Info on Gastric Bypass Surgery

I had the surgery 3 years ago this month. It was the best decision that I have ever made!!!!!!!! With that being said....it is not easy. It is not a miracle cure. You can have the surgery and gain back every pound that you loose.
Send me a message and I can give you my phone number if you would like to talk.
S.

I've been going to the same physician since before I had my kids. We've discussed WLS so many times, it's impossible to keep track. But we both agree that gastric bypass is NOT an option because of the risks involved and the fact that I have kids. My doctor did, however, feel that the lap-band, which is supposed to be less invasive and completely reversible, would be an ok alternative for me.

I've known 3 people who've had gastric bypass surgery. One person seemed to do just fine. One person came out of it ok, but didn't lose the weight you would have thought given the expense and risk involved and still struggles with her weight to this day, and the third person lost lots of weight, but gained a lot of it back over time.

As so many others have said, and given my own personal battle with weight, I think the risks are too high for this type of surgery. You have your daughter to think about and while losing weight is important in it's own right, going to extremes is not always the best option.

In regards to weight loss tips, I lost the most weight on Weight Watchers before I got pregnant with my last child. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, I gained the weight back and when I tried going back to WW, I just couldn't get motivated again and had to quit 'cause I wasn't losing any more.

Weight loss is really a mental battle more than anything and all the weight loss surgery in the world won't make us thin if we're still putting too many calories in our mouths.

Good luck with your decision.

I have lost 90 pounds doing Weight Watchers and exercise which I think it's the Best route to go. I still have about 25 more pounds to go. I would definitely rethink the surgery. My ex's godmother had it done and everything sags REALLY bad and she's had to do a lifestyle change.

It's definitely not worth the risk to me.
Good luck on whatever you decide.
M.

I would go with the LapBand surgery myself. It's safer than GBS and the effects are more controllable. My father in law had it done and has lost over 100lbs. My mom is in the process of having it done. It's really simple the put a tube like band around the stomach sinching it off. No cutting or anything. At the end is a port that sits just under the muscle so it's sort of like a PIC line but not visable and you don't have to flush it everyday because its not exposed. You make a schedule with the doc to go and have more/less fluid put into the tube (holiday time you can get less put in. or more depending on how you feel about turkey and pies and what not.) The only side effect that my Fatherinlaw complains about is that if he eats to much he gets to vomiting. Also with the lapband vs GBS is that in cutting the stomach and making it smaller it's very easy to stretch it out over a relatively small period of time, and then your left with no other options. If you so desire the lapband is not permanent and can be removed. I'm kinda medical savy (not a nurse or anything) but this is one of the things I've done a lot of research on. And I think from all medical standpoints this would be the way to go over the GBS. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I had it six years ago. Lap band was new and not widely done where I lived. I have recently developed neuropathy in my legs and arms despite taking all of my vitamins. Seriously, seriously consider the lap band instead. The malabsorption is just not worth it.

P.S. If anyone has experienced WLS-related neuropathy and knows of a good neurosurgeon in the Houston area, please let me know. My PCP is aware that 10-16% of post-RNY gastric bypass patients nationwide develop it, but she doesn't personally know any neurologists who have dealt with it. Since my surgery was done in Virginia and now I'm in Houston, I'm kind of stuck.

My friend had the surgery done, and is very happy with the results. She ended up losing over 100 lbs as well. As mentioned in the other posts you do have a lot of saggy skin afterwords. She had to have a tummy tuck to get rid of it. In her case , the insurance payed for the tummy tuck as well. Her mom also had it done by the same doctor and has seen great results, over 100lbs. I would research the doctor very carefully when considering it since it is so risky. I would recommend their doctor but unfortunatley they live in Tulsa. They both have to work out and still watch what they eat but it has been so much easier for them now, since struggling with weight problems for most of their lives. Even though people have had sucess it is very risky so you do have to think it through and decide if this is a risk you want to take.

