Howdy From So Cal

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Good day everyone! I guess I'm supposed to tell my story so here goes. I was 285 lbs on May 10, 2011. After being overweight or obese for virtually all of my life and following a recent diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes I decided that it was time to do something about it. I met with my surgeon for the first time on May 10th. Went through all of the pre-op testing and worked on losing the 20 to 25 lbs that the surgeon had told me was mandatory and non-negotiable. No loss, no surgery. I had my RNY on October 20th and had lost 35 lbs up to that point. I will be 27 weeks post-op tomorrow, April 26th and my weight about a week ago was 182 lbs. Like most bypass veterans, I am a huge proponent of this surgery and would very much like to "give back" by doing what I can to answer questions and help folks who are going down the same path.

I've been married to the same extraordinarily patient lady for 36 years. We have two sons and the world's cutest grandson. One slightly spoiled ( ) black labrador retriever and an amusing if slightly psycho cat. I'm semi-retired and enjoy all things nature - fishing, camping, photography, gardening, astronomy, birding and anything else that takes me out into the fresh air.

There seems to be an awful lot of friendly folks here on the forum and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone! Have a great day!!

[blankmama 16]

Just saying hi and thanks for making me smile with the psycho cat comment. congratulations on your successful surgery. I'm hoping to be able to have rny by August. So far things are going good. - Amanda

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Hi right back at you Amanda! If your experience is anything like mine, the next year is going to be a total blur. If you have any questions on anything at all, don't hesitate to ask me here or send me a PM if you're more comfortable with that. I don't consider myself an expert but I've travelled a little further down the same road you're on. It is truly an amazing, life-changing experience!

[berniec 166]

Hello DL thanks for sharing your story. I had my surgery on Monday april 23rd. I'm feeling fine. I'm just following the doctors orders. Congrats on your success. I'm going to be there one day.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Hi Bernie and a BIG congratulations on the surgery! I was just blown away by how good I felt following the surgery. After worrying about it and anticipating it for months it was practically a non-event. Heck I've felt worse from the flu. The all liquid diet for the first week or two post-op is a little challenging but it's all downhill from there. Congratulations again!!

[berniec 166]

Thanks. I know I can do the liquid diet post op for two weeks because I had to do the same thing pre op. I know eventually I will be able to have something delicious like a scrambled egg. Lol.

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Good day everyone! I guess I'm supposed to tell my story so here goes. I was 285 lbs on May 10' date=' 2011. After being overweight or obese for virtually all of my life and following a recent diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes I decided that it was time to do something about it. I met with my surgeon for the first time on May 10th. Went through all of the pre-op testing and worked on losing the 20 to 25 lbs that the surgeon had told me was mandatory and non-negotiable. No loss, no surgery. I had my RNY on October 20th and had lost 35 lbs up to that point. I will be 27 weeks post-op tomorrow, April 26th and my weight about a week ago was 182 lbs. Like most bypass veterans, I am a huge proponent of this surgery and would very much like to "give back" by doing what I can to answer questions and help folks who are going down the same path.

I've been married to the same extraordinarily patient lady for 36 years. We have two sons and the world's cutest grandson. One slightly spoiled ( <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />) black labrador retriever and an amusing if slightly psycho cat. I'm semi-retired and enjoy all things nature - fishing, camping, photography, gardening, astronomy, birding and anything else that takes me out into the fresh air.

There seems to be an awful lot of friendly folks here on the forum and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone! Have a great day!![/quote']

LMFAO I'm laughing at the psycho cat comment my self. Congratulations on the weight lost.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Thanks so much! It's been quite a ride!!

[Made4More 1]

Hello! It's good to hear your story and I'm happy that you have had so much success!!

I'm still torn between the sleeve and the RNY. I am worried about things like the bowel issues some people have later down the road, and hypoglycemia etc. I really hear a lot of negative.

I want to lose fast and it seems like rny Patients get tinier Than sleeve patients, generally speaking.

I've read though, that rny is usually reserved for people with higher BMIs, and more health problems. my bmi is 41 and I think I might have sleep apnea but that's about it besides depression which is directly related toy weight. I don't know if that is enough health problems to really justify the more drastic surgery. I really like the idea of the possibility of having dumping syndrome because I love love love sugar. Or. I hate it? Depends on how you look at it.

I hope noone thinks I'm trying to turn this post into being all about me. I'm very happy for the OP and we've been talking through pm's.

Ps I have 6 children 6m-10yr. 4 cats and a dog. Lol.

