gastroplasty - Obesity Message Board

collegegall22 · 03-15-2003, 05:30 PM

Hello everyone. This is my first time to thie board, hope it offers everything I need. I was wondering about the stomach stapeling. Has anyone ever had this done? I have read up on it, but everything is always put into words. Like how is the pain? How long do you have to wait before returning to work? I am 300 pounds at 5'9 and as to the BMI I am over weight. What else do they look at before you are qualified for this surgury? I have been on so many diets, and none have worked. I also have been going to the gym now for 4 years and nothing seems to work. If anyone knows something about this plesae post. Thanks

tessatessa · 03-16-2003, 12:01 AM

Hi: I had vertical banded gastroplasty on May 9/02. I was 304 lbs. at 5'5". I think usually your BMI has to be at or over 40 or over 35 with comorbidities (other conditions caused or made worse by the obesity like heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes, joint problems, etc.) It is very VERY major surgery, not to be considered lightly. The pain is pretty bad, it was worse than I thought it would be, I wasn't really prepared. I don't regret having the surgery, it saved my life. I've lost 128 lbs. so far and I'm hoping to lose another 20 or so and then I will have a tummy tuck so I won't have to deal with back pain when I'm older. I now have to eat about 6 very small meals per day and I have to chew everything very thoroughly and eat slowly. If I don't do those things I throw up whatever food I'm trying to eat. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and good luck with your research.

tessatessa · 03-16-2003, 12:02 AM

Hi: I had vertical banded gastroplasty on May 9/02. I was 304 lbs. at 5'5". I think usually your BMI has to be at or over 40 or over 35 with comorbidities (other conditions caused or made worse by the obesity like heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes, joint problems, etc.) It is very VERY major surgery, not to be considered lightly. The pain is pretty bad, it was worse than I thought it would be, I wasn't really prepared. I don't regret having the surgery, it saved my life. I've lost 128 lbs. so far and I'm hoping to lose another 20 or so and then I will have a tummy tuck so I won't have to deal with back pain when I'm older. I now have to eat about 6 very small meals per day and I have to chew everything very thoroughly and eat slowly. If I don't do those things I throw up whatever food I'm trying to eat. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and good luck with your research.

collegegall22 · 03-16-2003, 06:17 AM

Thank you. I have a docters appointment at the end of the moneth to talk with a docter about it. He has to referr me though. I am currently 302 pounds, at 5'9. That put my BMI at 43.2. I have severe leg pain due to my weight, its the worst during exercise. I have tried so many things in the past and none of them worked, Im hoping that they will approve me for it. I also have difficulty sleeping...due to my weight..did you experience this also? I have noticed, so has my husband that my weight has really made me depressed and very sheltered. I dont want to leave the house, because that means that I have to try to find something that semi fits me and looks decent. My social life is no longer. Also I feel that my marriage is going out the door. I am aware of the pain that comes with it..but have you had any other problems from this? Thanks for helping me out.

tessatessa · 03-16-2003, 05:33 PM

My health, physical and emotional, was severely compromised by my obesity. I hardly ever left my bedroom anymore because standing or walking for any length of time gave me severe back, leg and foot pain so I had stopped doing any household chores or grocery shopping for my family. If I absolutely had to get a new pair of pants or a top I bought two of the biggest size I could find and then sewed them together. My social life didn't exist, I often had trouble leaving the house to pick up my kids from school. I had severe depression, my husband's and my sex life was almost non-existant and not fulfilling when we did have sex. I had migraine headaches, sleep apnea, snoring, aching arms and shoulders from sleeping on them. I was reluctant to have baths because it was such a chore to get in and out of the bath and I couldn't stand long enough for a shower. I couldn't reach to wash my genitals anymore and I couldn't reach to insert tampons. Sorry if I'm getting pretty graphic here but this is where I was at. I was sitting up in bed one day watching tv (while my family carried on upstairs without me) and I had the sudden thought "my life is over - I'm 40 years old and my life is over". And right then I decided to pursue the idea of stomach stapling surgery because that was my only option. I hope this response helps you, it sounds like you're suffering too although you say that still can and do exercise and that's good. Keep me informed, I understand what you're going through.