[SweetSunshine]

Have any of you had this? My doctor wants me to have gastric bypass or lapband surgery. My blood pressure is out of control. My meds are not working right. Infections ( like the cellulitis i had by my hysterectomy incision) are caused by my weight. I'm sorry.. I am just beside myself here. The fibromyalgia and my weight issues keep me from living a good life. Its very difficult to exercise the way I would like. Worse of all.. I am not always the happy giggly person you all see me as. But humor is the only way I know how to get thru all this. I am constantly scared that I dont know when one of my problems will take me from my loved ones. Sorry I dont mean to sound like a whiner.

[(JD)]

Please do NOT do the bypass. I haven't read enough about the lapband to know if it carries the same problems.

With the bypass, from what I have heard from those who have had it, they were sick to their stomachs for up to sick weeks, and of course after that could only eat a mouthful at a time.... in general. If you had that willpower, do it now??? Also, the local hospitals have WEEKLY support groups for those who are suffering FROM the bypass ops and have complications or failure in it (and yes, others for those who are needing to relearn how to eat properly, which is what the main goal is...) If you continue to eat the way you want, you will eventually override the surgery anyway.

Please consider putting this money into heavy therapy to help you change the way you think about eating, and with a real dietician who you consult with regularly...or even into a personal trainer who also cooks for you. I think you will be happier with that instead.

[lenjan]

I haven't had it, but I know someone who had the lap band. She lost 100 lbs. and gained back almost 200. (Seriously.)

It isn't a cure-all.

[LMo]

oh no Bethy...

I think that Janniebug had it done - do a search and see if you can find her posts about it. I recall that she was really happy with it.

A woman I worked with also had gastric bypass and also is extremely happy with the results. It is scary and she has to be really, really careful with what and how she eats, but it has changed her life for the better.

I'm behind you 100% of the way, hon

[Perna]

I keep seeing the shows on television (all "successful") where they do the surgeries and they bother me almost as much as all the plastic surgery going on these days. You can't get a dermatologist for serious/real skin problems these days because they're all making more money doing botox injections. My husband had to go to a regular/general surgeon to have skin gorwths/cancers removed because dermatologists aren't taking new patients.

The routine for eating afterwards to make the stomach surgeries successful doesn't strike me as different from doing that and not having surgery as Sky mentions. Surgery is so total/serious and working at losing weight doesn't have to be. My blood pressure is up too (and I'm not taking blood pressure meds either if I can help it, not "soon" at least) and I have other complications from my weight and it has become a priority on my part to work on my health. I've had one surgery in my life and that caused too many problems for me to ever have another if I can help it.

[silver_queen]

Beth, I don't know anything about this so I'm not going to advise anything, but from what other people say, it might not solve all the problems. I think you should research this and other alternatives as much as you can before making any decision. Your doctor might not be impartial, or he might not consider anything non-medical. There might be another solution somewhere. Is there any kind of health agency you could contact for advice?

having been married to a surgeon, i know that gastric bypass is a serious surgery. i don't know anything at all about the lap=band.

i've known people that have had the gastric bypass and done really well with it. it will more likely work for you if you're doing it for the right reasons. your health. not your looks. your health comes first and adjusting to life, after the surgery, involves a different diet and a different mindset.

i do know one man who did it and gained back more than he had weighed initially. but i also saw what he ate at dinner one night after the surgery......

i support you and will try to help you with what ever you decide to do. xoxoxo pat

[Sarah116]

Go for lapband! It sounds so much more safe and comfortable.

[January]

(((((((((( Beth )))))))))))))

You are not whining!!! You have legitimate concerns.

My cousin had gastric bypass surgery and it was a complete success. She is tiny now and has so much energy and good health.

I hope this helps.

Hugs,

Jan

[SweetSunshine]

Well I joined WW ( again ... this is like my 5th time) I had a friend that asked me to join with her. So I thought well, even if I am able to have the lapband surgery this may be better for me to try to lose even a little bit so I can be even the slightest bit healthier for the surgery. I mean it cant hurt right?

