Thinking about the surgery!

[califgal45]

I am looking for a support group because I am thinking about having the surgery. I lost over a 100 pounds on Atkins kept it off for a couple years and have gained it all back. I am working on losing again and it is so hard and slow very frustrating. I am 52 years old not health problems at this time just the weight.

I would really like to hear from those who have had it done and how it is working for you and what to expect and so on.

Thank you,

[Moons_Mom]

There are so many weight-loss surgeries out there, and most often people have heard of only 2 of them (RNY/Gastric Bypass and Lapband).

I would STRONGLY suggest you go to ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND® System, DS and Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options. and go into the "forums" and then go into "surgical forums" and look at each and every one of them because there are at least 5-10 different procedures out there.

It's really tough to say which would be best for you. Homework on your part is going to determine what you'd be interested in.

I personally chose an operation called Duodenal Switch (or DS). I chose it because it has the highest success rate of weight loss after 5 years. I also chose it because it allows you to still eat a fairly normal meal after the first 6 months. You don't "dump" with the DS either. It's not perfect, I have some "bathroom" issues since having the procedure on July 4 of this year. I am hoping they will work themselves out in time. I have lost 80 pounds in 4 months.

Happy researching.

Susan

[califgal45]

Thank you so much I had no idea there were other options like the DS All I have been reading and researching is the lap band and gastric bypass I will look up the site you suggest. Thank you again.

[c2rlewis]

I had gastric bypass, and almost died from complications. I was pronounced dead twice last year on the operating table. God's grace and mercy kept me alive, but please think twice before you decide about surgery.

[Moons_Mom]

Some people absolutely have complications from WLS, and the worst cases are death.

But don't forget that death is extremely rare. Death from untreated obesity is way more of a health risk than any WLS.

ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND® System, DS and Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options.

[heidiheidi]

I had lapband surgery on 10/16/09 in Mexico, and so far so good. I know in my heart that I would not be able to lose it on my own, and for me this was the best choice.

[califgal45]

Thank you all for the replys. Susan could you pm me I tried to pm you but did not work, thanks.

[Moons_Mom]

I tried to PM you but it said you did not have your setting set to receive private messages.

I think it might also prevent you from receiving messages from 25 days or less activation (but it looks like you've been around for awhile)?

It could be that you have only a few posts - which I think might also prevent you from getting a PM.

Ask a question in the thread if it's not too personal for you and I will attempt to answer your question there.

Susan

[jezzie]

Originally Posted by Moons_Mom

Some people absolutely have complications from WLS, and the worst cases are death.

But don't forget that death is extremely rare. Death from untreated obesity is way more of a health risk than any WLS.

ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND® System, DS and Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options.

Congratulation Susan.

We lost an employee. Died in the recovery room. He was he largest person I've ever
seen (other than on TV.)

When someone asked him if he was afraid 'he might die'. - He answered yes, he was.
But that if he didn't try this ... he knew it wasn't might ... he would die.

[califgal45]

Susan, can you post what a normal days menu including fluid would be now for you?

[motyok]

I seldom post over here, because it is very hard emotionally. I had a lapband for a year and a half. Had a good initial experience, lost about 60 pounds on the low carb regime my doc advised. In the end, my band slipped and my stomach twisted around it. Even the specialist 200 miles away did not diagnose it right. My stomach literally burst while I was in the hospital waiting for the doctor to get back from a seminar. I nearly died that night. Had I still been at home, I would have died. Stomach acid spilled into the area of my heart, which is a lethal mix. Needless to say. I no longer have a band, and the dead part of my stomach had to be removed.

Even if the band had not slipped, it was little help in weight loss. One day it gave me no restriction, the next day, I could not even swallow my own saliva. I have several friends who have done well, but the band is not an easy tool by any means. What I could or could not eat became an obsession, and I was still always hungry. I admit that I am jealous of the success of others. But my outcome is every bit as real.

I so empathize with the weight loss surgery patient, and I know you really don't want to read these kinds of stories. I have been there. To me, it is not worth the risk. I never believed it would happen to me.

Lisa

[Moons_Mom]

Typical Day's Menu - 4 months post-op WITH a DS.

Breakfast: 1 egg fried in Pam on 1 piece of whole grain toast.

Lunch: Small salad with whatever meat was left over from night before. I'd guesstimate about 3-4 ounces of meat. Full fat dressing (I malabsorb fat).

Dinner: 4 ounces of meat (steak - with nice marbleing or chicken WITH the skin) 1 cup of vegetables. Sometimes I add cheese to the vegetables (again I do not have to worry about fat).

Snack: 6-8 cups of popcorn with butter. I don't eat this every night - but if I want to I do. Again I don't really absorb the fat and the popcorn is very high in fibre.

I eat pretty normal. I eat what a lean person might eat in general.

