Hey all... new here!
Hola! Que pasa?!
Nothing much here going on. Just hanging out.
My name is Jennifer, but y'all can call me Jenn or Lully. I'm eighteen years old, from Wisconsin, and I am in the process of getting WLS.
At the moment, all my letters of recommedation are on their way to the insurance company, if not there by now. 
I hope I get accepted quickly by them(I don't see why not, I have seen that all of the other people with the same insurance get accepted within ten days!), and that the ball gets moving. I have been anticipating this surgery for about two years now.
But anyway.
I have a couple questions for all of you, because most of you are more my age and are more capable of understanding something I would be going through.
ONE.) How do you overcome nervousness pre-op with insurance and the surgery in general? I know it is normal to be nervous, because it is a major surgery, but, what do you suggest to calm nerves?
TWO.) What can I look forward to for the first couple days after surgery, like machines, wires, tubes, and that sort?
Three.) I BELIEVE I am having an open RnY. What can I look forward to with that? With everything?
Four.) What are the chances of "dumping" after a year or so post op with eating something sweet? Or should I just not risk it?
Five.) How common is it that you go off of all your medication for diabetes and other comorbidies right after surgery?
Six.) What are the chances of needing plastic surgery for someone our age? I have been told that at our age, our skin just "bounces" back. Is that true, or no?
Seven.) What have been the effects of WLS on your self image? And have you found dating and relationships easier, now that you've lost weight and so forth?
Well, that's about it. I won't bother you any more. LOL This is long enough as it is. If I have any more questions, I'll come here.
Thanks for your help!
Always,
Jenn
AKA Lully
I hope I get accepted quickly by them(I don't see why not, I have seen that all of the other people with the same insurance get accepted within ten days!), and that the ball gets moving. I have been anticipating this surgery for about two years now.
But anyway.
I have a couple questions for all of you, because most of you are more my age and are more capable of understanding something I would be going through.
ONE.) How do you overcome nervousness pre-op with insurance and the surgery in general? I know it is normal to be nervous, because it is a major surgery, but, what do you suggest to calm nerves?
TWO.) What can I look forward to for the first couple days after surgery, like machines, wires, tubes, and that sort?
Three.) I BELIEVE I am having an open RnY. What can I look forward to with that? With everything?
Four.) What are the chances of "dumping" after a year or so post op with eating something sweet? Or should I just not risk it?
Five.) How common is it that you go off of all your medication for diabetes and other comorbidies right after surgery?
Six.) What are the chances of needing plastic surgery for someone our age? I have been told that at our age, our skin just "bounces" back. Is that true, or no?
Seven.) What have been the effects of WLS on your self image? And have you found dating and relationships easier, now that you've lost weight and so forth?
Well, that's about it. I won't bother you any more. LOL This is long enough as it is. If I have any more questions, I'll come here.
Thanks for your help!
Always,
Jenn
AKA Lully Hi, Jenn! Welcome to the board! I'm Megan, I'm 21, and I had lap RNY back on Dec. 13, 2004. Because I was the third in our family that year to have this surgery (all with the same surgeon) I already knew the procedure of what would happen to me when I got to the hospital that day, where I was going to be going once I was checked into the hospital, what to expect when I got out of surgery, during the stay, etc. I will be fully honest, because of this, I wasn't in the least bit nervous about the surgery. I was just excited! So, if you know anyone else who's had this surgeon, maybe ask some of those questions so you know what to expect the day of surgery. Another thing that calmed me was the fact that I would be asleep for the whole thing and when I woke up it would all be over and I'd finally be 'on the other side.'
I didn't have my RNY open, I had it done lap so I don't know how much different the care is after surgery, but I was on an IV of fluids until I went home the next day (I think your stay may be a day longer since you're open, but I'm not for sure on that) and through my IV I recieved my morphine and toredol shots (for pain). They had me on oxygen for the first couple of hours after surgery and every 2 hours they came in to take my vitals (blood pressure, pulse, and temp****il I went home.
