Has anyone had Gastric Bypass?

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  • I had gastric by-pass done in 2004. I lost 80 lbs in 5 months. I lost so fast and had food retention issues and should have exercised more but didn't have the energy. I got out of the habit of exercising and starting snacking and not eating like I should. I would have the surgery again, even knowing what I know. I would however get back into exerciseng and gettin my mind right sooner.. Because for the first 2-3 years you do not have an appetite and it is easy to eat smaller portions and get good eating and exercising habits. After that your appetite slowly come back. At first I could not tolerate any carbs but now I can eat a regular portion of some. So I guess the short answer is the surgery is not for everyone but it empowers you because you loose so much weight so fast almost without trying. Loosing weight was so easy for the first time! Just be commited to eating right and exercising for the rest of your life because your appetite will come back and you want to have your good habits in place before it does. After all, none of us got fat because we ate right and exercised. The other thing to be aware of is that alot of people are emotional eaters. I am. If you are, you need to deal with that because I kknow of people who started smoking or drinking because they didn't want to eat or couldn't eat but still had the emotion need for the gratification. So all they did was replace food with something that was not any better for them. Good Luck
  • Richie2shoes
    Richie2shoes Posts: 411 Member
    My doctor has also been suggesting this to me. His reasoning is that it is easier for a person my age (mid 40's) to bring the weight down and keep it off with the surgery than it is without. I've looked into it and spoken with several people that have had it. Everyone that has had it said they would do it again in an instant and each had minor complications after surgery.

    I'm holding off because after the surgery, I'll have to eat a healthier diet and exercise if I expect to keep the weight off, but if I eat a healthy diet and exercise now, the weight will come off on it's own. Slower yes, but the end result would be the same. So right now, diet and exercise is Plan A. Surgery, diet and exercise is Plan B.
  • cardinalsfootball
    cardinalsfootball Posts: 167 Member
    I think you reach a point where you decide, either I do it NOW, or I am getting the surgery, 100%. And then with your back against the wall, you try one more push to do it the non-surgical way - calorie restriction and exercise. Track everything, change your eating, stay under our calorie goals over day, no days off.

    If you fail, or haven't lost at least 1 pound per week at the end of 8 weeks, then pull the trigger.

    I know people both ways. And without exception, they said they had wished they tried "one last time" to eat healthy and diet, instead of doing the surgery first.
  • MsJackieO318
    MsJackieO318 Posts: 22 Member
    Don't let a Dr push you into something, do your own research and make your own choices. The surgery is not for everyone, and each individual will have their own issues. The surgery is not a cure all it, is a tool for you to use to improve your eating habits. You need to make lifelong changes to make this work. Exercise is extremely important. Vitamins and supplements are important. Food choices are extremely important. You can choose to eat a half cup of quinoa and veggies or a half a cup of KFC. Your choice. I do feel it is a great motivator as the weight falls off incredibly fast in the beginning, and I feel a problem people have with diet alone is they do not see results and get depresses and overeat, thus keeping the cycle going.

    I had gastric bypass about 2 and 1/2 years ago. I could not be more happy with the results. I went from 265 to 115 at my lowest. I have gained some bounceback weight, currently I am 133-135ish, but some of that may be muscle as I lift pretty heavy for a girl. I am on here to log my food and track, while I am by no means overweight I think I am perfect at 125 and would like to get down there. A lot of people think gastric bypass is an "easy way out" but it is a tool and you can still gain the weight back, I know many that have had the surgery and end up heavier than before. It is what YOU make of it. As for heavy lifting you will be fine in 6-8 weeks.
  • MsJackieO318
    MsJackieO318 Posts: 22 Member
    www.obesityhelp.com is a great tool for anyone considering/going through gastric bypass surgery
  • Hey there ! I am almost three months post op and lost 100 it's a very drastic surgery but u believe it has saved my life . I have battled with weight my whole life and tried every diet out there and boy this works but it needs to be a life change and also needs to be something you feel comfortable in doing please feel free to email me with an questions my email is mandramitchell5@gmail.com!! God bless
    R&Y 10/29/12
  • Chrissy180
    Chrissy180 Posts: 30 Member
    Plain and simple...had the surgery, lost the weight through diet and exercise, and then gain 100 lbs back..Why? Because I didn't use the tool that was given to me. Not long term. Fitness was my priority for the 1st few years and then my priorites changed and I ate myself fat again..If you know you can't lose the weight without the surgery then do the research and do whats right for you..but if you are able to go to work and do heavy lifting I would say eat right and exercise. No matter if you have the surgery or not the issues that lead you to overeat are still going to be there just waiting for you to slip. Good luck to you on your journey. I am fighting my way back, and its hard but I'm doing it...so can you.