AstroGuy

Surgery date was 5/19 so almost two weeks. Thought I would update. I have to be honest, the first 3 - 4 days sucked! Nothing specific to the RNY just surgery in general (and I am a baby). Incision pain and internal stomach pain was not good. Spent 4 days in the hospital which was fine. Lots of pain meds and the nursing staff was awesome. I came hope totally scared of the new "system", i.e. digestive system. Worried I would eat to much or to fast or too hot, too cold, etc. Slowly figured how it works. Not as sensitive as I thought. Incisions still hurts but they have started to itch whis is a good sign. Had to rip off the steri-strips. Tired but getting better day by day. Absolutely no physical hunger. Which is weird. I could honestly go an entire day without eating I think. Dietician told me to concentrate on liquids. I am getting about 50 to 60 oz a day and it is really hard to get more, you just can't drink that much at a time to make it add up. Stopping 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after food is a killer. Sipping is also a little tough. I have learned that I don't have to "sip" but rather take 1 moderate drink at a time. Any more then one and I can feel it. In terms of food, while not hungry there is certainly cravings. For some reason ice cream is on my mind. I think it is sugar withdrawal! Also 3 oz of food is a lot. I feel stuffed if I eat that much. In terms of weight, I started the 2 week preop diet at 240, surgery date was 233, came home from the hospital at 255. They pumped enough IV fluid into me that I was physically bloated, it was aweful. After the first few days that came off. For the last week I've been losing about a pound a day, which is what my doctor said I would lose. I am male and have a typical beer belly which means it should be easy to lose a lot of weight up front. I can already feel the difference in my clothes. I guess that is about it. If any one has questions feel free to ask. Thanks for listening! Astro

I posted this in the post surgery forum but I thought I would also post this here since people may find it helpful before their surgery! Surgery date was 5/19 so almost two weeks. Thought I would update. I have to be honest, the first 3 - 4 days sucked! Nothing specific to the RNY just surgery in general (and I am a baby). Incision pain and internal stomach pain was not good. Spent 4 days in the hospital which was fine. Lots of pain meds and the nursing staff was awesome. I came hope totally scared of the new "system", i.e. digestive system. Worried I would eat to much or to fast or too hot, too cold, etc. Slowly figured how it works. Not as sensitive as I thought. Incisions still hurts but they have started to itch whis is a good sign. Had to rip off the steri-strips. Tired but getting better day by day. Absolutely no physical hunger. Which is weird. I could honestly go an entire day without eating I think. Dietician told me to concentrate on liquids. I am getting about 50 to 60 oz a day and it is really hard to get more, you just can't drink that much at a time to make it add up. Stopping 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after food is a killer. Sipping is also a little tough. I have learned that I don't have to "sip" but rather take 1 moderate drink at a time. Any more then one and I can feel it. In terms of food, while not hungry there is certainly cravings. For some reason ice cream is on my mind. I think it is sugar withdrawal! Also 3 oz of food is a lot. I feel stuffed if I eat that much. In terms of weight, I started the 2 week preop diet at 240, surgery date was 233, came home from the hospital at 255. They pumped enough IV fluid into me that I was physically bloated, it was aweful. After the first few days that came off. For the last week I've been losing about a pound a day, which is what my doctor said I would lose. I am male and have a typical beer belly which means it should be easy to lose a lot of weight up front. I can already feel the difference in my clothes. I guess that is about it. If any one has questions feel free to ask. Thanks for listening! Astro

Cass First off I didn't think any one else would have a Friday surgery date and the only reason my guy did it was that he was on call anyway! I went out today for the first time to a deli and the look I got from the girl at the counter was priceless. I ordered turkey and cheese. She asks what kind of bread...none thank you...mustard....no....lettuce.....no just turkey and salad. I eat about half and was fine. What is killing me the not drinking and eating thing.

I was on the protein shake diet for 6 months about a year ago. Nothing but shakes, lost 65 lbs. The ONLY way I would drink it was with ice. It was like a ice cream shake. I actually like it.

My Dr told me the scale is irrelevant for the first 2 to 3 weeks as the body heals. I know I gained 15 to 20 pounds the two day after surgery. He said the body gets a little out of wack SINCE HE TOTALLY REWIRED YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACK! HE made me laugh at that one. He told me to note weigh until i see him for follow up.

I made it. Surgery on Friday and out of the hospital today. Feeling mixed right now. Not hungry, not nauseous. My belly is really distended and bloated. It is making me uncomfortable at this point. Getting the liquids in is tough and getting the food down equally as difficult. Doctors and staff was incredible. You know you have the right nurses when they do a little happy dance for passing gas and a big dance (with high fives) when you actually go! When I feel better I try to right a better description of my experience. Here we go.

