Bariatric Surgery

[RNMOM]

Has anyone had this done?

I have an appointment to attend the seminar at the largest center in our area tomorrow. DH wants to come along. He supports me on this. I am at the upper limits, unfortunately.

I have no fear of the surgery itself but some concerns about adapting to the dietary changes. I want a different life. I am in a big downhill spiral as I am now and this is not living. I hope I get lots of good information and that things work out for me to go ahead with this. Wish me well.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't know anyone, Mom, or anything about, but sure do wish you my best going forward. I am sure you will get a lot of input here. {{Hugs}}

 

[Sugarbaby]

My hubby is planning on this surgery (Roux-en-Y,I think). He is miserable and knows that if he wants to have any quality in his life he has to do something and soon. He's tired all the time and has innumerable aches and pains. He has also developed diabetes. Do you have the same type problems? I am so worried about him developing cardiac problems. I'm also worried about the post op dietary restrictions. But from what I have read,the people feel so good after surgery that it is well worth it to maintain the diet. They have so much more energy and increased self esteem.I think it's fantastic that your husband wants to go with you,and I'm sure he will help you all he can. I hope someone posts that has had this done and could give us a first person account. Please post after your seminar and let us know what's going on. You know you will always have a cheering section at the DIS! Good luck,hon!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

I am so sorry to sound ignorant but I don't know what that is. I am reading and thinking it is that stomach by pass. Some please help me understand?

 

[dizneenut]

My MIL had it done in December. She is doing great. She is still able to go out to dinner, although she can't eat as much. She just brings the rest home for another meal.
All my best to you. {{hugs}}

Gail, yes, it is a stomach bypass surgery.

 

[Sugarbaby]

That's right,Gail. Although there are several variations,that is basically what it is.

 

[December99]

This has been on the news station that we watch. They have been following one lady that had it done and another gentleman that had it done. Here is a link to a bit of the story:

http://www.wifr.com/unclassified/232391.html

With everything I have heard, you need to make sure you get ALOT of information before trying this. And also I have heard that you should research the doctor(s) that is going to perform the surgery. I have also thought about this every time I hear about it. But I am so scared that something will go wrong with the surgery or complications will happen. I know I'd be able to adapt my diet like needed (or at least I think I could) but I am just such a surgery and pain chicken and I have heard that the surgery can be painful (after the surgery).

 

[Mary Ellen]

My brother just had this surgery last Friday. He went home last night (Thursday). He has had numerous operations before (hips, knees and 1 shoulder replaced among the major operations) this seemed to be MUCH harder on him. He went from the operating room directly to ICU (no recovery room, standard procedure for this type of operation) and, because of breathing problems, was only released from there on Wednesday. He was expected go to a regular room after a day or two in ICU.

While he is doing fine now, he wasn't expecting to feel the way he did the first few days. He told me that on Monday he asked his wife to kill him now, and that he meant it. The first few days he kept saying this wasn't what he expected. His surgeon told my SIL that if he had a nickel for every time heard that from a patient at that stage, he would be a VERY rich MD. He said that this turns around before the 2 week check-up.

Since my DB has undergone so many operations, he probably didn’t take the warnings about how he would feel post-op as seriously as he should have. Normally he feels better post-op than expected. He does admit that the surgeon didn’t sugar coat it.

DB was in surgery for 6 hours. Another hospital in his area was featured in a series of newspaper articles recently. They apparently claim their surgery only takes 45 minutes. SIL asked the surgeon about this. He said that he was more concerned about how his patients were a year post-op, rather than how many operations they were able to do in a day.

My DB was also at the upper limits. I’m REALLY glad that he went with the MD/hospital (a top medical school hospital) that has a lot of experience rather than the (suburban) hospital that has recently started this type of surgery. He was on a waiting list (over 400) for several months and pretty much got moved to the top as this was considered life saving for him. He also had to go through a pretty thorough screening process to get on the list.

He seems to be happy with the surgery now, just be prepared. I’d ask a ton of questions. Good luck, I wish you all the best.

 

[Mom2Em]

I work with the insurance part of our hospital's Bariatric Program... Please make sure you do your research first. It is truly a life changing procedure that may have severe consequences if you do not adhere to the changes... Also, know the odds... there are some chances that are involved with any surgery, especially if you are in the higher end of the BMI.

