Gastric bypass / Lap band...has anyone had it done?**update post 106**

[Dar]

to answer a few questions:

Diabetes:... no I dont have it BUT my dad and his mother had it (she has now passed)

family history of heart disease

family history of morbid obesity (mom is about 200lbs OW, dad is about 150 lbs OW, maternal aunt #1) 200 lbs OW, maternal aunt #2) 150lbs OW)

amount of weight: according to the ideal body weight tables I should weigh between 135 and 160 lbs... so that means I would need to loose about 120 - 150 lbs (I am leaning towards the 120 pounds of weigh loss mark)

Gall bladder: its gone since 2002, I currently follow a low fat diet or there is a chance of gastric dumping

because of my job i already eat several small meals over the course of the day... but to be honest its while I am driving from client to clients house (I am a home care nurse) so its never fast food like McD but I will wrap my sandwiches in 1/2 portions, cut apples in 1/2 in separate bags, handfuls of grapes, cherries what ever I can eat and drive.

I am leaning more towards the band... but we will see what the doc has to say.... the funny thing is when I walk into the clothing store they will ALWAYS bring me clothing thats an 18 - 20.. and I laugh at them saying I wish.... when the 24 is the one that I can get on and done up (most are still tight in the thighs and bum) the sales clerks cant believe it... I look "big" but not that I fit into the morbid obese category because i hide it well in my hips and thighs

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I work with three women who have had a lapband done within the past year. All have done well with minimal side effects. One of them still struggles with her weight, but the other two have lost a lot of weight and look and feel great.

The bottom line is this...there are serious side effects of being morbidly obese your entire life AND side effects from the surgeries. Which is the easiest for you to live with. While I'm overweight, I don't qualify for the lap band...plus I can lose weight if I watch my diet closely and increase my activity.

Whatever your decide...best of luck to you!!

 

[FireTigeris]

Lap band was not available for my mother- Look for a gastric bypass/ lap band support groups online or in your area, that would be great info.

 

[geckobass5]

My wife had Gastric Bypass in San Diego @11 years ago because she was experiencing health problems. I think she would do it again, She cant eat very much to this day and sugar makes her ill for about half an hour after consumption. She does seem to have some difficulty on getting the proper nutritionaly balanced diet. I think its is partially due to her odd eating habits. Be prepared to deal with some extra skin but that is a minor problem next to carrying the extra weight.

 

[Dar]

UPDATE:

Doctors appointment was today, told him everything!

he said because of my age (36) and BMI, family history

HE SAYS I AM GREAT CANDIDATE!!! He is writing my referral letter and we will get the ball rolling.

He is just the first step though. I now have to go to a consultation with the surgeon and the team at the local hospital, start the physiological assessments and dietary assessments and the blood work and other testing and they will have the final word. No idea how long all this will take he (my family doc) does not know how long the back log is.

for now everything I do I have to document. If I put it in my mouth I have to write it down.
If I am sitting in a chair at a desk I have to write it down
driving
exercise

EVERYTHING this will help them see what my intake vs. burned ratio is and will help them make a decision. its also a test to see how committed I am to this because if i cant keep a simple journal then I am obviously not committed enough to keep with the diet and exercise routine right.

Thank goodness for my blackberry I just downloaded an app that will chart everything out and has many foods already listed so it cuts my time in half.

 

[nuts4chickens]

Good for you! That's great! Which procedure are you thinking about doing? You'll have to keep us updated as you progress!

 

[Dar]

I am thinking the band

BUT!

this procedure is covered by my Provincial health-care coverage so I may not have a choice

everything I have read about the insurance coverage talks about the roux-en-y but who knows they may decide on a case by case basis I will know what my options are when I see the specialist.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Good for you!!! Keep us posted....we really do care about you and wish you the very, very best.

I'll put you on my prayer list

 

[Boyd]

Dar, I'm happy if you're gonna be happy. Many folks have to go through Psychological counseling as well as their families though... as you melt away, you gain part of your self esteem back.. and not always the good side... The docs will tell you that this surgery has ruined as many marriages as it has saved the lives of those who had the procedure.

I personally have never talked to someone who had a bad psychological issue, but the family (counseling for this) watched a 2 hour special where the mom who had procedure slowly melted away after the procedure and decided her family was holding her back and left everyone in her life. Very drastic, and totally not common.. but please girly, cover all bases and keep yer hubby included in discussions regarding this

PS Dar, Tim is almost big enough to fit into the outfit you sent him, I'll be having pics for you soon!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mangled]

My Mom and sister have both had a gastric bypass.

My sister was 387 lbs the day of her surgery, three years later, she is 170 lbs and looks great. Never had any complications and even has been pregnant and delivered a healthy baby in spite of it. She does have a lot of loose skin, and since her benefits won't cover removal, she deals with a lot of issues from the excess skin. Hygiene, etc.

Mom had hers done earlier this year. She had some massive complications, where she developed scar tissue where her stomach connected to the intestine, and required emergency surgery on Easter Sunday. She is 56, so 20 years older than you. She's done well since, has lost 60 pounds, but struggles with getting enough protien.

I'm not obese enough to qualify for a bypass, I need to lose about 30 pounds to get to my ideal weight, but I would not hesitate to have a bypass. I know quite a few people who have had them with excellent results.

Good luck to you on your journey. It's a huge step, and quite a courageous one.

Blessings-
Em