Need Info About Post Op Life

[makemyownluck 785]

So, I've been in the process of approval for WLS since July, but I was set on having VSG. Now I find out that might be hard to do - so I'm reconsidering RNY.

I can't find what I'm looking to know about post-op lifestyle.

With VSG, you can eat normal foods again. With RNY, do you ever have any semblance of a normal life again? For instance, will dumping be a possibility forever and ever? Will I be able to have A BITE of birthday cake again?

Don't get me wrong, I know change has to be made - I'm just wondering if I'll ever be able to indulge again?

I guess it's possible, since some people regain their weight eventually.

Also, how do you deal with nutritional deficiency if you're not able to absorb them? I'm just confused about how you actually LIVE after doing something like bypass to yourself. VSG just made more sense to me, because you could absorb nutrients after that the same way as before surgery.

Does anyone know about this? Or of any good links about the topic?

[itzme752 24]

Not everyone has the dumping syndrome. I am almost 3 months post op and have never had the dumping syndrome. And if you avoid things high in sugar then you shouldn't get the dumping syndrome. Dumping is caused by sugar entering your intestine too quickly. Once you are off the puréed and liquid phases you can eat normal food again it's just smaller portions. I have had a bite of a brownie after eating some Protein first and was satisfied and it didn't cause any dumping or anything. As far as the nutrients that has to be the biggest difference in my opinion between VGS and RNY. With RNY you will have to take. Vitamins for the rest of your life because of the nutrient deficiency. But as long as you take the Vitamins like the surgeon wants to you shouldn't have a problem with deficiency. Hope this answers some of your questions.

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[NurseTAB 65]

Dumping isn't always from sugar u can dump on any food which I have twice since surgery, I am 6 weeks out. And of course you will be able to have a bite of cake again as long as u can stop at that one bite. I'm the type of person that can't so I stay away from temptations. And depending on how much weight you want to loose the sleeve you loose less with.

[kiwiladydee 402]

You can dump from various forms of surgar, bread or from eating too fast. It can happen to some people at any time and other not at all. It's too hard to calculate because everyone's body is so different. Your life will never be the same, but I think by the 6th month you will have created your new normal.

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[Uniqueladybug 80]

Dumping isn't always from sugar u can dump on any food which I have twice since surgery' date=' I am 6 weeks out. And of course you will be able to have a bite of cake again as long as u can stop at that one bite. I'm the type of person that can't so I stay away from temptations. And depending on how much weight you want to loose the sleeve you loose less with.[/quote']

May I ask what you dumped on?

Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12

[NurseTAB 65]

Pistachios and pudding where the 2 culprits

[makemyownluck 785]

I'm starting to warm to the idea of rny - I think I'll be more successful with it. It's just a scary surgery to do!!

I have a LOT of weight to lose - 200 or more lbs. I think with VSG, I'd probably have to have the surgery converted down the line - most of the people on VStalk are a lot lighter than me to start out with.

From what I've researched, I'll be on a multi-Vitamin, Calcium w vit D, a Fiber supplement (unless I can get my diet to include enough) and B12. Any other Vitamins that you guys have been told to take? Are you required to take an anti-acid? I have no GERD issues now... if that makes a difference...

I really appreciate all your responses, guys! Keep em coming!

[stellar313 26]

I know exactly how you feel! I was so excited about a VSG and went through my preop prep intending to get that. At my doc visit 2 weeks before surgery he said that my EGD showed Barrett's Esophagus, which is a sign of chronic GERD (which can increase with the VSG). He said I could get the VSG and he could convert to the RNY later if I continued to have GERD, but I really didn't want to have 2 surgeries. I had the RNY on 10/1. I had a horrible couple days of trying to decide, I really didn't want to switch. I am ok with the decision now, I also worry about dumping syndrome, I guess we'll see how it goes. And I also have a lot of weight to lose, so I think this will be better for me in the end. I take bariatric Vitamins, so take a multi Vitamin and Calcium (B12 is in the bariatric multivitamin). Good luck!

[Lebim 381]

I'm starting to warm to the idea of rny - I think I'll be more successful with it. It's just a scary surgery to do!!

I have a LOT of weight to lose - 200 or more lbs. I think with VSG' date=' I'd probably have to have the surgery converted down the line - most of the people on VStalk are a lot lighter than me to start out with.

From what I've researched, I'll be on a multi-Vitamin, Calcium w vit D, a Fiber supplement (unless I can get my diet to include enough) and B12. Any other Vitamins that you guys have been told to take? Are you required to take an anti-acid? I have no GERD issues now... if that makes a difference...

