Need Information

Hi. My name is Robin and I'm 30 years old and weigh 298 pounds (I believe this is the first time I've ever actually told anyone that...LOL). My doctor suggested gastric bypass to me and I told him no because of fear. After searching the internet and reading some of your success stories, I'm thinking about possibly doing this surgery. My main concern is that I've heard of horror stories and I've heard there are a lot of complications that can come from this surgery. Can you guys maybe share things that you thought at the time was hard to deal with after the surgery and during it? Also, from what I understand, gastric bypass shrinks your stomach from holding approximately 36 ounces to 2 ounces...is it neccessary to go that small?? The reason I ask is that I've also heard that you won't be able to drink anything when you eat because your stomach won't have room for both...is that right? Also, if your stomach is that small, does that mean you have to eat more often? I've also heard that you can stretch your stomach out more than it should be if you eat too much...is that right? Also, as far as the food you eat afterwards, are there restrictions? I mean, would I still be able to eat a hamberger or piece of one or will I be restricted to salads and veggies only? I know this might sound trite but it's something I wonder about. I don't crave sugary foods now, so that wouldn't be a problem, it's the meat and potatoes that are my weakness. Would I still be able to taste meat and potatoes even though it is a small portion or would that be off limits? I don't mean to sound so picky, but it's just that I tried Atkin's since I love meat and not many vegetables, but about 5 months into it, something snapped in me...I got so depressed and was to the point of crying for no reason and really searched myself and asked myself why and what could I do to make myself feel better...my answer was...just a sip of Mountain Dew....LOL, but at the same time, I felt that if I gave in and had just a sip, that I'd have to start the program all the way back over. Well, I took the sip of Mountain Dew, and it instantly cured my depression, but the next day, it also made me want to have just a couple spoons of rice, etc etc etc...then I guess you can say from that day on, I didn't do the Atkins diet anymore. Before I write a book here on food...LOL...I guess I just need help with the restrictions as far as the types of food you can and can't have after the surgery. I've cut down my portions in the last couple of years, but I've actually gained weight. I've been put on pills that didn't work. I've tried excersizing but it's almost impossible since I also have spondolelothesis, scoliosis, and spinal stenosis. So I'm kind of stuck. How many prep days do you have? How many days do you have to stay in the hospital? What kind of discomforts are there? As you can see, I'm an idiot when it comes to this surgery, so any information would be helpful. I know the good points, like the weightloss itself and other ailments that will go away or get better, but I'm just basically wanting to know any bad points or restrictions or anything that you wish you knew about before your surgery. Also things like everything you have to go through in the hospital and how you felt, etc...i want as many details as possible. And one more thing, for those who are married or have a significant other that you're used to eating meals with, how do they cope with you being finished eating before them? (I know it sounds silly but I'm just curious) I'd like to thank all of you in advance for the information you can give me, plus the support of simply being here and sharing your stories. Thanks again.

Hi, Robin!! Whew - I'll try to remember all your questions and do the best I can to answer them from my experience. I am 50 years old and weighed 278 pounds when I had the surgery on 8/18/04. I now weigh 211 and feel wonderful!!! A lot of the stuff you asked depends on the doctor you have - it seems like they all tell you something different!! So I can only tell you what my surgeon told me and how I've done. With that being said, my surgeon was Dr. Glen Strickland at Lexington Medical Center in Columbia. He has done more than 900 of these surgeries and had 6 deaths (those were in the first 2 years and all were from pre-surgery problems.) My pcp first mentioned this surgery to me 3 years ago but I, also, did NOT want any part of it out of fear of all the potential problems. BUT as time went by and nothing I was doing was working and my co-morbidities were getting worse, I began to seriously investigate this. According to my surgeon, after the inital weeks of healing and food limitations, pretty much everything is okay to eat EXCEPT sugar and high-fat items. It's all according to what "sits" well with you. Your tastes change - I used to LOVE chicken and beef and now not so much. I don't get sick from it, I just don't really like the taste any more. As far as finishing before the family, even though my portions are very small, I'm usually still the last one to finish because you have to chew, chew, chew!! The surgeon determines the size to make the new pouch - and Dr. Strickland has a set size he does for everyone. He says your pouch will NOT stretch - you will be sick and feel "full" well before that's allowed to happen. He recommends eating 6 small meals a day. This is a sample menu from one of my days: breakfast - 3/4 c Total Protein w/1 c skim milk; snack at 10 - Hood carb countdown smoothie; lunch at 12:30 - 1/2 c cottage cheese w/sm. container of unsweetened applesauce; snack at 3:30 - apple w/2 T of peanut butter; dinner at 6 - 1-2 oz. of chicken and small piece of broccoli; snack at 9 - Hood carb countdown yogurt. I have not felt hungry at all since I've had the surgery - but I hear that comes back some after about 6 months. (I'm hoping I'm one of the "lucky" ones that it doesn't come back on!!) I would say the most difficult thing to get used to for me is not being able to drink with meals - but you DO get used to it!! Also, not being able to have diet Coke is torture - but I'm adjusting!! (No carbonation!! It hurts - from what I've heard.) As far as the surgery itself, I was VERY lucky!! I had laparoscopic Roux-N-Y. I had virtually no pain - the first day felt like I had been punched in the stomach but that was it. I had my surgery on Wed. and came home on Sat. On the way home from the hospital, we stopped at the grocery store for a few things - that's how good I felt. The key while you're in the hospital is to walk, walk, walk! As far as prep, I just had to have clear liquids the day before surgery. Hopefully this will help you some!!! If you have any questions, or would just like to chat, feel free to e-mail me: [email protected] Good luck!!! Hugs, Connie

Wow, you do have a lot of questions I too had my surgery by Dr. Strickland. My surgery was on 3/12/04. I was a 100% success story as well. I won't go into all the details but feel free to look at my page I have a lot of details posted there, just haven't updated it recently. However, I've heard most everyones outcomes are somewhat different. I got my appetite and hunger pains back right around 6 mo. I eat frequently but I eat a lot smaller portions. I've lost 110 pounds, still hoping to lose another 50 pounds. I've done great and have never even vomited one time!! The key is, are you ready? It is as much a mental game as a physical game. Please reach out to those of us who have been right there to help you. It is a life long commitment but it was one I was willing to make. Utilize all your resources. Good luck! Patti