Cons:
The first three days post op
Not being able to eat and drink at the same time
You eat so little that left overs occupy most of your fridge space

Pros:
Completely got rid of my obstructive sleep apnea
Way more energy
No more heart palpitations
SELF CONFIDENCE!!!

I am 45 and had gastric bypass surgery 20 months ago. My highest weight was 242--I am 5'5"" tall. I am a type I diabetic and have been since I was 15. Prior to surgery, I was using over 150 units of insulin thru the pump per day and my blood sugars were very uncontrolled. I had extremely high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, and was in the early stages of kidney failure. I also had a hiatal hernia. I couldn't walk from my house to my mailbox without being winded, needed a shopping cart to hold myself up in the grocery store. I could not clean my house. I couldn't get in and out of a bathtub, couldn't bend over to pick something up off the floor. There were far too many could nots!
I was told by my doctor that I "had reached the point of no return."
Gastric bypass surgery saved my life. I now weigh about 130, give or take a pound or two here or there. I wear mostly 6's, but some 8's, depending on brand. I don't have asthma or sleep apnea. My blood pressure and cholesterol are perfect. My insulin use is now about 25 units per day thru the pump and my diabetes is in excellent control.
Do I think I could have lost the weight on my own? I don't know, I like to think so because I was determined. I fought through 3 denials before I was approved and had already began losing on my own. When my approval came, I went ahead and did it because I had another issue that had to be taken care of also.
I have no regrets. After nearly two years, I do enjoy a treat now and again and am not ashamed. I lost all my weight in 9 months and have maintained easily.
I don't have any I can't's anymore--just a lot of I CANS!

My insurance was awful--I started with Texas Medicaid in August of 2011--I was on SSI Disability for many health reasons. Two months later, Texas laws changed and the insurance changed to a Medicaid HMO called Amerigroup. I fought for a year to have my surgery. Normally, I would have only had 6 dietary classes, one psych eval, and a naso gastric test, which would be done over a 6 month period. 3 denials later, and my surgery happened on 9/27/12. A year and two months later. It was well worth the wait!
And I am NOT a fan of exercise, but do try to get a little in. I believe completely that it's about diet and food management. I log every morsel that enters my mouth--weigh and measure accurately. I DO, at 20 months out, incorporate a sweet treat here and there--like ONE cookie instead of four, a small sliver of pie or cake. I've learned to savor every bite. Not hard and it's a way of life. Just comes natural now. And interestingly, my sons, who are 24, 23, and 21 have learned smaller portions are the way to go too and have all lost a few inches themselves!

Just a word of warning...the side effect of dumping when eating sweets and fats DOES NOT affect everyone! I am only saying that because I was also very excited about that side effect prior to surgery. As a "sugar-addict" I thought that the surgery would make it impossible for me to eat that junk. Not so - seven months post surgery I can eat pretty much anything (except some dense proteins like chicken). I feel that the dumping side effects are widely touted as a benefit prior to surgery, and the impression is that you will never be able to tolerate the sweets and high fats foods that many of us overweight people struggle with. I've read studies that say the actual number of post GB patients that dump is as low as 30%. Now that said, seven months later I am still 80lbs lighter. My BP meds are 1/4th of what I was taking, heartburn and heart palpitations are gone, sleep apnea has improved, Blood sugar is lower and in normal range (I was pre-diabetic), fatty liver has improved, back and joint pain improved, even my asthma symptoms are reduced. I have loads more energy and walk 2-4 miles at least 4 days a week. The surgery definitely gave me a "reset" period, but I will have to continue to add exercise and control my eating - not so much quantity, but substance, to continue my weight loss. I would still say it is probably the best thing I've done for myself.

Oh, and I also had a six month diet and pre-testing period....it flew by. Don't even worry about that. I have six tiny laproscopic scars on my abdomen, no big deal. I am starting to notice some flappy arm wings as we head into summer, but I'm going to add more strength-training and see if that doesn't help. I've only walked for exercise so far as I hate lifting weights (boring), but I know I need to do more. Strength training is beneficial for a lot of reasons as women get older.

I'm 21 months post RNY. and have been successful in my journey thus far. I'm 32 and weighted 340 lbs. I'm down to 193 now. I had hypertension, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease and was pre-diabetic. All of my conditions cleared up within 4 months of surgery. So yes, that part is great!

Now, here comes the not so good part. The reality is that 50% of weight loss surgery patients gain it all back within 5 years. Yes, even with the bypass you can gain it all back, especially if you are one of those few that don't dump (I don't unless I eat vast amounts of sugar). This surgery is a tool that basically forces you to undergo a total system reset. You will lose the majority of your weight in the first 8-12 months. I was told to expect about 100 lbs lost from the surgery itself. After that, you have to put the work in. I track my food (mostly) and I spend 4 to 5 hours a week in the gym. I keep track of my weight, my food and my exercise. When I want to, I can loosen my diet up some. Then when I notice that I've gained, I crack down and reduce my calorie intake. That's maintenance in it's basic form.

