Just beginning to search!

Hi, I am just beginning to explore weight loss options. I am 5'5'' tall and weigh 215 pounds. I wear a size 18 working into a 20. I realize that this may not seem like much to many people, but to me it is the most I have ever weighed. I have started having some health issues (coughing, wheezing, joint pain, back pain, fatigue, difficulty reaching and seeing areas of my body) among others.. I know that if I don't find a solution now, I will just end up gaining and making myself more unhealthy. I would be what I consider an emotional eater who never feels full. There has never been a time that I did not struggle with my weight. As a child, I was full figured, as a teen I had to starve and exercise to maintain a reasonable weight, and as an adult I gain unless I work out every day and eat very little. It is just always a struggle, and I am tired of yo yoing. In looking for a solution to turn the corner and go the other way, I came across a bariatric surgeon's website. One person that was sharing her story referred to this website as a place to ask questions and get support. I was hoping that I could get some more detailed information from those of you that have undergone this surgery and those who have chosen non-surgical methods. I was wondering what your daily diet after surgery would be like? What do you eat while losing weight and what do you eat to maintain once you reach your goal? Has anyone ever regretted the surgery? What long term issues do you deal with, such as supplements and medical treatment? How is your quality of life? Is it easy to eat the way you need to with your family? There was also something on the surgeon's website about not allowing anyone to insert a feeding tube if you were to become sick. Does anyone know what this is about? If you could share any other information that may help me to make a decision, I would very much appreciate it. I truly appreciate your time and effort as this would be a big decision for me. Thank you so much, Melissa (balanced)

Welcome, Melissa! Let me see if I can answer some of your questions, but before I do, let me point out that I am an unusual gastric bypass patient in that I can eat whatever I want without dumping. What is dumping you say? It is a variety of different side effects ranging from vomiting, diarrhea, heart racing, sweating, sleepy and plain ole' stomach pain that comes from eating foods that are either high in simple sugars or fats or a combination of the above. Many post op patients find that they can no longer indulge in their favorite candy bar or icecream for instance because if they do, they end up dumping from it. I was wondering what your daily diet after surgery would be like? I eat the exact same foods I enjoyed before surgery, only in smaller portions. For example, today for breakfast I had 1/2 of a McDonalds sausage egg and cheese biscuit (minus the top half of the biscuit because bread fills me up too much) along with a cup of icewater. For a midday snack I had a strawberry oatmeal bar. For lunch I had a small salad with thousand island dressing and a cup of chicken noodle soup and lots of crackers and more icewater. For a dinner snack I ate about 1/2 cup of spaghetti along with a slice of garlic toast. For dinner I will most likely have my leftover dinner from last night (chicken fettachini or however you spell that!). These are the same foods I ate before I had surgery, only before I would have had the entire McDonalds sandwhich along with the hashbrowns and a large Coke - lunch would have been the same but I would have eaten the salad, soup and the spaghetti along with 2 pieces of garlic bread -- you get the picture. My only big change was that I now drin**** water 95% of the time and unsweet iced tea the rest of the time whereas I used to drink like 4+ cans of Pepsi a day. What do you eat while losing weight and what do you eat to maintain once you reach your goal? I weigh myself about every 3 days or so, but because I am pregnant now, I don'****ch what I eat really. (I have gained 11 lbs since I got pregnant) Has anyone ever regretted the surgery? My only regret was not doing it 10 years ago. What long term issues do you deal with, such as supplements and medical treatment? I take my vitamins faithfully daily. Without exception. If you are unwilling to make that commitment I suggest you rethink your surgery or opt for one which doesn't malabsorm (like the lap band) instead of RNY. For me since I knew deep down that I would be unwilling to make serious food changes but I knew I would be taking my vitamins as asked I knew that the RNY was my best choice. How is your quality of life? Um about 1000% better lol. Is it easy to eat the way you need to with your family? Yes - my only family problem has been my poor husband who has put on about 50# from eating my leftovers~! There was also something on the surgeon's website about not allowing anyone to insert a feeding tube if you were to become sick. Does anyone know what this is about? They are referring to a NG tube or nasogastric tube. Should you be in a serious car accident, etc. and the medical facility need to empty your stomach, they put a tube in your nose which goes down into your stomach to accomplish this. I used to work in the ER and some folks are worried that there is a chance this NG tube can damage your new tiny pouch where your stomach used to be. Personally I don't think this is an issue but I won't argue with others that disagree. If you are that worried about the possibility you can have a medical alert bracelet made with the words 'No blind NG tube' on it so it can speak for you in the event you cannot. I used to wear one all the time with those same words (along with my name, my RNY doc's name his phone number and Gastric bypass patient on it). If it brings you peace of mind, go for it. It is just my personal opinion after working in the ER awhile that unless you are freshly postop (like the first 48 hrs etc.) your pouch won't be hurt by the tube - if anything they might overshoot your new pouch and the tube will end up in the top of your small intestines but that would be about it. If you want to read my whole 'story' I have been posting on my forum profile since before I had the surgery and it comes with lots of pictures as well. (Just click on my name to view it) Feel free to ask more questions too! Kia

One thing to look at is what type of surgery is going to be best for you. RNY, Lapband, Duodenal Switch. You can find information on these procedures at this site and others on the internet. What is your wieght loss goal? Excercise? Foods you cant do without? Etc etc.... Go to a couple of different doctors presentations/orientations. Pick a couple that you may want to consider doing your surgery. Then go for the surgery that best fits you, your lifestyle, and recommendation of your doctor. Remember bariatric surgery is a tool not a cure.