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

I'm Alive!

Hi...remember me?! I haven't blogged in nearly a month! So bad!! I really wanted to be more on top of documenting my weight loss journey by taking pictures and writing about my day-to-day life, but I guess I have been so busy living life I haven't had much time or energy to actually blog. I am going to try really hard to get back on it though, even if it's only once a week or something :) Everything has been going great..I guess when I started this whole process I thought there would be more downs than ups initially, so blogging would help me get through the rough times, but so far life has just been getting better and better. I've been keeping busy studying for financial licenses I need (only 1 test left to take, passed all the rest), working out 4x a week, attending training classes with my puppy 3x a week, and DATING! As of today I weigh...216 lbs!! I sometimes can't believe that in March I was 263, and now only 10 weeks later feel like a whole new person. While still overweight I feel way more normal and not like I stick out like a sore thumb because of my size. My clothes are smaller and cuter, and I feel like my body is starting to look good.. especially my legs!! They are getting so skinny, its crazy! Wish more would come off the stomach but I guess in time :) My eating has been a lot better..I have my appetite back and am not nauseous all the time, or repulsed and can actually tolerate just about anything, but can only eat small amounts at a time before I'm full. I eat a lot of lettuce, fruit, chicken, shrimp, and cheese. I have been staying away from most carbs and bread, but eat crackers with cheese for a snack for additional protein, as well as tortilla chips with different stuff on them (cheese, ground turkey, salsa). I think this is why I don't crave bread at all because I am still kind of eating some carby stuff, just very small quantities of it. Since I really enjoyed bread and carbs pre-op, I don't want to sabotage myself by introducing them back in my diet, when I don't even want them. I haven't really had any sweets except for the occasional bite of something when it was my parent's anniversary or Dad's birthday, and don't miss those either. I drink mainly water, but have been buying Diet Snapple (tea flavors) and drinking that, as well as low-sugar/ low-calorie Lemonade, and low-sugar Capri Sun. No soda, alcohol, coffee, or anything high in sugar or calories. The only issue with the tea is it has caffiene in it, which my NUT said was dehydrating, but I don't drink enough at any given time to feel dehydrated, so I am not really too concerned. The thing I am still most amazed about is how the RNY has controlled my cravings. I used to crave stuff all the time, and now food is just kind of like :meh:. I know I need to eat to get protein in and survive, so I do, and am able to make healthy choices. I think that's why my weight loss has been so successful so far is because I am not pushing the limits trying to eat old foods I used to, simply because I don't want them anymore. Other than that, not much else to say! I need to catch up and read blogs now, hope everyone has a great, beautiful day!

I weigh the same today as I did in 2007..!

So I have my 6 week checkup today, and I am feeling so good! I am down almost 40 lbs, but physically still can't really see a difference. My parents keep telling me they can see me getting slimmer, and I feel smaller when they hug me, but I can't tell! It's weird because I've lost more weight this time around than when I was working out like crazy and eating healthy, but I felt at that time the weight loss was more noticeable..maybe it was just me trying to convince myself all the ass-busting and starving was worth it. So anyways, out of curiosity I wanted to see how close I was to weighing what I weighed in college, and high school, so I went through my medical records I had, and I weigh less now than I did when I was 19, and the same as I did when I was 18...yay! I also found out I weighed around 200 lbs when I was 16, which is crazy to me..I don't remember being that heavy. I thought I looked okay. But wow. I can't wait till I hit 199. I haven't been UNDER 200 lbs in almost 10 years. It will be such a huge milestone, and I know I am so close. I think the best part is the satisfaction of knowing this time around I WILL get there, it's just a matter of time. *happy dance!*

