Questions for RNYers

Thank you Karen, I'll try to log on at least once a day so that I can keep grounded! I'm a planner, so I think I'll do good with everything, my problem is serving sizes and head hunger, my gosh do I have some serious head hunger! Have you had problems with that after surgery?

I still measure my food when I am at home even at 31/2 years post op. I really don't get hungry like I did before surgery and sometimes have to remind myself that it is time to eat. My diabetes and cholesterol and triglycerides are all resolved now too and I have not become anemic at this point. In fact,my values are better now than before surgery because I eat more meat and less junk! 

How was your pain after surgery?

Minimal.  The gas was the big thing at first.  Then I discovered they meant it when they said don't lift anything over 10 pounds  So carrying my purse over my shoulder was not wise.  Found out I really do have too much in there!  My husband then used his psw training to lift me in and out of bed so my muscles wouldn't contract.  But that was only after I strained them.

How long did it take you to recover?  I was good to go after 2 weeks.  The hardest part was paying attention to what I ate.  I wasn't thrilled with that whole trial and error when introducing new foods after the puree stage.  I wanted to know if I would have a reaction ahead of time. But I made adjustments as needed.  

How much have you lost?  I lost 41% of my body weight.  I now have a normal BMI.  

What is some of the foods you can never eat again?  Greasy foods, and doughy foods.  This is, I think, very healthy so I don't mind those consequences.  

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?  Crossing my legs.  Buying clothes at all the second hand stores in town. Giving away bags and  bags of clothes to friends, the St, Vincent de Paul Society, and the very best ones to my mother.  Being off my meds.  Almost 16 months now and still don't need them anymore. Yes! Being relieved that the people pushing me a wheelchair when I broke my foot weren't pushing around all that extra weight too.  Being surprised to feel my rib cage and the bones in my spine. Getting to tell the technician at my mammogram that I lost that much weight since my last mammogram.  My very favorite memory is shopping at Sears for a new pair of pants and having to get smaller and smaller sizes, right into the unreal never-thought-I'd-ever-fit-that-size-even-in-my-wildest-dreams sizes.  Surreal!  

Do you have any regrets?  None.  Sooner maybe, but I was ready for it when it finally happened, so not even that.  

Do you have Iron deficiency?  No.  I was always anemi****il menopause.  The dietitian told me to stop taking the iron supplement at my one year follow up, based on my bloodwork.  If I ever need it again I'll go on the prescription pregnancy vitamins with extra iron. Pregvit folic 5.  Many RNYers take maternity vitamins.  Since I have a drug plan I'd want these ones covered under that plan. 

And of course, if you have any advise, please let me know! Follow your heart.  You know if this is right for you.  It's scary.  Surgery is scary.  Change is really scary.  Life is not without risk.  Good luck!

Ni idea why the line got edited.  

 I was always anemi****il menopause.  is supposed to read:  I was always anemic     until    I    started    menopause.  I hope this edit works.  

Charminglearner, 

Thank you so much! You have come so far, and the way you talk about your experience? Inspiring! I hope I'm as successful as you have been 

How was your pain after surgery? I won't answer this b/c pain is subjective. IE- I didn't think childbirth was all that bad...

How long did it take you to recover? For me- 3 weeks to return to work, 6 weeks to feel normal (but I picked up a cold in that time period which I think aggravated the healing process)

How much have you lost? about 108# as of today

What is some of the foods you can never eat again? Certain things don't agree with me so I choose to avoid them-- there is really isn't anything I can't eat. I avoid fried foods b/c they don't sit well. I avoid seets because I'm weak for them. I don;t drink sugared beverages or soda. 

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY? My favorite experiences are related to learning to enjoy exercise and seeing how much I can push my body to do more. 

Do you have any regrets? No
Do you have Iron deficiency? Yes, but I had it before RNY too. 

Thanks for replying peachpie,

It must feel really great to have come to far and be so successful! 

I hope that I'll start to enjoy exercise, I used to before I gained the weight!

I know what you mean by pain being subjective :ceserean and lapriscopic gallbladder removal in the same month. Gallbladder removal hurt worse!:

Keep up the good work 

Hi Alexis, 

I am 18 month out from surgery and I wish I would have done it 10 years ago.

I went from 272 to 173 where I am stuck but I feel good/ look good and I am happy.

I cannot exercise 100% due to needing hip replacements but I do what I can and so far so good.   

How was your pain after surgery? I had very little pain after surgery. I was on IV meds till the next day then switched to

oral liquid meds.  I had very little pain issues, I think I was off the pain meds within 3-4 days.

 
How long did it take you to recover? I took off work (desk job) two weeks and went back on a Wednesday to get acclimated 

How much have you lost? I went down to 157 and have stable out at 173.

 
What is some of the foods you can never eat again? right now its eggs, bananas and sometimes chicken.  I have chosen to not eat bread at all. I will do wraps for sandwiches once in a while.

 
What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY? I can shop in normal shops, I can go shopping with my daughters and not feel tired and not have to sit down waiting for them to finish.  I can enjoy holidays and not be centered around food.  I can wear a bathing suit and not be totally self conscious. 

Do you have any regrets?  NONE
Do you have Iron deficiency? I have a Vitamin D deficiency and have to take 50K mg per week. It is RX but I can feel a difference. I take all my other vitamins daily without fail.  I use Nascobal. They mail order your vitamins to you with a MD RX and charge my insurance company the deductible which for me is 25.00 per month.  That includes B12, Calcium and multivitamin for a month.  I take Vitamin D over the counter and biotin.   

And of course, if you have any advise, please let me know!  My advice in hindsight is be careful managing your constipation, that to me was the absolute worst part of this.  I figured it was resolve itself with a little help but it didn't and I was miserable.  ALSO, I had serious nausea in the beginning that I did not anticipate. So all the planning in the world didnt help me.   The more you can move in the beginning the better you will be. I am not saying to join a gym right away but a simple daily walk will help.

Where I live I have access to a nutritionist and a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. If you can find someone to help you with your journey it made a world of difference for me.  

Best of luck to you!! 

Christine

Thanks for replying Christine! 

I definitely am a part of a family that enjoys their food, so the holidays might be a little tough at first.  My husband is soooo skinny, naturally as well so he just eats whatever he wants... so envious! Lol I'll be happy to be able to be active once again and not so tired every time I exercise.

My local medical center is where I'm getting the surgery and they have a nutritionist, dietitian,  post open groups, and more at their facility! I'll be happy to get on track and talk to people like minded.

Keep up the good work! Losing that much weight is spectacular! 

I want to second DC girl about the things you enjoy.

The first time a hotel towel wrapped all the way around me with no gap!

That was a big deal for me!! 

You have so much to look forward to! 

I also belong to a biweekly support group, I don't think I would be as

successful as I am without them!!