Bariatric Surgery

crystalroselynn
crystalroselynn Posts: 117 Member
edited November 28 in Motivation and Support
Hey guys. So my doctor is trying to talk to me about bariatric surgery. I’ve had previous doctors also try to encourage me to get it. My weight has always been high and my eight loss is always up and down.
I’m going to start my job as an RN soon and it may be beneficial to me.
Howeverrrrrr I’m very afraid of going into surgery. One, it’s scary and two, I’m afraid something might happen because I’m so overweight.
Do you guys have any suggestions or success stories?

Replies

  • Sloth2016
    Sloth2016 Posts: 838 Member
    This might be of interest: "What are some misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery that you would like to correct?:" http://qr.ae/TUN9q9

    Best of luck no matter what route you choose!
  • crystalroselynn
    crystalroselynn Posts: 117 Member
    Http://qr.ae/TUN9q9
    Sloth2016 wrote: »
    This might be of interest: "What are some misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery that you would like to correct?:" http://qr.ae/TUN9q9

    Best of luck no matter what route you choose!


    Wow that’s really scary and that’s what I’m afraid of
  • Evelyn_Gorfram
    Evelyn_Gorfram Posts: 706 Member
    Scary things can happen with any kind of surgery (but then, scary things can happen when you're just walking down the street). The story linked to is horrible, but it's not a typical outcome.

    One of my doctors suggested I might qualify for bariatric surgery, and I looked into it. The long-term success rates for people who lose weight through diet, exercise, and bariatric surgery is indeed higher than that for people who lose weight through diet and exercise without the surgery. But, for me, it wasn't enough higher to feel that the surgical and post-surgical risks would be justified.

    Another thing you might consider is whether such a huge life and lifestyle change, including a major abdominal surgery(!), is something you want to undertake just before starting a new job. In fact, I think the whole pre-surgical, surgical, and post surgical bariatric program can take around three to six months or more; so it might not be even compatible with your new job.

    Most importantly, this is your body, your life, and your decision. Please don't let your doctors or anyone else pressure you into anything that you would not otherwise choose.
  • Millicent3015
    Millicent3015 Posts: 374 Member
    crystalroselynn wrote: »
    Http://qr.ae/TUN9q9
    Sloth2016 wrote: »
    This might be of interest: "What are some misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery that you would like to correct?:" http://qr.ae/TUN9q9

    Best of luck no matter what route you choose!


    Wow that’s really scary and that’s what I’m afraid of

    That story is from 2003, and surgical techniques may have changed in the last 15 years. The guy talked about stomach stapling, but didn't specify whether the surgery was keyhole or whether his wife was opened up by survival incision, which used to be how stomach stapling operations worked. It might be very different now. You might have a gastric sleeve or balloon recommended, which I think are different procedures than having part of your stomach removed.

    All surgery carries risk. I had a thyroidectomy and the surgeon said there was a risk my vocal chords would be cut. It didn't happen, as it's an extremely low risk, but the surgeon has to tell you about all the risks. My blood oxygen went down to almost zero, I lost a lot of blood, and I got a chest infection! But as it turned out, they found scar tissue wrapped around my windpipe that had been slowly strangling me. If I hadn't had the op, I would've died of slow asphyxiation within a year. So in the end the reward was worth the risk.

    A lot of bariatric surgery is done with the keyhole method these days. It's less invasive, less risky, and recovery can be quicker. Whatever you decide, do talk to your doctor and ask them everything about the surgery and what happens before and after. No question is too silly or unimportant to leave out. Get all the facts, consider the positives and the negatives, and make an informed decision. You can always change your mind either way in the future.
  • crystalroselynn
    crystalroselynn Posts: 117 Member
    Millicent3015 wrote: »
    crystalroselynn wrote: »
    Http://qr.ae/TUN9q9
    Sloth2016 wrote: »
    This might be of interest: "What are some misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery that you would like to correct?:" http://qr.ae/TUN9q9

    Best of luck no matter what route you choose!


