patrice1

RTP - That's great!! Awesome results. It made me happy for you, and excited for me to get going on my own weight loss. Counting the days until June 20 .... I'll go check out Instagram!

Hi all,
I live in Boulder, CO I had my Sleeve done 01/09/2014 with Dr Jonathan Schoen in Aurora, CO so far -77 pounds total from my highest weight! I would love to meet local sleevers for support. my instagram is VSGMEX follow me!

Yay and congrats. Mine is the 29th so just over a week. I only found the one my doc does as far as support groups that's kind of why I was trying to meet some co folks :-)
This is a great support group here actually. But having someone to talk to face to face is maybe more comforting. Best wishes. And keep me posted.

Hi to you both,
I am living in Denver but am having a vsg i Mexico because my insurance turned me down here. Are either of you attending support groups in Denver? I'm looking for one, but the seem to be exclusive to patients of the doctors/hospital.
I have one more week to go! All the best!!

Patrice1 thanks. I think that would be good. I'm having my surgery with dr schoen. I'm very excited and I'll be around 3 weeks post op when you have your sleeve done so I can tell you what I went through. Nice to meet you. :-)

Hi. I'm in the springs just wanted to get in touch with anyone also close. I'm having my surgery in Denver on May 29th. :-)

How are you doing these days? I am 55 and I have recently been approved for surgery. Very excited to get on track myself! Just found this group. You know, "we aren't getting older we're getting better" (remember that old commercial)? Well, we ARE!

Speaking as someone who just made the choice to get bariatric surgery two weeks ago, I could relate to the post about how even well-meaning people--even those who love us the most--can say things about our weight that trigger binges and more self-loathing, and deeper in the trenches. However, this is not to blame those who want to help (and who are often desperately worried about us) for our behavior.
Rather, it is to make the point that we truly are not ready until we are ready, and whatever point that occurs is different for all of us. If he knows you love and accept him where he is at, although you are concerned for him, this keeps the door open until he is ready. While I can't know this for sure, perhaps he is more concerned for you than his outward behavior may suggest (will I trigger her because I am continuing to eat the way I do). And/or, he may also be triggered by your success in spotlighting what he feels he can never do: which is to lose weight, which in turn may stir up the very familiar self-loathing and despair cycle I know I am very familiar with.
So the point is, you keep doing what you need to do for you! You are still the #1 priority in your own life, no matter how much you love him. And with that, just let him know that you are there for him regardless. That will give him the courage (perhaps) to be vulnerable one day and reach out to you when he hits bottom and wants to change his situation.
I know it must be hard not to be defensive when you feel someone is rejecting you - whether or not that is true, or doesn't seem to support what you are doing to make your life better. But at heart, he is probably not rejecting you so much as he is simply afraid he can never do what you did. Your success puts an even brighter spotlight on him that he has not changed his situation, whereas you did. At the end of the day, your choice to get better, while loving him unconditionally will do its best work.
I can attest that all the talking in the world only made me feel worse about myself. I had tried everything and failed so many times I simply gave up. But there came a time when I was desperate enough to finally elect surgery. (And was just approved for it two weeks ago by my doctor to begin the process).
Congratulations on your weight loss and your love for your brother. That's fantastic and truly "leads the way." Leading quietly by example is more powerful than mere words can ever be. It also keeps us humble when we realize how fragile our hold on health is, and how much we continually need grace to succeed. I respect you a lot for doing what you've done, and all my best to you and your brother!

