weight loss surgery!

hfzimmerman

Hello,
I'm just wondering who's had, what type, would you do it again and any info you'd like to share.
Thanks!

jessifreehugs

You're probably not going to get a ton of responses on here about WLS. That being said, check out www.obesityhelp.com. They have great forums and success stories as well as cold hard facts about all types of WLS. Good luck!

pronetocrash91

Yeah, I'm going to echo what the person above me said. People here aren't too kind when it comes to things like weight loss surgery.

I wish you luck though! I hope you find more info and find something that works for you.

mncmom3

Hi Heather,

I looked in to it before joining MFP. Park Nicollet (and all of the other major hospitals) hold free informational sessions for those looking into these procedures. I would recommend signing up for one in addition to going to obesityhelp.com. The most important thing I can tell you is that it is not a quick fix- it really is a life style change just like any other method to lose weight. I decided to try it on my own at this point because of the recovery and the program is much like the restricted cal diet my dietitian put me on without surgery. These are "tools" to lose weight but ultimately it is up to you to adhere to the special diet and maintain the assigned program. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide is best for you.

Mads1997

If you use the search button above you will find a few threads for weight loss surgeries

hfzimmerman

Thanks for the replies. I've already done an information seminar but like hearing from real people who have had it. I don't consider it lightly, I know it is a tool and that significant changes need to be made but I'm running out of options. I cannot go on doctor prescribed medicine to assist and I've been trying unsuccessfully for years now to lose weight and even when I'm on top of everything(healthy eating, in/under calories, exercise) with still no success I always stay within 5 pounds of the same weight.

amarkle86

I have the lap band The important thing to remember is that it's just a tool, not a solution. It helps move you in the right directly, but you have to make it a complete life style change. You can message me if you have any questions.

jcmartin0313

I have the lap band The important thing to remember is that it's just a tool, not a solution. It helps move you in the right directly, but you have to make it a complete life style change. You can message me if you have any questions.

Ditto. If you think it is any sort of magic bullet you are wrong. In the beginning it works for most everyone and deceives you into thinking you can go on eating whatever you want in smaller quantities. If you are not willing to make the same changes before lap band than do not do it.

reddirtgal

I had a gastric segmentation band done in 2002. I lost 183 lbs in 2 years, but held no food down. After two years it had to come off because I was down in 110 lbs and losing daily still, I lost all my muscle mass and most of my hair. I started having cavities as well. My body was starving to death. After band removal (which was lodged in scar tissue-8 hr surgery), I gave birth to a baby and started regaining all plus some of my weight. I recently decided to lose the weight the hard way, and the safe way with MFP. I would NOT recommend surgery, at all. Of several friends who had surgery, none have been successful. Do it this way, I promise!!

KevDaniel

I decided against it and did it on my own. I feel this was the best choice for me because it allowed me to change mentally and progress to a healthy life rather than trying to just get the result I wanted.

jcmartin0313

I had a gastric segmentation band done in 2002. I lost 183 lbs in 2 years, but held no food down. After two years it had to come off because I was down in 110 lbs and losing daily still, I lost all my muscle mass and most of my hair. I started having cavities as well. My body was starving to death. After band removal (which was lodged in scar tissue-8 hr surgery), I gave birth to a baby and started regaining all plus some of my weight. I recently decided to lose the weight the hard way, and the safe way with MFP. I would NOT recommend surgery, at all. Of several friends who had surgery, none have been successful. Do it this way, I promise!!

In fairness, far better options exist now. I am banded and have had marvelous success. Most people who fail WLS do so because they do not follow the post-operative instructions. There is a very small percentage of people who encounter the experience described here. I certainly do not recommend anything more restrictive than a band or sleeve unless your life is in jeopardy.

AmazonRDH

I had RNY gastric bypass in June of 2000 and lost 211 pounds in 11 months. It does bring a lot of health problems, all of which I've been able to work around and deal with.

amarkle86

I had a gastric segmentation band done in 2002. I lost 183 lbs in 2 years, but held no food down. After two years it had to come off because I was down in 110 lbs and losing daily still, I lost all my muscle mass and most of my hair. I started having cavities as well. My body was starving to death. After band removal (which was lodged in scar tissue-8 hr surgery), I gave birth to a baby and started regaining all plus some of my weight. I recently decided to lose the weight the hard way, and the safe way with MFP. I would NOT recommend surgery, at all. Of several friends who had surgery, none have been successful. Do it this way, I promise!!

