Gastric Bypass questions

[momof1princess]

I think you misunderstood. The doctor didn't say she was too big to have the surgery. He said she needed to lose weight on her own first. From what I understand, that's a standard practice no matter how much you weigh before surgery. It has nothing to do with any lack of skill.

ah, i see. thank you, i must have misinterpreted the post. this was not a requirement, in my case, as i had SO many documented weight loss failures in the 3 years preceding my surgery. unfortunately, i had already tried everything, and while i did lose some weight, as with any other "diet", the weight came back. it really does require a lifestyle change.

 

[curious3069]

I can only speak for my surgeon's office, but you do have to lose some weight (usually set at around 10% of start weight) prior to surgery. They will also give you all the tools, assistance, classes, psychological help, exercise classes, etc that you need PRIOR to surgery to get you read for surgery. It sounds like she just really isn't quite ready for that step yet, though. It is definitely not for everyone, but if she could find a great bariatric practice, they could probably help her through the difficulties she would have with exercising.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

You have to try to lose weight for gastric bypass for one year. I did that for one year to lose weight for gastric bypass and lost 100 lbs that year and was ineligible for gastric bypass ...the doctors thought it was pretty awesome! But for gastric bypass you have to try to lose weight for 1 year, and have 3 of 5 conditions from this list.

 

[Eeyore5]

I would encourage your friend to go to an internal medical or endocrinologist specializing in obesity if she hasn't already done so. I did that and found out the medicinal cause of my constant hunger. I am now working hard at losing weight. Now that I don't have constant hunger, I can stick to a good food plan. I have over 100 pounds to lose. It isn't easy, but I know it can be done. I found out about the medical cause when I investigated bypass surgery and was turned down because of a medical condition that makes surgery a bad option for me. Also, invite her to go for walks with you or do other active things without pushing her to do too much at once. It is easy to get injured when you are in bad shape.

 

[curious3069]

You have to try to lose weight for gastric bypass for one year. I did that for one year to lose weight for gastric bypass and lost 100 lbs that year and was ineligible for gastric bypass ...the doctors thought it was pretty awesome! But for gastric bypass you have to try to lose weight for 1 year, and have 3 of 5 conditions from this list.

Not necessarily..it depends on your doctor, their program and your insurance. Just as an example, my Dr's requires 3 months of pre-surgical supervised weight loss classes regardless of insurance. My insurance requires 12 months of classes. It really just depends on a number of factors including BMI, co-morbidities, etc.

Congratulations on your weight loss too, that is fantastic!!!!!

 

[quentina]

I had a friend who had to lose 10% prior to them doing the surgury. I think it is to prove that you can eat properly.

 

[snowywhite89]

A close friend of mine had it done. Your friend is correct that she will have to loose weight before the surgery. My friend had to lose weight and then went on a liquid diet before the surgery.

It is not because she is 400 lbs but to show that she is willing to eat better before they do the surgery. If you don't change your eating habits the surgery is not going to fix the problem.

There are some terrible side effects of the surgery. "Dumping" is one of them.

 

[bgirldeb]

Presurgery weight loss not only shows the patient's commitment, but reduces risk of dying on the table (it's not called 'morbid' obesity for nothing) and it can shrink the liver, which makes it easier for the surgeon to work around in the abdomen.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Not necessarily..it depends on your doctor, their program and your insurance. Just as an example, my Dr's requires 3 months of pre-surgical supervised weight loss classes regardless of insurance. My insurance requires 12 months of classes. It really just depends on a number of factors including BMI, co-morbidities, etc.

Congratulations on your weight loss too, that is fantastic!!!!!

Thanks! Insurance was the one with all the requirements in retrospect (the 1 year dieting, and such) Thank goodness for the one year of dieting I'm now only considered overweight not obese, and I didn't have to do surgery which is a plus in my books

 

[Ephany]

My MIL had gastric bypass a few years ago. I don't know what she weighed before, but she's mentioned losing hundreds of pounds. She doesn't talk about it much, but did say she had a year of psychiatric counseling before she was allowed to have the surgery. She had to prove she was changing her lifestyle for good, and not just looking for an easy weight loss. She talks about plastic surgery to remove all the excess skin, but it's not medically necessary (her words) so she still is not happy with how she looks.

