Please Tell Me About Your Experience

Hi, I'm going into my first month with the dietician and have already been approved for surgery in early fall (most likely). I'm really apprehensive right now, as this is a major decision. I'm curious about your experience with the Roux-en-Y procedure (I'm not eligible for a sleeve due to a hiatal hernia, or so I've been told). Do you have any regrets? Anything you would have done differently?

My doctor and I discussed this and he felt surgery would be the best option for me, as we can't quite figure out why I'm suddenly gaining weight and my thyroid isn't bad enough to treat, in his opinion. I have pretty bad arthritis in most of my joints and both of my ankles have had major sprains, so I'm kinda limited on what exercise I can do right now. I had great luck losing weight by limiting portions, fasting, and exercising 6 days a week back in 2016 but suffered major trauma and grief in 2017 and just can't seem to get myself back there. Not to mention that I'm up nearly 100lbs since then. My previous heaviest weight was 286, but I surpassed that in 2019 in just 3 months time (I put on 50lbs with no explanation).

My only regret is not doing it sooner.

Ditto

yes - one regret - that I waited until I was 55 years old to have it. Should have done it YEARS ago!

I've not really had any difficulties and certainly nothing that couldn't be easily treated.

I'm currently at a normal BMI, but have had a few weight ups and downs in the 17 years, but I've never let it get to a point I couldn't work on it.

Being (mostly) compliant with my lifestyle and ALWAYS compliant with my labs and supplements has ensured I've stayed in great health.

Not had one regret.

Hi!

I am 2 weeks post op. I had the RNY surgery because I had horrible GERD and the sleeve surgery could have made it worse. I started my journey in December 2020 with my surgeon, dietician and psychologist. I lost 35 pounds pre op.

I won't lie, it's not easy. The 2 week liquid diet is hard for the first 4-5 days when you realize you miss food so much. But then your body adjusts and you aren't hungry anymore.

Surgery is scary, but it's not horrible. The worst part is right after surgery they do get you up and moving. In my case, right out of recovery I had to walk from the hallway to my hospital bed! But it was mainly the pain killers that made me feel a little woozy. Not a lot of pain and by the next morning you feel better. I walked the halls 5 times that day and I was super surprised at how good I felt.

I still tire easily, but working on the third week now and I feel more and more like myself. But I've been told it can take 4-6 weeks before I will get all of my energy back.

I am still on my 4 week post op liquid diet and the worst thing is you just get sick of protein shakes! My surgeon told me to try a little mushy food and I've tried eggs, cottage cheese and mashed potatoes (less than 1/2 tablespoon) and what is amazing is that just a taste makes me feel full.

So far I have lost 61.3 pounds. My heaviest was 334. Like you I had several traumas in my life that caused me to turn to food for comfort. I had lost weight successfully twice and always gained it back (plus more) when something bad in my life happened. I finally decided this was going to be the best tool to keep this weight off so I can live my best life.

It's a big decision. This surgery is life altering. But I haven't spoken to one person who wasn't completely happy with their choice. If you decide to do it, I wish you all the luck in the world!!

Not a single regret. Yeah, you will be in some pain, and struggle with finding satisfaction when you are bored with protein shakes early on, but after a few weeks that will all be in the rear view mirror.

The surgery is for life and you have to treat it like the commitment that it is, but I guarantee that any ups and downs you have post op with weight will never compare to the struggles you have now.

Best decision I've ever made in my life. No regrets. It's not easy - but it's damn well worth it.

I had Roux-en-Y surgery in Ypsilanti, MI, but I travelled from Toronto for it, 11 yrs ago. I lost over 100 pounds in 7 or 8 months, and then the weight loss really slowed down. By 1.5 yrs out, my weight loss had completely stalled, and because of health concerns, I was unable to get it started again.

I will warn you, please be sure you take your vitamins. I developed Major Osteoporosis at 55, and had no risk factors for it other than the over weight. I have also developed problems with my liver, kidneys, with readings in my blood work showing abnormal readings, and having to go on ADDITIONAL Medicines to deal with the elevated liver enzymes, and kidney stone 2 Cm wide, that had to get blasted by a laser over a thousand times. I'm just saying, make sure you read up and abide by the supplements they recommend, but also do your own research! Join other groups, off of this web site, and ask questions! You cannot be too careful. Sadly I have gained back all of the weight I lost, plus another 10 pounds. It's very disheartening, and I am just sick about it. I have chronic pain, and that weight loss would help me tremendously, but I don't know how I'll ever do it now. I'm in a wheelchair now, that I wasn't in before. 11 years has really changed me. Good luck, and take your supplements and vitamins!!

No regrets other than that I didn't get it sooner.