In fairness, far better options exist now. I am banded and have had marvelous success. Most people who fail WLS do so because they do not follow the post-operative instructions. There is a very small percentage of people who encounter the experience described here. I certainly do not recommend anything more restrictive than a band or sleeve unless your life is in jeopardy.

I agree with you completely jcmartin, things have changed. I know at least 10 people who have had some type of WLS, and they've all been successful except for one. She wasn't successful because she refused to follow the rules and change her eating habits. Each person is different, you can't really base one persons experience on what your decision will be. You need to take a hard look at yourself and commit to change. And you have to remember that each persons success or fail story is not your story, you have to make your own story.

felicia_s

Hello! I had a duodenal switch. I would definitely do it again. I researched for about 2 years on obesityhelp.com and decided that the DS was the best choice for me. The first few months were pure hell. But it got easier day by day. I pretty much followed an Atkins' type diet the first year. You might be thinking, well if I just follow an Atkins diet I will lose the weight. Maybe, maybe not. It was so much easier to follow the correct diet as I was unable to overeat and didn't crave sweets like I used to crave.

I had my surgery about 4 years ago. I have regained 15 pounds from my lowest weight. Not a huge amount, but I want to nip it in the bud before it gets too out of hand. So I'm back here on MFP logging food and exercise again.

I would say NOW I am like any normal woman who has gained a few pounds and wants to lose them before bathing suit season.

Do what's right for you...whether that means surgery or not.

Take care,

Felicia

reddirtgal

I did follow the rules, mine was put on wrong. It was sewed to my stomach lining instead of around my stomach. After 2 years, and nearly losing my life, I still would not recommend it. It is a tool only, not a solution. You can eat around it, I have several friends still banded and even RNY friends who managed to put the weight back on. You have to be willing to change your life and eating styles and habits and MOVE your body. You cannot eat whatever you want, never exercise and lose and keep it off. MFP is the best option for me. I am just glad I had a second chance at life, to lose it this way.

mattschwartz01

I would really rather see you lose weight the way it was intended. WLS is very traumatic to the stomach and there are no long term studies on the side effects. If you think about it, the stomach is a key organ for survival, much like your heart, liver, and kidneys. Weight loss through patience, determination, hard work, and support from your friends at MFP is the absolute best way to go about it. I have 170 pounds to lose and I'm only on day 5 of my program but I REFUSE to consider WLS. I'm way to capable a person for that.

mattschwartz01

I decided against it and did it on my own. I feel this was the best choice for me because it allowed me to change mentally and progress to a healthy life rather than trying to just get the result I wanted.

Damn, dude! That rules. Congrats on an awesome amount of weight lost! I won't bemoan 170 that I've got to lose.

auddii

I had a gastric segmentation band done in 2002. I lost 183 lbs in 2 years, but held no food down. After two years it had to come off because I was down in 110 lbs and losing daily still, I lost all my muscle mass and most of my hair. I started having cavities as well. My body was starving to death. After band removal (which was lodged in scar tissue-8 hr surgery), I gave birth to a baby and started regaining all plus some of my weight. I recently decided to lose the weight the hard way, and the safe way with MFP. I would NOT recommend surgery, at all. Of several friends who had surgery, none have been successful. Do it this way, I promise!!

In fairness, far better options exist now. I am banded and have had marvelous success. Most people who fail WLS do so because they do not follow the post-operative instructions. There is a very small percentage of people who encounter the experience described here. I certainly do not recommend anything more restrictive than a band or sleeve unless your life is in jeopardy.

I agree with you completely jcmartin, things have changed. I know at least 10 people who have had some type of WLS, and they've all been successful except for one. She wasn't successful because she refused to follow the rules and change her eating habits. Each person is different, you can't really base one persons experience on what your decision will be. You need to take a hard look at yourself and commit to change. And you have to remember that each persons success or fail story is not your story, you have to make your own story.

