I'm pre-op for gastric bypass...

lapband is not near as bad. looked into it myself. did not think i could be compliant in the long run. i was pre-op too and for medical reasons i had to address them first. would like to drink a carbonated beverages and nuts. it takes more will power than i have so i am glad i did not do it. good luck 2 u.

wow, this is a topic that has encouraged me to write about my own weight loss surgery - performed earlier this year (May in fact).
I've always thought of myself as quite a strong minded person who encourages others to be empowered and strong of mind, body and spirit. I trained as a social worker although had a paralegal background also. After about 3 years of toing and froing as to whether I would require a RnY (gastric bypass) I finally ended up having it carried out. It was not an easy decision. But I have jumped ahead of myself. For whatever reason - and my reasons were many - there are some blockages some of us just cannot get over, whether we see a NUT (nutritionist) or therapist or do every diet imaginable. I was never a weighty kid, and nor in fact an overweight adult - till I went through menopause and also had a number of other issues that piled up so much so I just needed some serious help. So, I decided after a locum doctor suggested I was depressed and would I benefit from some therapy I decided to take control of myself - before I asked to be referred to therapy. Soooo, I sat myself down one day with my husband and told him all of my woes - hey, from child abuse, to rape, to fighting family in court to retain our family land and other family issues that try as I might - I could not hold it all together. Decision was made to at least go and talk with the surgeon (WLS) and his team - and there were many - a nurse, a psychiatrist, a nutritionist and also the surgeon. The information that they gave to me was beneficial and I came away thinking that I had not been in control of my life for such a long time. How in the world could I have been helping everyone else and yet I couldn't even help myself?
Like I said previously I have not been severely obese but was becoming hypertensive, had had no history of high blood pressure but this was fast becoming an issue, my knees ached, I had sleep apnoea, physically I was brassed off with myself because I love to walk and exercise but it hurt so much I just couldn't tolerate it.
The RnY operation was fine - it was 2 weeks of feeling a little uncomfortable but I did exactly what I was told - I walked and I sipped and I walked again and I sipped.... until I could eat the mush stuff - and I continue to walk and I have now become an avid fan again of gourmet cooking - the healthy way. I would do this over again in a heartbeat...... but, there are some folk that get severely depressed because they used to be able to eat whatever and their diets pre op were appalling - and they begin to be that way again if they let themselves slip back into those old habits. Why people do this I don't know although, just recently I've been having a health scare (in fact am due for a biopsy next Monday) and for the last couple of days I have had myself in "that place" again where I was putting food into my mouth without realising it. This morning I have listed down everything that I put in and if I continue along this path well, I will end up putting weight back on. It's not a nice place to be in....depression is a major factor in this battle of the bulge. However, we don't want to admit it to ourselves for fear of weakness or showing our weakness to others. This is how it was for me. I've put a lid on so many things in my life that at some point it had to combust and combust it did. I am over the moon I had my surgery - I am over the moon that I have continued to lose weight, I am over the moon that I now breathe and live for myself first and my family next..... when do we put ourselves first? With a family history of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension I didn't want to kick the bucket before I was 60!

RnY is a "tool" - and that is all it is. What we do with the tool is up to us. It aids us only so far.... the rest is up to us - and its not about weakness or strength - it's about facing up to the reality of this life of ours. Choosing our paths wisely. I get miffed when I hear people making generalisations about why people have this invasive surgery. I tell you, its a huge step and one to be considered very carefully.

For some people they would look at me and say I wasn't overweight - but now I've lost 30kg I'm back to where I was 5 years ago - no more pain, no more heart probs or even joint problems, no more breathlessness. I am happy and eternally grateful to the team who performed my surgery and continue to monitor my progress. Yes, here in NZ we have a "team" who stick with us for the first 12 months of this journey. They are there whenever we need them - to guide us, to give us tips on nutrition and whatever else we need to know.

I have not dumped nor have I thrown up, food has not become stuck... mostly because I am serious about what goes in. I enjoy a high protein, low carb diet... no alcohol, no fizzy, no bread, pasta or rice.... I do however make the meanest stuffed baked fish and enjoy gourmet delights. I can even eat pancakes (made with oatmeal instead of flour) - fresh fruit and low fat yoghurt. I am not missing out on anything.

I believe there are misconceptions out there in the world - for whatever reason..... not sure who begins some of these - obviously people who are not in the know.