I called my insurance company today. They need the diagnosis codes from my doctors as to what is wrong with me before they will even consider okaying the procedure. SO its not a definite yes or no yet. My doctors offices are calling me back tomorrow with the codes. Then I have to call the insurance company back. They said this still doenst mean they will approve it. But its one step closer to knowing if it might be possible.

I have tried other things... other diets, liquid diets. Nothing works for me . And especially not now with my back problems.. I cant do the necessary exercise needed to shed the pounds .

Thanks you guys for your input and suggestions. This is a really hard decision for me . But one that I know could make a big difference in my life.

[January]

I think it's a very good idea. You're right, it can't hurt and it may put you in better shape to undergo the surgery.

Hugs,

Jan

[bebop]

I recently heard that the bands can slip and not be effective. just be careful and good luck!

[Perna]

There's lots of exercise programs out there for the physically impaired! Everyone can exercise, whether they're elderly, in a wheelchair, etc.

Find a book/program/video like: http://www.armchairfitness.com/

I have hand weights I got at the local drugstore I use while I'm watching television. I just "play" around with them (my arm is too "fat" for a large adult blood pressure cuff, they'd need a thigh cuff to measure me correctly and they don't have one so I'm not taking any meds until I get my arm down so it reads right with a large adult cuff) and have a "rubber" ball I squeeze between my knees, I try to wander around my house/up and down my stairs as much as possible each day (think of something to tell my husband who works upstairs (I work downstairs) and go up and tell him rather than shouting up) and try to think of a "chore" like grocery shopping to do out each day. I'm uncomfortable and get out of breath and my asthma kicks in, etc. but I do it anyway, as it won't get any better unless I work at it. I'd rather have pain now than potentially more pain later.

[SweetSunshine]

Well... this is moving forward a bit.

Insurance covers:
In Network: Outpateint~ 90% of what they allow 10% copay Covers only the surgery, facility, surgeon, and anesthesia. No consults, no appt outside of these 4 things related to surgery. Out of pocket max is $1500.

Inpatient~ $75 copay in addition to the 10% copay and everything else apply's there too.

Out of Network : Outpatient~ $300 individual deductible
75% Allowance
25% copay
Out of pocket $3000
Inpatient~$200 ded. in addition to 25 % copay

All of these require precertification also.

I have an appt with my family physician on Monday now. To kinda talk the pro's and cons over. The nurses are giving me the impression that I am taking a hell of a risk. I just want to be healthier and prettier. And to be able to do things that I've always been scared to do. I want to not be an embarrassment to my friends and family. Tired of playing catch up when I am with a group... and to feel my heart pounding so hard that I dont think its going to stop. I want to be normal . I'm sorry.. now you know a bit why I have been so sulky and drinking today and witchy. I apologize to all of you .

hugz
Beth

[(JD)]

I'm sorry too. If I didn't care, you know I would be saying this, but I don't think this is the right thing for you, at least not now.

You need to be self assured a bit, and strong enough to not only go through the surgery, but suffer through the recovery and the lifestyle change. To be relying upon surgery to make you pretty is NOT a good perspective, imo. It is surgery and very risky.

I hope your doctor really discusses this and where you are, rather than just being a surgeon, because if you talk to a surgeon, he's going to talk only about what he does: surgery.

How LONG did you try the other things? What about a combination of healthy eating and hypnosis and support group therapy?

What does your psychologist say about all this?

TC

[SweetSunshine]

I'm just scared of it . I dont know if I will look good later on or not. I dont know how people will treat me . I dont know what to expect in the way of who I will become... be like. Its the unknowns that get to me. How will I change as a person?

I have had alot of surgeries... so I know what that is going to be like. As long as they dont give me any versed I'll be ok lol.

I am not talking to a surgeon yet. My one doctor recommended the OSU Medical Bariatric Center. I have yet to find out if they are in network or not and if the doctor is in network or not.

