thinking about a bypass , just so unsure

[samcl1 52]

My name is Sharon. I will start out by saying I never really had a weight problem till my early 40's and then it was only 20 pounds or so. Well, I am now 60 and have developed diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, bad knees and I also have 4 or 5 bad discs in my back. My BMI is 37 and with all my comorbitities I do qualify for a bypass..I say bypass because that is the only surgery my insurance will pay for. My cardiologist and my neurosurgeon both agree that I should have the surgery..I cannot exercise or even walk much because of my back pain. Also, any exercise that gets my heart rate past 100 causes angina. My pcp says I just need to diet....gee why didn't I think of that?? My biggest issue, I think.....is that I had a friend die from complications if malabsorption.syndrome after her bypass. (Ten years after it), so I have that image stuck in my mind. My cardiologist says if I have the surgery it could quite possibly give me 10 more years of quality life than if I dont.

I would appreciate any thoughts on the matter.... looking for positive feedback I suppose. I have gotten plenty of negative from some friends and family.

Thank you

[della street 213]

I look at it like this:

At my weight (340-ish; I'm 59 years old), my life is miserable. I can't go to the movies (don't fit in seats), can't walk too far w/o getting exhausted, can't walk into a restaurant w/o babbling about "oh, let's get a table, not a booth...", can't - can't - can't do so much. And then there's the numerous health issues, either current or pending... I do totally understand your feelings about your friend's situation, but the risk of that is very, very low from what I understand. Obviously, though, if it happens to you, the risk is 100%...

My insurance w/only pay for band or bypass, not sleeve, and I think the band would be useless for me. So I'll be doing the bypass, hopefully not too long after the first of the year (have to wait for new insurance to kick in Jan. 1st...)

Whatever you decide, weigh the pros and cons -- I personally can't wait to live a normal life again...

[samcl1 52]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I appreciate what you are saying. I guess I just need a little hand holding. I have so many things wrong with me that losing weight will either fix or at the least. It sea so complicated make better, I feel I need to do this....just don't know where to start

[della street 213]

I understand, yes it is complicated -- my advice is to just get started -- one step at a time and keep plodding along, and remember that you are your own best advocate, whether it's bugging the surgeon's office for info to make sure they have what they need from you and/or bugging the insurance company for the same reason. You've taken a good first step by coming on here and asking questions, researching, etc. Maybe check w/a surgeon near you for a seminar would be a good next step -- I had insurance that specifically excluded bariatric surgery until I purchased a new policy this year and didn't take my husband's work policy, so I need to get this done while the window of opportunity (ie, insurance covering it...) is open -- good luck!

[anaxila 501]

Hi Sharon, I appreciate your hesitation and concern. I am having surgery in January after more than a year of educating myself, considering alternatives, and preparing. For the first several months I wasn't firmly decided one way or the other, but I just put one foot in front of the other assuming that the answer would be clear to me at some point. And then it was.

For me, the clarity came from co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure... the usual suspects) and the fact that my size made it too difficult to actually exercise. Like you, I had knee pain and back pain and poor cardio health. This meant that the "... and exercise" part of "just diet and exercise" wasn't an option, which was just too much. I am having surgery to jump-start the process of achieving optimium health. It's not the end of the journey, but the beginning. And personally, I don't see how I could get there without the initial push.

There's a great book I recommend called "Obesity Surgery: Stories of Altered Lives" by Marta Meana. She and her coauthor did very deep interviews with a couple of dozen surgery patients and their stories really helped me think through many issues related to this choice.

So that's my perspective, but your mileage may vary. I wish you all the best with this difficult decision.

Amy

[samcl1 52]

Thanks so much. I will get that book. I know ,like you. Without that jump start I will never be able to do any exercise..... my husband us an avid mountain hiker.....I would give anything to be able to go with him.

[della street 213]

@anaxila thanks for the book suggestion - I just ordered it for my Kindle on Amazon -- was only about $12 -- I also ordered a smoothie recipe book ) Thanks again for mentioning it - much appreciated!

[Gill123 1]

Hi I'm new here but your post struck a cord with me. I started my journey in 2011 and really didn't want surgery it terrified me! I had 2 major surgeries in my life, hysterectomy and gall bladder removal and got myself in such a state I woke with fibromyalgia due to the stress.

To cut a long story short I was only a stone or 2 over weight and diabetic, then hit menopause and piled weight on! By 2012 had to go on insulin. 2013 saw my having a pre op assessment for bypass but was still sitting on fence. Today I'm 5 days post op, nearly lost my first stone and so far so good but early days.

Do lots of research, get a good surgeon in hospital with good aftercare. But one thing to bare in mind ....... You will read awful stuff as well as good stuff, but if you think how many thousands are having this surgery nowadays then realise many of them don't bother with writing on bariatric forums they are far to busy having a wonderful life and living again.

[samcl1 52]

Gill123.....how are you doing now? I hope you are having progress

Edited May 19, 2015 by samcl1

[Gill123 1]

Hi Samcl1,

Yes doing ok thanks, 6 months out and 4.5 stone lost so far. Still have hunger, which is unusal for bypass, but had it since day 1 of surgery. Have dumped a few times on small amounts of fat and carbs, but other than that feeling so much better and no regrets :-)

[samcl1 52]

Great!!! Glad to hear it

[samcl1 52]

Update....it took me a year of researching, educating myself, jumping through insurance hoops, but I had my bypass on 12/15/15. I actually ended up getting a lot more support than I thought I would. So far, so good.

[psvzum 81]

Hi Samcl1

I was unsure about it myself. I'm 56 years old, weighed 235 lbs (35 bmi) and hated the way I felt and looked. I was able to lose weight but would "fall off the wagon" and gain most (if not all) of it back. I had severe fatty liver, couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without panting like a dog, could no longer do yoga and was getting to the point of not being able to do my job. (Outside sales). I also am very attuned to how differently people treat you when you're overweight. From a business standpoint, it was hindering me.

I didn't want to live the rest of my life with the physical limitations my excess weight was causing.

I had my surgery 12/2/15 and have no regrets. If you do decide to go ahead with it, I suggest going to a weight loss surgeon at a major hospital. You'll get alot of support: nutritionist, psychologist, insurance and support afterwards.

If you do what your surgeon and nutritionist recommend, you'll be fine.

Good luck to you!!

[samcl1 52]

I did it. I had pretty much the same complaints as you.....

Had surgery on 12/15. Had my 2 week post op visit today. Down 16 pounds. I am very happy I did it.is did all the research and am very happy with my surgeon and his entire office stagg. Amazing people. Now if I can take pureed foods for 3 more weeks ! Glad you're doing well!

Edited January 1, 2016 by samcl1