There are specific weight loss surgery websites - one is www.thinnertimes.com and its a very informative site to be involved with. I am on there as well as here. I enjoy myfitness plan because it gives me just that...... I can log everything in and be true to myself. I can easily see how people can become complacent with weight loss surgery (after it) - easy to put that extra piece of food in your mouth at times - this is the cause of vomiting.

I will be on supplements for the rest of my life. My hair hasn't fallen out much - in fact, it all grows back and some say even more lusterous than previously. As recipients of this new tool we need a good multivitamin daily, iron tablet daily and calcium tablet daily...... these are very very important. I have a friend who had surgery 3 years ago and she stopped taking her vitamins and stopped eating the right foods - she spent all her time at McDonalds. She kept losing weight but she also became quite forgetful and had no energy - she slept all the time. Since she's been back to her surgeon and talked with him she is now back on her vitamins and eating a correct amount of food. Sometimes we do have to remind ourselves to eat 3 meals per day (or for some 6 smaller meals) and drink 8 glasses of water. I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with my new "tool" - I envisage participating in the New York marathon (a bucketlist wish) in the future - am giving myself 2 years - although 1 yr sounds even better.

Thanks for allowing me to throw my comments on here... am happy to answer any questions regarding my journey to date.....I realise I am still fairly new to this. Cheers

My surgery was in March of 2006 and it was the best thing that I could have done. I had no complications at all from my RNY bypass and feel so much better. The pain in my feet, knees, hips and back has disappeared, I am no longer on diabetic medication, my blood pressure has returned to normal and, best of all, my resting heart rate hovers around 70 (used to be in the 90's.) I am a nurse and several of my co-workers had previously had the same surgery with minor or no complications. All of them agreed that their only regret was not having had the surgery sooner. Best of luck to you!

i agree with nicrus!!! if you can get the support i highly recommend you try it on your own!!! when i first started i had 114lbs to go and although it has been a long process for me...i really feel that it was worth the effort of doing with surgical assistance!! i have lost 50lbs and it is possible without the surgery! and he is right it has so many complications!! i also work in healthcare and have seen too many things go wrong to ever want to do it myself or anyone that i know and care about to do it either. you can do it!!

I haven't had WLS, but I've known a few people that have. Wish I was more informed about the types of procedures.

My aunt had a gastric bypass surgery about 10 years ago and lost a LOT of weight. Like she looked malnourished. She's since gained about half of it back (a lot due to being on steroids for other medical issues), but is happy as a clam. She can eat a normal-sized meal now too (half a sandwich, chips, grapes...stuff like that).

Her daughter had the same surgery 2-3 years ago. She was in her early 20's at the time. When she was in high school she'd lost about 60 lbs with Jenny Craig very quickly and had her gallbladder removed following that weight loss because she was having so much trouble with gallstones, so she was more prepared than your average patient for that aspect of the surgery (with the type she had, they remove the gallbladder at the same time as the gastric bypass because so many patients end up having them out anyway). The reason she had the surgery at such a young age was that she'd had back problems as a result of an injury and, after several back surgeries, she was still experiencing a lot of pain but couldn't exercise [though if her mother hadn't had the surgery, I don't think she would have had it]. She lost quite a bit of weight in her face and upper body, but not so much in her lower body. She [says she] spends 2 hours/day on an exercise bike. She's also had a lot of complications with the opening to her stomach closing up entirely and having to go have it re-opened because she can't eat/drink at all. She also has to take a lot of supplements. I worry about her health in the future because she's not the most compliant patient (eating small quantities yes, but not nutrient dense foods- no wonder her hair is falling out!).

And I have a different aunt on the other side of the family who did not have a weight problem until she gained 100 lbs with a pregnancy, then gained about 50 more, then had the surgery and lost all of it. And maybe more. And she looks fantastic. She can't tolerate sugar at all, even in fruit, but doesn't seem to have any other problems. However, IMHO, if she'd cut out sugar and scaled back her portions before the surgery it wouldn't have been necessary and she could eat a strawberry now without feeling like death.

You know what is best for you. I agree with some previous posters that said to make changes now as if you'd already had the surgery so you're used to them. I'd also add to look into what happens when people have gallbladder issues big enough to require the removal of the gallbladder, because I understand that can be a side effect of losing weight quickly and I'd hate for you to be caught by surprise.

Just SAY NO!!! I am a nurse and this surgery is full of complication after complication. I have seen many post op patients years later and it is never good. This surgery is surgically induced anorexia. You will vomit after every meal. Your hair, nail, and skin will become very brittle. Malnutrition is huge, because this surgery does not teach you to eat right. I encourage you to do more research before you go under the knife. Best of luck to you.

