gastric bypass? or other ideas?

[Teresa Pitman]

I saw my doctor last week, and he recommended that I consider having gastric bypass weight loss surgery. I have been doing some research on it, but would love to hear from people here who have had the surgery (or who decided not to).

I guess I think the ideal would be if I could lose the weight without surgery, and I'd love some help and support with that. I have Type 2 diabetes, and by following the diet recommendations carefully, my blood sugars have been excellent for the past five years. My cholesterol and blood pressure are also very good. I have lost about 45 pounds since I was first diagnosed as well, but need to lose about another 100 pounds to be at my ideal weight.

I always say that if I could stay at WDW all the time I would probably lose lots of weight - I can walk all day if I have the motivation of the fun rides and everything else there is to do at WDW. Sadly, that's not an option.

I'd love any support/suggestions etc.

Teresa

 

[luvmyfam444]

Well, I'm not the one to give you any motivation since I have a bunch of weight to lose myself. BUT I will mention - if you choose the excerciese/diet route look for Jazzercise in your area (they have a website) it's the MOST fun while exercising - it's pretty much dance...& of course you know WW is the best for diet.

Now as far as gastric bypass - I know 3 people that have had it...2 have been very sucessful in the fact that they look like new people & have kept the weight off - but then there's my mil who had it done 2 yrs ago - & though she lost a bunch - last she mentioned it - 85 lbs--if you met her you'd think she'd still need surgery..... I know she's gained some of it back---I"m sure she's had to have stretched her stomach =she can eat a regualr hamburger from SOnic---which she shouldn't be able to....so you DO have to be careful about gaining it back...

HTH

 

[COmomof2]

Hi there! I, too, have considered having gastric bypass, but have decided not to. It's just not worth the risk of complication to me. I joined LA Weightloss 6 months ago, and have lost 45lbs. It's been a long, tough road for me (with about 75 more to lose) but I know that I've got to learn to lose the weight on my own. I know that I still need my "cheat" days every now and again and I don't think I'd be able to be as strict with my diet/food portions like you have to be after the surgery.

On to the bad stuff. I know 3 people personally that have had gastric bypass. Another that had the lap band procedure. My best friend's neighbor died 3 years ago from complications....she never left the hospital. She left a 3 and 7 year old son. I know the procedure was new back then, but it still breaks my heart. We have a couple friend who both had the surgery. Wife had her belly button rupture, and the husband was in the ICU just last month because his intestine ruptured (a year after his surgery). Lastly, a woman at my gym had the lap band procedure done, and she's lost so much weight so quickly, she had to stop going to the gym because she's malnurished and had to have the band changed so she could eat more.

I think the surgery is the last hope for many morbidly obese people, and I completey respect their decision to go for it. You need to do your research, talk to people who have had the surgery, and talk to people who have decided against it. For me, it's just not an option. I won't risk leaving my 2.5 and 4.5 year old sons without a mom.

Good luck to you no matter what you decide to do! We're here to help!

Dani

 

[tbstein]

I am someone who has lost nearly 35 pounds by elimination glueten and root veggies from my diet. I was 100 pounds over-weight when I started. I still have 65 to reach my ideal weight of 150. I am trying just to reach 180. I have thyroid disease, and I have also had a stroke. I am a strong candidate for the surgery, but unwilling to do it. I know about 8 people who have had the surgery. 6 have done well without complications. 1 has problems with abosorbtion of nutrients, and the other one just remains ill all the time. I have read of really bad problems happening. 6 months ago I really considered it. Yet, with the recent weight loss, I am very encouraged to work it off this way. So, I can't say which way for you to go, but if you are seeing results with what you are doing now, try it a bit longer and see if the results get better. I guess if your doctor says this is the BEST way to go, then you need to consider it as an option. How does your family feel? Have them help you research the Internet for more information. No matter what option you chose, it will be a long term commitment.

Wendy

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Thank you very much for the support and information.

My children are all grown (in their 20s) and they pretty much feel it is up to me. I am single, and self-employed, so one of the worries for me is that I will not have someone at home to take care of me during the recovery period, nor will I have any income if I am not working. I will need to increase my work (which is really in a slump right now!) and make sure I have enough money set aside to get through the recovery period.

