Weight Loss Surgery - Very informative thread

I'm 55 y/o, BMI of 47 and just getting started on the approval phase. I went back as far as I could on all of your experience and was encouraged, dismayed, informed, scared and nervous. I am worried about hanging skin, hair loss, what type of procedure to have, food and fiber intake after surgery, pain, troubles after surgery, etc. Sharmel's experience and another person, can't remember whose, were quite an ordeal. My sister had the RNY about six years ago and she has done well. But, she didn't tell anyone in our family except me and only afterwards, because some people in my family would have had a fit. Have six siblings and only one brother, plus my RNY sister are thin only. The rest of us, including my parents, are morbidly obese. We are all have multiple health problems from being overweight. Most in my family figure what is, IS! My immediate family is very supportive and are very hopeful for me to have the surgery. My husband is very hopeful, because he knows how much I have suffered from being overweight and all the effort that I have put into trying to keep a normal weight. Thank you so much for being willing to put yourself out there on this thread and all the information and questions you have answered. By the way, what eventually happened to Sharmel? You know what they say, "Forewarned is forearmed."

:welcome2: I live near Dayton OH, half the week & near Indianapolis the other half, so is nice to see another "Homestate" person here.

You appear to be on the right track as far as researching & wanting to find out the pros & cons before surgery. I had RNY a little over a year ago and have had fantastic results. Within 3 months, I was off acid reflux, high blood pressure & reduced my arthritis meds. I went from a size 26 before surgery to size 10-12 now. I CAN WALK!!! & enjoy it. The only foods I stay completely away from are sweets (anything with refined sugar) & anything fried or greasy. The greasy stuff I got out of the habit of eating years ago (acid reflux) & see no reason to start now. About a month post-op I tried a VERY SMALL taste of ice cream (with sugar) & it came back up. I probably could do it now, but after a year without refined sugar & not missing it, I can't think of a reason I would be so cruel to myself & start eatiing it. I don't try it again so I am not tempted again. I was part of a wonderful WL Clinic with support & a very defined diet for the 1st year, adding back a little at various intervals. For instance, I couldn't have raw vegetables for 8 months, beef came at 10 months, & bread at 11 months. It trained me in new eating habits, which was a good thing. We also were instructed on the amount of protein supplement, vitamins, iron, fish oil, calcium that we would need to take ongoing to be healthy. I listened, followed & learned. I did NOT have major hair lose (slight thinning for about a month) but not noticeable to anyone but me. I am convinced that the regime the clinic gave us is what made me successful & will make it easier to maintain what I lost. I also have good skin it seems as I have minimal sagging skin. I have some under my arms, but I still go sleeveless (after all at 57 some loose skin is normal), and some on my butt (but covered by underwear or swimming suit). I stopped exercising in the winter -- walking is my exercise -- but have started again when the weather got nicer.

I have a cousin & niece who have also had the RNY. My cousin is nearly 5 years postop & maintaining her loss, is off all high blood pressure & diabetic meds. My niece is 3 month post op and off high blood pressure meds & greatly has reduced diabetic meds. She is struggling because she was not given a diet plan or instructions on supplements she should have. She is 200 miles from her surgeon & clinic, so doesn't have that support. On top of that, she isn't connected to the internet so can't search what options she has. I have become her support group.

Sharmel still posts from time to time, like me. We had surgery about the same time. She had trials, but I believe that she is okay now. She may respond to your note.

The best advice I can give anyone looking into the surgery is to research your surgeon first. Be sure they are reputable, have successfully performed this surgery many times. Do they have a support group you can join? Do they give you eating & supplement guidelines? The surgeon & their followup is the most important to success .

Good Luck & Welcome

Loodie, thank you so much for your reply. Congratulations on your weight loss. I'm glad to hear that you and your family's health problems have been greatly reduced. That is the main reason for finally looking into WLS is the health issues for me. That and my world has gotten very narrow over the last few years. Hard to be a participant in life if you can't walk and have health issues that you are dealing with. I'm hating the fact that the last few years, vacations, activities with my husband and kids have depended on my ability to be able to do things. I'm really trying to deal with "why I love food so much" especially when I know how I've let overeating impair my life and has sent a ripple effect through my family. I'm about one and a half hours from the WLS center that my insurance has sent me too. It also happens to be the one that my sister had her WLS. So, I will be able to participate in counseling and support meetings. I have great support from my DH and wonderful kids and grandkids. I knew that WLS was not a cure-all for my weight, but reading these threads, hearing from people like you, and reading other stuff, has really driven home to me the need for change and dedication that it will take to give me a better life. I asked my husband "If it is going to take this much after surgery, why can't I do the same thing now?" His reply was what can I do to help. That is one of the reasons that I have been married to the guy for 37 years. I see that I will be doing the same thing after surgery that I should be doing now, but I will have a better chance with the WLS to keep a weight loss. I'm kind of in limbo now waiting on insurance and again am starting to try and kick myself into eating healthier and less. Would like to go into WLS with a loss. I meet my insurance's criteria, but don't know what hoops I will have to jump through before final approval. My surgery will take place in Columbus which is only a couple of hours from you. Again, thank you.