Hello and Questions (Pre-Op)
Hello everyone, I just joined. 
Well I have to say honestly, I am not as elated as most people I read on here.
I have been thinking about this since Oct. 2008 or so (serious thinking, just fleeting thought before that). Well this week I had my f irst doctor visit. I had read a bunch of stories about 6-month to 18-month supervised diets, or insurance hoops so I went to hopefully get information and see what it is all about. After a 3 hour visit and nutritionists, psychologists, nurses, doctors and such I was meeting with the billing department and scheduling my surgery date! Well I was happy as I do want it, but quite frankly scared.
I just had my 21st birthday and have been overweight since highschool began and we all know how nice highschoolers are to us big people... Well I want a change in my life and have done dieting and excersise and I have still been gaining weight. I cut out fast food, I cut out pop, I increased excersise, things like that and to no avail.
So I was thinking about the band or the RNY. I decided on the RNY because of the substantial initial weight loss as well as the fact that it is not just restrictive. I figure if I am going to be cut open I better get something more than just changing my "feelings" about hunger.
So I have a surgery date of the 31st of March...
Some things that scare me are: vitamins, recovery time, and skin flaps...
First off the vitamins. From my understanding I am going to be taking a whole gammat of pills for the rest of my life. Like you guys I am only in my 20's, I would hope "the rest of my life" is a long time from now. So this is sort of freaking me out. I take 0 pills now and the last time I took medication was when I broke my ankle and it was 1 vikadin, that's it. I still have the other 20 or so pills they perscribed. I dont take pills for headaches or fevers and rarely do I get headaches or fevers. So the thought that now I would need to take 5 vitamins a day for the next 50-60 years is pretty daunting. Anyone else scared of this?
Second the recovery time. I go to university full time and work 2 jobs. My doctor told me I would be in the hospital for 2 days and then it would be a couple weeks before I can do things again. Well I have been reading on here that people are walking around malls on the day after their surgery and things like that. Well if you are good enough to go out in public, are you good enough to go to school? I dont want to miss school, I am an engineer I cannot afford to miss 6 weeks of classes and expect to pass anything. The other side is there are 3 or 4 people in my mom's office that had a bypass (40-50 yr old I think) and it took them 6 weeks to come back to work. They said they were constantly in and out of the bathroom throwing up, couldnt move and things like that. If I go to school, I am not wanting to stain my undepants in class or anything like that. Being overweight is embarrasing enough, I dont need extras being added... How long did it take you to recover from surgery? How long before you could drive? Do you lose control of bodily functions and/or timing of them right after surgery? How long should I be out of school? Ideally I want to go back 3rd day if I can, but I am thinking that isnt going to happen.
Last, the skin flaps. I dont really care much at this point, but if I am going to do all this work and maintain a new lifestyle, it seems like it would sort of be disheartening to then be embarrassed of looks again because of folds now instead of fat. I would rather be skinny and flappy then big and flabby though.
I look forwards to being able to do normal people things like not having to pull the seatbelt all the way out to buckle it, buy clothes in normal shops, ride a rollercoaster, go to the beach/pool, that sort of thing. But I am scared. I guess I just need a little talking to those like you who have gone through it. It seems a litte scary to read all of these posts about getting a surgery date and being so excited and I havent read anything about people being excited and scared/nervous. Am I alone in this?
Sorry for the long post, but it does concern the rest of my life :)
Well I have to say honestly, I am not as elated as most people I read on here.
I have been thinking about this since Oct. 2008 or so (serious thinking, just fleeting thought before that). Well this week I had my f irst doctor visit. I had read a bunch of stories about 6-month to 18-month supervised diets, or insurance hoops so I went to hopefully get information and see what it is all about. After a 3 hour visit and nutritionists, psychologists, nurses, doctors and such I was meeting with the billing department and scheduling my surgery date! Well I was happy as I do want it, but quite frankly scared.
I just had my 21st birthday and have been overweight since highschool began and we all know how nice highschoolers are to us big people... Well I want a change in my life and have done dieting and excersise and I have still been gaining weight. I cut out fast food, I cut out pop, I increased excersise, things like that and to no avail.