Agreed, my mom had WLS, and she lost a lot of weight (and hair and muscle), but has since put a lot back on because she wasn't compliant. If you try to use it as a "get skinny quick" option and not a swift kick in the pants to get your life in gear and start eating healthy and exercising, then it won't work. Now my mom is considering a "revision" to her surgery. It still won't work because she isn't willing to exercise and really look at what she's eating.

reddirtgal

I agree that the band and other surgerys can be abused. However, not every person who has WLS horror stories was breaking the rules. The surgeon who removed my band gave me a cd of photos showing how it was put on wrong. WLS can go wrong if you use the wrong doctor. There are risks to your life when considering these options, choose carefully. I am sure procedures have come a long way, but know the risks and know that they all are NOT successful in the way you would hope. I definitely lost weight, but almost died in the process. Worth it? Not for me.

reddirtgal

I decided against it and did it on my own. I feel this was the best choice for me because it allowed me to change mentally and progress to a healthy life rather than trying to just get the result I wanted.

hsobolew

Honestly I am not a fan. My mom had complete gastric bypass surgery 6 years ago and died a week later from a leak of intestinal fluid into her abdomen. Sadly we usually only see the success stories from these types of surgeries when in reality there are so many potentially fatal complications.

kakes80

I too considered surgery, Started the process of following the diet and exercise plan. After the first month I lost 15 lbs. It was then I realized I could do it on my own. I have lost 55 lbs. With about 150 to go. It can be done with time and patience.

briannadunn

One of my friends brothers is dying, he is on stomach tube feeding and has lost over 100 pounds in 3 weeks. He is one story you will never hear. I also have 5 friends who have had bypass and are losing weight well. My take on it is this is for a life time and if you learn to lose weight on your own then you will have a lasting effect. You don't have to get surgery to eat the way they do. Take chia seeds or a natural appetite suppressants and eat low calories. IF you have the will power to eat the way they do on weightloss surgery then you will lose weight without it.

CyberEd312

I have stated on here numerous times that I take away nothing from those that choose to have WLS to use it as a tool to save there lives but that being said I also like to throw my hat into the ring and tell you it CAN be done on your own. I was 560 lbs. just 4 years ago and unable to walk could barely stand for 30 seconds at a stretch. I had been home bound for over 2 years when I had the AHA moment I had enough common sense to know that if I could not fix what was broken in my head then nothing not even WLS was going to make a bit of difference. So I got into therapy to first address my addictions and then hit the Pool to use water displacement to allow me to stand long enough to begin to exercise... I spent 17 months in the water and lost close to 180 lbs, before I could get out of the pool and be fitted for knee OA braces to allow me to exercise out of the water... Fast forward to today and you can see my ticker, I have taken control of my destiny and now my future is again unwritten... You have to do what is best for you first and foremost but just wanted to say you can dig yourself out of any hole as long as your willing to put forth the effect.... Best of Luck......

NeverSometimesTV

I had the Lap-band and it ruined my life, seriously. Had to have it removed after numerous complications. Now I get to look forward to paying off the placement and removal for the next 10 years. I would NEVER do it again and would never recommend it to anyone.

reddirtgal

I had the Lap-band and it ruined my life, seriously. Had to have it removed after numerous complications. Now I get to look forward to paying off the placement and removal for the next 10 years. I would NEVER do it again and would never recommend it to anyone.

Amen girl! Like me, you are a lucky one!

reddirtgal

I have stated on here numerous times that I take away nothing from those that choose to have WLS to use it as a tool to save there lives but that being said I also like to throw my hat into the ring and tell you it CAN be done on your own. I was 560 lbs. just 4 years ago and unable to walk could barely stand for 30 seconds at a stretch. I had been home bound for over 2 years when I had the AHA moment I had enough common sense to know that if I could not fix what was broken in my head then nothing not even WLS was going to make a bit of difference. So I got into therapy to first address my addictions and then hit the Pool to use water displacement to allow me to stand long enough to begin to exercise... I spent 17 months in the water and lost close to 180 lbs, before I could get out of the pool and be fitted for knee OA braces to allow me to exercise out of the water... Fast forward to today and you can see my ticker, I have taken control of my destiny and now my future is again unwritten... You have to do what is best for you first and foremost but just wanted to say you can dig yourself out of any hole as long as your willing to put forth the effect.... Best of Luck......