Surgery date of May 19th! PreOp appointment tomorrow. Really nervous and excited. I can see light at the end of the tunnel, just preying it is not the train! I have a long list for the doctor and the dietician. I am constantly questioning if I am doing the right thing or am I going to wake up in 6 months and think it was a huge mistake and should have left well enough alone! I could use some encouragement!

You do not have to tell him anything. In fact all he needs to know is that you are going out on medical leave. FMLA does protect you from being fired for leaving. The company doesn't have to pay you but they cannot fire you. Depending on the company, if you carry short term disability you have to tell them when you apply for it but they CANNOT tell him specifics. FMLA and HIPA cover this. I didn't tell my boss and we are pretty close.

So are you going sleeve or bypass. For me if is going to do it, I wanted an one an done, go all the way. That way I don't have to go back. It turns out that there were medical reasons my doctor wanted me to go bypass (mainly reflux). Banding is relatively minor compared to sleeve and sleeve is less the bypass but I figure while they have me out I would give myself the best chance!

Check with your doctor but I bet he says no. But that is up to him.

I have to be on pureed food before I can leave the hospital. He wants to make sure I can tolerate protein before discharge.

Surgery is Friday. Still nervous as heck. I am starving on the pre-surgery diet (which is strange since I was on it for a year and didn't think it was a big deal). I am scared of the change, scared of the result if if doesn't work. I am educated on what is going on, I've seen the people that have been transformed, surgeon is very confident, dietician (who I've known for 3 years now) is confident, wife is confident. Everyone is positive but I am still worried. I just fear the day that I wake up and think "What the hell did I do?" I won't back down because I know the alternative is not good. In my head I know it is the right thing. I am a confident person on the outside but am filled with self doubt. Is this a bad decision? Am I asking for to much? Should I just leave well enough alone. I am sure that this is normal but that doesn't make those feelings go away. Rant over. Thanks all Astro.

My surgery is Friday and I am almost totally freaked. I am confident that I will lose the weight. My biggest concern is that I will be miserable afterwards. I will miss eating alot or feel like a freak for not eating. My sister had a sleeve and she said both of those are not issues after you get used to it. Still freaking. Ed

My surgery is Friday!!!! I had several pre-ops. The first was with the surgeon. We discuss exactly what was going to go on. He wanted to make sure he understood what was going to happen from my perspective. I then asked several questions. I had a list on my phone. Gall bladder removal? 25% of people have to go back for follow up procedures. The largest cause is gall bladder removal. I asked if he planned on removal. He said unless I had a history of gall stones he did not plan removal it but would put me on a med for gall stones for six months to prevent that. I was good with the answer. Would I be intubated and would I wake up intubated? Yes and no, not normally. Unless there was a problem I would wake up with a scratchy throat but no tube. Cathator tube. I will have a cathator for the day of and night of the surgery. I will also need a drainage tube that will drain from you midsection. What did he see as my final weight. Because the weight is in my belly he expected that the final weight loss would be around 80% of excess weight or about 165 to 170 ish. I said surgeons would fight to have me cause there is a huge chance of success and little risk on the surgery. I asked him how he knew how much stomach to remove and where to put the bypass onto the intestine. He was very specific on that answer which beyond typing in a note!! The important thing is had wasn't guessing or using experience. He had specific distance and landmarks. I am having an awful time this year with seasonal allergies and I wanted to make sure there weren't any concerns. There is not. At that appointment I also spoke to the dietician about the first to weeks post surgery. I also had an "appointment" with the surgical nurse to get a history on me (allergies, meds, etc). I then had an in-face appointment with anesthesia doc. He did a history and talked about what would happen (I made sure he knew I wanted lots of happy meds prior). We also talked about pre-surgery antiseptic wipe down. This was new for me, and I have had several surgeries. Shower night before, wipe down, clean sheets, then a wipe down at hospital. Ready to go!

I'm thinking about bypass surgery but one thing I am concerned with is what to tell people. I am probably a typical male, I don't want to tell anyone. I don't even want to tell my 22-year-old kids. My wife has convinced me to tell them (and the rest of my family) but honestly, I don't want to discuss it with other friends or co-workers. Last year I lost 65 lbs (gained half back) and from that experience, people are really nosey. "Tell me what you are doing", "Are you OK", "Are you sick"? I mean seriously if I was sick like that do you think I would want talk about it? How do others handle that? Some people are right up front which is fine. How do those of you that are a little more reserved handle questions? Ed

Do you have an option for another surgical office, not just another surgeon in the same practice? I don't think you would be starting over. All the files and history could be transferred. Also try talking to the surgeon. I did this for another surgery I had that was administratively screwed up. The doctor had no clue what was going on in the office part. He was not happy as it was costing him money and not getting to the OR faster. The office completely changed after that. They were on the insurance and follow up appointments. Made a difference. Good luck.

Mine is May 19th. It is a Friday which is actually good timing, the doctor is on call that weekend anyway and hospitals are generally much less busy on the weekends!

