Gastric Bypass, Lap Band Surgery and the Like.

[Elijah]

I was wondering if anyone had ever had one of these procedures? And if so if you would be willing to talk about the benefits vs. the draw backs.

This is something I am considering, which is where My curiosity comes from.

~Elijah

[DapperButch]

I just wanted to give this topic a bump, b/c I think it is a good one.

I have known two people who had the gastric bypass, one the sleeve, and three the lap band.

All of them are doing well.

The two who had the bypass had it many years ago and it seems to me that there are more restrictions (afterwards) with that procedure and also you have to be more careful with making sure you get enough protein each day moreso than the other two. But, that is me from the outside.

Good luck with your decision and I hope some people come in here and post.

[bigbutchmistie]

I wanna have the lap band done. For health reasons. I have an ex who had the lap band done and she does well. I am glad this thread exists. I will be happy to read all input....

[Delish]

I actually just had the Lapband done 3 days ago I am sore, slow walking, hard to get up as u aren't suppose to push, pull or stretch, HATING the liquid diet(mainly the broth) that u must do for 2 weeks after BUT I think overall in the long run, I would do it again I still have some swelling so I haven't weighed yet. My Dr appt is Sept 22. I can't wait to see how much I have lost at that time

[sweetfemme247]

Good for you all... i dont need it, but i know someone who had it she weighed about 400 pounds and she now down to 189 some where around there.

[Elijah]

Thanks for coming in and sharing, I would be interested in updates on your progress periodically if that's comfortable for you. I hope the healing process isn't too uncomfortable and it's everything you hoped.

May I ask what finally prompted you to make the decision to go forward with it?

~Elijah

Originally Posted by Delish

I actually just had the Lapband done 3 days ago I am sore, slow walking, hard to get up as u aren't suppose to push, pull or stretch, HATING the liquid diet(mainly the broth) that u must do for 2 weeks after BUT I think overall in the long run, I would do it again I still have some swelling so I haven't weighed yet. My Dr appt is Sept 22. I can't wait to see how much I have lost at that time

[Delish]

Originally Posted by ElijahRene

Thanks for coming in and sharing, I would be interested in updates on your progress periodically if that's comfortable for you. I hope the healing process isn't too uncomfortable and it's everything you hoped.

May I ask what finally prompted you to make the decision to go forward with it?

~Elijah

Oh I don't mind sharing any info
I have lupus. Over the past 3 yrs I have put on about 100 lbs off and on...70 for the most part. I'm not uncomfortable with my weight but my knees are lol. I can't wear heels like I use to. When my Rheumotoligist gave me the ok to have surgery I jumped at it! I have heard some very positive stories of the Lapband and I look forward to being able to share mine

[Elijah]

Thanks Dapper...I just had lunch (ironically enough) with a friend who had the sleeve procedure 6 weeks ago. She has lost 32 pds. since the surgery 6 weeks ago (and another 18 preoperatively) and has had no complications thus far.

I am heavily leaning the direction of the sleeve. It doesn't "bypass" any of the areas of your stomach, so nutritional absorption isn't inhibited, except by dietary restrictions, which are temporary.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I just wanted to give this topic a bump, b/c I think it is a good one.

I have known two people who had the gastric bypass, one the sleeve, and three the lap band.

All of them are doing well.

The two who had the bypass had it many years ago and it seems to me that there are more restrictions (afterwards) with that procedure and also you have to be more careful with making sure you get enough protein each day moreso than the other two. But, that is me from the outside.

Good luck with your decision and I hope some people come in here and post.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by ElijahRene

Thanks Dapper...I just had lunch (ironically enough) with a friend who had the sleeve procedure 6 weeks ago. She has lost 32 pds. since the surgery 6 weeks ago (and another 18 preoperatively) and has had no complications thus far.

I am heavily leaning the direction of the sleeve. It doesn't "bypass" any of the areas of your stomach, so nutritional absorption isn't inhibited, except by dietary restrictions, which are temporary.

One of the things my client said that she liked about the sleeve was not having to go for the "fills" that one has with the lap band. It has been about 6 months for her now and she feels great (and looks great).

