Thought I was getting VSG....Turns Out I'm Not...RNY it Is

So after doing all my research and preparing for VSG...I found out my insurance won't cover that surgery. So now I am up for RNY...anybody care to share any and everything with me about their experience?

You will get a lot of opinions.  I had the RNY because I had issues with diabetes.  The surgery, whether it is RNY or VSG or DS is only a very small part of the whole process.  The biggest piece for me was changing my lifestyle.

I am having to learn to modify my eating behavior.  I can't look at food like I used to.  I can't "romance" food anymore.  Food is just a means of obtaining nutrution.  My life focus has to change to other things.

That is the most fun part of this journey.  We have the chance to discover a part of us we never knew before.  Good Luck!!  We will wait for you on the Losers Bench!!

Steve

I really appreciate that Steve. You're right...a few folks have given me their opinion...others have shared the "he said she said" horror story so as to scare me out of my decision...I even chose VSG because I thought it would be less scarier. I will be the first to admit I am afraid...but anything has got to feel better than being a prisoner in my own body.

Wow, where to begin! First, please stop by the PA board here (under regional forums). You are in good company and that board is excellent.

I am coming up on a year post op with RNY and here is what I'd say:

Be sure to double check your doctor's pre op diet requirements. It may be a full liquid diet, or it may be a simple low carb diet for the weeks prior to surgery.

Assuming you will have a laparoscopic procedure, you will be in the hospital for 2 to 3 days. You will go home with pain medication but many of us only need it for a day or two post op. Then switch to Tylenol products.

Exercise is important right from the start. You willstart walking in the hospital and continue daily walks at home. By 3 weeks you can swim; by 6 weeks you wll probably be cleared for all other exercise. If you can do any exercise now...do it! Building strength pre op will help your recovery.

Post op diet is critical to your healing. Ask your doc and. Nutritionist for specifics. With ray, there is usually a week of full liquids, a week or so of pureed foods, a week or so of soft foods, and finally full diet.

The amount of food you eat will start off at 1/4 to 1/2 cup per meal, and will gradually increase over the first year or so.

There is a significant risk of 'dumping' syndrome if you ingest too much sugar. Ask your doc specifically what his guideline is for sugar consumption. Natural sugars such as lactose or sugars in fruit don't affect most people the way that refined sugar does.

Excess fat intake can also cause dumping.

You will need to pay special attention to protein intake.be sure that your doc gives you the correct protein intake target for the day.

Fluid intake is also critical to your well being. Most of us aim for at least 64 ounces per day.

Because your body cannot absorb certain vitamins from food post op, you must take supplements daily for life. Important supplements include vitamin b1, b12 (sublingual tablet), calcium citrate, and multivitamins. If you are still menstruating, iron is often prescribed. Taking your supplements is a "must."

Take advantage of support groups as often as you can. Since you a renin Philly you may be interested in the group at Barix Clinic in Langhorne. It is open to all, at all stages - pn me for more info!

Best of luck! Lynn

Last September my husband did the sleeve. He had great success, no complications, has since lost 140 lbs. So I decided I wanted to do the sleeve too, I went throught the whole process planning to do the sleeve, insurance approved me for a sleeve. Three weeks before my scheduled surgery date my surgeon says I would get better resolution of diabetes by doing RNY, oh and we need to know as soon as possible so we can resubmit to insurance. It was a roller coaster of a night for me. I was terrified of the rny, did not want to deal with dumping. In the end I decided to trust my surgeon and do the RNY.

I am going to be honest, the first 2 weeks after surgery I had major regret. I went through the whole normal feeling of what have I done?

Once I turned a corner I realized that I had made the right choice. The fear of dumping is a huge motivator for me to eat right.

Good Luck!

Hi, haven't had surgery yet but just wanted to say Hi as we both live in Philly and are seeing Dr Williams

~Monica

Hi Monica,
Nice to meet you! How far along in the process are you? Have you met Dr. Williams yet? Today was my first day...thoughts?

I had the same issue as you- wanted the sleeve but insurance won't cover it. So I have an RNY scheduled for 2 weeks from tomorrow.

I still think I would have done just fine with the sleeve, but not to be. I will make the RNY work.

Hey.  Congratulations on making this decision.  I'm in Philly too, but I had my surgery at Jefferson.  When I started the process, I wanted the VSG, but I ran into the same problem with my insurance company.  They just wouldn't cover it, so I ended up getting the RNY.  I regret nothing.  I so identify with what you're saying about the fear, and how it feels to be imprisoned by your own body.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I was losing more and more of my independence and ability to experience things with each pound that I gained.  Now I'm getting to do so much more, and you will too. 

Please reach out at any time and best wishes to you.

I had the RNY on August 4, 2009. It has been almost 11 months now and I have lost 108 pounds. I feel great. The biggest thing you have to remember with RNY as opposed to VSG is that you malabsorb. Therefore, you need to take vitamins every day. It's really hard to get in that habit and I struggle with it every day. That is the one thing I really need to work on.

Good luck with everything. You will do great!

Hugs,