Question:
Anyone with similar stats 5"1 320lbs. BMI over 60,Need input!
How much did you have bypassed, how did the surgery help you. Where you able to talk to your surgeon about how much you wanted bypassed? Or is it the Drs. decision? How much can I reasonably expect to loose? I am having it done open, how hard is recovery? Any answers anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. — jlflbf (posted on January 3, 2006)
January 3, 2006
Hello, Jennifer:
I had a BMI of 64, although I was able to have the RNY laparoscopically. My
surgeon didn't think LAP would work! He said he would start out that way,
but probably have to convert to an "open" procedure due to my
girth and co-morbidites. Per his instructions, I gave up red meat and fast
food a few months before surgery, which is supposed to shrink the liver and
increase chances of having the procudure laparoscopically. I went from a
high weight of 401 (I reduced to 364 at time of surgery) to a current
weight of 251 in 5 1/2 months. It was certainly worth it. I wish you luck
in your research, and I will be here to help support you via e-mail. Best
wishes, Pam
— pjwilsen
January 3, 2006
I have/had a BMI of 56 although out heights are different. I had my open
WLS on Sept 21st of 2005. My doctor did not duscuss the amount that would
be bypassed, I never thought to ask. I am sure it will vary with everyone
as everyones body is different. As far as recovery goes, they had me
walking within hours of my surgery, not far mind you but up and about. I
found walking gave me the most relief from my back. I was in the hospital
for 5 days (normal) and had someone stay with me for about two days.
Looking back it seems the recovery was very quick and simple. Stay
positive and excited you will fly thru it. Good luck to you. Remember ...
do what your doctor says. Please feel free to ask me any questions
personally @ [email protected]
— kchurchwell
January 3, 2006
are you having RNY or Dou Switch I had the surgery Sept 04 and lost 155
from 310 I feel great and look great (not to be conceited) but as i tell
everyone thinking about this surgery this is a tool not a fix you must have
a complete lifestyle change from the way you approach food. if you want
some one on one advise feel free to email me will be glad to give you all
the in's and out's that i experience but it is a positive thing for me and
i would do it again in a heart beat my email addy is
[email protected]
good luck
— rivercity4000
January 3, 2006
Hi Jennifer, I am 5'2 and started out at 338 , I had a BMI of 61. I don't
know how much was bypassed but I did have my surgery done open.I too would
have it done again in a heart beat. I had my surgery done Sept.29th and as
of 5 days ago I have lost a whopping 71 lbs. woo-hoo I feel great . Feel
free to Email me with any questions. [email protected]
— sunnie
January 3, 2006
I am 46 years old, pre surgery weight was 300#,5'2. Open rny, I think the
common channel was 6' to the y, proximal. This is up to the surgeon
weather it is distal or proximal. My incession was from my belly button to
my breast bone, he just used the old scar incession from gallbladder
removal. I have lost 150# @ goal 2.5 years post op and doing great. My
husband and daughter have both had wls and doing great also. All of our
comorbids are GONE. I have had breast reduction, and tt with anchor
incession, mons lift and I just had bilateral brachioplasty (arm bat wings
removed) 2 weeks ago. My body is now more perfect thatn it has been in my
46 years of living. I wear a size 10/12 jeans, med /large tops, breast
size from a 54FFF to a perfect perky 38C. WOW life couldnt be any better.
You will be so glad after you have this surgery it is truly a God send. Our
daughter has had 4 strictures she is 11 months post op, and 1 twisted
intestine, she is still doing great and says she would do it again in a
heartbeat. Just listen to your doctor, take your vitimans, calcium
citrate, B12 sublinguele, walk get plenty of exercise, and eat
protien,protien,protien first and drink lots of water. My recovery was
easy for me I have a high tollerance for pain. The more you move and get
up and walk you will heal much faster and feel better. I have trule
enjoyed this ride and this is truly the best decision I have made in my
life. I have my pix on my profile.
Good luck and enjoy the ride! Rosemary
— wizz40
January 3, 2006
Hey Jennifer,
I was 5 foot 3 inches, weight 365 lbs, with a BMI of 64. I had open BPD/DS
on July 2, 2002. Since then I've lost 210 lbs. My surgeon was very open
to discussing the specifics of my surgery - and in fact, believes
wholeheartedly in tailoring the surgery to the person. So, I was very
happy that he agreed that given my health history, family history, and
co-morbidities that I needed a surgery that did a LOT of the work for me.
