Weight loss surgery...

has anyone ever had it done, or know someone who's had it done... either gastric bypass or the lap band??

What are the opinions on it?

Message edited 1/29/2007 11:57:44 AM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I know several people who had it done. I think the weight comes off so quickly that the skin looks weird IMO. DHs uncle just had the band put in 6 months ago & he lost 1/2 his original body weight. He looks sickly sometimes & his skin looks awful

ETA: I also think that his Dr is not working well with him in his post-procedural care & diet. I think follow-up is VERY important for these kinds of surgery.

Message edited 1/29/2007 12:01:48 PM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

A friend of the family had it done a few years ago. He was on the upper end of the age limit for it and had some complications. He lost A LOT of weight though and has been able to keep it off. He looks great. My DH didn't know him when he was heavy and DH can't believe it when we tell him how much weight he lost.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

agreed, it does take the weight off, but then the skin does not bounce back with the weight loss. my ex brother laws ex wife had it and she looked great weight wize but her skin was flapping in the wind. most people after the surgery have to go for a plasic sugrey consult... IMHO unless it is a medical reason(server) i would look into other options first

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Our old dog sitter (who was a tech at our vet) had bypass and had a very bad experience. Her lungs collapsed on the operating table and almost died. She was so fragile after the surgery, she had to leave her job and move to NC to live with her father because she had so many complications and couldn't live on her own.

You know, then you have people like Al Roker or other famous people who have great experiences (in that they are barely gone from the spotlight and seemingly have no complications).

Re: Weight loss surgery...

My SIL had it in May and lost about 100lbs and my FIL is having it in March.

ETA: My issue with the surgery is the complete and total life change. It's perminant. For me I equate it to tying my tubes. Yes, I may have my 3 kids but Im young. I can't do something to myself that is irriversable...

Message edited 1/29/2007 12:10:18 PM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I used to work with someone that had it and she looked great. BUT she was about 60 lbs overweight so she had it done in Mexico They would not do it in the US. I think there is someone one here that had it. I forget her name

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I know a girl who had gastric bypass surgery done and she went to the same doctor that did Carnie Wilson's surgery. She looks great and feels great . She had to have like 30lbs of excess skin removed after she lost all her weight. But it was worth it to her.

I am a firm believer in this surgery or plastic surgery if it will make the person feel better.

That being said...

You HAVE to go to one of the BEST doctors for the procedures though. You cannot skimp on this. You have to go to someone who has done the procedure MANY times and has a high rate of success. Do your homework.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

My SIL had it exactly 1 year ago. She has lost 100lbs. She's down to a size 16 now. She does look good but I always think she "cheated" in a way...she didn't diet and exercise and lose 100lbs. She doesn't even try to eat healthy now. She does have problems sometimes bc the food gets backed up and she feels bloated. She has to go in every few weeks to have the band adjusted. I think the root of her problem is psychological though, bc every time before she goes to get "tightened" she tries to get in as much junk food as possible...

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Re: Weight loss surgery...

A guy my dad worked with had surgery. He lost the weight at first, nearly 100 lbs, but never changed his habits so he's gained much of it back. If he had changed them to begin with he would have had better long-term success without the surgery IMO.

Message edited 1/29/2007 12:38:41 PM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by MrsTC

My SIL had it exactly 1 year ago. She has lost 100lbs. She's down to a size 16 now. She does look good but I always think she "cheated" in a way...she didn't diet and exercise and lose 100lbs. She doesn't even try to eat healthy now. She does have problems sometimes bc the food gets backed up and she feels bloated. She has to go in every few weeks to have the band adjusted. I think the root of her problem is psychological though, bc every time before she goes to get "tightened" she tries to get in as much junk food as possible...

Re: Weight loss surgery...

My aunt (51) & her cousin (49) both had the gastric bypass surgery about 3 years ago. Once you have it done you will lose alot of weight (100-200 lbs) but it's up to you to maintain it. My aunt had great results, she lost about 150 lbs, got the follow up tummy-tuck, arm & breast lifts. She eats right & exercises now & looks great. Of course there's loose skin but it's not horrible. She is so much happier now.

Then there's my cousin. She also lost over 100 lbs but has since put on about 60 lbs. She practically looks the same. She still eats unhealthy foods & never exercises. She never understood the mental change that should accompany this type of surgery

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by Ambersmom

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

has anyone ever had it done, or know someone who's had it done... either gastric bypass or the lap band??

What are the opinions on it?

