Question:
Has anyone else had a lap RNY that took 9 hours? I can't believe my surgery took

that long. It scares me when I think about it. I don't like the idea of being under for that length of time. I swear it damaged some brain cells! Also, I lost 21# in 3 weeks, but haven't lost a thing in this 4th week. Has anyone else done that? I am really bummed. I have been getting my protein. Thanks for all responses.    — JoAnn A. (posted on March 31, 2003)

March 31, 2003
That seems a bit long. But as long as your ok, you can afford to shuck a few brain cells. Keep doing the right things. the weight will drop, promise :)
   — Bill P.

March 31, 2003
9 hrs does seem long but i was under for 4 with a lap that ended up being open cause when they were repairing me they slipped and the staple stapled my bowel. I was only suppose to be out for 2 hrs. I lost about 1lb a day for the first three weeks and then slowed down on losing, my doctor asked if i cheated and i didnt. I was kinda ticked for a second. I guess he thought i should of still been losing 1lb a day. I wasnt allowed to eat for 6 weeks, only full liquids. i wouldnt sweat the slow down on weight, i thought i was hovering at 225 for a long time but wasnt, my scale was acting up. Just keep exercising and eating right and it will all come together. good luck
   — rachel W.

March 31, 2003
I agree with the other posters -- 9 hours seems WAY too long. (Mine took 1.5 hours). But I wanted to address your other concern. Sweetheart, at the risk of sounding blunt, THROW AWAY THE DAMN SCALE. If you're going to get bummed when you have a week with no loss, you are in for a very, very long road. I read so many posts on here that all say the same thing -- some variation on "I've only lost x amount of pounds in x weeks/months/hours/whatever" and I get soooo frustrated. I cut you a break because you ARE a relative newbie, so I know you don't know any better (you just haven't been through it like the rest of us). You will lose weight, honey, I promise. I SWEAR!! You might have weeks with no loss, you might have weeks where you GAIN weight. But I promise you, a year from now, you won't even remember this week. Keep your chin up. You're doing amazing.
   — Tamara K.

March 31, 2003
JoAnn, did you ask your surgeon if he ran into some problems during the surgery? I agree, that is extremely long, but atleast you are fine now. And as for the weight loss- you've done great! Also, a large amount of people, almost seems like a majority of people after WLS for some reason or another run into a plateau at 3 weeks post-op. It's our body's way to catch up from all that weight loss! DO not worry about it, you're doing great and this happens to so many people! Goodluck to you
   — Lezlie Y.

March 31, 2003
I agree with Tamara - <font color=red><b>keep off the scale!!!</b></font> I had my surgery last July 17. The first time I got weighed post op? At my 3-week follow-up on August 6. The second time - at my September support group meeting on September 14. That's twice in my first two months. The last time I got weighed - at my last support group meeting on March 5. I've got another meeting tomorrow night and I will get weighed then. When you weigh yourself every day, or every other day, or even every week, you pick up little fluctuations in the weight. Women's weight loss tends to go in cyclical fashion from what I have read here over the past year. Just follow your surgeon's diet and exercise program and the weight <b>will</b> come off! And with longer times between weigh-ins, you'll get to see larger chunks of weigh loss. 20# since your last weigh-in is much more enjoyable to the ego than 10 losses of 2# during that same period...JR
   — John Rushton

March 31, 2003
My lap rny took about 7 hours with 2 surgeons!! My anatomy was a bit funky and they had to actually do mine from behind the stomah even though they went in the front..everyone is different so dont sweat it!! I hit the plateaus too and at 4 months I was actually 20 pounds behind "schedule". I hit goal at 12 months though..it will come off..give it time!!
   — kittycat

April 1, 2003
Well, 9 hours is not normal so I would ask what took so long? Luckily you are OK. As for not losing in the 4th week, it is very common to hit your first small plateau after 3 weeks post-op. It wont last too long. And a big DITTO to everything that Tamara said!! I too try to patiently answer the newbies that freak when they have a week with no weight loss. I wish more of them would read the library first before posting such questions as it gets asked several times a week, but thats OK, we're here for ya! Keep on asking ....honest!
   — Cindy R.