Re: 500 - 600 pound weight range

[Guest guest]

> Is there anyone in this group who has had, or is contemplating

> having, WLS that is in the above weight range? I would love to hear

> from anyone in this weight range about their WLS experiences. A

> relative of mine is in this range and I have referred them to my

> surgeon but they were told they would have to lose weight prior to

> surgery -- major disappointment to say the least.

What would you like to know? I could generalize, but that would take a lot of

writing, and

not everyone's experiences are going to be the same, anyway. I was 579 last

August, 525

when I went in for surgery, and at last weighing (May 1) was 440 pounds. I had

the surgery

on Jan. 9 of this year and was in the hospital for two and a half weeks (partly

due to a UTI

complication). I haven't had too many complications...actually, none of any

consequence.

The most serious complication I had was my incision (I had open RNY) draining a

lot post-

surgery. Of course, there was the problem of getting up and getting moving after

two

weeks in a hospital bed, and there were problems with hospital bureaucracy, but

that's

another issue.

The current worst problem I am having is that I am able to eat too much. I knew

this was a

problem while I was in the hospital, when I could put down an entire 6-ounce

yogurt with

no problem. They put me on pureed foods early, and I had no trouble handling

them. As it

stands now, I can put away an entire can of chili with little or no discomfort,

depending. I

can eat a Mc's double cheeseburger without feeling terribly stuffed

(though stuffed

is true). My surgeon insisted that my stomach can't be stretching already, but I

don't

believe him. Something is up!!

Anyway, maybe your friend needs to find a different surgeon. Mine said he had

handled

patients over 600 pounds before, although they couldn't get laparoscopic. Maybe

that is

why your friend needs to lose weight? I know a lot of docs who do lap have you

lose

weight so they have room to maneuver around in there. What else can I talk to

you about?

The need for activity, maybe, or recuperation time? Just ask! I check this group

just about

every day.

Dep

525/440/230

Open RNY, Jan. 9 2004

Dr. Millikan, University Surgeons

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago