Questions for RNYers

Hi Alexis!  Welcome to the OH Board!  It is good to know what to expect.  Good for you to ask people on this thread beforehand.  I wish I had thought of the same thing. 

How was your pain after surgery?  My pain was not bad.  I did use my pain pump right after surgery, but I was only in for a day and I was walking the afternoon of my surgery.  I did laps once and hour and I found it really helped with the gas pains I was having.  They weren't bad at all, but more of a pressure feeling to me.

How long did it take you to recover?  I was feeling pretty good by the end of the first week.  I did get dehydrated though.  I had nausea and didn't do anything about it and it caused me to drink less.  I wound up in the hospital three days out with dehydration.  Make sure that you sip sip sip and if you feel too much nausea, ask your doc for something to help.

How much have you lost?  My top weight was 304.  When I had surgery I was 284 and now I am between 145 - 150.

What is some of the foods you can never eat again?  Reheated meat of any kind.  It makes me VERY ill.  In the beginning I had trouble with fish, but now I am 16 months out and I can do fish again.  Doughy bread (which I used to love) is revolting to me.  I don't tolerate fried food very well. 

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?  Not wearing an extender belt on an airplane!!!!  Buying cute blinged out jeans.  Having my kids steal my clothes (plus because they're cute, minus because they don't do their laundry often enough to give them back to me in a timely manner).  College tour which I used to think that my family was running through to not be near me because I was so big.  Now just as easy as pie.  Running for the first time in my life on a treadmill.  Going on an elliptical without feeling like I'm going to die.  Paddle boarding on vacation when my kids (who are in good shape) couldn't do it.  Being able to get into my husband's truck without a struggle.  Sitting at a desk at back to school night instead of standing in the back.  Not buying clothes at Lane Bryant.  My kids being so excited watching me work at the gym over what I can do.  The list goes on and on.  So many great things. 

Do you have any regrets?  Like so many others, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.  So many years trying other things that didn't work for me.  So many years where I was miserable in my own skin.  I wish I had done it 10 or 15 years ago!

Do you have Iron deficiency?  No, no deficiencies at all and I am off of all prescribed medications.  I had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, sleep apnea.  All gone!  No deficiencies at all, but I take my vitamins faithfully.

My only advice is to follow what your doctor says.  I think part of the reason I felt so good after the surgery is that I kept walking in my house and sipping water.  The second he told me I could go to the gym, I did.  I walked and walked.  Outside and inside.  Mall walking, treadmill walking and park walking.  Walk, walk, walk!

Good luck to you and I hope that your surgery goes well.

Thanks for replying and thanks for the advise! You've done amazing! And very close to my stats as well so I hope I do as well as you have! Keep up the good work 

How was your pain after surgery?  Pain was kinda sucky for probably a week after surgery. Thankfully my doc gave me this liquid pain medication and it definitely helped take the edge off and helped me sleep. I only took it for a week because I didn't like feeling groggy and spaced out and constipated.

How long did it take you to recover?  I was off work for 3 weeks.  The first two weeks was a real struggle to get in all my protein and liquids (or as much as I could).  It was a conscious effort to eat/drink every hour or so and it took me forever.  Eat/drink super slow and sip, sip, sip your water and Isopure protein drinks. Everything tasted crazy sweet and intense for a few weeks and I had to water everything down. The third week, I felt better and more in control, I did more walking, food was becoming sort of normal (I even cooked) and I got caught up on Game of Thrones (yeah!).

How much have you lost?  My surgery date was 4/9/2015 and I have lost 100 lbs. so far.  I have about 15 lbs. more that I'd like to lose.

What is some of the foods you can never eat again?  Anything with 4 gms of sugar or higher sugar alcohols. No more ice cream, candy, chocolate, and even bread can make me sick. I am CRAZY sugar sensitive and dumping is no fun for anyone.  I have cleared a room in seconds - popular, I think not. No fried/greasy/starchy foods, and I stay far, far away from bread and pasta.  It hurts my pouch as it swells and digests. Ouch.

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?  My relationship with food has changed dramatically. I honestly mourned food for months after my surgery; it was like I lost a dear, crazy, friend who was trying to slowly kill me. I eat now because I need to - sometimes because I want to, but most of the time it's just a means to an end. I feel WONDERFUL in my body and I am present today. I used to zone out when I ate and it dulled my feelings when I was sad, mad, stressed out or lonely. Now, I've learned to go outside, do something - anything - to connect to other things and with other people. Today, I no longer feel invisible or marginalized because of my body.

Do you have any regrets?  Yeah, that I didn't do this sooner. It's saved my life. I lost both parents to colon cancer (ages 68 and 77), my ex husband to heart disease (age 58) caused by obesity, and I was headed down the same road. I was on 4 blood pressure medicines and still had a blood pressure of 190/94. I am no longer diabetic - I was on Metformin twice a day and was "this" close to having to take insulin.

Do you have Iron deficiency?  Nope, not yet.  I take my vitamins every day (well, almost every day). This is something that I am working on.

Wow!  100 lbs since April Ave still working at it?  Awesome!  I'll be glad to have at least a little sugar aversion, it's my one of two weaknesses the other being bread. I'm taking steps ahead of time to help! Sip Sip sip, eating with a baby spoon,  smaller plates,  protein first,  no drinking water through out the meal (hard!) Etc etc

You all have been so successful!  And are so inspiring,  the only person locally I knew before I started going to meetings had gained all her weight back,  so this forum helped a lot to verify how successful people are with this done! 