[blankmama 16]

Hello! It's good to hear your story and I'm happy that you have had so much success!!

I'm still torn between the sleeve and the RNY. I am worried about things like the bowel issues some people have later down the road' date=' and hypoglycemia etc. I really hear a lot of negative.

I want to lose fast and it seems like rny Patients get tinier Than sleeve patients, generally speaking.

I've read though, that rny is usually reserved for people with higher BMIs, and more health problems. my bmi is 41 and I think I might have sleep apnea but that's about it besides depression which is directly related toy weight. I don't know if that is enough health problems to really justify the more drastic surgery. I really like the idea of the possibility of having dumping syndrome because I love love love sugar. Or. I hate it? Depends on how you look at it.

I hope noone thinks I'm trying to turn this post into being all about me. I'm very happy for the OP and we've been talking through pm's.

Ps I have 6 children 6m-10yr. 4 cats and a dog. Lol.[/quote']

Hi made4more- don't worry nobody thinks you're trying to make this about you. I'll tell you that the sleeve is actually what I wanted to do to begin with. But my surgeon usually will not do them. She said that when you have the sleeve done they remove that part of your stomach that isn't used. With the RNY they leave that stomach in. If they ever have to go in and make repairs inside you they'll use your stomach but if it's not there they can't. I can't remember all that she said about it. I have a higher bmi than you do so I'm not sure about you having rny. I am hoping to have it done late this summer or late fall even.

I suggest to anyone looking to have WLS, try doing the surgeons recommended diet for a while now. I've been doing it since March 9 and I've lost nearly 18 lbs. All I've done is cut back on sugar, fat and calories (and portion size) and I've increased my Protein intake. Mainly by doing a Protein shake for Breakfast. I'm thinking of adding one for dinner also but I'm not sure how my body will handle that right now. Im trying not to withhold anything from me that I want though. Like last week I really wanted a blizzard so I split one with my husband. I still lost 2.4lbs last week. Everything in moderation you know.

I meet with the nutritionist on Friday and I'm going to discuss it with her. I will also be finding out how long I'll need to do the liquid diet prior to surgery. I am hoping I'll get the results back from my lab work so I know what's up with all my levels. Good luck with your decision. I hope we hear more from you. I have to go to the psychiatrists office to fill out paperwork now.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Hello! It's good to hear your story and I'm happy that you have had so much success!!

I'm still torn between the sleeve and the RNY. I am worried about things like the bowel issues some people have later down the road, and hypoglycemia etc. I really hear a lot of negative.

I want to lose fast and it seems like rny Patients get tinier Than sleeve patients, generally speaking.

I've read though, that rny is usually reserved for people with higher BMIs, and more health problems. my bmi is 41 and I think I might have sleep apnea but that's about it besides depression which is directly related toy weight. I don't know if that is enough health problems to really justify the more drastic surgery. I really like the idea of the possibility of having dumping syndrome because I love love love sugar. Or. I hate it? Depends on how you look at it.

I hope noone thinks I'm trying to turn this post into being all about me. I'm very happy for the OP and we've been talking through pm's.

Ps I have 6 children 6m-10yr. 4 cats and a dog. Lol.

Good morning Made! Most insurance companies seem to require a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for RNY (or any bariatric surgery with the possible exception of the band) OR a BMI of 35 or higher with at least two "co-morbidities" such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc. So based on your BMI of 41, I don't think you would have a problem qualifying for RNY or the sleeve if you and your doctor decide to go that route. You must be a very special person indeed to have six children, four cats and a dog and still not have high blood pressure! LOL!!

An observation if you will - you seem to be under the impression that RNY is a much more significant surgery that the sleeve. RNY is more "invasive" and takes somewhat longer to complete. But having said that, my surgery started at 7:35am and was completed shortly before 10:00am. I was out of recovery and in my room by noon and was up and walking by 2:00pm. I had virtually no pain (until the next afternoon and even then it was quite manageable) and went home on the second day. Keep in mind that we're all different and my experience is no guarantee that yours will be the same. But I encourage you to read others stories on the forum here and I think that you'll find that for most, not all but most, their story is similar. RNY has been performed for many years both in the U.S. and in other countries. There have been lots of changes and advancements over time. Based on my experience I have to say that they seem to have pretty well perfected!!

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Hello! It's good to hear your story and I'm happy that you have had so much success!!

