Keys to long term succuess from RNY come on people don't be shy take a read and respond...

I am 19yrs old and i have to live with this surgery for 60 yrs. I hope to live that long...does it ever get better? I am 5 months post op and i have ibs which i hope is the cause of my current pain.  so i have constant sharp pain and soreness in my abdomanal area middle to the sides and accross under the gut.  What am i looking at on my road? At times i regret my decision because i think of it? Whith the pain and soreness in the abdoman and the nausea and vomiting after meals. Ihope this is not the rest of my life.  Only bland foods and tea work for me at 5 months post op. What do i do? I want to live long and healthy with no long term complications. How do i prevent needing tpn getting osteoperosis, becomming 85 pounds, nutrient deficient, rotting intestines, bowel obstruction, etc...? How can i prevent all of these things from happening? I want to live for a long time and have a very normal life. The reason i had the surgery. so any advice would help.  i had and rny.

Liz,19 and only 5 months it gets better,go get your bllod work when you are surpose to have them.Talk to your doctor about your medical concerns and have a plan of action.Exercise doing cardio and weight training to build your bones. Food does get better and it will taste alot better.Soon you will be asking if you are eating too much.You made the right choice. bob

Hi Liz!  I am just popping in to say hello!  I definately do not have all the answers for you but just wanted to lend a word of encouragement. All I can say is: 1) Call your doctor about your abdominal pain and follow his orders 2) Workout...that means get really sweaty and outta breath 5 days a week. Do cardio/resistance training like Bob said. 3)Take all vitamins and get your labs done then adjust it from there.  4)Have a great attitude of gratitude for the chance to have this surgery. A lot of people are beating down the door to be postop. Sorry if it is not all you thought it was cracked up to be but it does get better from here! Good luck to you! Molly

hey girl. i was young when i had it too. 22. you can live a normal life. you really can. -take your vitamins. every day. -go to the doctor when scheduled. ask all the questions you need to. -always get your labs when scheduled. -eat right (once you can eat all "normal" foods. -exercise -be positive - i think alot can be said for a positive attitude i am no 2.5 years out. and i live a completely normal life. completely. this was the BEST decision I've ever made. I am very healthy. Healthier than I ever hoped to be. Yes, there are risks w/the choice we have made for ourselves. But there were risks with living obese. BIG risks.  you have made a choice that offers you a chance. a chance for a better life, unrestricted by your own body. hang in there, girl. it gets better.  peace -jazz

I am 4 years + post op RNY. I live a very normal life . What has become normal for me however is dealing with Pain almost daily & severe atleast 3 days a week.  My Pain is being attributed to gas which blows my mind because the 3 days I mentioned are HELL and gas?? I am unfortuant I guess  because gas doesnt seem to like to leave my body meaning I rarely belch or break wind. I take generic gas x (simethicone) daily and it does help but at times nothing does. I started begin majorly constipated about 6 months ago also and that makes the pain more frequent. I still am not unhappy with my WLS decision I have just become accustomed to not eating veggies (which I love) and when the pain starts I get in a fetal position of my right side wchih helps alot. Luckily for me I am usually home when the pain hits super bad. I did have one Doc tell me I could have IBS but mostly they tell me its gas & act like its no big deal.  I get super embarrased sometimes when friends & family are around because I am so vocal about my WLS that I hate giving them any reason to down it.  Maybe it was all become normal & bearable for you or maybe it will just get better. I think I am so worked up about it today because I was at a womans retreat this weekedn & had one of "my attacks" and had to leave the party early....Sunday everyone felt so sorry for me...I just couldnt stand the pity from them. I have lost & maintained a lost of 164 pounds & do not need nor want pity :-) Diana RNY 9/17/03 360/196/forever aiming at 180