[Just_Kari]

I had my WLS Orientation today with a surgeon from the Bariatric Dept at Kaiser. Two things I came away with that were unexpected.

1) The Surgeon had a clear preference for surgery type (loves RnY, hates the Band, tried to be indifferent about Sleeve)

2) Although she pretty much covered what I got in the Overview class last month, but with more detail, I was not as confident after the two hour class as I was before. I don't hear much complaint from WLS patients about the restrictions post WLS (30/30 rule, quantity of vitamins, chewing), but she was really driving those home and it gave me pause.

Our Nut Spec. came in and gave us a list of vitamins she wants us to start taking and our pre op diet to begin.

I guess I was just overwhelmed with the info. Strange, as it's not like I haven't heard them before. I had a similar reaction to my last class (hosted by a Nut, not a Surgeon) and wrote it off as due to how clinical they present the info. Within a day I was over the discomfort. I'm hoping it's the same with this class' info. The Doc said she likes to be blunt/direct so that there's no confusion. But she also said that she really, really enjoys seeing how successful a tool WLS can be.

So I still made my appt to meet my surgeon on Friday and my first mtg with the Nut Spec. It's a 3 hour appt.

On the positive side, they gave me a TON of info, my PCP was good to do the prelim blood work and other tests that were going to be required, and I found out I don't have a magic percentage of weight to lose but that 20-25 pounds would suffice (which is just under 10%, but still Yay!).

So, I'm looking for some words of wisdom here. I want to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Not that I'm discounting how important these things are. But I'm looking for feedback on how hard these things are to incorporate into your lifestyle post op. To be honest, I got a little scared with the info. I know I was scared because I started hearing an emotional little voice in my head telling me "you can do this without surgery, you don't have to go to this extreme." and so on. But it seems to my logical mind that this was the voice of desperation, of addiction not wanting to be eradicated.

Needing a little support and feedback I guess!

[Carol Jo B.]

I had those same thoughts when I was about the same stage as you, but I knew that if I could have done it without the surgery, I already would have done it. The amount of information is overwhelming but you will learn it. You will finally be taking charge of your own life with the help of a tool that really works, if you work with it. You can do this!

[judst]

Hey Kari, First of all.... were you planning on having the RNY or were you still undecided as to which of all the surgeries might be best for you? If it's the latter then I would suggest you check out more surgeons at more information seminars. I was fortunate to find a good surgeon who helped me decide the best fit for my needs. At first he thought the sleeve might be best but after months of going back and forth we both decided that RNY would be the better one to go with because of my severe reflux and diabetes. You need to work as a team with your surgeon.
Secondly you were looking for feedback on how hard the lifestyle changes are to incorporate post op. My advice would be not to wait until you are post-op! Start now and the transition will be so much easier! I started with the same time frame as you.... six months until "S" day. I began right then and there with diet and exercise, putting into practice the things I knew would be for a lifetime if I wanted to succeed at being healthy for a lifetime. I have by far never been perfect through all of this but it's so much better than my old ways.
I know I've probably gone on too long but I hope this helps you to see a new perspective on things. All this is overwhelming in the beginning yet Kari, I know you have it in you to be the best you can be for yourself!
Big Hugs

[melanie6]

Items number 1 and 2 that you mentioned are typical kaiser. Kaiser doesnt like the band because its just too new to have any long term results - positive or negative...our Kaiser doctor said that. The sleeve is still newer, but in So Cal kaiser, A LOT of people chose the sleeve. As far as the medical info they provide, it felt to me that the first class was definitely a non sugar coated way of stating the basics of any WLS. It was almost like... here it is, this is what you will need to do for the rest of your life, if you dont like it or think you cant deal with any portion of it, than maybe surgery isnt right for you. It felt like a scare tactic, but to be honest, it works. I guarantee that if you continue with the classes, you will have lost a few classmates before graduation.

With that said, what you are feeling is normal. I know I had an internal battle during the 1st class and continued for a couple of days telling myself I can do it on my own. I was finally honest with myself...if I was able to do it on my own it wouldve been done already.

I recommend that you continue with the classes and make a decision for yourself after some more time...its too soon, darlin.

[not quite Barbie]

In my time on this board I have seen some people come on here that either didn't understand the rules to begin with, or thought they were only for a short period of time. Yes, you need to be committed to the 30/30 rule for life, taking vitamins for life, eating protein first, then veggies, then carbs - for life.