Honestly, I feel really, really bad for her when she visits. She takes all kinds of supplements/vitamins (per her doctor) but still looks very jaundiced and weak. She eats pretty much nothing when we go out; her diet is so restricted both in amount of food and type of food it's insane. It's one bite, two bites, three bites, done. She's only in her 50's but will have to live like this forever. I can't imagine ever thinking that this is an 'easy' fix.

 

[IDoDis]

I know two people who have had GP and a brother of a friend. The friend's brother died during surgery. One of the friends lost 80 pounds rather quickly, but then slowly gained it all back and then some. It never worked for her. The third person had it done about 10 months ago and has lost a lot of weight I can't say how much, but it's very significant. She said it's still a struggle to make good food choices, but continues to be successful and is still losing. It's not an easy fix by any means and does take a strong commitment to make a life change.

 

[shortbun]

As I understand it, the doctors won't do gastric bypass or any other weight loss surgery until you have shown a good faith effort to lose the weight first. I think it's because they want to see that you are committed to losing the weight and making the effort/sticking to a plan...because even with weight loss surgery you have to drastically change your eating habits and lifestyle...and if you can't show the commitment, there's not point (and you will cause yourself lots of medical complications if you don't follow diet/eating plan afterwards)

This is what I've heard people talk about. The docs want to know you have control over your life or can do it before they'll put you through it. And, as someone with blown knees,,,those knees are perfectly able to blow out without 400 lbs. I'm skeered of getting surgery but might have to do it soon.

 

[dumplebugs]

I think the most qualified people to respond should be those who have had the experience of being obese. If I had listen to those who have never had a weight problem, I would have never had my surgery. You have to remember that it is a tool. You have to use it correctly or like anything else, it won't work. I had a mini gastric bypass 2 1/2 yrs ago. I have went from 290 to 135. I have had no problem keeping it off. I follow my guidelines. Please do your research. Based on the statistics, I chose the MGB. It is a type of gastric bypass, but it is reversable if the need ever arises to do so. My Dr. is in Joplin, MO. I did not have to follow any weird instructions before the surgery. Send me a msg if you want more info or to see my pics. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I now have a fullfilling life. I was even able to parasail at the Magic Kingdom with my 13 yo daughter!!

Hugs,
Crystal

 

[Luv Bunnies]

A friend of mine had gastric bypass surgery back in the mid-90s. She did have to start the weight loss process on her own before the surgery and lost about 30 pounds. She did well after the surgery and lost about another 100 pounds. Unfortunately, she couldn't keep it off for the long term and has gained all of it back. Even though the stomach is made smaller, it can be stretched by eating more.

 

[mguilford1]

I had surgery 5 years ago. I started at 260 and at my lowest weighed 140. I looked and felt very sick at this weight. I now weigh 170 which is just right for me even though medical standards say I should weigh 130. This was not an easy road. I also had to lose some weight prior to surgery to prove commitment. My surgery went great, but days later got very sick and I could not eat or drink anything even water without throwing up. I had nothing in my system and was in the emergency room 9 times in the first 3 months. I lost my sight for a few days, my hair fell out, I fell up and down stairs and I was so weak all I could do was lay in bed. My family and regular doctor thought that I was going to die! (They told me this later). Finally they decided to put a feeding tube in me. As I lay in my hospital bed I had a seizure, the scariest thing I have ever had happen to me. When I came out of it "I was better". So no tube was needed. I kept a very little food and water down. For 4 years I lost weight and gained none. In the last year I have gained 30 pounds but seem to be at the weight needed for my body and have not gained more. At first I would have never recommended this surgery now I have seen how it has changed my life for the better even though I still get sick when eating certain things or have dumping syndrome. People think this is the easy way out. IT IS NOT EASY!!! You need to talk personally to people that have had it done and have had problems so that you are fully prepared. Talking to the Doctor or therapists that have not been thru it does not help. Being in a big support group really does not help because the meeting is to big to really understand all that goes on. Talk to someone that has been thru it.

 

[tvguy]

I only know two people who has had Gastric Bypass. In both cases, to look at them, the health issues caused by the surgery were far worse that being overweight.
Those side effects made it hard for them to exercise, and of course they went back to old eating habits, so both have gained back a lot of weight.