DLCoggin

Thank you all for your kind words. I have visited a lot of WLS forums over the past months and I must say that the group of folks on this forum are simply the best. It is an amazing gift to have a place where we can go and "talk" to others about our journey. Thank you all again and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone!

I can't stop crying as I am ripe with anticipation of feeling like you at the moment you wrote these wonderful words. Inspiration and encouragement for us all. I m truly weeping tears of joy for you
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Beautiful

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

Just because someone tried something once doesn't mean they are gonna keep doing those bad things I don't feel like I've cheated myself at all I've lost 70 lbs in just 4 short months! I know people that have never cheated and lost less than I have in 4 months.....so you do you and I'll do me and I hate to say it but if you don't want to see what we are subjectin ourselves to than don't read it!
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Everything I've read leads me to believe that the two surgeries (RNY and Sleeve) are roughly comparable with their own advantages and disadvantages. Sleeve is strictly restrictive. RNY uses restriction and malabsorption. Most studies seem to give RNY the nod for the most weight lost in the shortest time, and for the best long-term success rates, but not by huge margins. Although seldom done, RNY is theoretically reversible. The sleeve is not reversible since 75% to 85% of the stomach is removed. But the sleeve is relatively easily converted to RNY if the expected/desired weight loss is not achieved. The sleeve is often used as a "first stage" surgery for patients who are morbidly obese with the expectation that it will be revised to RNY with a second surgery at some point in the future. RNY changes the path that the food takes, bypassing a portion of the small intestine which results in some malabsorption and makes nutritional supplements absolutely imperative - for life. The sleeve does not alter the path of the food and does not bypass any part of the intestine and as a result, has a lower risk of malnutrition. Both surgeries appear to be equally safe but as noted, the sleeve is less invasive and can be completed more quickly than RNY. Also as noted, the sleeve is relatively new so there is much less data available regarding long-term effectiveness. RNY was first performed in Europe and was done there for many years prior to FDA approval in the U.S. RNY continues to be the most popular bariatric surgery worldwide - about 80% of all bariatric surgeries are RNY.
There is an excellent article on WebMD that you can find at http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/your-options-in-weight-loss-surgery-making-the-choice for more information. When all is said and done, perhaps the best advice is talk to your doctor and the two of you make the decision based on your particular situation.

No one here is perfect no matter how far post op we are and how successful we have been on our journeys. I read this thread and was a little taken back on the judgmental undertones. We are all evolving and I think it's wonderful so many choose to highlight their weak moments and vulnerabilities such as the little slip ups we have here and there. I for one feel that much more normal when I'm craving something I used to eat and reading others experiences makes me think twice about attempting. I didn't become overweight overnight and I know I'm not going to be perfect on my WLS journey. Let's try to remember one step at a time folks... I'm all for tough love when necessary...but I don't think anyone in our shoes wants to feel badgered about slip ups.
Thank you all for continuing to share your stories please know that they Inspire me, encourage me, educate me and make me feel that I always have people I can reach out to when I feel no one gets what I'm going through.

I felt exactly the same way. What made me more confident with my decision was researching the success stories. For every horror story there are many more success ones out there. And one thing I noticed also was even the people who had the horror stories said they would do it again and it was worth it. That made feel so much better. Hope this helps =)

Thank you all so very much. With my situation I do believe the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. I have to stop listening to what people have to say. I'm a diabetic I have complications from that . I was on dialysis for 2 years until I got my kidney transplant in July 2006 . I had the lapband surgery in June 2005 to lose weight for my transplant and I lost 120 lbs. but since then it's been a yoyo affect for me because of the amount of medications I take . All of my doctors are on board with me getting the bypass and I'm definitely doing it. I'll keep you all posted!

John there's risks involved if you don't have the surgery and you can die from that as well! And have you heard success stories? I have three friends who had it done and it was the best decision they ever made! Go hang out at your doctor's office with patients who have had it done from your surgeon and get feed back from them, where I'm going they offer support groups which I plan to attend, I think it's awesome to be able to share with someone who can relate to what you are going through. Good luck and I wish you the best!!

Congrats that is awesome!!!

What a great story! Well done!

Wow such a great journey. I hope those that are in doubt reads your story. Thanks for the encouragement.

You have truly captured why we have surgery. It is not just to lose weight; it is to regain our lives. Loved what you wrote. Congratulations!

I realize that not everyone is comfortable with it but my recommendation - tell anyone and everyone about your surgery. No secret = no problem. You may run into some folks that have a problem with it but that's their problem, not yours. It's a tough secret to keep long term anyway - someone is bound to notice that you've lost a LOT of weight. If you're totally upfront and open about it, the worst that can happen is that someone doesn't agree with your decision. It's not their life and not their business. You can live with that!!

I think some degree of fear prior to any surgery is a natural and healthy thing. I'd be more worried if you weren't a little afraid! That said, I can tell you that I was absolutely astounded at how they have perfected this procedure. I was walking four hours after my surgery and had very little pain. I had Tylenol with codeine twice the day AFTER my surgery and haven't had so much as an aspirin since. When I look back at the anxiety and anticipation and fear that I had pre-op, it is almost laughable. I'm 28 weeks post-op and 103.5 pounds lighter today and I can say to you with all sincerity - it is the most amazing, life-changing decision of my life and I would do it again with absolutely no hesitation.
How about some of you other post-op folks? Barbiedoll needs to hear from you! Were you afraid? Would you do it again? Let's help this lady out!

I realize that not everyone is comfortable with it but my recommendation - tell anyone and everyone about your surgery. No secret = no problem. You may run into some folks that have a problem with it but that's their problem, not yours. It's a tough secret to keep long term anyway - someone is bound to notice that you've lost a LOT of weight. If you're totally upfront and open about it, the worst that can happen is that someone doesn't agree with your decision. It's not their life and not their business. You can live with that!!

I realize that not everyone is comfortable with it but my recommendation - tell anyone and everyone about your surgery. No secret = no problem. You may run into some folks that have a problem with it but that's their problem, not yours. It's a tough secret to keep long term anyway - someone is bound to notice that you've lost a LOT of weight. If you're totally upfront and open about it, the worst that can happen is that someone doesn't agree with your decision. It's not their life and not their business. You can live with that!!

Keep walking it will get better. Don't over do it. If you feel tired sit down. Remember you just had major surgery. My surgery was April 23rd. I didn't realize how out of shape i was. The more I walk the better I feel. Every couple of days I try to walk a little further. I'm actually down 30 pounds. I am so happy. Good luck on your recovery.

They told me from day one to expect a 2-3 day hospital stay and mine was two days. I would be very cautious about any surgeon that suggested RNY can be done on an outpatient basis.

Same story for me - type 2 (diagnosed three months prior to my decision to pursue the surgery option and one of the major factors in my deciding to have the surgery), heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol (under control pre-op with Lipitor). I was never on insulin but was on Metformin.
I'm 28 weeks post-op today and 103.5 lbs lighter. Diabetes - gone and off the Metformin within two weeks of the surgery. Hypertension - gone and off the Ramipril within two weeks of the surgery. Cholesterol - under 100 but Lipitor is such an amazing med that I will probably be on for life.
Do the research. I think you'll find there is no better, more effective treatment for diabetes known to medical science than RNY. And there are a lot of other pretty great things associated with losing a hundred pounds or more!!