Gastric Bypass-- A few questions...
I have been thinking about gastric bypass for a while now.. I am about to turn 23 years old and my bmi is nearly 50... I have heard so many negative things from people when I mention gastric bypass that I wanted to hear from those who have had it done already.... I am currently in RN school and have just over a year left... I would love to be able to have the surgery in about 6 months or so but I am worried about the effect it may have on school and work... How long does it normally take after gastric bypass for you to be able to return to school/work? My school runs year round and we only get a two week break every 3 months.. I guess I would just really like to know what to expect the first few months after surgery. How quickly do you lose weight? Is it really painful? I would appreciate any information.. Thanks so much!
Hi! I just had gastric bypass surgery six months ago today. I am THRILLED with my results thus far. I've already lost over 100 pounds and have gone from a size 30/32 to a size 16/18. I am off all my blood pressure and cholesterol medications and don't have sleep apnea any more either. I feel 100% better than I did before the surgery.
Everyone is different and there's no way anyone can guess how quickly you will lose weight. I know a person who had the same surgery as I did the day before me, and she lost 100 pounds a few weeks before I got there. I don't think it's uncommon to lose 100 pounds within 6 months, but not everyone is going to do that. If I recall correctly, my surgeon said that 3-5 pounds a week is the goal during the losing phase.
I was off work for a total of 13 days after my surgery. Everyone is different, but I was okay to go back at that point. I did have some fatigue, but it wasn't enough to prevent me from working.
As far as the pain goes, it wasn't that bad. I was off my pain meds pretty quickly -- I think it was less than a week after my surgery that I stopped using anything for pain.
I wish you all the best with your decision. All I can tell you is that I wish I could have had it done 5 years ago. It has been a lifesaving and life improving procedure for me.
Everyone is different and there's no way anyone can guess how quickly you will lose weight. I know a person who had the same surgery as I did the day before me, and she lost 100 pounds a few weeks before I got there. I don't think it's uncommon to lose 100 pounds within 6 months, but not everyone is going to do that. If I recall correctly, my surgeon said that 3-5 pounds a week is the goal during the losing phase.
I was off work for a total of 13 days after my surgery. Everyone is different, but I was okay to go back at that point. I did have some fatigue, but it wasn't enough to prevent me from working.
As far as the pain goes, it wasn't that bad. I was off my pain meds pretty quickly -- I think it was less than a week after my surgery that I stopped using anything for pain.
I wish you all the best with your decision. All I can tell you is that I wish I could have had it done 5 years ago. It has been a lifesaving and life improving procedure for me.
Please research all the different types of weight loss surgeries that are available and make the correct decision for yourself. (you are the only person that knows what restrictions that you will be able to tolerate for the rest of your life)
There could be problems with all of them but there could be problems with any type of surgery and we all know that there are definite problems with being SMO.
There should be lifting restrictions with any type of WLS for a certain time period so I am not sure how that will affect you in school.
There could be problems with all of them but there could be problems with any type of surgery and we all know that there are definite problems with being SMO.
There should be lifting restrictions with any type of WLS for a certain time period so I am not sure how that will affect you in school.
Hi Samantha!
I just wanted to see if you've heard of Duodenal Switch? It has the best results for long term maintenance. If you check out the Revision forum here on OH you will see the majority of revisions are bands and RNY. Many times those who are 3 years post op RNY will start to gain their weight back. Duodenal Switch is perfect for someone with a BMI of close to 50 (though people with smaller BMI's also do excellent!) We have one of the best DS surgeons right here in Kentucky- Dr. John Husted. http://www.johnhustedmd.com Please take the time to research every surgery option out there. You don't want to pick the band or RNY on the basis they're the most popular, widely offered, or the only ones your insurance cover. You also don't want to be 3 1/2 years post op like me and regret your surgery choice.
I wish you nothing but the best!
Good luck on your journey.
Katrina
I just wanted to see if you've heard of Duodenal Switch? It has the best results for long term maintenance. If you check out the Revision forum here on OH you will see the majority of revisions are bands and RNY. Many times those who are 3 years post op RNY will start to gain their weight back. Duodenal Switch is perfect for someone with a BMI of close to 50 (though people with smaller BMI's also do excellent!) We have one of the best DS surgeons right here in Kentucky- Dr. John Husted. http://www.johnhustedmd.com Please take the time to research every surgery option out there. You don't want to pick the band or RNY on the basis they're the most popular, widely offered, or the only ones your insurance cover. You also don't want to be 3 1/2 years post op like me and regret your surgery choice.
I wish you nothing but the best!
Good luck on your journey.
Katrina
Hi.. Glad you came looking for answers. It is all such a personal decision. I had intents on the band, but then after the seminar I realized that by-pass was the best choice for me. I don't think any surgery is a cure. Just a tool to get past loosing the weight. As far as nursing school and the surgery, you can make it work. It just depends on how well you do post-op. No one will be able to tell you that ahead of time. I have been Blessed beyond belief. I went back to work right away. I started working out at 3 weeks later in the water. I am so thrilled with my results. I have been a slow loser, but that's okay. I am at 10 months and I have lost 105 lbs from my highest weight. I am wearing size 6 jeans. What more can I say? I could have NEVER got that weight off without this surgery. My WLS was life changing. I have changed my lifestyle and I hope to be one of the good statistics. I did have a few issues with Christmas eating. However, I am ready to take a step back and focus on the guidelines for eating after WLS. I hope to get to my Drs goal by my year anniversary in Feb. If that doesn't happen, that's okay too. I am able to live my life now. My life is so much more than the number on the scale.
Samantha.. good luck to you and I hope you have success on your journey. Just research your choices and be determined to use the WLS as a tool. You can ask me any questions. Happy 2010 and good luck with your education.
Samantha.. good luck to you and I hope you have success on your journey. Just research your choices and be determined to use the WLS as a tool. You can ask me any questions. Happy 2010 and good luck with your education.
Becky in Kentucky
I think Becky said it very well. The thing I took away from my learning period is that we all are responsible for our own choices. We will have to work whatever it may be that we chose. We need to be willing to look at why we eat. I knwo that afternoons and boredom are REALLY bad for me...so I look at it and try to keep busy. When I volunteer at my sons school with the afterschool activity he is in I do NOT snack...but if I home I have to work hard not to. I also need to look at WHY I eat. IF I DO NOT work on that daily I will end up back where I started.
good luck with your decision.
teach
***EDIT- I have lost 130 pounds in 9 months and feel great. I went back to my half time job in 2 weeks and needed to rest a bit when I got home, BUT I teach preK and we do alot in the room.
I did not think it was overly painful. BUT I did take pain meds if I needed them. IF that would affect you at work you might want to consider. I am NOT a pro like some who are years out. I am just me and doing well.
YOU have lifting in nursing and my doc said ANY lifting was automatic 6 weeks off. That may be soemthing to ask the different surgeons you meet and talk to.
good luck
good luck with your decision.
teach
***EDIT- I have lost 130 pounds in 9 months and feel great. I went back to my half time job in 2 weeks and needed to rest a bit when I got home, BUT I teach preK and we do alot in the room.
I did not think it was overly painful. BUT I did take pain meds if I needed them. IF that would affect you at work you might want to consider. I am NOT a pro like some who are years out. I am just me and doing well.
YOU have lifting in nursing and my doc said ANY lifting was automatic 6 weeks off. That may be soemthing to ask the different surgeons you meet and talk to.
good luck
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