Ohhh golly what havent I tried to get this stuff off me!

I started around 6th grade.. doing a school program of just eating healthy foods in all the food groups with the school nurse as a leader. We went to a local gym for exercising.

Tried some of the usual easy( not really) things by making myself throw up. Till I got ulcers and infections, that did not feel good. And exlax. Pounds came back with friends.

I've tried Thin and Healthy Program.. not sure if this is a national program or not. Basically again its healthy eating and exercise program. The exercise program was too hard for me. I couldnt keep up with what they expected me to do.

I've been on WW about 5 times . Losing weight well but always gainging back with friends.

I have yet to talk to my therapist or psychiatrist about this. I have appts coming up soon that I will be doing that though.

*Keep in mind .. I am still considering this, but not yet totally sold. I am checking things out to see if I could even pursue it. And I am researching thru people in town here that have had it also. So I get as informed as I possibly can.

[h0kie]

I went to informational meetings with my mom when he doctor recommended it for her and I would do the lapband in a millisecond.

I'd be happy to share whatever I learned when I went to the informational meetings with her (from the surgeons and such).

It has to be a personal choice. I would also be checking what your insurance will cover as far as plastic surgery. A lot of people have a hard fight to get them to cover additional surgeries to remove excess skin and to get necessary breast lifts and such.

You know where to find me.

[Perna]

Watching the shows on TV I get the impression it takes 5+ years to get where one truly wants to be; takes a year to lose half the weight and then another couple to lose all one is going to lose is one keeps on the "program." Seems a long time to work at something if one hasn't worked at any other program that long. I wouldn't like to be "tied" to something like that that would be detrimental to me if I quit. Would make me "angry" being stuck, not even able to use denial if I needed it :-)

[(JD)]

http://tinyurl.com/y33at6
Obesity treatments: http://www.stanfordhospital.com/heal...atmentOverview

Losing 2 pounds a week is what is healthy. Usually if you are obese, you will lose more naturally by eating healthy, which is what you will need to do no matter what... plus with the slower loss, you can keep up with the skin tone and won't need that horrific surgery also and scarring.

[jlove973]

My sister is having Gastric on the 23rd and I am supposed to help her through it. The recovery and all. It's hard for me. I was very envieus of her, because she knew that I have wanted it for a few years now but can't afford it. She rubs it in my face, but ofcourse I will be there for her through her recovery.
After reading more about it. I think I will go the more natural way and just change my eating habits. I will try to at least. Thanks for the links!!!

[bebop]

did your dr happen to tell you that you have to see a therapist about this for awhile before it is done? I have heard it takes up to 1 yr to get prepared for the surgery itself

[SweetSunshine]

LOL B I've been seeing one for 3 yrs now lol... I know I know...

I downloaded the application today... Gonna look it over and see what all I gotta do. We'll go from there.

LIke I said I am taking this nice and slowly . THinking about it alot. And Not going into it lightly..

[nothemama8]

Bethy, please do not do either of these I have a friend at the court house who had the gastric done 2 yrs ago and she has suffered since, PLEASE forgive my YELLING DO NOT DO THESE PROCEDTURES,
will power and stop going to toco bell they have the highest fats I care about you too much with all the physical problems you may not be a good canidate for the surgery, OMG don't do it
Angie

[SweetSunshine]

Sorry Angie~

I am tired of being this way and I am having other health problems anyways ... so I am fairly sure that I am going to go thru with this. I'm about 80% there. I have my application filled out now. And I am still thinking hard about sending it out now.

I am both nervous and excited. It will be hard I know.. but if it keeps me from getting this cellulitis again, lowering my bp, helps my heart beat more normally, and lets me live more fully.. I am all for it! And if it causes more problems .. well I will deal just like I have with everything else in my life. The best I know how. I need to do this for me. Not anyone else , not even my husband. BUT FOR ME!!!!!!!!! This is a chance I need to take to make a better life for myself. Who knows I may be able to work again some day ?!?!!?! I would be soooo happy to be able to do that!