mrsjo

Our surgeon and educational staff said if you have the bypass your pain is worse on left bc that’s where they insert the largest trocar. If you have sleeve it tends to be on the right because that’s where the largest one is with that procedure. This may not be the same surgeon to surgeon but for what it’s worth that’s what they said. It is such bad pain sometimes people go to the ER so they wanted us to know up front what it was. Good to know you’re feeling better though 😀

I’m up for whatever my surgeon has the most proficiency in. They are the experts. If they have done more one way or the other or have better skill (not as if they would say that) with one way or the other I would be most comfortable with that. My surgeon does all other surgeries robotically, however the RNY and sleeve he does laparoscopically. He says they’ve fine tuned it down to a very short operating time and having no issues and at this point aren’t switching that because he says “anytime you start changing technique you always have some issues”. Sounds like he isn’t willing to risk the “test patients”. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me and the previous surgeon I switched from decides on the last preop appointment which one she will do. I never found out what made her lean one way or the other. I’m guessing it has to do with size?

I’m still in the preop phase before RNY, but at a recent support group I was told something I’ve been somewhat puzzled about. My program leader, at least over education, really promoted being mindful and eating by Portion Control not so much calories, etc. They do emphasize getting all the protein requirements and give guidelines, but were more concerned we learn portions than calorie counting or tracking for all the macros. This is a new concept to me and I’m wondering for those of you who’ve had surgery and been some years out what actually works best for the long haul? I’ve always learned or thought we would keep up our macros, calories, all that to the last dot everyday by way of a tracker or journal.

I absolutely love that tiny bowl!!! I’ve been trying to eat off small plates in this preop phase but I really need to find something that I know only holds “x” amount of food, or at least close estimation.

Agree about intuitively eating into obesity! Those were my thoughts exactly. I just wondered as time went on if anyone had developed more intuitive behaviors or if tracking really is the way to stay.

Well after being in the process 6 months with one doctor. Switching to new doctor for 3, I finally have a surgery date for May 24! I am relieved it is finally working out. I do have a question about the preop diet. Old doc did 2weeks, new doc does 7 days? Anyone have any info/research on why one is better than the other or IF there are better time frames with one vs the other?

I looked and looked for actual studies on one time frame vs the other and as all of you all have said seems like there’s not a real rhyme or reason. I’ll stick to 7 and be happy :-)

So I met with surgeon today for last appointment prior to insurance submission. I asked all my questions and we had a good discussion. He said of all the complications the real “thorn in their side” was ulcers. Even as an entire practice rate of ulcers is about 15-20% lifetime. And lifetime use of PPI or at least 4-5 years dropping to the lesser Pepcid etc type drugs forever. I am astonished by this!!! Is this true? Is there a reason it’s so high? I mean my mother in law had open RNY about 25 years ago and is not a model patient. She eats ibuprofen etc like crazy, tons of soda and the like and never an ulcer. Any opinions, suggestions on diet or anything to prevent? I’m not a smoker or alcohol user now but even without that’s the rate. Or, like doc said it is a surgery that creates ulcers based on plumbing. This has me really second guessing even more

I too, wondered where those numbers came from. Then I thought, is there something his group does specifically with surgical technique that causes that? Then of course my mind just wonders….. As I said I know several people, again that’s a small sample size, but even they do the things that are not supposed to be done and never an ulcer. Just wondering what experiences here have been. Didn’t seem like I’d seen it mentioned in that shockingly of a statistic

So I’m 8 months into pre-op phase for RNY. Closing in on surgery once paperwork is complete. I’ve started CrossFit for the last 8 months and finally love an exercise! One of my biggest worries post op is the ability to get back to the gym. What’s a realistic expectation or what has happened for you all? I’m afraid it will be months and I’m afraid I’ll be sickly and weak and not able to get back to it. That would be very sad for me for sure. How did you feel goin back and how long did it take to not feel run down?

So I’ve been in preop phase for 8 months in prep for bypass. Long story short I switched doctors after 6 months with old doc. I love the new doctor and almost ready for surgery, just took some time to get all records from old dr. Now my husband is on board and he’s seeing new doctor to go through WLS as well. We went to our first support group meeting last night and now I’m very confused and I think he is too. We now have this mindset that “we can do this”. He hasn’t been one to read or research much as I do, and he was amazed at all the lifestyle changes and tools you use to rewire your head and to be successful. He says well if we can learn that now I think we can totally do this! He bragged on how far I had already come and changes I’d made and he said I really think we can do this. I’ve kinda had that feeling all along but then again here I am 8 months in and only 25lbs down. Tell me this is normal or tell me something, anything? Isn’t it only like 3-5% of people can actually lose the weight and keep it off without surgery? I’m just so at a loss on what to do now….

Thanks for this. It’s like I knew this, but I was listening to other people, even if it was my spouse. I’ve researched and planned for this for a long time and I know the hormone thing cannot be down played like he seems to be thinking of it. That’s the tool we all need to get over the hump and actually be successful long term.

