Tracy McCarroll_16745

I had RNY 26 Jan 2012. Started at 268 and today I weigh 154. I feel and look healthy and feel better about myself than I ever have. Recently saw my family doctor for a complete physical and some tests and he called me to let me know the results. He said everything looked PERFECT. My bad cholesterol was low, my good cholesterol was high, my triglycerides and thyroid levels were all great! Thanks to the results of the surgery, I have come off of all medications I used to take: blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, GERD. I feel like I've been given my life back. I couldn't be happier!

My surgery date was 1/26/12, and I have lost 59 lbs this far. Starting weight was 268, current weight is 209. I truly believe the surgery has already given me my life back, and I am excited about the future. I have had struggles, as probably many RNY patients have. Recovery was definitely a lot more difficult than I had anticipated, though I would do it over at the drop of a hat, if I had it to do over again. I'm finally feeling "normal" for the most part, although I still have some occaisons when my food will come back up. And, I still have some discomfort with some foods. I am fine, most of the time, if I remember to eat very slowly and chew up my food VERY well. But, still can't get much down at a sitting. I had my 3 month post op appointment with the surgeon and he gave me disappointing news that I was not expecting and am sure I had never heard up to that point. He said that when I started my BMI was 41 and that for patients that have this surgery at that point, the average loses about 60% of their excess body weight, which in my case means only a 50 - 65 lb weight loss total. He could sense my disappointment and asked what I had expected and I told him I was expecting at least 100 lb weight loss. He said that is possible, but not probable. I am very grateful for the almost 60 lbs I have already lost, but I have determined I will NOT be a statistic. I'm going to lose 100 lbs regardless of what the averages are. That would put me at 168 and I would be healthy - not skinny, but healthy, and that has always been my goal. I am thankful to have come off all medications (Type II diabetes, cholestoral, blood pressure, GERD) but I want to live life to the fullest, and I will feel that I have accomplished what I had believed the surgery would help me to do when I reach the 100 lb weight loss goal. Wish me luck.

I had the same pain - I hadn't had a BM for almost a week and a half. And, as soon as I went, the pain was gone. That same pain returned anytime I was backed up. I also had some bleeding hemorroids as a result. I called the surgeon and they told me to take a stool softener. It helped some. Bottom line is if you have any questions, you should always call your surgeon to be safe. I'm sure they are used to answering those questions. There are no stupid questions when it comes to your health. And, they were paid well to field those phone calls!

I had my surgery on 1/26/2012. I took 2 weeks off, but felt 100% better after the first week. I had to come home from the hospital with a drainage tube and at my 1 week post op surgeon's visit, he removed the tube and the staples, and I felt so much better. I truly felt like I was getting better and stronger every single day. Still have some struggles, 4 months post op, but feel nearly normal again. This surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I've lost 59 lbs and am still losing.