Considering Surgery, looking for more info

I have met with Dr. Irgau for consult for GB. I have to admit when I read the posts I freak out. Here's a few questions. I realize the surgery is a tool, but how do you gain weight if you're following the diet plan? One would think since the body isn't absorbing all the calories this would be hard to do? Next ?, has everyone experienced hair loss or is this due to a lack of vitamins? Also, I saw the preliminary menu for the first 4 weeks out and I was wondering how one might eat that much food? Figuring the stomach is now tiny and with the time needed to eat and wait to drink is this menu really possible? I'm just looking for some more info. I have my other appts later this month and I'll need to be sure this is the right thing for me.

Barbara, Nice to meet you and glad you are researching your decision well. Lets see if I can help you with a few of your concerns. First is the weight gain issues....There are some in the beginning but its not really a gain so much as your body trying to hold onto what it has if you put it in starvation mode. That is why it is so important to get the proper nutrition levels in as soon as possible. If you are eating the proper protein levels and drinking to stay hydrated there usually is no gain..now us people further out where the malabsorption feature of this surgery no longer works to par we have to be very cautious because you can gain. You eat more regularly than that one-two ounces of food. The pouch does stretch some over time. Its important to have a plan in place for further out. In the beginning you force yourself to eat. You force yourself to drink too. When we do things we don't want to do we tend to lazy it out and not do it right. So I hope this explains weight gains. Hair loss....not everyone has the same hair loss....its from lack of protein and usually shows up after 3-4 months and as long as you keep protein levels above 60 grams you are good to go. Usually you can't get the 60 gram minimum in the beginning which starts this process. Its usually short lived if it happens because you of course are going to make sure you get the minimum protein requirements in your body. Although some people report it still goes on...its a hit or miss and doesn't seem to be consistent throughout WLS patients. Biotin helps with this as well. You can get it in pill form or shampoo. I don't eat and drink at the same time ever. I still wait an hour to eat. I want the absorption of minerals from my food so I do make myself adhere to that rule. I never thought I would because that was my biggest drawback to this surgery. Not eating and drinking at the same time. I saw my sample menu at the hospital I had surgery and laughed...I couldn't do it in the beginning but as you get further out it gets easier. Things you found tough in the beginning tend to work out for you. Try and not tempt fate with sugar! Its really not our friend although many post ops further out have tried it to see if they can handle it. I have tried a bite but let me tell you it was not worth it to me. It did not taste magically and well I figure I have been away so long I really don't need it. The SF stuff does it for me and does not make my pouch grumpy! I don't know if you have gone to people's profiles and read them. On this site all you have to do is click on their names.....They have lots of good stuff for you there. Look for the people who are a year or more out....read the beginning....get a feel of what they went through....some of us (okay probably just me) are a bit wordy....But there are things that may pertain to you and things that don't read what you need. That is what we are here for to support and make sure we all understand where we are in our WLS life. Hope to see you around! Debbie

Barb, Did you also look into the lapband? With the lapband, you have help with portion control for life not just the approximate 18 months that the gastric bypass allows, the surgery is less invasive (completely reversible if necessary), and the body does not risk the extensive malabsorbtion. Furthermore, while lapband patients may or may not loose as fast as gastric bypass patients initially (it depends on the patient and their adherance to their program), after three years the average is the same. Each person has to choose what is best for them. I just wanted to offer that as an option. Here is a link to the lapband board if you are interested in looking into it, http://obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/posts.html. In addition, Inamed, the makers of the band, offer and excellent patient handbook for info, http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94829F_LB_Patient_Book.pdf, http://www.allerganandinamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/lapband/information.html. Take care and enjoy your research, Renay

Thanks for the additional info. I had considered lap band, but I know it's not permanent. Also, there's the risk of the body rejecting it. And I believe my body might. That was where I initially started was the lap band but after research and thought I figured the GB might be best for me. I'm still not 100% convinced but I'm doing lots of research and will hopefully make the right decision. I've always been overweight, some times more than others, but I need something that can help more than WW or other diet plans where I can quit. If you have any further thoughts please let me know. Again, thanks for the support and info.

There are other WLS surgeries as well. DS seems to be popular. Although I did RNY if I could have found surgeon to do the DS I might have went that way. Although the fear of dumping helped me alot....I think any surgery you have contains risks and there are no guarantees for anything. Its all in your attitude. If you think you only have to do this for a year then you can go back to old habits its not worth it. I have heard people say things like that and I am totally amazed by those comments. This is a lifetime committment. I am sure you know that. I felt the same way...I couldn't face another diet. I had to change my life. Debbie

Hi Barb! You remind me of me when I was starting this journey. I was full of doubt, even after my consult with Dr. Irgau. I even postponed my first surgery date out of fear and doubt. Now, I'm 1 year & 3 months post-op. I dropped from a size 32 to a size 10. I've lost almost 190 pounds. I don't have loose skin. I didn't have hair loss. I follow the diet plan to the best of my ability each day. I feel truly blessed. My only regret is now I'm considered "flat-chested" (perhaps I'll fix that in the future - perhaps not). I didn't have this surgery for vanity. I had it to save my life. Although I didn't have lots of co-morbidities (no high blood pressure or diabetes), I felt like being 340 pounds was slowly choking the life out of me. It was. I didn't realize how much of my life was ruled by obesity until I lost this weight. This is a very personal decision. Don't let us or anyone else talk you into or out of it. Do your homework. Stay in prayer. Attend Support Group meetings. The right decision will become clear to you. Take care! Cassandra RNY - 1/3/2005 Dr. Irgau - CHRIAS

Cassandra, You sound a lot like me. I have a lot of thought and research to do still. I have met with my Cardiologist and I have to go for a stress test and echo in the next couple weeks. One of the reasons I have time to research is that I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure, yet. I know it will come if I don't do something about the weight. My sister is a few years older than me and has those things. While I'm nervous about the decision I know I can't do it alone. I also know that if I don't do something my health will only get worst and my weight will continue to rise. I feel that the weight is limiting things I do. I need a change but I need to be sure. Now, a question. Is the general effects of RNY only good for about 2 years and then it's really a lifelong diet that I need to control. I understand that after 2 years the malabsorption no longer is effective and the pouch is stretched. Does this sound accurate? I'd appreciate all the info I can get. Thanks again. Barb