PCOS Messages for September, 2002: Post Barriatric Surgury

Post Barriatric Surgury - And Doing Wonderful!!

From: Wendy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 28 Sep 2002 21:57:22 -0500 (CDT)

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Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I have posted here. I had gotten very discouraged about the symptoms I was experiencing and had begun to feel those old hopeless feelings again. I know that having Gastric Bypass surgery was a topic of discussion that had many mixed results in this forum. There was a rift between those of us who are experiencing weight issues because of PCOS, those of us who were thin PCOS'ers and those who were trying to conceive (AKA TTC). The main trend was that having Gastric Bypass surgery was very extreme and results did not seem to have any affect upon the symptoms that we are experiencing.

While I agree that this step is extreme, I also have been able to see the benefits of it first hand now. You see, I had been considering this surgery for the past 8 years. My family had been very anxious about it and had almost convinced me to abandon it altogether. But in the past year, I had several acquaintances who had gone through it and they told me that, if they had it to do over again, they would in a heartbeat. In light of the revalation that I would be losing my job due to outsourcing this year, I changed my health insurance to a plan that would cover this surgery, after deeming it "medicly necissary" (which usually meant that you had a BMI greater than 35%). I am embarrased to say that my BMI was at 60%. I felt that this was my last opportunity to make the transition - so I leaped and never looked back.

If you are interested in a journalistic point of view, there is an article about it in this month's Reader's Digest. There have also been stories about it in the media due to Carnie Wilson's success after having it (she also has a web page that details her experiences- but I am not sure what the address is).

The specifics are; The doctor can either do a laproscopic or open incision surgery. The stomach is sectioned off into two parts - neither of which will be remived. The upper section is approximately 2 oz. (though some have been made as large as 8 oz - depending on the surgeon). The doctor will fashion it into a small pouch and redirect some of your intestine to an opening left in the bottom of it. The lower portion is also sealed off and redirected to the same line that the intestine coming from the new smaller stomach pouch. This allows stomach acid to enter and assist in digestion. The reason it is so effective is that the stomach sends a signal to the brain when food reaches the "bump" at the top of your stomach saying that you are full. This will turn off the self preservation override that your body has set up to store all of your food intake. Many people come from other states and other countries to have this procedure done (I met someone from Dublin, Ireland while I was in the hospital who had it done). Cost can be from 11,000 to 25,000 (USD) and may be covered by your insurance. Many people have financed the procedure or used thier 401(k) to cover the expense and the IRS will allow you to claim it on your taxes due to a recent change in the tax code (as long as it was deemed medically necissary).

I personally opted for the open procedure because there is some danger of knicking the spleen during surgery. I wanted the doctor to have full unobstructed view of all parts involved.

I have to tell you. It is no picnic (no pun intended). I thought I ate small amounts before the surgery. Now, I have a few bites and I am full. If I eat one bite too much, I get sick. I can't tolerate sugary foods or I get to feel the rath of the "Dumping Syndrome" which causes me to have diareah and nausia. This has been touted as an excellent behavior modification side effect.

I am on a very strict diet - which consists of 70$ protein and 30$ veggetables. No sweet fruit juice. ABSOLUTELY NO SODA POP!!! Water is the main key intake, followed by milk, tomato juice, broth, herbal tea. I am also required to excersise, mostly through walking (one month post surgery = one mile, two months = two miles, three months = three miles).

I am now six weeks post op and I have lost 51 lbs. I walk two plus miles per day. I am now able to eat a variety of foods within my list of acceptable diet. I feel great! I have so much energy!! Today I went shopping and I actually outlasted my 12 year old daughter!! I do not have to use my CPAP machine (for those of you who have obstructive sleep apnea). I no longer take Glucophage and my sugar levels are lower than they have been in a year.

Please understand, many people have different issues that they deal with when they take this step. You can get a hernia very easy because of the location of the incision. The open procedure can produce problems with the incision. You can also go through a period of depression while becoming accustomed to the lack of food (it has been an introgal part of your life for a long time so it may seem like you have lost your best friend). But ultimately, a feeling of liberation will come over you and you will reconnect with food in a more healthy way - using it to sustain your energy - rather than socializing with it like a friend you love bot secretly envy.

I welcome your questions and thoughts on this. Please feel free to email me at WPetric@junglemate.com.

--
Wendy P

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