Help Fear has set in

I had my consultation and am now awaiting word from my insurance carrier. However, after finding this site and reading about the throwing up, I have become fearful about the surgery. Has anyone out there had an uneventful recovery without throwing up? Can anyone tell me truthful what to really expect?

Joann, Keep in mind that everyone's recovery is different. I had surgery on 9/25/06. A roux-en y (open) and other than one episode (from drinking too quickly), I have not thrown up. I have lost 50 pounds to date and feel amazing! I started at 281 at 5'5". I was able to return to work 3 weeks after surgery and other than being a little tired in the beginning things have been great. What you can expect depends on you, your body and the skills of your surgeon. If you follow the diet the way they suggest you should be very successful. There are some foods you may not be able to tolerate in the beginning, but that is to be expected. I wish you the best of luck and I suggest you take any questions or concerns back to your surgeon maybe he/she can put your mind at ease.

Hi Joann ... I did have issues throwing up for the first couple months after surgery, but it wasn't all the time ... and I know MANY people who never had that issue at all. Essentially, if you eat too fast it may come back up; if you eat too much it may come back up; and if you don't chew good enough it may come back up. That actually would be the least of my worries if I was looking into surgery again. Remember ... you have to take things you read on this site with a grain of salt. Everyone's experiences are different, and more times than not, you're going to hear the bad more than the good, because lets face it ... who complains or needs support when they're doing well? Hang in there and the best to you! Karyn

Karyn, thanks a bunch. I have been struggling with weight for several years and with the obesity related diseases I have I thought it about time to do something to help me. I do have a few questions for you. When did you have your surgery? Did you do lap band or bypass? What is your average weekly weight loss and what is your total weight loss from date of surgery through the present? I am hoping my insurance will approve. I got a call back from the Kane Center insurance group stating they verified benefits and there are some requirements that must be meet prior. I have however been unable to reach them to see what it is. Thanks for responding to my post.

No problem Joann, that's what we're all here for ... there are many things I wish I had known prior to surgery, not that I wouldn't have done it, but it still would have been nice to know. I had my laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in June of 2003. I had lost 120 pounds from June 2003 through September 2004, and then from September 2004 through July 2005, I actually GAINED 20 pounds!!! Freaked me out!!! Maybe I was naive, thinking you can't gain weight after surgery, or at least not 20 pounds in 10 months! The entire YEAR prior to surgery I hadn't gained a single pound, and I KNOW I was eating much much more! Well, since July 2005 I have lost an additional 80, so I've lost a total of 180 and have about 30 or so more to go. Believe me, it gets much harder to lose after the "honeymoon" period of 12-18 months. Average weekly weight loss differs greatly, depending on the individual. People with more to lose will tend to lose more quickly, initially. Just be sure to get your protein, vitamins, and water in, and one of the most important things: EXERCISE. Yep, gotta do it ... the only people who I've seen that are successful (and what I mean by successful is getting to goal and maintaining long-term) are the ones who incorporate exercise into their daily lives. Not just here and there, or when they feel like it, but it becomes a routine, like brushing your teeth. You should, by NO means, compare your weight loss to others. Not fair to you nor them. Some people just tend to lose more quickly, others are a bit slower, so although there might be pangs of jealousy to see someone else is losing faster than you, try to push that aside. If you find you are not losing as fast scale-wise, do some measurements. Kudos to you for taking this step ... it took me 5 years to make my decision, and now I'm kicking myself that I didn't make up my mind sooner. Your insurance most likely will want a medically supervised diet (6 mos or maybe even a year), so be sure to follow that to a "T". Do not miss one appointment. Hang in there, it may get frustrating at times (all aspects of this journey), but I believe most everyone here will say it was well worth it and that they would do it again. I would, in a heartbeat (and I would still choose gastric bypass). Talk to you soon! Karyn