I had the Sapala Wood Micropouch procedure done on 11/6. The 1st week of recovery was horrible I had a reaction to the vicatin they gave me and I almost thought I would end up back in the hospital. However, as time goes on and I see the results week by week, I know it was the single best decision I've ever made about my own health

In the three months since my surgery, I've gone from 262 to 197!

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by MrsTC

My SIL had it exactly 1 year ago. She has lost 100lbs. She's down to a size 16 now. She does look good but I always think she "cheated" in a way...she didn't diet and exercise and lose 100lbs. She doesn't even try to eat healthy now. She does have problems sometimes bc the food gets backed up and she feels bloated. She has to go in every few weeks to have the band adjusted. I think the root of her problem is psychological though, bc every time before she goes to get "tightened" she tries to get in as much junk food as possible...

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by JackieandJustin

Posted by MrsTC

My SIL had it exactly 1 year ago. She has lost 100lbs. She's down to a size 16 now. She does look good but I always think she "cheated" in a way...she didn't diet and exercise and lose 100lbs. She doesn't even try to eat healthy now. She does have problems sometimes bc the food gets backed up and she feels bloated. She has to go in every few weeks to have the band adjusted. I think the root of her problem is psychological though, bc every time before she goes to get "tightened" she tries to get in as much junk food as possible...

I don't think thats a fair judgement. I am having the lapband surgery in March, and in no way was this an easy desicion. I've been on weight watchers for about 8 years, and I've gained about 80 pounds, so its not the easy way out. I've tried everything. If your not overweight, you can't understand the pain.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

it is a VERY risky surgery. Just make sure you really research it thoroughly before you make any decisions.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I had Laproscopic Gastric Bypass surgery almost 2 years ago and have lost 187lbs so far.

Yes the weight comes off pretty quickly BUT you need to change your eating thinking or the weight will come back on. 2 months after my surgery, my surgeon gave me the go ahead to join a gym and I did that night! I think that me working with a personal trainer for the first year after surgery, really helped me tighten up my skin but I still am going to have plastic surgery.

It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I was in pretty bad shape physically and felt 89 years old instead of the 39 i was!!

For me the Gastric bypass was the best option because with the lap-band, it has been proven that you do not lose as much as you do with the other one.

Another difference is lap-band you are no restricted in WHAT you eat but HOW much you eat. Whereas the gastric bypass is like learning to eat all over again.

If you want anymore information, feel free to FM me.

Message edited 1/29/2007 1:18:55 PM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I have to say i'm very wary of that surgery. One of my students' father had it and he died.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by prncssrachel

I have to say i'm very wary of that surgery. One of my students' father had it and he died.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by neenie

Posted by prncssrachel

I have to say i'm very wary of that surgery. One of my students' father had it and he died.

many people die from it, and the statistics are skewed.. they're lower than the REAL account because (i *think*) they only include those patients that died on the table from it... no the ones that had complications weeks and months down the line.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by prncssrachel

I have to say i'm very wary of that surgery. One of my students' father had it and he died.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I had the gastric bypass in July, 2006. I had type 2 diabetes and since medication couldn't control it for me, I was soon to be insulin-dependent. As with others, I tried every diet under the sun.

I did my research and went through massive pretesting. So far, I have lost 65 pounds and have had no side effects. It was the best thing I could have done for myself and I have no regrets. I have not "cheated" or did not take the easy way out -- this surgery was by no means easy....After six months out, I still have to learn how to eat properly and certain things, I can never, ever have again....I also have to be on supplements for the rest of my life and have my bloodwork closely monitored.....But again, I have no regrets.....My diabetes is gone -- normal gluclose levels with no medication.....

Re: Weight loss surgery...

Posted by JackieandJustin

Posted by MrsTC

My SIL had it exactly 1 year ago. She has lost 100lbs. She's down to a size 16 now. She does look good but I always think she "cheated" in a way...she didn't diet and exercise and lose 100lbs. She doesn't even try to eat healthy now. She does have problems sometimes bc the food gets backed up and she feels bloated. She has to go in every few weeks to have the band adjusted. I think the root of her problem is psychological though, bc every time before she goes to get "tightened" she tries to get in as much junk food as possible...

I don't think thats a fair judgement. I am having the lapband surgery in March, and in no way was this an easy desicion. I've been on weight watchers for about 8 years, and I've gained about 80 pounds, so its not the easy way out. I've tried everything. If your not overweight, you can't understand the pain.

Message edited 1/29/2007 2:17:20 PM.

Re: Weight loss surgery...

I know 3 people that had it, all of them were overweight but not more than 100lbs. One died (age 55), one almost died (age 29) has serious health problems from it and the other one is fine (age 27).

So my opinion is if you can loose it another way try too. My cousin is still suffering from this surgery.