I had it, and several of my friends had it. Not all of us used the same surgeon. You must do your research! My husband and I did it, and I think it took us three times to get approved - and the third time was the charm. We went to Baylor and I wouldn't have gone anywhere else. The WLS program has come a LONG way since my surgery. I was quite successful - lost 137lbs and felt FABULOUS!!! Then I got pregnant, lazy, and forgot how to eat. I will be five years post-op next month, but you know what? I still have a tool that works and it's up to me to get back on track. You do that by going back to the basics, attending support groups, and seeing your surgeon. Also, after five years my pouch has not stretched! It's no bigger than my almost three year olds fist. NO way I could eat like a pre-op.

KNOW that WLS is not a cure to obesity. It is so mental you just could not comprehend how mental. Do your homework, that's all I can say. Would I do it again? Most definitely, and at Baylor.

My husband is scheduled to have lapband at the end of this month. he has been considering surgery for 3 years, and researched his options extensively. It was not hard to see how the lapband was a far, far less risky option than gastric bypass.

Still, it is NOT the easy way out. He will have to make a lot of changes. the thing with him is that he is at a point where exercise is pretty much impossible, and he is approaching this as a tool to help him get to a point where exercise is possible.

I have heard that there are places that file people through with little support, so be careful who you use. The doctor he is using has a full program you go through. he's done 6 months of prep, including nutritional counseling, classes at the center, a psych eval, meeting once a month with our family doc., meeting with the surgeon. After surgery, he will be required to go a support group meeting once a month and have regular follow-ups. Any amount of support less than this, and I would be suspicious of the surgeon.

my best friend had lap band 4 years ago, and has had a mixed experience. She developed a clot during surgery and almost died from that. once she recovered from that, she went on to lose 100 pounds in a year. this was including healthier food choices and working out 6 days a week. but then, her port flipped and she lost the restriction, and has gained some weight back. she will have to have the surgery redone. she still recommends this as a viable option, because she realizes that the clot could have happened from any surgery. and they've made changes to the bands themselves and adjusted the procedure slightly so that slippage is not the problem it was a few years ago.

For both her and my husband, the reality is that they are/were already "dying". serious, life-threatening conditions are/were developing, so the risk of surgery seemed tolerable in comparison.

whether you choose surgery or not, at some point you will have to approach the mental, emotional and spiritual causes of your eating disorder. I have battled my weight most of my life as well, and have found this to be an important part of weight loss. I'm not losing weight right now because I'm pregnant, but before the pregnancy I finally found the combination of factors that was working, and I plan on picking back up with those when I'm recovered. I am meeting with a christian counselor and going to celebrate recovery, which is a christian 12-step group. I found that weight lifting was the kind of exercise that was most effective for me, and swimming. I also have PCOS, which meant that hormones were a HUGE factor that had to be resolved. I took fortamet, fish oil, and vitamin D, as recommended by my Ob/Gyn. I also saw an acupuncturist 2x a month and took the medicinal herb blends she gave me. I also followed her dietary recommendations. ALL of this working together resulted in the first weight loss I'd seen in years, and a healthy pregnancy!

So, I know that's a long post, but that's the spectrum of anecdotal experience I have to offer you. I'm proud of you for endeavoring to improve your life, and wish you the best whatever path you choose.

I have heard LOTS of horror stories about problems and complications after this procedure. A relative of my boss almost died within the last year after having this done. My take on is after you have surgery you have to make major life style changes, so if you make the life style changes then you don't have to have surgery, it's very risky and dangerous. I can relate, I am overweight myself, but it's just not worth it to me to risk my life. Weight watchers is the best plan out there, IMO and you have to add in exercise, I don't know if you are doing any now, but if you have surgery you have to change the way you eat and you have to get some exercise or your skin will get all saggy, so why not just not take the chance and make the changes you would have to make anyway? Good luck whatever you decide to do, I just hope you don't put your life at risk for this dangerous surgery.

-T.

