Question:
SCARED AND NERVOUS

I AM CONSIDERING GASTRIC BYPASS AND AM ATTENDING THE SEMINAR IN LITTLE ROCK ON FRIDAY. I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGHT FOR MANY MANY YEARS. I AM 31 YRS OLD AND WEIGH 258. I KNOW THAT I WANT TO HAVE THE SURGERY PREFORMED BUT AM APPREHENSIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE A 7 YR OLD BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER. I GUESS I HAVE THE NORMAL CONCERNS.... MY SURGEON I AM CONSIDERING DOES THE LAPROSCOPIC OVER THE OPEN RNY. ANYONE HAD LAPROSCOPIC....? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AND WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OVER OPEN BESIDE HEALING TIME, SCAR LESS RISK OF INFECTION? I WOULD JUST LIKE SOME GUIDANCE IF YOU WOULD HAVE THE SURGERY ALL OVER AGAIN? WERE THE POST OP PROBLEMS GREATER THAN YOU IMAGINED? HOW HARD IS IT TO SEE A HAMBURGER AND NOT WANT TO EAT THE ENTIRE THING. I KNOW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY AND THEY SAY YOU JUST DONT WANT IT .... YOU DONT HAVE THE DESIRE LIKE BEFORE... THAT IS HARD FOR ME TO IMAGINE I GUESS SINCE I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROCEDURE DONE. ANYONE KNOW A GENERAL MORTALITY RATE FOR LAPROSCOPIC PROCEDURES AND HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN DONE? IS IT SAFER DUE TO BEING AROUND LONGER TO HAVE IT DONE OPEN?    — LORIDENISE (posted on March 22, 2006)

March 21, 2006
Have you considered the lapband. Go on to the boards and check it out.
   — ELIZABETH C.

March 21, 2006
I had my lap RNY performed by Rex Luttrell (LR) on December 12, 2002 - I would do this over and over and over again, if I had to. I never had a problem, except I ate a baked potatoe too soon and paid for it. There could always be problems that arise from any surgery, but for me, the risk was worth it. I was 31 when I had my surgery. My starting weight was 272. I lost down to 160 and have now regained to 184. My goal is around 155 (150 to 160) is good for me. As far as the food is concerned...in the beginning you won't crave stuff like you did before - my advice is to NEVER "test" the tool. Don't eat a bite of cake or a cookie or simple carbs...just don't do it. Don't overeat - don't drink with your meals - stick to the rules of the pouch and you will be a success. I slowly began eating carbs and drinking with my meals. I also drank alcohol, which aided greatly in some of my regain...along with having a baby last year. Stick to the rules - exercise - and you will be fine!
   — Shelia N.

March 22, 2006
I had Rny Lap 8/05. I do not regret getting the surgery. I am sure most of us who had the surgery will say the same. I am 50 years old with a BMI of 37 before the surgery.And so far have not had any complications from the surgery. But, that not is not true for all who have it. I have been taken off half of my meds. Including blood pressure and reflux meds. To this day I don't feel hunger pains. I do have have cravings and have to decide if it is emotional cravings or if my body is needing nourishment. My taste for food cravings have change. Things that I loved to eat I don't anymore. Weird isn't it. I was very tired the first couple of months then started feeling great. Before I decided to have the surgery, I went on every web site that was available to me. There is a lot a info to take in. But a must read before sugery. This website is the best of them all. It covers just about everything that most of us go through and you get lots of support. Make sure you interview more than one doctor. You want to find one who you fully trust and will be comfortable with to ask any question and get a truthful answer. You can never get enough info! Wishing you well in whatever decision you make. Phyllis
   — auntnanan04

March 22, 2006
I am also pre-op and I have been dealing with alot of the same issues in reguards to you children. I have a 12 years old son and a 5 year old daughter, I feel after I have surgery I will have so much more energy and want to do so much more with them. I learned from my health coach that the laproscopic heals much faster and the results are the same as the open. About the desires to eat the old way, I have those fears too but I remind myself that I will be have major surgery and altering my body do I really want to ruin my chance at being healthier?
   — Tanya1992

March 22, 2006
I had my Lap RNY on 01/31/06 (I am 7 weeks post-op). I had a great surgeon (but I am in California). I did experience some complications during surgery and spent some time in ICU. I have also had some minor (what I would call minor) complications after surgery. I will tell you what I tell everyone, yes I would do it again if I had to. Even knowing and gone through what I have, absolutely I would do it again. I have two children, my daughter is 6 and my son will be 1 this month. I had the surgery partially for them. So that I will be healthier and more active. My weight before surgery was 261 lbs and I am down to 228. I want to be around 160-165 lbs. One thing that was said in my seminar that I thought was awesome advice is that no surgeon can guarantee that your surgery will start and end as laproscopic surgery. If they do, walk out and find another surgeon. You want to know that if they need to (for various reasons) or if they cannot see via the laproscopic view, that they will open you up to finish the surgery. A doctor cannot guarantee you anything. They can guide you in your decision and give you the information and tools to make those decsions. Good luck and I wish you the best.
   — pmrazo

March 22, 2006
Hi Lori... good luck to you. I just wanted to comment on one thing...how your friend said that "you just don;t want it". I have to say that that person is in the minority maybe for the first several months you do not want food but now at 10 months out my cravings are a s strong as ever and it is a battle daily to eat right. The surgery fixes your anatomy not your brain if emotional eating is a problem now don't expect surgery to fix it! Anyway everbody is different and I wish you all the luck in the world.... lap procedures are safer in general. mine was open and i wish I had the oppportunity for lap because of the scarring but I guess that is a small price to pay to feel good about myself and finally happy!!! Take care!
   — SteffieBear15

March 22, 2006
Would I do it over again? Absolutely. Check out my profile at http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=K1086997093 This is truly a new lease on life for a guy who is 21 months out and just turned 40. Down 180 pounds and feeling great.
   — kulproof

March 22, 2006

   — [Deactivated Member]

March 23, 2006
While you are considering your options, make sure that you start a weight loss program IMMEDIATELY with your regular doctor, and that they monitor your weight loss now -- even if you dont actually loose any weight. Most insurances require a 6mo Dr monitored weight loss program. This way you will be ahead of the insurance game when you finally make your decision.
   — tweazee

March 25, 2006
What they mean when they say that they dont want the hamburger anymore is more like, the first time you ATTEMPT to eat the tempting burger, you will be in so much pain, you will definately not want it the next time you see a burger :) its that simple. At least that is how I would put it. had my surgery done in 2001, open RNY. If i was able to choose before i had the surgery, knowing what i know now i would have had it lap. Less complications with lap. Less likely that my son would have ended up motherless, ya know....... but open worked out just fine for me, so either one. Kim
   — Kimberly Felan

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