Bariatric Surgery

Hello all I had a open RNY Nov 7th 2007 and I have lost 130lbs and am off all my many many medications I was on to just live and feel wonderful it has Not been easy But I am not tired and run down anymore I can buy cothes in the Normal stores and I have to exercise daily along with healthy eating But anyone that is thinking of having this done Go to Obesityhelp.com this is a site that can help answer a lot of questions and many people that can answer them along with a list of Dr's and Nutritionist that can help and Yes I had to understand going through this there was a chance I could of died But if I stayed the wgt I was I would have died also I had a father that died at 56 because of obesity related illness and I want to see my kids and grand babys get through school and see them get marred ect so this was the best thing I could have done for me and I to have a great group of dr's that support me if I have questions or concerns.. take care of you Cathy Votes: +2

I just was reading all about this surgery and want to know more about it. I know that any surgery has it up and downs please help me to understand. I have type 2diabetes insulin depentent Votes: +0

I had my gastric stapling in 1981 at Tulane Hospital. I am only 4'9-1/2". I was 245 pounds then, and after the stapling, I came down to 180 lbs. I had a rough time in the beginning. Subsequently, my liver started to go bad. I was told then, and not before the surgery, that this was a side affect of the stapling. So another surgery was done on my stomach to open it a little. It worked and I no longer have liver problems. I do have anemia, so much so that I have to take $500 shots to correct it (hopefully). I just started my first shot last Wednesday. Needless to say, I did meet my husband in 1983 and were married in l984. So....I guess it was all worth it. But, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't! Only have this surgery if you are so obse, that this is the only alternative to keeping you alive.
That's my story, and I hope it helps someone out there. Votes: +2

I had gastrict bypa*s surgery about 8 years ago. I lost 160 lbs within the first year. I followed my doctors instructions to a "T" including the part about exercise. I still go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week. The surgery is not a magic bullet. It's really about an entire change in lifestyle. I have 6 frieds that had the same surgery by the same doctor round the same time I did. They all initially lost a significant amount of weight. They have all gained it back - all of it. If you are not prepared to make the lifestyle change - including; regular exercise; healthy eating habits and taking a vitamen supplement -you should not have the surgery! Votes: +0

I am 22 years old, and I had the RNY Gastric Bypa*s Surgery 3 years ago. My surgery has been a success! I was 270 lbs and I now weigh 125lbs. I haven't had any complications. I do experience "dumping" when I choose to eat foods very high in sugar. Over all I eat better, feel better and try things I would never have thought possible. I am more confident in myself and have a will to live again. I am glad I didn't wait until later in life, because I can really try to start living and finding myself. Best of luck to anyone who is thinking about the surgery. Votes: +0

Three years ago I suffered heart and kidney failure. My doctor stated it was on account of weighing close to 400 lbs. I thought about the surgery, but with no insurance and no money, it was not a possibility. So I focused on my food intake, followed my doctor's advice, enlisted tons of friends for support and now three years later I am weighing in at 197lbs. I am 5'8" tall and feel fantastic. I know people who have had the various types of surgery, I also know several who have died as a result of it. Please be really honest with yourself that you have tried everything in your power to lose the weight naturally. Never be afraid to ask for help - you might be surprised where you find it. I'm rooting for all of you. Votes: +0

i dont think it's worth it.there is always sucess and failure,and everybody can not be lucky.what if it u didnt make it. are u ready to be in the ground? Votes: -1

I have battled with weight issues my entire life. Name a diet and I have been on it. I have lived with being told I am a weak person, no self control and a looser (Not weight though!) To add to my struggles I had a severe thyroid condition that the doctors can not get to balance and stabilize for the past 25 years. I have gained 80 lbs while trying to get my thryoid in shape and on false promises that things will improve. I was faithfully following Weight Watchers and gaining 1 lb a week! I am at my ropes ends and thinking this may be the only answer for me. Anyone with same type issues who have suggestions, please share. Votes: +0

I will celebrate 7 years in March. I have to say that this was a very positive decision for me. Although, there has and still is some problems. Overall, it has been worth it. I have to make the decisions on a daily basis to do what is right for my body and that is what will keep me from having alot of the problems that I encounter. Bad choices equal bad consaquences. But I would do it again. I agree with what others have said. There are alot of risks and each person should weigh their situation. But the procedure has come a long way in the past few years and the doctors are incredable. Just make sure that your surgeon is qualified. Good Luck!!! Votes: +1

