gr8ful1

My surgeon said both are very safe and effective, and I could have whichever one I wanted. When I asked him which one he would choose if he were in my shoes, he said RNY gastric bypass without hesitation. Better data supporting better outcomes, and the surgery-related complications are rarer these days, especially with surgeons who do hundreds of them every year.

No, I don't think so. I see a slight upward slope for those in the 90th and 95th percentiles, meaning that the weight loss continues for these high achievers, albeit at a slower rate. You beat the odds. You're doing great! Now please share your success factors.

Yes, Dr. Fitz is pretty awesome. He is very straight forward with his face-to-face meetings. He is very knowledgeable and can explain any situation. I was a little in question initially, but after meeting with him a few times, it was clear that he was my my surgeon. The funny part about it all is that he is very straight forward in his appointments, but the complete opposite before actual surgery. He came in my preop room just before my surgery and he was super energetic, made jokes, super smiley, and animated. That showed me that he was ready to rock-n-roll. He is very passionate about his profession. Hands down the best and I have NO REGRETS!!! He's real deal. You will have an awesome journey with him and his staff. They are all amazing. It WILL go well for your, trust me. Good luck to you.

No problem. Looks like I found this right in time for you to finalize your 3 and 6-month goals! Wishing you much success!

Fascinating study, the results of which should answer lots of "what did you lose at x months" questions. For me, this also provides some large-sample data for which I can set some achievable and realistic goals and expectations for my own progress. Comparison is the thief of joy, but I love looking at peer-reviewed studies.

Three weeks and 20lbs down. I can start pureed food today. However, I would really like to see 25 - 30lbs come off in my first month. I might stay on liquids one more week. I have not exercised at all yet. Frankly, I have no energy because of the liquid diet. I am listening to my body and I figure week four will be when I can start my workout routine. I am seeing changes in my body and it is exciting. I started at 257lbs and I am now down to 237lbs. Overall, things have been great with no complications. No buyers remorse here. People say the first month is really hard but it hasn't been bad. Sure, day one looking at three weeks ahead of liquids seemed impossible. Yet, here I am adding a week. It takes a lot of self control and listening to your body. If you are hungry, it is probably time for a shake or some broth. At first the hunger hits and you think there is no way it will satisfy. Yet, you just keep doing it and soon your body and mind sink up and you realize, yes this does satisfy me and it is enough. I hope you are all doing well on your journey and that this helps in some way.
Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

As someone who is still pre-surgery, this is very encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
Your weight loss so far looks excellent, probably more than most patients lose in three weeks. Especially true for someone whose starting weight was well under 300 pounds! Are your doctor and nutritionist ok with you holding off on the transition to pureed foods? You used the words "can start," not "should start" or "must start," so I'm assuming you're still planning to follow your program. I would want to be as aggressive as possible with the weight loss too, but I wouldn't want to deny myself any essential nutrition that I needed to be healthy and successful.

As someone who is still pre-surgery, this is very encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
Your weight loss so far looks excellent, probably more than most patients lose in three weeks. Especially true for someone whose starting weight was well under 300 pounds! Are your doctor and nutritionist ok with you holding off on the transition to pureed foods? You used the words "can start," not "should start" or "must start," so I'm assuming you're still planning to follow your program. I would want to be as aggressive as possible with the weight loss too, but I wouldn't want to deny myself any essential nutrition that I needed to be healthy and successful.

Or you could tell them that you "had a growth removed." Then they'll see the pounds drop, the hair get thinner, and never guess the real reason you had surgery!

Not at all. Thanks for the kind words. I lost 24lbs in the first week. Afterwards 10 here, 10 there, 5 here, 5 there. It's amazing. I'm thinking finally at 8 weeks out I'm hitting a small stall. It should pass soon. It has been amazing. I just couldn't believe how easy this who process was. No nausea, no gas pain, only slight incision pains the first 2-3 days. I was ready to return to work in 2 weeks and I'm a PE Teacher. Dr. Fitz is awesome. Very direct and straight to the point. Very knowledgeable about his craft. He definitely helped my change my life and give me a second chance to be great in life. I'm so grateful and thankful for him. You'll do fine. You'll look back a few weeks out and be amazed with the journey are advocate for the surgery on these forums just like I do.

I'm still waiting on my initial consultation appointment, but I've been looking at both options for quite some time. I have GERD, so the surgeon may tell me that the sleeve is not indicated for me, which would make my decision a lot easier. And I'll be fine with getting the "gold standard" gastric bypass if that's what he advises.
In your case, it appears that your surgeon doesn't strongly prefer one of the other and has cleared you for your choice of procedure. My analytical mind leans toward the gastric bypass. I consulted for a company that conducted phase four pharmaceutical trials, and I've always leaned heavily toward treatments that have the best efficacy and the lowest mortality/morbidity rates as indicated by large peer-reviewed studies. My research into the studies points me toward gastric bypass. That said, we are not talking about which pill to take here. These surgeries impact more than the amount of weight we lose and the number of years we can expect to live. Both have advantages and disadvantages that may impact your post-surgery life in different ways.
Have you asked your surgeon what he/she would choose if it were for him/herself? I think that's always a good question if you are undecided.