I think at this point, after doing some research, and listening to your comments, I would like to try really hard for a year to lose as much weight as possible. If that doesn't work I can have the surgery at that point.

My doctor's thinking is that right now my health is good, and so the risks of complications from the surgery would be lower. In a few years, if I do gain weight or develop health problems (more common as people get older) then the surgery would become more risky.

But, a year would not make that much difference in terms of the risks, and it seems like a reasonable amount of time to work on weight loss.

Any help with weight loss tips would be MUCH appreciated!

Teresa

 

[tbstein]

I think at this point, after doing some research, and listening to your comments, I would like to try really hard for a year to lose as much weight as possible. If that doesn't work I can have the surgery at that point.

Any help with weight loss tips would be MUCH appreciated!

Teresa

Teresa, Great decision! To help, I started with a food log. Then you really see what you are eating. I have cut out breads and root veggies. Those bad carbs. It has helped me to lose 33 pounds since mid January. And I have challenged myself with other WISHers to do 1000 minutes of excerise the month of June to get into the swing of things. This board and all the others with the same goals, stories, and dedication really helps.

Good luck!!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I guess I think the ideal would be if I could lose the weight without surgery, and I'd love some help and support with that. I have Type 2 diabetes, and by following the diet recommendations carefully, my blood sugars have been excellent for the past five years. My cholesterol and blood pressure are also very good. I have lost about 45 pounds since I was first diagnosed as well, but need to lose about another 100 pounds to be at my ideal weight.

I always say that if I could stay at WDW all the time I would probably lose lots of weight - I can walk all day if I have the motivation of the fun rides and everything else there is to do at WDW. Sadly, that's not an option.

I'd love any support/suggestions etc.

Teresa

Well, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I think it's great that through sticking to a plan, you did level out your sugars, cholesterol and B/P. You did lose 45 lbs, you CAN continue to lose the rest... possibly without the by-pass surgery (but more certainly having to have surgery in the form of "tummy tuck" etc) I do know people who have had the by-pass surgery and I'll tell you what I found to be. I have a friend who had it done. Food is a big part of his and his wife's life. They are alone (no kids at home) so they go out to eat many times a week. He lost weight steadily (like 150+ lbs.) and then suddenly, he found he could eat a little more.... and a little more... etc. and now, he is still very heavy (although no where near where he was). He just sort of hit a weight loss point and then gained a little and there he stays.... He's miserable because he felt the surgery was going to correct the problem but when you have a food habit, an eating disorder etc. This may not be the right option (even though people/doctors/etc. think it's great)
I know a woman who lost all her weight, had a tummy tuck and is thin now. She looks great. The thing is, she doesn't feel great. She gets sick on many foods and still has to take mega vitamins because she can't get enough nourishment in. It seems as though very few foods are able to "stay down" for her. I guess, it depends on a person's body as to how you're going to do with by-pass....
I don't mean to scare you on this but I also had a neighbor who went for by-pass (last year)and she came home and the day she came home, she got sick, went back to the hospital and died from the complications of the surgery. Many people come through ok and some just don't. That's the risk with surgeries in general.

It's a life-changing surgery. I know more people who have had it done but very few are actually happy with the outcome. I was thinking of it myself, till I really started talking to people about it.

In my opinion, I think it should only be an option to those who would certainly die unless they lost weight quickly. Those who you see on T.V. who can't walk, can't breathe, can't move out of bed... etc.

It's a BIG decision to make. Also, there are other surgeries you can think about, like banding.

And, you can just stick to the plan that has been slowly working for you. After all, the weight comes on over time, we can't lose it overnite. It takes time to do it in a HEALTHY manner.

ONE MORE THING: If you could just stay at WDW all the time and have the exercise, fun rides, and everything else WDW has to offer, that would be GREAT...... BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT WONDERFUL FOOD!!!!!
SERIOUSLY, Best Wishes in whatever decision you make.

 

[kaf7878]

I don't know all the circumstances but I am very surprised your dr would recommend this if you have shown that you can lose 45 lbs. If you can lose 45 lbs on your own, you can lose another 100.

I know it seems daunting but I am almost there myself. I am 3/4 of the way there--all done through Weight Watchers and LOTS of exercise. Its tough but I think its important to overcome your eating addictions slowly and through trial and error so that you can actually learn how to keep the weight off (and still enjoy food like a normal person).

