Weight loss surgery?

maslex · Feb 8, 2016

Just curious if anyone on here has been through weight loss surgery? If this isn't the right place for this question, please move to where it belongs.

If you have, which surgery did you have? I'm looking into the sleeve. Just wondering if what your thoughts are on it. Any pros/cons?

nkereina · Feb 8, 2016

Two co-workers of mine got the lap band surgery. Not sure if it's the same as the sleeve. They both lost a lot of weight and look great now, but they do have to watch what they eat quite closely. Not only what they eat, but how much of it. And they both are well over a year post surgery. They both had health related issues due to their obesity which is why they were eligible candidates. I think they were only out of work for about two weeks, since it's a less invasive surgery.

I also recall them going through quite a lot before the surgery - getting a referral from their primary doctor to a bariatric doctor so insurance would pick up some of the cost, consultations with bariatric doctors, consultation with a psychiatrist, etc. I think one of them had to go through a few things before their primary would even recommend them, such as calorie counting/food journaling, etc.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

leebee · Feb 8, 2016

I'm in the process of having BWLS. The decision between gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy is a hard one. I am leaning towards the sleeve for a couple of reasons. The biggest one is the issue of malnutrition. The sleeve leaves your intestines intact so there isn't an issue with malabsorption, so it's easier to stay healthier. Also, because of having had my gall bladder out 20+ years ago, I already have minor issues with dumping syndrome; everyone with whom I've discussed bypass says they have dumping syndrome to some degree, especially when they try to eat sweets or fats (and I mean a bite or two of ice cream, not a whole bowl). While I intend to stick to the diet and portion control requirements, I hate to think that for the rest of my life I'll be unable to enjoy entire groups of foods: I want to be able to have a bite or two of my daughter's wedding cake, for example, when the day arrives! I know that they tell you that you'll lose less weight with sleeve as opposed to bypass, but I just had a conversation with another DISer who has lost ALL of her excess weight, and she had the sleeve gastrectomy. I still have not made my final decision, but I am leaning more and more towards the sleeve, rather than the bypass.

RangerPooh · Feb 8, 2016

I have had BWLS last summer, and went with the sleeve. It's true you have to watch what you eat, in fact you have to relearn how to do it. Beginning with liquids and working to solids over a lengthy period of time.

The decision to have the surgery shouldn't be taken lightly as it's not for everyone. You need to be willing to change your habits (not saying you aren't), as it's easy for old ways to creep back.

I'm 6+ months out and still find eating to be challenging at times. There are things I can't eat or else it'll make me sick. Recovery was hard, but the surgery was worth it! I'm down 95 pounds and feel great. Yes I have excess saggy skin, but it's s reminder of what I did to my body (as well as multiple pregnancies). I would like to lose an additional 20 pounds but it's getting harder to do so as I'm no longer losing at the rate I once was.

strat68 · Feb 8, 2016

maslex said:
Just curious if anyone on here has been through weight loss surgery? If this isn't the right place for this question, please move to where it belongs.

If you have, which surgery did you have? I'm looking into the sleeve. Just wondering if what your thoughts are on it. Any pros/cons?

Sleeve is currently the latest and greatest and has pretty much replaced the band. My wife does anesthesia and the sleeve is what most surgeons do these days. A friend of ours had it done last fall and quickly lost 45 pounds. Nothing since because she does not follow the guidelines for continued weight lost. She also did not follow the pre-surgical guidelines either and her surgeon almost refused to do the surgery.

I know of another ex-colleague of my wife's that's lost 110 pounds in less than a year. It's worked great for him but I'm sure he's following the new diet.

leebee · Feb 8, 2016

If you are part of a good BWLS program, you'll meet with nutritionists, psychologists, and maybe even a physical therapist before you ever talk to a surgeon about surgery. They want to make sure you understand that BWLS isn't a miracle, and that you can't eat whatever you want and still lose weight. The surgery is just a tool to help you. Choosing BWLS means you are choosing to eat severely limited portions, to limit your menu, limit the way you eat and the types of food you eat, for the rest of your life. It's also a commitment to regular exercise, continuous supplementation, and totally changing your lifestyle. ANYONE who says BWLS is "cheating" or "taking the easy way out" has no idea of what is involved in any weight loss, much less bariatric weight loss surgery.

