Have You Had Weight Loss Surgery - Gilbert,AZ

Yes. I had gastric bypass October 25, 2012. I am down 140 pounds. I still have 90 to go...yes, I had gotten that out of hand. I am 6'1, so I carried my weight fairly well and had no health problems, but that wouldn't have stayed that way for long.

I started looking at surgery in 2009. My mo had it in December 2009 and had a HORRIBLE experience. She lost all of her weight in 6 months and was TOO skinny. The surgery was successful in terms of getting her weight off and clearing up a lot of her medical problems, but it also caused more problems for her. However, she is still now at a healthy weight and more active than she was in the last 10 years before surgery.

I had mine because like you, I had tried everything out there. Nothing worked for me long-term. I started working with my PCM January 2012 and met with my surgeon for the first time in August 2012. I had met the basic requirements for my insurance (TriCare) by working with a nutritionist from January-July. Once I met with the surgeon, there were so many more people I had to meet with. They included: sleep study, endoscopy, gall bladder sonogram, tons of blood work, cardiologist, psychologist, etc..I know there are more. I told my surgeon if I wasn't approved, I'd at least know I was healthy!

One thing to keep in mind is that WLS is NOT the easy way to lose weight. Yes, I probably would still be 140 pounds heavier if I hadn't done it, but it is a LOT of work on your part even after you have the surgery. It's done laproscopically now mostly, but I'd still say it was a good 4-6 weeks before I felt "fine" afterwards. It probably was a little longer than that before it didn't hurt to sleep on my side. My older sister got married November 17th last year and I was a bridesmaid...I was extremely exhausted because I couldn't eat or drink much to keep my energy up.

It's hard finding out what you can and cannot eat once you can eat again. I got sick a lot. Sometimes that one bite or drinking too soon after you eat will make you really sick. I spend two weekends in a row in bed from drinking too much water. Go figure!

You have to live on protein drinks (something I have let slip and need to get back to). So find one you can stomach now. You will need t o give up caffeine and soda for a LONG time. I had given up soda already, but drink latte's. I will still have a latte sometimes, but with skim milk, no whip, and sugar free when possible.

I am happy to give you the pros and cons to gastric bypass if you are looking in to having it. There are a lot on both sides and I just think it's extremely important to realize it is not an easy process at all. It's hard mentally and physically, just as it would be to do it on your own.

Would I do it again though? Absolutely.

How much do you need to lose?
What's your BMI?
I haven't had any surgery.
My understanding was that it's sort of a last thing to try if you're over 300 lbs.
I've heard it works well for some people but not for others.
It's possible to re-stretch your stomach out again if you don't follow a strict diet and some have had success following the strict diet without having the actual surgery performed.
What's working for me so far is seeing my doctor every month, using a food diary (no more than 1200 calories per day), drinking lot's of water, walking for at least 30 min 5 times a week and taking Adipex.
There are some new diet drugs that have been FDA approved in the last few years that might be worth looking into - Qsymia and Belviq.
I began 12/01/12 and in 10 months I've lost 65 lbs.
My bmi was 48.1 and now it's 37.3.
I still have 75 lbs to lose but I'm making good progress and feeling so much better than I was this time last year.

My aunt had it and is very happy, my cousin had it (both full bypass) and says she wishes she never had, she has serious dumping syndrome and vomiting even after years. I looked into doing the sleeve (less risk of dumping as a side effect. I had to meet with the bariatric doctor to learn about the different procedures and then I had to meet with my primary doctor every month for 6 months to prove I could make the changes needed to make the surgery a success. That is one think many don't realize, the surgery is a tool but the will power and life changes still have to come from you. I, after 4 months of monitoring, decided not to get the surgery after all. I learned I could make the changes I needed to, and that I did not need to be thin, only healthy, and learned to see my body in a new way, but I am only about 100 pounds overweight, if I had 300 to lose like my cousin I think my choice would have been different. Just get all the information and know it is not an easy way out, all the same work you would have to do without it you will still have to do, it just helps increase the odds of success long term.

