New Here

Hello All, I am new here. My PCP asked me at my last visit if I ever thought about a Gastric Bypass. I nevert really thought about it until now.  So here I am looking around for who is the best to do the surgery and what is my recovery time as I can't be out to long as I start school again in the fall. I have been a fulltime firefighter for 22 years and I currently weigh 330 pounds and am 5'10". I know it is going to effect what I do sometime soon and O would love to prevent that. So I guess I am looking to see what I can get out of this surgery along with recovery time, Oh and by the way I am horrible at keeping in touch with people! Steve 

Well first of all, welcome aboard!!  I have been at it for almost a year, and what pushed me to gastric bypass was my four year old son, if I do not get healthy then he would not have a mother for long...I am nine days away from my big day, and cannot wait!!  First your PCP has got to refer you to a surgeon, I do not know how it works in your part of the state, but in the Bangor area you attend a informational meeting and directly after that(same day)you will go to a support group meeting and will hear stories from people that have already had the surgery, their stories are very inspiring....after that you will be seen by a nutritionist, and a physical therapist.  A psychological exam will be set up to find out if you are mentally ready for the big change in your life....then finally you will see the surgeon, a request will be sent to your insurance, shortly after you will find out if you are approved or not, then finally after all of the waiting which seems like forever.....you will get your date!!!  And as far as you going back to school in the fall, I take classes through ITV, University of Maine at Augusta full-time, (will graduate in May with a BS in Mental Health and Human Services)during the whole year...no stopping for summer....if you can take some classes on-line for a semester that would be a great help, but schooling has always come first for me, and for some great reason my operation is going to happen right before the summer semester ends, and the fall one starts.....all of my classes are on-line for the summer, so I can work at my own pace!!!  Ask your professors if it is okay to work ahead they are really understanding about situations like ours....Good Luck to you....let me know how it goes.......Carla

Hello Steve, and another welcome aboard!  You have done the right thing by coming to this site, All the information you may need is really right here,,,, the professional, the personal, the inspirational. IT has it all. I went thru the same process as Carla, and am currently 9 days post op.  I  chose the RNY laprascopic procedure as the best for me.  Recovering from surgery, barring any complications really won't put you out more than a week or two at most, probably, IMHO.  What you may have trouble with is adjusting to the lifestyle change. I chose to deal with it when I "had" to instead of implimenting some of the changes 8 months ago when I started this whole thing. ie>>> protein shakes, chewing food until it is almost liquid in your mouth, no drinking with meals,              cutting out soda, {I really do miss that}   There are alot more things you can do right at the beginning of your process that will make things probably go so much smoother for you post op. I would do this again in a second,  I feel fantastic already!!   Good Luck, and keep us posted, Maryellen

Welcome to the group Steve!   It looks like some other great members have already given you the basic run down of the process.  Since you live in southern Maine, I'm sure you will want to check with the Bariatric Center there.  Some centers let you talk to the surgeon before you start the process while at other centers have you wait until your done with the evaluation process.  If that's the case where you live, you'll want to be sure to do some research on your own to make sure this is the route you want to go.  The evaluation process takes awhile, so you want to be sure your investing your time into something your serious about.   There is a ton of information available online, as well as several yahoo, etc. online groups geared towards Gastric Bypass.  And of course this great site!   PS... Obviously weight gain can affect your type of job, but I also believe that weight loss will affect it as well.  You may find you have a different tolerance to heat.  Other members may be able to give you some insight into this area.  Good Luck on your weight loss journey! Blessings, Yvonne

Welcome steve to the group everyone has gave you great advice..I just want to say its a long process to get to the point of surgery. I will be having mine friday july 20..I am so happy and excited and nervous all at the same time..I just keep telling myself one day at a time..YOU have to be ready in your mind to have the surgery its going to be a big change...and alot of people will think its the easy way out but I know it will not be.. It is a TOOL  not a cure.. Good luck to you..The maine message board I use alot because there seems to be only a few of us on the Maine one. Barb

Welcome Steve, Let me tell you how this surgery changed my life. I have always been fat. Even in 6th grade I weighed 200 lbs !!! Sept 26 2006 I had open gastric bypass, with Dr. Clough in Bangor. I was 59 years old, 470 lbs, severe arthritis I have had both knees replaced and I have it bad in my back. I decided that if I was going to be totally down I wanted it easier for my family to take care of me. I started the program in Feb 2006. Ihad highblood surgars, high blood pressures,thyroid problems and high cholsterol and on all meds for those. I had to use my "big" wheel chair to go any where as I could not walk hardly at all and if I could could hardly breathe.Today I am 318, on no more pills for all that I was. I can walk and was weeding garden the other day !!!! The surgery is NOT for anybody. The first 2 months was rough I had no complications THANK GOD as there are many that do. Look into it get all the info you can and feel what is right for you !!! Good Luck Pam My dad in Iowa was a firemen as my uncle, and my grandpa !!!