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[Kellie]

So first off, I'm so glad to be back all!!  I'd like to say hi to all my old friends, and introduce myself to all my new soon-to-be friends, I'm Kellie- the girl who writes way too much in posts!

I've been quietly lurking for a while because I'm very superstitious and was so anxious about going through with the revision to RNY that I didn't want to jinx ANYTHING!  So I figured it was best to say nothing until I knew for sure.

To fill everyone in on everything... I found out that the insurance I had didn't cover the surgeon that did my Lapband, so I started going to Mass General Hospital's Weight Center- there I found I really liked their program, and the surgeon seemed real nice (I'd had negative feelings for a couple years now with my Lapband surgeon- He used to make me feel bad about myself when I wasn't losing weight after surgery... He told me basically it was my fault, not the band's, and that whenever the "healthy" foods like chicken and eggs would get stuck, it was all in my head and that I just wanted to eat chips and cookies).  I just hate traveling into Boston, cos it's a pain in the butt!  Definitely a suburban gal!  So I entertained the thought of the easiness of staying with my more local surgeon.

When I found out that my past surgeon actually WAS covered by insurance (that damn insurance company had a different answer for me every time I called them!), I weighed the pros and cons and decided to go there and see him.  To make a long story short- he's still the same ass he was back then, which was part of the reason I stopped seeing him in the first place, but I thought I would give him the benefit of a doubt.  He basically told me that it was all on me that the lapband didn't work, and that he "wasn't buying" that I was serious about RNY and compliance with it.  Meanwhile, when I was at Mass Gen, they told me that only 1/3 of people actually succeed with Lapband, and that my case isn't so rare- and wanting to convert Band to RNY is actually becoming more and more the trend.  It was such a polar opposite being told on one hand that it's completely my fault (even though I had so many issues with getting the band to the "sweet spot" - which unfortunately I never got to... even after having my band deflated TWICE and starting all over) to being told, you're in the 66% bracket of other people that the band didn't work for.  He told me he needed me to prove to him for 6 months that I was serious before he would even consider doing in... in the meantime he actually reached out to the Mass Gen surgeon that I had been in the starting phases with and warned him about his thoughts on my seriousness of the surgery (umm.. pretty sure there's some HIPAA law out there that they can't just discuss your medical history.. or slander someone for that matter).  What drove me crazy with all of this was, and I even asked him- Did he think I rolled out of bed one morning and said- "Gosh think I'll get RNY surgery" and called and made an appointment?!  The reality was I spent an entire year weighing pros and cons and researching to decide if this was the right decision to make... I just didn't realize I needed to call him up to let him know I what I was thinking.  Of course I'm serious- it's been 3 years with the Lapband, and I never lost more than 30lbs with it- and ended up gaining it back.  I could see if I was a year post-op, but I'm 3 years out!

So once I left his office that day, I went home, cried about it and decided that once an arrogant ass, always an arrogant ass- and decided I would stick it out with Mass Gen (they were so booked up, that at that point I hadn't even been to the initial pre-op appointment with the surgeon).  At this point I found out from my insurance that they were going to require 9000 different tests and 6 months pre-op weight loss classes before they would even entertain the idea of covering it.  At this point I felt like nothing else could go wrong... I'd been on a roller coaster for 2 months dealing with all the initial appointments/evaluations to even meet the surgeon, dealing with the butthole past surgeon, and now this.  MGH told me that the insurance I had was one of the most difficult to get to cover WLS.  After suggestion from the coordinator I was able to appeal and got switched over to a different insurance provider.  They are AWESOME... From the old insurance having me call after every other day for issues, to this one- it was like comparing the surgeons... Night and day.

MGH put through the request for approval, and my new insurance approved it within days!  No additional tests for their behalf, no 6 months of classes, no nothing!  Just wham, bam, goodbye Band!  So the light can finally be seen at the end of the tunnel!!  March 27th I will be going in to have my band removed and at the same time have the RNY performed.  The surgeon is hoping to use the same incision sites as well, so I won't be covered in little laproscopic scars lol  I've started my pre-op program there, and have gone to the first two nutrition groups, to go over pre-surgery diets and the first stages post-op.  Things are so much scarier and complex for RNY than they were for Lapband!  I won't lie, I'm very nervous about all of it- Specific vitamins, deficiencies, hair loss, loose skin, dumping etc.  Yanno, all the things that scared me into going the Lapband route to begin with!

