This is embarrassing to talk about, but I need some answers. I am considering having a gastric bypass to lose weight. Normal diets don't work, I have lost weight., only to gain back more than I lost. I have a lot of weight to lose. I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is getting worse. I am 39 years old, and feel that this could be the prime of my life, and .....it's not. I can't spend as much time with my daughter and husband as I'd like to. Her childhood is passing me by. Is there anyone out there that has had a gastric bypass? I'd love to hear from you. Pros and cons. What am I up against? If you want to talk privately about this, you can email me at tadair@soltec.net.
Angie, I haven't had a gastric bypass but I would say see what your Doctor thinks..I have heard where they are great sometimes but eating and getting nutrition is a problem. It is a very serious surgery so take your time deciding.
Angie I had the surgery about 10 years ago and from my own experience I would say but mine was an unusual case. I ended up with a surgical wound infection that took 2 years to heal. In the end I gained 5lb. For me it was certainly not worth it
Since my case was so different I would suggest that you go to Morbid obesity support at mobidobesity/home.phtml (I think that is it I will go check it in a minute) i have spent some time there discussing having the surgery again. It is a great site because they really offer support - they help hook you up with doctors that do the surgery - I have had them call just to check up on how I am doing even though I have decided not to have it done again.
Good luck with you decision it is not an easy one because it is a very major surgery. It can not be taken lightly.
If you need to talk or need more information on the morbid obesity site let me know. My email is sln323@hotmail.com.
__________________
Sandy
A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.
Last edited by stitcher45; 07-21-2002 at 01:42 PM.
I had this surgery ten years ago, and even though it was difficult, and has had it's drawbacks, I would do it again in a second. Recovery was very hard, as it wasn't just about learning to eat small amounts, but the psychological effects of feeling you were missing out when you couldn't gorb out like everyone else. I did gain back some of the weight that I lost, but it was not due to overeating....it was from not changing my water drinking habits, and not being able to sip instead of guzzle as I had become so used to doing in trying to lose weight more naturally. I also have had some complications since the surgery, one that needs to be surgically repaired, but because I had a baby last year who requires extra time due to a disability, I have not been able to take the time for "me" just yet. It is not an easy decision to make, and I wish you luck as you struggle to figure out if this is best for you. Myself, personally, I am very glad that I had it done, and if you wish to speak to me further, let me know, and I will email you. Good luck!
I haven't had the surgery but I know a friend that did, and her incision got infected and looked horrible and she looked miserable. She just had this all happen, so hers may take 2 years to heal too. And I think I remember her saying that these infections are not uncommon and she was getting support from some bulletinboards/websites.
I'm 44 and at around 40 I had to seriously cut down on the quantity of food I ate to keep my weight steady. I've also cut out just about all breads. I personally can't imagine anyone wanting to have surgery for weight loss. Your weight is completely under your control if you are willing to change your eating habits and quantities.
Restricting your diet isn't fun, but you're going to have to restrict your diet anyway with the surgery, so why not take control of yourself and just restrict your diet without having some doctor cut into you and risking your health and maybe even your life. And especially if you already have health problems, it seems logical that your body is already struggling to stay healthy and adding a seriously traumatic surgery to what your body has to care for seems unrealistic.
And, of course, no one says you can't be happy just because you are overweight! I have friends that are quite large and they are very active and social and don't let their weight/size get in their way. They've accepted that they are their personality, not the wrappings.
I just had to respond, Maura.....not all weight problems are within someone's control....there are medications that cause weight gain, illnesses that cause weight gain.....it isn't always about making the "right choices". In my case, I had a serious problem digesting fiber, which is absolutely necessary to lose weight. Most doctors would not even dream of performing this surgery if they thought that a patient had not exhausted all other possible choices. I believe if I were going to do it all over again, I would hook myself up with a therapist first to work out the psychological changes that come about, as well as probably not broadcasting the fact that I was having the surgery until after results were seen. There were too many people out there who thought I was taking the "easy way out", and had no self-control....when that was just the opposite of why I had the surgery. Even after ten years, I still have great difficulty with fiber in my diet, and perhaps the worst thing I deal with is the "dumping" after a meal, but I've heard that it is normal....(incredible urge to have a bowel movement as soon as you eat a meal).
I am still overweight, but not like I was, and I would never have been able to feel the way I do without the surgery. I'd have been dead from obese related illnesses years ago.....and it would have had nothing to do with self control............ Hope this helps
Angie - I had surgery 15 years ago, mixed feelings. Gained lots weight back, wrong food choices. However, wonder what weight would be without this control. I developed HYPOGLACIMIA. Food choice important here. Like with diet- still comes down to choices-what are you willing to live with(out). Also developed sluggish eusaphagis(sp?). Over swallow-PAIN-and it comes back up. Must chew well. Have to swallow three or four times to get it down. Exercise also key. With the artheritis a chicken and egg problem. I have heard of a new surgery, uses a balloon technique. Doctor inflate/deflate based on need. Avoids problem of loosing too much weight (Really Happens), or if patient not happy giving up food volume restricted by bypass. Check mechanisms of by-pass, not simply food pass through, still need to diet. Have you tried the volumemetrics approach? My 23 year old daughter lost over 100 lbs this way before it became fashionable. Told her she should have wrote a book. Good luck-Virginia
I had gastric bypass last Aug 01-I had no problems after the surgery and have been thrilled with the results.I started at a size 28/30 311lbs -5'10" and I am now a size 16. My interest was health related (my seemly older brother died at 42 of heart atteck-i turned 42 this year)I dont own a scale and dont know my cuurent weight-as I said my primary interest was to get to a normal weight and keep myself healthy for my family. I did have to learn to eat slow ,not gulp liquids, -but my only lingering after effect has been some hair loss and I cannot tolerate milk but cheese & other dairy products do not bother me.If you have any other question feel to email me.
Everyone has to decide for themselves about having this procedure-it shouldnt be a frivolous decision-
I have battled weight my entire life,been on every diet and excercise plan i could find-I never found a permanent solution to my weight problem with those methods-so for me this was a good choice.
Kind regards
Amy Zerkle
SAHM to Britt 14, Zack 7 , and lil' Andi 5
Thank you all for your replies. It is a very tough decision. Believe me, I have tried everything else. This won't be what some suggest, "an easy way out", or, "the lazy way". I have tried everything. I have lost a lot of weight, just to gain way more weight back. My metabolism is so messed up. I have come to except myself over my 39 years. This isn't about looking skinny or pretty. I am at the point, where my quality of life is going downhill. I can't do things with my family that smaller people can, and I want to. My daughter will only be young once. She needs a mother that can do fun things with her. Still, I don't know if this will be the right thing for me. I am doing a lot of praying over this one. God bless all of you. Your responses mean so much to me, and I would like to hear from more of you. Angie
Whatever you do do not have the gastric bypass surgury. I had it 20 years ago and I have had problems ever since. It ruptured and I had a hernia it was repaired and ruptured The last time I had it repaired it became infected and I almost died DO NOT DO IT. See a dietician and get help in planning a diet. Please do not do this. It is not worth the risk.
This is embarrassing to talk about, but I need some answers. I am considering having a gastric bypass to lose weight. Normal diets don't work, I have lost weight., only to gain back more than I lost. I have a lot of weight to lose. I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is getting worse. I am 39 years old, and feel that this could be the prime of my life, and .....it's not. I can't spend as much time with my daughter and husband as I'd like to. Her childhood is passing me by. Is there anyone out there that has had a gastric bypass? I'd love to hear from you. Pros and cons. What am I up against? If you want to talk privately about this, you can email me at 
