Roux En Y is life changing.Learn from my errors.

I had my rny in 2006.I went from 280 to 140 in 9 months.A few things happened on the way that were not expected.Please pay attention.

1.TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS! I had serious deficiencies in Vit B1 (Thiamine),Zinc,Iron.These caused a myriad of complications.I began having seizures one month after my surgery date.The neurologist finally determined that serious thiamine and zinc deficiencies caused some scarring in my left temporal lobe.During my seizures,my heart rate and blood pressure would drop so severely,Iron ended up getting a pacemaker.In 2010,I had brain surgery to remove most of my left temporal lobe,as I was having about 100 seizures a week.I had to go on long term disability for 3 years,starting in 2009.Luckily for me,I returned to work as an icu nurse in 2012.

2.Dont stop working out but DO use a trainer,at least for the first few months.Your strength will drop as your body adjusts.

3.DO NOT forget the water,and do not drink with meals.It DOES make a difference.

4.Quit cokes forever this was worse than quitting eating junk food for me,but SUPER important.

5.Follow up with your family physician,and insist on labs every 4 months.Include electrolytes,magnesium,B vitamins,Zinc and iron/ferritin.I can't stress that enough.

This isn't meant to discourage you.I wish someone would have grabbed me by the shoulders and said "your life has changed forever.dont screw it up)

Thanks for sharing. You have had a rough road and no this surgery shouldn't be taken lightly. I totally agree with getting a PCP that is onboard with you. Mine just told me she was willing to do the bloodwork quarterly if I wanted. I am going to look to see if I had zinc tested... don't remember that one.

I would also have to agree with you!  RNY is supposed to save us from all the health problems that obsese people can face, but when we get a bit out from our surgery date, we can easily slip from the things we are supposed to be doing and create a whole other set of problems.  I would say that this is a huge life change and we have to be committed to it for the long haul.  I had surgery in 2009 but I still constantly go back and re-read over things and I work out, drink protein, take vitamins, etc.  because I have to do these things forever in order to continue to improve my quality of life and set a good example for my family.  The mental struggle is so hard; but we all need to remember that each little battle we fight makes us stronger too.  Good luck!

Those kind of deficiencies should not happen a month after surgery.  Did they do any blood work before your surgery to set a baseline for deficiencies?

Funny.The RN who gave me my iron and Thiamine infusions yesterday said over half of her iron infusion folks had a gastric bypass.I suggest you review some of the literature published by The American Academy of Neurology.

You mentioned that you start having major problems one month after RNY. 

I think some of us develop vitamin or mineral deficiencies a while after RNY - like after 1-3 years post op.  and not as early as one month post op. 

Unless you were deficient in some of those vitamins - minerals preop RNY - there is a very low probability that one month may result in such a deficiencies. 

I need extra vitamins and minerals - but most my deficiencies showed after year 2 or 3.. 

It takes a while for the body to get depleted.. 
But - most likely - the preop labs did not cover those deficiencies.  I know mine did not...  more detailed blood work was done app 3 months post op. 

At the same time we had 4 weeks pre-op diet and we were instructed to drink vitamin enhanced protein shakes or take multi vitamins with shakes...

I agree!  I had surgery in 2011 and have struggled for last six months.  I finally realized, with the help of support from individual and group help, that I had forgotten I was a bariatric patient and gone back to  old patterns of eating like not eating enough protein and not taking all needed supplements. Even though I had been going faithfully for individual support, it took a group support meeting for that fact to hit me in the face! I was recently told I have severe osteopenia and I think it could definitely be related,to not taking all of my supplements. 

So im back with more frequent and individual help, tracking everything and adding the online obesityhelp reading & support too. 

We always need the support & reminders...no matter how far out it's been since surgery! I'm glad this forum is here!

was the disability based on the seizures or the pacemaker? I ask because a nurse friend of mine has been denied 3 times now, with diagnosis of seizure disorder. Any advice appreciated....and to get OFF disability and go to work in the ICU...Wow!!!

The disability was based on my uncontrolled seizures.I had to go on disability 6/2009 because I started having them at work.I had surgery in 6/2010 and was cleared to return in 6/2012.My youngest son was still in high school,so I also received coverage for him.I would have been homeless.I encourage her to locate an advocate,usually an attorney,to help with reapplication.It was worth it for me.I was refused the first time,too.We look too healthy.

Often there are legal aid type attorneys who can help with the disability claims. Have her look into that.