• American Bariatrics is a free online Bariatric Support Group. Register for your free account and get access to all of our great features!

new here from Mississippi

rettak8

Member
My name is Loretta, I am in the first stages of having the RNY done. I go to my initial appt with the surgeon tomorrow morning and will then have a better idea of when I may be able to have the surgery. I was told by someone that ms medicare requires a 3 month supervised diet. I am hoping they were wrong! I am 37 yrs old and weigh 440 lbs on a 6'2 frame. I have never been normal sized, I weighed 13 lbs and 13 oz at birth!! I also have lupus, osteoarthritis, DDD, and foot drop. I am scared that if I don't do something I am going to end up in a wheelchair. My mom had a form of the surgery over 20 years ago and my sister had it 18 yrs ago. both of them have regained most of the weight, but I watched them over the years and neither of them changed any of their habits. they still fixed full size plates and got angry when they couldn't finish them. I think I have learned a lot from watching them and I think I am ready for this. I am excited but also very scared. any advice would be welcome. especially about what I can do for exercise because walking, sit-ups, toe touches all are out of the question for me. also what to expect after surgery and what the post surgery diet is like. thanks for reading!!
 
Rettak-I am also pre-surgery for RNY. Don’t get discouraged if you end up having to go on a 3 month supervised diet. By the time you finish having all of your pre-surgery testing done it will be at least 2 months. We all go through the testing. Your surgeon will give you a list of the prerequisites at your first visit. You will also set up an appointment to see a bariatric dietitian who will go over the post surgery diet. Your surgeon and dietitian will be there for you after surgery as well so don’t ever worry about being on your own.
Start writing down all of your questions and take a list with you to your first visit. Also write down any questions that come up after your first visit so you can have them addressed on subsequent visits. You will have lots and lots of questions so don’t do yourself an injustice by not writing them down.
Also come back to this forum to keep us posted and to offer advice as you progress on this wonderful journey of weight loss!
 
pat, thanks for the advice. I already have a list of the bloodwork and all of the steps. they gave it to us at the seminar. I have an appt with my regular doctor on friday to get started on the ones of those that are good for 6 months. do you have a surgery date yet?
 
I met with the surgeon for the first time this morning. I have to be off cigarettes for 2 months so that puts me the end of february. He wants me to lose 45-50 pounds before he will do the surgery. Iam really scared about that. if I could lose weight I wouldn't need the surgery. and especially trying to lose weight while quitting smoking, because when I don't smoke I want to eat. could really use some advice!!!
 
thanks letrell. I also cried leaving the surgeons. It all just seems overwhelming. I can do this though, I have noother choice! I have an appt with my regular doc in a few hours and am going to see about a mild nerve pill to help with the smoking. I am just going to get through the weekend trying not to absolutely stuff myself and then start atkin's on monday morning. thanks for the encouragement! It means more than you know! Merry Christmas!
 
Rettak,
When I went to the dr for the 1st time he told me the same thing I had to lose 60 lbs before his insurance would allow him to do surgery. My BMI had to be under 60. He told me to go on Dr.Atkins because it was low carb and that is how I would be eating the rest of my life anyway. It is the easyest diet I ever did. I went to Atkins.com and signed up and ordered the free starter kit. Started on the induction phase. i pretty much stayed on this phase the entire time so I could lose my weight. It took me 7 months and I lost 72 lbs before my surgery. My bp decreased, cut my medicine in half and my arthritis is 99% better. I had to see my PCP and a nutrionist for 3 months. The dr said my liver had shrunk and my surgery was very easy to do. Don't be afraid of this diet you will lose the weight and be much healthier for your surgery.
 
Back
Top