[mom2justynsarah]

Or do you know somebody who has? I am about 80-100lbs overweight. My weight has been an issue all my life. I have tried EVERY diet on the planet.

My insurance covers both! I have heard good and bad things about both procedures. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Julie

[BrandyHagz]

I posted a few weeks ago on this topic, you can read it here: OT-Gastric Bypass???

[jjlutefisk]

My husband had gastric bypass 3 years ago. It has completely changed our lives. It was the best thing that he ever did for himself and for us. He has had wonderful results. He followed the diet and instructions and has had good support at home. I think that support at home is the key to success. You can pm me if you have any questions about it.

[Shai's Mom]

My sister in law had the procedure about 10 years ago. She did loose the weight she wanted, but is unable to eat any meat or stringy foods since it won't "pass".

Overall she is pleased with the results.

Good luck with your decision!

[StampnWendy]

I had the lapband done almost 3 years ago. Best thing I could have done. I've lost 85 pounds Studies are now showing that most lose more with this procedure than the bypass. The bypass is quicker up front, but the band is a greater loss over time.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

[mondk]

My sis in law had the bypass about 8 years ago and has gained all the weight back. She never followed the diet, she thought she could have the surgery and then eat whatever she wanted and I think her stomach has grown back. She weighs probably around 400 lbs. or so. When she first had the surgery she lost about 100 lbs. but now it is all back.

I tried to apply for the Lap band myself but was told I'm not fat enough (I weigh about 170)! Before I had kids in my life, I weighed 110. I'm also on bipolar meds that slow my metabolism down. If I could stick with a normal exercise routine, I think would be my best bet.

Blessings, Michelle

[court5505]

I know of 2 people that died following the gastric bypass surgery. Granted there are MANY more people that have it and are fine, but you definitely have to consider the risks. Just make sure that whatever you decide, you are very informed of the risks and have a very competent surgeon.

[BrandyHagz]

I know of 2 people that died following the gastric bypass surgery.

Keep in mind, Gastric Bypass is a very invasive and elective surgical procedure. While people have died after having had the surgery, the risks are no more increased having that surgery, vs. having some other type of equally invasive surgery.

People do die every day on the operating table or following any surgical procedure from post operative infection or complications.

Having any type of surgery has a risk of death. A man in my town recently died from complications following a wisdom tooth extraction. Just become informed of the risks, educate yourself on all aspects, then make your decision.

Gastric Bypass is NOT an answer – it is a tool.

(ETA: This topic often reminds me of the topic that comes up on the forums from time to time...when someone announces they're adopting...and everyone and their brother knows a horror story.)

[court5505]

I didn't mean to be Debbie Downer about the people dying. Just as Brandi pointed out, it is a very invasive procedure, as are many others. It is definitely elective so just make sure you are informed. I think for some people it is the only answer and can be medically necessary.

If you Google "Gastric Bypass" + death, the first thing that comes up is a story on cbsnews.com saying that 1 in 50 people that have gastric bypass die within a month. Again, I'm not trying to be negative, but it is definitely worth taking a serious look at.

ETA: I'm sure it saves a LOT of lives too, so I would get several opinions to see if it is medically necessary.

[snuffie]

Three women I work with have had the surgery. The first one looks and feels wonderful several years after the procedure. The second one really got too skinny and didn't look healthy. It's taken a while but she finally looks and feels better. The third woman has had a complication where she isn't absorbing nutrients. She lost her weight very, very quickly and didn't feel well at all. She and the second woman have lost a great deal of their hair. I guess that is a side effect and it will come back. They have all said though that they must be vigilant about what they eat for the rest of their lives. So the surgery isn't a "cure" but an "aid".
I guess as with everything else it depends on the person.

[JGarrick]

Originally Posted by court5505

1 in 50 people that have gastric bypass die within a month. Again, I'm not trying to be negative, but it is definitely worth taking a serious look at.

That's about as a high a mortality rate as I could find anywhere. The most commonly quoted figure is about 0.5%. I've seen overall rates quoted as low as 1/350. It also depends very much upon the surgeon who does the procedure, and the hospital at which it's performed. If you're considering it, find a surgeon that specializes in it and have it done at a hospital with staff trained for proper post-operative care. Mortality rates for the top surgeons are closer to 1/1000 than 1/50.

Whatever the figure on mortality after surgery, however, the evidence is overwhelming that people who are morbidly obese and have the surgery have a much lower overall mortality rate than those that don't. In short, it's a bigger risk to do nothing than to have this major surgical operation.

[Lylac]

My sister had GB in 04, My hubby had it in 05. Both hasn't had any problems at all. Except my sis has dumping syndrome, every great once in a while. My hubby hasn't had ANY at all. He's lost over 100 pnds. And is NO LONGER a diabetic, no high blood pressure and no high cholesterol.

He can eat anything (which drives me nuts) and doesn't gain any weight. It's by far the BEST thing that he's ever done for himself and our family.

My neice had the GB over 3 years ago with no problems either. Matter a fact, the docs told her before she had it done, that she would NEVER be able to get pregnant. I'm happy to say that she's due in 2 months with her second child. She has had normal pregnacies and delivery(so far)

A friend of a friend of mine also had the GB over 2 years ago with absolutely no problems. She went in the hospital this past June to have her excess skin removed. She was doing fine, until the day she was supposed to be released. She got a blod clot and passed away that very day.

You take chances with everything in life, shoot going for a normal dental proceedure could kill you. You have to decide the pro's and cons in all things, and then decide what is right for you. I am very thankful that my hubby had his done, otherwise he may have not been alive to watch our babies grow up..and GB doesn't guarantee that he'll be around that long, but it sure upped his odds

[mumofone]

I don't mean to be harsh either, but it is very, very risky. Someone in my extended family almost lost her life last Fall because of having the surgery. She had it done by one of the top surgeons in the country, but she had major complications afterward that kept getting misdiagnosed.

The very fact that she is alive to tell about it is a miracle in itself.

Please, get all the information you can.

[mondk]

I had to search and search to find this thread. I now weigh 190 lbs. and am going to a seminar on the Lap Band...my BMI is 36.6 and they said I "may" qualify for the Lap Band!

Also, my insurance covers it but I have a 3 month pre-op period where I have to be evaluated by a nutritionist and adhere to a strict exercise regimen.

Has anyone here personally had the Lap Band...I could use some success stories! I have a real phobia about throwing up though...I will do most anything to avoid it at all costs. Since this is a bariatric type surgery, I would think some vomiting might be normal?

Anyway, advice or suggestions welcome!

Blessings, Michelle

[reetoreet]

I had gastric bypass on Sept 28th 2009. I have lost 54 lbs so far and I feel better than I have for years. My knees don't hurt as much, my back doesn't hurt when I wake up, I am amazed at how much energy I have. I had the laproscopic procedure done. I stayed 2 nights in the hospital and then I was home! I was sore but I started feeling myself after about 5-7 days. I only took the pain meds a couple of times and even then it was just before bed because it hurt to lay on my side (I can't sleep any other way). Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Finding a good surgeon is key. It Pennsylvania we have this classification called "Center for Excellence" and you have to have a certain (high) success rate to be considered a Center for Excellence, so I went with that. You also have to keep in mind that the surgery is a risk, but so is living with morbid obesity. For me, the benefits far outweighed the risks.