Question:
After surgery will I be able to contine my present lifestyle? as a busy

Currently I am a busy executive. Most of my meals are eaten in restaurants. My travel schedule is very hectic, I am rarely at home. Many people have had very negative things to say: MY quality of life will be compromissed and Because of gastric problems, I will not be able to interface with people. with people. Could this be true? Please respond.    — Judith S. (posted on January 6, 2000)

January 6, 2000
Are the people telling you this folks who have had WLS? And just what type of WLS are you planning on? I had open RNY distal, and have had no problem being around people at all ... shopping, meetings, restaurants, whatever. Problems arise when we make poor food choices (greasy, sweet) which can happen at home, in a hotel or at work. This takes planning and effort. For me, having soup while out works best, and if that isn't an option, I have no problem taking home a doggy bag of leftovers. This is just my experience ... my life suffered much more drastically when morbidly obese than post-op. Cindy
   — Cynthia B.

January 6, 2000
Who told you that your quality of life would diminish?I am 2 and a half years post op, and I eat in restaurants all the time. I travel, I get around about a thousand percent better than I did as an obese woman. I also think that people take me much more seriously tnan they did before. This surgery will enhance your life and your career!
   — [Anonymous]

January 6, 2000
I am 2 1/2 years post op VBG. I am a busy executive, eating on the go. It is a challenge and you will have to learn what you can eat that does not cause an acute problem, but take it slow, eat what you know you can eat when you are at a restaraunt or with clients. this will avoid embarrasing problems which in turn will discourage you. After you get used to it all, It will be the best thing you ever did.
   — Cindy G.

January 6, 2000
Hello Judith From what i have read and heard from different people the recovery and back normal activity is faster when the procedure is done Laporoscopically. As far as long lasting effects it seems to me that folks that have had the surgery more that a year ago have no trouble interacting normally. I have asked that question before myself as i am a very active mom and very active at work. I hope all goes well for you. Have you decided on a doctor or even to have surgery yet? Regards, Diana (your neighbor in St. Clair Shores, MI)
   — Diana G.

January 6, 2000
I had surgery with Dr. Batay-Csorba three and a half months ago, and already I am able to eat most normal foods including restaurant foods. I just have to choose carefully, and take home the left-overs. I have not had any gastric problems since I got past the liquid phase of eating. I think I am able to associate with people better now than I did before just because I am 65 pounds lighter, and more "normal" sized. Don't listen to those nay-sayers unless they have some real experience with RnY on which to base their criticism. I would say you will need to take a few weeks off from your busy schedule, and then work back up to your normal lifestyle--but better! Good Luck!
   — Lynn K.

January 6, 2000
I have to agree with everyone here. I would expect your quality of life to improve DRAMATICALLY following WLS. You'll have to take it easy and recover properly, though. Take enough time off. If you're worried about your job and work for a company with more than 50 employees, take Family Medical Leave. I lead a very busy lifestyle as well - I am a young widow with two toddlers who works full time, attends grad school part time, and cares for our household and family obligations with no support. I can't wait to have the energy to meet the demands of my life! Good luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 6, 2000
Not only will you be able to continue with your lifestyle, You will in actuality look more professional as you dine in a restaurant. Many restaurants have a smaller luncheon size portion available as well. I would recommend that if you are the one who must take clients out, get to know 2 or 3 restaurants fairly well and talk to the managers in advance as to what you need to restrict, etc. so that you do not have to do it in front of your client. It will only be the first few months that you may have problems eating in a restaurant.
   — Judy S.

January 6, 2000
Yes you can live a normal lifestyle. In fact I eat out often and only order small portions or appetizers depending on where I am eating. I work for the Postal Service and interact with others and there is no problem except that now I have so much energy I get irritated when they lolly gag around and leave me to do the work!!
   — Cathy D.

January 6, 2000
It takes awhile to get into the swing of things, taking your supplements, getting in enough water, etc. But it would after gall bladder surgery or whatever. Today, I live in my car a LOT and eat fast food, on the run. After the initial break-in period, I live a pretty normal life.
   — vitalady

January 6, 2000
Judy, Everyone is different. I have no real gastric problems. I am only four weeks post op. If you are careful about what you order (I figure we will be sticking to the appetizer menu or soup), you will be fine. It also depends what procedure you are talking about. Apparently with a distal they take a lot of intestine and you could have some problems. Good luck!
   — Marjie W.

January 6, 2000
Judith, I am exactly one month post op from an open RNY. If there is only one piece of wisdom you get from this site, let it be this: no two people will have the exact same experience when it comes to this surgery. If you can talk with patients who have had this procedure done by your chosen surgeon, that will help tremendously. I know I can't eat whatever I want, whenever I want. New foods have to be added slowly and with caution. My doc warned with my procedure the first six months my ability to keep foods down could vary. One day I may tolerate a certain food, the next it might upset my tummy. I definitely know little by little, day by day, things are getting better. Good luck and do lots of research ahead of time.
   — Julie M.

January 6, 2000
No way! I am busy with full time career and grown family. I eat out all the time and it's not a problem at all. I actually prefer to eat out lots of times because then I don't have to deal with the cooking, I can just take my time and enjoy the eating part. I send alot of food back uneaten and that felt very wasteful at first but now I take the good stuf home for a later meal or snack and don't waste quite as much. The fresh fruits are the most difficult to buy out so I make sure I have lots of them at home and in my little fridge at work. You manage creative ways to get what you need so don't worry you'll be fine. And resturants, as I'm sure you know, are very used to accomodating a wide variety of specials needs these days. This proceedure has been a real miracle for me. I feel it's given me a second chance at a full and normal life. Good Luck. Carol in Philly
   — Carol M.

January 8, 2000
If anything my quality of life has improved greatly. As a nurse I was always busy between work and home and was exhausted because of it. Now I am still busy but have more energy than I know what to do with. I can work a double shift and come home and still put in an hour of exercise!! My house looks better than it has in years and my social life has not slowed at all. You will learn what is best for you to order. Others have given you good suggestions, and I would like to add to that list a small Chicken breast ceasar salad (eat around the croutons.) Your clients will be used to seeing a woman order a salad and after you are ok'd to eat raw veggies salads are one of the few foods that compact so much when you chew it that you can eat a pretty large amount. No one will notice that you are eating differently. ~:o)
   — Lisa O.

Click Here to Return