The TRUTH

1) I had barely little pain... my shoulders hurt the worst for the first few days post-op that was it... you can read about it on my blog. 2) Very untrue... you start out with your meals being around 4oz.... over time they increase... eventually you will be at around 1cu-1.5 cu per meal. 3)  Some people develope lactose sensitivity/intolerance... not all.. I am fine with dairy. 4)  You can gain/lose after surgery... its up to you to use your "tool" and be successful 5) cant help yah there! 6) You can early out cause a rupture in the staple line if you dont follow surgeons orders... after you are healed your stomach will not burst 7) Cant answer that... you would have to talk to your surgeon... I would also specify - are you worried about the actucal procedure? or post-op? 8) Yes my quality of life has increased... I have no food intolerances, have never thrown up or dumped... I can eat what I want... I *choose* to eat better and stick to the nutritional guidelines I have been given... I do enjoy treats now and then because I personally can control myself now... I feel that I eat like a normal person now... I dont always finish my plate... I can eat a bite or two of something and be satisified and not think twice about eating more.

Thanks for your reply

I hope "eating what you want" includes bread and an occasional treat because I have tried too many no-carb and lo-carb diets to know I cannot live without starch. 

I am still concerned because of my health problems- "open" surgery may be esp. risky for me.I am hoping I will be a candidate for the laporascopic procedure if I decide to go for it. Lebunny

 

 

You don't mention what type of WLS your considering. Each is different therefor your question should be more specific to get the most accurate answers.

Actually I am not sure what I could tolerate.  I have some health issues that may make the "open" type procedures esp. risky.   I am hoping I can qualify for a laparoscopic procedure if I do decide to go for it. Thanks for you reply, Le bunny

these are fine anecdotal answers, but i wouldn't base a major decision like this on the comments of a dozen strangers who may or may not be in a similar situation as you.  it kinda sounds like you need more basic info about the procedure. you may want to check out the duke wls website at http://secure.visualzen.com/duke/wlsc/ . look at the patient manual and the videos and the other detailed info. it's quite comprehensive. you should also consider going to one of the informational sessions most centers hold for people who are considering surgery. they'll dispell the myths, give you stats and answer your questions. get fully informed.

Thanks for your reply.

Basically what I was trying to do by asking the questions was get the opinions and feelings of people who have actually had the surgery.  I have done a lot of research and reading on WLS and being medically trained myself, I know the risks.   I admit, some of the questions sound ignorant but I just want to sift through the "Hype" and get the real deal from people who have been through it! The main thing I wanted to know is how it actually FEELS to have it and how the person coped.   In the past, every time I have talked to anyone about losing weight they try to "educate" me on calorie counts, lo-carb diets, exercise, etc.  I am not necessarily looking for information as much as I am looking for testimonials.  I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has said "Well, just push away from the table!"  or "I have a book that explains how to lose weight"  I could write a book myself on all that.  I know you have propably heard the same things over and over.  And I have tried nearly every diet , pill or exercise program going.  I have often thought, "I have 2 college degrees so f education made me slim, I would weigh 115! "  I do plan to go to Duke or somewhere that specializes in this surgery to have it, if I do have it.  I had breast reduction surgery in 1982 at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.  A few years later my sister had it by a local general surgeon in our hometown who dabbled in plastic surgery.  My results were very good, but sadly she suffered terrible consequences and ended up losing half her breast!  So I know it is important to go to the best facility/doctor possible. Anyway thanks again and good luck! Bunny

 

I'm pre-surgery, so I honestly can't answer many of your questions from experience. I'd like to suggest another site that has a great deal of information. You don't have to use their services to get information from them. Go to www.barixclinics.com. I believe that the information you garner from them and Duke will give you a good start. It would probably also be a good idea to check and see which hospitals/providers your insurance covers. Then contact those facilities/dr's to get a many of your questions answered as possible. I know for instance, that Duke has a "scale" they can use to help rank your risk. Honestly they can give you broad answers and generalizations, but you aren't really going to know until you meet with a Doctor and have them go over you history, and have order and review tests that they consider appropriate to situation ... I think you'll need that to know. There are times when the might be able to tell you without tests. Honestly, any reputable doctor isn't going to perform any surgical procedure without you and the doctor being informed about the actual risk factors and potential benefits.

I suffer from severe clinical depression. I thought that might automatically shut me out. Before I even saw the folks at Duke I lined up counseling just for WLS that is scheduled out at least a year. I don't plan to get my insides rearrange and leave my head in the same place it is in now.

You might also want to talk with your PCP. Mine was quite knowledgeable and was able to answer a number of questions for me before I really dove into this. You should also consider buying or borrowing a number of books on the subject. This is a time to learn about the procedures available, the downfalls, ways to mitigate negative issues.

I'm having my surgery June 5th and I'm knocking of 50's front door. Maybe I can answer some of your other questions later. You might want to check out Ellen's blog. She's very knowledgeable and a real inspiration. I would agree w/all she had to say from my pre-op/learning experience.

