After nearly 7 years of success so far, advice for newbies...

(So a good friend asked me about RNY and I sent her this via email, but afterwards I realized it may be more helpful to others too...)

OK, so first things first... everyone's pre surgical experience is pretty much the same. Some docs want fasting or liquid diets before , some don't, some want other stuff before, some don't, insurance wants psych etc, no big deal there. Do what they want and get it done. And post surgery is miserable, no matter who or what you are.

Everything sucks the first few weeks after. I can't speak for everyone, but I wanted to die, get it reversed, and die again. The good news is it gets better. Much better. I can't believe I ever felt that bad now.

But it's the aftercare they screw up on. You need to go on very specific vitamins and diet afterwards, and most surgeons and their nutritionists (we call them "nuts" lol) have no real idea as they have never been overweight before. They have no idea of current science involving calories and metabolism, and will happily have you eating cream of wheat, crackers and mashed potatoes afterwards because they have no clue about carbs. You need to strictly follow the recommendations of the ASMBS after surgery or you are more statistically doomed to gain it back (www.asmbs.org)... which means high protein, high fat and low carb (basically Atkins or keto with a few exceptions). Calories honestly don't matter... your new stomach won't allow much of them anyway. We post-rny patients "in the know" routinely ignore nutritionist advice as they tell us the old crap about eventually re-introducing carbs, eating nasty stuff "in moderation" etc etc. When you are recovering from obesity, there is no moderation.

I will say that once your intestines are shortened and your stomach is reduced to egg-sized, all of the above is easier. But ultimately, it's a tool, not a cure. You will still work ridiculously hard the rest of your life to keep things right. I would highly recommend joining http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/ for more info. You will see a few newbies who claim potatoes and sugar-filled yogurt are fine... but you will also see the majority of people who have kept the weight off for five years or more (for example me, who has kept 180 pounds off for more than six years now), follow very specific rules and ignore the idiot nutritionists who don't read research and have never been fat.

For what it's worth ,

Audrey

Love it

Great positive morning read! Congratulations on your success and good advice to all of us. Great post even for those of us that don't necessarily need it but good reinforcement on things we are doing right and the positive vibe.

Thank you SO much my date is 4/3/18 and I am so nervous! Very comforting and great advice.

Great post, Audrey. I can't tell you how lucky new members are that there are vets like yourself who come here to give help, support and advice and not just self congratulatory "look at how awesome I am" posts.

Thank you x

If I told them I was awesome, I would be lying... although sometimes I allow myself a brief grin :D

Audrey

Thank you for this!!

I can see that I'm very lucky with my RD and the program here -- they literally crossed out all the pasta, grains, crackers, potatoes, as well as all the SF popsicles, puddings, et****il after the 18th week and said that by then I shouldn't want them anymore so don't add them back in. They are very much a protein first, veggies if you are still hungry after you hit your goals rule set. From what you are saying, their strictness will help me in the long run.

Awesome post. ð?'?

I wish there was a "Love" button, because this is an awesome post.

I so appreciate you vets sharing your knowledge and experience.

Thank you!