Topic : Pros and Cons of Gastric Bypass Surgery

I had the surgery in 1999 and lost nearly 200 pounds. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself! I have gained some weight back, but I am ALIVE and still doing so much better than I was before the surgery...I was a size 32+, went down to a 14 and am now at a happy, seemingly semi-permanent 20. I am very tall, so it works fairly okay on me...I plan to get back to a 16/18 this year though and, thanks to everything I have been through, I know it is possible!

I spent nearly a year after the surgery rebuilding my life and eating habits. I didn't follow every rule, but the weight came off so fast that I could barely keep up- thank goodness for elastic waist pants! It was a bit of a trauma at first- I lost quite a bit of hair and had some problems getting back into eating solid food, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I had a lot of medical problems that simply disappeared- asthma, diabetes symptoms, etc. My back problems all but went away. I was able to do things and go places I had all but given up.  I had strange heart things happening that disappeared. I felt simply FAT before. Yuck.

One downside (really the only one of any consequence) is this: I did not lose weight and suddenly become able to wear a sexy swimsuit...I had rolls of loose skin that were pretty gross- arms, legs, breasts, stomach. That's a major reason why I don't mind having gained back a little bit...it filled it out a little and I don't feel quite so gross and alien-like. Fortunately, my husband couldn't care less and respects the surgery so much that he is not nearly as bothered as I have been at times. I'd lose the gained weight a LOT faster if I knew there was a possibility of liposuction...but we can't afford it. All in all, I  look at it in context: I would rather be alive than svelte.

I think Medicaid in NY will pay for lap band.  Only thing is I don't live in NY anymore.  I live in FL., I talked to FL Medicaid about the lapband, they directed me to a surgeon to do it,  they said, but I'd have to get prior approval from Medicaid.  So I guess depending on the case if they pay for it or not here in FL, IF you can find a doctor to take Medicaid!

've been seriously thinking on having the lap band.  I am too leary on having the bypass done.  I have too many health issues for that.  I need something less invassive.  I desperatly need to do something, diets don;t keep working, that and when my health issues gets in the way don't help either. It's just one continuos circle. 

The health problems started mainly from being over weight and my health issues aid in putting on the weight or at least keeping the weight.  Over the past two year, I had been in the hospital 4 times.  3 times in 05 for TIA's and heart problems, and then for heart problem once in 06.  I've had the heart problems for 7 to 8 years.

I've also have degenerative disk disease with Siatica, that has caused stenosis and other problems with the spine, that I can't spell :o /..  My physician and the radiologist are saying I need to see a neurosurgeon,.  Only thing is, there is none in the state of FL that takes medicaid. And my PA wants me to take care of the back first , before the lapband.  

I'd rather have the lap band first, so I might not need the back surgery or at least it will make the surgery easier.  I am also afraid if I don't get my weight down soon, I may not be around to worry about having back surgery!  : o (   I'm tire of being in pain!

So Dr. Phil if you read this I could sure use your help!  I want my life back,  I want to get off the disabled role, I want to be able to work again like a human being.  I get tired of being on Medicaid, and being treated like a second class citizen that they don't believe have real problems and being turned down by doctors just because the only insuranc eI have is Medicaid!

I want to be on the employment role like a regular person!

Dr. Phil help would be greatly appreciated  Please?

I have a letter from my dr. going to MedMutual Predetermination dept.    I've asked the Exeuctive Director of my place of employment to see if he would talk with our insurance company.  I understand MedMutual will pay for it BUT it is included 'within' our company (sigh).   Yesterday I emailed OSU Medical (Ohio State) for the paperwork to possibly get it all started and the pretty much said since my insurance won't pay there's not sense in sending me the paperwork UNLESS I wanted to pay for it myself.

What I really want to do - is get back on track with Dr Phil and get my life back ... it just isn't falling into place (sigh)

Sher/Ohio

I'm so lost.  I want to live and be healthy enough to travel to PA to see my new grandbabies.  I have a grandaughter a year and a half, and a grandson born just this year, Jan 10th.

I weighed in at the doctors today at 234 and I'm only 5'2.5".  My BP was 150/100, and all the PA did was ask if there was anything else he could do for me.  I said what about the BP, he said this is only once, he don't think it;s anything serious.  I know it's been up priviously, but not that bad, just borderline high, then it goes down and back up.  Today's was highest in a great while and I felt real tired and sleepy and it was a sunny day. Usually on sunny days I rarely feel that way unless something is wrong.

With my weight, height and my medical problems (heart, back, etc) I should keep considering one of the weight loss surgeries (IIFcan get my insurance to help or the doctors to take my insurance (Medipass), or what? 

Some day I'd love to be able to return to work, I want to buy a place of my own, as long as my weight and my health interfears and I have to stay on SSI, then that shoots all hopes of a quality of life.

I'm lost!

hmm, wonder if Dr. Phil doesn't help people on SSI and Medicaid or is he like the rest of the Doctors?  I wonder if watching his shows four to five days a week counts?

I guess I need to start previewing messages better.  I didn't word that just right!

I mean,  I wonder if Dr. Phil HELPS people on SSI / Medicaid, or is he like the other doctors?  I would hope he is not like the others, or at least I hope he isn't like the ones that don't care.