Topic : Pros and Cons of Gastric Bypass Surgery

I had gastric bypass 7 yrs ago, 1999. I was 24 yrs old and weighed 300lbs standing 5'7. I was miserable and could not do alot of things that people take for granted. My family was against the whole surgery even my husband, he liked me fat. I decided if insurance paid for it I would have it done if not then I wouldnt. Well, ins did pay, 100% in fact. I took it as a sign from God to do it. I stayed in the hospital for 7 days had 1 small complication, developed some fluid in my lungs, they fixed me up and I went home fine. In the hosp I had already lost 20lbs, of course I was excited. I kept losing fast and by the first 8 months I had lost 100lbs. I was 180lbs. I still was not at my goal of 150 but, I had stopped losing weight. I was very disappointed because other ppl lost more than me but, I just figured that was where my body wanted to be. In 2001 I had a tummy tuck to remove the sagging fat hanging on my legs from my stomach, It was bad. The tummy tuck was painless, I was surprised. I am overall happy with the surgery and weight loss however, it is only a quick fix. You still must learn how to eat right and less cause as I know you will/can fall into old habbits and the weight can be gained back. I had another child in 2001 before the tummy tuck and I gained 50 lbs with that pregnancy, I still have to lose it and we are in 2006 now. It is hard and I feel horrible about it. Anyway, if anyone has any questions feel free to contact me at sweet2u72875@yahoo.com

Good Luck, Wendy

Wendy, I too have had Gastric Bypass Surgery. I was 250 pounds at my highest weight,(232 at surgery) and I stand 5ft 2in tall.I had it in Dec 2005 and have lost 80 pounds about 8 months now. I was blessed with a supportive husband but I also had others in my life who were completely against it. This wasn't an easy decision for me to make but I'm glad I did it as I can now plan for the future with my children without the pain holding me back. There has been a few people who have distanced themselves from me but I understand that it isn't me that is causing their discomfort within themselves and I can only do what is best for me. I have a little bit of excess skin but can deal with it for now. This surgery is only a tool and what you or I do with it is what counts- Go back on the protein if you can and exercise. Keep a can do attitude- and learn from your experience. You can do it!!!

HI, I am Gina (reginanteens)

 

It seems i may never get it though

Recently i became ineligible for California Med-I-cal

I do work but to cover my kids and I through work insurance it would be 450 bucks a month

One coworker pays 500 amonth for her husband herself and three daughters

Is this amount outrageous or what? Every month?

 

I would love to have this surgery 

Gina

I am trying at the moment to get the surgery covered by my insurance.  If I don't have surgery I wont' be walking.  I also have a genetic hip deformity that I can't get fixed until I lose 100 lbs.  I think that it really stinks that insurance companies can rule someones life. I think that with the proper documentation (and that doesn't mean begging) anyone should be able to have WLS. Pray that my pre-auth goes through.  I have 4 disabled kids to help with life and they don't need to be helping a disabled mother

My husband is scheduled for a laparoscopic gastric bypass on November 2, 2006.  He is excited but nervous.  He has been wanting this for about 5 years, but his insurance did not cover it until recently.  I am a little nervous also.  This will change our whole lifestyle.  Our form of entertainment is going out to eat.........by ourselves or with friends.  We have been married for 12 years (together for 15) and I have never known him thin.  I just wonder how this is going to change our relationship.  Any advice would be welcomed.

I had the surgery about 15 years ago. It didn't work for me because I wasn't ready. I was badly depressed and needed counseling. So you have to  be in the right mind-set for surgery as big as this. I lost 20lbs and started eating too much and it just stretched my stomach all over again. I am really happy for anyone it works for. So to all of you who are getting the surgery......Good Luck and let me know how things go. I am here for you if you need me.

 

Kathy

Expect, a whole to happen. Do not let his weight loss become a marriage loss too. I have not known one person to remain in their relationship the same way after the surgery. You need to get real about the mental damage it will do to some one. One can be how he will not be reconized by some people. He will not have the extra meat to play with or takle for fun. He will feel sensitive to physical pain; even the playfull ones. His mind will not make him feel completly satisfied with himself. He can feel that he is still big too. You may begin to become jealious too; not even know it at the time too. My had recently got divorced. I can not say that it was the surgery, but I am pretty sure that was a large part of that reason. She does not look or remind me of who I once known. She may appear to be happy, but mom said she is hiding it all. It not what is on the ouside that counts, it is what is on the inside that keeps you going. My friend had the surgery too, well she said some things to me about her mental state being reflecked due to her weightloss. It is mentally challenged to go through a change like this one.

 

Margaret Perez  

Ijust wanted to say i had gastric bypass 22months ago and it was the best thing i ever did i was obese all my life and am now a healthy 120 happy mother of four i believe this surgery can work for anybody but you must do your reaserch you must get educated on the different procedures there are serveral and you must learn how to eat for life the surgery isnt easy the changes have different intensitys for everbody i cant stress how important it is to do your reaserch on you dr. and if you dr doesnt do a batery of test before hand or requier you to take a nutrition class

 i would question his real knolage of the surgery also i believe this surgery isnt the reasons marriages breek up there has to be underlying problems my husband and i have been togeather 11 years and it has made our relationship better because now i am a more active role and he has been very supportive also there are ways to get insurenc to pay if you want more info or support you can go to www.obesityhelp.com i hope i have helped sombody with my rant it can and will save your life if you get educated and resurch your decison   

dont worry it will be fine he will be going through alot of changes very quickly and he will need alot of support  and understanding help to make the right food choices and have fun with it my husban invented what he likes to call OH SH-T MOMENTS thoes are moments when youve lost enough weight to do things normal people take for granet like ie.. touch your toes or tie your shoes or walk without being wended big people are so traped just living is hard well i hope iv helped ease your feer and if you need to chat you can email me good luck  fkutterby32233@aol.com