Lap Band, Gastric Bypass WWYD question

[Mickey527]

I know that you all are losing weight the hard way and believe me I have tried but I am having such a hard time.
Long story but... I had breast cancer. The chemo caused some disabilities like neuropathy and fibromyalgia. I also have lymphedema from the removal of all my lymph glands and have carrying restrictions of 2 lbs and no lifting weights or extended movements. I try to exercise, even walk but my legs go numb and I fall, or the pain gets so intense that I cry by the time I am at the end of my block.
I have a medium build, have always been around 145-165 but in the past 4 years I have gone up to 205 and can't lose the weight. I have cut calories drasticely, sometimes doing 800 calories a day for a week but without exercise I can't lose more than 5 lbs.
My Dr has recommended me for lap band and my insurance has approved it because of my high blood pressure, sleep apnea, lymphedema in my arm, fatty liver, family diabetes history, cancer history... I could go on, all could worsen with obesity. Insurance normally refuses the surgery unless the BMI is greater than 40-45. My BMI is barely 35 but with my health history they know I would cost them less if I lose weight.
I am a bread-a-holic! There are times when I go out to dinner and have a great meal in front of me but if the bread is great I will pack the food and just eat bread. I can take or leave other carbs like pasta but bread has always been my love.
If I have the lapband I can never eat bread again because it balls up when you chew it and won't pass through the band and will cause me major problems or can cause the band to slip.
I can have the Gastric Bypass or Lapband but wanted to keep the stomach because the acids help get the nutrients into your body where a GB it just goes right through without absorbing nutrients.
I am at a loss as to what to do.
Surgery is set for Sept 22. I have to do a 2 week optifast drink only diet before surgery but I am thinking of doing that now and seeing if I can lose weight on optifast alone and skip the surgery if I can tolerate not chewing for a month.
IF you had the choice and were as bread-a-holic WWYD?

 

[Amy&Dan]

If it were me, and my insurance would pay for the surgery, I would probably do it. Given your health history, this could really help you. I have a friend who had the surgery a year ago, she has lost close to 100 pounds and it hasn't been easy or a quick fix, but her health is so improved, its a beautiful thing to see.

If my insurance would pay for it, I'd do it because at this point I have tried everything else and just can't seem to lick this problem!

Good luck, maybe go to some sort of online forum for people who have had the surgery to see what they say?

And my mother had lymphedema, not many people know what that is.

Best of luck to you!

 

[FireDancer]

First off congratulations on being a survivor. I got involved with the Relay for Life a few years back with 2 of my friends became survivors and I always like to see other survivors. I am sorry though that it caused you so many other problems.

I have to say that the 800 calories did jump out at me. Drastically reducing your caloric intake can actually hinder weight loss instead of help it. I would normally make sure to put something in about adding exorcizer but that sounds like it may be hard for you to do with the restrictions you face. Are you able to walk? It is a low impact way to burn more calories without stressing yourself as badly as running or cycling or weight training would.

I have no real advice about the surgery only because I am not comfortable giving that kind of advice but I did have a boss once who had the surgery and at least for the first 2 years lost a lot of weight and was much healthier. I do know that you have to be vigilant and eat properly after the surgery.

Whatever you chose good luck and I hope it works out for you in the end.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Let me preface my response by saying I'm not you and cannot speak to your specific decision since every person is different in my mind with respect to this type of surgery. Your doctor has given you advice and should know you best so I would significantly weight that advice. You must have gone through all the counseling and such to get that surgery date. There are many hoops to get to where you are as I understand.

Now for my personal opinion. GBP to me would be the last thing on earth I would try. I've got a few folks I know who have had this done. One has lost her life at 32 after complications. One has gained back most and also has additional health problems. One has not really lost all that much and is disappointed.

It does work, as there are many success stories. I would only do this after exhausting all options.

I've got a friend who is wheel chair bound and the docs recommended this for her. She opted for her physician guided weight loss program, she cannot do much of any exercising. Her comment to me when I asked her how she did it was, "eat less." (Oh would it be so easy I think.) It has been a huge struggle for her. She has all sorts of other medical issues, yet she continues via nutritional means versus surgical.

I know most programs will not take someone unless much counseling has been done. I am not in the shoes of those who get to the point of considering this approach. I just fear that whole thing.

No matter what the decision LB, GBP or via a nutritional program, the lifestyle change for healthy living must occur and I WISH all the best to you and anyone else who is considering this approach.

Congratulations to you with your surviving Breast Cancer and WISHing you many happy healthy years to come.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Congratulations on your victory over cancer! That is wonderful!

And as others have said, I am not a doctor and am not in your shoes, so I hesitate to give advice here. However, I will offer a perspective.

Like you, I adore bread. I can give up almost anything, but bread is my vice, for sure. But right now, bread is basically keeping you from being healthy. Losing weight would mean a much healthier existence for you, right? And your doctor's choice for getting that healthier life is lap band surgery.

Maybe if you look at it this way--think of all of the people who still HAVE cancer. Those who are not yet in your role of survivor. Or worse yet, those who have been told that they are, indeed, terminal. How many of them, do you think, would jump at the chance to be cancer-free if it meant they would just have to give up <bread> (fill in with whatever a person's favorite food in the world is). Think of that trade-off and maybe it will help put things in perspective for you.

Good luck.

 

[luvdiz2]

Congrats to beating cancer - you must be so strong to do that!

Take advice on here with a grain of salt, as no one knows you like yourself and your doctor.

That said, the above advice is very sound. I will also give you my opinion, that being whether you go it yourself (diet) or surgery that could potentially be life threatening, it all comes down to willpower and perserverence. You have to keep at it even through the tough times. I too would exhaust all options prior to going such a severe route. But only you will know what is best and good luck with your decision!

 

[mickeylovermomof3boy]

Congrats oon beating cancer!!!

I love bread too!!! I know it is hard, but bread is really bad for you, it turns into sugar.

I had the gastric bypass 2 months ago. I have since lost 52 lbs. I don't eat any sugar or bread. After the surgery you need to take vitamins, eat protein first if still hungary then eat a veggie or fruit. I never really make it past the protien. You know it is very hard!! I am there. The only "breads" i can eat with out being in pain till i puke is crispy pizza crust, crackers, it has to be something dry and crispy. I heard after about a year you will go back to normal about being able to eat anything without being in pain.

You can get lots of info about this @ obesityhelp.com I have learned so much there.

Again I wanna say congrats to you on beating cancer and on your surgery approval!!! "You will feel so much better, I no longer have pain in my knees and hips, I no longer have sleep apnea, I no longer have signs of diabetes!!!

 

[believe]

I am typically not a 'blunt' person, but my first thought is that if you are this worried about giving up something for your health do you really think you are ready for this? The surgery is just the start, you have to have the mindset that whatever you need to do you will do it. Once out of surgery it is all up to you.

Maybe you can give it up now and see how you do.

 

[dawnn12]

i wanted to let you know the lap band and rny are not the only wls out there i had the duodenal switch(sept 29th last yr as of today im down 150 i had a bigger bmi then you do) i would talk to more then just your surgern talk to a few more and find out the best for you. there is a website with alot of great information about the different surgeries its obesityhelp dot com please please do alot of reading and information searching it will help you in the long run remember this is for your life and surgery is for life so be satsified with the one that you are doing any questions pm ill be happy to answer anything i can

 

[MickeySP]

I can't speak to anyone else's reply.

At one time I weighed 347lbs, I now weigh 145lbs. I had GBP 6 years ago and have maintained with minimum healthy effort. I ca neat anything basically, some things high in fat or sugar still bother me. But even those in small amounts are okay, sometimes all I want is a taste.

The surgery saved me life and gave me a new one. I had no health problems, no HBP, no diabetes, had low cholesterol, all I had was obesity and sore knees.

I had absolutely no problems post surgery. I was in the gym 10 days after surgery.

I have since done 3 Marathons - including the Goofy in 2007.

You need to kow what you can handle. I knew that lap band would not give me what I needed. It is not a cure, it helps you get the weight off but you need to change your mind set to maintain.

I found a program that had a great psychological component to it. It has been instrumental in helping me keep it off.

 

[danil675]

Like a previous poster I had GBP 3 yrs ago. I had no real health problems other than a BMI of 60 but a family history of diabetes, cardiac disease, etc. Part of our pre-reqs was to attend 2 support group meetings prior to surgery. I would suggest trying to find out if there is a group near you and attend a few meetings. I had the advantage of working with a couple of people who were 3 &4 years out and had their support and help(in addition to family). It is a big change in eating habits and that is the main point of the surgery-changing them. I was up to 315lbs and have been staying 140-150 for the last 1.5 years. Make sure you have some kind of support system if you decide to have the surgery. My husband was wonderful when I made the decision and I had alot of support which has kept me successful at keeping the weight off. I have been back to eating pretty normal for almost 2 years. I do try to take it easy on bread b/c I have heard stories but have not had any trouble with it myself. The few people who I know who have had the lapband have not had trouble with bread. Whatever your decision is I wish you good luck.