As far as dumping goes, everyone dumps from different things and some people don't even get dumping syndrome. My boyfriend, who is a year post op this month, still dumps from things. He can eat some sweets and be just fine, but he can eat other sweets and he'll dump. It's really all trial and error. I've found though that if you are craving something sweet, they make no sugar added fudge bars that are really good and I don't know of anyone yet who's had the surgery that's dumped from them. They're made with splenda I think (could be wrong) and really low in calories (like 60 or 70). I don't see how one of those every now and then is going to make that big of a dent in your diet so I treat myself every once in awhile. There are also sugar free cookies and whatnot that are really good that we found at the grocery store. They're also low in calories. You just have to look at labels and see. There's more out there than you think. I personally have had girl scout cookies and I didn't dump from them, I've had a donut which I knew I would dump really bad from (and I did, but I didn't care because it tasted sooooooooo good and I hadn't had one in FOREVER! 
) We're only human, so if you want something sweet, try to first find something that's sugar free, but if you can't, you can still try it (this surgery is all about trial and error with everything you eat) but just know that you may dump.
I can't answer your question about co-morbidities since I didn't really have any, but I did have GERD before surgery and now I don't (no stomach acid in your new pouch...)
I don't really think it's so much age as it is how much you have to lose. I was 224 the day of surgery and I'm down to 168 as of this past Saturday and I don't have any hanging skin or bulges in my apron area (lower stomach area) like some people do...Im shrinking evenly all over and my stomach is almost flat, no bulge or fatty tissue like some people. My boyfriend is a little older, 29, and he was 405 the day of surgery and down now to 245. He's going to have to have plastic surgery because he lost weight so fast that his skin didn't have time to catch up basically. He's going to have to have a tummy tuck, inner thighs, and his chest done (to get rid of the lose skin from his 'man boobs' he had). So, the more you have to lose, the more at risk you are of having to have plastic surgery...but yes, the fact that you are younger does give you somewhat of an advantage, but not a huge one if you've got a lot of weight to lose.
For your question on relationships and self image...I find guys looking at me a lot more now, I have more confidence in myself though too and feel like dressing up a little more now that I'm not a size 18 anymore and am currently in a size 8 and 10. I don't run around wearing sweatshirts and windpants all the time now. Since this surgery and losing some weight my relationship with my boyfriend has grown and we've become closer, we go out and have more fun together now (we now have energy!) and our sex life couldn't be better. So, I think it has made a huge difference in that area. You feel so much better not only physically, but mentally and it shows and other people can see that and can see the change in you because you'll have a better attitude on life and you'll have more energy and it's just an all out confidence booster when you start getting all this positive feedback from other people, especially those of the opposite sex. 
This surgery in itself isn't going to change who you are though, the surgery itself only changes your appearance. It's up to you to take that and use it to your advantage to better yourself mentally in your self image, confidence levels, etc. Make sense? I'm so excited for you! This has been such an amazing and fun journey for me that I love to hear about others who are going to go through it also and experience this whole new life.
Good luck, best wishes, and if you have anymore questions, please ask!
Megan
) We're only human, so if you want something sweet, try to first find something that's sugar free, but if you can't, you can still try it (this surgery is all about trial and error with everything you eat) but just know that you may dump.
I can't answer your question about co-morbidities since I didn't really have any, but I did have GERD before surgery and now I don't (no stomach acid in your new pouch...)
I don't really think it's so much age as it is how much you have to lose. I was 224 the day of surgery and I'm down to 168 as of this past Saturday and I don't have any hanging skin or bulges in my apron area (lower stomach area) like some people do...Im shrinking evenly all over and my stomach is almost flat, no bulge or fatty tissue like some people. My boyfriend is a little older, 29, and he was 405 the day of surgery and down now to 245. He's going to have to have plastic surgery because he lost weight so fast that his skin didn't have time to catch up basically. He's going to have to have a tummy tuck, inner thighs, and his chest done (to get rid of the lose skin from his 'man boobs' he had). So, the more you have to lose, the more at risk you are of having to have plastic surgery...but yes, the fact that you are younger does give you somewhat of an advantage, but not a huge one if you've got a lot of weight to lose.