[Moons_Mom]

Sorry I forgot to add fluids califgal.

I drink about 60 ounces of water throughout the day as I see fit. Some days more, some days less.

I usually drink 1-2 diet orange sodas everyday.

I do take vitamins (and lots of them).

The bottom line is that I am not a perfect eater. Some days are better than others. With my surgery it's very forgiving when I falter. If I eat simple carbs I have gas and bad bathroom issues.

[Moons_Mom]

I will keep preaching it from the rooftops.

I feel horrible for anyone who's had serious complications from WLS. The worst cases are death.

But the risk of WLS absolutely is absolutely less than the risk of years of morbid obesity.

If you can achieve permanent Weight Loss without WLS I think you are a super-hero.

The statistics about keeping weight off without WLS for morbidly obese folks are terrible (less than 3% keep weight off without surgical intervention).

Some WLS are better than others statistically. I won't apologize for saying that either. Do your homework! There are several WLS I wouldn't touch unless I was really a lightweight looking for a little boost to what I could do on my own in general. I'd say if you are more than 150 pounds overweight you need either DS/Duodenal Switch, Gastric Sleeve or RNY/Gastric Bypass. The Duodenal Switch is the most effective for the heaviest of us. It is also the most complicated and would carry the most risk, but the rewards are the greatest statistically. I don't dump, I don't foam and I can pretty much eat whatever I want with the exception of simple carbs. I could eat simple carbs if I wanted to - but I'd stink up the house with my gas and feel bloated. But even if I ate simple carbs I'd still likely lose weight, I'd just lose it more slowly. I can eat normal sized meals. My plate doesn't look strange if I am eating with my family or others out in a restaurant. I just eat like a skinny person does now. I can often come close to finishing my protein in a restaurant if I order a smaller portion steak or whatever. I skip over the potato or rice. I eat some if not all of my vegetables (especially if they have a nice cream sauce or butter). I don't fear fat at all since I malabsorb about 75% of it. If I eat too much fat I know it because I have a bunch of undigested fat floating in my toilet. I eat leaner in the morning because that is when I have most of my "bathroom issues". My stomach feels queasy in the morning so I eat lighter early on.

My surgery has not been perfect. I am having some diarrhea issues but that may have been more because of a pre-existing condition I have. Many to most people with the DS do not have chronic diarrhea. Most people with a DS go to the bathroom 2 times in the morning and have loose and very stinky poop. They might go again during the day or evening - or they may not. Almost universally DS patients will have larger volumes of poop that stinks really bad when they first wake up and then they will be fine or "normal" for the rest of the day.

Good Luck, as I said keep researching.

WLS I think is a calculated risk to a problem whose statistics make it a risk worth taking. That's not to say that people with complications don't deserve our empathy.

Susan

[Bethanyblondie]

I personally have the Lap Band and have lost 42 pounds so far. My weight loss is slower than Bypass or the Sleeve, but I want to lose about 100 pounds and didn't think GB was appropriate for me. I, however, fully support anyone's choice for WLS and what type of surgery they choose. I don't have to worry about malabsorption of vitamins or dumping syndrome. I've never gotten sick or "stuck" from my band either, and I do think it's because I chew up my food like crazy. I am still responsible for what I eat. You can cheat ANY weight loss surgery. As my nutritionist said, "We can lock the front door for you, but you can still sneak around the back!"

It's not a choice for everyone, but it was the best thing I could do for myself and now I know there is a MUCH higher chance of me losing this weight and actually KEEPING it off. I did NOT want to lose and regain the same (or more) hundred pounds my whole life.

It's still work. I exercise. I plan my meals. I have to make good choices for food. But it absolutely has the been the best tool to help me actually lose weight.

Califgal45, if you do your research and go through all of the insurance hoops (which will take you 6 months to a year) you will have had more than enought time to really decide if this is the right choice for you. I never lost hope that I would get this surgery and made sure to "check mark" each required item off the list for insurance and I was approved in a day a half after submitting my paperwork.

Sounds like there are plenty of people here to offer you great advice and support in no matter what choice you make. Lapbandtalk.com was also a great place for me to make friends as well for support. We're all here to help!

[califgal45]

Moons Mom, thanks again for the info very helpful because I have been doing a lot of research and was shocked to discover they do 5 different procedures still. I know the most popular seems to be the RNY but it is so restrictive and people after a couple years gain back. But the big one for me is how you can not drink a lot of liquid, I normally drink 3 liters of water a day that is normal for me and also you can't take certain medicines. I am still researching and have not made my mind up totally yet but am still leaning toward WLS and right now DS I have to talk to my doctor about it I found 2 doctors in San Francisco that do the DS all the other areas seem to be mostly RNY. Keep me posted you have been very very helpful.

