Gastric Bypass Surgery

[Piebald]

Has anyone had this sort of surgery? If so, can you fill me in on details? I have been considering it. I doubt I can afford it, though.

[dizzle]

I know several people who have had it and the results were dramatic, but it seems pretty radical to me. I think they have to remove your spleen or something like that. Is weight that big of a problem Hammy? From what I understand it is really for major weight problems. I don't presume to make any judgments on it - I know some people say, "well just diet!" and I know it isn't always that simple - that sometimes it is like saying to a depressed person, "well just cheer up!"

[Sacrificial Ram]

Has anyone had this sort of surgery? If so, can you fill me in on details? I have been considering it. I doubt I can afford it, though.

I know several people that had it. One woman I know when from 330 to 160, and probably will lose another 15 to 20 pounds if/when she has the plastic surgury to remove the excess skin.

There are risks involved. There are at least some people who die because of complications.... but that is reasonable rare (but not zero).

[Teallaura]

I had it done in 2002 (or 3 - I'm lousy with numbers).

You have to be at least 100 pounds overweight to be considered at all. It depends on your insurance - my operation ran around $25,000 and I only had to pay maybe $150 out of pocket.

I lost 112 at the most. I went into a pretty deep depression (my doctor thinks the anesthesia may have triggered that) and had to be on anti-depressants for a long while thereafter (I'm off now! :smile:). Those meds make you hungry and virtually stopped my weight loss - I eventually regained about thirty pounds. Off the drugs, I’ve begun to lose again with just moderate exercise but nowhere near as fast and whether it will keep up remains to be seen.

Wouold I do it again? The answer is probably yes. The weight I did lose made my life much better - I'm off a lot of the arthritis and other meds I needed when I weighed so much. I'm not where I wanted to be - and may never get there. Can't say I'm not disappointed, especially seeing so many friends who've lost much more dramatically than I - but it's not the end of the world.

Would I recommend it? If your weight is interfering with your life (or health) then yes. It can be risky - it is major surgery. One of my friends had to go back in six weeks later from a complication - but she's doing great now. Of the four people I know who've had it, I'm the only one who didn't lose virtually all the weight.

If you are serious, first talk to your doctor. Then find a surgeon who has a good track record (those who only do this once in a while aren't a good plan) and who can do it laproscopically - It was a breeze. I was back at work in a week.

Edit: Which procedure are you considering?

[Piebald]

Well, I researched it and it is just too costly. I'm not overweight enough that I can't lose it in 6-10 months of eating right and getting more exercise. I'm starting a new agenda of watching what I eat and walking more since yesterday. Hopefully I won't screw up and binge on brownies later...

[JardinPrayer]

I've only seen fuzzy little hints of pictures of your face, but I never perceived you as overweight enough for a procedure like that, sweetie! I think that's the one Carny Wilson had. A pastor at my church had the procedure and then several years later, began gaining weight again and had to have it a second time. At least, I beleive that was the gastric bypass and not the stomach stapling...that's what he told us. In any event, I know there are dangers and certainly major surgery should never be the FIRST course of action.

I lost 35 of the 60 pounds I needed to lose on the Atkins diet, but I would not now recommend that to anyone who is not prepared to commit to a low carb lifestlye long term....which I'm no longer convinced is a great idea. I suggest Weight Watchers...tried and true...and very effective. Plus, they have a couple of new plans now for different people's needs.

[Piebald]

I've only seen fuzzy little hints of pictures of your face, but I never perceived you as overweight enough for a procedure like that, sweetie!


They've all been pictures from like 4 or 5 years ago, mostly. . .

I've tried the Atkins but it made me kind of ill. So I am just going to try the old fashioned way, once again. I may even start a thread on my progress sooner or later.

[Rubia Warren]

If you want a dieting buddy, we could do it together. I need to lose a few pounds, too. :blush: (but don't tell anybody that).
Some people online have done that. They keep each other in check and stuff.

[JardinPrayer]

Hubby and I are both talking about getting our weight back under control. He declined the french fries to go with the Ruebens I made for dinner last night. And no cheesecake for dessert. Wanna start a TWeb diet club?

[Rubia Warren]

That would be kinda fun, actually.

[Piebald]

Yeah, that would be a good idea...

[JardinPrayer]

Okay, Hammy...want a girl to start it...? I'll be happy to if that's more comfortable for ya.

We can agree on rules and stuff or just keep each other supported...

Up to you, brother. We're here for support.

[Piebald]

Certainly! Are you going to start it in the "Health and Wellness" forum?

[JardinPrayer]

Hopefully this will crack you all up, but it's 11:17 here in New York and I haven't eaten anything yet today. So, I'm going to think about it over brunch and then I'll start the thread! Yes, I think Health and Wellness makes perfect sense! I'll post here when I've opened it up!

Bon apetite! :lol:

[Pretty Pink VICTORY]

I'm in. See you in the thread. It's 11:19 here in DC and I too haven't eaten. I shall be thinking about the issue also.... over lunch! (salad for me btw)

:baby:C

[Rubia Warren]

I just ate a doughnut. :blush:

[JardinPrayer]

I just ate a doughnut. :blush:

:lol: Maybe this will help: http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?p=986689

[Abigail]

Hamster, I heard that if you are trying to lose wieght you should chew each mouthful at least 30 times...something as a Hamster I shouldnt need to be telling you :teeth:

[mym101]

Has anyone had this sort of surgery? If so, can you fill me in on details? I have been considering it. I doubt I can afford it, though.

I personally had not had the surgery but my cousin has.
First of all I recomend for you to visit a dietician, include allof your family and friends in your effort to lose weight. You see my cousin is in a coma right now due to complications from surgery. He had surgery on Thursday, Friday the doctors had him walking in the morning, in the afternoon he was internally bleeding, back to the O.R. he had cardiac arrest. The doctors are not sure they stopped the bleeding. Right now the only organs working in his body are his heart and his brain. We do not know if he will make it. He just turned 40 last month. So please do your research, If you decide to go ahead with the surgery. ask lots of questions such as how many times have you performed the surgery ( not assisted they don't count) what is your success rate, what are the risk associated with surgery. Write down your questions.
Wish you lots of success with your quest for weight loss.
God Bless

[mym101]

I know several people that had it. One woman I know when from 330 to 160, and probably will lose another 15 to 20 pounds if/when she has the plastic surgury to remove the excess skin.

There are risks involved. There are at least some people who die because of complications.... but that is reasonable rare (but not zero).


The risk of gastric bypass are pretty significant. 1 in 50 patients die of complications.

[Teallaura]

Hammy, when you can, I now highly recommend it. I had a rough time and didn't lose like I wanted to - but that's changing and for the first time in five years, I'm really doing heavy yard work that I haven't been able to do. I'd never have made it without the surgery. :woohoo:

Best wishes! :smile:

[Piebald]

Awesome! I am in the middle of trying 'the old fashioned way,' but it still remains an option