Newbie Intro

Hello Everyone,  I found this site and am very impressed at how knowledgeable you all are and how supportive of each other and so I decided to join.  I've been overweight for most of my life....beginning around age 11 or so. In my teens I was self conscious about it and at times, teased by my peers. In my 20's and 30's, I dealt with it and kept it under control for the most part by staying extremely busy but the pounds kept adding up. I have to admit, I LOVE food! I do not honestly know if I could say I will NEVER again drink soda, or eat chocolate, pasta or chips. And, I've noticed too that over the years my portions have grown. Not a good thing obviously!  On July 30th of this year, my dear friend from way back (We're in our 40's now) underwent Gastric bypass surgery at CMMC with Dr. Loggins. She has done well but I admit, I was scared for her. I wondered if she knew what she was getting herself into --and whether she'd be able to be disciplined enough to stick with it but she has (happily) proven my worries were for nothing.  Now, I am thinking more about it. I have some questions/concerns though. I have no gallbladder (mine was removed in November of last year--it was my first surgery ever and healing was difficult for me) and I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome which somehow seems worse since the gall bladder surgery (not constant but at times.) Is this surgery likely to cause diarrhea? (Sorry if this is too much info. lol!) Also, for a while I had problems with low potassium--at one point was hospitalized for it overnight and on iv meds. Discharged with potassium pills. Not had a problem with that for some time now though. Would this cause a recurrence of that problem do you think?  I have high blood pressure and am on medication for that. I fear diabetes is next. My joints ache and I am not too great climbing more than a flight of stairs.   I'd appreciate any information or insight you might offer! Take good care, Lori

HI  LORI  WELCOME TO THE MAINE MESSAGE  BOARD!

Hi Kimberly,  Thank you for the welcome! Take care, Lori

Lori, You sound like you would be a candidate if you meet the requirements (at least a 100lbs. overweight, BMI of 40 (35 with other problems), documented weight loss attempts, etc.  Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician and discuss the possibility of surgery with him/her.  Your doctor, who is familiar with your history, is your best resource at this point.  And the process is not a quick one, so the sooner you get started (if it is what you ultimately want to do) the better.  However, you need to be aware (and it sounds like you are) that the surgery is not a cure all.  It is only a tool, albeit a very successful tool, to aid in your weight loss.  As time goes by your continued success will be based more on your eating habits and not your surgery.  It is a lifelong committment, but one I am sure you are more than capable of.  Welcome aboard!! Kim H.

Hi and ty for the welcome! I never share my weight with anyone due to shame but for some reason I feel I can do that here. I weigh 248 lbs and am 5' 6'' tall. My highest weight was 279 (about 18-24 months ago). When I had gallbladder surgery I was able to shed a few pounds due to completely giving up Dr. Pepper, chips and chocolate (weaknesses for me) but after years of being used to snacking and forever having soda nearby, I gradually ended up going back to old habits.   I brought up weight loss surgery with my doctor once before and she recommended Dr. D'Augustine (who, I understand no longer does such surgeries). The conversation was really just a brief exchange but from that I gathered that she is not opposed to it and thinks of it as an option for me.   The hardest part for me (in committing to starting the process) at this point is the knowledge that it is risky, irreversible and permanently alters one's body! And the thought of forever eating miniscule amounts of food for a lifetime. (Isn't it just a few ounces at most?) Then again, I probably won't have much more of a lifetime if I don't get this under control! Take care, Lori

Lori, I too has some of the concerns you have. I have been researching WLS options for a little while now. I love food, chips, soda and chocolate like you. I could not wrap my head around giving them up forever so I am going the Vertical Sleeve in 3 weeks. The sleeve is a tool where they remove 3/4 of your stomach. ( including the part that creates hormones that make you hungry)  Check out the VSG board there is a lot of good information. Although I am self pay so I am off to Mexico. Dr's is Maine would not even talk to me about any surgery my BMI is 38, and I do not have any insurance. Anyway good luck, feel free to e-mail with any questions I would be happy to help anyway I can. have  a great day Bethany

Hi Bethany, TY for answering my post! I had never heard of the Vertical Sleeve--gotta check that out! (Although, to be honest, I don't think I could do that one personally--the thought of REMOVING 3/4 of the stomach scares me but...with all the options out there, to each his/her own!) When do you leave for Mexico? I wish you the very best on your journey! Take good care, Lori

Hi Lori and welcome,

I can only answer a few of your questions but maybe that will help. Having your Gallbladder out already is actually a plus because Gallaldder problems are one of our more prominent side effects of the Gastric Bypass. My surgeon told me this at a support group meeting. By not having one to begin with, your a step ahead of the game

About the verticle sleeve. At Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, there is a brand new surgeon who just came to join Northeast Sugery. He specializes in this surgery and I went to a support group where he discussed it. He claims that it's a safer procedure than the Gastric Bypass only due to the lowered risk of side effects. However, it is not approved yet by insurance companies so he's doing it for self-pay patients only right now. He said that he plans that it will be approved by insurance companies within the next two years and will revolutionize the surgical weight loss program. He also does Gastric Bypass sugeries but prefers the new procedure.

Anyways, I hope any of that info helps you out. Good luck in your journey for information!

Darcy

Hi Darcy, Thank you for responding to my post! I'm all for anything that would reduce potential side effects--lol! And it's interesting (and helpful!) to know that being without a gall bladder going into the procedure is actually a GOOD thing! Thanks again and take good care, Lori

Welcome to the Maine Board, Lori!   This is a great site and I'm sure you'll love it.  There's a wealth of info here, but even better is that there is a wealth of real-life experience among the members.   Alot of the side effects for Gastric Bypass are different for each person.  Some come away with virtually no side effects and others may have several.  It's individual and unfortunately unknown until you get there.  By doing your research, you'll at least have an understanding of what's possible.  Diarrhea is a possibility, but usually temporary.  Dehydration can also happen, so I would check with your doctor as to whether that could affect your potassium issue.   Gastric Bypass does help aleviate many medical problems, like HBP & Diabetes.  Some people are even able to stop taking meds altogether after their surgery.  Definitely a plus!   Any weight loss surgery is a life-changing event, so be sure to take the time you need to research all the different options you have.  For the most part, Gastric Bypass patients can never have sugar again.  That's a huge factor for some people.  Of course the foods we hate to give up are usually the ones that caused to get where we are.  Sadly, it's a matter of what's most important....cookies, chips, sodas, chocolate  or  your life  (or at least your quality of life).     Good luck on your weight loss journey.  I hope you'll share it with us. Blessings, Yvonne