Gastric Bypass - Weight Loss Message Board

nltankontop · 11-29-2006, 07:25 PM

I am a 23 (soon to be 24 yr old) male that has been fighting with obesity all my life. I managed to loose 45 pounds in two years and I am at 355 pounds right now. But I have failed and hit a bump completely with my weight loss for months. I am desperate to loose weight and even have episodes of throwing up on purpose. I am uninsured and currently don't have all the money for the bypass surgery but I am in the process of taking out a Loan for the surgery I plan on getting next summer. I believe that I am in the right time for the bypass since I am still not diabetic or suffer from heavy hypertension.
Since I decided to seek the surgery I have felt very depressed and scared of the surgery. I have never been hospitalized in my life or had a single stich put in my body, so hospital stays for me are totally like a taboo for me. It hurts so much to not be able to be in a loving relationship and to not have experienced a pleasuarable sex life at my age. I have had sexual intercourse but my partner at the time and myself were not thrilled at my performance. I am a big framed fella and I think it helps me a lot, I am 6, 1" and consider myself to have a descent social life at my weight, I have had girlfriends for periods of time, I go to clubs and dance, played football in HS, and have many acquaintaces, but sometimes I feel like my weight has to do with not being able to progress deeply in relationships.
I am about to graduate from college and go onto graduate school so I know I will more than likely will have the resources later to pay of the loan I have requested for my surgery.
I have a few questions regarding the bypass, hopefully someone out there can help me out with them

What kind of conditions does the bypass call for at later ages in life, like in your 40s , 50s, or even later in life? Do you have to take vitamins for life? Do you have to constantly see doctors after the surgery? Anybody have any feedback on getting the surgery abroad for cheaper? Anybody recommend any places in the Los Angeles are for the surgery? How big is the scar for the normal gastric bypass procedure and not the one with the smaller incision (I think its called lapostrophic or something like that)

I know this is a long story but I was feeling desparate to let it out and get some feedback on what I am planning on doing to control my weight. Any thoughts out there would be gladly accepted. Thank you people.

chevyman · 12-01-2006, 05:03 PM

nltankontop,
I have not had the gastric by pass but I know three people who have, two females one male,
out of the three one female had a few complcations but they was not to bad, her stichess had came lose and they had to go back in and re-do...

but thats just a chance your going to have to take with the sugery it depends on how things are once they get inside.. for some people there inner guts are stronger than others so naturally the stichess will give problems for those that are not as strong inside!

if you have tried all diets and exuasted all means to lose your weight and couldn't, then yeah the gastic by-pass you should have or the lap-band, its reverseable btw.
but only make the gastric by-pass your last choice...if you do have it just do has the Doctors say...and not over do physical things, you will be told what and how much to eat ect,,ect,, but with that type of surgery theres always a risk factor involved it really depends on each individual.
at your weight I think its a good idea to have it, but not knowing your medical history, its hard to say?

if I was going to have something to help me lose a lot of weight, I think I would choose the lap-band, thats the lapproscopic you mention and its adjustable and reverseable....gastric by-pass is not latproscopic '' it's the real cut you open type surgery''... and it is serious surgery, its means they are takeing out most of your stmoach, and useing other parts like a graft of other parts of your body to hold things up.

But don't let me discourage you in any way about your decision, I think you must be a pretty good person, you want to help yourself with your health..and have a good trusting/loving realtionship and start living and stop worrying bout your health and weight so much.
I wish you the best.

lionleo · 01-29-2007, 10:13 PM

nltankontop,
I don't know if you're still looking for info or not but I happened across your posting & replys. Thought I'd give you a little info from someone who a bit more familar w/the subject. (No offense to previous posters) but....
The bypass which is most common is called a roux-en-Y. It is mostly preformed laparoscopicly now, which is a benifit as you recover much faster. It can be done as open surgery & there is a more extensive bypass procedure where a portion of the lower part of the stomach is removed, but this is now the exception, not the rule. Laparoscopic has 5 small incisions made across the stomache area between the breasts & belly button. Your "guts" are not cut out, nor is ANY portion of your stomach removed (unless you have other medical problems). A small stomach pouch is made at the top of the exsisting stomach by stapling off & then stitching off this section. A Y shaped section of the small intestine is attached to this pouch. This by-passes the remainder of the stomach & the upper portion of the small intestine, but those sections remain in place & functioning. After time most people are able to eat most foods, the idea is just in better portions. Some foods can cause a problem depending on the person. A regular lifestyle & activity level are part of the goal w/this. You are restricted after surgery on food, such as starting off w/soft food & working up to "regular" food after 3-6mo but once that happens it's up to you. Dr's recommend patients who have this surgery take a multi-vitamin, calcium & B-12 for the remainder of thier life. But really who shouldn't?
The lap-band surgery is preformed in much of the same way (lapraroscopic) but instead of the intestine being cut, it remains intact. A plastic band is placed around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch w/a restricted exit into the remainder of the stomach. A tube & pump are attached so that the "band" may be adjusted by the doctor @ office visits if needed.
There are pro's & con's to each of these surgery's & this is nothing to rush into. Take some time, do some reading. WebMD & obesity.com are two excellant resources of information. Both of these site should be able to help link you to a doctor who does this surgery in your area. Most who preform this surgery give free seminars that you can attend to learn more about the Dr & his staff & the surgeries themselves. These sessions are an excellant source. Go to several if need be, talk to others who are or have had the surgery who are there. Talk to the doctor & his staff, see if you are comfortable w/them, THEN if you like make an appointment.
Keep in mind this too is a tool, it is not a quick fix. It still can be messed up & the weight not lost or regained. It is a way of getting you where you want to go & then eating & living they way we should. And, just so you know I'm not some skinny health nut or mad doctor or nurse. Here's my case in a nut shell....35 yr old female, married w/2 kids - weight 243 currently. I have thought about this surgery for 2+ years before persuing it. Yes, I am having the surgery - bypass. My appt to set my surgery date & have my pre-physical is Fri, 2/2/07. I have fought my weight my entire life, I've been on 17 differant diet/exercise programs over the last 20yrs. I am scared out of my mind about the surgery & the complications but know if I want to have a life for myself & my family I need to do this.
Hang in there, you'll find your way whatever that may be. Find what make you happy, when YOUR happy you'll project the confidence that will attract someone worthwhile. Trust me, I've been there. I didn't meet my husband until I was 25 & had made peace w/myself that I could be happy alone. Then he stepped into my life overnight. Hope this helps in some small way.