The TRUTH

I am considering weight reduction surgery.  Can someone WHO HAS HAD THE SURGERY PLEASE tell me the truth (don't sugar-coat--oops! bad word choice!)   My questions: 1) How bad is the pain and how long does it last? 2) Is it true you can only eat 1 tablesppon of food per meal for the rest of your life? 3)  Is it true you can NEVER eat dairy products again after surgery? 4)  Is it true that you can NOT lose or gain the weight back after surgery? 5) I am particularly interested in hearing how persons over 50 yo and/or persons with diabetes have done after the surgery? 6) (STupid question) Could your stomach "burst" if you ate too much after surgery? 7) What is the major cause of death (please don't tell me it can't happen, I have person known 2 people who died after it) following any weight-reduction surgery? 8) Last but not least, do you feel your quality of life has improved since surgery or do you feel depressed you can't have what everyone eats at family get-togethers, etc?

PLease answer any or all questions--Thanks for your honesty

LeBunny

 

Hey.  I have not had the surgery yet, but I have finished all of my pre-ops and have been through the education classes.  I can offer what I have learned.   1.  ? DOn't know yet, sorry 2.  My surgeon has us on liquid 2 weeks, soft foods the next 2 weeks, then you move into solids.   3.  The dietician told us that some people will develop a intolerance to dairy, that is something that you will have to find out after. 4.  I have learned that you can definately gain the weight back.  If you do not follow the diet, you will gain and may not even lose. 5.  I am a diabetic.  I am on 50 units of insulin daily and 2 pills.  My pcp and almost every other person has told me that in 95% of the diabetic patients, it either goes away or gets alot better after wls.   6.  I learned that it can stretch.  My dietician told us that with things like carbonated drinks, there have been cases where it has ruptured.  We were told to definately not drink sodas, even diet is off limits. 7.  I don't really know, but I have heard alot about blood clots.  This is a fear that I have, because they say there are no warning signs that you have a clot.   8.  Haven't had surgery yet.   I commend you for doing research and asking these questions.  I think you definately need to know the answers to be at peace with your decision.  I was referred 3 years ago, but I was so afraid.  I researched really well this time.  I am 100% ready.  I want to wish you the best of luck and support no matter what you decide.   Stacy

Thank you, Stacy ,for your honest answers..  You are such a pretty lady in your photo. My prayers and hopes are with you for your safe surgery and recovery.  Best of Luck! Please keep in touch. Bunny

Just wanted to say thanks for asking questions that everyone has on their mind when they decide to have the surgery.  Keep your chin up.