So I was thinking about the band or the RNY. I decided on the RNY because of the substantial initial weight loss as well as the fact that it is not just restrictive. I figure if I am going to be cut open I better get something more than just changing my "feelings" about hunger.
So I have a surgery date of the 31st of March...
Some things that scare me are: vitamins, recovery time, and skin flaps...
First off the vitamins. From my understanding I am going to be taking a whole gammat of pills for the rest of my life. Like you guys I am only in my 20's, I would hope "the rest of my life" is a long time from now. So this is sort of freaking me out. I take 0 pills now and the last time I took medication was when I broke my ankle and it was 1 vikadin, that's it. I still have the other 20 or so pills they perscribed. I dont take pills for headaches or fevers and rarely do I get headaches or fevers. So the thought that now I would need to take 5 vitamins a day for the next 50-60 years is pretty daunting. Anyone else scared of this?
Second the recovery time. I go to university full time and work 2 jobs. My doctor told me I would be in the hospital for 2 days and then it would be a couple weeks before I can do things again. Well I have been reading on here that people are walking around malls on the day after their surgery and things like that. Well if you are good enough to go out in public, are you good enough to go to school? I dont want to miss school, I am an engineer I cannot afford to miss 6 weeks of classes and expect to pass anything. The other side is there are 3 or 4 people in my mom's office that had a bypass (40-50 yr old I think) and it took them 6 weeks to come back to work. They said they were constantly in and out of the bathroom throwing up, couldnt move and things like that. If I go to school, I am not wanting to stain my undepants in class or anything like that. Being overweight is embarrasing enough, I dont need extras being added... How long did it take you to recover from surgery? How long before you could drive? Do you lose control of bodily functions and/or timing of them right after surgery? How long should I be out of school? Ideally I want to go back 3rd day if I can, but I am thinking that isnt going to happen.
Last, the skin flaps. I dont really care much at this point, but if I am going to do all this work and maintain a new lifestyle, it seems like it would sort of be disheartening to then be embarrassed of looks again because of folds now instead of fat. I would rather be skinny and flappy then big and flabby though.
I look forwards to being able to do normal people things like not having to pull the seatbelt all the way out to buckle it, buy clothes in normal shops, ride a rollercoaster, go to the beach/pool, that sort of thing. But I am scared. I guess I just need a little talking to those like you who have gone through it. It seems a litte scary to read all of these posts about getting a surgery date and being so excited and I havent read anything about people being excited and scared/nervous. Am I alone in this?
Sorry for the long post, but it does concern the rest of my life :)
Welcome!!
You look like you've done your homework, good for you. It's big step even just to make the decision that you want to have WLS.
Just to touch on a few things that you brought up. You won't have to take a whole bunch of pills. I take a multivitamin, B12 (which is the size of the cap of a pen..tiny) and a chewable calcium. I guess I took vitamins pre-op, so this was no drastic lifestyle change for me. As far as anything else goes, you shouldn't need it unless your blood counts say otherwise. Then perhaps you might have to add in some extra iron (that's more likely in females though). As you will quickly see on here, every surgeon is different and recommends different things so go by what they tell you.
I'm not in school but many many people on this board have had surgery and were back in school pretty quick. I say it probably can be done but only you will know what you are up for after surgery. But to compare, I have a two year old and was back in the swing of things within 2 weeks.
I think it's up to the person as far as plastic surgery goes. Some are necessary because of the hygiene/medical reasons. Our skin at our age is definitely more elastic but wait until you get to your goal weight to see if it's right for you.
You are never alone. Everyone here is either at the same point as you or we've all been there not that long ago. WLS a major life change and decision and heck yes, it's scary...so don't be afraid to ask all the questions you need. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here that are more than willing to help.
~Emily~
You look like you've done your homework, good for you. It's big step even just to make the decision that you want to have WLS.
