Considering Bariatric Surgery

Hi,

I'm considering bariatric surgery. What can you all tell me about the process, pre-surgery, surgery, post-surgery?

Thanks!

I guess you've been reading on the Obesity Help site and that's a great start. I would get your family doctor to submit the referral (there's no obligation to proceed with surgery but the process in Guelph took about a year from referral to surgery). Every site is a bit different in the process but there is always an orientation meeting that will spell out what their process is. You determine how fast you move through the process to some extent by how you book your appointments at the clinic. There are several meetings with a nurse, nutritionist and social worker. There is blood work, abdominal ultrasounds and possible sleep study if you may have sleep apnea. Again your centre Weill spell out exactly what they need.

Once you get the green light from these folks you meet with the surgeon and the date is set. The surgeon determines how many weeks you will be on Optifast leading up to surgery. This is a protein shake and each centre has slightly different rules about what else if anything you can have during those weeks. The idea is to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgeon to work. You're in the hospital for about 3 days if all goes well.You have a very limited diet as you heal for the first few weeks and then gradually introduce other foods. Focus is on proteins first for sure. There are follow up appointments with the nurse, nutritionist and surgeon periodically. 

I think that's it in a nutshell. As I said every centre handles it a bit different and I'm not sure what centre you would be sent to from Port. (I used to live in South 😊)

Good luck with your decision...it's critical that you're head is in the right place and if it is, this will be a life changing decision for you!

All the best! Kim

Thanks Kim! That is all great information! My other concern is, getting pregnant after the surgery. Everyone I know that has had bariatric surgery has already had their children.

I used to live in Kitchener ;)

W8nomore nailed it. The other thing I would add is cost. There are several appts leading up to surgery, they are all out of town, and several after surgery, so you need to consider this also. You have to get there, have the flexibility to attend the scheduled appts, Optifast is $200 for 2 weeks and post op appts. Of course after, you save money on food and meds if you're on any etc.

It's a fabulous investment but wanted to point it out b/c i've heard of ppl not being able to complete the process for one of the above reasons. Good luck with your decision. I was 1 year to the date of orientation and surgery and doing well, feeling great!

Great! Thank you! I didn't know the price of the Optifast for sure. I saw approximate costs. I knew I'd have to travel for appointments, but I've been doing that to see specialists anyway right now...

Many people have gotten pregnant after surgery. They recommend that you wait at least 2 years though. For your safety and for the baby's. Good luck. This was the best thing I ever did. Just wish I had done it sooner!

Thanks for that Monica. Good to know!

Hi HappyPringle,

One thing to consider is the diet change for the rest of your life. Many people cannot handle sugar post op, it causes dumping syndrome lots of information on this site if  you enter it into the search bar.

The amount of food we can eat is limited because the size of our newly made stomach, called a pouch is about the size of a small egg. To get enough food in per day we should eat three meals and two to three healthy snacks a day.

Since absorption is a problem for many post op we need to take vitamins and calcium for the rest of our lives. Some people need to get iron shots because their bodies do not absorb properly, everyone is different

If you have any pre existing health issues like arthritis for example, NSAID medication is definitely out of the question. This family of medication can cause ulcers in our pouch. A lot of medications do not absorb properly either so do your research before taking this leap.

Then there is the cost factor. Optifast for three weeks cost. Having to follow a specialty diet of protein first is something to think about also.

Keep in mind that eating out is something that will not be as much fun unless you plan to bring a doggy bag home with you. I tend not to eat out any longer because its a waste of money seeing I cant even get through the kids meal most time without leftovers.

Something to ask yourself  is will your partner be on board. Living with someone who eats like a bird has its set of challenges. Its not that someone eats very little that is the problem but its the fact that someone eats very little and has problems with certain foods on top that this. An example, I cant eat eat chicken. Before surgery I loved it now the smell makes my fell ill. If I mask it in chili its ok but plain its a no go. Some days I can eat it some days I cant. Eggs, I cant eat a fried egg but scramble is ok or soft boiled is ok but not always. What  I am trying to say is meals are always a challenge. My DH never knows from meal to meal what my tummy can handle.He is amazing with all of this but I can see how something like this could possibly drive some people nuts.  There are times he has spent hours making a beautiful meal for us only for me to have two bits and push the plate away.

Now comes the part about alcohol. Since absorption is a problem, yes I keep repeating this throughout but alcohol is almost instantly absorbed into your system, this means your get drunk super fast. Some people say as quick as they get drunk you sober up equally as fast. Alcoholism is something to be conscious of after WLS. Some people turn to alcohol as a crutch, before they had food and once the food is no longer possible people turn to booze.    

You really need to spend your time ready and doing your research. I spent over a year on this website reading everything I could get my hands on. This surgery is life altering and NOT reversible. Its not a magic fix. Yes you will lose weight but you need to work at this forever even after the weight is lost.

I hope this help you a little. This is just a few things that I could come up with in a hurry. What every you decide I really wish you well

Good luck!

Ann

I disagree with the previous poster in the eating out. My DH and I eat out once a week or every oher week. This weeks salad at dinner was my lunch the next day. I didn't mind because it was a great meal.

One other thing to start looking at is why you because obese in the first place. Many if not all have some sort of reason we used food as a crutch. Getting counseling is a great start to figuring out your relationship with food.