This staple stuff mentioned in this thread is nonsense - those of you presurgery - speak to your own surgeon and get facts. It is a waste of time to even debate things like this.
I have a longer history with bariatric surgery than many others. In 2001, i had the lapband implanted shortly before they were FDA approved. I was living in Europe at the time and my surgery was done by a very well known bariatric surgeon there.
I was not successful with it and I can give lots of reasons - but the reality of it is that I only lost about 55% of what I needed to lose AND then I started having complications (uncontrolled reflux was the primary symptom) and eventually alot of vomiting - my problems started in the first 5-6 months post op. I never had it overfilled, I did work closely with my surgeon the first year or two, I was just one of those people that had problems. I had to have all the Fluid removed after about 2 years out and wound up regaining what I lost. Many will sing the chorus that I needed to have just eaten better... well duh... but reality if it is that MOST people who have Fluid completely removed wind up regaining.
Even with zero fluid, the band gave me problems and after many years of denial (ie ignoring my symptoms) I finally had it removed. I can honestly say it degraded my quality of life for 10 years and i was still obese. I have negative feelings about my experience, but, I made the choice and lived with the consequences.
I revised to the sleeve nearly 2 years ago and have had success beyond my dreams. It has been complication free, painfree, vomit free. It saved my life so of course I am biased to think it is awesome. I can't even begin to express how glorious it is to be a nice medium/size 8... compared to the 3x/26W (and who knows really what size since I smushed into clothes) that I started with.
this is just one persons story - and is not the basis that ANY pre-ops should make their decisions on. You should seriously do your research and decide on your own; but I implore you to get actual information from medical studies, from reputable and experienced surgeons. People out here (including me) sharing our own personal stories is not research - it is more like FYI data points.
I am not anti gastric bypass, it was what the first surgeon I saw wanted me to revise to. I somehow just never got comfortable with it and so didn't. I have however known several people who are very successful with the bypass and are very happy living with the procedure over their life. The published studies clearly indicate that the gastric bypass has good results and the complication rate if I recall was only slightly higher than the sleeve.
Now, the reason I personally didn't consider the plication is because i felt like I got the band when results were not deep and plentiful enough to make a good decision. Frankly, I didn't really know how to research and I think didn't ask the right people the right questions either. Anyway, I just could not get comfortable trying something that wasn't broadly done. I felt a certain sense of "running out of time" and needed to do something that was more commonly done and had more information readily available to me. Again, that is just my own bias from my history of the lapband - gunshy about these things now.
Nobody discusses the DS (duenodal switch) which is by far the riskiest but also most successful surgery. I have to tell you I thought about it, but felt like it was such a big step. I have since found out from plastic surgeons in the USA that their highest complication rates are from DS patients I guess because they have malabsorption bigtime. Of course, DS patients get to eat high fat/high calorie diets compared to sleevers so there are certainly advantages. For some people, this surgery should be looked at seriously - people that are very very high BMI have the best chance of getting to a normal weight with a DS.
Anyway, it is a very personal subject and I really want preops to learn about the procedures and understand how it will impact their lives. It is helpful if people share experiences, but remember we are all very biased based on our own personal experiences. Each procedure has pros and cons, successess and failures, complication risks and long term concerns... but luckily for most of us you can live a pretty normal life once you are past that initial preop period (I never could with the filled band due to the vomiting but others do okay with the band).
Get the surgery, work the tool, lose the weight and get on with living a full life!

I asked my doctor this very question……about removing the band when at goal. He said that there are some that do, but most gain weight. He also said that many of us feel like we're doing all the work, over the job of the band. Given that, we feel in control, and that we no longer need it. When I say "we", I'm mean……some lap band patients. Anyway…..he said that many don't realize how much the band is working, until it's taken out. For me……it will be a cold day in hell before this band comes out. For the first time in my life, I'm not afraid of food.