I am certainly not against gastric but reading your post I think you can have the same success au natural

 

[lovetheparks]

I looked into the gastic bypass and did tons and tons of research. In the end it was too risky for me.

However - I also researched the lap-band and would recommend anyone willing to look at a bypass check into the lap-band- Of course the unspoken here is that the good old fashioned way is always best-I was going to do it, got approved twice by insurance but in the end, I didn't have the money for my end of the insurance.

Since February I've been really watching my intake, cutting portions and making sure I always have something left on my plate while still enjoying most of the same foods and not really ruling anything out. I'm not on a diet, I'm eating differently for life. In March I joined Curves and last month started taking Meridia. I can tell you that since Feb. I have lost almost 30 lbs and 10 just in the last month. Like you, I have lots to go but this is a great start and the fact that you've already lost 45 lbs on your own is phenomenal!

You can do it - you just need to find the right combination for you!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Read the stats to make the best decision for you.

There are over 200,000 weight loss surgeries done each year in the US. In Canada and Austrialia, they do about 600,000 a year. It has reduced the cost of medical visits, ailments, surgeries by over 32% in CA and AU. They have been doing it for about 25 years now, so there data is quite extensive.

With any weight loss program (surgery or not), exercising daily, eating less, eating cautiously and chewing your food extremely well, is a must! You cannot expect to gulp down something and consider it a meal. Your body does not respond well to busy lifestyles. Make time for meals and enjoy the journey.

Good luck to you in your journey.

 

[Barbday62]

I had Gastric Bypass Feb 2, 1999. (7 1/2 years ago) Its been a long ride for me. I can and do gain weight if I dont exercise and eat right. The first few years I could do almost anything and not gain weight but long term is forever and I do have to be careful. I am so happy the bypass helps me though. When I stat to eat too much sweets i get a stomach ache and regret severly my decision. It stops me from doing it again in an hour many times. I had to give up ice cream (I am certain it caused 100 extra pounds at one time) I am lactose intolerant. Im glad because I love ice cream and cant leave it alone so the bypass is like my diet buddy. I can eat anything in small amounts and most things in normal amounts. I rarely eat a full meal still today but I say I eat like anormal adult eats in quantity. Yes I do eat bread, rice and pasta with no problems now. Early on it wasnt so easy.

My stats were start: 350 pounds size 32
I lost 168 pounds and had to have some skin removed a year after losing. I was temporarily a size 12 but I seem to have settled into a size 16 for the past few years. I want to get back to size 14 and then I woudl be happy.

Im always happy to answer questions. I know the good bad and ugly of it all. I had what is called a proximal bypass meaning very little intestine got bypassed. Im pretty knowledgeable on a lot of it.

What ever you do. Talk to people about life afterwards. Im so happy I did it and would do it again in a minute. I know some who would not. One important question is ask what type of surgery they had. A distal bypass is a lot bypassed and a lot of malnutition. Everyone I know that gets sick had a lot bigger bypass. I also have freinds who had had the lap band and Duandual switch (I cant spell it for the life of me) I knwo good and bad about those too. FOr em the good for aoutweighs the bad. Even the bad of giving up ice cream

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I really appreciate all of you sharing your personal stories - I feel a lot less alone in dealing with this! Really, it was embarrassing to feel like my doctor thought I should have this surgery. I didn't even want to tell anyone he'd recommended it at first - it felt like I'd be shouting to the world "Hi, I'm really fat! So fat I need surgery!"

I didn't even realize at first that there were different techniques - so thank you for enlightening me on that! I am not sure if the different ones that some of you have mentioned are covered by Ontario health insurance, so I will need to research that.

Meanwhile, I am feeling good about my plan to lose as much weight as I can over the next six to twelve months, keep researching this, and make the decision at that point. I will be on these boards a lot to get more ideas!