But anyways- I'm glad to be back, and am definitely needing support now- as I'm just a bottle of nerves.  Any words of wisdom, tips or advice?  I've been reading everyone's posts, and find such encouragement from everyone's success!

[Jabba2Halle]

Wow!  You've been put through the wringer.  Glad you stuck it out though.  Many in your shoes would have just given up, skulked away and found comfort in a chocolate cake (notice I didn't say slice )

I hate abusive doctors who badger their patients as a way of deflecting attention from their own shortcomings.

You've got a lot of RNY success stories here.  I'm sure with their support, you'll do just fine.

[lesliethequeen]

Welcome "Home"...

I started the whole thing investigating the lap-band, but found exactly what you have found, it doesn't work for a whole lot of people. Some people love it and have a great experience, lots of people don't.

I think you have paid your dues...this time will be the right time!
Leslie

[Kellie]

Thank you ladies!  It's good to be home   I'm hoping I find the success I've tried for for the past 3 years.. I'm so ready for it!

Jabba, you cracked me up with the "notice I didn't say slice" comment!!

Leslie, I only wished I had known the true statistics of post-op Lapband patients 3 years ago when I had it done... I think had I known, I would have just gone with RNY.  I'm glad you found out before making the mistake I did!  Least I'm getting a second chance!!

Soon March 27th will be my rebirth-rebirthed-birthday haha

[Barb]

Congrats on getting approved and for finding a good place to handle your revision! I wouldn’t have given your lap band surgeon the time of day, let alone a 2nd chance. I’m so glad for you that he’s no longer in the picture!

For me, having RNY was a life changing, non-reversible procedure and thank God for that!!!
Yes, it is hard. You’ll have to learn a whole new way of eating, take vitamins forever, deal with dumping and the possibility of vitamin deficiencies etc etc… Then there’s the dreaded weight-loss, wearing smaller sizes, and being able to do things that you haven’t been able to do for decades - if ever - for that matter!
Yes, there will be hair-loss but it will grow back. And loose skin, yes, that’ll happen too. Depending on the severity, Shapewear becomes your new best friend or if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll find a way to have plastic surgery down the road.

I knew that I needed the ‘Gibb’s smack’ that dumping gives you. That’s why RNY has worked for me. But anyone can eat around any surgery, nothing is fool-proof. But if you can get your head wrapped around using your new tool in the spirit in which it was given – to give yourself the ability to lose the weight and with the good Lord willing, keep it off - then you’re halfway there.
Besides learning all you can about eating as you’ll need to, vitamins, protein, water, exercise etc etc… the only thing I would add to the pre-work that you’re doing, is the head work. As we all know, they’re not operating on our brains, so if there are any eating issues (over-eating, using food for comfort etc etc) do the work that you need to to get those issues under control!!! You’ll never succeed long term, regardless of the surgery type if you don’t get your head in line too!

Best of luck on the 27th and beyond Kellie, we’ll be here when you need us!! This forum was and is my life-line, I wouldn’t have done as well as I have without everyone here!

[Dr_Adventure]

Congrats on keeping up with it (insurance can be a nightmare!).  I too initially thought of lap-band - and if I had been smart I would have gotten one AFTER the last time I lost 120lbs - but after looking at the literature and success rate - I knew I needed something more permanent and that would give me more help.  I'm still a newbie - 5 weeks out - so best of luck!

[Kellie]

Barb, thank you for your words of wisdom.  I know I definitely have some head work to get sorted out before surgery- but then again, I'm sure most people do.  I'm glad to have the support of wonderful folks like you all!  I don't have anyone around me that really gets it... no one has ever been through what I've been through and am soon going through again, so it's nice to have people to talk to that have been there and done that.

Dr_Adventure, I would to LOVE to pick your brain about all that you've experienced in the past 5 weeks.  Sometimes it's hard to remember back to what it's like once you've been post-op for a while... I look back at my lapband and think, oh it wasn't THAT bad... but then I also remember being in more pain than I'd ever experienced before when I first got out of surgery, I just remember it lasting a single day now- and I'm sure it wasn't that short lived lol.

