Seriously considering Bariatric Surgery

karenb · 05-07-2012, 11:45 AM

In 2000 I managed to lose about 70 pouds in the year and kept it off for a few years. Then my sister got fatially ill and I gained it all back. She died nearly 6 years ago and I haven't been able to lose much weight since then. I don't know why. His mother thought being over weight was a personality flaw. I think DH feels the same way. But I just can't do it. I did it doing low carb and just cant do it again. I've tried other way of eating but can't stay with them for long. My dad was about my hieght and my weight and sometimes got up to about 200#s but lost them by donig his way of low carb. Several of his his sisters were very over weight but blamed it on baby weight but I haven't had any babies. I'm 62 and tired of being fat and out of shape. I have back and knee problems that I'm sure would be better off with a lower weight.

DH had a friend who had weight loss surgery and died from heart prolem as a result. His doctore came from about 250 miles away and then turned over to a local doctor for his recovery. I fee this is what caused his death.
Than and he was problebly around 400#'s at the time and had no support from friends or family. We now have a doctor who lives in town and wuld be available for any problems.

My BFF has a friend who lost many pounds several years ago and has been very dilidgent about her weight control. I think she would be a great help for me.

I need to know your honest problems about WLS surgery and keeping the weight off-both the good and the bad. And what type of surgery you had and would reccommend.

I was slender until I was around 35-40 and started eating because DH moved about 120 miles away for grad school and I felt abandoned even tho I had agreed to it.

I see a concelor for depression and she mentioned she councels people who have had WLS and had problems with keeping at their goal weight. I have a good relationship and think she could be be very helpful to me. I've been seeing her for years and think she knows me very well.

I'm 62 years old, 5'9" and weight 250#

Please help!

karenb · 05-07-2012, 05:20 PM

100 people looked and no had anything tosay> I'm disappointed in you all

Chrissykin · 05-07-2012, 05:30 PM

I answered in your other thread.

dveverhart · 05-07-2012, 07:32 PM

Hi Karen, best of luck in coming to a decision that is right for you. The best thing I can suggest is research, research, research. There are loads of websites and books, as well as support groups at selected hospitals. Obestyhelp.com offers lots of varied info, and there are loads of blogs out there, so much more free info than when I was making my own life-saving decision. Google "weight loss surgery" and read everything!

I had gastric bypass (open surgery with a Fobi pouch) in January '97 at 46 years old, 337 pounds and 5'4", after my doctor told me he did not believe I would live to see 50. In a year and a half, sticking to the "protein first" rule and 4-5 gym workouts a week, I lost 190 pounds, and lowered my body fat from 55% to 16%. I had no repercussions or complications from my surgery; my issues have all stemmed from a life-long addiction to food. As a food addict and emotional binge eater, it was in no way easy, but truly a life-saving decision. I still struggle with emotional triggers, but my "tool" makes it easier to not make the wrong choices. I have gained back about 20 pounds in the past year, but am working to get my mind back in the right place to lose the fat again. Here's a link to my story:
patient stories

Again, I wish you all the best, and hope you regain your health soon!

emily1965 · 05-07-2012, 10:38 PM

Karen, I would suggest that you check into the specific weight loss surgery VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). It is much lower risk than the other bariatric surgeries. I think it would be a good thing for you. I hate to bring this up, but you wouldn't be able to drink any alcohol for probably 4-6 months after surgery, so that's something that you need to seriously need to consider. WLS can be a miracle tool, but you have to be ready to make changes along with it. The surgery is a tool and will not take the weight off without good some major commitments from you.

Itsanewme · 05-08-2012, 02:50 AM

I had an rny 10 years ago. I've kept my weight off but it isn't a cure all. I still fight the urges I had before. When I had my surgey I was well over 300 lb. and felt like my life was over at the age of 45. I would lose 20 lb. and gain 30 back. I just couldn't get and keep the weight off. I promised myself that if I got below 200 lb. I would do everything possible to keep it off. My life is so great now that I can't believe it. I am active, work at a job I love and feel younger now then I did 20 years ago. I don't know if this is the answer for you or not but you should look into all your options and be ready to commit to living a life where you have to give up some foods you might love like sugar. It was hard to not be able to overendulge on certain holidays but what I got in return was so worth it. If you have any questions let me know. Good luck!

Hot Tamale · 05-08-2012, 07:38 PM

I agree with everything that's been said, really. WLS, and my hard work, has saved my life. I am almost 45, but truly doubt I would have lived to see 50. I will always have to resist cravings and old habits about food, but it is so very worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. WLS gives you a tool that you can use to control what you eat. In the process, you learn to eat and think about food differently. You start to use food as fuel versus using it (as I did) for comfort... Losing weight at first was easy. Now, 18 months after surgery, I am fighting for every additional pound I lose. But never in my life did I think I could have lost 195 pounds, either! I lost and gained the same 20 pounds at least 50 or 60 times in my 44 years. Having my gastric bypass has made the difference for me, and I am doing what it takes (eating right, exercising, and taking my vitamins/suppliments) to keep (slowly) losing and maintain my losses. I think you should do a little research or attend a seminar to help you decide what might work for you. I also think your friend could be very helpful. Hopefully something I said will help you.

karenb · 05-29-2012, 10:43 AM

I'm not too worried aboutt giving up alcohol. I usually just have 1-2 drinks a night. All the meds I'm on I shouldn't be drinking anyway.