Teresa

 

[Barbday62]

I think the biggest mis conception about weight loss surgery is you will never have to diet again. That is so not true too. Eating like we do is an addiction like smoking or drinking can be. The surgery gives you a tool to change your ways, unless you do adhear to it forever you will regain weight. I am constantly still having to "diet" or watch what I eat. My old addictions are always creeping in on me.
I wish they would make a shot for that someday


Research is your best friend. Research and talk to someone in person who has done what ever procedure you are looking at. I recomend talking to someone at least 2 or more years out because the begining you are in a euphoria of "I can do anything and lose weight" and its pretty much true. After reality comes back in then you are free to discuss the good bad and what ever in reality. I say talk in person. You need to see them, ask them questions they hopefully are comfortable answering. Most people I know who did any sort of bariatric surgery is thrilled with what they decided to do but I have talked to a few who regret it.



I say WOo Hoo for your decision to take your time and do what you can ahead anyway. You know before I had surgery I did the same thing. I made a commitment to start exercising. I had a friend meet me at a local mall at 6am and we walked. At first I could barely do 15 minutes of mall walking and barely any distance. Before surgery I got 1/2 mile in at 30 minute pace. After surgery I started to lose and got myself up to doing almost 2 miles in that same 30 minutes. Its all about you and the goals you make for yourslef. I say Koodos for you!!

 

[YangYang]

Teresa,
I also considered surgery but decided to give Weight Watchers one more try. I started in Feb 2003 at 311 pounds. I reached my goal weight in May of 2005. Since then I have lost a few more pounds for a total of about 160 pounds lost. I think that it's important to lose a weight in a manner that you can continue for the rest of your life. Also, I think that because I lost the weight slowly and healthily, I haven't had some of the issues that people who lose weight quickly do. I do have excess skin but not to the point that it's a medical problem. I recently underwent some plastic surgery. I have some before and after pictures. If you're interested, email me.
Tammy

 

[Amy&Dan]

Teresa, I think you are making a great decision to try to lose the weight without surgery, without ruling out surgery in the future. Your single status makes the recovery of the surgery more complicated. My daughter has a friend whose mother had the surgery. She credits it with saving her life and lost well over 150 pounds. She has kept it off for several years. At various school and social functions I have seen her nibble and sample most everything everyone else is eating, but in very small portions. I have been as much as 100 pounds overweight and considered the surgery but have two young children and just found the risks to be too high for this point in my life. My husband was also adamantly opposed to it and since I also care for my elderly mother who has cancer and Alzheimers, realized that this is just not the time in my life for that option. So I joined Weight Watchers for about the 20th time (literally) and have taken off close to 30 pounds in the last five months. Losing weight can be done but it sure isn't easy! Stay on the WISH Board, maybe start a Wish Journal if you haven't already. My journal here keeps me accountable and I have met many new friends here on the WISH who keep me motivated by supporting me through my ups and downs, both weight wise and emotionally. By keeping track of my food and posting what I eat right here in cyberspace for all to see, I often think twice about overeating. And I have joined the exercise challenges in May and June which have been wonderful at motivating me to exercise. Good luck to you, you can do this with a lot of time, patience and perserverance. All things you have shown already with your 45 pound loss and blood sugar management. Good luck!

 

[scoolover]

Go check out the message boards at obesityhelp.com before you make any decison. There are many people there with answers to all of your questions. I had the bypass six months ago and have had no problems at all.

 

[disneybride2007]

I, too, have considered WLS. I had decided that I was going to use Dr. Jawad (jawadmd.com), after researching his background and speaking with past and current patients (there is a forum on his website, with his patients). Well, in February, after reading through the 'passed on' (in memory of) section, of obesityhelp.com, I realized the main thing to making the surgery worth it, is diet and exercise. I gained 100 lbs., during my pregnancy, and never had the will power to lose it, until I read that forum. I began exercising and dieting (as if I had actually had the gastric bypass). I followed their diet plan- and it wasn't easy- I cut the calories, increased the protein, took B12 and multivitamins and exercised daily. I noticed the weight was coming off, as if I had the surgery, too. I started keeping a daily journal, using fitday.com and that really helps, a lot.

If you and your doctor feels WLS is best for you, I say go for it, but choose a doctor with a wonderful track record. But, if you are like me and want to give it a try on your own, I would say follow what I call "The Bariatric Diet"- the diet all bariatric patients must follow, as prescribed by a great doctor. Also, to reward yourself there are great recipies on www.bariatriceatting.com

Good Luck in whatever you decide.