The BAD thing is that she has not been to the doc for any follow up visits...her insurance ran out right after the surgery (she had already been off work for 2 years on long term disability for others reasons, so it was just a time thing). She is fortunate that she has not had any complications.

[ScandalAndy]

I have also been encouraged by my doctor to go to the consultation to see if I qualify for the surgery. I've been experiencing swelling in my extremities and my joints are starting to give me trouble. Is there a particular way you need to go about answering the questions in order to get your insurance to cover the procedure?

[Delish]

Originally Posted by ScandalAndy

I have also been encouraged by my doctor to go to the consultation to see if I qualify for the surgery. I've been experiencing swelling in my extremities and my joints are starting to give me trouble. Is there a particular way you need to go about answering the questions in order to get your insurance to cover the procedure?

The more problems you have, the faster insurance may accept lol. Its a game u have to play. AND if the ins requests u to go on a 6 mo diet, do not loose weight. Its a ploy to see if u can loose it without surgery. If ur ins does require u to wait 6 mo, it will be worth it

[Little Fish]

Originally Posted by ElijahRene

I am heavily leaning the direction of the sleeve. It doesn't "bypass" any of the areas of your stomach, so nutritional absorption isn't inhibited, except by dietary restrictions, which are temporary.

Hello friends,

Just to be clear on the specifics:
The stomach is a hollow organ composed of several strong muscular layers. It is located under the rib cage and connected at each opening to the esophagus and the small intestine, respectively. The stomach stores, mixes and digests the food that we eat and acts to protect us from infectious organisms we may have ingested.

The stomach is not the location for actual absorption of nutrients. That takes place in the intestines, the stomach "digests" and that is specifically the adding of acids and enzymes for breakdown and the churning into smaller particles.

As a physician, I have supervised the pre-gastric surgery weight loss efforts of many patients. My advice is to avoid surgery if at all possible. I would counsel that patients first try a medically supervised weight loss program before undergoing such invasive procedures. They are not without risks and complications. Not to mention, one's reltionship with food is forever changed--not necessarily for good. Just for the sake of this discussion, I'll say that many patients have experienced profound weight loss on a low carbohydrate eating regimen. As woth all health concerns, discuss with your own physician--as I'm certainly not dispensing medical advice but rather relaying the experiences of some of my patients.

Please consider further discussion with your Primary Care physician--they may even refer you to another doctor who can oversee a special diet that will allow for the dramatic weight loss you may be looking for.

Good luck all, you are all so very worthy of good health and a strong body, I wish you well.

[yotlyolqualli]

In the roux en y bypass surgery, which causes weight loss through restriction and mal-absorption, the stomach pouch is drastically reduced. They cut and then staple a small, very small pouch from the original stomach. That causes the "restriction" part of the weight loss results. The end of the small intestine is detatched from the original stomach and surgically attatched to the new stomach pouch. However, before it IS attatched, a good part of the intestine that absorbs nutrition, is removed. That causes the "mal-absorption" part of the weight loss program. As Little Fish said... these surgeries "are not without risks and complications".

That's why I give all the negative aspects of my own experiences so in detail. My life, my body, my relationship to and with food, my health and psyche have all been permanently changed... some to the good and some not. This cannot be undone and should only be used as a life saving TOOL. This is merely a tool and it will only work as well as you wield it.

As I said... I didn't do it for cosmetic reasons, nor did I do it to "feel" better. I did it to save my life. It worked. It did what my PCP and I wanted it to do. It resolved my diabetes. But I did it only AFTER I tried many times and many different ways to lose weight. I cut out all sugar, stopped eating or drinking anything with sugar in it and STILL went from pills to insulin within the first year of being diagnosed. By the time I underwent the bypass, I had been on insulin for nearly 5 years. As I said... this was a last resort for me. One I am glad I took, but one I wouldn't recommend for any other reason but a life saving tool.

[Bella~Vita]

since my Mother passed I've become a food addict again... after a major weight lost I've doubled. I do have an appt for the seminar on 3/7 , my doctor is all for it, it will eliminate alot of meds I am on ... and the pain I'm in even more so since the weight gain.

I'm at the beginning of my new journey, my next step is to call tomorrow for my counseling sessions ... I realize this is a major decision ... I will do my best....