I'm over 4 years out. It's pretty routine for me now. I don't have to think about it, I just do it. Over the past holiday I got off schedule due to family visiting and cooking big meals and all the goodies and I have to admit that it felt good to get back to my "normal" foods and routine.

Don;t let this scare you, they are just trying to make sure you know this is a lifetime committment. Even with all of us saying that, the reality usually doesn't sink in until months after the surgery and finally you realize that there really is no turning back. I think that's one of the milestones on this journey and once you are past that, you are committed to making this work.

[nursesrock]

Kari, these ladies are all correct. A lot of banders and even those of us who have the sleeve find it doesn't give the permanent results that the RNYers have, and eventually transition to that surgery. So, it makes perfect sense that the doc impresses upon you that this is a serious deal, and the surgery is really just the beginning of the journey. Some folks do fail, as they forget or ignore the rules after a period of time. For instance, I have a very small stomach, so to take in 2000 cals at a time like I used to do is nearly impossible.....but, I could eat ice cream 4 times a day in small amounts with the same results, and gain weight. So, the surgeon can do the surgery, but you have to make the committment to make the tool work long term. It's easy at first as the weight just seems to melt away, yet eventually you will excercise regularly, eat right..and this is always. I'm at a point right now where the wt loss has slowed, and my mind is really playing tricks on me......why should I excercise and work out if I'm not losing weight?? I have no doubt that this is the part of my journey that will be up to me to solve. So, you've already made some measure of committment to the process, it's just that other part of your brain that has you worried about the permanence of the surgery. Perfectly normal and healthy. Good luck in your decision!!

[merrynail]

My doctor favors RNY. He talked about all 3. I decided to go th RNY path. Not because of the doctor but because of the research I did. I was thinking about the lapband. I found that there are a few people that had the band and then after a while getting it removed and going RNY. I say keep on your path and do A LOT of research. Make your decision don't let them push it. Good luck.

[pretty woman]

I remember being very overwhelmed when I started thinking about all the things I had to do to make me a success. I got a notebook and started writing everything done. So I suggest you make a list, keep a notebook of all appointments and what happens at them. This gave me a feeling of some control.... which helped me when I was feeling so overwhelmed.
There is a doc in our hospital that only does one kind of surgery..the band. So when people consult with him, guess what he recommends for everyone? Yup, the band. Think over what you think is best for you and your life style, and talk to your PCP somemore...talk to other surgeons who do other surgeries (or all surgeries). I first thought I would get a band but didn't want to do the "fills" and follow ups it required. Some in our group have bands, we have a few unhappy with them for various reasons... You do have choices, so look at all of them then decide. GOOD LUCK!

[Just_Kari]

Thanks for the responses

Having had a chance to sleep on it, I am thankful that I'm not as emotional as I was yesterday about the information I received. I believe that our surgeon was doing her best to bring home exactly what NQ Barbie is saying about some people not understanding that these changes are for life. She was stressing that WLS is a tool, not a quick fix or magic bullet.

I appreciate the feedback that my nerves are not abnormal. I have a couple more days before my next session when I get to actually talk to my surgeon and we can talk about ME and my WLS. Until then, I have my work cut out for me. I have a food journal, preop diet, and a lot of reading that they gave me to do.

I am so thankful for all of your experiences. It truly is a blessing to have such supportive and knowledgeable people by your side as I navigate this path.

[Perfesser]

Consider that of all the people in that room, you probably know more about WLS than anyone else there. Consider that maybe a third of those came in thinking that WLS can be approached the same way they've approached years and dozens of (failed) diets before. Consider that half of those in all likelihood either didn't or wouldn't hear the voice of reason and warning. Consider that if they went through WLS, they would be desperately unhappy with the outcome.

Scare tactics? You bet yer bippy they are!! And rightfully so. WLS isn't something to be treated lightly. It is one of the most serious commitments you will ever make for your health. At times, the WLS post-op life will fly in the face of everything you ever "learned" in your previous dieting. The info seminars and the 6-month approval and testing process are screening methods to separate the motivated from the dieters.

And even then, as NQB said, there are some who slept through the entire process and only wake up when they trigger excessive dumping through their ignorance or rejection of the rules. They come here seeking the answer to the "easy way" and are discouraged when we tell them that this is their life from now on. Very few of them stick with us and make a decent go of it.

There is abundant time before surgery to think about it and be sure you're doing the right thing. After the operation, you have no choice any more. Use this preparation time wisely, and as Judi said, make as many of the changes now as you can. The stresses now are minimal compared to what you will face post-op, and it's so much easier to fall back into a good habit than it is to form one then.



CT