Hi everyone!

I don't know if introductions are customary on this forum, but since I have questions, I do plan on posting some and thought it couldn't hurt to say "Hi!"  I am a 61-year-old female and will probably have surgery before the end of the summer.  (I am still taking the preliminary tests, etc., so don't have full approval yet). I am a little anxious about my age and also one major medical condition, which is severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  I am otherwise in pretty good health, heart checks out, etc.  My BMI is just over 40 at this point.  My weight has been up and down since puberty.  As my grandmother used to say "I have lost over 300 pounds, the same 50 pounds over and over again."  That was my situation up until about four years ago.  Then I got a job that is very stressful and disappointing and started eating to console myself, I suppose I just gave up.  So now 50 pounds of overweight has become 120 pounds. 

I have had GERD (gastroesophageal reflux, aka "heartburn") for a long time and was recently diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus (pre-cancer of the esophagus) so it is time to get serious and have some surgery to repair that little problem before it becomes a big problem.  While researching fundoplication (surgery to fix GERD) I found a mention that Roux en Y is the sure cure for it, so since I need to go through somewhat risky surgery anyway I might as well kill two birds with one stone and get a bypass.  I already have a surgeon picked out, and all docs and insurance providers have so far given their blessing.  

So anyway, that is my situation in a nutshell.  I am glad to be here and hope I don't ask too many questions!  All this has happened so quickly, just within the last two months, so although I am putting a lot of time into educating myself about what is involved and what to expect, there is still a LOT I don't know.  

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.  

Hello and welcome!  

It sounds like you have a good plan -- the RNY is great at relieving some of your co-morbidities.  

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum and look forward to your success.

Hi welcome! feel free to do some searches on the top right hand side to learn more about certain topics.

It is really important to be in the right frame of mind and know what you will need to eat and how much.

Welcome!   I suffered with GERD for 25 hears and also have Barrett's.  I woke up from my RNY surgery pain free.  NO MORE GERD!  I'm happy to see that you are doing the research. Best of luck to you!

If you hang out here and read enough. You will get an education about yourself and your procedure like you didn't think possible.

Follow person's who have maintained their weight loss for multiples of years, and you will gain their knowledge as you progress. It will amaze you.

You're fortunate to have the path lying before you so smoothly.

Hi!  I hope things work out for your surgery this summer.  I think everyone here is happy to answer any questions you have.  Plus, there is so much to learn just by reading the site regularly.  I know this site was very welcoming and comforting to me as I prepared for surgery and when I was newly out of surgery.  Now, one year-plus after, I still come here almost daily, for support and encouragement, and to quote the great wise High School Musical, to remember that "We're all in this together!"  :-)

I had a chronic cough for many years that I think was related to undiagnosed GERD.  It made it hard to talk, and I could not sing--as someone who loves singing, this was a great sadness for me.  Now, no problems with this cough whatsoever.

I am so very glad I had the RNY.  It is not an easy path, but honestly, it is so much easier than life before.

Best, and looking forward to hearing from you lots more!