 

LeBunny, I'm over 1 year post op.  Here are my answers. 1. - I had no post op surgery pain, I had good pain management and it wasn't painful.  I didn't have nausea either due to good anesthisa care. 2. No it's not true, after about 3-6 months your pouch will stretch and allow more food to pass in it. You wil not be able to eat large quantities, however, if you do you can risk stretching out your pouch which defeats the purpose. 3.  I have had and tolerate dairy products just fine.  SOme people don't with our without the surgery. 4.  You can lose or gain weight by eating too many calories, calories always count.  If you can shove it in your mouth, you can pack it back on your hips.  Weight can always be gained or lost. 5.  I don't know anyone over 50.  I do know someone who had it and her diabetes cleared itself up with the weight loss. 6.  I don't think your stomach would burst.  However, you can over stretch your pouch by over eating. 7.  Most people who die have underlying complications, they do risk their lives everytime you go under the knife.  However, it's possible that blood clots would be a major cause of death. 8.  My dr was a hard nose dr, he felt that if you can complain about what other people are eating then you had enough time to take a walk to take your mind off what other people are eating.  Your relationship with food will change drastically.  You will no longer share the joy, pain, emotions and downs with your food.  You will now need to eat for nutrition and nothing more.  It will be difficult.  YOu will find that other people will become uncomfortable around you when you eat.  This happened to me with family members.  I was fine, they were uncomfortable.  Go figure. Please e-mail me I will be glad to answer your questions and be candid about my experience. JT

1) How bad is the pain and how long does it last?  I went home with meds, but only took one pain pill.  It wasn't really too bad at all.   2) Is it true you can only eat 1 tablesppon of food per meal for the rest of your life?   No, that is bunk.  However, your stomach is smaller and so you can only eat a limited amount.  That is kinda the idea.  You will probably only be able to eat a 1/4 cup at the beginning.   3)  Is it true you can NEVER eat dairy products again after surgery?   More bunk.  Most folks are able to eat chese and eggs and drink milk after surgery.   4)  Is it true that you can NOT lose or gain the weight back after surgery?   Even more bunk.  Have you seen Rosanne lately?  The surgery is a tool.  You can use it or defeat it.  It is your choice.   5) I am particularly interested in hearing how persons over 50 yo and/or persons with diabetes have done after the surgery?  N/A 6) (STupid question) Could your stomach "burst" if you ate too much after surgery?   Huh?  I would think you would be in way to much pain to eat that much.  Just don't sign up for the pie eating contest. 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?   The only the only death that I am personally aware of was related to a blood clot which would probably not have happened if they had gotten out of bed and moved around after the surgery.  This is a good question for your surgeon. 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?   First, I can eat almost everything that everyone else can -- I just can't eat as much or eat a few high fat, high sugar items.  That is not much to give up when my health and my life is so greatly improved.  I am no longer on $300 worth of medications a month.  I am no longer out of breath just going up the stairs.  I don't have to sleep with a machine just so I don't die in my sleep.  I can sit comfortably in any seat at the theater or on a plane.  I don't melt in the heat anymore.  I don't have to strategize about wiping my own butt.  And, I have a neck!  Life is good. Go for it baby!

Dear Indigonova: Thanks so much for your reply.  Yours are the most encouraging and entertaining answers I have received to date! I am still considering WLS and haven't even checked with my  insurance or GP to see if I may even be a candidate at all. I think, at this point in in my life, I have reached a real cliff--it is either die trying or try dying.  The big OMG moment came when, after months of being alone, I tried dating again.  On my first date I could get thru the turnstile at the baseball park.  On my second date (to a different guy) we couldn't get a table at the restaurant and had to sit at the bar--it took me 5 minutes to get on the bar stool (I am pretty short) and then I couldn't reach the bar to eat!  I sat hunched over the entire time.  I don't know who was more embarrassed & uncomfortable, me or my dates!  Needless to say neither one has called back. But more important than being accepted and not stuck at ballparks or bars, I am physically in pain and my sleep pattern has become so erratic, waking up with arms and legs numb 3 to 4 times a night, pain in my hips and knees keeping me awake--I feel so tired I can bearly function at work (and I HAVE to work--I have no one to support me!)  I suspect I may have sleep apnea too as I wake up suddenly  feeling smothered. So, I guess it is now or never.  I used to be so pretty and had a beautiful figure, but life with it ups and down (mostly downs) has  driven me to use food for comfort.   I guess I do have one more question about post-WLS:  What do you do for comfort when you can't overeat  "comfort" foods anymore?  I know the best answer is accept yourself and find happiness in the fact that you are going to lose weight and "nothing taste better than success" but believe me, I have had some real dillies in my life to get thru (deaths, divorce, desertions, debts, depression, despair--the "d" list)  Prayer helps but I am only human--maybe WLS would make me stronger. So anyway thanks for your help! Bunny