Weight Loss Surgery

[UAHparrothead]

I am seriously considering having weight loss surgery in the summer. I have tried and tried for years to lose weight with little to no success. Are their any BNers who have experience with this kind of surgery? I know it won't be easy and it is not a "magic bullet", but I think I have run out of options. Feel free to PM. Thanks.

[SMLCHNG]

Not me, but good luck ((((Brad))))!!

[pbans]

I had lap band surgery a year ago.
It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself.
In the last year, I've lost 87 pounds.....I was on two different blood pressure medications, one cholestoral medication and hormones because my cycles were just out of whack.....
I went off of the last HBP medication two weeks ago....my blood pressure is normal, my cholestoral is at 117....and my hormonal swings are relatively normal....and weirdness is attributed to being menopausal at this point.
It's a tough choice because it changes everything......I've really had to examine my relationship with food and totally re-define it.
I'm telling you though, at 47 years old....I feel better than I EVER have....and looking better doesn't s*** either!
Feel free to PM me ANY TIME!

[mommar]

I know several people that have had gastric by-pass and most have done well. One however didn't follow dr's orders, and within a month of surgery
tried eating a donut, and another day a sub sandwich, and other days different foods that she shouldnt eat, Let's just say she used the ladies room for one reason or another many many times after she ate foods she shouldn't. That was 2 years ago, she finally gets it now and does what shes supposed to do.

two other people, replaced their eating habit with alcohol! They have both received some kind of help for that as well and are doing well now, about a year or so after their surgery.

But that's only 3 people out of about 8 that I know of. All are very happy with their results now.

Bottom line, realize what you are getting into before you do it. And do what you're supposed to and I'm sure you'll get the results you're looking for.

Good Luck Brad

[ph4ever]

I know 3 people that have had lap band. Haven't seen one in years so I'm not sure how she is now but boy she was dropping the weight when I last saw her. She was at the point to where she needed to go the cosmetic route to get rid of some loose skin, but otherwise she looked awesome. She wanted to loose more weight first. The other 2 I haven't seen in about a year so I'm not sure how they are doing or how much weight loss they've had. They also hired a personal trainer to come to their home for workouts and because they had good insurance it was covered.

All 3 told me the same thing Paige said - you have to re-evaluate your relationship with food.

Best of Luck to you should you decide to go that route!!! (((((Brad)))))

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Paige, WTG!!!

Brad, good for you, taking the bull by the horns. I've given surgery a casual look but know that if I went that way it would be lap band rather than gastric bypass, since it's all reversible and doesn't seem to have some of the potential complications.

[pbans]

Brad,
This is like "Buffettnews" for lap band people....it's an awesome site and can answer most of the questions you may have about lap band.....
http://www.lapbandtalk.com/
I looked in to GBP, but it just wasn't for me....but I'm sure there are some great sites for that, too.
This one is a good overall site, but their forum is WEIRD to me....there are some very strange folks there.....
http://www.obesityhelp.com/

[nutmeg]

I have two friends who have undergone gastric bypass. One has since moved and I don't see her much anymore, but she lost 100 lbs. She had some problems with hair loss, but that straightened itself out.

The other lady has lost 130 lbs and has had a couple of related sugeries since. (One for a hernia and one to get rid of excess skin)

Both had several health problems that have been helped by the weight loss.

Whatever you decide to do Brad...all the best to you.

[srkmrd]

I have two friends who have had great sucess with GBS and a couple that I do not know pesonally but have heard of great success with lap. I am one of those people who seems to get 50 pounds over weight and at times really thought if I just could gain another 30 or 50 I could have surgery..........but with a lot of inspiration from the healty living thread here and a hubby who has jumped on the band wagon with me I (we) have lost about 18 of th 40 I need to lose. And I feel 100% better, before January 5 I hurt everyday and every night.........with all that said............Definatley do what is right for you....if it be surgery or a weight loss program...do what makes you feel good and what makes you healthy.
I am sure you have heard and maybe even said this ........ maybe not (everything) but all things in moderation....that is kinda my diet right now. I do not say I cannot have anything...I can have anything I want as long as I stay within my calorie count...and that is only 1040 a day.....sounds low but I am 5'2" with a non-existant metabolism. I exercise about 5 times a week and it is coming off. I have learned where and what I can eat to satify me......I know that i do not want to have a 800 calorie bacon cheese burger and be hungry in a couple of hours when I can eat a large portion of rice and fish and still have another nice meal. There are so many programs and life changes that work for diferent people. Just find your nitch and go with it......
Good luck..........and come join the Healthy Living thread!!!

[springparrot]

My cousin's husband had GBP surgery many many years ago. The surgery was successful---for awhile. And then he started to gain weight again.
He gained everything he lost and then more.
A few years ago, he went to another surgeon and they can't find the staples anywhere.
No one has any idea what happened to them.

This time he had gastric band surgery and so far, so good.

A Mom from my school had GBP surgery and got a staph infection. She was in the hospital almost a year and almost died, but she did recover and has lost 1/2 of herself.

But times have changed and I know your surgery will be successful.
((((Brad))))

[pbans]

I have two friends who have undergone gastric bypass. One has since moved and I don't see her much anymore, but she lost 100 lbs. She had some problems with hair loss, but that straightened itself out.

The other lady has lost 130 lbs and has had a couple of related sugeries since. (One for a hernia and one to get rid of excess skin)

Both had several health problems that have been helped by the weight loss.

Whatever you decide to do Brad...all the best to you.

The hair loss comes with massive weight loss, no matter what method you use.....it happened to me, it happens to a lot of people....but like you said, it resolves itself and isn't a big deal.

[UAHparrothead]

One of the procedures I am considering is Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch, which is more evasive than lap-band, but I've got a lot of weight to lose. I appreciate everyone's input. As for the hair loss, I don't have that much more to lose anyway

[pbans]

One of the procedures I am considering is Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch, which is more evasive than lap-band, but I've got a lot of weight to lose. I appreciate everyone's input. As for the hair loss, I don't have that much more to lose anyway

Brad.....do A LOT of research on DS....there are some VERY unpleasant, long-lasting side effects....it's a very effective at weight loss, but the malabsorbtion associated with it is disturbing to me.