat big time with sugar if I had the Band, because there would be no consequence. I prayed about it, and decided that I had eaten more sugar than most people eat in their lifetime, and it was time to give it up. Have I cheated since my surgery? Yes, but I have regretted it big time. Both with weight gain, which is my fault because of the alcohol relapse, and the dumping, which totally sucks. Since the end of March, I have been basically sugar free.
Hope this helps.
Hugs,
Trish
I totally understand your concerns about osteoarthritis and psychtropic medications, as I have both in my life. First, let me share what has happened with my arthritis, which is in my ankles, knees and back. Losing 100 pounds has taken the strain off those joints, so that my arthritis rarely flares up. Plus, I swim for my exercise, which is the best form of exercise for arthritis.
I have been on antidepressants and antipsychotic meds for decades. I stay in close communication with my psychiatrist about my meds and symptoms, which I recommend you also do should you have either surgery. We have made adjustments in dosing, as well as changing meds since my surgery. One thing my psychiatrist did was switch my antidepressant from Lexapro to Cymbalta, because Cymbalta has also been found to help with chronic pain, which I have from pinched nerves.
I do not know anything about VSG, so I speak totally from how I made my decision between RNY and the Lapband. I was first going to go with the Band, but realized that I am a sugar addict, and I would cheat big time with sugar if I had the Band, because there would be no consequence. I prayed about it, and decided that I had eaten more sugar than most people eat in their lifetime, and it was time to give it up. Have I cheated since my surgery? Yes, but I have regretted it big time. Both with weight gain, which is my fault because of the alcohol relapse, and the dumping, which totally sucks. Since the end of March, I have been basically sugar free.
Hope this helps.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Dear Cindi,
I'm a revision to RNY, had gastroplasty in the 1980's.
Please do a little more research, you might even consider the DS, please also go on their forum to ask questions. Remember you are the one to make your own surgery choice.
You can out eat any WLS and yes even the DS. So you are an emotional eater like the rest of us. You will always have to be mindful of your eating and embracing a lifestyle change.
There is no magic bullet in any WLS. In the end you will be doing all the work to KEEPING your weight off. Good Luck. PM me if you want to talk more. Debbiejean
I'm a revision to RNY, had gastroplasty in the 1980's.
Please do a little more research, you might even consider the DS, please also go on their forum to ask questions. Remember you are the one to make your own surgery choice.
You can out eat any WLS and yes even the DS. So you are an emotional eater like the rest of us. You will always have to be mindful of your eating and embracing a lifestyle change.
There is no magic bullet in any WLS. In the end you will be doing all the work to KEEPING your weight off. Good Luck. PM me if you want to talk more. Debbiejean
Hi Cindi, I had the duodenal switch (DS) two years ago. I am so happy I had this surgery. I was concerned about not being able to take NSAIDs if I got the RNY and that is one reason I went with the DS. I take pain meds and mood stabilizers and antidepressants too and haven't had an issue with malabsorbing any of them. Does your surgeon do the DS or just the VSG and RNY? Ultimately the decision is yours and it's really good that you are trying to get as much information as you can. Best wishes to you!
Cindi,
I can tell you this, I would have made this decision again in a heartbeat, however, I did lots of research before hand and went into this knowing that the ultimate success is mine if I do my part, so if you go into any of these surgeries without the willingness to change the lifetime habits and relationship with food that got you obese in the first place, you can and will regain your weight as many of us can attest to the maintenance phase of this way of life is where the real work begins.
As for the issues you brought up related to health and medications. . . NSAIDS are a no no, however, sometimes for brief periods taken with a stomach medication such as Prevacid or the like, some doctors will ok it, but generally not in your first year post-op, as for psyche meds, monitoring and adjustments are required and any time released medications do not work for RNYr's. As for your surgeons statement on reversal of RNY, while because it leaves your stomach intact, should you run into trouble at some later point in time, they have something to work with, however, I was told by my surgeon that it is not reversed unless there is a medical necessity for it.
Regarding the amount of weight you have to lose, there are people among my support group who started out over 400 lbs. and have achieved great success through RNY, but it was through perservance that they did it, one woman, has lost over 250 lbs and it took her close to 4 years, so make up your mind to change what you can, you hold the key to success, your surgeon can implement the tool, you control how it works going forward.
Good luck. Laureen
I can tell you this, I would have made this decision again in a heartbeat, however, I did lots of research before hand and went into this knowing that the ultimate success is mine if I do my part, so if you go into any of these surgeries without the willingness to change the lifetime habits and relationship with food that got you obese in the first place, you can and will regain your weight as many of us can attest to the maintenance phase of this way of life is where the real work begins.
As for the issues you brought up related to health and medications. . . NSAIDS are a no no, however, sometimes for brief periods taken with a stomach medication such as Prevacid or the like, some doctors will ok it, but generally not in your first year post-op, as for psyche meds, monitoring and adjustments are required and any time released medications do not work for RNYr's. As for your surgeons statement on reversal of RNY, while because it leaves your stomach intact, should you run into trouble at some later point in time, they have something to work with, however, I was told by my surgeon that it is not reversed unless there is a medical necessity for it.
Regarding the amount of weight you have to lose, there are people among my support group who started out over 400 lbs. and have achieved great success through RNY, but it was through perservance that they did it, one woman, has lost over 250 lbs and it took her close to 4 years, so make up your mind to change what you can, you hold the key to success, your surgeon can implement the tool, you control how it works going forward.
Good luck. Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
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