This surgery is not for everyone...you have to make the decision that is best for you. I am almost 5 years out and have lost only 90 lbs. and I have regained 30 lbs. back. This was due to me being hard headed. If I had the opportunity to do it again I would. It has helped me considerably...my diabetes meds were cut in half and I will be off of them soon. I did have some complications but they were resolved. 1 you must always listen and pay attention to the signs your body is telling you and see your doctor. I would rather die trying to reach my weight loss goal than to die by not trying. Votes: +0

There is another type of gastric weight loss surgery that is being done now. I had it don in Nov. 08. It is called Vertical Gastric Sleeve. It involves removing about 60%-70% of the stomach. I does not have as many of the side effects as gastric bypa*s and no continuing maintenance as with the lap band. I am so glad I did this. So far I have lost 65 pounds. I stated out at 315 and could hardly walk because of back pain and was well on my way to being wheelchair bound. I also have other health issues that I hope will resolve themselves as I continue to loos weight. Votes: +0

I was morbidly obese my entire young life.(5'7", 330lbs @ 18yrs. of age) by 25 I was on hypertension meds and had tried endless diets, exercise. As others were doing, I underwent the Gastric Bypa*s Stapling at a time when it was still a relatively new procedure (1982). The surgery indeed did what was 'promised' that a morbidly obese person would indeed lose 100lbs. of excess weight. Now, some 20 yrs. later, I am still 100 lbs. lighter and for that I am grateful. HOWEVER... this specific surgery has Potentially LIFE-LONG, SERIOUS Ramifications: I nearly died 6 yrs. after the surgery as I began suffering dizzy spells, tachycardia episodes (rapid heart beats 'fluttering' when it got to the point that it was happening every single day.) It was then that I was diagnosed with Acute Chronic Anemia. In layman's terms... because of the stapling/bypa*s surgery my body no longer was (& never again will)orally absorb iron. That may not seem like a 'big deal' but the long-term effects of not having sufficient iron in the body and bloodstream causes major stress on organs, especially the heart... it even can (and does) affect the brain, thought processes (i.e., forgetfulness). I am now in my early 50's and for over two decades I have had to undergo iron infusions. It's about a 5-6 hour process where Inferrin (synthetic iron) is infused directly into the bloodstream. The main reason this can occur to post-gastric bypa*s stapling patients is because when the bypa*s is performed, the duodenum is bypa*sed and from research I've done... the duodenum is essential in iron absorption to the body. The bottom line... I may have lost a good amount of weight, true enough... but for the rest of my life I will have to have these iron infusions. So, to those of you who are considering that specific surgery to radically change the food digestion process... Think Long and Hard about it. I wish I had, way back then. Perhaps the 'lap band' might be a less 'life altering' procedure. Be Wise, Be Well and Do Your Homework. Because sometimes 'quick fixes' can end up causing life-long problems. Take Care! Votes: +0

I had the gastric bypa*s sugery July 2008. I have lost over 56% of my body weight and have gained back my life and I am more active now. If the right surgical team is found there are no complications or issues with death. If you invest in a clinic that will do it in the shortest time possible without you jumping through hoops you are going to get what you settled for. It took my surgical team 1 1/2 years of psychological exams, and pretest and talking with the doctor on a regular basis to ensure that i was ready for this life changing surgery both mentally and physically. So don't blame the procedure with any procedure even a simple procedure you risk your life. All I can say is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH the surgeon and their team before putting blame on the procedure. My surgeon's death rate for this procedure was 1 out of 8,000 procedures he has done, I say that is very slim odds. Votes: +0

I had Roux-N-Y in 10/2003, have lost 149 pounds, and am SO glad I had the surgery done. I have had no problems at all. I had a very good surgeon, James Davidson, MD, Dallas, TX. He had done my lap chole but I didn't know he was doing weight loss surgery until my GI doc told me I HAD to lose weight quick to have a liver bx. He recommended my surgeon, my ins. approved srg. in 3 weeks, and paid 100%. I'm not as small as I would like to be, but have started losing again recently, so I may get there still. I am 65 years old and feel like I started my life over at 59. In my opinion, this is the absolute best possible thing a person can do for themselves and their loved ones if they are grossly obese and have not been able to stick to a typical diet and exercise program. OH! Also, my liver problems cleared up completely almost instantly, as did several other conditions. Kudos to a great surgeon and a great GI doc who recommended him!!! The best! Votes: +0

