I was wondering what health problems you had before surgery?  Also did it help any of them? Is there any health Problems that would prevent someone from having wls? I see there are some health problems that the wls surgery may help - I understand it is on indivudual based- So I would like anyone and everyones imput on this topic? Thanks

I had type 2 diabetes.  I was taking oral medication 2 times a day before my surgery.  I had my surgery about 8.5 months ago and have been off the medication for the last 4 months.  My blood pressure is way down (not that it was every really high) and I was on a very hi dose of a diuretic for water retention in my legs.  That has been changed to a much milder kind of medication at a lower dose and was told by the doctor today to only take it every other day.  People have commented on how much better my breathing is when they talk to me.  They say it doesn't sound labored anymore.    I consider my WLS a success because I am now healthy and that is why I had it.  Sally

type 2 diabetes - gone within a month fatty liver with highly elevated enzymes - enzymes in normal range within 3 months, ultrasound showed no fatty liver within 12 months arthritis in left knee - arthritis technically never goes away, but I have no SYMPTOMS of it whatsoever high cholesterol (over 260) - 1 yr post-op was 105 best thing I've ever done as to what might prevent you... I guess anything that might prevent any surgery... severe heart or respiratory probs, possibly certain blood disorders... best to check with your surgeon on that one.  Think of it this way, there are PLENTY of super-obese, highly sick individuals who get WLS all the time.  Unless you're just TOO BIG to even HAVE the surgery Good luck

Hi.  So glad I saw this post.  I had heart problems, 4 by-passes, high cholesterol, diabetes, nueropathy in my feet and legs and I was on 13 pills a day.  Since WLS, I have the heart of a 15 year old, my cholesterol is now 100 as of last Wednesday, and I feel so much better.  I am getting some feeling back in my legs and feet.  This surgery is a God send!  If you are contemplating having it, I encourage you to do what YOU feel is right.  You will have peace if you feel it is right.  God bless you on your journey. 

lovingheart: Hello! I was 29 years old when deciding to have WLS and just had turned 30 2 months prior to my bypass. I had hypertension and was on Altace for that, had fatty liver they foundon Gallbaldder ultra sound, as well high cholesterol they were going to put me on a statin for *yikes at 29!*, I knew diabetes was 'just around the corner' as my mom has it and is on 3 oral agents...Diabetes scared me the most being a nurse knowing about the morbidity and mortality with that! I also had joint pain/arthritis in knees/ankles and significant back pain from old sprain.

My fatty liver has resolved, cholesterol is perfect and took 100# wt loss but my BP is now normal and no Altace! Never went on a statin and well back acts up les with the loss of wt, some knee pain but less so! Now contraindictaions to surgery are going to be individual to surgeon for the most part. Certain medical and or psychological isues could be disqualifying. Of course you need to meet criteria (BMI and or comordidities). it is too hard to discuss what would disqualify. Many are just not good candidates due to poor information,no motivation, unrealistic expectations, poor support, comorbid untreated psychological issues etc. Currrent stability in medical conditions also is sometimes required by surgeons for instance HGBA1c in certain range for diabetes. I know some clotting disorders may be an issue, underlying GI issues that need treatment first, current eating disorders perhaps, substance abuse issues untreated, again too hard to list. This is why a good program has amultidisciplinary preop team to do workup! There are few centers who treat the super super morbidly obese but they are out there. Doing the 2 staged BPD/DS is helpful they say to reduce mortality risks. The surgeon wants to oeprate on someone who will get off the table and be successful not make them die on table and or only trade morbid obesity with malnutrition. Wantmore specific info email me [email protected] ARE YOU WORRIED YOU WON'T QUALIFY AND OR HAVE RESOLUTION OF COMORBIDITIES? Here are some articles, but take a look at this link! http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/patients/benefits.htm photographic view of what is resolved and percentages! Also link to PDF file with more info!!! http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/resources/press_release_820200 7.pdf http://www.asbs.org/html/pdf/asmbs_response_jama.pdf http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/patients/resources/asbs_ration ale.htm http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/patients/resources/asbs_story. htm Obesity Surgery Seen As Diabetes Cure  1/24/08 http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=1331011 JAMA. 2008;299(3):341-343. 

Bariatric surgery

For the right patient, procedure can be effective http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/01_04/mattison.htm

Who should not undergo bariatric surgery?

The absolute contraindications to bariatric surgery are psychotic illness (eg, untreated schizophrenia), active substance abuse, and defined noncompliance with previous medical care. In addition, other psychiatric conditions, including borderline personality disorder and uncontrolled depression, are relative contraindications to surgery.

