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

[Kimmiejean]

There is a whole group of people that have had this (lap band) done and are blogging about it...just wish I could find it for you now, they were explaining things they went through before & after surgery - I thought it was quite interesting. I'm gonna check around and see if I can find it for you.

 

[nuts4chickens]

Two of my close friends had the lap band and both lost over 100 pounds. Neither have had any complications whatsoever. My sister in law had the gastric bypass done and since then she got MRSA in her abdomen, has developed a stricture in her bypass twice, developed deep venous thrombosis and had a pulmonary embolism, suffers constantly from dumping syndrome, has lost most of her hair, has iron transfusions once every three months, and is now a size 3. She is a single mother and has been hospitalized for weeks on end sporadically for the last two years. She has almost lost her home several times because she has to miss so much work. I feel compelled to comment only because you asked. Her reason for not getting the lapband was because she "didn't like needles"'and didnt want the port. Hindsight is 20/20. DO NOT get the gastric bypass if you cannot follow the diet, follow the doctors instructions, or do not have a supportive family that is willing to pay your bills, take time off work to care for you, or willing to care for your children shouldnyou suffer fatal complications, or be hospitalized for an extended period of time. Although lapband is not without complications, it can be reversed if needed, and your anatomy is not being permanently and irreversibly reconstructed. Just saying....

 

[HHandbasket]

Every person and their situation, health, etc., is different. I am happy with my decision and what it has done for me. I would like to share something with y'all.

Here's my "Before" picture. This was taken in September 2007, seven months before my gastric bypass.

Now here is what I look like now. This picture is almost a year old, but I still look the same except with a different haircut now.

The woman next to me in the "Before" picture is my sister. She weighed even more than me. She has also had gastric bypass and has done very well herself. We live several hours apart, and we recently met up in a little mountain town half-way between where we both live. We walked up and down the main street and looked in shop windows... probably walked 15 blocks or so all together... the kids were pooping out before we were. I don't think we've been able to do that since we were children. It was awesome. (Also makes for cheap lunch... we split an order of fajitas). I'm 3 years postop, and she's 2 years postop.

ETA: As you may have guessed, the handsome feller in my "After" picture is my DH, known on here as farmer_lew.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Wow, tremendous results HHandbasket, and so glad to hear you are seeing the health benefits of being at a healthy weight. That really just makes me happy to hear as obesity can do quite a number on the body. Thanks for sharing those photos, because it can be hard to picture what people are talking about when they discuss numbers and weights. I didn't realize these procedures could potentially be so beneficial.

 

[Dar]

WOW I am in shock and awe... and jealous... I want to move this party along but I am waitlisted... I will hopefully have my surgery in Jan 2012.

Can I ask you HHand basket... about skin?

I am currently a size 24.. a few years ago when I got down to an 18 I didnt notice much skin at all. I am hoping I am one of the lucky ones that have minimal sagging skin but some really have a rough time with the excess skin and secondary infections.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Dar -- best wishes to you in what ever you decide. I have friends, an aunt, and even myself who can work out tirelessly and still not see the scale move very much. Myself and my aunt eat pretty healthy, too. My friends eat so-so (go out to eat quite a bit and eat some processed foods), but work out alot.

I have another aunt who had gastric bypass done and she did well with it. I can't remember how much she's lost, but she probably gained 30lbs or so back. She got down to a size 8, but I think she's at a 12 or 14 now (and has leveled off). She had a tummy tuck and her arms done afterwards, too. Before surgery, I'd say she was probably around a size 22.

HHandbasket -- you look great!!!

 

[HHandbasket]

I've been pretty fortunate with my excess skin. I will tell you, I have excess skin in places I didn't even know I was fat. The floppy folds on the INSIDE of your elbow are always good for a laugh. LOL!

I was in a program that required us to combine our gastric bypass surgery as only part of a whole lifestyle change to give us the tools we need to make this a lasting change for better health. During my weight loss, I worked out about 5 hours a week. LOTS of strength training... muscle helps you burn fat faster. I still struggle with cardio, but only because I have the attention span of a flea and doing ANY sustained activity for 30 minutes straight just ain't what works for me. What I do is 10-minute bursts of exercise 6 times throughout the day... that gives me an hour a day of exercise. The other benefit of the exercise is it helps with the excess skin. It does NOT eliminate it, but regular exercise and good circulation help the skin maintain some elasticity over time. I had a very, very minor skin infection (yeast) under my belly the first summer after my surgery, but the doctor gave me a script for some Nystatin powder which cleared it right up in about 3 days. My sister has a great deal of excess skin, as well, but if you keep yourself clean and dry, you can help decrease the chances of getting dermatitis in the skin folds.

My skin folds are pretty well-hidden in clothes. What I love is that I can BREATHE. I'll take the excess skin... for me, it's a good trade off to just not be 260 pounds and 5'1" and not able to breathe from the weight on my chest.

 

[Dar]

I just found out that my surgery will most likely be in feb 2012... 20 months after the initial referral

 

[greeneggsandham]

Quote:
February will be here before you know it. Congrats.

 

[redhen]

Feburary will come quick!!