RNY to DS: One Year Later . . .
This was originally posted on the DS Board butI thought I'd also post this on the Revision board since this is where I was when I first realized I was gonna need a revision and wanted to share with you.
My RNY low was 221 lbs (Dr recorded 246 - go figure). My highest POST RNY weight? 311 lbs 9yrs later. On my own, lost from 311 to 286 with major diet and extreme exercise. 03/13/08 RNY to DS conversion at 286 lbs.
03/13/09: 169 lbs. . .SO FAR! Not done yet but what an exciting year. At first it was a doozy. Recovery was really really hard. Prolly cuz I'm getting old but I swear surgery never took me out like this one did. My saving grace was that I knew I made a lifesaving decision and that I was in the hands of a skilled surgeon and his team. I am alive and breathing. My apnea gone, my aches and pains - gone, my energy is through the roof.
I could be at goal now yes, but I am sooooo not complaining. I've had a great time finding out what I can and cannot get away with and how my body operates. I've discovered that all those years of dieting took a toll on my metabolism but the last few stints with low carb really did make a positive difference from 'diet' to 'lifestyle' mindset. Problem is, I feel guilty when I have rice or pasta - but I do anyway. Yes, this has definitely slowed my weight loss but come on: I've lost 117lbs eating like this! Are you kidding me?
I can't wait to see where I'll be in the next six months. I hope to make my goal by then, and yes, I likely will but hey, if I could do my plastics now, I wouldn't care if I stayed here. I think I look as good as I feel (except for the acne thats ravaging my face. What is that about anyway?) What an opportunity at a second chance at life. The RNY to DS surgery was a tough recovery yes, but the benefits and the lifestyle are undeniable!
I am at the far left. This was taken about 3days preop. . .5' 2", 286lbs
This is me a few days ago. . .5'2", 169lbs
My RNY low was 221 lbs (Dr recorded 246 - go figure). My highest POST RNY weight? 311 lbs 9yrs later. On my own, lost from 311 to 286 with major diet and extreme exercise. 03/13/08 RNY to DS conversion at 286 lbs.
03/13/09: 169 lbs. . .SO FAR! Not done yet but what an exciting year. At first it was a doozy. Recovery was really really hard. Prolly cuz I'm getting old but I swear surgery never took me out like this one did. My saving grace was that I knew I made a lifesaving decision and that I was in the hands of a skilled surgeon and his team. I am alive and breathing. My apnea gone, my aches and pains - gone, my energy is through the roof.
I could be at goal now yes, but I am sooooo not complaining. I've had a great time finding out what I can and cannot get away with and how my body operates. I've discovered that all those years of dieting took a toll on my metabolism but the last few stints with low carb really did make a positive difference from 'diet' to 'lifestyle' mindset. Problem is, I feel guilty when I have rice or pasta - but I do anyway. Yes, this has definitely slowed my weight loss but come on: I've lost 117lbs eating like this! Are you kidding me?
I can't wait to see where I'll be in the next six months. I hope to make my goal by then, and yes, I likely will but hey, if I could do my plastics now, I wouldn't care if I stayed here. I think I look as good as I feel (except for the acne thats ravaging my face. What is that about anyway?) What an opportunity at a second chance at life. The RNY to DS surgery was a tough recovery yes, but the benefits and the lifestyle are undeniable!
I am at the far left. This was taken about 3days preop. . .5' 2", 286lbs
This is me a few days ago. . .5'2", 169lbs
StacysMom
on 3/17/09 5:08 pm
on 3/17/09 5:08 pm
Congratulations! You look wonderful and are feeling great too! I'm glad that you hopped on here to tell us all about your progress. So many doctors around the country who do not perform the DS, tell RNY patients that it is impossible or dangerous for them to convert to the DS. Nice to see living proof that the doctors are wrong! And, cute pictures too!
I've had my moments but to be honest with you, my bathroom never did smell like cherries after I pooped so it's really not that much of a shock. Any odor issues would be directly related to what I may eat - as much so as someone who's never had WLS. Example, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, etc, all had a horrifying effect on 'odor' issues when I was a WLS virgin. Now, they still wreak havoc on the bathroom. In my experience, it's rather controllable. Besides, I'd take the potty odor over the comorbids I had anyday! Plus, I can simply spray them away!
You are sooo right about the Dr's; the RNY to DS absolutely can be (and in my opinion SHOULD be done) however there are few seasoned physicians with expertise, not only in the conversions but in the DS itself. And thanks for the compliment on the pics. . . I used to extend my neck to make it visible in pics (at 300+ lbs it's hard to see a neck). Now I have a neck but when I take pics, I still stretch it out of habit. I look like a giraffe!!