My wife and I shared the same interest, and ironically, an old church friend of mine (he was actually on the board of elders) invited us to his swing club. It's called GottaSwing. What a fun way to get some exercise! Anyway, every night the group meets, everyone switches partners with everyone else. Many nights there are over 100 people in attendance, so it can get quite exhausting, but it's really a lot of fun. To tell you the truth, it was kind of intimidating at first, but each Friday night begins with a 30-minute beginner's dance lesson. There is always a live band, too!

I should be glad that my insurance company requires "only" 6 months. I'm glad the time has been going by fast for you, though. I started this journey by attending a WLS seminar at Fair Oaks in 2014, but "having my insides mutilated" scared me to death back then. I just imagined waking up from surgery in a panic and shrieking, "what have I just done to myself?!" But now I'm ready.

I've been using a CPAP for around 6 years now, and I too had a hard time adjusting to it. The pressure felt way too high, it was harder to breathe with it than without it, and I wondered how in the world something so intrusive could help me sleep better. I don't remember how long it took me to get used to it, but I did, and it didn't take very long. I went back to the medical equipment supplier a couple of times with my equipment, and they helped me make sure it fit right, and that I was using it correctly. And I got used to the pressure within a week or less. Fast-forward to today, and I often have to double-check to make sure that my machine is on because I don't notice the air being blown into my nose anymore!
One thing that I've never gotten used to is a full face mask. I haven't been able to find a mask that doesn't leak loudly. So I use a nasal pillow mask and it works great, even when I am sick and can only breathe through one nostril.
I suggest you give it more time, and that you visit with your CPAP supplier to make sure your machine and headgear are adjusted correctly. They might also be able to adjust your machine to ramp up the pressure more gradually.

Nah, he's safe. He doesn't have the beard that seems to bring the boys to my yard.

RNY gastric bypass and suffer in unbearable and untreated joint pain, or sleeve gastrectomy and an eroded esophagus or cancer?
Are the choices really as bad as they seem?
I like the weight loss results of the bypass, but I'm concerned about the lack of pain med options for bypass patients. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that I *will* have early arthritis in my wrist and hand as a result of a car accident injury/surgery. I actually have pain every day now, more than 15 years after the accident, but I suck it up without meds.
I would love to hear from RNY patients who have arthritis or arthritis-like pain, and whether or not the pain treatment options post-RNY are as grim as I might think.
Thanks in advance!

I originally went in thinking I was getting the sleeve...he said he’d do which ever one I wanted, but did say that I would do better with bypass...after looking into both, I decided to go with the one that has been around longer.

I had gastric bypass 11 months ago. Dr. Fitzer is awesome!
Started at 240 and today I am 138
best decision ever!

I had to do 12 months with dietician and lose 10% of my weight. It’s went by quicker than I thought. My friend had surgery over a year ago and she has done awesome. She was the main reason I chose Dr Fitzer, but I have heard nothing but good things.

Yall won't be disappointed. I had am amazing experience with them all.

I have an apt next Friday too! After this one, I have 2 more with Suzanne.

I've been using a CPAP for around 6 years now, and I too had a hard time adjusting to it. The pressure felt way too high, it was harder to breathe with it than without it, and I wondered how in the world something so intrusive could help me sleep better. I don't remember how long it took me to get used to it, but I did, and it didn't take very long. I went back to the medical equipment supplier a couple of times with my equipment, and they helped me make sure it fit right, and that I was using it correctly. And I got used to the pressure within a week or less. Fast-forward to today, and I often have to double-check to make sure that my machine is on because I don't notice the air being blown into my nose anymore!
One thing that I've never gotten used to is a full face mask. I haven't been able to find a mask that doesn't leak loudly. So I use a nasal pillow mask and it works great, even when I am sick and can only breathe through one nostril.
I suggest you give it more time, and that you visit with your CPAP supplier to make sure your machine and headgear are adjusted correctly. They might also be able to adjust your machine to ramp up the pressure more gradually.

I'm not a mathematician, but there's a whole lot of stuff that doesn't add up in this thread.

If I were you, I would just get a new sleep study and be done with it. I will probably wait until I'm at goal weight or very close to it, but it sounds like now might be a good time for you.

I'm not a mathematician, but there's a whole lot of stuff that doesn't add up in this thread.