I'm a sleever and while choosing what WLS is best for you is really more about YOU than what I say, I will put forth my reasons for choosing the sleeve.
In all honesty, when I first decided I wanted WLS, I wanted a band. I had long thought about RNY but I was worried about malabsorption, and the restrictions due to medication. Even though I don't take any medication on a daily basis, (God willing) I have a lot of life yet to live and I didn't want to be restricted in any way due to having WLS. So I focused on the band. When I learned about the *possible* negatives to the band, erosion, slipping, cracked tubing, ports flipping, etc. even that didn't scare me away as much because honestly that stuff can be replaced. But when I learned about PBing your food or your medication, or God forbid, Water...that sealed the deal. I will do just about everything humanly possible to avoid having food come back up. I've never even drank so much alcohol that it made me vomit. Never! I've also never thrown up or slimed or PB'd or anything remotely like that since being sleeved 3 years ago. Not even right after surgery...had the patch behind my ear to keep nausea at bay. There are long-term band people who will say "I've only PB'd 4 times in 4 years!" but to me, that is TOO many! I decided that for me personally that I can't live like that.
I also believe that with the band there is always a chance of having to do another surgery (as I mentioned parts can break and slip, but they can also be replaced) but for me I wanted ONE surgery and DONE. I didn't want to have to worry that in 2, 5, 10 years I would need to go back in and have a tune-up on anything. I've been sleeved for over 3 years and seriously have not had one single complication. Surgery recovery was pretty easy, I don't take any type of PPI (no reflux), and now 3 years later I still don't take any medication for anything. I'm healthier now than I have ever been in my entire adult life.
The sleeve also puts me in control. I decide WHAT I'm going to eat, WHEN I'm going to eat it and the sleeve pretty much takes care of HOW much I can eat at one time. I max out at about 3-4oz of dense Protein. I can squeeze a bit of "other" food in there but my meals rarely go over the 5oz mark total.
So yep, you can come here and hear the good, the bad and ugly about each surgery, and they are all REAL experiences with real people who are living life post WLS, but you will have to look at what is best for you. Best wishes on your continued journey!

i was super morbid obese...it was either seek/get help or be cut out of my house one day..my dr wanted me to do the bypass (and my ins did not cover the sleeve or the ds).....and even though the dr tried to get me to do the bypass (due to my starting bmi of 62) i held fast to the band......he then told me of the plication but stressed it is new so he couldnt tell me alot of it.....i had to sign a waiver for this and he did it for free w/the band.........
he told me something i never forgot......he said no matter what WLS i got.....the bypass, the sleeve, the ds, the band, the plication or whatever.......that unless i changed what i ate....begin to exercise, no WLS would help me...
choose what works for you.....following the doctors instructions on how to use is for the best results.....sometimes things with any WLS happens (good and bad)....and this is a risk we all take.....no one surgery is better than the other....patient compliance in ALL areas is a must....
i went from hardly being able to wipe my butt and barely walking.. to now doing step aerobics classes on a 4 inch step bench 4 to 5 days a week and back to strutting in my 5 inch heels (because i can now).....in 17 months...for me i made the best decision for ME

up to you...all the best

I asked abour DS when I was converted from my band to rny. I did not have a high enough bmi and my doctor did not think it was the right choice for me. I was worried I wouldn't lose because my metabolism is so bad. I am definitely a slow loser but am losing. In june when I was converted I was 220 and am now 169. I would recommend doing all of your research and trust your medical team. You are partnering with them so it has to be your decision too. Good luck!!

One thing I want to point out is that it's possible to regain on ANY WLS - RnY, DS, Lap Band, Sleeve ... It's possible to "eat around" any and all of these if one REALLY wants to. So don't let your fear of that be a deterrent.

Like others have said: RnY is a tried-and-true surgery. Many MANY people have done amazingly well on it. A good friend of mine from high school had it done and she's done wonderfully. If you follow your guidelines and do what you're supposed to do, chances are good that you'll do great!

Good luck!