I have known people who have been extremely successful with the surgery and one person that died from complications, so I think it is a pretty risky thing to do. A very close family friend of mine had the surgery and had excellent results. She lost well over 100 pounds and looks like a totally different person. Her results were so good that her husband decided to have the surgery as well. He lost his life doing it. I know that my friend feels like it was the right decision for her and is considering a malpractice suit for the surgical center that performed his surgery (he actually died due to the use of a breathing tube that was too small when he was put under anesthesia, so he went into respitory and cardiac arrest). He lived for a week or two in and out of a coma, but never recovered. If you do decide to go forward with this, I would recommend fully researching the doctor that will perform it. Also, do it at a hospital that has resources to help you if something does go wrong. My friend was at a surgery center with no trauma center or ER, so by the time they got him to the hospital in an ambulance, the damage was done.

The other thing to consider is that once you have the procedure...if you lose a considerable amount of weight (it sounds like you are aiming for more than 100 pounds), you will likely need additional surgery to get rid of excess skin. Both of the people I know who had this surgery successfully had to have cosmetic surgery to remove all of the extra skin. This can be expensive and painful and poses additional risks.

I honestly believe that most people can overcome their weight problems "the old fashioned way" with strict diet (eating the right things, not a "diet" per se) and lots of exercise. Even if that exercise is walking for 30 min. a day at first. Once the weight starts to come off, the walking won't hurt as much and you will be able to do more cardio. Weight training also helps to keep yourself toned as you burn the fat. However, with that said, there are some people who have fought this battle their whole lives and need to take another course of action in order to save their lives. If that's you, then I say go for it. If you think there are changes you can make yourself (be honest and realize that it will NOT be easy), then I think you should try that first. Work with a doctor and a nutritionist. Even if you have the surgery, you will have to change some of your habits anyway, so give it a try! I wish you nothing but the best. I hope whatever you choose will help you become happier and healthier.

V.

Well, I have heard a lot of horror stories as well.....I myself have lost almost 60 pounds,(and I'm still going, I want to lose another 30-40, and I know I can do it) through diet and excercise. And when I say diet, I don't mean anything nutty. I started out on South Beach, and now just eat like we all should be eating. I workout AT LEAST 3-4 days a week, doing weight training and cardio, I cut out sugar almost completely. Now,I feel better than I have in years, my allergies are GONE (NO KIDDING< GONE) I rarely get headaches anymore, it's crazy. I think you can turn this weight thing around on your own with some self discipline, dedication, and hard work!!! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask......

Good Luck!
April

I know lots of people who have had the surgery and everyone has their own story. You have to decide what is right for you and what risk you need to take. A friend of mine lost over 200 lbs and even with the complications and risk she is healthier for it. Other are not. As far as absorption, discuss it with your surgeon. There are several WLS websites with blogs and peoples stories. Go there and read. Loosing the weight is more than just having the surgery. Obesity is a disease that must be attacked in multiple ways. Learn as much as you can before you decide. It should at a minimum take several months to gather enough info to decide. See a councilor also, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

My mother in law had the surgery in March of 2005. After about 3 or 4 months she developed Vertigo which made her vitamin deficient. It has changed our ENTIRE family and life. She lost a LOT of weight but she has been in and out of the hospital for a long time. At times, she does not know who anyone is. She forgets that she has a grandson and sometimes forgets that she has kids of her own. She goes through stages where she can't understand anything or speak right. If she has a slight problem such as a urinary tract infection, it makes her extremely ill and she is usually hospitalized for days at a time. She is in a wheel chair and can barely walk on her own. She is a completely different person... Empty of life. I do NOT suggest this surgery because the CHANCES of this happening. NO, it does not happen to everyone. Many people are very successful in this surgery but after seeing what has happened to my mother in law it breaks my heart to see anyone take the chance of it possibly happening to them.

My mother had the LapBand Surgery. It has been a very smooth road for her and she has lost quite a lot of weight herself. I would definitely recommend the LapBand surgery before gastric bypass. The risks are a lot less.

Thats my 2 cents. Hope it helps...

May God be with you!