Gastric Bypass Surgery-Anybody had this or have any insight? - Obesity Message Board

justgina · 11-16-2003, 07:09 PM

I have been seriously considering this since my employer is now paying 100% for this surgery. im scared to death but ive been fat and dieting off an on since i was 13...im 36 now. i have no reason to believe that i will ever be thin without drastic measures.

i wanted input from anybody who has had this surgery or knows someone who has. thanks

nikki2kids · 11-17-2003, 09:25 AM

Justgina, do it as the very last resort. How much do you need to lose? I say this because I've posted this in the past. My mom did it when she was in her mid to late 30's. She needed to lose about 100 pounds and did. She looked great, after a long recovery. However, over the years, she put the weight back on, plus more. The reason was that even though she could eat only small portions, she had not changed her eating habits. She still can only eat small portions but she eats terrible, high fat foods. It seems that because of the surgery, her stomach had difficulty tolerating raw fruits and vegetables and protein. That leaves high carb and fatty foods - the worst. She truly regrets having that surgery. Now, she's even bigger and has a huge scar on her stomach. Please weigh all your options before doing something so drastic and so dangerous. Good luck to you.

knksmomofky · 11-17-2003, 04:53 PM

Things have changed and much improved with the surgery over the last several years. I would highly recommend going to [url removed]. You can find all sorts of information there. Because of that wonderful site, I was able to find the perfect Bariatic Center and I will be attending one of their seminars in December.

Whatever you do, like the previous person said, only do it as a LAST resort! And do LOTS and LOTS of Research to determine if it's right for you.

Good luck, Carolyn

Bigbay · 11-17-2003, 08:29 PM

Hello Justgina, I had the surgery on the 2nd of Oct, 6 weeks post-op, and I have lost 64lbs. I am 40 year old male, my starting weight of 488lbs. I have been overweight all my adult life. It was starting to get harder to get around everyday, it was like being in a prison. This was my last chance. My Drs. told me if I lived to be 50 yrs old, I would be blessed. I am off of more than half my meds now. Like what the other posters have say make sure that it is what you want to do. Alot of people think this is a magic thing that is just going to make the fat just melt off. It is alot of work. This surgery has changed alot over the years, most of the people who have had a stomach stapling years ago have gained the weight again. I had the RNY. They do more than staple now, they give you a stomach that can only hold about 3oz of food. You have to go through alot of pre-testing and psych is number one test and you must pass. In the past people who had it done did not have their minds fixed, they still thought the same way as before and they ate the same way as before. I am going through a program that helps me do the right things. This surgery will not let you eat the same anymore and if you do not your new stomach will let you now you did something wrong. Please look into this hard before you do it. It had been the best thing for me, I am working hard and it is paying off. I am changing my outlook on food. I am feel better and younger each day. Find someone who has had it or find a support group you can goto and ask questions. Do not let people scare you with their horror stories. Do this for yourself!!! You are the one who has to live with your body. It took me years before I made up my mind to do this. A good place to go is [url removed], it helped me alot.

wondertwin44 · 11-17-2003, 09:07 PM

I was just talking about this with my mom today. Her doctor suggested to her that she should consider it. She's 50 and almost 300 pounds. She's going to another doctor to hear more about it. I want to go with her, because I, too, would like to have it done. I'm almost 20 (1 week from today!!) and 275 pounds. We've tried so many things and nothing has worked. We went to Weight Watchers for a while, but we ended up quiting. I eventually gained back the weight I had lost plus 20 more pounds.

A friend of my sister's had it done a few years ago. She is thrilled with it. She went from a size 24 to a 12 and looks great. She said she doesn't regret having it done and would do it again in a minute. I noticed at first that she could hardly eat anything, but she is able to eat more now and able still remain her size.

Good luck if you get it done. I'm hoping I can because I'm at the end of my rope.