Hi Dave. Thank you for your reply. You are right - RNY has been the standard for a long time. I see benefits with it and with the DS. It really helps to consider all of these things. I will bring it up at my surgeon appointment and discuss. The two main surgeons here for Kaiser do not list DS as their recommended choice. Therefore, I want to be armed with all the information I can in case I decide to fight for DS. Ultimately, I know it is between my surgeon and I, but again - find everyone's information and experiences shared as valuable in the process. It truly helps! To be honest,

Hi Dave-
Thank you - these articles are very helpful. It is a "pro-and-con" analysis for sure! I appreciate your taking the time to research this and pass info along. Your personal stats on your surgery are undeniably successful. If you were able to do that on RNY that says a lot for this surgery!
Patrice

You're certainly welcome Patrice! Prompted by your question I did a little more research on DS (without the BPD). Here are a couple of articles that you might find interesting. Note that one is from 2011 and the second one from 2012 so they're not quite "current". The first one is especially informative and summarized by the author's statement "This is the most aggressive procedure with the highest risk, but it comes with the best potential for reward." The second link is from 2011 and has some good information but the study cited has a much smaller cohort (60 patients vs. 1,156 in the first one). In this study the author concludes "...the added weight loss compared with gastric bypass is offset by complications that far outweigh any potential benefits."
I'm planning on doing more research as time allows. Hopefully there are more current studies (things change fast in the bariatric surgery world) with even larger cohorts. I'll let you know if I find anything more current. The weight loss numbers and long term weight maintenance for DS certainly appear to be very favorable. The challenge is to weigh those benefits against the increased risk of complications. Have a great day!!
http://heartland.time.com/2012/09/18/researchers-take-a-closer-look-at-weight-loss-surgeries/
http://medscape.com/viewarticle/749385

I also have kaiser here in Oregon and am getting the RNY, my bmi is over 50 and they still wouldn't give me anymore options. Originally I wanted to go with the sleeve. I have 6 family members, 5 with rny and 1 with DS, I'm happy with getting the RNY for several reasons but looking at all of them and they are 4-16years post op, everyone with RNY is maintaining there weight much better, over the long run.

I have been approved for the surgery but have just begun the entire process that leads up to getting an actual date. Therefore, I have a bit of time to wait as I jump through the hoops. The reason I am posting here is that I have been a slow loser in the past, although I am a serial dieter and have had success (only to gain it back and then some cycle so many are familiar with), and I think I may be a slow lower after surgery but there is no way of knowing that. So, I just want to say thank you to everyone here for sharing your stories. It helps a "newbie" like me be prepared for whatever may happen!
All the best,
Patrice

You'll get there! Have patience and follow your program as closely as possible. And I know what you mean about losing before the surgery. In '09 I lost 80 pounds on Optifast but gained it all back within two years. In '04 I lost 75 pounds on Atkins and gained it all back within two years. In '95 I lost 50 pounds on WW and yup! Gained it all back within two years, plus some more! I'm GOOD at losing but I've never been good at keeping it off. The success rate for RNY gives me hope (along with education and working to make lasting lifestyle changes). Here's to a healthy future and enjoying life! :-)

Hi all....Saw my nut yesterday and surgeon today. Essentially they said the same thing..." you WILL lose". I gave them all the numbers of how little ive lost; the stalls, how I've been doing everything right. They both gave me this "knowing look" as thou they had heard my concerns a thousand times before. Neither of them were concerned, in fact both were quite happy and they both said it'll happen and to be patient. I was told to stop weighing everyday as the psychological game we play with ourselves when we don't see a number we would like or expect can really play havoc.
My surgeon answered all my questions and made me feel at ease. He said I'll be seeing big changes over next 3 months and to trust the physiological and hormonal processes our RNY bodies undergo to shed the weight. So I have given away my scales and will weigh once a fortnight only. He said out if all his patients there was nobody who didn't lose as he expected. He said some patients certainly lost more than expected but his slower losers were mainly severe diabetics battling debilitating arthritis, and they still lost significant weight.
I feel relieved. I was convinced I would be the person surgery didn't work for at all. Time to take a chill pill and concentrate on my plan. .so that's what im gonna do.
Im now allowed crackers and toast! As well as salad and nuts. Got to have ny Protein first of course, but my food plan is nuch more varied now. It's great.
Rachel

Here is my new cut. It's not exactly what I wanted but it's layered to look fuller. Over all I'm good as long as t look healthier

First of all, congratulations on your decision and approval to have WLS. You are taking courageous steps to have a healthy, new life. You have great insight into the disease of obesity and this will be invaluable to you in your recovery and success.
I believe you are correct that seeing my success is triggering an uncomfortable feeling for him about his own obesity. He’s a very competitive person and it has to bother him to see his “kid sister” succeed as something he hasn’t begun to tackle. He had success with a medically supervised liquid diet about 12 years ago. Once he gained the weight back, he more or less went into denial about the disease. He was critical of my mother’s weight, her lack of physical activity but could not see that he was in the same situation.
I tackled my obesity differently. For me, it was like when Carrie Underwood sings about “tryin’ to spin the world the other way.” I had good luck with weight loss programs, behavioral changes and regular exercise. I tried and tried and tried, but when the weight return again after a particularly stressful period in my life, I decided I needed to explore surgery, that I had exhausted all other options and that I myself was exhausted from trying so hard to change something I could not change, my morbidly obese BMI.
Despite my own success, I told my mom that I would never “tell” someone to have WLS . You are correct that the patient is only ready when they are ready. I was lucky. I had insurance, support from my children and friends and co-workers and a world-class medical team in nearby Boston. I was still in good health and had already incorporated many of the lifestyle changes that are required of patients. It was still a really difficult decision to make. I was truly, truly blessed with the opportunity for WLS that every obese patient should have available to them. I just pray that my brother will realize the same opportunity before it is too late.

Speaking as someone who just made the choice to get bariatric surgery two weeks ago, I could relate to the post about how even well-meaning people--even those who love us the most--can say things about our weight that trigger binges and more self-loathing, and deeper in the trenches. However, this is not to blame those who want to help (and who are often desperately worried about us) for our behavior.
Rather, it is to make the point that we truly are not ready until we are ready, and whatever point that occurs is different for all of us. If he knows you love and accept him where he is at, although you are concerned for him, this keeps the door open until he is ready. While I can't know this for sure, perhaps he is more concerned for you than his outward behavior may suggest (will I trigger her because I am continuing to eat the way I do). And/or, he may also be triggered by your success in spotlighting what he feels he can never do: which is to lose weight, which in turn may stir up the very familiar self-loathing and despair cycle I know I am very familiar with.
So the point is, you keep doing what you need to do for you! You are still the #1 priority in your own life, no matter how much you love him. And with that, just let him know that you are there for him regardless. That will give him the courage (perhaps) to be vulnerable one day and reach out to you when he hits bottom and wants to change his situation.
I know it must be hard not to be defensive when you feel someone is rejecting you - whether or not that is true, or doesn't seem to support what you are doing to make your life better. But at heart, he is probably not rejecting you so much as he is simply afraid he can never do what you did. Your success puts an even brighter spotlight on him that he has not changed his situation, whereas you did. At the end of the day, your choice to get better, while loving him unconditionally will do its best work.
I can attest that all the talking in the world only made me feel worse about myself. I had tried everything and failed so many times I simply gave up. But there came a time when I was desperate enough to finally elect surgery. (And was just approved for it two weeks ago by my doctor to begin the process).
Congratulations on your weight loss and your love for your brother. That's fantastic and truly "leads the way." Leading quietly by example is more powerful than mere words can ever be. It also keeps us humble when we realize how fragile our hold on health is, and how much we continually need grace to succeed. I respect you a lot for doing what you've done, and all my best to you and your brother!

I would write a long and heartfelt letter telling him why you are so worried and letting him know you are there for him if he ever wants to talk about any of it. Don't nag or push the surgery, just tell him you're there for him and ask that he be supportive of you as well. And then I'd drop it. He's a grown man responsible for himself and until he is ready to change, no amount of pushing will help (and would likely have the opposite effect). It's a horrible thing to watch happening to someone you love (I have major guilt over the worry I put my parents through the last few years). Just be there and be his sister.