What an inspiration you are to all of us! Hats off to you!!

bdeezy3396

I had the gastric sleeve done on 11-26-2012 and I'm down 85 lbs. I followed the Docs orders and listened very closely to my nutritionist, and have not had any problems. The hardest part was the day after surgery at the hospital, but once I got home I felt a lot better. I was out of the house 3 days after surgery, and back to work within 3 weeks. My last blood work showed all of my vitamins and minerals are good, my blood sugar is normal, and my cholesterol levels and blood pressure have never been better. So for me this has been a great tool, great experience, and has saved my life.

SchnookyGirl

Hi - I'm a little late to the party, but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents...I have been a wee bit leery to talk about weight loss surgery on the message boards because some of the comments I've gotten have been pretty inappropriate - and in all honesty, a little mean. I had the Duodenal Switch (DS) done a year ago, and have lost 120 pounds (still have about 100 go to). We all need to do what is right for us - for some, that is weight loss surgery, for others, it is counting calories, doing Atkins, South Beach, MFP, whatever.
I didn't go into the decision blindly, I talked to a lot of doctors, sought out a lot of advice from those who had weight loss surgery, and listened to my gut/heart. Diabetes and heart disease are major health concerns in my family - my mother and father both had Type II diabetes - they suffered terribly and died at young ages. They both lost both legs, use of their kidneys, suffered strokes, etc. It was a sad thing to see what diabetes did to them. Both sets of grandparents had diabetes; aunts, uncles, and cousins on all sides have/had diabetes. My endocrinologist sat me down one day and said, "Becky, you can lose all the weight you want, you are ALWAYS going to be a diabetic. You can exercise every single day and eat the right things, but you are ALWAYS going to be a diabetic." I didn't believe him, so I went to another doctor, and another doctor, and another doctor. All telling me the same thing. Yes, losing weight will help control diabetes, but it will always be there. Going back to my original endocrinologist, he suggested I talk to someone about a procedure called the Duodenal Switch - he had read there was great success for diabetic patients. So, I called the U of M, and made an appointment with one of the oldest surgeons I'd ever met - Dr. Buchwald. He spoke in plain language and didn't pull any punches. Yes, being fat was my fault - genetics plays a roll, but I'm my own worst enemy. Yes, losing weight will help with health problems and help get the diabetes under better control. No, losing weight will NOT cure diabetes. Dr. Buchwald went on to say that over 90% of his patients were "cured" of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. After doing my research, doing a lot of praying, and talking things over with my love, I decided this was what I needed to do.
A year later, my doctor is petitioning to have diabetes removed from my medical record. I've lost 120 pounds, am doing my first 5k on Sunday, and have a wonderful outlook on my future. Was there a chance I could have died from surgery? You bet there was. Were there complications from surgery? Sure...but nothing too serious, and nothing I'm still dealing with now. Do I have to watch my vitamin levels and closely watch my protein intake? Every single day for the rest of my life. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Glad and proud. Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out, as some would have you believe. I struggle with food, and always will, but I have the tools, the knowledge, and the support that I need to continue to be successful.
I'm happy to talk if you'd like...and I apologize for the length of this post...just wanted to help you understand where one person who underwent weight loss surgery was coming from. Best of luck to you!!

wowser5

WOW! Congratulations.... you are an inspiration to many!

jennifer1726

Hi! I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery in March of this year, March 11 to be exact. Since then i have lost 50 lbs. I am feeling much better and have so much more energy. I have really began to accept my new way of life. In the past I was never really for it for myself but always had friends that I knew that had the surgery. But in the past 7 years, since I had my twins it became more and more difficult to lose the weight and to be able to maintain a steady workout plan. I kept having issues with my back and my knees. I made the decision in June of last year and had a lot of things to get done prior to the surgery. One thing that solidified my decision was my last doctor's appointment prior to surgery with my PCP. Everything was up, my blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, and i even had an abnormal EKG. This made me certain it was the right decision, because had I not been going for surgery those would have all required new meds to maintain. But I am told that the surgery will more than likely begin to correct these with my new lifestyle.

Congratulations Schnooky Girl, never be ashamed of it, it is merely another tool for our toolbox.
:happy: