Bariatric Surgery

Help!  I have completed the pre-operative requirements for surgery and I was very excited at the possibility of getting my weight off.  I am feeling very frightened about it now.  I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this and honestly tell me how it has affected their life.

I have a lot of concerns and I need to know if it is worth it and if you would do it again.  I am really having difficulty with this decision.

I would appreciate hearing from others and their perspective.

JGS

I had bypass surgery almost ten years ago and have lost 108 pounds and have maintained my weight loss. Weight loss surgery has improved my health and the quality of my life. I no longer take diabetic medication, high  blood pressure medication and no C-Pap. I'm  55 years old and down hill skiing, wake boarding, hiking, biking and I have my life back. Since my surgery nine of my family members have had weight loss surgery.  All are doing well. It's normal to have doubts. Weight loss surgery is a major decision but one that I would absolutely make again. I hope this helps to calm your fears.

Hi,
 
Thank you so much.  It really helps to hear how you are doing and that you would do it again.
What has been the hardest part for you?  Also, where did you have it done?

JGS

Hi there:

My name is Peggy, and I had Open RNY on August 22, 2006. I started my journey out at 526 lbs.  It took me 18 months to jump thru all the hoops, of course if you have Kaiser Permanente it does take a while.  I have lost a total of about 300 lbs since surgery with a lot of hard work, cutting portions, and exercise and cutting out the soda pop ( that was one of the hardest things for me to do)  I am extremely happily I had the surgery done.  Yes I would do it again.

Where are you having your surgery done?  Just curious.  I need plastic surgery, I have tons of hanging skin I need to get rid of.  But that'll come in time.  I used to hate excercising, and was "allergic" to stepping on the scale, Now I work out between 3-4x a week, 2 x with a trainer.

Good luck on your journey.

Peggy

Hi Peggy,

Thank you for sharing your information.  It helps alot to hear of your success.  I am having the surgery at OHSU, probably in February.  Other than the soda pop what has been the hardest part for you?

JGS

I got really sick after the 2nd month post-op.  I had a stricture, I could'nt keep anything down.  Vitamins, nothing.  I had to have 2 endoscopies.  Then my surgeon told me that I could get anerexic by not eating.  I thought me? "yeah right"  I had to go on a TPN for a month,  It is where they do intravenous feeding thru a picc line.  That lasted a month where I had to have the home health nurses come in and show my husband how to hook this up.  By having a picc line in, they could do my labs at home.  I am lucky, I live just right around the corner from the clinic I go to.

After having that removed, things got alot better for me.  No more problems except being dehydrated last summer when we had that heat wave.  I can't afford to be sick, I have twins who are 30 months old,  I have to have enough energy to be able to chase them around the house.

Peggy

Hi there,
I would love to share more with you. Don't be frightened and ask lots and lots of questions. I had RNY last year and although its a struggle and learning experience I would definitely do it again. I am so much happier.
Support groups are one of the biggest keys. I don't know where you are but look for the closest one and attend one. Most of the time it doesn't matter if you are pre-op or post-op. It helps the before and after process. Feel free to email me and ask anything.
Good luck

-Pam

Hi, I am a lap bander two months out of surgery.  I am just starting my journey with weight loss.  Yes, I would do it again.  When my weight began to prevent me from enjoying life I knew it was time to take control.  I knew that I needed help.  Surgery is giving me that extra boost to lose weight.  I still have to make life style changes.  There are foods I will never eat again.  Gone are the days of full plates and seconds.  I have to move my body more and burn calories instead of sitting around. 

Surgery is a great start to a healthier lifestyle.  Weight lose will make some medical problems decrese. You will live longer and enjoy life more as an active member.  It is not a fix all.  You will have to work to lose weight and maintain loss.  There are lots of rules to follow and if you don't there are consiquences.  Good luck and keep us posted