Gastric Bypass survivors... I need advice!

[GoofieRuthie]

I had it almost 6 years ago. I had an open Roux En Y. I lost 165 lbs.. I was literally half the person that I used to be. I was one of the lucky ones. The weight literally fell off of me. I didn't exercise and I didn't watch what I ate. I am regretting that now. The surgery doesn't fix your head, just your stomach. I was not ready to accept the world as a "skinny" person. I went buck wild and nearly destroyed my marriage. Once I realized that my life was spiraling out of control and got my life back on track, I turned back to food. I have gained about 45 lbs back in the last 2 years. I have learned to deal with the sick feeling and just how far I can push my limits. I am not proud of myself in anyway. I remember thinking that I would never let the weight come back. So, now I'm back to square one. I need to change my lifestyle and eating habits just like I did before surgery.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I am glad that I had the surgery. I would recommend it to anyone that seriously needed it. I also suggest you come to grips about why you are overweight and deal with that too. If you have more specific questions please feel free to PM me.

I also highly recommend Obesityhelp.com. I lived on that site for awhile and it was a huge wealth of knowledge. Good luck to you no matter what you decide.

 

[FutureMrsC]

I am so thrilled with all of your comments... even if they are "friend of a friend, neighbor, coworker, etc." Of course, I'd prefer hearing from those people themselves, BUT all of this is more than I had before.

I've been with my Grandfather (92) a good bit of this afternoon, so I still haven't checked into those webpages. For those of you who have volunteered for me to PM you, I will most definitely be doing so.

I did see the 60 minute special and how people, on average, lose 1/3 of their current weight... and you know, even if I'd still be classified as being overweight, that's still way less than what I would be if I didn't do anything.

My DH, parents, brother, aunt, grandfather, inlaws, etc. are all backing this, and I'm completely touched. I'm still not sure whether I'll do this or not, but I think that what I need to do first (beyond checking into those webpages!) is start the process with that surgeon... since there's so much stuff to do before he decides to put you under the knife, I might as well start that process... I know I can always back out before surgery!

Please continue to post here, I'm happy with any story you have to offer! If you're more comfortable PMing me, my PM box is virtually empty

You guys are awesome!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You said that your insurance won't pay for it. Then please consider hiring a nutritionist and personal trainer to help you instead. I may not know what is in someone's head because I did not have the surgery, but this surgery has a pretty high mortality rate. My friend never made it out of the hospital. So if you have to spend the money on it anyway- why not spend it on really changing your whole life? Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[FutureMrsC]

I don't know for sure whether my insurance company will cover it or not... I haven't called to discuss it with them, but in their list of things they won't cover, they have an ambiguous statement near cosmetic surgery about "weight reduction"... I want to think that this is more lipo/tummy tuck, as it's listed w/ more frivolous things like that (augmentation, other plastic surgeries). My DH (the primary holder) emailed them to attempt to get them to qualify what "weight reduction" means...

I'm hoping that when I call that surgeon's office for the initial "phone interview" that they'll have more information/suggestions. That seems to be their way of functioning, not like many other places I've seen online that are just raring to go to get you under the knife. From some reviews I've read on another forum, if the surgeon thinks there's something else to try, he highly recommends trying it first. In my area, about 1.5 hrs away from Atlanta, there really isn't anything in regards to personal trainers or nutritionists. If they suggest that route, then I'm going to have to do it downtown and I'd rather have some contacts

I do want to make perfectly clear that I haven't just woken up today and said to myself "I want to get WLS"... in fact, I've considered it for nearly 5 years. At one point, around my early teens (12-13), I lost about 80-90 lbs... however, as hard as I've tried, I haven't been that lucky since... my MIL is a weight counselor for a psychologist's office in her town (about 4 hours away) and has also worked at WW... my DM did WW... It's hard to face that no matter how hard you try, it won't go away (and I know I could've tried more w/ the exercise, but I didn't for one reason or another). I don't sabotage myself... I don't lack self control... I'm not lazy by any means... I'm just stuck in this fat suit that won't go away.

I won't spend the money on it unless I have to. Goodness, I can't wait to see what that office says!

 

[tammyandtommy]

Id love to talk, I am 31 yrs old, a nurse who works with Bariatric patients post op and I am also scheduling the surgery for myself. Feel free to PM me!

 

[Teancum]

Me in 2005:

Me today:

I had a surgery known as the "Limiting Proximal Gastric Pouch" or "Fobi-Pouch" (named for the surgeon who developed the operation). I weighed 536 lbs when I had the surgery on May 17, 2005. I weigh 225 lbs. today. The surgery has not come with any return trips to the hospital, or any lasting medical complications. I have, however, developed intolerance to meat, sweets and some fibrous vegetables (celery, broccoli, cauliflower) and most pitted fruits (peaches, nectarines, etc.). The surgery required a complete lifestyle adjustment for me. I was really good about exercising 5 or more days a week for the first 7 months after my surgery; my father and boss passed away at that time, and the reigns of his company were left in my hands. Since then, I work out whenever possible, but not as religiously as I did at first. I lost about 20 pounds a month for the first 8 months; it took me a total of 24 months to lose the rest. I do have sagging skin at my abdomen, back and arms, but have not had time to undergo the surgery to correct that yet.

Please feel free to ask me whatever question you may have. I will make every effort to be as frank and forthright as I can. I had a million questions before my surgery, and was embarassed to ask some of them. Please use me to help answer your questions or concerns.

 

[EverythingDisney]

Id love to talk, I am 31 yrs old, a nurse who works with Bariatric patients post op and I am also scheduling the surgery for myself. Feel free to PM me!

Hey Tammy... What hospital do you work at? I had my GBS done in TRHMC by Dr. Sweet (now retired) in 2001. I have a friend that works for Dr.Ku...
Good Luck to you !!!

 

[Shugardrawers]

In most cases gastric bypass is not cosmetic surgery. Provided you meet certain qualifications, your insurance may accept it based on it's being a recommended treatment for morbid obesity. Weight loss or cosmetic surgery would be for people who don't meet those criteria. Your surgeon's staff would be VERY experienced in this and can give you a VERY good indication of whether it will be covered. Consult with the surgeon on this, not the insurance company. The physician is the one who determines whether you meet the criteria and must submit the recommendation to the insurance company. Most clinics have free or very inexpensive information seminars or consulations on a regular basis.

I had a Roux en Y gastric bypass on May 14th 2001. I lost 150# and have maintained that, give or take the same stubborn 15# ever since. When I gain, it's my own fault and I know it. I have some limitations and some meats don't agree with me anymore but that just means I have to get my protien from other sources. I'm actually quite healthy. So healthy in fact that I survived not one, not two, but THREE recurrent bouts of ovarian cancer and am currently in remission.

I'm sorry, but I have to agree, this is something you have to actually live with to understand. I'm going to pm you tomorrow with my experience because inevitably, I get nasty pms from others about my sharing my positive experience. I know not everyone has a good outcome but the vast majority are good. In the meantime, here's a little something to keep your spirits up

Shortly before surgery size 28/30

Last Sept size 10 and still holding

 

[simpilotswife]

I have never been tempted to have the surgery after 2 posters here at the DIS, BeverlyLynn and Robin, passed away after having the surgery.

After reading about their deaths I decided that I would rather alter my diet than take any chances with a GB.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Shug, that's an excellent point. Since the surgeon I've been referred to (not officially w/ insurance paperwork, but just by word of mouth from my PCP) ONLY does GB & Lap-Bands, I would think that his office would be well versed in that kind of stuff. Perhaps, even if the insurance company wouldn't cover it completely they could meet me at least part of the way.

Shug, also, I always find your posts so inspiring... and I'm so glad that you're in remission again.

 

[tammyandtommy]

Hey Tammy... What hospital do you work at? I had my GBS done in TRHMC by Dr. Sweet (now retired) in 2001. I have a friend that works for Dr.Ku...
Good Luck to you !!!

I actually work at TRHMC, But Sweet retired Dr. Ku is the main surgeon he works with Dr Beetle, but well I prefer Ku.

 

[justcantwait]

When you have time, before you make any decisions, please look into ALL the types of surgery available. ObesityHelp will be a great resource for that too. I didn't have RNY or LapBand. There is DS, Fobi Pouch, M&M, VBG, VSG... All of these are different procedures, with different risks and different dietary requirements afterwards. Find something that has a risk you can live with (my surgery (VBG) was 5 times safer than RNY), and limitations you can live with (if you're addicted to sugar, certain surgeries will make you sick if you eat sugar). This is for the rest of your life. It needs to be something you can stick with forever. It seems like everyone knows someone who "died from WLS," but we never hear which surgery they had, or what other health issues contributed to their death. I don't mean to sound like I'm flaming anyone. I just want people to understand that not all surgeries are the same, and not all people going into surgery are healthy enough to survive it. If someone dies from an appendectomy, or a tonsillectomy, the surgery itself is rarely blamed. They look at the other health issues of the patient. If someone dies from WLS, it's ALWAYS the fault of the WLS. Anyway, good luck in your research and PM me if you want more info.

Kathy

 

[EverythingDisney]

I actually work at TRHMC, But Sweet retired Dr. Ku is the main surgeon he works with Dr Beetle, but well I prefer Ku.

I really like Dr. Ku, very nice man. I think Dr. Ku's staff is also much nicer than Dr. Sweet's staff. I would prefer Dr. Ku over Dr. Beetle also.
Dr. Sweet was a good surgeon, but not everyone like him. I never had an issue with him. Good Luck to yoU !!

 

[tayandjensmom]

August will mark my 5 year anniversary since I had surgery. I went with the RNY through the Bariatric Treatment Center in Columbus,OH. I wanted a surgeon who only did gastric bypass, not a general surgeon. Best thing I have ever done for myself !!! I started at 340 pounds, I was 35 at the time. I'm 6' tall and maintain pretty close to 205. Yes, I'd love to loose the last 25 pounds. But I've come a long way in 5 years ! No, its not a quick fix, its a live changing event. My insurance had a clause pretaining to weight loss surgery and not covering. I had to prove a lot in writing. Sent pages of diets, fasting, dr supervised pills, weight watchers...dates to back everything up. A letter from my doctor why he was recommending surgery, letter from the chiropractor as to why it would be benefical for me to loose weight. I was very fortunate, they approved me in less then 2 weeks. AND, I had no other issues, other then being very fat.

I know I am very lucky, I have had no issues since the surgery. I did slip for a bit with taking my vitamins and became anemic. So I do watch that close. Take b12 shots every 2 weeks and watch what I eat. Some days I know I could do better on my choices then others. Exercise is a biggie, find something you can do and stick with it. It will help the weight come off faster, and keep it off in the long run.

Obesityhelp.com was a wealth of info for me. I did a lot of reading via the net. I was required to have a sleep study test done, psych evaluation, and complete blood workup prior to surgery. Insurance require the psych eval, surgeon required the others. Good luck to you, in whatever decision you make. Lisa

 

[Sandy22]

I urge you to do as much research as you can on the various options that are available. I was astonished to learn of the high percentage of long-term complications resulting from gastric by-pass. The mortality rate doesn't even include deaths occuring years later as a result of the surgery.

Consider signing up for the Yahoo group for people experiencing complications from weight loss surgery. It's important to understand the real potential consequences and risks of these surgeries.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-gone_wrong/?yguid=245085945

The lapband talk forum offers a lot of information on lapbands.
http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum.html

Lapband surgery is much less invasive, weight loss is slower but equals gastric bypass at the 5 year mark, and is reversible if you need to have it removed. The band is also adjustable allowing you to eat more when you're pregnant or seriously ill.

One of my colleagues had gastric bypass 3 years ago. She regained all her weight and is now considering the lapband.
Another colleague had her lapband surgery last summer and has lost 60 pounds since then.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Thanks for the continued posts. I'm going to a seminar at the hospital that the bariatric surgery group is affiliated with on May 7th... the people I've spoken to are SO nice and helpful! At the seminar there will apparently be people to answer any question that I have (though the surgeons themselves probably won't be there). I am just so excited to go and see what they have to say!