[Dr_Adventure]

I too had a good amount of pain for the first few days - by the end of the first week it was very manageable and by two weeks out I was just down to tylonol - I'm always available to chat or comment!

[Kellie]

I'll take you up on that offer Dr Adventure... but not until I get back from V A C A T I O N!!

With all the craziness going on as of late, I kind of forgot that I was going on vacation!  Well, of course I didn't FORGET, but it did at times take the back burner to other things going on.  Very excited to be going on a cruise to the Bahamas.  I'm leaving for my plane ride down to Miami in about 3 1/2 hours, and then from Miami to Bahamas for 5 days   I can't wait, never been on a cruise before.. and right before surgery!  Nice way to go out in style lol

Anywho, I'll be back Friday night, hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

[Indykitty]

I'm so glad you hung in there Kellie. When I researched the surgery types I knew the band would not work for me, but the RNY does. I'm far from perfect and still fight my food demons, but it's so much more manageable with the tool the RNY has given me.  I'm so happy you're approved and look forward to seeing your progress. 

[SoonerFreak]

I often work with physicians as part of my job and you are right - once an ass always an ass. Usually in these cases his or her staff hates their guts and it is not unusual to see high office turnover. Docs like that have no business seeing patients in an office. They need to stick to surgery and let the PA's and Nurses deal with patient care.

[ttowe]

Welcome back BABE!!

Congrats on the approval. You'll do great. Besides, you have us. :-) 

t.

[Kellie]

Back from my cruise!!  Besides a sunburn, and a lot of fun memories, I managed to not bring back anything else- including any extra pounds on me... so that's a plus!!

Since I came home, I made a vow to myself that I would start being very serious about diet and exercise in hopes of getting my liver as teeny tiny as I can before surgery.  As of today, I've got 29 days to go!  And since I got home Friday night I've managed to go to the gym Sunday and Monday... and plan to go again tomorrow.. I feel like I'm off to a good start- hopefully I keep at it!  Wednesday I go to see the Nutritionist and will get my "Shrink the liver" diet plan, I think I'm meant to start it 2 weeks before surgery, but I'm going to see if it's okay if I start it like... March 1st.  I really am nervous about the revisional surgery and the RNY conversion, so I'm trying to get into the best physical condition possible in this month before surgery.

Anyone have any experience with starting the liquid (or as my place calls it- a meal replacement... from what I gather, you can still eat veggies and fruits- I'll know more Wednesday) early?  I just worry that maybe depriving yourself of all those nutrients for too long may make your body too week during the surgery... I'm sure I'll get the answer from the Nutritionist on Wednesday- but in the mean time... Anyone have any opinions/experience with this?

[trishansen]

Glad you had a good cruise! 18 days and I will be in Mexico soaking up some sun too!

My surgeon has his patients do a 3 week RTD meal replacements only pre-surgery diet. This consists of only protein or similar shakes and water. 900 to 1200 cals a day.

I took this to my nutritionist who researched and tweaked it to meet her needs for me i.e. protein, fibre, carbs, cals. by choosing 4 varieties of shakes, and putting them together as below:

Per day:
3 Premier Drinks
2 - 3 Glucerna
Or
3 Premier Drinks
1 Boost Diabetic
1 Glucerna
Or
3 Premier Drinks
2 Ensure Fibre
 
For completeness, include a 1-a-day multivitamin and  an omega-3 supplement

I lost 25 lbs :-)  and no comments on my liver so I assume it was good and small!

The absolute hardest part was not the monotony of shake after shake, day after day, it was going off coffee! At this point I had reduced my food celebrations/emotional treats to only coffee - good coffee. I mourned it, I ranted about it and I almost broke down crying that I couldn't have it anymore. Seems silly now    (the caffeine withdrawal wasn't fun either LOL!)

Good luck, take care!

[kristi-bisti]

My surgeon uses optifast.  3 shakes a day.  They are very filling.  It is tricky not eating anything and just staying with the shakes

[Kellie]

Well, I went to my appointment on Wednesday and got my pre-op diet.  It's for the last 2 weeks pre-op.  (But she said I could easily start asap and it would be just fine... if not even better).

