Gastric Bypass Surgery

1savvydiva · #1 12-03-2002, 02:45 PM

Hey guys, I wanted to see how many of you maybe knew someone who has had this surgery. One of my friends had been talking about it for a while, I didn't think that she was serious, but I found out that she is getting it done on Saturday!!!! I know of a doctor and a nurse at my hospital that had it done, but never anyone on "my" level. Looking on the internet, I guess it is becoming more accepted and more economically feasible for those who aren't rich. I am kinda scared for her, but kinda happy at the same time because she is doing something to help herself...What do you think?

Ideal08 · #2 12-03-2002, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1savvydiva
What do you think?

Eat right, exercise, and be DISCIPLINED.

Now, if you have TRULY tried the above, and they simply didn't work; and I mean TRULY TRULY TRULY tried, then maybe the surgery is for you. I'm not goin' under the knife to lose weight unless I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to.

On Investigative Reports the other day, they had people who got the little belt put around their stomach... makes it shaped like an hour glass. Now, this is more feasible to me, because it can be reversed. GBS can't.

I wonder if people who go thru these surgeries really tried to lose weight and just didn't have any will power, or if they were genetically predisposed to their weight. I'm a little skeptical of surgery JUST for weight-loss... I don't know, I just can't see it for myself. I'm too scurry for all that.

Honeykiss1974 · #3 12-03-2002, 03:17 PM

At the medical center that I work at, we have a world renowed weight program called "Health Management", where in extreme cases they do perform this surgery. However, before even being considered for this type of surgery, you have to go through counseling and other forms of weight management for a least a year. Within the Health Management program, this is the last resort option for those people who can not use weight through the other phases (diet, excercise, pre-packaged food, shakes) of the program.

I agree with Ideal08, if you are unable to lose the weight through tradiontion means, then the surgery could be the best option.

Remember, the risk associated with this surgery DO NOT COMPARE to the risk associated with being morbidly obese.

Peaches-n-Cream · #4 12-03-2002, 03:31 PM

A friend of the family had the surgery and lost 90+ pounds. She is in her twenties and had struggled with her weight since early childhood. Her health was an issue. She had been overweight for two decades and obese for one decade. Now, she not only looks better at a smaller size, but she is also healthier and happier and more physically active.

She had the procedure done a year and a half ago after over a year of researching the procedure options and doctors. It was definitely not something that she decided on the spur of the moment. Actually, part of the time was spent arguing with the insurance company for coverage. When they approved, she was able to have it. After surgery, she had to limit her food intake to two tablespoons because that is all that her stomach could hold at first. Now, she can eat larger portions, but much less than before the surgery. It definitely changed her life for the better.

1savvydiva · #5 12-03-2002, 05:07 PM

But the thing that's bad....she's not really all that big if you ask me! She is about 5'5", and she wears a size 16, but she is not morbidly obese to the point where she can't function. She says she just feels she would feel better about herself if she does it. She is not doing it directly for medical reasons, and honestly I can't say that she has "tried everything" to lose weight. I have been looking on the internet, I just don't feel it's worth the risk when she is not in danger!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ideal08

Eat right, exercise, and be DISCIPLINED.

Now, if you have TRULY tried the above, and they simply didn't work; and I mean TRULY TRULY TRULY tried, then maybe the surgery is for you. I'm not goin' under the knife to lose weight unless I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to.

On Investigative Reports the other day, they had people who got the little belt put around their stomach... makes it shaped like an hour glass. Now, this is more feasible to me, because it can be reversed. GBS can't.

I wonder if people who go thru these surgeries really tried to lose weight and just didn't have any will power, or if they were genetically predisposed to their weight. I'm a little skeptical of surgery JUST for weight-loss... I don't know, I just can't see it for myself. I'm too scurry for all that.

UDZETA · #6 12-03-2002, 05:08 PM

My mother had the surgery and it was the best thing for her! She had it last Nov and she has lost over a 150 lbs. She looks and feels like a new women. My mother had hurt her back and was unable to exercise. My mother always ate healthy but she gain 100 lbs after her injury. She needed to lose the weight and this surgery was the best option. There is a program that goes along with this surgery and there are help groups also.

AKA2D '91 · #7 12-03-2002, 05:15 PM

My LS had the surgery done last year, as well as the cafeteria manager at my school. I haven't seen my LS, but when I spoke with her during the summer, she had already lost 100 lbs. in a few months.