1 Month Post-Op!

Today marks 1 month post-op. I am a horrible blogger and still haven't even written about my surgery experience or what life has been like since surgery, which is naughty of me! I need to catch up! Anyways, I am down 32 lbs since surgery on March 12, and weigh 231, and have been stuck at this number for a week now.. I hit the dreaded "3-week stall" I heard about..I am finally on a regular diet, which has been really tough because I have some nausea and absolutely no appetite. I have been eating a lot of fruit and trying to get in protein, but it is really hard since I am just not hungry. It is so funny to me now that I eat a few bites of food and am done...I never thought my hunger would be this under control. I have no cravings either....I don't want pizza like I thought I would, garlic bread, chips, cookies, etc. I don't really want anything, but watermelon. So I eat that lol. I am so happy I don't dump on it, because I heard a lot of people do...it just is so delicious to me. The only thing I really want but can't have is Coke, Ginger Ale, or orange soda, something with carbonation. I was never a huge soda drinker before surgery so this is kind of weird to me that I want it, but oh well! Maybe someday in the far off future I will have one. I have one pesky incision on my side that doesn't seem to want to heal, but other than that I feel completely normal...actually better than normally, since I am not hungry all the time!

I can't say at this point in time I am "elated" or "so happy" I chose to have the surgery, because I feel like I am still adjusting to this new life, and dealing with the fact that I am still heavy, yet I don't have that comfort of food anymore, so it's like I gave up something for nothing at this point. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I don't, but still..there is this void, and it is just an adjustment. I guess I thought I would have the surgery and turn into this workout queen, drop a ton of weight really fast, land myself a man, etc. etc...and it hasn't happened..YET..I think I expect too much from myself. I mean 32 lbs in a month? That would have been impossible without the surgery. But I still want there to be more. More results and more of me noticing a change, which aside from my face and legs, I don't see much. I also can't work out yet (have to wait another month) so have just been walking, so the work out queen I envisioned of myself isn't there yet. I think also this stall is playing mind games with me. It's like I won't be able to get past this, and I went through all of this for nothing and am gonna remain 231 lbs forever. I know that's not true and the weight will eventually come off, but still.

So yeah that's what's been up as of late! Time to play catch up. Hope everyone else is doing well :)

Down 20 lbs!

Ahh! Finally down 20 lbs! Can't believe it...things have been going okay.. I still need to write some long blog posts. I am feeling physically really good, but my eating is awful these past 3 days...I am at best getting 50 calories a day in. I know this is eventually going to catch up with me but I just cannot eat...no appetite and protein shakes just make me feel so full and gag, even following the nutritionist's orders on sipping slowly over the course of an hour. I was getting about 8 ounces in but then this past weekend just started to get disgusted by them. I am seeing the surgeon on Monday, so I am hoping my body will hold out until then and just use my fat stores for energy and nutrients. I know protein is so so important for healing but there is something about those protein shakes I just can't stomach. I know some people who have to be on clear liquids for 2 weeks after their RNY, so I figure less than week shouldn't kill me as long as I am staying hydrated.

Post-RNY!

Ahhh I keep forgetting to write a new blog post on the surgery but things are going great! I have so much to write about but am super sleepy, so will probably write a long post tomorrow. I am down almost 20 lbs..in about 2 weeks...that's just insane to me. My parents said my face and neck look slimmer, so that's cool! I have a feeling I will lose weight first in my face and chest area and then stomach since that's where I carry the most weight. Pain wise I am doing well..my stomach area doesn't even hurt that much and I can bend and everything, but my back just kills me! I can barely walk it is so sore..IDK what to do. I only take one pain pill at night so I can sleep on it so don't take any during the day and it sucks because it's super tight and sore. I have been doing great on clear liquids, protein drinks not so much..only averaging about 8 ounces, and supposed to average 16. My surgeon said as long as I stay hydrated that's the most important thing...it's weird because I can tolerate 1/4 cup of blended Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup really well, but protein shakes just sit there and make me bloated and gurgly. I am going to look for more juice-based protein drinks rather than milky-thick ones, maybe that's the issue. It's such a weird feeling to not be hungry. I also had a bite of cottage cheese today and just thinned it really well through my teeth, and that tasted sooo good. I hated cottage cheese before surgery but it was so delicious afterwards. I have to wait about 9 more days before I am supposed to have that, but I can have yogurt so I figured one bite would't kill me..and it didnt! It went down smooth and I felt good. :)