sopralto
I had an RNY in 1992. Lost from 310 to 240 and then regained to 320 over the next 8 years. I lost 65lbs on South Beach diet in 2003 along with 1-2 hours a day of exercise, aerobic and lots of weight lifting. I was researching weight loss surgery for my 16 year old daughter at that time. A friend a great success with the lapband. Took my daughter, Rachel to see a surgeon and he did not recommend a lap band because her weight was high (50% average weight loss), she already had GERD (heartburn) and the long term results are not in. He recommended an RNY. Because of my failure, we were not encouraged by this. Her eating habits were worse then mine and she never exercises.
In our research we found the Duodenal Switch and decided this was the best option for her. Best EWL (80% average), you can eat more best long term keeping it off results. She gained 50lbs in 9 months her Junior year while I was doing this research. At 326lbs we felt it was not in her best interest to wait. She was pre-diabetic, with asthma and GERD. Since our insurance only covers RNY and only if you are over 20 (she was 17 by this time) we decided to go to Brazil to Dr. Marchesini. He has a procedure that converts an RNY to something like a Duodenal Switch but leaves the pouch alone. I was not willing to have the high risk procedure where they reconstruct the stomache and make a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I didn't want this high complication fraught surgery when my daughter was needing me. A friend went to Brazil with us and it was a great experience. Rachel has lost 130lbs in 10 months and I have lost 70. I still eat what made me gain those 40lbs a few years ago. Rachel's stomach is still very small and she eats only about 6 oz of food. Best of all her appetite is gone and she doesn't even think of food. I still get hungry nothing has changed except I have lost 70lbs with little effort and lots of exercise. I have no idea how much I will lose but am still losing at 1lb a week.
