Gastric Bypass

[BlueDaisy]

I know that the gastric bypass surgery has been a touchy subject on some threads here, but I would like for anyone who has had the procedure to please PM me (or post here if you prefer).

I am on the verge (within 2 months) of having it and so far the only people I've talked with about it (and that has been quite a few) have nothing but good to say about it. If anyone here has had a bad experience, I'd really like to talk to you.

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[BlueDaisy]

Just bumping, hoping for a reply.....

 

[BlueDaisy]

bumping for the night shift

 

[sweet soft kiss]

Blue Daisy....

I haven't had it... My cousin did and she did quite well for about 2 years... went from a size 22 to a 14... but she eventually put all the weight back on... I don't know if that is typical or not...

I would suggest that you talk very carefully to your doctor... ask all the questions you can think of, especially about keeping the proper nutrient balance. Ask and ask... and maybe get a second opinion. Its a very serious operation, and no one should think it's an "easy" way to lose weight. It isn't easy, that much I know. I would also ask around about support groups. Try to meet others who have had the surgery.. ask about their good and bad experiences... and if you are unsure, wait until you are...

Good luck in whatever you decide to do...

 

[Ryaine]

I have not had it …. But I did look into it at one time. There is a lot of information on the web, both for and against it. But I would be careful about making this decision. Quite a few people got septic after the surgery. I do feel it is a personal choice for most it is a last option. So I guess my question is … have you done all the research? If you choose the surgery … I hope it goes well.

 

[peachykeen]

There was another thread about this I guess about a month ago. Try running a search witht he keyword 'gastric' and see what comes up, I swear I remember it wasn't all that long ago.

 

[J.B.]

I looked in to it for a bit but never did any heavy reasearch on the subject because I decided against the procedure.

There are different procedures that can be done and depending on the on you chose those are the results you get. Your typical gastric bypass cuts out about 1/2 of your stomach which cuts your appetite and well helps you lose weight. T

here's stapling which from what I understand simply closes off a small portion of your stomach.

There's the Phoebe (sp?) Pouch procedure which is the most dramatic and gives the fastest results but also puts you in the greater risk. Basically what it does is take out about 75-85% of your stomach so that can only ever hold about only about 1-2 oz. So that -from my understanding- no matter how much that need to over eat stays with you you can't. You'll throw it back up. Also with this procedure since you're never able really to over eat you can't really stretch your stomach back.

I knew a woman who had this done and the healing process is just awful. You're like a baby all over again. in the beginning there's literally a tube in your stomach, I can't remember if it's so that you can eat of for what, but you have to keep it in for about a week during this time your wound is of course healing around it and when it has to be removed it's yanked out of you. yeah ouch. Then they move you to weak broth and water. mind you can only have about 1 oz of the stuff before you're full. You graduate to weak soups, on to yogurt, and so on until solids. This woman can ever again eat spicy food, or any food that contains sugar. But she lost about 100 lbs in under a year so she's happy.

I decided this wasn't for me. Whatever you decide make sure it's what's best and the healthiest for you. A good diet and exersize can make just as a dramatic change in your life than any of these procedures can. Be sure to resurech it thoroughly, talk to different people who've had the procedure done, talk to doctors.



Good luck and be well

 

[Rubyfruit]

Daisy, just make sure you get your information from sources other than people who will profit from your decision to have it done.

I did some research a while back that opened my eyes to how invasive and dangerous this procedure is, but the doctors who profit from it, don't mention the bad stuff.

 

[Temptress_1960]

I think I posted before on another thread. I've not had this done, but I've known several people who did.

Most healed just fine.

One had a long period of feeling awful.

One died in the hospital.

It's a very serious procedure, but I guess if you feel the benefits outweigh the risks, then go for it.

 

[Guest]

A waitress here where I live had it done andshe couldn't put up with it anymore and ended her life cause she could not eat alot of foods she liked

 

[BlueDaisy]

Thank you all for your replies, and for the PMs I received.

I guess I should have explained some things before I posted this. I'll make a few comments now.

I have been in this "process" since last June (starting the pre-op testing, etc), and have been researching it since before then....for over a year now.

I am well aware of the post-surgery healing process and life after healing; I watched my best friend go through this (she had an excellent outcome, by the way, which is why I'm asking for input from others here...I know that no everyone has the good situation that she has had so far).

The doctor and hospital will not profit from my having the procedure, as it will be done by a military doctor at a military hospital. The docs who do these there are mainly oncology surgeons, and they are allowed to do the bypass procedure because it gives them practice for a type of "gut surgery" that they might have to do on the battlefield.

The protocol followed at this hospital is very thorough. Each candidate must go through several steps before they even see the physican. These include at least one support group meeting of bypass patients (where a physician, nurse and nutritionist are present), a seminar-type meeting where you meet in a group with the nutritionist, one of the surgeons, nurses from the ward where the post-bypass patients stay, a rep. from a sleep-study center, see a film explaining the procedure, etc.

After those 2 meetings, if you are still interested you go through the testing phase. That includes such things as an upper GI, a 24 hour urine catch, complete blood workup, sleep study (to test for apnea, which I was already being treated for before this sleep study), gynocological exam (for women, of course; men have a different test, I believe) and mammogram if over 40, and a psychiatriac evaluation. If you are over 50, there are other tests you must have. Plus, after the surgery you must remain on CPAP (treatment for apnea) for 3 months post-surgery if you are an apnea patient.

All these must come back with results that are within the acceptable ranges or you cannot have the surgery. They are strict ranges, too.

The only one that profits financially from any of these tests is the sleep study centers, as everything else is done at the military hospital.

I don't know if this is the protocol followed at other military hospitals that might perform this procedure, or even if any others do; I know that the local army hospital used to do it and they did things differently.

The hospital where my surgery will be done has a better-than-national-average "success rate", meaning they have fewer deaths during or post surgery (including civilian hospitals). I know that that sounds morbid, but when you are considering this, as I am, it has to be discussed.

I have had all of the testing done and am just waiting for my appt. with the surgeon to see if he will approve me for the surgery, and if so, to get my date with the scalpel. Most people here do not have to wait this long (almost a year) before getting to this point; I kept having problems with the gyn exam having to be redone (I had 3 in 6 months...grrrr) because, well, just because. LOL! I'm fine; it was a minor technical problem.

Now...why do I want to have this. I have been fighting a losing battle with my weight for about 17 years. I keep getting heavier as time goes on. I lose weight only to gain it back and more (typical yo-yo situation). My health is being affected....I've got sleep apnea which is getting worse, my BP is going up, etc. Plus, I have a knee injury for which I'm having surgery this month. If I don't get the weight off, the knee will just go bad again. I can't even exercise, really, because of the knee injury.

I know that those conditions are not like, say, diabetes, etc, but I feel like I'm almost at a do or die stage. Hard to explain.

Anyway, I appreciate everyone who posted and PMd. If anyone else wants to add their stories, please feel free to. I'd really like to hear from people who have had the surgery themselves.

Thanks again,