 

[helenabear]

You might want to PM SlightlyGoofy. I know she has gone through this herself as well as her sister. I can tell you her response isn't quite so positive as a few mentioned.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I had Open RNY surgery on Oct. 24 2002. I have lost 78lbs. and over 52 total inches so far and I feel wonderful. I have been very lucky so far and have not had any problems at all with the surgery. I highly recommend the website ObesityHelp.com. It has all sorts of helpful information about various gastric bypass surgeries. It was and still is my main support source for the surgery. If anyone has any questions please feel free to email or PM me. This is my very first post to the DIS so hopefully I can figure out the PMs, lol. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best.

 

[Sugarbaby]

Welcome to the DIS, GoofieRuthie! Glad to meet you! We will check out this site... we want to be informed enough to ask questions. My hubby knows there will be significant post op pain,but says he has so much joint pain everyday that it would be worth it to feel halfway decent again. Has anyone else had this done?

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Please do your homework is all I can say. Know the risks and weigh the options. My cousin had the surgery in January and 3 weeks later passed away from the complications. She was also a nurse and knew the risks.

Debbie

 

[Beauty]

I sent you a PM...but have thought very long and hard about doing this myself and finally just chickened out. My DH throws a fit everytime I mention it. I don't have any serious health problems yet although my blood pressure and cholesteral are both boarderline high and my doctor has warned me of diabetes in the future. I know I have to get the weight off but I'm just not willing to risk my life in surgery (although I know in the future I could be risking my life from my health.) I have been doing Atkins and it really seems to help...I mean I can really see a big difference.

I also have a uncle who is still in the hospital from surgery at the first of the year....there are many times they thought he would be lost.

The biggest thing I can say is please do lots and lots of research!!

 

[Potato Stix]

I'm going thru the process now to have the surgery approved.
I've been doing research after research and the obesityhelp.com site is a great help to me!

I've also done search after search on the net and have read close to 100 sites now from peope who have had it done.

I have also researched the nutritional aspect of it as well. It will be a major adjustment, but with the right knowledge and willpower it should go great!

I've been to one seminar already and will have one mroe at the end of this month and then I plan on attending another in May. I hope to possibly have the surgery sometime this summer as long as the approval goes through.

 

[CathyCanada]

I agree with the others who have advised you to research, research, research!! Your life is too important not to.

Wishing you all the best and please keep us advised!!
Cathy

 

[Kaybee]

You must really do your research and soul searching before
consenting to this surgery. I work in a busy GI/Endoscopy dept.
where we do a lot of scoping of these pts with problems afterward!! I must say that none of our 15 Gastroenterologists
advise this surgery. All have said that within 10 yrs these people
will have stretched their stomachs back out to the original size
and will be just as heavy as before. They recommend major
diet counseling and exercise. If you do agree to the surgery
keep in mind that some of the side effects are not reversible!!
Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I had the surgery in Dec of 2000. I lost about 100 pounds and got rid of the diabetes that was diagnosed in Aug of 2000. I gave not lost a pound in a year and a half though. I follow what they tell me to do and I do exercise daily. I feel MUCH better and my self esteem has come back too!

But, I have been reading Atkins and have come to this realization that I am addicted to carbs. It makes SO much sense. If I can manage to give up potatoes (my weakness) then I just think the plateau will go away.


Good luck to you! I was very lucky and was pretty healthy otherwise so didn't have any major complications. But, I know lots of people who were really sick for a long time.

 

[RNMOM]

Thank you all for your posts and good thoughts. We went to the meeting today. There were probably 150 people there. DH was one of the only "skinnies" in the room.

I have a lot to think about. I am not too worried about the surgery itself at this point but the after diet is a big change. I am going to take all this wonderful advice to heart and also the PM's I got. I will look into some other programs before making choices yet.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I got your PM, but was unable to respond to you in email or PM. I would love to talk with you if you still want to. You need to enable your email or PMs though. You may also email me at RuthieKYopenRNY@aol.com. This goes for anyone else that has questions about gastric bypass. Please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the surgery. Best wishes to all.