<p>Thanks, Hanna.</p>
<p>Hopefully your nephew will take his time through the pre surgery process. My doctor was awesome and there was always the option to bail on the surgery and he did show quite a few patients (with their permission) that did decide not to go through with the surgery and were still successful in losing the weight, though not sure how successful they were in keeping in off. I was only in the hospital overnight, was back to work in a week to light duty and was able to go on an already scheduled cruise two months later (yes there were many food options on a cruise). I’m glad I did it though there is always the nagging doubt that I could have done it with diet and exercise but what’s done is done and I had been morbidly obese for at least 10 years (and was surprised to see the words ‘morbidly obese’ on my medical chart. Make sure your nephew does research for surgeon (choose one that does only bariatric surgery if possible).</p>
<p>RNY Gastric Bypass, 12/99. Started at 325. Now 210. Was 180 at my lowest. So, it’s not perfect, but I’ll take the benefits of being 115 lbs lighter. Working on returning to my post op eating plan, which, when followed, is wildly successful for me…protein FIRST at every meal. No drinking with meals, and no sugar. And no snacking/grazing unless its a low cal veg/some fruits. Oh and exercise ;-)</p>
<p>Surgery is scheduled for next week.</p>
<p>OK so hopefully your nephew has been able to gather some good information and he and family have made this decision and think that it’s the right decision for him. The pre op certification process is no joke. He should be ready physically and psychologically. Hopefully changes in food are being made at the family level which doesn’t always happen (family continues to eat the same way while the recovering person isn’t able to, that can be very divisive). Are his parents obese? If you want to give any advice it should be for the whole family to eat differently. IMO.</p>
<p>Good luck to your nephew. As I said above, when my step-D did it, the first few months were difficult. He’ll need a lot of support. But the results are worth it.</p>
<p>In answer to whoever asked why not just diet and exercise . . . step-D tried everything and could not lose the weight. She got depressed and, of course, the weight issue got worse. The program she’s a part of of has counseling, exercise, she meets regularly with a nutritionist, etc. both pre and post surgery. She’s a whole new person. (Inside and out!)</p>