Thank you so much for replying,  and good luck with those last few pounds! 

Hi Alexis,

I had my laparoscopic RNY done on Feb. 2, 2012. 

How was your pain after surgery?  I'd say I had minimal pain.  I think they were giving me something for it by IV while in hospital and I didn't need them to increase the level.  I filled a prescription for liquid Tylenol (acetominophen) with codeine when released and only took a single dose at home. 

How long did it take you to recover?  I was off work for 4 weeks and worked half days for the first two weeks back.  Basically did that due to tiredness.  I felt getting overtired wasn't going to allow my body to heal as well.  It might be tempting to rush back but consider the shock your body has gone through with surgical changes and anaesthetic, etc.

How much have you lost?  I lost 45 lbs pre-op and 65 lbs post-op.  I've lost another 5 lbs this last year.

What is some of the foods you can never eat again?  I don't think there is anything I can't eat.  I will caution you though about drinking during or too soon after meals.  I did that recently after having something very sweet and paid the price with dumping.  That has only happened about once a year since my surgery but once you experience it you do your best to avoid it happening again.

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?  Having the ability to jog across the street if I'm in a rush.  Being able to buy clothes in a regular store.  Small things like not having to worry if I fit in a chair, etc.  No longer feeling self conscious about my weight.

Do you have any regrets?  Absolutely none.

Do you have Iron deficiency?  Yes, a mild one but that was the case pre-op, too.  It's not a big deal for me because I tolerate well the iron supplement I take. 

Good luck with your journey.

Cathrine

p.s.  My health ticker needs updating.  My original goal weight was 150 and I'm currently 146.6 lbs.  :)

Thank you so much for the reply! 

You're doing so amazing, I know the lack of drinking during meals or gulping is going to be my biggest challenge. 

Congratulations on your success

Hi Alexis,

I am 12 years out from my surgery this month.  My point of view might be slightly different that your other replies but I think it will help you.

How was your pain after surgery? The first 24 hours was rough but I had a morphine drip.  After that I just used Tylenol.

How long did it take you to recover? 4 weeks but I could have gone back to my desk job in two weeks.

How much have you lost?  Initially I lost 110 lbs.  It was hard to manage plus I thought I looked too thin.  I keep 100 lbs. off.

 
What is some of the foods you can never eat again?  I can eat just about anything now.  Some types of ice cream make me ill but I only have it maybe once or twice a year in a small portion so it is no big deal.

What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?  There have been many so here are two of them.  1) One morning I was getting dressed for work.  I pulled up my underwear and they just fell right to the floor.  I will never forget it.  2)  My daughter is on the local YMCA swim team.  One of the new parents actually thought I was a swimmer.  THAT was a great day!!!

Do you have any regrets? I always say, "HELL NO!!!" to this question. Like the other replies I wish I would have done it sooner.

Do you have Iron deficiency? Yes.  I am severely iron deficient.  My pouch does not absorb iron.  After years of trial and error the only thing that works is IV iron fusions.  Four years back I went through 8 rounds one week at a time.  This built up my iron stores and my normal iron count.  I have only had to do IV iron once more since then.  I am monitored for this but everything seems good now.

Alexis, I would not change a thing about my journey.  But, you have to be 100% committed to your decision.  There is no turning back but a bright future awaits you!!!!

I wish you all the best!

Robin

Thank you for your reply, it's really nice hearing from those who have been successful for such a long term! My biggest fear has always been the iron deficiency, but seeing how you and a lot of other RNYers conquer that and still don't regret the bypass? Shows me that I can do it too if I need to! I'm strong and no matter what challenges are thrown my way I'll survive. Thank you again, I hope that long term I can be as successful as you have been!

Just take everything one day at a time. Yes, I have had some stumbling blocks but not for one minute have I EVER regretted having my surgery.  I never will.  I love the life I have now as a small person.  Everything I have pushed through was worth it.

You will do great.  It is all in the attitude!!

• How was your pain after surgery?

It was honestly not too bad at all.  I was sore, but it was manageable.  I was on the "strong" pain meds less than a week.  

• How long did it take you to recover?

I had to stay an extra night in the hospital initially because of swelling, but that was the last complication I had.  I took 2 weeks off of work (I'm a high school teacher) and was back after that.

• How much have you lost?

I have lost just over 150 lbs.  My doctor told me to expect to get down to 250, which would've been great, but I wasn't going to be satisfied with that.  Work hard, stick to the plan, and you'll get to your goal.

• What is some of the foods you can never eat again?

At this point, I don't get sick from anything, although some things don't sit as well as others.  I don't eat pasta, because I don't trust myself to keep it to a decent amount, and there's so many healthier things I could have.  I feel the same way about bread.  

• What are your favorite experiences you've gained from having RNY?

I just love being a "normal" size.  I can do anything with my daughter now.  I can fit in any seat without worries.  I can shop anywhere, and I love grabbing cheap clothing instead of paying through the nose at the big and tall store.  

• Do you have any regrets?

My only regret was not getting it sooner.  I seriously considered it about 9 years ago, and I basically chickened out.  

• Do you have Iron deficiency?

Not yet, but I'm not that far out yet.  

You sound like you've really done your homework, but the best advice I have is to stay on this site.  As helpful as my surgeon and the bariatric center were, this site honestly helped me more than anything.  You can answer practically any question through the search function, and when you can't, just post and you'll get help in no time at all.