Many Questions
Hi everyone, I just joined today. I have been seeing an Orthopedic for my AVN(Avascular Necrosis), and at my appointment last Monday, he told me that it is time for 'last resort', time for Bariatric Surgery.
To say the least, I'm Terrified! I don't know which one to have...I've read and read about each, but am still a little miffed. I would love to meet some of you, and have your opinion and story. I live in Wisconsin, and my insurance completely covers the surgery. I am 47, 5'7, and 301lbs. I have Graves Disease(Thyroid), Chronic Kidney Disease(PRE Diabetes by 4yrs), AVN, HTN, Diabetes II, Spinal Stenosis, and I am Bi Polar with Schizo-affective disorder, and BPD. Needless to say I am on a ton of medications...I take 13 pills in the morning, and 5 pills at bedtime. This does not include vitamins(when I remember to take them).
Please any help?
Especially with all of the medical conditions going on with you, I would strongly recommend working ONLY with a Bariatric surgeon to determine the best weight loss surgery for you. Get a couple of different opinions. But work with a professional who will be able to deal with your particular needs.
We are only strangers on the internet here, none of us professionals, talking to you, another stranger. Mostly people here are going to recommend the type of surgery they themselves had, which may not be the right fit for you. All we can give is our personal opinions and experience.
I could give you my personal story and experience, but I don't think it will be useful for you because our stories are so different.
What I will say is that weight loss surgery is not magic, it doesn't take care of everything, it doesn't operate on our heads or our emotions. Cravings continue. You have to work it with lots of ha*****ange with regard to eating and exercise, as well as lots of vitamins and supplements you simply must remember to take every single day. You will have a year or so when the weight loss is easy, and after that it will be up to you with some help from a smaller tummy to keep it off.
I think it's important for people to know the realities of what they are getting into with weight loss surgery, and I encourage you to keep reading. You might want to check out the different forums here, and there's lots of info under the "MORE" drop down at the top of the page.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
Make sure you meet with a surgeon who performs multiple types of surgery. RNY is more common, but my best guess (I am not a doctor) is that there might be absorbtion issues with some of your medications. VSG doesn't have the same absorbtion issues, but to know which is truly better for you, you need to talk to a surgeon who does both.
I am also 47 and 5'7" tall. I used to weigh 339 at my highest and maintain around 140. I did not have the health issues you have so I have no opinion on what would be best for you. Keep researching until you find the answers you need. I wish you the best!!
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
on 2/14/14 8:12 am
Have you met with a surgeon yet? He or she can usually offer good advice related to your specific medical situation about which surgery might be best.
I also have bipolar and take several meds a day to help manage my "special brain," as I like to call it. I opted for the sleeve because I want to make extra-sure that there are no issues with absorbing my medications. However, my surgeon said that there usually aren't problems with psych meds after the RNY (bypass), though extended-release (XL or XR/one a day) versions of pills no longer work and you may need to switch to the standard type instead.
Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!