Pre-surgery RNY questions

surfgirl
on 3/23/18 8:46 am

Hi All!

So I have my "meet the surgeon" appointment in a week, and I have a lot on my mind.

  • Currently, the plan is for RNY, but I know that at the time of surgery, they may decide to do the sleeve. Does the sleeve still result in malabsorption?
  • I will only have my teenage son (no driver's licence) to help me. Any suggestions on things I need to do/plan for prior to surgery, to mitigate potential problems?
  • Do you recommend any specific type/brand of protein shakes (I'm in Ontario)
  • I'm honestly worried that I won't be able to lose weight, as ridiculous as that may sound. I used to be slim in my teens and 20's, but I was super active. (I'm 50 now). I followed a paleo program to a T, weighing and measuring everything, along with 5K daily walks. Initially, some weight came off, but after about 16 months, without any change to activity or diet, I started piling on the pounds and then some. I was tested for pretty much everything. My thyroid was out of whack, but not severely. I was put on the lowest dose of thyroid medication. Vitamin D levels were super depleted, as was my B12 (now taking supplements for both). My blood sugar, which used to be pristine, increased, requiring me to go on Metformin. I see the before and afters, and they are amazing, but I fear that I will be that weirdo exception who won't lose the weight. The specialist is confident that surgery is the solution for me, particularly since I was able to successfully follow a healthy eating lifestyle and still not maintain weight loss. I think I'm afraid to hope.

Thank you for listening.

Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 3/23/18 8:59 am
RNY on 08/05/19

To address your questions in order:

The sleeve does not provide malabsorption.

To prepare, I'd suggest doing a shopping trip and getting your house stocked with things you'll need. Non-caloric drinks (sugar-free lemonade, tea bags, sugar-free sports drinks, etc.), different types of broth, water bottle, fuzzy socks, etc. You will probably be doing little more than sleeping and walking for your first week or so!

Everyone's taste in protein shakes is different. Try to get a bunch of sample packs, and try them out after surgery; many people find that their tastes changes quite a bit after WLS.

Many people here (myself included) worry that they will fail at surgery. But if you follow your surgeon's instructions, watch what you eat, and address your mental attitude towards food, you CAN and WILL be successful!!

Good luck!

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

surfgirl
on 3/26/18 7:23 am

Thank you for your tips and good wishes. I appreciate it. :)

Julia S.
on 3/23/18 10:11 am - Beaverton, OR
RNY on 02/12/18

I tried to be as prepared as possible, but made some mistakes. I ordered bariatric vitamins and ended up having to return them because my surgeon gave me prescriptions for most of them. I also purchased shakes and powders and Propel. Unfortunately I bought Premier Protein Shakes and I found out through a lot of pain that I am Lactose Intolerant. I guess a lot of people are, or temporarily become lactose intolerant. So I had to find something else to replace them. After many expensive protein powders I found some I can tolerate. Look for Whey Protein Isolate as it does not have lactose or very little. Everything tasted too sweet to me after surgery, and I was sick of sweet shakes. I finally found a protein powder I would recommend it is Genepro and totally unflavored and will mix with anything. It is 30g of protein in 1 tablespoon.

This is a long journey and I'm just starting it. I'm learning something every day, about how my body has changed and what I can tolerate. I wish you luck on your journey, this forum has been so much help to me. I hope it will be for you as well.

5'5" Age 66 HW 291 SW 275.8 CW 179.8

Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 3/23/18 10:19 am
RNY on 08/05/19

Genepro does not actually have 30g protein in one tablespoon-- that is not physically possible. The stuff is a scam.

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

surfgirl
on 3/26/18 7:26 am

Thank you, Tine01! It's a big help to get information from people who have already on this journey. I will check out the whey protein isolate. I had no idea about the possibility of lactose intolerance -- thanks for the heads up!

MichelleS61
on 3/23/18 10:14 am - Lindsay, Canada
RNY on 02/26/18

Definitely do not buy a bunch of protein shakes before hand, I got samples of the Vega ones and wasn't able to do them at all as they were revolting (to me). I find the premier protein shakes way too sweet the only way I could have them at first was by adding a cup of milk to reduce the overall sweetness. They usually only prescribe nacotics for pain for the first couple days, probably by day 4 or 5 you'll be able to drive short distances without a problem. The RNY has a better rate of Type 2 remission for longer periods which is why they tend to recommend.

Don't know what kind of B12 supplement you're doing now, but after trying the disolving for a couple of days, I switched to injections as it can be hard to swallow pills immediately afterwards.

Depending on where your are having surgery they will have different recommendation re: vitamins afterwards, I got the Jamieson Chewables and they are tolerable fruit flavour would never have by choice but I can handle for a couple months.

57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185

TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18

Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;

surfgirl
on 3/26/18 7:35 am

Thanks for all of the information, Michelle! I will be sure to ask about the vitamins when I meet the surgeon, too.

jenorama
on 3/23/18 10:19 am - CA
RNY on 10/07/13

Others have addressed your questions, but be advised that the hospital may not release you unless you have someone to drive you home. You will likely be on some sort of pain medication where driving is not allowed.

Also, don't worry about not being able to lose weight, especially early out. You have to work very very hard to not lose weight with a brand-new RNY. Now once you're a year or so out, it becomes a different story, so use your "honeymoon" period to lose as much weight as quickly as possible. :D

Jen

surfgirl
on 3/26/18 7:32 am

Hi Jen,

Thank you for the warning about the hospital release -- it was something I worried about, too. I found out last week that we are allowed to just grab a ride (bus/cab/uber) from the hospital I'm at. (Doubt I'll take the bus, lol!)

I promise you I won't waste my honeymoon phase of the RNY, provided I get it and not the sleeve. Regardless of which procedure I undergo, I will work hard at it.

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