I'm Back Yet Again....Questions for You

Hello All.

My name is Linda. I was here 3 yrs ago learning about RNY from all of you.  I was soooo close to my surgery and when I had my stress test, I was found to have a 95% blockage in one of my heart arteries.  After the stent was placed, I had to wait 1 yr for my surgery, ....then I had another blockag of 95%.  So I had to wait another year.

It's now 3 years later and I'm back again, to have surgery.   I have been reading about the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and I think that is the way I'd like to go instead of the RNY.

I know now that a lot of you are several years out from your RNY.  Would you tell me if you still think it was a good idea?   Have you had any regrets now that you're several years out? 

I'm reading through the posts here to get a feel for where everyone is in their lives now.   It's good to be back!

Linda

Yes, it was the best decision I've ever made. I only wish I could have done it many years earlier, but I didn't have the insurance coverage, the stability in my life and the desperation to do so. I have never regretted having the surgery.

That's good to know Eileen!   I won't regret mine, no matter what i do.  It's obvious, after dieting for abougt 45 yrs, that i can't do it all on my own!

Linda,

Way to go for not giving up!

In just 2 days I wiill celebrate the 7th anniversary of my RNY. No regrets here. I never did get insurance approval, but even having to self pay it was about the best thing I've done for myself in years. It's not to be taken lightly. I wish I could have taken the weight off and kept it off without having to have surgery, but at age 55 I had not been able to do that for many years.

Life after RNY requires me to supplement my vitamins and minerals. I cannot absorb enough through diet alone.  After almost 7 years I've got a pretty good routine down. I'm not perfect, my head is still messed up food wise, but even with a regain of almost 30 lbs. I'm still down over 170 lbs from my highest weight of 377 lbs. Sometimes I become complacent and forget that I need to be ever vigilent with exercise and eating wisely. When I forget that I gain weight.

I go and do anything I want given the constraints of my retiree budget. I don't sit on the sidelines anymore. I live life fully and am making up for lost time.

Hang in   there. Do your research, ask lots of questions. Only you can decide what is best for you. Best wishes.

thanks, Karen.

If I give up, I'll die of an obesity related disease for sure.   My heart disease is progressing at a fast clip and I've been told by my cardiologist that if my arteries continue to clog as they now are...I may need a bypass in years to come.

I don't want them to  have to cut through mounds of fat to get to my heart.

My husband just had bypass surgery. I read his op note. It stated, in the first sentence "This surgery was made more difficult by the patient's morbid obesity."...  OMG!

i never thought of obesity in this way before, but I do now.

I will get that surgery, one way or another!

Linda, I finally realized that at age 55 I was slowly (or NOT so slowly) killing myself. A form of self induced death that I considered (I guess) socially acceptable. I didn't smoke, drink or do illegal or excess prescription drugs. But addicted I was and still am. It finally dawned on me that if I was going to be able to lose and keep off the weight by myself I would have done it. Obesity was a term I hated. On my intake visit with Dr. Lauter, myWS, it read "super morbid obesity."

Ouch...."super morbid obesity"....   I saw that for the first time recently and I freaked.   What the heck is wrong with me?

Like everyone here, I 've tried all the diets and had success, some more than others.  But it didn't last.   I need the restriction.   I have the determination now.  

Welcome back!!! (((Linda)))

I had my RNY about 5 & 1/2 years ago and the ONLY regret is that I did not have it done sooner!!!! I love how the tool works with RNY and in my opinion better than other types of WLS. I have lost 170 pounds and gained some back but lost it again and a few extra.

HUGS

Hi Judy!

Wow..I remember reading your posts when you were just 2 yrs out!  

I know after my surgery I'll feel the same way...wish I'd done it sooner.

Congrats on losing the weight you regained.  I guess you have to keep a very close eye on your weight and get right back on the wagon when you gain.  that is good!!!

thanks for the hugs. :)

 I had my vertial sleeve 1 year ago.  I've lost almost 100 lbs. and wouldn't change a thing.  For me it was the best choice.   I've been so lucky not to have had any side affects.  I too must continue to take vitaimns, exercise and eat right for the rest of my life.  Good luck to you in which ever choice you make.
Sandra