Why I Chose RNY-For Julia!

Hi Julia! I saw that you commented on my blog so wanted to get back to you on here. This is going to be super long, I apologize! I tried to post this in your comment area but it was TOO long, so you get a whole blog post lol! I'm not sure how many blog posts of mine you've read, but if you saw them, you'll know I am too in my early 20's and from WI, so howdy neighbor! :) Initially I was set on the Lap-Band..I read many blogs, did research, and felt that it was the best decision for me until I went to my first seminar meeting and surgeon consult. I learned more about RNY (and more about Lap-Band as well), possible complications, expected weight loss results, chance for regain, and was able to speak with people who had gone through RNY, and saw their success firsthand. It was during that time I gave serious consideration to having RNY instead, and after much thought ultimately that's what I chose. I'll try to address as much as I can in explaining why I felt it was the best decision for me, but as others have said, ultimately you have to choose which you think will work best for you, because everyone is different. One of the main reasons I chose RNY was awful heartburn prior to surgery. A lot of people with the Band and Sleeve experience heartburn even if they didn’t have it before surgery, and I wanted it to go away with no possibility of it coming back. So far I have no heartburn whatsoever, and am able to eat/drink highly acidic foods. Addressing the complication issue, like you I initially was against RNY because I felt that it was “major” surgery, and complications were more likely to happen because of it. This scared me a bit, as well as the thought of rerouting my intestines, and it being irreversible. But then I developed the mindset that any complications that arose may be uncomfortable and scary, but would most likely be able to be fixed. I felt the small chance of complications developing was worth it to me in order to lose weight and be happier and healthier. I also realized that while Lap-Band IS technically reversible, unless there was something wrong with my band or it caused other complications, why would I have it reversed? I wouldn’t! I felt that a WLS tool for me needed to be permanent, so there was really no downside to having it be an irreversible procedure. I also felt like with Lap-Band, I would always feel abnormal in a way and not be able to just live my life feeling like I never had WLS. I would need fills in order to feel restriction, some days my band could be finicky and I couldn’t eat certain things or they would get stuck and I’d PB, and I would see my port site as I lost weight and it would be a constant reminder of having it done. I didn’t really want all that. It sounds weird but I don’t feel like I had WLS. I feel like this is what a normal person should feel like. I’m able to not constantly be hungry and think about food, control my portions, and can make healthy choices and still eat what I want to eat. Everything I’ve tried I’m able to tolerate, and I feel like my relationship with food is getting better as time goes on, because it’s no longer all I think about. I’m not sure if that could have been achieved for me if I went with the band. I’m not really sure if there are actually MORE complications with RNY. I know many who have the band who have no issues and are successful, but also just as many who have had problems and had to have it taken out completely, or a revision surgery. The chance of having to go through one surgery to have an issue with it, and then go through a second to keep my weight off, was not one I wanted to take. My surgery went flawlessly, and I’ve had no complications. I was in the hospital 2 nights, up and walking around the first evening after surgery. I was sore but in no means in tons of pain. By the third day I walked myself out of the hospital, took pain meds to fall asleep, woke up and threw the rest out because I didn’t need them. I had LAP-RNY, so I have 6 incisions that are extremely small and didn’t have any sutures that needed to be taken out. As for dumping, only about 30% of RNYers experience it, so it’s not a given. If someone doesn’t think they have enough self-control to make good choices and need to rely on dumping in order to do that, RNY isn’t for them, and WLS in general probably isn’t either. It’s only a tool and at the end of the day you still have to make good eating decisions. I don’t dump. Which is good and bad. I can eat all the fruit I want and a piece of chocolate here and there (some dump so bad they can’t eat ANY sugar), but that means I have to make the conscious choice to not eat foods high in fat/sugar, because there will be no negative consequences. It truly is a complete lifestyle change. Also, RNY makes your stomach smaller, causes malabsoption, and removes your pyloric valve and the “hunger hormone producing” area of your stomach, I have noticed things I used to crave such as sweets and carbs, I don’t crave anymore. I’m not sure if that is actually a side effect of the surgery or just because I haven’t eaten those foods in months, but regardless, it’s a nice change. You’re not supposed to drink alcohol after RNY, because of how fast it will make you drunk and the toll it takes on your liver. This wasn’t an issue for me since I don’t drink at all, never have, but for some people this might not be something they want to accept, so RNY wouldn’t be for them. Because of the malabsorption aspect, RNY also requires you to take certain vitamins for life. For some people this isn’t something they wanted to do. For me, it wasn’t a big deal since it just meant adding a few more vitamins to my vitamin routine. As far as weight regain, it can happen with any WLS, regardless of which one you choose. This is only a tool and by no means will it solve WHY you eat certain foods or stop you from eating them. RNY helped to control my hunger, which means I don’t think about food all the time, and eat much smaller portions, but I am the one who chooses if I eat broccoli and chicken or Taco Bell (for the record I haven’t had that post-op and don’t plan on it lol!) Regardless of which surgery you pick you will have to work with the tool and make good choices either way, or you will gain weight. It has to be a commitment that lasts FOREVER, not just until you get to your goal weight. Saving the best for last…weight loss! It IS faster with RNY than with Lap-Band. You will probably reach your goal weight sooner, and on average are more likely to lose a higher percentage of your excess weight with RNY than with Lap-Band, however, people still reach their goal with Lap-Band (just may take longer.) I had 143 lbs to lose (only 88 to go now though!) so I wanted a faster weight loss. I want to weigh 120-130 lbs by my 1-year post-op visit. I think it’s doable at the rate I’m losing. No matter the surgery, it requires a lifestyle change. Eating slowly, chewing well, making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise, low-sugar/low-fat, ((vitamins)), choosing water over soda/juice/alcohol, addressing any emotional eating issues. It’s not easy and it’s not all sunshine and roses! But it’s completely worth it. Fitting into jeans I haven’t worn since high school, seeing bones I’ve never seen before, and overall feeling so much more confident and happy with myself..I would choose this surgery 10x over. I hope this novel of a comment helps you a little and I wish you luck on your decision! If you ever want to talk more about it or need support with whatever surgery you choose don’t hesitate to reach out to me (or any of the other awesome people on here!) Everyone is encouraging and has experience and wisdom to share ☺

-50 lbs!!

Today I officially hit -50 lbs since RNY March 12. I am sooo amazed and excited! I am only 13 lbs away from being under 200, and weighing less than I did in high school. I am so happy I had RNY. I am finally hitting my stride, the weight is coming off, I've figured out how to eat and get protein in, and I LOVE working out now. It is amazing how much a difference 50 lbs make as far as ease of working out. I don't get as hot and sweaty or as tired. It's wonderful. Physically I don't see a huge difference but I went out with friends I hadn't seen in awhile (they don't know I had surgery, just that I am eating well and exercising) and they said I looked so good, so that made me happy! I think the next 50 lbs I lose are going to be where I really see a difference in my appearance AND I CAN'T WAIT!! :-D