RNY LENGTH & BMI

How should  I approach the discussion with my surgeon about the  RNY length he chooses for me  because of my  low BMI w/o sounding like I am telling him what to do? That is not my intent.  I weigh 243 and am 5'8". In my pre-op class the nurse practitioner said w/lower BMIs the RNY length is adjusted and longer. 

I am scared I will not lose enough weight or it will be very difficult if that is the case.  My surgery is Tuesday afternoon at 1:00.  I cried all day yesterday.  Like most of us, this has been an uphill battle for me.  My BMI is not as high as some.  As a result, EVERYONE thinks this surgery is ridiculous.  I have even had that response inferred by some health care professionals who have been part of this process. 

So, I am trying to remain upbeat in spite of the lack of support.  I wonder if I had a really high BMI if this would be different.  I don't know.  I have complete confidence in my surgeon.  I did learn in my class that the length of the RNY can affect weight loss. 

I  read about RNY length once on this site.  A woman wrote she horribly failed at this.  She lost practically no weight.  In her research afterward, she said she learned  weight loss  depends on the pouch size and RNY length as well as lifestyle change.  Until her post, I did not know that.  She was angry.  

I then talked to a woman about 1 month ago.  She and her husband both had surgery w/the same surgeon.  They eat the same, have a business, so they are together 24-7.  She has barely lost 80 pounds 2 years out and can eat twice as much as her husband.  He has lost a lot. She asked her surgeon about this, and he told her all people are different.  I think she has deep questions about their procedures.

In my opinion, he skirted the question.  Obviously something is very different because she has her husband's experience as a measuring stick.  She said she is scared all the time about gaining weight again.  He still loses. So with my low BMI, I am really concerned about this.  I am  asking my surgeon about this on Friday.  I hope I don't start crying.  Gosh, I feel like a cry baby right now.

hmmm well hopefull my mom (patrece), kathy, or vic may have suggestions or anyone else.. i myself dont know. but congrats and dont ever care about someone elses opinion.. u have to live with your health not them and sometimes ppl tend to think this is the easy weight.. and men seem to lose weight much easier than we do, and i could see why she would eb so frustrated as well. keep your chin up and know we are here..

Just plain ask the surgeon what the plans are.  Express your concerns, you want to be fully informed about your surgery.  The physician will make the ultimate choice of the length, but needs to have your input and confidence.  And as Candy said, men have an easier time in general losing weight.  I don't have the specific research, but hear it all the time. 

There is an article on hormones and weight loss you need to read.  Find it under the 'blog' heading on the right side of this page, above Patrece's photo.  Goes a long way to explaining the sudden unexplained tears.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers this week Dasie.  Bring a list of questions with you for your visit.  I do that, helps me to not forget my (in my opinion) important questions.  If I don't bring a list, I always forget to bring up a topic or two that I have a question on.  Helps the health provider to give you all the info you need.

Hugs, Kathy

Okay, first I will confirm...Men do lose faster. Easier. Just how it is. But also, one thing you mentioned is how she can eat twice as much as he can. It could be possible that he kept his eating in check better than she did, and is finding better success due to that as well. We have little pouches to begin with. They enlarge as our portions do. If we eat too much, we stretch them to where they hold more and more.  It could be possible she is or has overdone it.

We just can't compare ourselves to others. We all go at our own rate and we each handle ourselves and needs differently. Our bodies all respond differently. There is no comparison. Look at Vick.. just over 10 months out and below goal. Here I am a year and 3 months out and still fighting to get my last 15 off. Just how it goes.

My advice to you is like Kathy said.. Just talk to your surgeon. Let him know what you have read, and your concerns and ask him what his plan for you is? Let him know what you'd prefer. If done in a nice way, he'll probably respect you more for being so proactive in your own care.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone, 

I started to just not say anything tomorrow.  I am very unassertive.  Writing in pseudo anonymity is much easier for me than asking face-to-face.  But I know me, if I start struggling I will be mad at myself for not asking.  I appreciate the comments about how differently everyone loses versus that it has to do with technique. 

Thanks again...

Dasie, consider this...bring your questions written out, as Kathy suggested, and then hand the sheet to your surgeon.  In this way, you won't have to be nervous about your emotional reactions as you verbally ask the questions.  Just tell the surgeon, "here are the questions I'd like to ask you.  I wrote them down so as not to forget a single detail. Maybe it's better you just read them."  And hand it over.

Would that make it more comfortable for you?  If it does, then do it and don't worry about whether that's the typical way to ask questions.  You are unique -- as am I, as is Patrece, as is Kathy, etc. We are not all going to do things the same way, and need to do things in the way that works best for us.

How might that work for you??  Best wishes!!


Guayas

Guayas,

That is an EXCELLENT idea.  I did not think of that, and it would be much easier for me.

Thank you

You are welcome.  And being able to be of assistance to you just made my day a little brighter!!!  So, thank you for reaching out!

:)  isn't this a great group!