Motyok, so sorry to hear of your bad experience I hope you are doing well now. When they removed part of your stomach did they do like the RNY? Or is your stomach just smaller? I just hope your doing better, thanks for sharing your story with us.

Bethanyblondie, Glad you are doing well with your lap band and wish you continued success.

[Andagain]

Caligal,

I'm another lapband/low carber. The combo is certainly a powerful weight loss and maintenance plan. The band keeps my portions reasonable, and my hunger under control. I'm able to drink plenty of liquids with no issue. I've l lost 92 lbs since my surgery. Since my weight loss has slowed, I've added low carb.

The funny thing is the dietitian at my Docs office gave me a "modified" Atkins diet because we "need carbs you know." Funny thing is her modified version is WAY lower carb than Atkins Induction. Meat, cheese, yogart, and only two servings of low carb veggies per day. Too bad she's never read the book.

I have no regrets about my surgery. In our family I have a banded husband (5 yrs), sister (2 yrs) , mother (1 yr. , she's 76, yes Medicare covered hers, much easier process than our insurance). My SIL is in the process of getting approval now. Another SIL and niece had GBS. No regrets or problems for any of us, except the usual, occasional getting stuck kind of thing if the meat's too dry or don't chew enough. I can't tolerate starchy doughy stuff, but hey that's an advantage not an issue.

Yes there are people who have problems, but DH and I have counted 20 people we know personally who have been banded and/or GBS and we don't personnally know any who have had issues. Wait I take that back. One lady went to Mexico and her port flipped. She can't afford to go back to have it fixed and can't afford to have it fixed here. That's something that can happen anywhere, I'm not trying to bad mouth going to Mexico. BUT I would say, don't go anywhere too distant, in or out of the country because, a less expensive surgery up front can be much more expensive when you consider travel costs for after care. Also many surgeons can't/won't take you if you went elsewhere. There aren't "filling stations" everywhere. LOL

I'm just a little older than you and like you didn't have any co-morbibities. I used to say I was the healthiest fat woman you've ever seen. But the idea is to prevent those health issues. I could write a book on the improvements in my quality of life and energy level. My mother has had the most dramatic improvements. She went from barely able to walk 20 feet without stopping to pant, to scampering around shopping malls.

All of my family members had dieted and lost weight, regained, over and over. WLS has been the key to keeping it off.

Imagine going on vacation and eating what you want (quantities of course are limited) and coming home thinking you must have gained 15 lbs. and finding you actually LOST 2! How much easier to get back on track instead of being hopelessly discouraged.

Sorry, I do tend to get excited. Wish you well on your decision. Research, research, research before you decide. And don't just go to the first surgeon who will take you, check their track record.

[amidala64]

Originally Posted by motyok

...
I so empathize with the weight loss surgery patient, and I know you really don't want to read these kinds of stories. I have been there. To me, it is not worth the risk. I never believed it would happen to me.

Lisa

Surgery is a drastic measure to take.
I was lucky.
My gastric banding failed but I found a great surgeon to remove it (along with much scar tissue and adhesions) and revise it to an RNY bypass.

Now I have to deal with the malnutrition issues.
This is not the easy way out.

Anyone considering surgery should try to find a balanced set of experiences from which to form an opinion of its long term success rate.

I'm not sure I'd do things the same way given a second chance.

[bonnielougreen]

I have lost 150# since January 19th,, I had RNY, and havent had any problems since the surgery,, did have to stay in the hospital for a week after the surgery because I had complications due to scar tissue that surprised them, so surgery was longer than expected and I pulled a few other tricks on them that were unexpected,, I am going to be 63 in a few days and altho this road is sometimes bumpy,,(mostly in my head),,I would do it again tomorrow,,, I feel so good, I love the compliments and dont always recognize myself when walking by a mirror,, I walk every day possible, and have now added trampoline and strength training,, I had such problems with my knees I couldnt exercise at all,, so I think things are going great,, I did my first 5k walk in July, took me 1 hour and 52 minutes,, an hour longer than others, but,, I will beat that time next year,, can walk 51/2 miles now,, but still takes me 3 hours,,lol,, but I am moving and grooving,,and planning on continuing on my journey,, dont have dumping, but sometimes eat more than I think I should,, eat lots of chili,,(thick) and lots of chef salads,, not much makes me sick unless I dont chew it good enough, I still eat too fast when Im at work,,
Atkins mocha latte shakes are always at hand in case I need a protein fix,, try to eat solid foods mostly,, and protein bars for a dessert type snack if needed or if I am in a car,, carry around cherry tomatoes a lot too,,
hope you have a safe journey which ever you choose,, for me it wasnt ,,should I? it was I have to,, Bonnie

[califgal45]

Thank you so much all of you this really helps me. I am continueing to research and will continue I will decide in January that is when I will go to Doctor to discuss options. Please keep me posted on your progress it really is helping me.

Thank you again.