WLS Research....Tell me something you learned while researching wls ?

Hi all , I am asking for ya'll to tell me something that you felt was important in your research with wls. I figure this will help all of us that are still in the research stage as well as those of us that are waiting and have had wls. So come on everyone ......TELL ME PLEASE !!!! and , Carol

When I finally decided to have the surgery a big thing that I researched was doctors. I wanted to know when and where they practiced, where they learned how to perform the surgery, how long and what else do they handle in their office. I wanted to know how many patients, were there any fatalities. I needed honesty. I looked at pros and cons of changing my lifestyle and eating habits FOREVER! I spoke to others one on one that have had the surgery. I was really scared. My parents made me even more scared. They kept saying you could die. I told them I'm gonna die without surgery. So here I am 2 months later and very happy with the decision. I wouldn't change a thing.

FINDING the best surgeon to preform this surgery on me was very important. I need someone that i fully could trust my life with and i found that in my surgeon. HE is truly my hero and saved my life. I had met with another surgeon and there was no comparison. THAT was truly my most important part of researching was finding the surgeon, learning about his credentials, talking to other patients of his was the MOST important thing to me. GOOD LUCK! LISA

Carol, Hello hun ~Hugs~ The things that I feel that are important is: *Finding a GOOD Dr....research, research and then more research! *Finding about about what you might feel before and after surgery...I know for me it was the depression that got to me right before and after and knowing that it was normal from reading here sure helped me. Knowing I was not alone and that it would pass was a BIG help!!!!! *Finding good protein and vitamins that you can take as you should, every day! Hun we go through so many feeling and emotions that it is hard to list them all here but just reading and looking in often sure helped me. This is a great website to learn from.....Read all you can! Take care ~Hugs~ Debra P 285/193/125??

Hi all, I would like to thank all of you that have responded to my post . Each and everyone of you have alot to give to those of us researching this surgery. Who better to learn from then you , the ones that have been there, done that . So thank you so much ! and , Carol

Hi Carol, Along with everyone else's response about finding a doctor I also started attending twice monthly support group meetings at my hospital. The folks who attended ranged from pre-op to 10 years post-op. They were also very helpful and friendly. 99% were positive people who were thrilled and so very happy to have had WLS. I am so thankful that I took that final step and know you will be too. Good luck and have a great day. Cindee 310/234/?

Here's what I learned. There's more than one kind of WLS. I was actually scheduled for an RNY when my insurance changed and Dr. Rosser wouldn't work with the new insurance company. When I went looking for another surgeon, I found out about duodenal switch surgery and it was the luckiest day of my life. I've lost 125 in 9 months. A pair of size 10 pants fit me and I started crying in the Macy's dressing room. I don't suffer or vomit. I eat well. I eat a lot. Mostly protein and veggies, but treats too. Much smaller quantities, but I'm not hungry (they remove the part of hte stomach that produces the hunger hormone, gherlin). No single surgery is right for every person. DS was right for me. To learn if it would be right for you, check out the national library of medicine http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed and search gastric bypass, duodenal switch, bariatric surgery and other key words. Read this site: www.weightloss-surgery.com (especially the FAQ). Come over to the OH forum on duodenal switch and read the profiles at duodenalswitch.com. You may still decide the RNY is right for you. I made a choice that I am very, very happy with. Good luck. Nancy

Once I narrowed down a list of doctors who were board certified and on my plan, I read all of the reviews from their patients here on OH. I also read every review of the hospitals and it really helped me narrow down my choices.