Also, if you have a food addiction of any kind you need to get that treated as well. Often food addicts you have GBS then transfer that addiction to other things because they did not learn to address it. Some of the most common are alcohol and sex addictions. Even if you don't have any addictions to food, a good support group during both build up and follow up is really important.

Yes ,I have had the Sleeve procedure done in July. The 1st thing I had to do was go to the Info Session that the surgeon's usually have, And then I signed up for a consultation with the surgeon. I had previouisly spoke with my PrImary Care Doc and she thought I was a great candidate for the surgery. I had considered it after becoming overweight after the death of my husband almost 7 years ago and eventually was diagnosed as Diabetic, (runs in my family), had major issues with my knees and was tired of not being able to do the things I wanted to do, not to mention the other health risks I was setting myself up for, because diets never had a lasting effect. I started the process the end of January , I had 1-2 classes a month with the dietician and/or nurse from the program ,I also had to go see their psychologist to see if I was ready for the surgery and the impact it would have. I also had to have cardiology clearance, gastroenterology (upper endoscopy and colonoscopy) and pulmonary clearance,including a Sleep Study which did determine I had severe Seep Apnea, I had been in denial about that for a long time, but, when they told me I quit breathing 74 times in a 60 minute time frame , that really scared me, no wonder I felt so tired all the time, my body was not getting real sleep. After all the clearances, (which are also part of Insurance clearances and approval, I had to go on the surgeons preop diet , see the surgeon again a few weeks before the surgeon and that's when they scheduled mine, (I could've had it in May ,but , my father passed away, and I missed my last class and had to wait for the next one). Insurance companies vary on whether they cover it or not, you can contact yours to find out, and usually your BMI has to be above a certain number, and I can't remember what that is. The process was not that long considering how long I have had the issue. There are 3 different options, Gastric Bypass,(very invasive), Gastric Sleeve,( not nearly as invasive, but, it is permanent, no reversing the procedure), and the Lapband Band (the least invasive, but, you do have to go back to the surgeon's office for adjustments sometimes often.) All the procedures require follow up visits, they monitor all kinds of levels, Vitamin levels, Iron Levels, Sugar levels, Lipid levels, and so on to make sure you are not deficeint in any area. While on the preop diet I lost 20 ibs and I have lost as of today 37 more pounds. Keep in mind, and they will tell you, the surgery is just a tool, and the way you think about food is the Major thing, and you have to excercise ,I'm not saying do a full blown workout, but, some movement everyday,and work yourself up to a full blown workout,walking is great, It will increase your chances of success. The classes will educate you about what to expect both before and after your surgery. The surgery was fairly simple, a little discomfort afterwards, a one night stay in the hospital for my procedure and a test the day after to make sure there are no leaks in your stomach, and I was home ! There are risks with every surgery, but, mine were minimal. If you have more questions, private message me ! I am excited for you ! It's the best thing I ever did for myself and I am off meds for the diabetes and my knees don't give me as much trouble as they did, they aren't carrying as much weight around ! C. S.

If you go to the seminar, they will check your insurance and help you get clearance for it. You can also check obesityhelp and gastricsleeve.com
to find true stories.
You must diet and exercise forever after the surgery. Some doctors require you to lose x pounds before surgery to prove you will be compliant.
I personally am having a terrible time getting down the shakes and vitamins they require. I also drink more water than they want me too and I have not been able to not drink water when eating. I would be seriously ill if I went ahead and had the surgery without being compliant so I put it off for one more try to do it myself.

My husband had his 2+ years ago. He's lost about 90lbs. It took 2 years to qualify, plus a guided diet, some psych testing, a pre and post surgery liquid diet, and then adjustments and monitoring.

He is happy with the results. Basically, he can eat most anything, just slowly, and not in huge portions. He is more easily sated and has better energy.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

My sister had it 9 years ago and lost 130 pounds. She has kept all but 10 of it off. It was a long process and some others have mentioned. When she had it done I think for insurance to cover it you needed to lose at least 100 pounds. Not sure how it is today.

I haven't so I can't answer your questions but a friend of mine had the surgery and is down 55 lbs so far. She looks and feels fantastic.