Yeh here I am considering it again. I joined Curse for the easy exercise. I'd gone years ago and really liked it. But after the first workout I some how managed to hurt my back. It was 2-3 weeks ago and I'm still having problems! I showed my chiro and my massage therapist the printout of the machines and they both went bug-eyed and said do NOY ever to this one or this one. And I said too late! My chiro did write a not to get me out of the exercise part and I got my money back from that but I'd joined the diet part and you don't get your money back on that! I may talk to them about that and see if you can add things they don't show!

karenb · 05-29-2012, 10:44 AM

I'm not too worried aboutt giving up alcohol. I usually just have 1-2 drinks a night. All the meds I'm on I shouldn't be drinking anyway.

Yeh here I am considering it again. I joined Curse for the easy exercise. I'd gone years ago and really liked it. But after the first workout I some how managed to hurt my back. It was 2-3 weeks ago and I'm still having problems! I showed my chiro and my massage therapist the printout of the machines and they both went bug-eyed and said do NOY ever to this one or this one. And I said too late! My chiro did write a not to get me out of the exercise part and I got my money back from that but I'd joined the diet part and you don't get your money back on that! I may talk to them about that and see if you can add things they don't show!

05-07-2012, 11:45 AM	#1
karenb Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 24,158 Gallery: karenb	Seriously considering Bariatric Surgery In 2000 I managed to lose about 70 pouds in the year and kept it off for a few years. Then my sister got fatially ill and I gained it all back. She died nearly 6 years ago and I haven't been able to lose much weight since then. I don't know why. His mother thought being over weight was a personality flaw. I think DH feels the same way. But I just can't do it. I did it doing low carb and just cant do it again. I've tried other way of eating but can't stay with them for long. My dad was about my hieght and my weight and sometimes got up to about 200#s but lost them by donig his way of low carb. Several of his his sisters were very over weight but blamed it on baby weight but I haven't had any babies. I'm 62 and tired of being fat and out of shape. I have back and knee problems that I'm sure would be better off with a lower weight. DH had a friend who had weight loss surgery and died from heart prolem as a result. His doctore came from about 250 miles away and then turned over to a local doctor for his recovery. I fee this is what caused his death. Than and he was problebly around 400#'s at the time and had no support from friends or family. We now have a doctor who lives in town and wuld be available for any problems. My BFF has a friend who lost many pounds several years ago and has been very dilidgent about her weight control. I think she would be a great help for me. I need to know your honest problems about WLS surgery and keeping the weight off-both the good and the bad. And what type of surgery you had and would reccommend. I was slender until I was around 35-40 and started eating because DH moved about 120 miles away for grad school and I felt abandoned even tho I had agreed to it. I see a concelor for depression and she mentioned she councels people who have had WLS and had problems with keeping at their goal weight. I have a good relationship and think she could be be very helpful to me. I've been seeing her for years and think she knows me very well. I'm 62 years old, 5'9" and weight 250# Please help! Last edited by karenb; 05-07-2012 at 11:54 AM..

05-07-2012, 10:38 PM	#5
emily1965 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Portland Posts: 17,846 Gallery: emily1965 Stats: 320/179 WOE: VSG 5/10/11 plus healthy choices	Karen, I would suggest that you check into the specific weight loss surgery VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). It is much lower risk than the other bariatric surgeries. I think it would be a good thing for you. I hate to bring this up, but you wouldn't be able to drink any alcohol for probably 4-6 months after surgery, so that's something that you need to seriously need to consider. WLS can be a miracle tool, but you have to be ready to make changes along with it. The surgery is a tool and will not take the weight off without good some major commitments from you. __________________ Lisa IRL Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go. CIAC