For your question on relationships and self image...I find guys looking at me a lot more now, I have more confidence in myself though too and feel like dressing up a little more now that I'm not a size 18 anymore and am currently in a size 8 and 10. I don't run around wearing sweatshirts and windpants all the time now. Since this surgery and losing some weight my relationship with my boyfriend has grown and we've become closer, we go out and have more fun together now (we now have energy!) and our sex life couldn't be better. So, I think it has made a huge difference in that area. You feel so much better not only physically, but mentally and it shows and other people can see that and can see the change in you because you'll have a better attitude on life and you'll have more energy and it's just an all out confidence booster when you start getting all this positive feedback from other people, especially those of the opposite sex. This surgery in itself isn't going to change who you are though, the surgery itself only changes your appearance. It's up to you to take that and use it to your advantage to better yourself mentally in your self image, confidence levels, etc. Make sense? I'm so excited for you! This has been such an amazing and fun journey for me that I love to hear about others who are going to go through it also and experience this whole new life.
Good luck, best wishes, and if you have anymore questions, please ask!
Megan 
Hey Jenn, I just wanted to start off by saying congratulations on taking the right steps to get your wls going! Now, I am 18 yrs. old and I had Lap-Band 2 1/2 months ago, and despite the understanding that ppl think Lap-banders lose slowly, I have lost 55 lbs. in that amount of time, so hopefully that gives you a prediction on where you may be post-op. So let me answer some of your questions the best I can..
ONE.) How do you overcome nervousness pre-op with insurance and the surgery in general? I know it is normal to be nervous, because it is a major surgery, but, what do you suggest to calm nerves? I did self pay so I didnt have to deal with the insurance, but as far as nerves goes, I wasnt that nervous until I had all my pre-op tests done...but I gave it all to God because I knew he would take care of me.
TWO.) What can I look forward to for the first couple days after surgery, like machines, wires, tubes, and that sort? I had surgery twice and had different tubes each time. You will have an intubation tube for breathing, but they put it in and take it out when you are asleep. Then you may have an NG tube, catheter, and you will definately have the boots around your legs that pressurize so you dont get blood clots.
Three.) I BELIEVE I am having an open RnY. What can I look forward to with that? With everything?
Four.) What are the chances of "dumping" after a year or so post op with eating something sweet? Or should I just not risk it?
Five.) How common is it that you go off of all your medication for diabetes and other comorbidies right after surgery?
Six.) What are the chances of needing plastic surgery for someone our age? I have been told that at our age, our skin just "bounces" back. Is that true, or no? I think this depends on how much excess skin you have, but yes, my doctor told me that our skin does have a better chance to snap back
Seven.) What have been the effects of WLS on your self image? And have you found dating and relationships easier, now that you've lost weight and so forth? What a great question. I have found that I have a better self image of myself, but I also criticize myself when the scale doesnt move for a few days. Relationship wise, my one true love has actually been more affectionate lately but in the beginning he was distant and come to find out he was truly scared for my well-being.
Dont let this surgery change you. Physically, yes, but on the inside you will be the same and some people dont believe that, so prove them wrong!
~**~Megan~**~
blitzbabe0054
on 3/4/05 3:31 am - burnsville, mn
on 3/4/05 3:31 am - burnsville, mn
hey theres a procedure where you can lose more weight then with an rny but have no dumping syndrome.its called the duodenal switch. im getting it. ill tell you the benefits verses the rny. you lose more weight with the ds, you have less chance of bounce back weight with the ds, you have no dumping syndrome. and with this procedure you can eat the most with this procedure out of all the weight loss procedures out therfe.i think its a good choice. i live in mn. im getting the duodenal switch at the u of m hospital. i have one of the best surgeons in the u.s. its something to think about. and i also own 2 online teen weight loss surgery groups. if youd like to join email me at [email protected]
meghan
Hey Jenn Welcome to the board, its pretty cool around here, we have some ppl the are a lil older than teens, like me, but its cool, they fit in here so we let em stay :P
Hey, insurance was a nightmare for me, but im sure yours will get approved right away since you have seen people that have gotten approved so quick, just chill, watch the mail and let it do is thing :D
I wasnt really nervious about all this, its weird, i did alotta praying to god, and i was like, i know im gunna be fine, i have no problems, i had so many tests and such im gunna be fine...and honestly once i got a lil nervious, but this was befroe i even had a date, and ill admit it i sat in my room for a good couple of mins just like cryin to get all the pent up emotion out, and after i did that i was calm and ready for all the next steps.