So, just keep it in mind, that there is no easy way out. Sure, the first 6 months are amazing due to losing all the weight, but keep in mind that you will have to work for it.


Here are a few things that you may want to consider for RNY:

1: Is not reversible. It is the most extreme weight loss surgery available. It cannot be revised to anything else. It permanently modifies your digestive tract. Other surgeries can be revised.
2. Because it modifies your digestive tract, you will no longer be as efficient at absorbing vitamins and minerals. You will need to take vastly more vitamins than a "normal" person, for the rest of your life. I take 3 mutlivitamins, 3 calcium chews, 6000 iU of extra D, B complex, extra C (for iron absorption) and iron. Iron deficiency is very common in RNY patients.
3. You should wear a medical bracelet for the rest of your life. A blind NG tube can puncture your new pouch.
4. Your "hungry" feeling will return after a few months. That portion of the stomach is still intact, unlike a VSG.
5. You may want to consider a VSG. They are becoming much more popular, however have a longer initial recovery.

Suggestions:

1. Keep up with the exercise, and make sure to start strength training now. Muscles will help to reduce the amount of extra skin you have, and will help you recover faster. I have extra skin everywhere, but my neck, inner thighs and abdomen are the worst areas.
2. Start tracking food now. Get yourself a nice digital scale if you don't have one already. You'll need it.
3. Don't stock up on protein. Your tastes will completely change post surgery.
4. Don't worry about the pre-op stuff, or the short term recovery. Focus on your goal, and the long term. That is where the biggest difference is made. If you can't handle a few months of recovery how would you handle a lifetime of living with the surgery.
5. Get a support system in place now, even if it's just on the internet. I've been so successful because my wife had the RNY 6 weeks before I did. It really helps having somebody in the house that knows what I've gone through.
6. Work on your 30/30 rule pre surgery. No liquids for 30 minutes before or after your meal, and take 30 minutes to eat your meal.
7. You will have good days, and you will have very bad days. Eat the wrong thing, and you could be out of commission for hours. Be diligent in what you put in your mouth during the first few months. Only try one new food at a time. Treat your pouch like an infant learning to eat for the first time.
8. You will have buyer's remorse at some point. Just push through it, and realize that it's a journey, not a race. Each day is different. You will get stronger and feel better with time.

Thank you very much for the words of wisdom. I realize that this will not be an end all fix all, but just a reset period to get me back to where I should be. I go to the information session tomorrow and will start from there. I cannot work out right now due to severe plantar faciitis. I love lifting weights and may be able to do that portion at least for now. I am very anxious to see how things go tomorrow!!

Hope things went well with your appointment. I had my sleeve about 3 years ago. Weighed 386 at my largest, 226 right now with another 60 to lose. I had a lot of the same issues you do and this surgery gave me my mobility back as well as my self confidence and pride. I can't say enough positive things about the gastric sleeve. I really had no issues with the surgery or recovery. I will point out here though that all of the surgeries are really just tools. Use the tool and you get the weight off. Keep using the tool and you keep the weight off.

PS - For the heal pain, the best advice I ever got and used was wearing Birkenstocks. I work in the corporate offices of a bank so I'm not talking about their sandals. I wear those too, but most of the time I wear the clogs and shoes. Expensive yes, but so worth it because I no longer have that aweful heal pain!

Hi Mary,
I had VSG about 11 months ago. I'm 5'6" and I was 275 when I started pre-op. (Highest weight was 290). I wore size 24 pants and 3X tops. I also had high blood pressure and had bouts of plantar fasciitis for many years (omg! Painful!). My knees hurt all the time, but I never saw my doctor for it because I knew it was due to the weight I was carrying. I was 52 but felt 75. I lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the years but always wound up heavier than ever.

Since having surgery I've lost over 110 lbs and am nearly to my goal of 155 lbs. I wear a size 10 pants and M tops. I haven't worn that size since college! My blood pressure is normal. No meds. No more plantar fasciitis or knee pain. I love to take long walks and in January I took 2 teenage boys to Disney and walked them into the ground. They were begging me to slow down, lol.

I feel so much better. It's hard to even describe. I am so happy that I had surgery and was given a chance to get my life back. Surgery is not an easy way out, but it is a fantastic tool and will give you a real shot at achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. The only downside, IMO, is that I didn't do it sooner.

Good luck with whatever you decide

It is reversible, but I think there are only 6 surgeons in the country who are qualified to do a reversal.