Weight Limit for RNY

Hi--

I've just been accepted into the Bariatric program at the Cleveland Clinic. 

My question-- Is there an upper weight limit for RNY?  I don't see many member who started over 400 with a RNY?

Thanks,

Elissa

There are RNY members who were over 400 pounds.  A weight limit might be imposed by a surgeon or by a program.  I suggest you watch some episodea of My 600 Pound Life.  They are on Amazon and very interesting.  Some patients have RNY and some have the sleeve.

I was talking to a lady from Warren, OH who had a gastric sleeve done at the Cleveland Clinic about a year ago.  She has lost more than 100 pounds and now they plan to reverse the sleeve to RNY so that she will have malabsorption and lose more weight.  She was about 400 pounds having the sleeve.

Yes, a girl in my local support group had the sleeve. She started at 527 lbs. she's getting a revision to RNY in February. I think she's 320 lbs now. 

The revision is for the same reasons you've listed. 

When I started the program I was 484lbs and was supposed to get the RNY but the dr. decided because of my heart meds(one is a blood thinner) that it was safer for me to the have the VSG done.

I started at 437# and going through Ohio Health Riverside.  

I'm from Mansfield so just south of you.  Go to the information session or check online but I am sure you are good to go.

I had my surgery done at Cleveland clinic Dec. 7 2015, my Dr. was dr. Schauer, I hope you have him, he is the best.

I have my surgery consultation with him in February.  I have heard he is really good.  Thanks!

Hi

Lots of people complain about all the testing that is required before WLS.  It is to keep us safe during the surgery.   VSG is a much shorter operation - RNY is about 2-3 hours, VSG - less than one hour.  These are general times.  So, VSG exposes people to anesthesia etc less and is safer from that respect.  VSG can be revised later to DS or RNY when people have lost weight and are in better overall health.  You might be healthy enough for the long surgery now - your dr and cardiologist will let you know.

I don't think there is an upper limit per se, but you have to be healthy enough to survive the surgery and your weight is a part of the overall equation as is age, general health, co-morbidities, etc

Good Luck on your journey.

My program in Massachusetts does not have a weight limit, but the timing/approach differs depending on the situation (and the persons preference at times). They have been working with a man who I believe was over 700 when he started and he had contacted many, many programs previously who refused him.  I believe they met with him for about a year first to work on his diet, then when he was heathy enough did a sleeve. About 1-2 years later when he was even more healthy they converted that to DS. This was their plan all along.  I know his story because he has spoken at meetings and is such an inspiration.

Several people in my in-person support group were over 500 when they started working with the program.  I believe one has had VSG and one RNY.