This is what I post to newbies: Deciding to have WLS is a major, life-changing event and shouldn't be made on impulse (I am not saying this is you I am saying this for anyone thinking about it!). I recommend anyone be 110% sure this is what you want to do because it is PERMANENT! Things to think about: · How long have you been researching WLS?**Hopefully at least a good 6 months or so****for many it is years! · Do you understand the procedure, I mean really understand the nitty gritty of what they are going to do to your intestinal system! Not just it will help me lose weight but that they are going to cut your stomach in 2,make a small pouch, the old stomach hopefully is transected from pouch by staples and surgically cut in 2! Then the intestines are cut a few feet or so down and rerouted so you lose weight because the tummy is restrictive and bypassing the intestines decreases absorption....Know the risks involved with this!!!***(nutritional/metabolic/physical/psychosocial): ex B12 and vitamin deficiencies/protein deficiency/hernia/adhesions, risk of depression post op related to grief over loss of food and hormonal surge of estrogen/trauma of surgery, marital/relational difficulties/high divorce rate)... · Surgical risks: (not all inclusive.. Bleeding · Complications due to anesthesia and medications · Deep vein thrombosis/clots · Wound Dehiscence · Infections · Pulmonary problems · Spleen injury · Stenosis · Hernia · Depression possibly related to grieving the loss of food, decreased metabolism, and hormonal surges from estrogen being released into the body from rapid wt loss/fat breakdown.... · Gallstones.... · Long-term osteoporosis, vit./mineral deficiencies · hair loss (temporary due to anesthesia, trauma of surgery but will continue if you are protien/vit and mineral deficient!) · Food intolerances (possibly meats, esp. red meat, lactose intolerance, sugar, fats, fried food) · Dumping syndrome (Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/chestpain/palatations/sweating/tiredness for minutes/hours/days) · EXCESS SKIN....OK my philosophy is you fit in your skin or you don't...Do say you don't want to feel bad after, ask yourself do you feel bad now? If yes are you healthy now as a MO person? Yeah many insurance companies pay for some plastic surgeries if medically necessary it may be a fight, but you can get some of it removed possibly....If though this will deter you I say the chances are great you will have some amount of excess skin, no one knows how much...Age, gender, prior diet/weight changes, pregnancies all affect this and the best chance on has to control this is (although limited) exercise, water and protein....So if this is a huge issue don't have surgery.....Perhaps join : http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ossg-plasticsurgery/ a great site and look at before pictures and after....Excess skin may be by far the most distressing side-effect for people as we already come with altered self-esteem/body image!!! · What type of research have you done? (Internet, in-person support group meetings, talking with others who have had surgery, surgeon consult, surgeon seminar, articles, books?????)***Knowledge is power and is the best tool we have for success and happiness afterwards**** · What are your present support systems? Friends, Family, co-workers.....**Although not 100% necessary if others are on board it sure as heck makes the ride all that much easier!!!*** · What are your current stressors? ***WLS is a time when you need to be as stable as possible, going through a divorce, bankruptcy, death of a close relative, job loss...well WLS may be a good option but pick the optimal time as it is stressful enough if everything is good, when you are going through something extra stressful you are hampering your success possibly and not having the old standby of food to rely on can be HELL!***This is not to say there ever is a right time and things can happen post-op but be kind to yourself and do what's best for you, waiting 3 months may make all the difference in the world! After all this is about forever!!! · What is your nutritional/obesity/diet history?***WLS is not for everyone, it is for the Morbidly obese (BMI above 40 or 35 with major comorbdities such as sleep apnea, Coronary disease, Diabetes....)This should be no ones first attempt at dieting (*I know this is not yours again just general guidelines)...Anyone who says this is the easy way out, KNOWS NOTHING about the surgery or the struggles you will endure and lifestyle changes necessary post-op for success! They are usually ignorant, jealous or both! Again your education and knowledge here goes a long way...Everyone seems to know someone who 'died' or had a 'terrible experience' with WLS...BUT no one seems to have a name or number to call that person!!! It is again based on hearsay alot of the time and their own fears and insecurities...You are doing this for you remember that, it is nice to have support, so educate friends and family, bring them to a support group!!! It can only help! Many programs require wt loss preop...I know many people disagree with this or don't understand why..IMHO I think it is a generally good idea to start instilling dietary, exercise and overall lifestyle changes preop, there is nothing magical about the surgery that makes u wake up and think like a thin person (*I WISH!!!!) So making small changes are helpful pre-op...EXERCISE is one of the biggest keys to success (IMHO again) and anything you can do preop will help you keep up with this and be healthier for surgery!! (and a better surgical risk!)...Start eating smaller portions, it is hard if you go from eating super sized fast food today to clear liquids for 2 weeks (*this is my equivalent of psychological hell/torture!!!) Start slowing down when you eat, put that fork down in-between bites, cut up your food to small pieces, stop drinking and eating at the same time (cant do it or shouldn't postop so start now!) Start taking in 64 ounces of fluid a day if u aren't already, will need to postop! Cut out carbonation, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and chocolate (these are 5 recommended things to avoid postop for many esp. in the first year) again make postop life easier on yourself not harder start ahead!!!!Try on new coping skills for size, they wont miraculously appear postop! Stock the house with clear liquids, crystal lite, diet kool-aid, broth, diet jello etc so u are ready when u get home!!!!Try and avoid the 'last supper syndrome' you will eat most everything again eventually, perhaps in smaller quantities, so don't have a feast each night of things u think u will never have again! · Ask yourself: What is my ability to make lifestyle changes? Be compliant with post-op recommendations??? This is only a tool....(*sorry can't say that enough!).... a. Need to exercise daily for health/wt loss and help with excess skin b. Need to supplement with B12, multivitamin, folate, Iron, Zinc, Calcium citrate, protein shakes possibly give or take things. c. Need for LIFELONG FOLLOW UP!!!! · Know that extended release medications may not be as effective or absorbed well (**esp. birth control pills in woman of childbearing age use alternative form of BC) I could probably ramble on all day about this..I hope some of this helps you! Any specific ? email us or me offline! Take care and good luck it is an awesome journey!! *not perfect and a positive attitude helps! DO this for you and only you!!!!Start journaling now www.obesityhelp.com is a great site, start your own profile there! Also if you haven't seen this document (pouch rules) print and read! A good basic guide to things that will help you use the tool and be successful as possible (*for most of us!!!) http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/pouchrules.htm Jamie Ellis RN, MS, NPP Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh, Albany, NY 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 Dr. King, Albany, NY