Just to touch on a few things that you brought up. You won't have to take a whole bunch of pills. I take a multivitamin, B12 (which is the size of the cap of a pen..tiny) and a chewable calcium. I guess I took vitamins pre-op, so this was no drastic lifestyle change for me. As far as anything else goes, you shouldn't need it unless your blood counts say otherwise. Then perhaps you might have to add in some extra iron (that's more likely in females though). As you will quickly see on here, every surgeon is different and recommends different things so go by what they tell you.
I'm not in school but many many people on this board have had surgery and were back in school pretty quick. I say it probably can be done but only you will know what you are up for after surgery. But to compare, I have a two year old and was back in the swing of things within 2 weeks.
I think it's up to the person as far as plastic surgery goes. Some are necessary because of the hygiene/medical reasons. Our skin at our age is definitely more elastic but wait until you get to your goal weight to see if it's right for you.
You are never alone. Everyone here is either at the same point as you or we've all been there not that long ago. WLS a major life change and decision and heck yes, it's scary...so don't be afraid to ask all the questions you need. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here that are more than willing to help.
~Emily~
"Tis better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not"
Hi and welcome! I am still pre-op, so I cannot give you any tips on what the lifestyle is like.
I will be taking a ton of pills. I will be taking 2 multi vitamins, 1 b-12, 6 calcium citrate pils (2, 3 times a day) vitamin d3 with each calcium dose, Iron, vitamin c , a B-50, and magnesium citrate.
It is more than my nut recomends but I did my research and thanks to the help of many people on here I have figured out what I should be taking. I have scientific papers to back up the amounts as well.
It is a huge change. I am nervous I may forget to take them etc. but I know I will work it out one day at a time. I would rather take a ton of pills and be thin, than be thin and unhealthy, or obese and unhealthy (and possibly on other meds due to obesity).
I am also worried about the skin. I have had 2 babies (be glad you are a guy!) and know my stomach is shot to hell. I would like to have plastics in the future. My husband is less keen on that than he is on the RNY.
I think it is perfectly normal to be both excited and scared at the same time!
Good luck!
Johanna
I will be taking a ton of pills. I will be taking 2 multi vitamins, 1 b-12, 6 calcium citrate pils (2, 3 times a day) vitamin d3 with each calcium dose, Iron, vitamin c , a B-50, and magnesium citrate.
It is more than my nut recomends but I did my research and thanks to the help of many people on here I have figured out what I should be taking. I have scientific papers to back up the amounts as well.
It is a huge change. I am nervous I may forget to take them etc. but I know I will work it out one day at a time. I would rather take a ton of pills and be thin, than be thin and unhealthy, or obese and unhealthy (and possibly on other meds due to obesity).
I am also worried about the skin. I have had 2 babies (be glad you are a guy!) and know my stomach is shot to hell. I would like to have plastics in the future. My husband is less keen on that than he is on the RNY.
I think it is perfectly normal to be both excited and scared at the same time!
Good luck!
Johanna
First of all, congratulations on taking control of your health. It's good to do it early.
As far as the pills go, it's a little daunting for me, and I'm used to taking pills. I take a multivitamin, b-complex, iron, folic acid, and calcium. Two chewables, one sublingual, and two pills. However, you do get used to it. It's just one of those many changes that you go through and get used to.
With regards to recovery time, I had my surgery on 1/5 and my classes started 1/12. I was in class with no problems. It took me a little longer to get going than normal, and I was walking slower to class, etc. However, it was not a big deal. The age and the shape of one's body before surgery helps the recovery process go faster. I was off the pain meds the Saturday after my surgery, and I was feeling fine. I would suggest talking to professors and letting them know that you are having this surgery and might have complications. My professors have been very understanding (had some massive fatigue problems about 3-4 weeks out).
Good luck to you!! This is a great place for asking questions, getting advice, and getting support.
As far as the pills go, it's a little daunting for me, and I'm used to taking pills. I take a multivitamin, b-complex, iron, folic acid, and calcium. Two chewables, one sublingual, and two pills. However, you do get used to it. It's just one of those many changes that you go through and get used to.