WELL, I'm a nurse too. RN on a Transplant Unit. I see a lot of end stage diseases secondary to obesity related illnesses. I have some of those illnesses. Have you ever seen or even experienced someone who is suffering with diabetes and their kidneys have shut down? Or hypertension for the same thing. How bout someone waiting for a new liver and has end stage liver disease secondary to fatty liver. I would say that these end stages are considerably worse than some of the effects after this kind of surgery. That's not to say that it is 100% safe. Every surgery has its complications. And you are correct, do your homework before selecting a surgeon or facility. I am having mine done at Mayo Clinic. I can only hope for a good outcome. But whatever happens happens. I suffer from an array of debilitating physical symptoms of obesity.

A co-worker of mine, another RN, had another kind of gastric bypass. She nearly died. She was on a ventilator and the works. You know what she said to me the other day when I told her I was considering the surgery? "I don't regret it. If I were asked if I would do it knowing what I went through, I would." She explained that her obesity was killing her. You can't walk without pain. Sleeping is a problem. Mentally and emotionally, you're a wreck. And the list goes on and on....It is an individual experience. I do not discourage anyone. But like other nurse said, do your homework and expect bumps in the road. It doesn't mean you won't do well. There are more cases that do well than those who don't. Best wishes to all.

Kathy

Thank you. I'm not a nurse and I know the first comments are not entirely true. My mother also almost died from initial complications from her gastric bypass. But she has no regrets. She feels wonderful 5 years later and completes 100 mile bike rides through the mountains (something I cannot do at 33). She no longer has sleep apnea, or knee pain. She smiles and loves herself and that is worth every bit of agony we went through with her surgery.

No, this is not for everyone but it also can't be ruled out for everyone either. I will probably have my mom around for many more years than I may have without her surgery. That means everything to me and my family.

I'm 16 months post-op from Gastric Bypass or RNY. I've lost 158 pounds and nearly 70 inches. This surgery saved my life, but it is only a tool, and as with any tool if you don't use it properly then you can hurt yourself and/or break the tool.

Some things you must do...
Make consistently healthy food choices - protein first then vegy's and fresh fruit
Maintain portion control - forever more
Exercise daily
Drink lots of water
Always eat a good breakfast
Keep food and exercise journals
Make sure you get plenty of sleep 7-8 hours
Go to a local support group...take your spouse or support person
Find a good therapist

As you can see, most of these are things that anyone trying to lose weight with or without surgery should be doing. Surgery just gets the ball rolling...the life changes you must make to support the tool and yourself are exactly the same as everyone else fighting the battle of bulge.

Feel free to friend me, there don't seem to be many other WLSers on this site and we need to band together for support.

I can totally relate to your post. I have also been overweight my whole life and finally wanted to do something about it! I am 6 weeks out of having my gastric bypass surgery and feel great! It's like the others have said though; you still have to work at it! I have a little tiney stomach and yet I still want to eat because that's what I'm used to doing! I track my calories on here to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to and go to the gym regularly. I am down 28 lbs and have had no complications or side affects at all! No vomiting or dumping or anything. I, too, have a family memeber who had the surgery about 9 years ago and put back on all her weight. It's still totally up to you and how willing you are to change your life. Good luck and I'm here if you need anything! :-)
-Missy

Oh... and I forgot to tell you... my husband went off his BP meds, and only takes a pill now for his type 2 Diabetes. He no longer suffers from sleep apnea, and he rides his bicycle 16 miles a day... NONE of which would have happened without the surgery! He dieted for 10 years before having the surgery. He started out at 500 lbs, and got down to 350 on his own, but then could not lose anymore, no matter how hard he tried. Now he's a svelte 200 and he actually weighs less now than he did in Junior High School!!!

This is my first post! Anyways, I had a very good friend undergo lapband over the winter. Instantly she became a "different person" and not in a good way. Her husband, who did tons of research, told me that the divorce rate among weight loss surgery receipients is something like 80%. Sure enough, she got herself a trainer, spends all day at the gym, leaving the kids home alone, eats very little when people are watching and has lost about 90 pounds. Unfortunately, she has changed soo much as a person, totally due to the surgery, that her 18 year marriage is over and she wants to file for divorce.

So, there are "other things to consider" when thinking of such drastic measures. If she did the gym and ate as she eats now there would have been no need for the surgery.