[mamaskoby]

Feeling frustrated by failing all the diets I have tried. I am hoping to get insight on these surgical procedures that may help me lose weight. Please tell me which procedure you had done and if you would do it again!!!
Feel free to pm me!
THanks so much,
Anna

[MamaJanny]

Hi, Anna. I had a lap band surgery done, and the surgery was fairly easy as far as recovery and all that. I started noticing a difference immediately because for the first couple of weeks you are on a liquid diet to let your body adjust.

It's definitely worth it--my portion sized are a LOT smaller. However, it is slow going. Just be prepared for that. After the initial weight loss, things are steady, but much slower, which is supposed to be healthier anyway.

Would definitely do it again. I'm not model-thin by any means, but I DO feel much healthier, and I find myself thinking about better choices now because there is only so much room for food, so you want to make good choices.

Hope this helps!

Janelle

[beverlyanderic]

i have not had anything like this done, but i work with and know a couple people who did and they told me their story. i do not know what type of surgery they had, but i know they are both gaining weight again. they are no where near their pre-surgery weight, but still gaining a lot more than they (and their doctor) would like. The funny thing is they are exercising and eating right- their bodies just seem to regress a bit.

one person i spoke with said he wishes he would have tried harder before the surgery. he said, if you have a good doctor, he should only do this surgery if it's an absolute last resort.

he said he dieted and exercised, but now that he knows how to actually change his lifestyle and eat right and exercise, he feels he didn't give it 100%.

good luck with your decision- i'm sure it's difficult.

[gnattylove]

I have done tons of research on this surgery and I have done all the pre-tests for a lap Rou-N-Y. My insurance is requiring me to do a 6 month Dr. supervised diet before they will approve me,but when they do, I am reading to have the surgery. I can't wait for these next 6 months to go by. I am ready for this sugery. I have suffered with my weight for too long. There are 2 Yahoo groups that I have joined concerning Gastric Bypass surgery. Just go to the groups part of Yahoo and type in Gastric Bypass surgery and sign up for the groups. You will be able to ask others who have had it lots of questions. Like this forum, they are great.

HTH,
Natalie

[SkippyRCIS]

I sat through the seminar with my Mom on the Lap Band. It is far less invasive than the gastric bypass and as effective in the long run. I do work with a gentleman that had the lap band and he has lost around 80 pounds in 8 months. He looks great. You could check around at your local hospitals. They should have a free seminar if you are looking for information. Good luck. My Mom has not made up her mind yet and it has to be her decision.

[ucme4dk]

Hi All,
I had gastric bypass in May of 2004. It was by far the BEST decision that I have made for myself and my life ever. At the time that I had it done I had a 4 month old, and 3.5 year old, and an 6.5 year old. I went from 290 lb size 26 to a 165 pound size 6. You can pm me for any additional info. My number one gift of advice that I would give you is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH your surgeon! My surgeon hasd a flawless surgical record having done over 5000 bypasses with no deaths.
All the best to you all,
Sara

[JustBarbara]

I've not had the surgery myself but two ladies I work with have. One is 26 had gastric by-pass about 14 months ago and has been following the diet and exercise regimen and looks fabulous - has lost over 100 lbs. The other is 40 had gastric by-pass 23 months ago and has NOT been following the dietery restrictions (save for the first six months post-surgery) or exercise and after losing 62 pounds has put it all back on plus another 20 lbs. So, I'd guess I would recommend research, research, research ... I seem to remember reading about new restrictions pre-surgery/insurance approval - some require 6 or 12 months of supervised diet and exercise program with a physician before the procedure is covered. And also, if you are going to do it to follow the recommendations re: diet and exercise as it does seem to work. Good luck.

[AngelQT]

I had the Open RNY 2 years ago, and lost 250 lbs, but I am still a big girl. You stop dropping quickly after a year, and you still work on losing after that... It is a tool that you use, it isn't an answer.

Just research everything you can. I personally would do it again, but not the open, I would go for the LAP... You bounce back WAY Faster... But because of my size to begin with, LAP wasn't an option.

[mamaskoby]

Thanks so much for the info! I knew I could count on your girls! Is lap band new? Was gastric bypass the older way? Is there a weight restriction to get lap band?
Anna

[MNStarr]

My father had the lap band. The hard part for him was the prep, he was put on a liquid very minimal diet for 10 days prior. He did attend some pre counseling and said that really helped. He has gone in once after to have his band re adjusted? Maybe someone can explain that more but it wasn't too complicated. He has lost weight but more slowly and healthier. He is very glad he did it there are only a few foods that now he says he can't eat.

My sister had gastric bypass done about 4 years ago. Personally I don't think it was necessary being she never exercised before hand and purposely gained 50 lbs. for her insurance to cover it. She lost a lot of weight very quickly. During the months after she had it and was losing weight she was sick all the time. Not sure if it was connected but I mean every little thing made her weak and sick. Today she looks very very skinny to the point people think she has some type of disorder and she is really self concious about it. Also even though she lost the weight, because it was so much so fast, she has a lot of extra skin where as my dad lost his gradually and he has noticed some minor skin hagging. I think if she could do it over again she would have done the band although even she admits she isn't disciplined enough to handle the band procedure.

[maak]

I know that gastric bypass saves many people's lives and works beautifully but I have personally known people who became bedbound and permanently disabled after the surgery secondary to complications and severe malnutrition with terrible post op infections. Choose your surgeon carefully and if you can do it with a healthy diet that is the best way by far. Weight watchers worked for me.
Hospitals are now dangerous places filled with antibiotic resistant bacteria.

[ourdreamcametru]

My very best childhood friend had Gastric Bypass surgery yesterday morning and when I talked to her this morning she sounded very sore and said the surgery was much worse than she expected~ it was laser. I too am overweight and understand people having this surgery for health and in some cases it is a last resort but I personally think that people see it as an easy way out. Like someone else stated, my friend has never exercised or tried a diet over 3-4 days before giving up. She only had to go to one counseling visit and do a liquid diet for 5 days before the surgery so I don't think she really understand what she is in for. She told me on the phone this morning that she was still glad she went through with it because her weight loss would now be effortless and that I was going to envy her in no time at all and I would end up doing it too! I assured her that it is not for me and that I don't ever see me doing it. I'm going to stick with WW!

[riptune2]

I had the Lap Band done ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!! It has been one of the best things I could have done! I'm not at my goal weight, yet. But, I will be. I slide every now and then but, for the most part, I am pretty good with eating what I am supposed to eat. My portion size is much smaller. In doing the research on both LB and GB, I thought that LB would be the better fit because WHEN I slip (and have some chips or a cookie) I won't get sick. I can eat a little of the junk and not feel guilty. I think with GB if you eat the wrong stuff, it'll come out one way or another! Either way, I know that I cannot eat Fast Food. Period. It never works.

I've lost over 60lbs and still counting!!
Shannon

[BrandyHagz]

I had the Open RNY 2 years ago, and lost 250 lbs, but I am still a big girl.

Ditto.

I lost a bit more, but again, I am still a big girl - well over six feet tall...

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

I am in month 7 of my 12 month pre-op weight management. My insurance covers the gastric bypass. I don't think it is an "easy out" for me, but I think it will help me live a healthier life. I have done lots of research and am working with the obesiety clinic in Portland Oregon.