This information they have is really out dated to the way they used to do the surgery and the way the process is now. The surgery is done laperscopic and is not with the huge cut shown. And,unlike before where you had to stay in the hospital for a few days it is only two days as long as with any surgery there isn't complication.
Now as long as you follow what you are allowed to eat, you don't have a ton of vitamins just 2 .
Calcium and a multi-vitiamin.
How do I know all this?
My mom and my sister one day apart had the surgery and have loss a lot of weight. Mom is now over 130lbs, and my sister 174lbs, this is since December 08. There are other gastric solutions to look onto also, like the Lap Band or Gastric Sleeve.
They too are done Laperscopic and are very inatrusive.
I know that there are a lot of horror stories out there, but like any surgery everyone should do their best to make sure the docotors are up to date on proceedures and reputable.
Find places that have done Thousands of surgeries and not a hundreds.
Find out what type of courses and support they offer too.
My sister and mother went to cla*ses for 6 months before the surgery and have been back for check ups and more cla*ses after surgery.
They went to a reputable Clinic that all they do is gastric surgeries.
They found out what successes the clinic had and any problem cases.
The problem cases where of people who found this a way to a quick fix and not as a life long way to live.
You have to follow the program. That is true of any program!.
Hope this give a little more insight on the proceedure, and remember that knowlegde is the best friend you will have besides the support you are going to need.
Good Luck on your journey's.
Bonie Votes: +1

I too am mobidly obese person and have done my check up on all the surgeries.
Even though my sister and mother chose the gastric y and u bypa*s I have chose the sleeve or banding.
They have had great success with thier proceedures and I am very proud of them.(Story above)
With all the knowledge out there I have found that I would like to take the weight off at a slower pace. It took 27 years to put it on I have No problems of it taking me up to 3 years to get it all off.
Like I said above, knowledge is our friend and if your insurance company will not cover the surgery they do cover all the things required to do before the surgery and there are special loans out there for gastric surgeries now.
Don't take the first No on your insurance too. If you can prove that it is a Medical Necessity Surgery and not cosmetic or spur of the moment thought,then things might be different.
Collect all the info you can on how it effects your body to be that obese and turn it in with docotor recommendations. People who are Not Mobidily Obses have No idea of the things we go through!
I am over 400lbs and have major issues with arthritis in my spine and have fibromyalgia and many,many more heatlh issues.
If you can not walk or move enough you don't have enough calories burned.
I am watching what I eat and eat very healthily wise. I am not able to move well with out a ton of pain pills that can become addictive, so I chose a little more pain and less pills. Which means less movement.
I feel sorry for anyone who has lost a loved one because of the surgeries, but any surgery is a risk!
You can die from any surgery you have, but you have to have faith in God and check your doctors out throughly and proceed with the hopes of a better life to come.
If you think of it, we could and probaly will die if we Don't get drastic help!!
I would rather try and do my best then die never even trying at all!
Take Care
Bonie Votes: +1

i am 9 yrs in my bypa*s surgery i have no regrets if i had to do over i would your mind has to be set on following everything you are told i have lost over 300lbs and i feel good about myself Votes: +0

I had Gastric Bypa*s Surgery in 1999 and lost 110 lbs. Then I started to gain back some of the weight about 30 lbs. over a 6 month period. I went to the doctor and they did a test where I started lying down on the table drinking barrium solution and they slowly tilted the table upward until I was standing straight up and they watched as I swallowed the barrium.

The results showed a staple leak and the doctor said for 30 lbs over a six month period it did not require surgery to fix such a small leak he said I've known people to put on that much weight in a few weeks to a month. I was over 300 lbs. when I had the surgery and well over 40 years old. Some of the things that doctors don't tell you are that as you get older and the more you weigh before the surgery will determine how well you will look after the surgery and you have reached your optimal weight loss. A person say of 25 years old still has good skin elasticity and the weight loss surgurey along with diet and exercise will more than likely go back to having a nice shape. Those over 40 years of age and over 300 lbs. the skin elasticity is not as great due to the aging process and being so overstretched that these people are often left with skin and fat that drape like a apron in the abdomen area and the skin of the upper arms and thighs hang like sand bags. No exercise in the world will get rid of this and they are then faced with more surgery known as reconstructive surgery done by a cosmetic surgeon and insurance will only pay for it if there is medical proof that this skin is causing problems like severe recurrent rashes, back and neck pain (from women with sagging large breast) and if you can not get a physician to prove the need for the surgery chances are it won't get done unless you have a lot of money.

