Hello,
I went to the doctor yesterday because I have been feeling under the weather.The doctor I went to isnt my primary doctor as I haven't had to go to the doctor since moving back here,and I couldn't get in to see the doctor Iam wanting to use as my primary doctor.Anyway,the first thing he did was figure my BMI which is quite high.We talked a bit about my weight and he inquired as to what methods I had tried to lose weight.I admit throughout the years the only dieting I have done is 1500 cal diet many years ago that I lost a considerable amt of weight,and then a few years ago was prescribed Xenical which I lost 25-35 pounds on.I stopped taking it because I couldn't afford to buy it and it was when it first came out and my insurance wouldn't cover it and the doctor didn't have samples to give me.Well yesterday I brought up the subject of Gastric Bypass so the doctor's nurse is going to gather some info and prob set me up an appt for a consult with a Surgeon and let me know when I go back in Tuesday morning for fasting blood work.I realize I must do something to lose weight as Iam fully aware that Im hurting myself and my future health,but surgery is something I want to give alot of thought to before I jump in and do it.I know several people that have had it done and are impressed and pleased with their results.I truly feel if I disciplined myself and started walking and working out slowly at a gym I could lose weight.I do have worries about the surgery and I dont want to feel pressured by this doctor that I must do this or else.I was put off by him anyway as he comes across as arrogant and pushy.He made it known to me he had 15 min only to see me and that he was the doctor and would do what HE felt he needed to do regarding why I was there to see him.Thanks for letting me vent...Any input pls...

Thanks,
Jasmine

Well what is your bmi or its none of my business really.Mine is 34 and i will encourage you to exercise if you do the same for me. I worry about surgery like that but is is your choice but i also feel losing weight is a choice also. i called it making a lifestyle change . one you can live with or else just another failure. good luck whichever road you choose.

Hi, Jasmine. If I were you, I would start exercising and watching what I ate. Cut out the junk food; and eat less at mealtime, plus drink lots of water. Make small changes wherever you can with your diet. Personally, I would not have any surgery done, to lose weight. I have read how so many people suffer side affects that to me are scary; like gas, getting sick trying to eat different foods, etc...Forget it. I'd rather suffer with losing weight the natural way. I personally don't think getting surgery is "easier" than just losing weight naturally. You can get your weight down; just be determined: it won't happen over night; but you CAN do it. We just have to change how we look at food..Good luck to you....Deb

Hi Jasmine
I have a friend who had that operation years ago. Now she is suffering with a tear in her stomach because she gained so much weight back and somehow damaged her insides. This doen't seem to be the best way to lose weight. I think support is what we are all looking for so we don't feel so alone with our problem. I have high cholesteral and I weigh far to much but I sit and eat everything I shouldn't at night. I'm okay in the daytime. This has become an ingrained habit. I know I have to lose weight just as you do. Maybe this is a good way to support each other instead of doing dangerous thing to ourselves.

Jasmine, I was seriously considering surgery, but not the gastric bypass- it was going to be a VBG ( vertical banded gastroplasty). The insurance denied it for various reasons, I still would like to have surgery, nothing has worked for me and I think it would be an excellent tool to aid in weight loss.

[Please read and follow the board posting guidelines.
Do not post websites that link to other message boards.]

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 02-05-2003).]

Hi everyone,
Ive decided against having GB.Ive went on a diet and am watching how much I eat.Im not one that likes being put under anyway(dont know who wants to be)and feel there are so many risks involved.

One thing that sticks out in my mind is,an uncle having a simliar surgery to lose weight and it making him sick that he almost died.In fact he had to have it undone.He developed Hernias and had 2-3 surgeries.

I think its a good thing if others choose to have it if they feel its the best option for them,however I truly believe if I discpline myself I can do it naturally on my own.

Thanks for your support and suggestions..

Jasmine http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I'm struggling with the same decision...though mine's unfortunately dictated by insurance limitations. The percentage of "complications" is extremely high. (Without looking at my literature, I believe it's 20+ percent.) It IS a very extreme choice. For me personally, that the benefits outweigh the risks. I figured that I continue to fail to lose weight (and slowly gain more!) I will probably not live to see sixty. That scares me more than the risks that accompany surgery. It is a very painful, very personal decision. I wish you the best of success with whatever you decide.

[This message has been edited by catndogma (edited 02-05-2003).]

Hi I beg to differ, I had gastric bypass surgery 10months ago, Yes it's true you here all the negative but for me, It was the best thing I've ever done I've lost 130lbs and I can walk again I don't feel tired and im buying new clothes, I'm sure this isn't the way for everyone but for me it was the right choice if I wanted to continue my Life. I've never felt better and the best part is im no longer considered diabetic

I had the gastric bypass surgery on 3/12/02, my weight at that time was 313.5 with a BMI of 46. Since surgery I now weight 178.5 and have a BMI of 27. I wear a size 14 now. I can go to any restaraunt and sit in any booth or chair with arm rests without worrying if I will fit. As a matter of fact I can put my purse beside me in the chair. I can ride in an ariplane now with no seat belt extender! There are so many side effects that come with this surgery, effects I would never have dreamed about before the suregery!
Surgery is a scary and a very personal decision. For me it was the right decision. I am living now, not just simply existing. My General Practitionar told me I have added years to the length of my life.
I realize that I have been lucky, I have not had any bad side effects, but this was the best decision I have ever made.

If you want to find out nore information from people that have had any of the weight reduction surgeries, do a search on google about obesity help. This site shows before and after pictures, and tells all of the stories of the people that have had surgery. It tells the bad along with all of the good about surgery. It also gives informaton about the surgeons that do weight reduction surgury all over the US. You will even get reviews about individual surgeons and information about which insurance companies have paid for these sugeries in the past.

As I said before, surgery is a very personal decision, but if you are considering it this site has a wealth of information.

Good Luck,
Sherrie

Jasmine,I am currently going through all of the insurance requirements for approval for gastric bypass surgery.I have been obese all of my life,and have been on EVERY single diet and drug that the FDA has approved.It has been proven that obesity and morbid obesity are diseases,because after trying the the diet and not eating this and taking this drug fad passes you still don't loose weight like a normal person,because it is heridetary or a predisposed condition.Everyone has a very personl reason for choosing the surgery option,mainly because there are alot of risks,but if your health risks out weigh the surgery risks as mine do then this my be an option for you,but be warned you really need to research this option very carefully before you make a decision,after all ,this is the last resort and the surgery is only a tool,you still have to exercise and watch what you eat,because you are not living to eat you are eating live after surgery,you have to follow strick guidlines for food (protien),water,and vitamin supplement consumption after surgery,so it is deffinately NOT the easy way out!!I hope this helps you and also I am a member of a web site called Obesity Help,they have a load of info. on this subject,message boards before and after pics,and the list goes on!!!