Gastric Bypass Surgery? Would you recommend it?

[LovelyMiracle]

Morning Ladies,

I am 24 and over 300 pounds. I have been over 200 pounds since the sixth grade and I'm more than tired of it. I've lost 30 pounds but I can't seem to lose anymore and I don't know why. Recently I've been reading about gastric bypass surgery and think it's definitely an option. If anyone has been through this process can you give me some of your opinions. Some of my questions are:

What procedure did you have?

What was the procedure like?

How was recovery?

Did you have any negative side effects initially?

Would you do it again?

If you're in MD, can you recommend a good doctor?

Any advice?

If you feel it is too personal for you to discuss in the open please send me a private message.

[MzPrince]

I have a friend that had the lap-band surgery. She says that she is happy that she chose that over the Bypass surgery because she can control her weight loss better this way. January will be a year anniversary for her and she so far has lost 88 lbs.

[LoVeMYLIfe]

My mother-in-law had the laparoscopic roux-en y gastric bypass procedure almost a year ago, performed by Dr. Terrence Fullum. I am pretty sure she was close to 300lbs, she is currently a size 4(I think she dropped waaayy too fast, but she put herself on a strict diet after the surgery) I remember that she had to go through all kinds of testing, and meetings, before she had this done, I also remember they did a sleep study on her. She seemed to be up and about very fast afterwards, and I remember that the only thing she could get down, and feel full, was some liquid in a medicine cup. About a week later, you would have never guessed that she had this surgery.

She has numerous of vitamins too take, along with lots of protein shakes, because she can no longer get all her nutrients from the little bit of food that she can eat. Also I remember her saying that nobody ever told her that there could be some slight hair loss, but am pretty sure that this is not the case for all.

Now, my cousin had the lapband a few months ago. She chose this because she said the gastric was just too much for her, as far as getting sick if you eat too much, or certain foods not agreeeing with you, and also she did not want to have to take all the vitamins, and basically has more control over her weightloss. She can eat just about anything she wants, but she does start to feel full after so much. She gets her band adjusted anytime she feels that she can get more food down than she could previously, which is not that often(she had it done once since her surgery)

Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I am pretty sure there are plenty of support groups throughout the internet that you can get information on. I know that my mil is a member of one, but not too sure which one.

[vickid]

Two ladies that I work with had the surgery. One is very happy-she went from a size 24 to a 10 and has had no problems. The other (who had joint and hip probs prior to the surgery) has been miserable since the surgery due to her health problems.

[CurliDiva]

I have a girlfriend would had gastric bypass surgery done just before turning 30.

She is white and the only heavy person (close to 280) in her family. I only mentioned that she is white because culturally Whites are less accepting of excess weight. (don't shot me for this personal OPINION :perplexed )

In addition to surgery, she went -to counselling and learned that overeating is just a one reaction to deeper feelings- got a personal trainer - and just took her time.

She also shared the whole experience with family and friends -- to help them understand what she was going through.

For example, she had some resent or trust issues with people who NOW said that she was pretty.

But a year later she is so happy and more importantly healthier. She is probably a size 12 - which is still large compared to her petite Mom and sister - but she is so pleased with the results!

[carpediem628]

I know of two people who died from it.

Be sure to get ALL the facts and be sure to go to a doctor who has a reputation for successful operations.

I know a young woman who had it done and she's happy with it. She can't eat much. The only negative thing with her is she has what looks like pounds of sagging skin which will require future operations.

[NeeSee]

I have never had it but I know three people who have, make that four. Two of them died within a month of having this surgery due to complications of the surgery. The other two lost a lot of weight but the side effects were a lot similar to what dedewantslonghair described. Each of those persons regretted having the surgery(one didn't have a choice) They both feel they could have done it on their own which would have been better because the would have developed a healthy lifestyle. In their cases, they really didn't change their eating habits and sooner or later the weight comes back on as result of this. If this is what you would like to do, please think long and hard about this and if you can think with logic and reason instead of feelings and emotions.

[LoVeMYLIfe]

Also forgot to mention that if you have gained the weight as a result of emotional eating, then some Dr's recommend(a good Dr. anyway) that you see a Psychiatrist before performing any kind of bypass surgery. If this is not helped first then there would be chances of gaining the weight back.

