New to the Lightweights Board...

Hello everyone, just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Amy, I am 36 years old, married stay at home mom of two terrific boys age 16 and 9.  I am 5 feet 4 inches tall, 248 pounds, and BMI of 42, so I guess that makes me a lightweight.  Although, I don't feel like one! lol   I was wondering why some people on the RNY board kept calling me that. 

Anyhow, you can read more about me and my journey on my profile page.

I have chosen RNY, and am awaiting a surgery date- expected to be some time in November.  

Welcome to the LW board Amy!   Cindy

Amy, welcome to the lw board.

Yeah, it does feel odd to be known as a lw, doesn't it but when you are on the small end in a forum full of people needing wls and most of them exceed 45 bmi, yeah, we are small. Doesn't apply in the real world but it does here.

I know you've chosen the RNY but did you check out the other three as well? This forum is a mixture of all surgeries so we can answer questions about all of them if you would like.

Liz

Yes, thanks Liz, I did very extensive research on all 4 WLS before I made my final decision.  And, I would have gone with DS but no one in my area performs it, and it is not covered by my insurance.  I started out wanting Lapband, until I did more research, and for many reasons decided it was not for me. And, VSG, well, I need the malabsorption factor, for several reasons.  So, RNY it is.  I have one of the best surgeons and Bariatric surgery centers in the country, and he has done over 3500 RNY's to date, his track record and credentials are amazing, so I am confident that I have made the right choice. 

LOL, as long as you made an informed choice. Sorry it's not covered by your insurance. That's odd...you probably could have forced the issue if you wanted to depending on what and if you had co morbid conditions.

I don't know if you are aware of the research coming out about reactive hypoglycemia and the RNY but it's being noticed. You can check my profile for some articles and there is also a thread by Melting Mama here http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4240261/Well-this-is-a-first/ who has a RNY.

Just making you aware so if you do suffer the symptoms after the surgery, you will know how to handle it.

Liz

Thanks for the input Liz, yes I've done all of the research associated with RNY.  I am what you call a very informed/educated patient.  I usually go into a situation knowing more than my doctors do.  It annoys them at times, but at the same time, I can talk their "lingo" and carry on an educated conversation with them, and I think they appreciate that.    The research on the correlation between RH and RNY shows it is pretty rare.  More rare than the death rate from RNY.  MM is a very rare case, and although I feel for her, and her situation should not be taken lightly, she is by f ar the exception to the rule.  Many, many times there are very good reasons why people develop complications post op, and they are not always due to the surgery, it's due to other factors.  Pre existing conditions of the patient- whether known or unknown pre-op, family history that pre-disposes you to certain conditions, frequent dumping, not sticking to your post op programof diet and exercise prescribed by your surgeon.  There are so many variables. 

But, I am ready.  I am going in to this well informed, and ready to make the changes needed to make this a success. 

It just saddens me when I see those on OH who haven't lost much, or regain, or have a complication that can be explained by failure to stick to the program. They are the same ones who post questions asking if they can eat fried foods, and sugar a couple months out.  Or, they post that they are too tired to get out and walk or exercise but they don't understand why they aren't losing.  What saddens me even more are those who deliberately sabbotage themselves regularly by eating things they know will make them dump. 

I mean no offense to anyone here.  I know this is going to be a huge challenge when my time comes.  But I just think some people have gone in to this with their eyes half shut. 

I thank all of you for welcoming me to the lightweights board.  Other boards on here can be pretty negative, and so I am hoping to find some positive support here.  I hope my venting in this post hasn't deterred you from future chats with me.

Thank you Cindy, and congratulations on your weightloss!

Hi and welcome!!    I know what you mean about not feeling like a lightweight!!  I was a BMI of 42 also!! 

Welcome!  Yes, the first time I heard "lightweight" - I'm like "uhhh I'm not light"... but now understand the meaning.

I'm glad you've done your research.  That's one thing I DIDN'T do prior to WLS - I decided to do it and a month later had it done.  In that month timeframe I was getting all my testing done, etc.  While I'm very happy with my surgery and weight loss, I do wish I looked into DS.  The only thing is, is the surgeon that I used didn't do DS.. and I'm not sure if my insurance would have covered it.  They had my approved for RNY in 2 hours - I wasn't going to jinx that by any means!