    Wow that’s really scary and that’s what I’m afraid of

    That story is from 2003, and surgical techniques may have changed in the last 15 years. The guy talked about stomach stapling, but didn't specify whether the surgery was keyhole or whether his wife was opened up by survival incision, which used to be how stomach stapling operations worked. It might be very different now. You might have a gastric sleeve or balloon recommended, which I think are different procedures than having part of your stomach removed.

    All surgery carries risk. I had a thyroidectomy and the surgeon said there was a risk my vocal chords would be cut. It didn't happen, as it's an extremely low risk, but the surgeon has to tell you about all the risks. My blood oxygen went down to almost zero, I lost a lot of blood, and I got a chest infection! But as it turned out, they found scar tissue wrapped around my windpipe that had been slowly strangling me. If I hadn't had the op, I would've died of slow asphyxiation within a year. So in the end the reward was worth the risk.

    A lot of bariatric surgery is done with the keyhole method these days. It's less invasive, less risky, and recovery can be quicker. Whatever you decide, do talk to your doctor and ask them everything about the surgery and what happens before and after. No question is too silly or unimportant to leave out. Get all the facts, consider the positives and the negatives, and make an informed decision. You can always change your mind either way in the future.

    I’m worried that my weight will effect my anesthesia. I asked my doc but he said it would be ok

  • dsboohead
    dsboohead Posts: 1,899 Member
    Yes....anesthesia is a risk but surgery is a risk for anybody.
    I thought bariatric sx has prerequisites prior to sx. You must lose first a certain percentage of total weight because after sx you will be on a specific program.
    Get all your facts straight before you make your decision.
  • dsboohead
    dsboohead Posts: 1,899 Member
    You are a nurse so you know the doctor has to let you know not only benefits but risks too of any procedure.
    Its up to you to weigh them both out.
  • trucker743
    trucker743 Posts: 394 Member
    crystalroselynn wrote: »
    Hey guys. So my doctor is trying to talk to me about bariatric surgery. I’ve had previous doctors also try to encourage me to get it. My weight has always been high and my eight loss is always up and down.
    I’m going to start my job as an RN soon and it may be beneficial to me.
    Howeverrrrrr I’m very afraid of going into surgery. One, it’s scary and two, I’m afraid something might happen because I’m so overweight.
    Do you guys have any suggestions or success stories?

  • trucker743
    trucker743 Posts: 394 Member
    First, talk to a metabolic and Bariatric surgery department at a teaching hospital if possible. Requirements vary, not because the procedures vary that much, but because different insurance plans insist on different prerequisites.

    Regarding anasthesia risks, you’re probably at least as much at risk from carrying a great deal of extra weight around. Every day you carry it increases your risk for diabetes and for heart disease.

    The procedure itself is really very low risk and has a high success rate. However, it is a tool. If you can work with a dietician to help you, you may find that will allow you to lose weight quickly enough to bring your risk down.

    Recovery time is not that bad, but get all the info. If you can’t get to a teaching hospital, see if there’s one that has a good weight management clinic.

    I wouldn’t just look for a doctor, I’d look for an entire program to help you succeed. I am 75 and morbidly obese. I’m choosing gastric bypass because I’m tired of Food ruling my life. I’ve been told I’ll do fine with the surgery after a thorough physical and psychological workup.
  • trucker743
    trucker743 Posts: 394 Member
    Perhaps I’m fortunate that our Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Dept. in my local hospital has such a terrific support system. We not only have regular appointments with a dietician before and after surgery, we must have a sleep study, psychiatric evaluation (which goes into detail about the very issues you mention, but we also have a support group that meets twice a month facilitated by a dietician and a psychologist that we need to attend for a couple of months before our surgery. We’re also encouraged to attend afterward. There are folks there like me who don’t have their date yet on up to people who are five or six weeks out.

    When someone is struggling, they’re presented with nutritional and real-life help.

    I’m 75. I don’t have time to waste. I could lose my weight in a couple of years the way you talk about, and have my unused muscles, poor breathing and strength ebb more. Or - I can jump-start this whole thing and lose a significant enough amount to save the joints that haven’t already needed to be replaced and the muscles that aren’t yet atrophied.

    Being so much older gives me a different perspective, I think. I very sorry you had such a poor experience. I hope your path leads to greater success for you too!
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