tinatark · Feb 10, 2016

My bff had the sleeve this week. There are a lot of blogs/support groups/message boards with a wealth of information about it.

footballmouse · Feb 10, 2016

My brother and his girlfriend both had the sleeve done. He lost a lot of weight and looks good. His girlfriend on the other hand lost A LOT of weight. I saw her a couple of weeks ago and she doesn't look healthy at all. My brother-in-law also had it done but I don't think he lost anything.

I work at a hospital. We get a lot of calls for people who need to be transferred to our hospital and I know at least once a week the person that is sick had by pass surgery. I'm not saying that it's the reason they are sick but it is always brought up between the doctors. I just don't trust it. I recently went to the seminar that our hospital's weight loss center puts on for people who are interested in the nonsurgery route. It was very helpful but it was going to be expensive since I still had to buy food and make dinner for my kids. I brought back all the info that was handed out and one of the girls that I work with is a dietitian so she drew up a plan for me. I think this would be the safer route for me.

PollyannaMom · Feb 11, 2016

I know two people who have had weight loss surgery. One has continued to follow the guidelines and is still losing weight. The other has drifted back into old habits, and does not seem to be progressing any more. Neither had complications that I know of, though.

DawnM · Feb 11, 2016

I have only known three people who have had it. One had lap band and two had gastric bypass. The one who got lap band told me she went to counseling prior to getting the surgery and was told that 80% of married people who get Lap band surgery end up divorced. She swore that would not be her as she had been married over 20 years.

She is now divorced. Her husband went on deployment and she found someone else and had an affair.

Dawn

Ress76 · Feb 11, 2016

My mother had the lap band and then, a year or so later, the bypass. It's a tool-it's not a miracle. You need to change the way you eat (she did not except to the extent that something made her actually sick), you need to exercise (she did not), and you need to maintain a healthier lifestyle (she did not). I was actually quite surprised the doctor approved her for the second surgery-they both felt she wasn't getting the results she wanted...because, again, she was putting no effort whatsoever into living healthier. I think for some folks who can change their lifestyle, it's a fantastic tool for them to lose weight and maintain it. If you're not going to put the effort into changing the way you live and eat (because they are definitely related!!), it's probably not going to be a good fit for you.

I know that prior to the initial surgery, she had to go to a seminar, she had to meet with numerous doctors, dietitians, a psychologist or psychiatrist and had to document that she had attempted to lose weight other ways first-meal planning, Weight Watchers etc.

firecracker725 · Feb 11, 2016

I know several people who have either had it done or are about to.

One college classmate and her husband had gastric bypass and each have lost over 100 lbs. They look fantastic. They have completely changed their lifestyle....eating healthy, hiking on weekends, exercising regularly.

Another friend had the sleeve. She said the recovery was easier than her c-sections, and she's lost close to 100 lbs in less than 6 months. She's nearing a plateau, though, so she's having to step up her exercise game, as she has about 50 more pounds to lose.

The most recent is traveling to Mexico in April because her insurance won't cover the surgery. She's having gastric bypass, as she has over 200 lbs to lose. A co-worker is going at the same time as her, and my friend's dad is going along to help care for them both. Not including airfare, it's just over $5000 for the surgery and accommodations for them. I'm excited for her, as she's been very overweight for as long as anyone can remember.

okeydokey · Feb 11, 2016

The two people I know who had it done did not follow through permanently after the surgery. After the first year, they put all the weight back on.

Debbie Jean · Feb 11, 2016

leebee said:
If you are part of a good BWLS program, you'll meet with nutritionists, psychologists, and maybe even a physical therapist before you ever talk to a surgeon about surgery. They want to make sure you understand that BWLS isn't a miracle, and that you can't eat whatever you want and still lose weight. The surgery is just a tool to help you. Choosing BWLS means you are choosing to eat severely limited portions, to limit your menu, limit the way you eat and the types of food you eat, for the rest of your life. It's also a commitment to regular exercise, continuous supplementation, and totally changing your lifestyle. ANYONE who says BWLS is "cheating" or "taking the easy way out" has no idea of what is involved in any weight loss, much less bariatric weight loss surgery.

Thiis an excellent overview.

I was sleeved December 2014. I've lost... well, let's just say a whole lot.

At 63, I am healthier now than I have been in several decades...completely off all diabetes medication and CPAP machine. It has been an absolute transformation for me. Although I have bilateral knee replacements, I am able to be more active than I even imagined possible. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

As others have said, it isn't a cure and the only people who could possible think it was easy are those who have no actual experience dealing with WLS. The surgery itself doesn't produce the weight loss. It's still the same... eat less, move more. What the surgery provides is a tool to maintain a healthy lifestyle by feeling fuller on less. It is commitment to a life long process.

For anyone who is interested, there are several great online bariatric communities that can provide lots of great information and support. I usually recommend bariatricpal.com as a place to start.

dashofsunshine · Feb 11, 2016

I had the sleeve in November 2014. I've lost 160 lbs since that day; exactly half of my entire body weight and 100% of my excess weight. The surgery is a tool, and it will not fix your mental addictions. I cannot stress how important it is to make the mental changes and put a new lifestyle into place. Learning moderation is key. Make the change for the long term, or you will absolutely become a statistic and regain all the weight. Become determined, and don't stop!

It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Let me know if you'd like to know more!

mamacatnv · Feb 11, 2016

Did you all find that your insurance companies have become very resistant to coverage?
Both my and DH's plans state no coverage for bariatric surgery

dashofsunshine · Feb 11, 2016

mamacatnv said:
Did you all find that your insurance companies have become very resistant to coverage?
Both my and DH's plans state no coverage for bariatric surgery

Mine was not covered. I filed an appeal, didn't make any difference. They refused. I have BCBS TN, we pay a lot for our insurance, but no dice. I had a BMI of 49 and there was no reason for them to not cover it, except that they didn't. I paid out of pocket. All of our savings. I felt guilty about it for a really long time, but I was a newlywed and my doctor told me that a) I would never be able to conceive, and b) at my weight, my life expectancy had been shortened considerably. I didn't want that for my husband...the thought of him burying me, and us never having kids, was too much to bear. I'm 27, and have a whole life to live...I've found peace with the money it cost. My husband and I both agree now...there is NOTHING better we could have spent it on. Nothing.

dashofsunshine · Feb 11, 2016

Also, let me say...having to fork over our hard earned money for it lit even MORE of a fire under me. I went in knowing that I would not fail. I went in KNOWING I would never be that weight, feel that misery, ever again. I committed myself 200% to making the lifestyle changes. I have many WLS friends who got surgery just to lose a few lbs...they eat Cheetos and drink Starbucks every day and that's that. And it's their choice to do that. But it was a big deal to me, a last resort. Life is amazing now. A lot of people say "weight loss surgery saved my life"...surgery gave me the tools I needed; but I saved my OWN life. Straight up. :thumbsup2

firecracker725 · Feb 11, 2016

mamacatnv said:
Did you all find that your insurance companies have become very resistant to coverage?
Both my and DH's plans state no coverage for bariatric surgery

Lots of people are going to Mexico because of this. (I won't add to the debate on this, just stating a fact.)

Belle0101 · Feb 11, 2016

mamacatnv said:
Did you all find that your insurance companies have become very resistant to coverage?
Both my and DH's plans state no coverage for bariatric surgery

Yes, ours doesn't cover anything considered weight loss management, including bariatric surgery.

I have 20# pounds to lose until I hit my goal and they are proving to be the most difficult, defiant and stubborn pounds ever! My doctor wrote me a referral to a bariatric center, not for surgery, but because they offer different classes and clinics that she thought I could benefit from. The center called our insurance before making the appointment and that's when I found out our insurance doesn't cover any type of weight loss management - no classes, clinics, therapy, or surgery. The clinic receptionist that I spoke with said that's why they verify benefits before making the first appointment, more insurance plans aren't covering weight loss management.

Weight loss surgery?

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