1) How bad is the pain and how long does it last? The pain was moderate, I would say 6 out of 10 for me.  I have had three previous abdominal surgeries and this was the least painful.  The hardest thing to do is get up from a lying down position.  It is doable and doesn't last that long, just a couple of days.  I should point out that I had mine done lap, not open which is somewhat more painful and takes a longer recovery time.  Most surgeries these days are done lap from my understanding. 2) Is it true you can only eat 1 tablesppon of food per meal for the rest of your life?  This is not true at all.  You will drink roughly 2 ounces at a time at first, but that's just the first two weeks.  That is 2 tablespoons.  After that, you will gradually increase so that at a year out, you should be eating anywhere from a half a cup to a cup and a half of food at meals.  I am two months out and eat a half a cup usually.  I can eat more than that if it is particularly light, like yogurt. 3)  Is it true you can NEVER eat dairy products again after surgery?  Again, not true.  I eat cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc all the time.  What may or may not be a problem for you would be full fat and/or full sugar products like whole milk and ice cream.  These items aren't particularly conducive to weight loss anyway and should be avoided. 4)  Is it true that you can NOT lose or gain the weight back after surgery?  Again, not true.  You can lose long past the first year or so, but it will require effort.  As far as gaining, you certainly can gain it all back.  This would require you to go against pretty much all that your doctor tells you to do, but it is possible.  Exercise and portion control are key to this. 5) I am particularly interested in hearing how persons over 50 yo and/or persons with diabetes have done after the surgery?  I can't speak to the 50 yo question, I'm 35, but diabetes is often pretty much controlled after surgery.  Many completely come off their meds. 6) (STupid question) Could your stomach "burst" if you ate too much after surgery?  Immediately after surgery, you can burst your staple line if you eat too much.  That is why you must follow your doctor's orders.  After that heals, no, you'll throw up or have massive diarrhea and have the potential to stretch the stoma, and openings to it, if you overeat often and excessively.  7) What is the major cause of death (please don't tell me it can't happen, I have person known 2 people who died after it) following any weight-reduction surgery?  This surgery is like any surgery, there is risk from anesthesia.  Beyond that, the major cause of death is Deep Vein Thrombosis, or a blood clot.  They form in your leg post surgery because you tend to be inactive, break free and enter your lungs.  They will give you blood thinners at the hospital, as well as ones to take home with you when you go.  They will have compression boots on your feet that will press the blood back up your legs so that it doesn't pool.  Finally, they will get you out of bed early and often to walk.  They aren't trying to torture you, they're trying to keep those clots from forming.  Some doctors will put filters in your vena cava veins to try to catch the clots if they form.  They didn't do this for me and I'm fine.  The main thing you can do to help yourself out is to walk as much as possible.  Get up every hour while you're awake and walk around your house a few times.  It's good for your healing process as well. 8) Last but not least, do you feel your quality of life has improved since surgery or do you feel depressed you can't have what everyone eats at family get-togethers, etc?  I feel that my quality of life has improved greatly.  We went to the Outer Banks this past weekend and I was able to walk to the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse.  I could never have done that prior to surgery.  I have lost approximately 50 pounds in 2 months and life is good.  I can walk 2 1/2 miles at a time and feel like I have more energy than I have had in a long time.  I am able to picture myself doing things in the future that I never dreamed of before.  Sometimes I miss food as a comforter, but that's how I got fat in the first place.  I don't feel deprived or depressed because I can't eat what they do.  I can eat nearly everything they do, just not in the quantities.  It takes your head time to adjust to what is acceptable for you to eat afterwards, but you do adjust.  I have no appetite and if I"m not careful forget to eat entirely.  I hear that changes when you're further out, but for me that's an added bonus. I do hope that you find your answers. Take care. Ellen

Ellen, Thanks for you answers.  I know I eat to comfort myself (living alone for the first time in years-separated from husband, children not close)  so I would have to find some other means of consolation (no, self- pep talks don't work--if they did I wouldn't have a weight problem!) 

I applaud you on your success! leBunny

 

 

 

People cope in different ways.  I see a counselor and she helps me immensely. 

You have so much goood information to share.  Thanks for your replies.  I read all of them. Barbara   (awaiting LapBand Surgery)

1) How bad is the pain and how long does it last?  I had lap-RNY and my pain didn't las tmore than 2 days. 2) Is it true you can only eat 1 tablesppon of food per meal for the rest of your life? no that is not true 3)  Is it true you can NEVER eat dairy products again after surgery? maybe!  I couldn't tolerate dairy before and I still can't now 4)  Is it true that you can NOT lose or gain the weight back after surgery?... I think this question is not worded right 5) I am particularly interested in hearing how persons over 50 yo and/or persons with diabetes have done after the surgery?  My mom had this surgery and she is over 50 borderline diabetic and she had done great.  She doesn't get in enough exercise but the weight is falling off and she looks and feels wonderful 6) (STupid question) Could your stomach "burst" if you ate too much after surgery? no 7) What is the major cause of death (please don't tell me it can't happen, I have person known 2 people who died after it) following any weight-reduction surgery? i don't  know.... maybe something to do with the anesthesia? 8) Last but not least, do you feel your quality of life has improved since surgery or do you feel depressed you can't have what everyone eats at family get-togethers, etc?  My life has improved and Ifeel so much better.. no I don't get depressed or jealous when I am around food with my family.  I actually feel sorry for everyone around me stuffing their faces and not losing weight!

Thanks for your input! To clarify Question #4:  What I mean is, I have heard that sometime people still cannot lose after surgery and that some who do lose gain their weight back., is that true?  (I think I have the answer to that one in someone else's reply.) le Bunny