Well, machines and tubes and such all depend on your surgeon, ive heard of people having drains and all kinds of shtuff, all i had was three thing, an "a-line" not sure what that was, lol but i had that, an IV and a nother IV in my neck, thats it. so again, it all depends on ur doc
I had mine opne RNY too, um, i was very sore to the touch around basically my entire belly for a few days after surgery, but after that, it was just around my incision, but again after a few days there was no plain to the touch on my skin, ya know..? now all i have is a lil discomfort on the inside, nothing really on the outside.
Well im not a year post op yet, but i wouldnt chance it, i dont ever wanna dump i heard its like hell on earth, so im very careful with all my sugars and such, plus, who wants to eat sugars and such, that was our old ways of eating...were supposed to use this surgery as a tool and not eat like our old ways :D
It all depends on what it is and such, i dont really have an answer for ya on the whole meds thing :/ you would have to talk to your doc.
Not really, it all depends on HOW much weight you have to lose, like for me, i know im gunna need plastic surgery... i just have too much skin and fat to not need it. Im not sure how and where you carry your fat, but it all depends on that too.
im too young as a post op to really go out and hit he town yet, lol
hey anymore questions you have, just post em, that what were here for, and dont forget to post on the main baord to, theres alotta older ppl there, but thye have soo much info its not funny, and noting is taboo there, lol. so go ahead, i actually post and lurk there more than i do here :X heres the url for the main board [http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/]
_mike
the week old loser
Hi my names Crystal...I had surgery on august 3 and i am 16....here are my answers tou your ?'s....=D
ONE.) How do you overcome nervousness pre-op with insurance and the surgery in general? I know it is normal to be nervous, because it is a major surgery, but, what do you suggest to calm nerves?
I couldn't get it off my mind! everyday i would ask my mom...hear from insurance yet? we all thought that I wasnt going to get approved...but i did! YAY...hehe...as far as being nervous about the actual surgery itself...i wasnt nervous one bit!!
TWO.) What can I look forward to for the first couple days after surgery, like machines, wires, tubes, and that sort?
You will have an IV...which sucks...lol...try to get back up on your feet as fast as you can...it sucks being in the hospital...lol...walk as much as you can!!! also, they come in like every hour and wake you up to take your blood pressure...temp...and all that fun stuff...RAR lol
Three.) I BELIEVE I am having an open RnY. What can I look forward to with that? With everything?
I didnt have open....
Four.) What are the chances of "dumping" after a year or so post op with eating something sweet? Or should I just not risk it?
If i were you i wouldnt risk it...i havent had the dumping syndrome, but i have had some tummy aches...i have also noticed, that if i eat too much sugar, i begin to shake...i think it all might be a very mild dumping syndrome...but try to eat those foods like...not often..lo...if possible not at all...because when you do, the cravings get BAD...at least that is what i have found...
Five.) How common is it that you go off of all your medication for diabetes and other comorbidies right after surgery?
I wasnt on any other medications.....
Six.) What are the chances of needing plastic surgery for someone our age? I have been told that at our age, our skin just "bounces" back. Is that true, or no?
I'm not quite sure how true that is...i guess it also depends on your weight now...also i would assume its different for everyone...
Seven.) What have been the effects of WLS on your self image? And have you found dating and relationships easier, now that you've lost weight and so forth?
OH YES!!!! I WANTED TO ANSWER THIS ONE!!! that has been the most difficult part of all for me...its really hard trying to figure out who you are in your new body....i have noticed that i am more outgoing now (although i am still shy around my crush...=-/ ugh lol)...if anything...for me relationships with friends and guys have become more difficult...some of my freinds think that i am stuck up now since i have lost a lot of weight and everything...you tell yourself that you wont change your personality and that you will be the same perso inside after you lose your weight...but it doesnt necessarily happen that way..at least it didnt for me...although I am happier in some ways now...i dont think that i will ever be happy with myself physically or mentally...i can always find something wrong with myself...that is definately something i have to work on...
BELIEVE ME ITS DEFINATELY NOT AS EASY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. JUST TRY NOT TO LOSE YOURSELF...REMEMBER WHO YOUR ARE...ITS HARD..BUT IT WILL MAKE THINGS A LOT EASIER IF YOU DO!!!
drop me an email sometime! [email protected] also my aim is xxletsxmakeoutxx
Love,
Crystal
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