05-08-2012, 07:38 PM	#7
Hot Tamale Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chaos Ave. & Stress Blvd. Posts: 5,126 Gallery: Hot Tamale Stats: 389/183/174 (-206) WOE: LowCarb & WLS (11/10) Start Date: every 24 hours...	I agree with everything that's been said, really. WLS, and my hard work, has saved my life. I am almost 45, but truly doubt I would have lived to see 50. I will always have to resist cravings and old habits about food, but it is so very worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. WLS gives you a tool that you can use to control what you eat. In the process, you learn to eat and think about food differently. You start to use food as fuel versus using it (as I did) for comfort... Losing weight at first was easy. Now, 18 months after surgery, I am fighting for every additional pound I lose. But never in my life did I think I could have lost 195 pounds, either! I lost and gained the same 20 pounds at least 50 or 60 times in my 44 years. Having my gastric bypass has made the difference for me, and I am doing what it takes (eating right, exercising, and taking my vitamins/suppliments) to keep (slowly) losing and maintain my losses. I think you should do a little research or attend a seminar to help you decide what might work for you. I also think your friend could be very helpful. Hopefully something I said will help you. __________________ *The big question is: How badly do you want this!?!* "If it was easy everybody would be doing it." --Me! “All that we are is the result of what we have thought...What we think we become.” Buddha "Things do not change, we do." -Thoreau The "easy way out" is the toughest thing I've ever done. 199 198 197 196 195 193 192 191 190 189 188 187 186 185 184 183 182 181 180

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05-07-2012, 05:20 PM	#2
karenb Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 24,158 Gallery: karenb	100 people looked and no had anything tosay> I'm disappointed in you all

05-07-2012, 05:30 PM	#3
Chrissykin Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Windy City Burbs Posts: 4,668 Gallery: Chrissykin WOE: VSG 7/3/2012 and low carb -115#	I answered in your other thread.

05-07-2012, 07:32 PM	#4
dveverhart Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 449 Gallery: dveverhart Stats: 337/145/145 WOE: WLS/Low carb Start Date: January 2007	Hi Karen, best of luck in coming to a decision that is right for you. The best thing I can suggest is research, research, research. There are loads of websites and books, as well as support groups at selected hospitals. Obestyhelp.com offers lots of varied info, and there are loads of blogs out there, so much more free info than when I was making my own life-saving decision. Google "weight loss surgery" and read everything! I had gastric bypass (open surgery with a Fobi pouch) in January '97 at 46 years old, 337 pounds and 5'4", after my doctor told me he did not believe I would live to see 50. In a year and a half, sticking to the "protein first" rule and 4-5 gym workouts a week, I lost 190 pounds, and lowered my body fat from 55% to 16%. I had no repercussions or complications from my surgery; my issues have all stemmed from a life-long addiction to food. As a food addict and emotional binge eater, it was in no way easy, but truly a life-saving decision. I still struggle with emotional triggers, but my "tool" makes it easier to not make the wrong choices. I have gained back about 20 pounds in the past year, but am working to get my mind back in the right place to lose the fat again. Here's a link to my story: patient stories Again, I wish you all the best, and hope you regain your health soon!

05-08-2012, 02:50 AM	#6
Itsanewme Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 535 Gallery: Itsanewme Stats: 322/145/143-147 WOE: Weight Watchers/ Lower Carbs WLS 10/02 Start Date: Restarted 3/1/06	I had an rny 10 years ago. I've kept my weight off but it isn't a cure all. I still fight the urges I had before. When I had my surgey I was well over 300 lb. and felt like my life was over at the age of 45. I would lose 20 lb. and gain 30 back. I just couldn't get and keep the weight off. I promised myself that if I got below 200 lb. I would do everything possible to keep it off. My life is so great now that I can't believe it. I am active, work at a job I love and feel younger now then I did 20 years ago. I don't know if this is the answer for you or not but you should look into all your options and be ready to commit to living a life where you have to give up some foods you might love like sugar. It was hard to not be able to overendulge on certain holidays but what I got in return was so worth it. If you have any questions let me know. Good luck!

05-29-2012, 10:43 AM	#8
karenb Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 24,158 Gallery: karenb	I'm not too worried aboutt giving up alcohol. I usually just have 1-2 drinks a night. All the meds I'm on I shouldn't be drinking anyway. Yeh here I am considering it again. I joined Curse for the easy exercise. I'd gone years ago and really liked it. But after the first workout I some how managed to hurt my back. It was 2-3 weeks ago and I'm still having problems! I showed my chiro and my massage therapist the printout of the machines and they both went bug-eyed and said do NOY ever to this one or this one. And I said too late! My chiro did write a not to get me out of the exercise part and I got my money back from that but I'd joined the diet part and you don't get your money back on that! I may talk to them about that and see if you can add things they don't show!

05-29-2012, 10:44 AM	#9
karenb Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 24,158 Gallery: karenb	I'm not too worried aboutt giving up alcohol. I usually just have 1-2 drinks a night. All the meds I'm on I shouldn't be drinking anyway. Yeh here I am considering it again. I joined Curse for the easy exercise. I'd gone years ago and really liked it. But after the first workout I some how managed to hurt my back. It was 2-3 weeks ago and I'm still having problems! I showed my chiro and my massage therapist the printout of the machines and they both went bug-eyed and said do NOY ever to this one or this one. And I said too late! My chiro did write a not to get me out of the exercise part and I got my money back from that but I'd joined the diet part and you don't get your money back on that! I may talk to them about that and see if you can add things they don't show!