Bariatric surgery can drastically change eating habits and interfere with the social aspects of eating. Weight loss can also change social interactions and relationships with others (2,3). Unless potential patients are able to understand how their life will change--in both positive and negative ways--it is probably best to avoid or defer surgery until they are able to do so.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Can Alleviate Metabolic Syndrome

 

Jane Salodof Macneil Contributing Writer

 

BOSTON — Gastric bypass surgery is curing morbidly obese patients of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance—to the bafflement of a leading surgeon who performs the operation. “If you get rid of the obesity, all of these things improve, and some of them go away even before patients lose the weight,” Dr. Frank G. Moody said at a symposium on treating gastrointestinal disorders sponsored by Boston University. “Diabetes disappears real quickly, as does the insulin resistance. And that's what I don't understand.” Dr. Moody, director of the University of Texas Obesity Study Group, Houston, questioned whether bariatric surgery itself causes metabolic changes. “Why does gastric bypass work? We don't know yet,” he said, describing patients who lost their appetite for several months afterward. “We tell people, ‘You've got to eat,’” he recounted, speculating whether hormones, maldigestion, and/or dumping syndrome might play a role. “They walk out 400 pounds, but they're not hungry. That's baffling.” The results are fairly consistent, according to Dr. Moody. At his center, patients have lost about two-thirds of excess weight the first year and have kept more than 60% of it off 5 years later. Multiple studies show that most patients have resolution or improvement in comorbidities, including asthma and sleep apnea as well as conditions related to metabolic syndrome. Dr. Moody spoke the same week Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston put a moratorium on bariatric surgery following the death of a patient. He presented data collated from 11 controlled trials in which 3 (0.5%) of 607 patients had died and 28 (4.6%) suffered major wounds. Patients need to be warned that the surgery has risks but should also be counseled that the risks of not operating are greater. “Just losing weight is not the purpose of the surgery,” Dr. Moody said. “It is to lose the complications associated with obesity.” Surgeons should err on the side of safety, he said, and recognize that they are at risk of being sued if anything goes wrong. Gastric bypass has a “steep learning curve,” said Dr. Moody, who advocates additional training. “This is a ‘no-body-bag’ business,” he warned. “There's very little tolerance for complications in this field.” Although he has not been sued, Dr. Moody said that he has had eight life-threatening complications and considers himself lucky that no patient has died. He reviewed 185 patients, who underwent small-pouch gastric bypass from 1988 to 2001 at the University of Texas. Most were middle-aged white women. The average body mass index was 51 kg/m2 (range 33-90). Orthopedic surgeons referred more than half of the Houston patients, many of whom had musculoskeletal problems that made them candidates for hip and knee replacements. One puzzling finding was the hair loss that was seen in 9% of 153 patients assessed for late complications. Long-term follow-up is difficult but crucial, he added. Centers need to put together 8- to 10-person teams, including nutritionists who will work with patients. Despite the major health gains, he expressed concern that without lifelong dieting and exercise, metabolic problems and excess weight eventually would return. Morbid obesity is promoted by genes that cause people to store fat as a hedge against starvation. Morbidly obese people “generally don't eat more than they should eat, but they eat more than they need for reasons we don't understand,” Dr. Moody said, describing the leptin gene and a protein called ghrelin as likely factors. “I don't think surgery beats genes—genes beat us every time,” he said. “It's a question of time. How long can we keep weight off?”  http://www.eclinicalpsychiatrynews.com/article/abstracts Bariatric Surgery Weight-loss surgery can produce significant results for certain patients. Kathleen Bowen, NP, explains how to determine which patients to refer for surgery and what they should know. http://nurse-practitioners.advanceweb.com/common/Editorial/Editorial.aspx?CC=84163

Weight Loss Surgery Safe for Seniors

Older Patients Can Benefit From Gastric Bypass Surgery, Researchers Say By Miranda Hitti WebMD Medical News  

http://www.webmd.com/news/20050222/weight-loss-surgery-safe- for-seniors SOURCES: St. Peter, S. /Archives of Surgery/, February 2005; vol 140: pp 165-168. WebMD Medical News: "Studies Weigh Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery." WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise: "Gastric Bypass Surgery Overview." News release, JAMA/Archives.

Mortality Rates in Morbidly Obese Skyrocket Without Bariatric Surgery

 

Fri Aug 25, 8:00 AM ET  http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20060825/bs_prweb/prweb428589_ 3&printer=1

Obesity Surgery Can Put Type 2 Diabetes In Remission http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=153275&source=r_heal th   Bariatric Surgery Resolves Comorbid Conditions

 

http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=192394&source=r_health 9/7/05 Obesity surgery fine for cardiac patients By Avery Comarow http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/heart/hb050907b.h tm

I had high BP which is almost normal now & should be off the meds soon. I also had adult on-set asthma which has cleared up pretty well... no more daily Advair but I do carry my inhaler with me just in case!! My knees ached too but not anymore... they felt so much better just losing 20lbs!!!  My family history had me running scared so I was done tempting fate... we have everything from diabetes, high bp & cholesterol to cancer & heart disease. Both my parents died very young & it's my goal to do all I can to live longer than they did... and healthier!!!

Cholesterol of 300.  Now under 150 (lipids, etc., are good too). Glucose at abnormal high level.  Now fine. My aching back.  I walked like a chimp and was in bed for the 3 mos. prior to my WLS due to back pain.  About 1 mo. out, the pain began subsiding.  It was gone within months.

Before my RNY, I had high blood pressure, shortness of breath and my weight contributed to my osteo-arthritis in my knees.  I also suffered from regular bouts of indigestion. After losing the weight, my blood pressure went down considerably, no more shortness of breathe and I hardly ever use my inhaler (the only time I used it was when I was recovering from another surgery.  Even though I still have osteo-arthritis, the pain is greatly alleviated by having considerable less weight on my knees.