serious answers only: gastric bypass anyone?

Question

I have struggled with my weight for all of my life. I have tried every diet but it never seems to work. One diet helped me lose over 50 pounds but I eventually gained all the wait back and some within a few months of me losing the weight. I am pretty young and I am 5-2 and over 220 pounds. I am seriously considering the gastric bypass surgery. If anyone has every undergone this procedure please help me. How long, in your case did it take you to recover ( get back to school/work)? Did the surgery leave permanent scars? Did you get nausea or find it hard to eat foods you liked before the operation? Was it worth everything you went through? Did you get infections or were in the hospital because of complications, what were they and how were they a hazard to your health. If you can answer any of these questions I would greatly appreciate it. How long after the operation did you see yourself losing weight and weight-related problems?

Answer 1

I had open gastric bypass surgery in December 2004. I am 22 years old and I am 5'10. My heighest weight was 325 pounds. I had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and I was borderline diabetic. I also struggled with polycystic ovarian syndrome (with irregular periods and fertility problems).

Within two months of surgery, I lost 40 pounds. My high blood pressure was down to a normal rate, and my blood sugar was back to normal. Ultimately, I lost 100 pounds total, and have maintained a much healthier weight for my frame.

My recovery time was about 3 weeks total. It was the worst for the first week, and got easier after that. I do have a scar on my abdomen, which I plan on getting surgically removed.

I didn't have any complications. The surgery was definitely worth it. I can still eat the foods I like, but I eat them in moderation. (Half a big mac instead of two big macs and a fry, etc.)

If people warn you about how dangerous the surgery is, they are right in saying so. Gastric bypass surgery rearranges your entire digestional makeup, and can be a risky surgery. But, bear in mind however, that although the surgery is dangerous, it is MORE dangerous to keep living a life of morbid obesity where accompanying health problems risk your chance of heart attack, stroke, or worse, on a daily basis.

For your height and weight, you would most likely be a candidate for the surgery. I of course would recommend the surgery because it worked for me. Good luck and best wishes for the future!

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear about your life-long struggle. My younger sister has had the same issue and researched the operation as well. I know of 2 people who had the surgery and are glad they did. As a young person with a Bachelor's in Physical Education, Corporate Fitness/Wellness, I generally am the last person to suggest surgery as a way to lose weight. But I am also 5'2" like yourself, and can imagine what 220 lbs would look like on my frame. You stated you've tried other diets before, but they either didn't work or you gained the weight back. I'm assuming, then, that these diets were fads and not actually changes in your lifestyle (which is what is necessary to lose weight and keep it off). Eating healthy and getting physical activity everyday is paramount in losing weight and staying fit. As for the surgery, of course everyone should first advise you to speak to your physician. From my personal experience with the people I know who have had the surgery, it was a great life-enhancing experience for them. They both, however, are not young and have the mentality that it is a life-changing event as well. They no longer can eat the foods they use to and know that it's important to stay physically active for their health, even though they lost so much excess fat. As you research the procedure, keep in mind that although it is a seemingly quick-fix for extra weight, it has implications as well and you'll still need to alter your lifestyle. Best of luck to you! :)

Answer 3

hey how are u doing i'm 24 years old and i had the gastric bypass surgery in march 29th 2006 and i'm doing very good. it's been 9 months and i loss 195lbs. but the thing about it is just b/c u have the surgery dosen't mean u can eat what u want. b/c u can't. and u will be on a strick diet. and just follow the instuctions.
i have a line on my stumach i keep coca butter on mine but since it healed up it look very sexxy very. this is the first time i ever seen a sexxy mark. and plus this is a mark of joy. and a new begining. they also do the gastric that they only stick a lil hole instead of cutting. it all depends on your size. but if i had to do it all over again i would. so do what u feel that is right. do it for your health and not for your looks.

Answer 4

My wife had gastric bypass and it worked wonderfully for her because she had the correct mind set--it is only a tool and not necessarily the solution. You still have to eat right and follow the doctor's orders. It is life altering. She refuses to eat sweets and it's been over three years. She gets food "stuck" occasionally and must vomit to feel better. The actual bypass surgery left no marks, but she has had a tummy tuck and a breast lift since, which were much more evasive than the bypass. She looks great--lost more than half her weight. My wife maybe the exception and not the rule. She has multiple co-workers and friends that have had the bypass and only one even comes close to her success. You must find the right surgeon, have a good support group and meet the requirements--BMI of 35 I think. There are website to help calculate your BMI. Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

My cousin was seriously overweight, she joined Weight Watchers and is dropping the pounds like crazy!

I also have a family friend who had the operation... he beat it. He continued to eat as normal, litterally stuffing himself until his stomach stretched out more to accomodate the food he is eating. He has not lost any weight. The operation won't help you unless you can practice self control.

I say give Weight Watchers a try and take a multivitamin like One a Day Weight Loss with EGCG to help supress your appetite and cravings before you go under the knife, if it doesn't help you lose some weight within a few months then reconsider the operation.

If you decide to try Weight Watchers, along with what they tell you, drink a ton of water, it will help you fill you up and cleanse your system. Try SlimFast shakes. Drink V8. Always keep gum handy, it will help the impulse to chew and have something in your mouth. Fruit flavors would be more helpful. If you don't like exercise make the most of what you do. Walk up and down stairs on the balls of your feet. Skip a stair or two.
Only keep healthy foods in your house. The best way to beat temptation is to completely avoid it!
These tips helped me lose 20 pounds!
Good luck!

Answer 6

i have not had this procedure done but if i might help you in the mean time i have 4 kids and you might know that helps add unwanted pounds. I eat 6 or 7 meals a day and it helps rather then eating to much that your metabolism cant get rid of at once eat smaller meals more frequently so that it has a chance to rid your body rather then sitting there taking up space that is needed for muscle. another thing you may or may not be able to do is exercise start out slow and work your way up i now walk 10 miles a day and when i first started i was only able to walk to the mail box and back

Answer 7

Gastric bypass is a dangerous and radically life changing procedure which should only be used if you are morbidly obese. You are no way heavy enough to need it. In short, it is not worth the risk for you. In a society where thinness is prized, women are being tempted by this costly, dangerous surgery. I know people who have had it with major complications. It also takes a lot of joy out of life - you become a slave to your stomach. At your weight, I'd avoid it.

Answer 8

I am a nurse and have seen patients and personnel friends who have undergone this surgery. I do not know you.But my advice would be to try every other option and use this as your very LAST resort. It has very serious health consequences that will last a life time. You need to weigh all of your options. And consider with your family and your doctor and talk it over with them. You will lose weight.But,you will also have dumping syndrome and can only eat small meals, can only eat certain foods. Some people get very ,very ill. A friend of mine went through over ten years of complications which finally cost her life. Some people can never drink alcohol.The list goes on and on . Very few people have few problems.But that is few. I don't want to scare you , I wish with all my heart for you to lose the weight . But please use this as your last alternative. Good luck and think about what I have said.This is from personnel and professional experiences.

Answer 9

Weight loss surgery-like gastric bypass /lap band surgery / stomach stapling and gastrectomy have become very common and very safe now. My cousin got her Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in India. She has lost more than 65 lbs in 5 months and is very happy with the results. The price for obesity surgery is very less in India. My cousin just paid 25% of the cost she was quoted in America. She got her surgery from a company called Forerunners Healthcare.

Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your Obesity surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Talk with your doctor, a Lap-Band may be a much better option. You lose weight more slowly, but the surgery is nowhere near as invasive as the bypass.