Researching RNY , I would like to hear your real stories pros and cons

HI,

My name is Amanda. I was on the site several years ago when I decided to have lapband surgery. I have a new screen name because I couldn't remember my old one. I followed all the rules for the band but it would just get tight on it's own until I found all I could eat was ice cream and soup without vomiting. So here I am a few years out of band remival. I swore I would never consider another surgery but my weight has gone through the roof. I weigh 350 at 5' 1. I have sleep apnea but so far no other medical conditions. 

I want ant to hear real stories. I have researched the facts and risks. I am scared to death but I think I found a doctor. I will go to the seminar next week. I am not going to use my original band doctor. 

The LapBand is not really considered a long-term option anymore, so you are typical in seeking a revision.

I have the RNY, but at your weight/height, I think you should look into the DS - which has the best proven weight loss of all the WL surgeries.  It may be difficult finding a doctor who has done a bunch of them, but if you live on the west coast, here is one that someone on the revision forum thought was good.  Even if you can''t see him, his website is a good education on revisions.

https://www.dssurgery.com/about-us/ara-keshishian-md/

If you go under the SURGERY tab, there is a section on revisions. 

Thanks, I know my insurance won't cover a DS.

Hi Amanda, my name is Patty. We have similar band stories. My band went in 5/30/07, I did extremely well until 1/2008, when I had noro-virus and puked my brains out. I had already lost 70 lbs!!  From that day on I had all the symptoms of a slip, but it would never show up on scans, x-rays or barium swallows. It was filled and un-filled multiple times. I even had aspiration pneumonia having only a full liquid diet. Low and behold, being scanned for another problem, the slip was caught!!! That was 8/2012, 4 years of misery. In May 2013 I went in for a revision to rny. Unfortunately, because of the band damage, it could not be done. I was devastated!! After 3 years of weight gain and deep thought I'm going for it again. I'm almost 10 years older; I will never have the bikini body I had in my 20's, but I will be alive to enjoy and play with my 3 granddaughters. I am excited and scared as well and I have researched the good and the bad too. We've had long journeys getting to this point. My pre-op appointment is next Friday--that's when I'll get my date.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions at your seminar. This is your body and a life long commitment, you need to be comfortable with the decision...

Hi Amanda,

I have had RYN surgery (2012).  I have not yet made it to my goal weight but that is my own fault.  The one most important thing that I can share with you is this is NOT an easy fix.  You will need to make some major life changes and work hard at it.  It is not by any means the easiest path to weight loss, but I would do it all over again.  I may not have reached my goal weight yet - but I have lost over 100 pounds and I no longer suffer from sleep apnea and from acid reflux.  I can climb a flight of stairs without being out of breath.  I can play with my grandchildren.  There are so many reasons that I am glad that I had the surgery and so many more reason to keep fighting to reach that goal.  I recently returned to the site and have returned to the path of protein and vitamins. 

I am not sure if this has helped but I hope you know that you are not alone on your journey.  Find a good doctor and even more important a good support group.

Good Luck!

Dena

Thanks for sharing your journey. I am ready to work hard. 

It was one of the two best things I did for myself. Having the surgery and quit drinking alcohol.  

I had my RNY when I was sick and tired of losing and gaining the same 70-90 lbs... my body adjusted to all diets..

i was tired of being fat...  I decided that no matter what - I would be better off with RNY.

Am I better?  First and second year post op - I Would Have told you - YEA!. ..

Now- over 8 years post op? I don't know...  I am relatively skinny now... but before my RNY - I even didn't have a PCP - did not need one.  Now I see my PCP 2-3 times a year or more, I and have 4 other specialists... are my problem due to RNY ? some are...some - I really don't know.  I am on more meds that I ever been in my live.  I have 6-7 pending Rx at any given time... Every year I meet my deductible and out of pocket for my insurance. Plus some $$$$ that insurance do not cover.  I am on daily pain pills, and muscle relaxants, I develop food allergies and intolerances, IBS,  SAI, etc... 

But I wear size 6, S to M.. so I should say taht my RNY works great, no? 

what's done it is done.   No need to dry for spilled milk.  There are some people who have almost zero complications,  lost all or most of their excessive weight and maintain - more or less...

And there are some that developed long term complications...  

like with any major surgery - complication may happen, long term complication may happen... or people live on a very happy long life. 

If you decide to do WLS - expect the BEST - be prepared for the worst.  One day at a time...

I'm going into my 4th month post op. I had the band a few years ago and removed due to a slip in 2013. My weight ballooned to 276 this past fall which is and I started researching RNY. 

I've lost 77 pounds total, 35 of that was before surgery. I have thrown up several times due to eating too quickly, not chewing enough or something just not sitting well. I haven't ventured into sweet territory because I want to be successful long term at this. So I honestly don't know if I dum*****t. 

The scariest thing for me about RNY long term is no NSAID use as arthritis and osteo run in my family. I am hopeful that with a decreased weight maybe the diseases will not be so hard on me should I have them. 

Good luck with whatever you decide  there are a lot of smart people here to help! 

Hi Amanda,

     I started looking into WLS and wanting the band but the more I learned the more I found that the band was the worst of the options.  I have PCOS which is terrible for weight and weight loss my surgeon said only the gastric bypass would even work for me.

Con: I will never eat and enjoy an entire cheeseburger again, I can have like a bite or two.  I can never go to a celebratory dinner and enjoy, bread and appetizers and nice dinner and dessert.  I can have 1 bite of bread, a very petit dinner and I have to wait to have a bite of dessert, like at least 2 hours from dinner.

Con: I am now looking into plastic surgery because having a child, aging and weight loss have wrecked my once nice rack :)

Con:  If I eat something too sweet, too high in fat or too much, I will be sick, this is also kind of a pro for me because it keeps me wanting to stick to plan because I don't want to feel sick for eating an onion ring or two.  I also don't have my gall bladder so that I think that plays a part in getting sick.

Pros:

• My jeans are a size 2 (even white jeans)
• I feel free
• Shopping for clothes is AMAZING
• When I look around the room, you know how you size yourself up, like "Am I the biggest person here?"  I am often the thinnest person in the room, then I tell myself to stop caring about it, those are old thoughts
• I still enjoy food very much, I just can't eat very much
• I can make one meal last to 3 or 4 meals, it saves quite a bit of money
• I no longer dread, surprise visits with friends or family because, I do have something cute to wear and I feel great!
• I don't know what to wish for when I throw a penny into a wishing pond, my wishes were always used for losing weight
• Exercise is enjoyable (I always exercised but it feels a lot better being a lot smaller)
• There are so many more.....I don't hide from photos, I enjoy my time with my son & husband more
• I keep checking things off my wish list....You know the list in your head of "When I am thin I will... well I am here and I am doing them!

Best of luck, no matter what you decide I wish you freedom as well