Worried about getting a bypass :(

I will be 6 months out on the 23rd of this month. So I'm still new to this, but I will tell you I have no regrets. Yes, it's tough sometimes eating right..getting my water in..exercising regularly etc. But to me it's all worth it. I have lost what feels like a ton of hair already, but I had really thick hair before surgery so I don't really miss it. It's actually kind of nice having my hair thinner for once. Lol. I've also noticed no bald spots, but like I said I'm only about six months out. The most annoying thing for me is having to clean up all my hair that has fallen out in the shower drain etc. Since I'm still early out I don't have any issues with loose skin....it may become a problem though the more weight I lose. However the loose skin doesn't really bother me and if it does as time goes on....I'll consider having it removed. But for right now I'm just focused on losing all of the excess weight I need to lose. For me, getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is more important than loose skin and hair loss.

I have thick hair too, and was kind of hoping it would thin a little bit for a while.

It seems different for everyone. I had no hair loss and my loose skin is only noticeable to me really I'm not thrilled with some parts of my body but in clothes I look great. Protein and water were a *****allenging. My Dr had me on a liquid diet for a week with only protein shakes and water, then two weeks of purées, two weeks of chunky food, then progress to regular food as you can tolerate. It was a bit difficult to get the protein in only because I had no interest in food and it felt like a chore. But I did it. Sometimes now I struggle to get enough protein. I don't like meat as much as I used to.

For me, any struggle has been worth it. I've lost nearly half my body weight in just over two years. I do have dumping syndrome if I eat too much fat or sugar but it's become a safeguard for me and I'm glad I have it because it puts me in check. That's not to say I can't have a little something and I still enjoy most foods. I just need to eat a few bites of something and not the whole thing. It satisfies the craving.

Just my opinion IF you are really concerned about the surgery, you should hold off until you are fully resolved to have surgery.

Surgery itself and the recovery suck. The post op diet and vitamin regime and be overwhelming at first.

Plus there is the financial commitment: vitamins, lab work, doctors appointments, plastic surgery....etc.

I love the fact that I had the DS and have my life back. I wish I had it in my 20s. I am in a place that I could have never been in had I continued at 500 lbs. However, at 21, I'm not sure I would have been as capable of making the choices or have the finances I needed keep up my health (yes, you do have to take vitamins for the rest of your life, yes you do have to eat a certain way, yes you do have to have labs and regular follow ups, etc).

Scott

Have your doctor's discussed every WLS option for you? If your BMI is around 38 like mine I'm not sure why they wouldn't recommend the vertical sleeve Gastrectomy? It's more common these days because there aren't as many side effects and complications as bypass (from what I was told and have read). The sleeve has fewer complications as well and easier/shorter recovery time because you aren't under anesthesia as long.

I myself am in the process of fulfilling insurance requirements to get my surgery covered .that means being under the care of a nutritionist and exercise consultant at my hospitals weight loss center and seeing a psych, regular doctor and being on diet. Since starting in March ive lost 23 pounds. I am determined to make healthy changes and hopefully, like you finally stop the weight loss/weight gain game, the relentless dieting I've done my whole damn life only to still struggle and never achieve long term success. From what I've read this IS a huge life change and it takes hard work and dedication if you want to see the best results!

Ask your doctor or research all your options. I've just heard the sleeve is a better route for people who have a bmi around 38-40. Everything I've read about the RNY bypass scared me and also the "dumping Syndrome" you get with it as well really put me off. The sleeve apparently won't do that at all or not as bad.

For me, the possible side effects and whatnot I could experience post surgery is a chance I'm willing to take and I will deal with it as it comes. It's worth it to finally be healthy and happy. It is scary decision and that's great you're asking these questions.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

-Kay

While the VSG has fewer immediate risks or complications, we're seeing LOTS of VSG patients having to revise to RNY due to serious acid/GERD issues. (I will be revising in a few weeks for just this reason.) So it's not necessarily guaranteed smooth sailing.

For the record, dumping does not happen to all RNY patients, and for many it's seen as a good thing as it prevents you from eating sweets.

Thanks a lot for your answer! My doctor recommended the bypass because I had GERD before and with VSG there's a high risk of new GERD after the operation. I still need to see another doctor and ask if I absolutely cannot have a VSG, because like you said, it does have fewer complications! Thank you again!??

At least your doctor even was concerned for that fact (the gerd worsening after VSG). Mine failed to mention this at all :'( now I'm actually thinking of the RNY instead.

Wait is that because you had GERD before surgery or is it new GERD? And is it that severe that you need an RNY? I thought you just had to take lifelong PPI's?

No I haven't even had surgery yet. I was planning (and so was doctor's) on me having it in October.(the VSG) and I currently have GERD but my symptoms have subsided since losing 23 pounds recently. But what everyone's trying to say is, even though my symptoms are at bay- having VSG could make them resurface causing me to possibly have to go in for second surgery to get RNY :'( idk what I'm going to do bc I already asked about other surgeries and the doctor didn't listen. It's like they're set on VSG- bc surgeon performs it more & it's easier and shorter. But to hell with that! I don't want to go in for second surgery especially when my insurance only covers one per lifetime I think!