48-64 oz Water/Clear Liquids
3-4 Protein Shakes made with milk
2 Lean Cuisines (or similar portion controlled meals)
2 servings of fruit
and unlimited servings of plain vegetables.. Salad is okay with FF dressing or just vinegar/Lemon Juice

To me, this hardly seems like a pre-op diet!  When I had my Lapband, it was 3 CiB, and clear liquids.  Period. 

So, since it is such a manageable pre-op diet, I started on Friday.  I figure what I'll do in the first days of it, is if I need to add in little cheats, I will.  Yanno, to finish up what's in my fridge/cabinets that I couldn't bare to give away.  So yesterday I had 2 squares of Lindt Dark Chili Chocolate and later that night a protein bar.  In retrospect, I'm still eating much better than I was!!  I figure by mid-next week, I should be 100% on board with the pre-op diet, and I'll still be a few days early on the pre-op start date.

In other news... I can't believe in 24 days I'll will be going under the knife (the laproscope?).  Of course, I had to read a horror story on the boards about that poor woman who had the ulcer in the bypassed part of her stomach, and nearly died.  OMG, nothing like that to get me scared out of my wits!  Is this a rare thing to happen? 

Has anyone else had scary complications post-op?

[Dr_Adventure]

Wow - so you are having surgery tomorrow?  Let us know how it goes - my only complication was with anesthesia not with the actual surgery - Good Luck!

[Kellie]

24 days not hours ;-)

What happened with the anesthesia?

[Dr_Adventure]

I must have mis-read - my saturation levels were low and developed some pulmonary edema - may have had to do with sleep apnea - it made it hard for them to get me awake and then I ended up in ICU due to low O2 and it being a holiday weekend make it hard to get out of there (and I guess I have good insurance)

[Indykitty]

I lost my gall bladder, had a small hernia that had to be repaired after the gall bladder surgery (two lap procedures in a year and bowel strain to blame for that -it was at the belly button) and I got an ulcer, but it was healed by carafate and prilosec.  Pineapple, overeating, and ulcers do NOT go together well , I can tell you. That pain was bad enough I had to go to the ER. If I hadn't eaten too much it may have been fine, but the pineapple was laying right against the ulcer - probably where I had staples. Still, that's not too bad overall and well worth it, so don't worry too much. You won't know if you're gonna have complications until you get them.   

[lesliethequeen]

Keilah - Ouch! That's all I can say...

There may be complications but with luck there won't be. I had a stricture at 5 months - an easy fix. the whole RNY is not an easy operation, but you have been through the band so you are prepared for some of it.

You'll be fine...because I said so...

Leslie

[Indykitty]

Ah, it wasn't so bad... Leslie, I like that... because I said so!  Yep!

[2bthinagain]

I too had originally thought about having the Lapland but I am very happy that decided to have the RnY. Good luck and welcome back.

[chellebee]

it is so perfectly normal to be nervous about everything before the surgery...I certainly was...and there was even a couple of times afterward that I thought "what have I done?!!!" I am so, So, SO thrilled to have had the RYN...to this point, no complications...I'm learning my limits each and every day...I'm healthier than I have been in YEARS!! And that in it self is so cool...(wearing smaller clothes is a bonus!)

I am so excited that you are on your way to a truly life changing experience!!

Michelle

[Kellie]

Keilah - Ouch! That's all I can say...

There may be complications but with luck there won't be. I had a stricture at 5 months - an easy fix. the whole RNY is not an easy operation, but you have been through the band so you are prepared for some of it.

You'll be fine...because I said so...

Leslie

What is a stricture?  I remember hearing that word, but I can't remember what it was.  How did you know you had it, and how did they remedy it?

@Keilah, Yikes- it sounds like you've been through a lot!  But I guess the RNY is worth it for you to say it was no big deal!  How did you lose your gallbladder?  I remember my surgeon saying that he usually removes it during surgery if the patient has ever had issues with it- I never have though.  Is it common that people start having issues with their gallbladder?  Like gallstones after rapid weight loss?  I guess I'm so nervous about not knowing when there is something wrong inside me- I don't want to run to the Dr every time I get an ache or pain, but at the same time I'm afraid I'll ignore the wrong pain.

I'm probably just having surgery jitters at this point.  Exactly 3 weeks from today!