Tomorrow, I'll ask my co-worker how much she has lost to date. I know she was off for at least 6 weeks. Before the surgery, she had to go on a liquid diet, after the surgery, it was hard for her to eat the small portions required. As soon as she'd put too much down, it came right back up. I think she has it all under control. She did say that she could have a baby a year or so after the procedure had been done. Oh, she showed us a picture right after the procedure from when she was in high school. She said she wanted to get back to that weight. I think the surgery has done it.

I forgot...as far as costs. Their insurance paid for BOTH (both are school system employees). I guess it's like the breast reduction thing, if it is considered a medical hazard, the insurance will pay for it.

UDZETA · #8 12-03-2002, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I forgot...as far as costs. Their insurance paid for BOTH (both are school system employees). I guess it's like the breast reduction thing, if it is considered a medical hazard, the insurance will pay for it.

insurance paid for my moms too. Plus a tummy tuck and breast reduction.

AKA2D '91 · #9 12-04-2002, 10:23 AM

I just spoke with my colleague. She says she's lost 193 pounds thus far. She says she "pigged out" last week and LOST pounds. In her first month, she says she lost 20 pounds. She wears a girdle to "contain" the excess skin. She also says she consulting with a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck.

She and my LS have the same physician. She says I am not going to recognize my LS when I see her.

lovele1978 · #10 12-04-2002, 11:00 AM

An fellow employee where I work had the surgery as well. He was severely obese and had a very hard time losing the weight. At his age (mid 30's) he was told that if he didn't lose the weight soon he was at risk for early heart trouble. He had the surgery about six months ago and has lost 110 pounds. He does look a lot healthier and happier also. I don't think that the surgery is a totally bad idea in such extreme cases, but 1savvydiva, I don't think that your friend falls into that category. She may want to consider other options first if she is not doing it for her health.

1savvydiva · #11 12-04-2002, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lovele1978
An fellow employee where I work had the surgery as well. He was severely obese and had a very hard time losing the weight. At his age (mid 30's) he was told that if he didn't lose the weight soon he was at risk for early heart trouble. He had the surgery about six months ago and has lost 110 pounds. He does look a lot healthier and happier also. I don't think that the surgery is a totally bad idea in such extreme cases, but 1savvydiva, I don't think that your friend falls into that category. She may want to consider other options first if she is not doing it for her health.

I think so too, she seems like she has her mind made up though! I just can't believe that it is happening so soon! It just seems like we just started joking about it a few months ago, like HK1974 said, I thought you had to go through a lot of counseling and have DOCUMENTED failed attempts to lose weight. I don't know, it seems kinda shady to me, and why does she have to go to Charleston, it just seems like she found someone to do it who just wants the money. I am seriously trying to get her to REALLY think about it.

Dancerella1908 · #12 12-07-2002, 01:32 AM

I'm against having this surgery. I feel that one should try a doctor approved diet plan and exercise routine. I know of a Soror who died as a result of this surgery. I know there are risks w/ all that you do,but if you can avoid having surgery I recommend taking that path instead.

1savvydiva · #13 12-07-2002, 04:18 PM

Well, she did it! We shall see what comes of it...

Gyrl7 · #14 12-09-2002, 10:52 AM

Did anyone catch Al Roker on the Tim Russet show on CNBC last evening??? He discussed his GB surgery and how much weight he lost, and how much healthier he feels now. He looks totally different and much better.

Honeykiss1974 · #15 12-09-2002, 02:04 PM

Since this convo came up and I paid a visit with the Medical Director here at my hospital that runs our Weight Management Program. Here are some things that I didn't know:

Once you have had the surgery, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Unrevocable, meaning you have it for like
2. You lose 39 oz of stomache
3. You can not drink carbonated beverages
4. You must exercise at LEAST 5 times a week (for at least 1 hour) to prevent huge skins folds.
5. You can only eat tiny amounts of food at one sitting, which is about the size of your fist.(No more getting your grub on @ the holidays...)
6. You lose a large section of your small intestine (you lost the part that absords the food, calories, nutrients, etc.)
7. Hair loss may result from this surgery

8. The average person within a 4 month period will lose about
60-75 lbs.
9. You must follow a certain eating regime (not diet) FOR LIFE because if you do not, you will keep losing weight. For example, when you reach your goal weight, you must follow a certain eating regime in order to maintain that weight. If not, you will continue to lose weight (underweight).

The Medical Director also told me that any good program will consist of some type of long time counseling before and after the surgery. He said that any program that does not have this is one to watch out for.

1savvydive, I pray that your friend is ok.