Frustrating update. I love the staff at the weight loss clinic at my hospital. They have been part of my life now for 2 plus years. I like my surgeon but his scheduler is driving me crazy. I called insurance on a Friday and was told I was approved. The next Wednesday I received a letter in the mail. Friday called the office and asked about scheduling. She says she has no idea as she hasn't checked her mail. She will check and call me back. Nothing.....called her the next Wednesday (and she says the 15th is already booked (?they are the ones that set that date?), it would have to be the May 8th or in June. I can't do the 8th (I have to travel that week but I also don't want to wait until June! She says she will talk to the doctor about the 19th since he is on call that weekend anyway. Call this morning and she hasn't talked to him! I need to make some plans here. I will be out of commission for 3 weeks! I have a job that I need to plan around. This is serious stuff! OK. Feel better now.

Jumped through the hoops and over the hurdles and was approved by insurance. The preliminary date is May 15th. Nervous and excited! Wish me luck. Ed

I think it is more a problem for men than women, after all something like 80% of surgeries are on women. I am extremely private about it. My wife knew from the beginning, of course. I didn't even want to tell my 22year old kids, my immediate family nor in laws. This is despite the fact that my sister had sleeve surgery and not much said. I told my kids and family. I told her she could tell her family. This is by far the most radical thing I have ever done. I not just talking about medically, it probably is for most of us. I mean of anything. I haven't climbed K2, hiked the amazon, etc. About the most exotic thing I do is go the Canada on a fishing trip! I am so seriously average middle aged white I am the poster child. I really don't want the judgement from people that do not understand what is involved. Seriously, even judgement from those that are big and understand the diet thing. It has been embarrassing enough from the medical community getting ready for it. I have had two doctors say "YOU'RE having surgery?" I have to tell them I have five of the six preconditions so medically it is the best option. They usually say "You carry your weight well." My pancreases would disagree! As for my co-workers, it is none of their business. My bosses will not know either. I have told them I am having surgery. That is it. They can't ask me about it. When I come back I will say I am back on the my low carb diet and it will probably be a non-issue. Having said all if that I am more private than most.

Glad I saw this. I love refried beans....plain!!!

Everyone has these issues and concerns. This is serious stuff! Your family is concerned about something drastic but they have not walked in your shoes. My wife was really against it at first but over time has come around and is just concerned. I personally have waffled on the decision but in the end realize there are three things that impact my decision. First, if I do nothing different I will continue to be overweight. I've lost weight in the past (a lot of it) but it comes back. Hunger is powerful motivator. It is primitive emotion, just think of the animals around you. They will always eat if given the opportunity. What keeps wild animals thin is not metabolism but rather lack of excess food. Hunger will always drive you. Yes some people can eat as much as they want but we ain't them! The first year hopefully I will be able to divorce eating and hunger from each other and learn there is a difference between the two. I will learn to not eat all the time. I am a diabetic that is weight controlled for now but I know it will slowly become a problem if nothing is done. The second factor is volume. I know I will not be able to just anything I want at the volume I want. Our stomachs are designed to expand to work in a feast/famine world. The problem is now there is no famine for us, just feast. By severely reducing the volume I can eat at one time I will not be physically able to consume, consume, consume. If I try to consume to much it will come back out. I imagine the is not pleasant so I will naturally try to avoid it. It is not worth shoving food in to throw it back up. Third is dumping. My research is that the things that cause dumping are those food you want to avoid anyway, RNY or not. My sister has the sleeve (so not as likely to dump) but certain foods disagree with her. For her it is just not worth the discomfort of those food. Cakes and bread are a problem for her. Much more than a bite or two she knows she will have a problem. Just not worth it for her. I guess a forth one for me is the type of surgery. I am not really a good candidate for a sleeve since I have GRD but the success rate of the RNY is so much better. I always look at the average (not the best case, not the worst case) and the RNY weight loss is significantly better at getting close to ideal weight. My last thoughts are these. Give your family time to come to terms with it. It has taken me months to resolve this in my own head and just as long for my wife. I was able to articulate that I wasn't doing this look or even feel better. I am doing this for my health. I want to have a higher quality of life for longer.

Going down the RNY road and I was thinking about the changes that will occur after surgery. I am multiple pills and some of them will hopefully be removed from the rotation!! These would be cholesterol, BP (2x), and acid blocker. I do take one pill for anxiety that will never, ever be removed and it is a horse pill. What do I do about that one? It is a capsule so it could be opened and mixed with food but when it has gotten stuck in my thought in the past the taste is pretty nasty. Also what about other medications. I occasionaly take pain meds and some sleeping meds. How do those kinds of medicines effect you after bypass? Can you take them? Are they absorbed? Is it quick acting or does it take forever before they take effect? So many things I never thought about! Astro.

Gas from blowing up your stomach cavity or gas from....natural sources?

No way! Wow is all I can say!!! Awesome. And how do you feel. I bet the smile says it all! Astro