Thank you both for the replies! I feel like my mind was settled and then my husband started down this journey more with me and he says things like “well that doctor said you can gain it all back anyway so what’s the point” or he says “ these changes you have to make after surgery will make you lose weight anyway, just make the changes without surgery”. I honestly know with PCOS and as many diets as I’ve ever been on I think I need the surgery for true long term success. I am a different person now, already after 8 months in. I exercise regularly and have gained so much endurance and cardiovascular fitness doing CrossFit exercises. I do eat better and don’t see the “quick fast diet” mentality in my life anymore. I’ve made changes that I could’ve never imagined. At the end of the day I do fear the outcomes-what if I’m weak and malnourished or sickly? Or have complications? But then I remember I’ve been in this 8 months with only lost 25lbs AND I’ve never lost more than 40 on my own and never kept it off. My husbands rebuttals say but you’ve never changed your life like this before for this long. I think he keeps dragging me back to the fence lol!

Still in the pre-op phase here. Just wondering what everyone else is doing for diet? I had lost 10% of my weight at the 6 month preop time. Now I’ve gained back 5-7 pounds and can’t get past it. Up and down and back and forth. Wondering what you all are following as far as calories, macros, etc that seems to be working. Not sure if my body just freaked out at the 10% mark but I’m really struggling and I’d like to lose as much as possible before surgery if I can. I’m exercising doing CrossFit or walking/yoga 5-6 days a week. Any advice?

Amazing progress! Good job! So funny you said that about the CrossFit workouts! I’m now 7 1/2 months in pre-op. Stepped it up to CrossFit 4-5 days a week from 3 and since I hit the 10% loss I’ve gone nowhere and even gained about 5 pounds back! I can’t figure it out. Eat more, eat less, who knows! Gives me hope that surgery really will help!

I’m still in the pre-op phase of surgery. I have been planning for RNY vs. VSG because they did see reflux on my scope. I don’t take a daily med now, it is controlled by my food choices and if I do have it a simple Pepcid helps. In planning with the new surgeon he said as long as no hiatal hernia I could either. My question is: I know they give reflux meds/PPI’s after surgery to protect against ulcers etc. how long have you had to take those prophylacticially and when can you stop them? I don’t want to be on them chronically since I’m not now. This makes me wonder if VSG might be better if I could not take them forever, but then again risk to make reflux worse could make that happen anyway!🤷‍♀️Thanks!

Did you have the RNY? The ulcer thing near the stoma is what worries me with the RNY. The advantage of the pyloric valve left in the sleeve is what makes me think that’s better, but for reflux not at all. So much decisions

Thanks for the replies! I know I’m the grand scheme of thing it’s not the biggest deal, but the longer time goes I become more on the fence with what procedure to do. This reflux issue is a big part of it

Everything went great! New surgeon is amazing, very personable but also knowledgeable. As far as he’s concerned I don’t have to repeat anything. I do have to take their preop class/nutrition things and support group but that’s it. The hospital isn’t allowing in person meetings for that until March so I’m at least waiting that long. They said my insurance may require my 6 months to be done with the surgeon performing the surgery, in which case I do have to do the 6 additional months of weigh ins. He said he was going to submit it all anyway and see what happens. Still waiting for my psych evaluation to be sent. Apparently there are additional restrictions on those types of medical records. Hoping they send, if not I will have to repeat that. Thanks for asking! Honestly I’m glad this happened now. I think I needed more time to prepare, make more lifestyle adjustments and really get my head around this.

So here I am, 6 months in, lost 10% of my weight and going to my final preop appointment. On the edge of my seat because after all this time I finally get to meet and discuss with my surgeon. Hubby asks me on the way in “what happens if you still don’t see her”.? I tell him well then I’m done with this place. Guess what??? Still didn’t see her!!!!I weighed in, met with the NP, signed paperwork and went over some surgery stuff, met with dietician, got vitamin samples the whole thing. After 3 1/2 hours I still hadn’t see her and had to leave to be back for work. Now what? What do I do? Give up on this office? Start somewhere else? Or thrown in the bypass towel altogether and keep forging ahead??? Very upset and frustrated now.

Something that has helped me as well is to think even if this takes the whole 6 months of me restarting the entire program…it gives me all that more time to improve my eating habits, get mentally prepared, and keep working on me. In the end that can only help us be more successful.

I understand your feelings completely and I’m in the same situation which gives me a little peace of mind. Similar situation happened with me. I was at the end of my 6 months, had done all the preop etc. I got covid so I had to reschedule. My husband took off because my program requires you bring binder and support person to last appointment. They even threaten if you don’t “the doctor may not see you!” I waited for over 3 1/2 hours in the office and MD still didn’t show up and no one told us why. I left because I had to go back to work. My whole time in the program I never met my surgeon and I knew that I had to to have peace of mind. There were, like you said, little red flags along the way. I think I ignored them thinking I was being too critical, I’m a nurse and tend to be very picky about healthcare situations. But I think we should trust our gut, maybe it’s a way to avoid a bad issue. We never know the what if’s but we do need peace of mind when someone is operating on us. Mental is half of it anyway. I’m starting a new program, new doctor with first appointment tomorrow. Good luck to you too in starting with someone new.

Well I have a date for December set. Hopefully everything goes through with insurance since my nutrition class for December is a little earlier in the month, but otherwise things seem to be on track. Just wondered who else might be a December RNY out there???

I’m trying not to complain, but I’m just a little downhearted. Just got diagnosed with covid and surgery in 16 days. I do have a question has anyone else had surgery after covid?? I’m guessing I should at least put it off a month maybe? I’m calling the doctor Monday to see what the surgeon thinks.

Just checking in to see how you’re doing. Hope things are going better and healing. Hoping you feel better.