Quest: Information

Hi! My name is Jennifer and I am seeking any and all info on WLS for my Mom, Judy. Mom is on disability for arthiritis in her knees (bone on bone). She is 58yo, 5'6, 345 lbs. This past week, she has had both her GP and her Ortho surgeon recommend she look into WLS surgery. We are signed up to attend Dr. White's seminar on 2/19/08 at IMC in Omaha. But, would love any other info. I have perused your website for the last couple of days (It's great, by the way!) and have found information that both eases my mind, about her having surgery, and also worries me...I know, as with any surgery, there are side-effects. I am worried because her mobility is very limited and I don't want her to do something that is going to increase her health issues. I still have so many ??s. I guess I am just trying to weigh it all. It sounds like there is less risk involved with the LAP procedures (true??), but it might be harder to lose the weight? And I keep reading about fills/unfills? I get the concept, I think...but, still don't understand the specifics? I also have read about people who go back and get a different procedure later (RNY??) Also have questions about dumping - caused by both fat and sugar, or just sugar? Is this like hypoglycemia (or am I way off)? Can anyone help sort through the info...or provide your own thoughts/experiences? THANKS!!!

Jennifer,    You are taking the right steps get as much information as you can.     I can feel for you mom I had arthritis too, my hips were bone on bone.  Last Jan 2007 I had a total hip replacement and the recovery was ok.       Then in Sept. I had the lap band procedure done, absolutely no complictions and the weight does come off I am still amazed.      Then In Dec 07 and Jan 07 I had surgery on my other hip.  I had complications from an infection with that hip surgery but it turned out ok.  But let me tell you getting out of bed after the surgery I had done now was so much easier I had lost 50 lbs and with that 50 lbs off it made my recovery so much easier.      I wished I would have done the wls before I had any of my hip surgeries.  It does make the recovery so much easier with getting some weight off.

    I had Dr. White do my surgery and he was great and Roxi who works closely with the patients is great too.  I have only had one fill so far and have lost over 60 lbs now.

   When you attend the seminar get there early and get a seat in the front row, Dr. White is great at answering any questions you have.

  Good luck to you mom.

Barb

Barb, I thank you and my Mom thanks you! It means a lot hear from someone who also suffers from OA as well. I read your page, I am sorry to hear about the struggles you went through with the last hip surgery! (UGH!) But, it made a HUGE difference to my Mom to hear from someone who has gone through one OA surgery before the WLS and one after. I think it really helped solidify her decision to have the WLS. We are both still nervous...I think for different reasons. But it meant alot to hear about the difference it (the WLS) makes when dealing with the OA post-ops. She is starting her WLS journey a little different than some (from what I have read). She has been in pain so long, her main focus has been getting the knee replacement surgery ASAP and was planning to deal with the weight isssues, for the most part, after having her knees replaced. She has been dieting for months with little success. Her GP said until she could exercise she wouldn't see much change....but now with her GP and OA surgeon pushing for the WLS, her focus has shifted to not only fixing the pain, but the root cause of the pain. We are both eager to attend the seminar and get as much info as possible. You, and this site, have been very  helpful with that as well. Thanks again!  Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, with any surgery there are risks. But the benefits with wls outweigh the risks. Having the surgery done laparascopically makes it better because you don't have as much pain. Instead of a large incision you have 4-6 tiny incisions. There is more followup with the band but once you hit your sweet spot you don't have to see him as often. Just remember that wls is a powerful TOOL for weight loss. It makes it easier to eat healthy by decreasing your appetite. We can fill the band all the way closed but if you are eating high calorie foods you will gain weight. Gastric bypass patients have dumping but banding patients don't have this. I was diabetic before surgery and I dealt with sugar lows. Your mom needs to be in contact with her physician to wean down the diabetes medicine instead of eating more to cover the low sugars. If you would like, call me at 308-630-2249 and I can give you more information. Mona

Thank you! I will pass along you phone number to my Mom, Judy. I know she has lots of questions.

Hi Jennifer,

Congrats to you and your mom for seeking out a means to the end of obesity. I think it would be well worth your time to go Dr. Anthone's seminar in Omaha. He performs the DS and is INCREDIBLE, both the surgeon AND the procedure. Feel free to wander on over to the Duodenal Switch board and learn about that procedure, it has positively changed my life forever. Good luck with your journey with your mom....it will be worth your time and your mom's health to investigate all of the procedures available.

Michelle

Thank you! I will definitely wander over and check out DS. I have been trying to prepare for the seminar by getting as much info as much as possible on the various surgeries available as well as organizing my questions before the seminar!  Thanks again!  Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,  I had RNY on 6/6/06 and have lost over 180 lbs with 24 lbs to go.  I had my surgery done by Dr. Goering in G.I and he and the staff and St. Francis were wonderful.  I have had no problems with surgery or post op.   I did have and still have dumping symdrome and it isn't fun.  What happens is usually if you have something that has sugar in it or too much fat you can severe cramps and have instant gastric upset.   You have to go to the bathroom instantly!!!!  It is painful and reminds you not to eat that stuff again.  Sometimes things have hidden sugar and you don't realize it and you will get sick.  Now I check everything and avoid all sugar (except natural like fruit)  but it has all been worth it.  I had decided again the band because a few people I knew were eating right through the band and not losing weight.  I researched and decided that the gastric bypass was my long term answer. I have had 3 family members (cousin) and they also had the bypass and look wonderful.  They had it done before I did and have been great support.  Just remember a WLs patient needs a lot of support!!!!! I am extremely happy with my decision and would do over again in a heartbeat.  I have never regretted it.  Just remember to research both your surgeon and especially the anestiologist (sp) very thoroughly.  Get recommendations and check them out.  Tell your Mom good luck.  L

Thanks! I have a friend who had they RNY and she looks great too! I am still researching all of the options and I appreciate all of your feedback! Jennifer

Jennifer you will love Dr White...he is smart, witty and easy on the eyes!!..The presentation is a bit on the boring side...but it should answer all your questions...his staff...Roxi (his nurse) and Makayla (who works in the office) and Beth the NUT...they are wonderful people...Dr White did my husbands  bypass 5 years ago...before I met Hubby...but hubby will tellyou Dr White saved his life.  I was supposed to have Dr White..but his associate Dr Hovey (mc dreamy) had an opening that needed a patient and I volunteered.....I had my band placed October 15ht..almost 4 months ago...I am at 57lbs...it is the best thing I have ever done for myself...yes the band does lose the weight slower but it gives you time to tone up as you go along...and if  your mom has issues where alot of exercise is not possible she might want to be banded so she can slowly lose and might still be able to tone up.  Not that there aren't complications to any surgery...heck if getting  your tonsils out could be bad...but as I see it is worth the risk and money involved...this website and the wonderful people here will be blunt, honest and ever so helpful (as will Dr White's office..but they don't answer questions at 2 am!). Good Luck and it's great that you are helping your mother on this journey.