Gastric Bypass...To have the surgery or not? What should i do?

Question

I am about 100 pounds over weight. I have tried every diet in the book and have been unsuccessful in keeping the weight off or sticking with the program. I once lost 68 pounds and was so happy, it was one of the happiest times in my life. Obviously i have gained that and more. I am now seriously thinking about Gastric Bypass. I am only 34 years old and feel the weight impacting me daily. My back, knees and hips are always aching!! I have heard pros and cons about gastric bypass and would love to hear more. Please if you have any insight on this subject positive or negative I would really appreciate it.

Answer 1

For 100 lbs. I would look into the lap band. The GB is an EXTREME MEAUSURE. If you're okay with taking vitamins for the rest of your life, then go ahead and have surgery. There are so many risk, and complications it's crazy. You can't eat sweets, candy, junk food, or you'll have dumping syndrome. I have seen a friend of mine experience dumping syndrome and it resembles the shakes, sweating, moaning in pain, ect. If you slip up, and eat a peice of chocolate boom dumping syndrome hits. You may want to research this more! Go to this site www.obesityhelp.com

Remember you will have to live with this decision for the rest of your life. There are other WLS like DS, Lap band, VSG, VBG, ect. look into it.

PS. Most likely weight regain will be a problem. A lot of RNY's (Gastric Bypasser's) will get a lap band to help lose their weight regain. Sooner of later your pouch will stretch, and that means that it will be easy to over-eat again. REMEMBER the surgery is NOT a miracle. It's a tool it helps you drop weight, but it's up to you to keep it off.

Answer 2

Yes, you can get all of those folds if you lose a very large amount of weight very quickly, whether it's naturally or through gastric bypass. A lot of it has to do with your age and skin type. If you're younger and have more elastic skin you might get by with less extra skin folds. I work with a girl who has recently lost 70 lbs very quickly, and she doesn't have any loose skin. She's only 23, though, and never had a baby. I have to tell you something about gastric bypass, though. Our hospital's ICU hasn't been getting very many patients lately, because we aren't doing a lot of cardiovascular surgeries anymore. The lack of ICU patients is causing a major problem with the hospital budget. They need a lot of extremely ill patients, and they need them fast. Guess how they've decided to remedy that problem?! They hired a guy who's going to start doing gastric bypass surgery. That's a surefire way to get a lot of critically ill patients very quickly. Even though he's a good surgeon and has above-average results, gastric bypass surgery is extraordinarily risky. All the ICU nurses and ER nurses have to go to seminars now, where they learn about all of the complications of the surgery and how to deal with them. Rather than having the gastric bypass surgery and risking your life, you could try just going on the gastric bypass diet. It would have all of the positive effects and none of the negative effects of the surgery.

Answer 3

If you can't keep to a diet or eating plan/program now how are you going to keep to the all the eating restrictions AFTER you have the surgery. Gastric Bypass is NOT a quick fix and if you maintain the same eating habits you had before the surgery you'll gain it all back anyway...not to mention the SERIOUS dangers of ANY surgery and possible complications.

If you can afford Gastric Bypass surgery then you can most certainly afford Weight Watchers and I would think that would be a much better option.

Answer 4

Gastric Bypass is serious surgery that carries risk of infection and has a Mortality rate of close to 2%. I would not do it. I went on a diet 3 years ago that allowed me to drop 75 Pounds in 6 Months. Essentially, I has an egg white Omelet for breakfast, a small can of Tuna for lunch, and a regular dinner (small portions). I allowed myself 2 bowls of Honey nut Cheerios for a snack each day. Altogether, I had ~ 1000 calories/day. I also started an exercise program with free weights. The pounds just melted off. Try something like this first. Of course, see your Doctor before starting any program.

Answer 5

If you could not be successful in any other dieting attempt you will definitely not be successful with a gastric bypass. Here is the logic: Have you talked to your doctor about post-op? You will have MORE restrictions in your diet after a gastric bypass surgery than you would if you were dieting conventionally. If you do not control the types of foods you eat after a gastric bypass you could not only kill what is left of your innards but will stretch out your newly reshaped stomach and end up in the same situation you already are in. By the way post bypass surgery you will not be able to consume tea, soda, coffee, some acidic juices, chocolate and much much more. Please exhaust all of your routes before getting all chopped up. :)

Answer 6

Most bariatric surgeons insist that, before you decide for surgery, you meet with a bariatric psychologist and a dietitian to be sure that you are able to commit to the strictures necessary for the surgery to be a success. There have been people who had the surgery and refused to limit their intake afterward who actually died from a hemorrhaged stomach. Some people find that, after working through their eating patterns and emotional state with a bariatric psychologist, they are actually able to lose the weight and keep it off without surgery.

Talk to your GP about the option of surgery. That's the starting point, and they can direct you to the proper folks to help you decide what's best in the long run.

Answer 7

My mom and sister had it done just weeks apart. My mom did wonderful and is a healthy weight. My sister on the other hand was 18 when she got it and never really got down to a normal weight and gained most of it back later, nor does she eat right or take the vitamins needed for her re worked body. Theres alot to consider. Most gain 20% back after 2 years and you must take vitamins and B12 shots in order to not develop other issues. Sometimes, ok alot of times, people find ways to over eat and stretch their stomach (pouch) out. I recommend finding a doctor who offers support groups for people who have had or are considering the surgery, normally called "pouch pals" I believe. You coulkd go speak to a whole room of people who have had it done and get great advice and info on it. Good luck!

Answer 8

That is a very serious and dangerous surgery. Please just be accepting of yourself and forget about looks, do this only as a last resort. Try and not think about dieting and just try and change some of your habits, maybe eating late at night, or cut out some favorite snack that you cannot resist, keep moving, trying parking your car further away each time you go anywhere, do this little by little and you will be pleasantly surprised how these little things can really work for you over time. Good luck to you.

Answer 9

I say thats a very extreme measure... I'd exercise to see if it would work or maybe go see a doctor to see if they can help you with a plan to see if you can lose the weight. 100 pounds sounds like alot but its not. Think about the people who are 2-300 pounds over weight and they don't really have a big chance... I'd really think about it thats a big decision.

Answer 10

My bestfriend had gastric bypass, She passed away in October. she had taken some benadryl and her body didn't absorb it the way it should have because of the surgery.

I would suggest not having it done. It's not worth the risk.