With regards to recovery time, I had my surgery on 1/5 and my classes started 1/12. I was in class with no problems. It took me a little longer to get going than normal, and I was walking slower to class, etc. However, it was not a big deal. The age and the shape of one's body before surgery helps the recovery process go faster. I was off the pain meds the Saturday after my surgery, and I was feeling fine. I would suggest talking to professors and letting them know that you are having this surgery and might have complications. My professors have been very understanding (had some massive fatigue problems about 3-4 weeks out).
Good luck to you!! This is a great place for asking questions, getting advice, and getting support.
Hey and welcome!
I am 21 myself, so I can relate to your worries! I had my surgery in December and was out of it for about 2 weeks. The pain will last a good 4 weeks or so, but you can start doing things once YOU start feeling better. Remember that there is no time limit/set to when this is. Because we are young we are lucky to bouch back faster, and go through less problems. As for not being able to control your bodily functions, I can NOT relate to that. Remember, these people that you are talking about are 50/60...we are 21...a big difference.
I take 10 vitams plus a nasal spray (B12) everyday. I take 2 pills that prevent gal stones, 2 calcium, 1 multi, 3 fish oil, 1 iron, and 1 vit. c. I have a weekly pill box that are seperated in days and that helps a lot. Honestly, I can feel a difference from when I never took these to now, I feel much better and have more energy.
Skin flaps...it depends on how big you are now as to what skin will srink. If you eat a lot of protein after surgery...that will help. However there is always plastic surgery, which I alwasy keep in the back of my mind. And honestly, I would much rather have skin flaps then be overweight.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
I am 21 myself, so I can relate to your worries! I had my surgery in December and was out of it for about 2 weeks. The pain will last a good 4 weeks or so, but you can start doing things once YOU start feeling better. Remember that there is no time limit/set to when this is. Because we are young we are lucky to bouch back faster, and go through less problems. As for not being able to control your bodily functions, I can NOT relate to that. Remember, these people that you are talking about are 50/60...we are 21...a big difference.
I take 10 vitams plus a nasal spray (B12) everyday. I take 2 pills that prevent gal stones, 2 calcium, 1 multi, 3 fish oil, 1 iron, and 1 vit. c. I have a weekly pill box that are seperated in days and that helps a lot. Honestly, I can feel a difference from when I never took these to now, I feel much better and have more energy.
Skin flaps...it depends on how big you are now as to what skin will srink. If you eat a lot of protein after surgery...that will help. However there is always plastic surgery, which I alwasy keep in the back of my mind. And honestly, I would much rather have skin flaps then be overweight.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
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hey nick. wellcome to the board!!!!! and congrats 4 the decision you just made.
i had surgery when i was 22. young people react better to surgerys so your time of recovery is gonna be really short and you are gonna adjust to your new life very soon. so don´t worry about that its easier than it seems.
about the pills I was exactly like you I do not like to take any kindda medicine or take any pills but i have find the vit thing very easy. the 1th thing i do in the morning its take my multivit and my b12 and at night my multvit. the hardest thing 4 me its take my calcium `cuz i have to take 3 per day. and have to wait 2 hours after my multivit. honestly IT WORTH IT LIKE A MILLION TIMES!!!!! but if you don´t have surgery you will live taking medicine for your heart or your high pressure or all of the deseases related with obesity sooo the multvi vits are that bad. lol
About the recovery time as i said before you are young so you`ll be fine in no time. and yes i was walking at the malls 3 days out of surgery. and back at work and to univesity 1 week after surgery. i was not in my 100% but i was ok. to drive and to have my normal life.
its normal to be scared... but a lot of good things comes with sacrifices and good will. you`ll be fine.