Then you must consider another after effect of the surgery you now have less a stomach size so that means less surface area and less of the natural enzymes that help digest the food if you eat too much you will vomit if you eat too fast you will vomit some people have become unable to eat foods that never bothered them before. For me it was milk I became lactose intolerand others say they can't eat beef as he enzyme that digests beef is now lesser in your new stomach. You have to take B-12 and Calcium the rest of your life have yearly blood work and they think it is from the body's means of being able to absorbe the necessary vitamins and minerals from our food that you experience hair loss. This is not an operation you should take with a grain of salt you need to investigate it and speak with others who have had it.

The one I had was the 1st type the Roux-Y the 2nd one is known as the lap band and I have heard stories of the band breaking and getting lost in the intestine and people stating that having to have the band adjusted to make them eat less is not exciting and bothersome and there is medical proof that they loose 20-30% less than those with the 1st type. Now I am 10 years post surgery and have never in my life experienced any stomach problems and have since the weightloss surgery developed an umbilical hernia, diverticulitis, and a heatial hernia. I asked my GI doctor if it could be because of the gastric bypa*s surgery and he said it is very possible as where they cut and staple/sew these areas can form adhesions and lead to other problems. So if you are considering the surgery consider very carefully it is not a quick fix to weight loss as I have known 2 other persons who had it around the same time as me and one man had to undergo the surgery 2 more times as he stretched the small stomach into its original size. Remember the stomach is a muscle and a muscle that is stressed weather it be from exercise as with the biceps muscle it becomes larger so does the stomach if you continue to force yourself to eat more and more it will like any other muscle stretch and become larger. And finally there is the chance of death as the surgery is about 6 hours long and being under anesthesia for that length of time can cause drastic drops in blood pressure and other problems. Remember no surgery is ever without risk. Votes: +1

I would like to have the banding done to restrict the amount of food I can eat but I cannot afford to pay out of pocket and OHIP in Canada does not cover it. They have only started to cover the by-pa*s surgery which is much more dangerous than banding. I guess its all about the money! Votes: +0

I had the lap band surgery done in April 2009 and have to say I wish I had it done a while ago. It is done laproscopically, and I only spent one night in the hospital. As with any surgery there is a possibility for complications, but I felt this was a safer alternative to the gastric bypa*s surgery. I have lost about 75 pounds and feel so much better. Yes the weight loss is slower than that of the gastric bypa*s, but it's better to have it come off slower.
Yes, I do have to watch what I eat still...would give my right arm for a big mac from time to time, but that's what got me up to 325 lbs in the first place. I have learned to eat the right things in moderation and have started exercising more than I ever had before.
This is just my opinion...just make sure to do thorough research before choosing to do any type of weight loss surgery and make sure it's what you want to do. Votes: +0

I also agree that the picture displayed above is totally wrong...they don't cut you from stem to stern...lol. There are 5 small cuts made. The largest one is about 1 1/2-2 inches if that. I believe it's the same way with the gastric bypa*s as well. Votes: +0

People, please. let us be careful about these medical procedures. I would like to refer you to the late Michael Jackson. We all know thatmoney was no problem for him, because one account has it that he paid his doctor one million dollars a month! Let us try any nutritional and/or exercise alternatives before opting for any of these drastic measures. Votes: +0

I had the surgery in 2004. It was the best thing I ever did. I lost 140 lbs. But lately it is starting to creep back on and I have fallen into some of my old eating habits. I am really upset and scared. It is my own fault. I did not attend any of the support groups after surgery because I was working two jobs and did not have the time. Now I am retired and this past winter was very hard because of the weather I was indoors a lot and did not walk as much as I was. So I have gained weight and am having a hard time getting it off. Any suggestions? Is there a "tuneup" surgery I can have? Votes: +0