Questions about gastric stomach bypass

[Glenda]

I saw my orthopedic surgeon today regarding my knee replacement surgery last January. Everything is going great with this knee. I almost have compelte bend and no pain at all. My right knee will have to be replaced in the very near future because it's been hurting me a lot here lately. He did suggest losing about 100 pounds to avoid having the knee replaced. He said it would help me all over. Of course I would love to lose 100 pounds! He suggested gastric bypass. He gave me a name of a doctor in Tulsa, OK that will accept Medicare and Medicare will pay for this if you are 100lbs over, well I am and then some.

What do you guys think about this? Of course I will have to clear it with my cardiologist, my PC doctor and my oncologist. I see my cardiologist for all the yearly tests on January 21st. Please give me your opinons.

 

[geebee]

Glenda,

I am going to assume that you have tried all the dieting programs out there and, if so, perhaps gastric bypass is the alternative for you. Although "elective" surgery is something to really think about, this may not really be elective for you. It may make a difference in your overall health and certainly will do so for your knees.

Have a serious talk with your cardio and, if he agrees, I think it is an excellent option for a lifestyle change.

Keep in mind that, if you like to eat, gastric bypass can be disappointing in that you will have to make some major changes in what and how much you can eat.

Best wishes to you.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Glenda, I have a friend who just went through

Glenda, I have a friend who just went through

What do you guys think about this? Of course I will have to clear it with my cardiologist, my PC doctor and my oncologist. I see my cardiologist for all the yearly tests on January 21st. Please give me your opinons.

the whole gastric bypass surgery and she almost died last summer from complications of the surgery, and Sharon told me that if she could do it all over again, she would have done the lap band instead of the full gastric bypass surgery. My doctor's have suggested Gastric Bypass to me, but I refuse to do the whole surgery. I might consider the Lap Band surgery but not the full enchilada....Since my friend Sharon's bypass, she has had nothing but trouble with complications and she is really wishing she never had the surgery.

I don't want to scare you, but I do pray that you would consider the lap band instead of the full surgery. ((((((((((((((((Big Hugs)))))))))))))))))) and blessings and prayers from Ole Harrybaby to you

 

[marky]

I have seen both sides of the gb surgery.

What I would recomend LONG before GB..is a good counselor..to find out if overeating is the issue and why you over eat.
Otherwise..I would invest my dollars into a good personal trainer and work at building your strength and endurance and you might be surprised how much weight comes off..and HOW much stronger and healthier you feel

Either way.. I wish you the best with your decisions.

 

[tobagotwo]

There are a lot of issues that can come up after gastric bypass. One major one is that it's very difficult to get enough protien. There are also a number of other, serious complications that can come up from it. I would spend some time on the web familiarizing yourself with those possibilities. I would also consider the fact that it will likely severely weaken you for longer than your heart valve surgery did, and affect your internal chemistry. I would be especially concerned about the changes in your metabolism that might affect the efficacy of Gleevic.

The band might be a better route, if you feel that a relatively drastic step is needed. Remember that these options don't do the job entirely by themselves. There is regimen associated with them.

There are also some prescription weight loss drugs that you might consider, along with your doctor and pharmacist.

Very best wishes,

 

[Phyllis]

Glenda, one of Dick's cousins had gastric bypass over a year ago and is doing fine, however she had to go through almost a year of medical testing before they would perform the operation and she had no medical issues. I sincerely question whether you would be a candidate, considering your medical history. I wish you the best in your weight loss goal.

 

[Cooker]

Hi Glenda,

Whatever you decide I wish you the best. I have fought with my weight my entire life. At my heaviest I was 85 lbs over weight. For "me" I would make sure that all other options have been explored. I know two people that have had GB and they did well although both continue to struggle with the dietary restriction they have to follow.

People who have never struggled with their weight don't understand, I would disregard any criticism that may come from that direction. You are always welcome to join us in the weight loss "Throw Down"! Two pounds a week would be 104 lbs in a year Again, I wish you the best.

Tom

 

[Mary]

Dear Glenda,
Have you asked about the lap band? I've heard that can be a good solution. Tobagotwo's suggestion to see about weight loss medication is also one I would consider. And no matter what route you decide to take, you still could join us in Cooker's weigh-in/throw down. We would love to know of your success however you accomplish it.
Hugs,
Mary

 

[hensylee]

a very close friend had it done. She also had a hernia repair at the same. She had a really tough time with the surgery and for at least a year after. She is fine now, tho. Her doctor didn't give her the required supplements after the surgery and she got into a mess. When she changed doctors, he gave her the right stuff and she is now just fine and is glad she had the surgery. On the other hand, my sister has looked into the lapband as Harry mentioned and she may eventually go this route. It is a procedure that can easily be reversed and isn't as physically hard on the patient - from what I understand.

Gastric bypass can be iffy and if you decide on it, be sure to look at all the numbers re successes and fatalities. People die from this one so be sure to think very carefully and do all your homework as it isn't a piece of cake.

I wish you well, Glenda. I know you would do much better with your bones without all the weight on them. I know you will make a good decision, but do let us know.

Love and Blessins.......

 

[Glenda]

Thank you for your replies and concern. I'm pretty sure that my other doctor's won't let me even consider it. I have mentioned it to them before and they said "no way!" I was never a heavy child or teen-ager. I weighed 110 pounds when I got married 47 years ago. It was after my hysterectomy at 38 that I seemed to balloon. I've been on ever diet written, from Weight Watcher's, Top's, Weight Down, Dr. Phills, Dr. Gotts, etc. The one I was really succesful with was the Cambridge Diet which is a liquid diet. I lost the most weight and felt so good but once I started adding back regular food I gained it all back and then some. I am a sugar addict, (espcially chocolate) and that's the truth, I crave sugar. I can't seem to go a day without somethng sweet. I get a terrible headache and I get the shakes. I hate exercise although it does make me feel better. My right knee hurts so bad now that I can't hardly walk very far. I know replacement is coming soon. I had the left one replaced last January. The ortho said if I could lose the weight I probably wouldn't have to have the surgery done. That's why he suggested gastric bypass. I've talked to a lot of people that have had it done and there is a lot of pros and cons, even with the lap band surgery. Several people that had the lap band had to have it done several times because it would stretch out.

Oh well, I know there is a solution. I know it has to be a lifetime change of eating patterns and that's hard for me because I stress eat. When I'm down, I eat, when I'm happy I eat. I guess I could have my jaw wired shut! LOL Oh right, you can suck malts through a straw!

Just pray for me, and I sincerely believe in the power of prayer. Prayer has worked so many times in my life. That's the only reason I'm still here, so God is not through with me yet. I've never completely turned this weight problem over to Him. I've never asked for prayer from others for this huge problem. I'm asking now. Love you all and thanks.