Re: Gastric Bypass Surgery???
From: Wendy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 10 Sep 2003 16:15:40 -0500 (CDT)
Melissa,
I had my gastric bypass srgery on May 23rd 2002. I am 5ft 4in tall and
I weighed 230lbs on the day of my surgery. My now ex-husband and I had
been trying to conceive for 4+ yrs with no avail. I was do devistated.
I kept going up and down on my weight and it was slowly killing me with
my family history of diabetes, strokes, etc...I finally decided after
reading Carnie Wilson's book "Gut Feelings" that I was going to do it, I
was going for it and having the gastric bypass surgery. For 6 months
prior to the surgery, I read everything I could get my hands and eys on
about the surgery. I was ready! I went in for my consult and the Dr.
said I was definitely a candidate for it. I had tried EVERY diet known
to man(& women!) to loose the weight and I would but I'd gain it back
and then some EVERY TIME! I am 16month post-op and I am 115lbs! I have
lost 115 lbs a whole ME! I love my new look and everyone comments on how
good I look and I fell wonderful. I cycles are like clock work now and
I am very fertile according to my DR. But after all of this, I am no
longer married, so my dream baby will be put on hold for a little
longer. I am not oyur typical case though. I almost died because of a
nick in my bowel and it wasn't detected until 3 days post-op when all of
my organs started to shut down. I was in ICU for 6 1/2 weeks and & had
to learn how to walk again because I was so weak from not being able to
move for so long. BUT, I can tell you this much, do your research on
the DR. and see what their success rate is and make sure you go to
someone who specializes in NOTHING but gastric bypass surgeries. I
don't think you will have the problems I did. My eating habits have
changed, and I have found that I am not hungry between meals like I was
before. I can eat about 10 normal bits of food per sitting and
sometimes I do sneak a bite or two of cheesecake. NO carbonated
beverages at all for me because it will stretch my pouch and I went
through too much to get this far to screw it up now. NO concentrated
sugar either. I feel like crap if I get too much sugar. I can eat
normal foods, just little bits of it.
I hope this information has helped. Good luck!
--
Wendy
At Tue, 30 Jul 2002, Rochelle wrote:
>
>Melissa,
>
>I have thought about this surgery for myself many years. Until recently
>it wasn't even covered by insurance, but I heard that has changed. As
>soon as I find a job and get some insurance I am going to look into it.
>
>I too read the articles in Rosie. Great issue of the mag. I think the
>important thing to realize before the surgery is that you will be
>changed FOREVER. You will never be able to eat like other people. You
>know the feeling you get on a diet... "Why can't I eat that. I am so
>tired of measuring and watching." Well you will be doing that alot and
>for a long time after this surgery. I am sure you will eventually know
>what an once or two of something looks like, but your eating will always
>be resrticted.
>
>Also, the woman in Rosie that didn't like the results had side effects
>of nausea that never went away. So that maybe something to think about.
>
>I am pretty supportive of it. My husband and I were actually talking
>about the surgery last night. My eating habits came up. I know I don't
>eat as healthy as I should, but I am not an overeater either. Like most
>people, thin or heavy, I sometimes binge or snack. But I don't sit
>around eating a carton of ice cream or a whole bag of chips. I think
>people like us, those who just can't lose no matter what, are really
>ideal for the surgery.
>
>Have you presented the facts to your family? Are any of them overweight?
>I understand the fear of surgery, but you may have to have surgery for
>the effect of being overweight. I know if I don't lose weight soon I
>will probably have to have knee surgery before I am 40 (27 now).
>
>Anyway, keep up the research and keep your chin up too.
>
>Good Luck,
>Rochelle
>
>At Mon, 29 Jul 2002, Melissa wrote:
>>
>>Hello fellow PCO'ers. I am thinking about getting the gastric bypass
>>surgery. But so far my mother, father and grandmother is so
>>discouraging and doesn't want me to do it. I have tried to tell them
>>this is for my health and my future. I have tried to tell them because
>>I have PCOS it is harder for me to lose weight than normal people. I
>>have done my research and so far the pros out weight the cons.
>>I read that after having this done, I could no longer have Type 2
>>diabetes. I could possibly have children, energy, find clothes that fit
>>and look nice. Just all around healthier. I know I will always have
>>PCOS, I know that there is no cure. Cons-Yes its major surgery and I
>>could die on the table, but I could also die this afternoon in a car
>>wreck or walking and bus hits me, of being fat I could have a heart
>>attack. I am 5'9 and 310lbs, my BMI is 45, I am considered morbidly
>>obese. My grandmother told me yesterday if I get it done or even think
>>about it, don't tell her. She doesn't wanna hear about it. I feel that
>>if I could lose over 100 lbs in a year, it’s worth it. If I could
>>finally conceive, it’s worth it. Its not like I am the first one to get
>>this done. 1,000's of people have had this done. I meet all the
>>requirements. My fiancée tells me he is all for it, if I am. My family
>>thinks it was his idea, not at all. He didn't even know what it was
>>till I told him. That’s what they think. He says he loves me now, this
>>is how I was when he met me and he loves me now. Plus he is about the
>>same size as me. So why would he care.
>>My wedding is set for Jan 17 2004 and I want to be small by time it
>>happens and then after that start on my family. So if I have it now,
>>it’s plenty of time.
>>
>>Has anyone else had it done and tell me if its worth it. Has anyone
>>else had their families discourage them, and have no support from them
>>and had it done anyway???
>>Thank you
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