Question:
I am wondering if anyone had asthma, Endometriosis or IBS pre-op, did it get better?

I am a 26 year old female that is about 6 feet and have a "large frame". I am atleast 200+ pounds over weight of my "ideal" weight. I have bad asthma, IBS and Endometriosis and see the symptoms of all getting worse as I gain weight. Because of these problems it is very hard for me to lose weight. This is why I am considering the surgery. I am looking for advice and encouragment. I would especially like to hear about anyones problems, of the aboved mentioned, getting better after weight loss. I am still undecided and looking for lots of advice. Feel free to email me. Thank you in advance. :) [email protected]    — Female C. (posted on April 25, 2002)

April 25, 2002
Jen my wife who also had surgery december 10th 2001 suffered with bad asthma, now down 70 pounds, ITS GONE! Weight caused asthma comes from the fat compressing the lungs preventing them from expanding. She got pneamonia 3 times in the past year. Asthma has DISAPPEARED! Jen is much more active, and went to the outlet mall week ago and walked all day! Jen also has PCOS, and we hope this improves so we can have a baby.
   — bob-haller

April 25, 2002
I had pretty severe IBS before surgery (constipation not diahhrea). I was diagnosed with 'spastic colon' after a colonoscopy. Boy, have my symptoms gotten MUCH better after surgery! I still can have moments where my entire gastro-intestinal system seems distressed (when I'm under a lot of stress) but these are few and far between. I can say that my IBS has become so much better after the surgery. All the best, (lap BPD/DS January 25, 2001 preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45 now: 178 lbs/bmi 25),
   — Teresa N.

April 25, 2002
Asthma. Not severe, though. Stil, POOF, gone by 2nd office visit!
   — vitalady

April 25, 2002
I am 6' tall and weighed 314 at the time of my surgery. I got all the way up to 320, but lost 6 pounds before my surgery. I had already had a complete hysterectomy due to endometriosis 4 years before that. I had a very hard to control case of asthma. In fact right after my hysterectomy they ended up going into my lung to clean it out and do a biopsy because they were so sure there MUST be something else going on besides my asthma. There wasn't. At the time of my WLS, I was on 3 inhalers, taking neb treatments every 3-4 hours (sometimes more)taking Singular and was on Prednisone more than I was off from it. Since losing 130 pounds (doctor doesn't want me to lose anymore) I take Advaire Diskus inhaler, and have had to be on Prednisone 1 time in almost 2 years. By the way, I was 37 when I had the surgery. Best thing I have ever done for my health.
   — livnliter

April 25, 2002
I had pretty severe asthma before surgery. Have had it all of my life, but got really debilitating the last 2-3 years. I am now 7.5 weeks post-op, down 52 lbs, and haven't used an inhaler since the 2nd week. I have lost a lot in my chest area and can breathe better than I have in a long time. Can't help you with the endometriosis question cause I'm a man, but my wife, who is 1 year post op, had IBS and it has greatly improved. It only occasionally bothers her and it is usually when she gets something a little too spicy. I would highly recommend WLS for you, and you will be amased at how it could change your life.
   — Dell H.

April 25, 2002
Thank you all for your answers. That helps a lot!!! As long as everything goes okay, I am decided. I want to be a loser. :)
   — Female C.