I'm still torn between the sleeve and the RNY. I am worried about things like the bowel issues some people have later down the road, and hypoglycemia etc. I really hear a lot of negative.

I want to lose fast and it seems like rny Patients get tinier Than sleeve patients, generally speaking.

I've read though, that rny is usually reserved for people with higher BMIs, and more health problems. my bmi is 41 and I think I might have sleep apnea but that's about it besides depression which is directly related toy weight. I don't know if that is enough health problems to really justify the more drastic surgery. I really like the idea of the possibility of having dumping syndrome because I love love love sugar. Or. I hate it? Depends on how you look at it.

I hope noone thinks I'm trying to turn this post into being all about me. I'm very happy for the OP and we've been talking through pm's.

Ps I have 6 children 6m-10yr. 4 cats and a dog. Lol.

Good morning Made! Most insurance companies seem to require a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for RNY (or any bariatric surgery with the possible exception of the band) OR a BMI of 35 or higher with at least two "co-morbidities" such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc. So based on your BMI of 41, I don't think you would have a problem qualifying for RNY or the sleeve if you and your doctor decide to go that route. You must be a very special person indeed to have six children, four cats and a dog and still not have high blood pressure! LOL!!

An observation if you will - you seem to be under the impression that RNY is a much more significant surgery that the sleeve. RNY is more "invasive" and takes somewhat longer to complete. But having said that, my surgery started at 7:35am and was completed shortly before 10:00am. I was out of recovery and in my room by noon and was up and walking by 2:00pm. I had virtually no pain (until the next afternoon and even then it was quite manageable) and went home on the second day. Keep in mind that we're all different and my experience is no guarantee that yours will be the same. But I encourage you to read others stories on the forum here and I think that you'll find that for most, not all but most, their story is similar. RNY has been performed for many years both in the U.S. and in other countries. There have been lots of changes and advancements over time. Based on my experience I have to say that they seem to have it pretty well perfected!!

[LadyLocutus 41]

I was going to do the sleeve at first too but after going to the seminar and given the statistics, the RNY patients lost more. In my case I started at 360lbs so it was better for me. In your case you may not need to lose like 200lbs so the sleeve may work.

As far as sugar I have mentioned in other places on the forum that once you start drinking shakes everyday it really tends to ween you off of sweets. Like I am typically a chocolate addict but since I have a chocolate shake daily, I don't crave it in candy or Cookies etc. you may find that different but for me it's great.

There are pros and cons to both surgeries and there are always risks. I would say the complications aren't near what they used to be as RNY is more common now. Either way we are here to support you!

Be blessed,

Onyx

[margomarie 0]

Congratulations on your success, DL.

I had my Rny last Friday, Oct. 18th. My BMI was 35 and I had type 2 diabetes and severe sleep apnea. I left the hospital with no

diabetes meds and I'm doing well so far. Although, today was the first day I was so hungry! I think it was because I didn't drink enough

Water. Anyway, I'm hoping to do away with my cpap machine. I snored terribly, when I was in my teens and very slim. That's why I'm

Not sure if I could get rid of the cpap, once and for all.i It's only been 1 week since my surgery, so I guess only time will tell. I didn't realize

there'd be so many hormone changes. I've had the worst hot flashes this past week! Also, I have no energy, whatsoever, and feel tired and

weak. Hopefully, that'll all change on Sunday, when I could have some yogurt or cottage cheese.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Thanks so much margomarie.

I was able to get rid of the cpap but it took a little time. Partly because I had to schedule another sleep study to confirm that the sleep apnea was resolved. Keep positive thoughts and be patient.

The hormone changes following major surgery are very common. The first few weeks post-op can be something of an emotional roller coaster ride but they usually subside before you know it. Hang in there!

No energy, tired and weak are all very common and when you think about it, probably no surprise. Your body is concentrating all of its resources toward the healing process. That's a good thing! But it takes a lot of energy. Perhaps the best thing you can do is get plenty of rest and let your body do its thing. Keep in mind also that it is important to get as much of your doctor's recommended daily Protein as soon as you can. For the ladies that's usually 60g to 80g a day. That can be challenging the first few weeks but it's important to keep working on it. On a low carb diet your body will turn to Protein for energy. Getting as much as you can as soon as you can should help with the energy loss. The yogurt and cottage cheese - great ideas!! Most folks find that protein supplements (shakes, powders, etc) are a big help as well.

Congratulations on your surgery! It is an amazing, life-changing journey. Are you in the L.A. area?

You're gonna love the new you!!