(I was in a wheelchair for nearly 2 years prior to my surgery due to DJD in
my back, and grade 4 bilateral degeneration of the knees - so he knew
rigorous exercise would never be a part of my future!)
I've had 11 surgeries in my lifetime. Four of them have been abdominal
surgeries. My DS with Dr. Baltasar was probably one of the easiest
surgeries I've ever had. I'm typically on narcotics for months after an
abdominal surgery. I only used narcotics for one DAY after my DS. My
recovery was amazing - I thought it would be like the c-section from hell
that I'd had - it was a breeze in actuality.
If I were doing it over again now, though - I gotta say that I'd lean real
hard toward having the procedure done lap instead of open, though. Don't
get me wrong - my experience with my open surgery was great! BUT - I've
seen how beautifully those with higher BMI's have done with Dr. Baltasar
and well - to think about having post-weight loss plastic surgery with only
those tiny little port holes to show for it! Wow! That would be so cool!
(Granted - my gut looks something like a marked up road map given my
various trips to the ER!)
I'm so glad that my surgeon is such an advocate for his patients. I hope
for the same for you!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
January 3, 2006
Hi, I am 5'3, was 305 with a bmi of 55. And as far as suggesting to the Dr
how much I wanted bypassed, that never entered my mind because I figured as
a professional in this field, he knew what he was doing and I had
confidence in his judgement. I had mine June 14th of this year and have
lost 102lbs! I have been losing slowly because I lost 20lbs post op and
that put me in the "light weight" zone of 285. But I am still
happy with my weight loss. If you lose it slowly, your skin has some time
to catch up. Recovery is different for people, but usually recovery goes
well.
— Angelfirewithwings
January 3, 2006
I'm female, 5'2, and was 328 at surgery, BMI of 58..Surgery was April
2004.I am now at 168, so I've lost 160 pounds. I wear size 8/10 pants, s/m
tops and feel fantastic! You MUST use this as a tool, not as a
"fix". All of my bad health is gone .I weigh myself twice a day
because I'm not done. H/W charts say I need to lose another 40! Good luck,
email me at anytime..
— Chris T.
January 4, 2006
Hey, Jen. I am 5'1.5 and started out at 344 with a BMI of 62. I looked
around till I found a doctor who would do it lap, because a doctor friend
of mine warned me that open surgery is harder and longer to recover. He
said I should not do it open. I looked around and found a surgeon who had
a very low mortality rate and who had done over 800 surgeries. He was able
to do the lap procedure. I am now at 183, and just had my year
anniversary. I am so glad I did it, because I can tie my shoes
effortlessly. I also feel more like myself, since I was not fat till I had
kids.
good lluck whichever way you go!
— Novashannon
January 5, 2006
Hello Jennifer,
I am 5'3" and started at 340 pounds and had open RNY.
I am three weeks post-op and have lost 24 pounds. I did my research for a
hospital and surgeon. You want the hospital to be very informed about the
procedure cause they will be taking care of you afterwards. St Vincent
Charity in Cleveland was WONDERFUL! I had a lot of pain the day of surgery,
but then I threw up and had horrible hiccups that day. By 3 am I felt great
and very little discomfort. I had surgery on Tues and went home on Friday.
I had no real discomfort except for when going from sitting to standing
position the first week. I healed so fast and can move so well already. I
can walk one mile in less than 30 minutes. I feel great...I think you will
too.
I hope this helped! If you want to ask anymore questions my email is
[email protected]. Do your research, ask every question that you have and
find a Dr that is supportive, knowledgable and has done the surgery you
want many times.
I had a great Dr, Dr Sonpal. GOOD LUCK!
— Liz521
January 5, 2006
Hi Jennifer, I'm 5' 3" and started at 316 lbs. I lost 10 pounds
presurgery and had a lap-band done two weeks ago. I've lost another 10
pounds and feel great. You do lose more slowly with the lap-band but the
5-year results are compatible with RNY and I like the fact the plumbing
doesn't get cut & rearranged.
Good Luck! Kim
— Kim S.
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