I WILL DO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!! all the pain¨(that was little) and all the hard work and all the tears and everything are worth it.
good luck.
hugs
mariana
i had surgery when i was 22. young people react better to surgerys so your time of recovery is gonna be really short and you are gonna adjust to your new life very soon. so don´t worry about that its easier than it seems.
about the pills I was exactly like you I do not like to take any kindda medicine or take any pills but i have find the vit thing very easy. the 1th thing i do in the morning its take my multivit and my b12 and at night my multvit. the hardest thing 4 me its take my calcium `cuz i have to take 3 per day. and have to wait 2 hours after my multivit. honestly IT WORTH IT LIKE A MILLION TIMES!!!!! but if you don´t have surgery you will live taking medicine for your heart or your high pressure or all of the deseases related with obesity sooo the multvi vits are that bad. lol
About the recovery time as i said before you are young so you`ll be fine in no time. and yes i was walking at the malls 3 days out of surgery. and back at work and to univesity 1 week after surgery. i was not in my 100% but i was ok. to drive and to have my normal life.
its normal to be scared... but a lot of good things comes with sacrifices and good will. you`ll be fine.
I WILL DO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!! all the pain¨(that was little) and all the hard work and all the tears and everything are worth it.
good luck.
hugs
mariana
Thanks everyone, this is just what I wanted to know. :)
I figure I could do it over spring break and then hopefully in 6 days I can sort of walk around school and stuff. So I am now scheduled for the 24th of March...
I guess the only thing I am scared about other than complications is the rest of your life part, but like you said if not multivitamines, it would be drugs for various problems. And I would rather have plain old vitamines than various symptomatic pills.
Also something I hadnt read before I found this site is a "drain". Is this something that is stuck in the small intenstine if it is too small to make it stretch? I hear people needing to go back to have it "taken out" so is it is a second surgery? I envision the "drain" being like something those colostomy bags are connected to. Like a port that you plug stuff into on your side. I hope that is not it! lol.
I figure I could do it over spring break and then hopefully in 6 days I can sort of walk around school and stuff. So I am now scheduled for the 24th of March...
I guess the only thing I am scared about other than complications is the rest of your life part, but like you said if not multivitamines, it would be drugs for various problems. And I would rather have plain old vitamines than various symptomatic pills.
Also something I hadnt read before I found this site is a "drain". Is this something that is stuck in the small intenstine if it is too small to make it stretch? I hear people needing to go back to have it "taken out" so is it is a second surgery? I envision the "drain" being like something those colostomy bags are connected to. Like a port that you plug stuff into on your side. I hope that is not it! lol.
I'm a little late, but I just had to comment because I was pretty much in your exact situation, right down to the engineering school part! First, about the vitamins. As my nutrition explained, many of those vitamins which are required after RNY are vitamins that regular people should be taking anyway. A multivitamin is something anyone can take and probably benefit from, since it is practically impossible to get the recommended amounts of everything. A B-12 supplement taken in moderation can boost anyone's energy and metabolism, etc. Recovery time varies wildly. I had my surgery on a Thursday, working around the house by Sunday, and completely off all pain medication by Tuesday. I think it depends a lot on pain tolerance and age, from what I can tell.
On the other hand, I developed a bleeding ulcer that put me in the hospital for 4 days at the beginning of my spring semester. I'm not trying to scare you (in fact, I recommend the surgery if you think it is good for you), but complications can happen at the worst times. My 4 day "vacation" really was rough in terms of school. Any longer and I would have had to drop classes.
As for skin, I've lost around 70 lbs and I'm only noticing a little bit of loose skin, although I still have a lot to lose. I thought when I got the surgery I was certainly going to have to worry about loose skin, but right now it doesn't seem bad at all. I'm not really sure about the drain -- I didn't have one.
David
On the other hand, I developed a bleeding ulcer that put me in the hospital for 4 days at the beginning of my spring semester. I'm not trying to scare you (in fact, I recommend the surgery if you think it is good for you), but complications can happen at the worst times. My 4 day "vacation" really was rough in terms of school. Any longer and I would have had to drop classes.
As for skin, I've lost around 70 lbs and I'm only noticing a little bit of loose skin, although I still have a lot to lose. I thought when I got the surgery I was certainly going to have to worry about loose skin, but right now it doesn't seem bad at all. I'm not really sure about the drain -- I didn't have one.
David
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