Question:
How much trouble will my developmental disabled daughter have following post op diet?

My 23 year old daughter is mildly mentally retarded. We are contemplating having an RNY, have been to see the surgeon, but still have doubts about her ability to follow a post op diet. I guess my question is how difficult is it for someone who loves pizza and pasta?    — Christine V. (posted on February 10, 2002)

February 10, 2002
I teach kids with developmental disablities and I have a 39 year old sister who has a dev. dis. She has NOT had surgery but I help her with making her menus and to shop to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The diet following weight loss surgery is fairly simple but, being disciplined to adhere to it strictly is often challenging. Please email me and perhaps I can help. (((hugs)) and smiles =))
   — DebPKansas

February 10, 2002
It is my humble opinion that your daughter will do just fine. The RNY stomach is "self-limiting" if that makes sense. It will let you know when you've broken it's rules, because it will make you uncomfortable. Even the slowest of us quickly learn to follow the rules. Good luck to you!
   — Terissa R.

February 10, 2002
I have a developmentally disabled sister who is morbidly obese. My mom and I have expressed a wish that she could have this surgery but I have great doubts that she could successfully follow a plan. She eats compulsively now even if it leads her to being ill or in pain. Its never stopped her. Perhaps a DS would be a better choice for someone not capable of making wise food choices? That is NOT a slam to DSers believe me, but just an observation that they can usually eat a wider variety of food and in larger amounts than we RNYers. Also there would be issues of guardianship and who has the right to pursue this surgery for someone such as my sister. Your daughter is not a minor, is she able to give authorization for this herself? Your question gives me so much to think about in regards to my sister...I'd love to hear how your daughter does if she does have the surgery and what if any obstacles, legal or otherwise, that you come up against. Good luck.
   — Donna L.

February 11, 2002
While I'm only 2 1/2 months post-op, I had the same concerns about post-op diet. I was/am a pizza and pasta addict. I won't even go into the details here, however, I try to still allow myself those things now. I had a slice of pizza (less crust) for lunch today, and I will have pasta about once a week. I'm sure if you are working with your daughter on her diet you could make it through just fine. Good Luck!
   — Chloe S.

February 11, 2002
There are so many variables to this question that truly, only you and her doctor can answer. Having mild mental retardation can mean that she can live many different lifestyles. If she lives in a center, then the dietician can certainly see to it that she follows a diet correctly. If she lives in a group home, most likely it would be the same scenario except that she might have more access to food. If your daughter lives at home with you and will continue to do so, please be aware that even those of us whom society considers "mentally capable" or "normal" have our days when food just calls to us. Most of us can rationalize with ourselves and choose not to eat the bad stuff or at least limit the bad stuff that we eat. On the other hand, would your daughter have that self control or have the capacity to understand those urges and choose something else? I assume, if she lives at home, that you do not monitor her 24/7 in every room of the house as you said that she only has mild mental retardation. As I said, there are so many variable here but in my humble opinion (and I only "work" with those with retardation and don't live with them), I sincerely think this might be a hard road to hoe for her and for yourself. On the other hand, if she is extremely obese, this might be her only hope because, as I said, I know it's hard to follow a diet. Good luck in whatever choice you make for her. What a wonderful mom you must be to even consider making her life just alittle bit better like this.
   — Barbara H.