[NeeSee]

Also forgot to mention that if you have gained the weight as a result of emotional eating, then some Dr's recommend(a good Dr. anyway) that you see a Psychiatrist before performing any kind of bypass surgery. If this is not helped first then there would be chances of gaining the weight back.


This is true, one of my friends had to go to counseling for two years.

[MuseofTroy]

I would avoid having any invasive surgery because there are so many side effects and dangers associated with gastric bypass. Have you consulted a nutritionist about your diet? I think if you've lost 30lb so far you can lose 30 more. What might have happened is that your body reached a plateau which means you will have to switch up your exercise regimen. Weight loss occurs when your body is burning more calories than you are consuming. You have to be honest with yourself and evaluate your lifestyle and eating habits? What has stopped the weight loss? You might have to work out more days a week at a higher intensity. I think you can do it but you have to be dedicated. Significant weight loss doesn’t happen over night. You didn’t reach 300lbs over night therefore you aren’t going to lose that weight either. I would also talk to your doctor to make sure no medical issues are interfering with your ability to lose weight.

[calliope]

I think that the weight will come off, but not the reason why it was there in first place. I'm no doctor, but I think that those reasons (especially if they are life-long habits) need to be dealt with first to see if the weight can come off naturally. People need to remember that the surgery will not keep you from any emotional relationship that you may have with food. This is the surprising reason why some people actually gain the weight back after surgery by any means necessary like drinking milkshakes or things that will go right through them. Just because they may not feel hungry does not mean that their emotional hunger is not still there, how many of us really eat just for the fact of being hungry anyway? Talk to your doctor, try counseling, diet (yuck) and exercise (double yuck) and if that doesn't work, then maybe look into something more drastic.

[asummertyme]

'I had the lap band surgery over 2 yrs ago..best thing i could have done 4 myself..i say do alot of reasrch and i mean alot...and figure out wich surgery is best for u...gastric bypass..deudenal switch, gastric sleeve, fobi pouch (not sure if this one is still around)..lap band.....BUT BE INFORMED..

[Enchantmt]

I visit the big gurl chat rooms on AOL so I know several online who have done is successfully and some who have had problems. In fact, one roomie was on the today show a couple of weeks ago for a makeover. I had a coworker I used to work with who had it done years ago, but she has never looked "right" since. She was a white woman, who always had pretty skin. After the surgery she lost weight but she looked sad, said she couldnt enjoy food, and her color was way off. She looked very sallow. I always meant to ask her if she would do it again, but I never got around to it. I havent seen her in some years. A friend of a friend had it, with no problems and then you always hear about the celebs like Carnie Wilson. I thought about it, but I know if I actually start and stick to a low carb plan I can do it, I just havent had the motivation to get started. Also I'm am deathly afraid of having skin that flaps in the wind, tho I hear if you excercise frequently this is less of a problem. I did a weight loss survey thread a while back and will do another one soon for 2007. There were several of us who wanted to lose 100+ lbs. Maybe we can start a challenge for those with 100+ to lose.

[mightyisis6874]

I had gastric bypass 18 months ago, and I agree with some of the other posters. If you prepare, prepare, prepare, you can have real success. I pm'd you with specifics. I'm 29 and lost 150 lbs, going from a 26 to a 10.

Good luck!

[pressncurl]

Gastric bypass should be considered the absolute last resort. I don't recommend it unless a patient has other medical problems that can be improved by the weight loss including diabetes, heart disease, and disabling degenerative joint disease among others. I say this because any surgical procedure is risky, and included in that risk is death. Gastric bypass is no exception. I don't say this to scare anyone, but wouldn't it be a shame to go in for this surgery without having exhausted every other possible option to lose weight, and end up dying or being severely disabled?

Most surgeons don't perform this procedure lightly . . . and thank God for that! Patients must even undergo psychological evaluation and counseling prior to having it--at least where I am, they do. Sometimes, you even have to lose a certain amount of weight beforehand, I think to show that you will be disciplined enough to stick to the bypass diet afterwards.