I really appreciate all your responses, guys! Keep em coming![/quote']

Iron too. You can get all your Vitamins from "bariatric advantage" online - though I don't like the 3 chocolate lozenges a day so I take 4 horse pills a day to get my calcium (2 in the am and 2 at night)

Life after RNY isn't as hard as it seems - it takes awhile to get used to but it eventually becomes second nature. Watch your saturated fat too, it has been known to make me dump. luckily most things that are high in Protein but low in carbs/sugar (I'm required to have both of those under 6grams for everything I eat) are also low in saturated fats - high in fat, but the right fat (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.) Just stick with veggies, meat, nuts, cheese, yogurt, and limited fruit and you'll be just fine. And yes, you can def eventually have A BITE of cake after time. It's important to establish good habits before you get to that point. You'll also find that after getting all that crud out of your system that it makes everything sweeter and that some things you used to enjoy are gross. Example: red gatorade now tastes like 8oz of Water with 5 scoops of koolaid in it. Gross!

- Kaylee Ann ~ Surgiversary: 6/11/12

[BBdoodle 483]

With the RNY you will loss the most weight. If you follow what your surgeon's instructions on food, vitimans, liquids, etc. you will have no problems with absorbtion. I take a multi vitiman, Iron, B-12, Calcium and Biotin. The calcium is citrate .. it is absorbed faster into your system. I am 6 months post op and feel fantastic. And yes some people are able to indulge, I can have a bit of a cookie or a very small piece of something fried. I fill up really quick so I would rather fill up on good Protein than anything else. By a few months out you will be able to eat regular food but it is the choice YOU make that make this surgery a success or not !!!

[itzme752 24]

I'm starting to warm to the idea of rny - I think I'll be more successful with it. It's just a scary surgery to do!!

I have a LOT of weight to lose - 200 or more lbs. I think with VSG' date=' I'd probably have to have the surgery converted down the line - most of the people on VStalk are a lot lighter than me to start out with.

From what I've researched, I'll be on a multi-Vitamin, Calcium w vit D, a Fiber supplement (unless I can get my diet to include enough) and B12. Any other Vitamins that you guys have been told to take? Are you required to take an anti-acid? I have no GERD issues now... if that makes a difference...

I really appreciate all your responses, guys! Keep em coming![/quote']

I never had GERD issues before surgery either but my doc puts all of his patients on an antacid for 2 to 3 months after surgery as a precautionary thing. All docs are different though so yours may not have you take one.

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[DLCoggin 1,788]

Malabsorption is a legitimate concern with gastric bypass but easily controlled with Vitamin supplements. My brother is 14 years post-op and I once asked him what he can eat. His reply was "I eat anything I want to eat." I just had my one year anniversary on Saturday and I can say with absolute honesty that I can eat almost anything I want to eat. I have to be a little careful about sugar. I've exprienced dumping three times in the past year, all related to sugar. But as others have noted, some experience dumping in response to other types of food. And some never experience dumping at all. Everyone is different and as far as I know, it's impossible to predict who will dump and who won't - just too many variables.

Does that mean that I can never have sugar? Absolutely not. I've had an occasional cookie, half a piece of apple pie and any number of other things. It's about control, not denial. Last night, I had two small slices of pizza. The first pizza I've had in about a year and a half. I enjoyed it tremendously and had no problems. So yes, you absolutely will be able to indulge on occasions. It's all about lifestyle changes. All about control, not denial. Many folks have the exact same concerns that you do. Completely understandable but for the most part, completely unfounded. With very few exceptions, you will eventually be able to eat anything you want to eat. And there may be no exceptions at all. Regardless, it's a very, very small price to pay for the truly astounding rewards you will experience. You're gonna love the new you!!

[Christopher 12]

_{I had RNY surgery on July 16th 2012. I have never felt better!!! It is definently a different lifestyle than before, but it is worth it!! I make good choices because the positive feedback is tremendous!!! I have dumped 4 times since surgery, all 4 times I believe they were caused by eating too fast or not chewing the food up enough. I have not tried anything with high surgar or fat in them yet, and I like the fear of dumping if I do have something bad weather I really would dump or not after having them I don't know, but I do know that dumping is no fun at all, so it keeps me on the straight and narrow. I have never been more active in my life, I now enjoy mountain biking and working out, it gives me a new addiction to fitness. As far as supplements, I take 2 multi-vitamins a day, Calcium, pepcid ac, b-12, Biotin and actigall(gallstone prevention for the first 6 months.) I am on autopilot now, it is alot easier the more time from post op. I still remember how much I liked the bad things to eat, but now realize that they are not worth it!! - somehow I developed a very strong sense of willpower that I never had pre surgery. My surgery was the best thing that I could have done for myself, I would do it again!!! Good Luck on your choice.}

[makemyownluck 785]

thanks everyone!

I got a new referral today to a surgeon who does VSG. She also does rny and the band - so in 2 weeks I go to the informational seminar, and hopefully will be able to make a decision from there.

I am so on the fence. I feel like bypass will make the losing easier because of malabsorption, but I'm just nervous to have a potential deficiency for the rest of my life because of it. the sleeve seems safer to me. I just hope i'm successful with it, if that's the route I choose.

TOO MANY DECISIONS!