I had Open RNY (gastric bypass) surgery 5 weeks ago today. I have lost 27 pounds so far. The first two weeks were very hard mentally. I didn't feel normal, I suppose the anesthesia and morphine was still leaving my system...plus I was used to eating and you just have no appetite in the beginning. But that feeling passed and I have had zero complications. The pain was at worst a 3 on a scale of 10. I was on liquid/pureed diet for the first 4 weeks and now am eating regular foods, although in limited amounts. You can't eat alot, you get full fast and you do not get hungry, at least so far. It is recommended that you get 60-80 grams of protein a day and that is the hardest part. I can't tolerate protein shakes/drinks so I have to get it otherwise. I'm eating alot of beef jerky right now! I also take a vitamin once a day along with Pepcid to prevent ulcers. I feel soooooooooooo much better already and have a ton of energy which I definitely didn't before. I had a BMI of 41, was just barely 100 pounds overweight and had high b/p, high cholesterol and sleep apnea...all of which are going away. Thanks and I'll be glad to answer anyone's questions...G'Night from Atlanta!

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Unfortunetly my insurance won't pay for the. I so desperetly want to have the wls done. I would pay out of pocket and go to Brazil and have it done but my husband won't let me go. He thinks it is to dangerous. I keep praying that someday someway I will be able to have this done. I am so happy for you! I have a friend who had the duodenal switch done and she looks fabulous!

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 11-14-2002).]

Oh Im so glad for you! I have been looking into it also. I "think" my insurance will pay for it. I am going to ask my doctor about it at my next apt. I am so glad for you Good luck and keep up the good work.
Take Care and please keep us posted.
~Cooki

I had it done 11/28/01 at 538 lbs I am now 328 lbs, I have had my share of side affects, had to have gallbladder out food sticking etc. I belive the GNY is for somebody like me who needs to lose 350lbs, Im a guy 6'1", 100lbs or less I don't imho think its worth altering your body for life, if you have to get the rubber band procedure, and please don't listen to anybody if your less the 100lbs overweight telling you to put weight on to meet the insurance criteria, thats just plain sick, there are other ways. I had nothing but complications due to my size, spent a month in the hospital after surgery, yes for someone like me it was worth it but I would think hard and I do not preach to anybody about it, as for protein Natures best no carb protein is good, 25 grams per scoop sold at Vitamin shoppe, GNC etc

I'm very happy for you, I know the mental as well as phyical anguish and complications of being overweight.
I'm aprox 125 lbs overweight with many medical problems, but I'm on medicare and I don't think they
cover such a procedure. I also have two teen daughters
that are overweight our 18yr old is overvweight a little over 100 lbs and our 15yr old about 75 lbs. I think it's a genetic problem. I've never talk to anyone after they had the surgery, it was nice to hear such encouraging personal feeling and positive feed back about the procedure. Best of Luck

From what I understand the law 100lbs overweight means morbid obesity and morbid means death! If every other step have been taken Im sure they must cover it TFB ON THEM

I know sometimes you must keep on them like a fly on crap but a sypathic supervisor can do the trick

Hi Cooki, May I suggest trying Food Addicts in Recovery, before having the surgery. I was thinking of having bypass surgery before I found these food addict groups.

It's a great meeting, alot of sharing and alot of successful weight losses, alot of very happy people in ne room.

Danaworks

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Sounds like the grey sheet of OA no sugar no flour no wheat, as long as I did my meetings and talked to my sponser I was fine I gave away 160lbs only to find it you must stick with it

Congradulations on your weight loss Jabber!

Yes, it's like any 12 Step recovery program, you have to stick with it for the rest of your life.

I've been able to get off all medication and my health and mental well being has improved, MY LIFE has improved that I don't want to ever lose what I've gained from recovery so I want to do this for the rest of my life. Can't imagine the Hell I lived in for all those years.

Danaworks

[This message has been edited by Danaworks (edited 11-30-2002).]

karla, i would like to correspond with you, I too have considered it, and I have heard the insurance won't pay...Have you found any alternatives? ckinusa
Originally posted by Karla:
Unfortunetly my insurance won't pay for the. I so desperetly want to have the wls done. I would pay out of pocket and go to Brazil and have it done but my husband won't let me go. He thinks it is to dangerous. I keep praying that someday someway I will be able to have this done. I am so happy for you! I have a friend who had the duodenal switch done and she looks fabulous!

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 11-14-2002).]

Several people have asked for me to give updates on my progress so here goes! I am exactly 10 weeks post-op today and I've lost 45 pounds. The only problem I've had so far is the inability to tolerate some foods. I've thrown up quite a bit over the past four weeks. I cannot eat meat, it just does not digest. I've been living off cantaloupe, grapes, nuts, beef jerky and popcorn. And of course water. I never get hungry, I eat because I know I need the nourishment. I feel better than I've felt in years. I never want to stay home, I'm always on the go. I've read posts that some insurance companies won't cover the surgery and this is true. I was very lucky to get mine covered because in January 2003, they (Aetna HMO) are changing their policy and it will be much harder to get coverage. I am so happy I made the decision to have this surgery. I honestly feel that it has saved my life and given it back to me. Until later...

ckinUSA,
If you do searches on duodenial switch you will find yahoo support groups. Many for insuranace issues and foeighn doctors who accept cash patients. There are also support groups with lots of good question and support.

CDRT - I am so happy for you! You sound very happy with your decision to have the surgery. I am in Atlanta too and wondering who performed your surgery and where you had it done? My insurance is a PPO with Blue Cross Blue Shield and I have been told by them that I need to get an approval letter written by an MD before they will evaluate coverage. I am currently JUST about 100 lbs. overweight and seriously considering the surgery. I have lost almost 40 lbs. in the past year with Meridia along with an exercise program involving the help of a personal trainer, but that program ended in Sept. 2002 and I find myself struggling to continue the weight loss on my own. Can you contact me at my email address (C_stone@charter.net) so we can communicate about this in more detail? Thank you for sharing your experience and I wish you continued happiness and satisfaction with the results.

[This message has been edited by cbstone (edited 12-23-2002).]

Hi,

My name is Barbara my diabieties dr suggested the surgury that you had done to me today. I would greatly appreciate any information about it that you can offer.
I am mainly afriad of pain after the surgury and I am scared of hospitals. I have medicare as primary insurance and horizon blue cross blue shield secondary. I weighed 293.50 and now am down to 212 lb's I was taking Ionamin diet pills to lose weight plus watching what I eat but I am getting tired of dieting and it's been over 2 years I am five feet 2 inches tall.

Please write to me.

Try and write to BSidrer@aol.com

Because I am not sure I can find this message board again I am new to the message boards.
Thank you

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Barbara