Your doctor can refer you for nutrition/diet & weight loss counseling. Get a personal trainer, join Weight Watchers, join some online groups for weight loss support if you don't have any in your area. Watch The Biggest Loser for inspiration if you think that'll help. This show may even have a forum on their website. Just be certain that you can't lose this weight any other way before undergoing surgery . . . please! HTH.

[Healthb4Length]

As others have posted do you research and decide if it's best for you. I would consider that a last resort though. I know 3 different people who had the surgery with 3 different yet dramatic results. First person was my aesthetican, she lost 90 pounds, looks great (fairly young) no saggy skin, she's happy with her life. Second person, a family member was 467 pounds, she lost the weight fast! She lost all of her weight in a year and a half (she's in her late 4os), everything sags, she has at LEAST 30 pounds of excess skin and it ain't pretty. She didn't follow her doctor's orders and is still miserable, she began eating the way she did before her surgery and she gained back some of the weight. She caught it quickly though and lost that weight (20lbs), she doesn't eat correctly and I believe she's bulemic (sp?) she barfs after every single meal because she tries to eat like a "normal" person. Before the surgery food was her addiction now her addiction is shopping for clothes! I know that may sound funny to some people but buying clothes every single day is not funny, it's obsessive, so much to the point that she can't get into her house, there's clothes everywhere, she sleeps on a bed filled with clothes from the ground to the ceiling there's clothes! Even in the kitchen and bathroom there's clothes! It's overwhelming, she traded one addiction for another. Third person lost the weight, did fine and first, resumed all of her bad habits and has gained back every single pound and then some...my point? Do your research, go to the meetings and employ permanent lifestyle changes. Good luck!

[14got]

I know 3 people who had it done ( all white people)
one guy was 400lb+ lost 75 and gained it back, he was in the hospital for a year

another did NOT need it
she could lost weight ( I saw her do it)
she was much too small size 16 for it in my opinion
now she has an ED and is in a treatment center because she CLAIMS she can't swallow any real food so she has been on a liquid diet for a year
90lbs and she looks like walking death

another is a young lady
she has lost over 100
now she's loose with the goose

[InNeedofHairapy]

I agree with the other people, even though I only know of one person who has had it done, I don't know what type of surgery she has had. One thing you have to prepare yourself for, whether you get the surgery or not is to make a lifestyle change in the way of eating better and excercise.
Also..1 more thing :Blush2: I too am very overweight, and thought I couldn't lose weight on my own, until I sat and had a heart to heart with myself about how much I was really "trying" to lose weight. I know I was giving half hearted attempts and I had to ask myself "Why do you want to be fat?" Sounds silly, b/c who WANTS to be fat..but you'll find your answe if you think abuot it.

You can do it though. Losing 30 lbs is hard, and if you did that..think of how far you can go.

(I'm not trying t discourage you from the surgery, b/c if it works , cool..just research, do some soul searching, and prepare yourself for a lifestyle change surgery or no surgery.)

Good luck

[Finesse]

My cousin had the surgery three weeks ago. She is in Cali so I have not seen her. She said she is doing and feeling fine, but I know her...she would not tell me if she was feeling bad. Pride has killed many a person. That said, I know what it is like to always be the big girl. I have never been thin, I was always the biggest girl in school. I considered weight loss surgery.....but IMO, it just seemed like it would be taking the easy way out. I didn't get to 296 overnight and neither did my cousin, so I know it is going to take time to get it off and get it off the right way. My cousin had talked about having the surgery for years, she would diet and work out, lose.....but go back to old habits. If a person has tried all other avenues and has health issues, then surgery should be considered. But, if you can lose thru diet and excercise.....seems like the best way, JMO. Whatever your choice, like other posters have said, research and know the facts. Good luck to you on your journey whatever path you follow.

[asummertyme]

yup, reasearcj is key, b4 i had my surgery i was gonna get the gastric bypass, but i chenged my mind 2 days b4 surgery, i was too afraid..i gave myself another yr , trying to take off the weight...i lost 20 and gained 30..someone told me about the band, and i did a hell of alotta research...and i did it...i did it 4 days b4 my birthday, and it was the greatest gist i gave myslef...so keep on reading on the diffrent WLS....I tell ya..its a real struggle huh ladies...