Re: In Hindsight . . .If you had it to do over again . . .

[Guest guest]

<< 1. What procedure did you have? Be specific.

An open distal RNY with BPD, 10 feet bypassed, stomach transected and removed

along with gall bladder and appendix

2. Did the surgery meet or exceed your expectations? Explain.

Yes and more! My goal was simply to get below 200 lbs for the first time in

17 years and into regular ladies sizes (a 16 sounded like heaven). I am

thrilled that I have been able to get down to a size 8/10 and weigh less now

than I did in high school!

3. Did you achieve your " ideal weight " according to the upper end

of the Metropolitan height and weight charts? If not where did you end

up? If you are still losing at what rate and how far post op are you?

According to FDA weight charts, I am at the top of the weight charts for

someone age 35 and over. I am 5'3 " and according to the chart, the ideal

weight range is 119-152 lbs and I weight 152. However I am a strong believer

in ignoring scales and weight charts because my bodyfat is 21% which is ideal

for my age (39), and I (as many formerly morbidly obese people) have dense

bones and a lot of muscle tissue). Of course I wish I could weigh 120 lbs

but it ain't gonna happen. I am perfectly happy being a size 8/10 and

looking healthy and feeling strong. My weight loss has stopped now and my

goal is to get my body fat to the 17-19% (athletic) range...no matter what

the scale says!

Here is where to find the FDA Ideal Weight Chart on the internet:

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/womnutri.html#weights

4. If you had it to do over would you do anything different

surgically?

Absolutely not. I had my stomach transected and the excess removed so I have

no chance of staple line disruption and I am of the opinion that the distal

bypass allows me to have a more permanent weight loss because of

malabsorption. As long as I keep an eye on my nutrition and take my

supplements I plan to live a long and healthy life!

5. If you had it to do all over again what would you do different

after surgery?

I would have been more careful with my exercise to try and avoid getting a

hernia (used a support belt when lifting weights, etc.). I would also have

exercised sooner after I had the hernia repair in Dec. 1998 (I didn't start

exercising seriously until 9 weeks ago and the difference to my body has been

AMAZING).

6. What has surprised you the most about yourself since surgery?

I am a lot more social than I used to be and a lot more energetic. I can get

so much more done in a day than before and I actually like housework

(what?!?). Now I actually want to go out and do things and go places...no

more fear of other people staring at me or judging me! I finally feel like a

" normal " person, and I like who I see now when I look in the mirror.

7. What should every post op know before having surgery?

That your body will NEVER automatically look like a thin person's no matter

how much you exercise (depending on how much you have to lose). I lost 50%

of my body weight. The skin is not just going to " snap " back into place and

the excess skin is strange looking, crepe-papery and baggy. It will recover

somewhat over time but keep an open mind regarding reconstructive surgery and

start saving for it because insurance companies won't always pay for it.

8. What supplements do you take? How is your blood work.

I take protein supplements, creatine with HMB, and vitamins as well as a B-12

shot monthly. I am getting my blood work done next week and will let you

know how it goes!

9. Do you have any questions pertaining to surgery that still need

answering?

No, I have gotten all the answers to my questions here and on the OSSG list

which was incredibly helpful. Also my doctor has a great support group that

meets twice a month.

10. What surgery are you talking about? LOL . . .

Hmmm...I have had 3 in the last 19 months...the RNY, arm/breast/tummy tuck

with hernia repair, and leg/backside tuck. I am done with surgeries for a

long time I hope!

Betty D.

[Guest guest]

I forgot my name (must be catchy.)

Carol M

camontg@... wrote:

> From: camontg@...

>

> Ok here goes.

> 1. What procedure did you have? Be specific I had bilopancratic diversion

> with a duedonal switch. Gallbladder and appendix removed.

>

> 2. Did the surgery meet or exceed your expectations? Explain. This surgery

is

> meeting my expectations. I started at 308 lbs and on my last dr appointment

> weighed 202lbs. surgery was on 7/9/98.

>

> 3. Did you achieve your " ideal weight " according to the upper end of the

> Metropolitan height and weight charts? If not where did you end up? If you

are

> still losing at what rate and how far post op are you?

> I am still losing. I am 14 mos post op and still have about 50 - 60 lbs to

> lose.

>

> 4. If you had it to do over would you do anything different surgically?

> I would not change anything about my surgery.

>

> 5. If you had it to do all over again what would you do different after

> surgery?

> I wish I would have been better about dieting and exercise. (have we heard

that

> before?)

>

> 6. What has surprised you the most about yourself since surgery?

> How well I handled the pain and lifestyle changes. People told me that since

I

> had never had surgery I would not do good at it. I proved them all wrong.

>

> 7. What should every post op know before having surgery? " It's a much

> bigger lifestyle change that you can ever imagine. Well worth it though " I

> agree with that wholehartetly

>

> 8. What supplements do you take? How is your blood work.

> I take calcium and multi vitamin (when I remember.) My blood work is low on

> protein. I take Creon 10 for protein defenceny.

>

> 9. Do you have any questions pertaining to surgery that still need

> answering? no

>

> I just had a hernia/tummy tuck on 9/20 so am still recoperating from that.

>

>