Pre-Surgery Jitters, Brain/Gut Connection

[ReneeOD 2]

Hello, I’m brand new here, and may go down in history as the most neurotic person to ever contemplate gastric bypass surgery. I consulted with a surgeon earlier today, wringing my hands during most of the session.

To give you an idea of how crazy I got, I actually leaped onto the exam table and tried to simulate my sleeping position – I tend to twist around a lot, think a middle-aged contortionist – and worried that if I got a lap band, that I’d somehow dislodge it in my sleep and wind up in the ER.

I would’ve demonstrated my aerobic moves, too, but the doctor would likely have me escorted outside the building by security.

So we discussed my options. Given my advanced age – 59 – he recommended that the bypass would likely suit me best. My slower metabolism, age, etc., will not be as good a match for the lap band. I still wrestle with a sweet tooth, and a bypass is better for sugar addicts than the sleeve surgery.

The doctor and I addressed bone loss, nutrition, Hair loss. I would’ve discussed my childhood dog Sparky with him, that’s how many issues and questions I asked.

Then I got to the “brain-gut connection.” I’m a writer, and I’m finishing two novels. I need every brain cell, every gut nerve ending, available to write as sharply as I can.

I’ve noticed that celebrities who got the gastric surgery, particularly the comics, no longer to have their comedic edge, their cleverness.

While they seem happier, they don’t seem as witty or quick-on-their-feet mentally. There's Roseanne Barr, Rosie O’Donnell, Lisa Lampanelli, Al Roker, others. Maybe it’s a matter that their weight made them edgy and sarcastic – and now that they’re slimmer, they no longer have to make snappy remarks.

But I worry that the nerve endings in the stomach might be involved.

I’m a borderline diabetic and figure I’ll be mentally sharper after the surgery, but worry in the long-haul, that I won’t be as creative or mentally sharp as before.

Ergo, I won’t be able to finish the rest of my novels or be as creative. Creativity is uber-important.

Any advice you can share with me, would be greatly appreciated.

And thank you for your time.

This brain-gut connection is cited by Hopkins Medicine, (link):

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@ReneeOD This was one of the most entertaining posts I've seen! You really had me laughing and I'd love to read your novels (if I didn't already)! I don't know much about the brain/gut connection but I think you will do fine. Good luck on your journey!

[Tayfusion304 39]

@@ReneeOD your post is very funny and entertaining. I can see why this is a major concern of yours and I agree, most people do seem to lose their edge after losing weight..mmmm.. I'll have to read about the brain/gut connection more. I certainly hope this is not the case. Best wishes to you on this long and winding road!

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[gina171 626]

I think you hit it dead on....they have less unchanneled anger, frustration, and pain.

And they don't have to use their wit and sparkle to gain even a base level of societal acceptance anymore. They are accepted as is.

On another note..... I think it is very unlikely that you would be able to be anything except witty, funny, and engaging post-op, based on all the lively spirit that came through in your post.

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Edited August 8, 2016 by gina171

[Cervidae 2,389]

It seems to me that I may be a 24-year-old version of you! I'm an artist, and also very neurotic. I have an anxiety disorder, and that tends to contribute to my hand-wringing and needling questions. From everything I've observed and experienced, it seems that any change you may be seeing in celebrities who have had weight loss surgery is partly hormonal and mostly emotional. If anything, I feel more clear and focused since losing a ton of weight, though I can't deny that I have had huge hormone fluctuations and a fair amount of emotional turmoil since this process began. Self-image and identity are things that a lot of people must spend their entire lives discovering and understanding, and ours change in a matter of months. It's a baffling and emotional time. So in the end, while I struggle with hormones and emotion, I feel clearer and more intelligent than before.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

The only issue that relates to your concern that I noticed immediately post-op was a bit of mental fuzziness. Probably due to recovering from surgery, anesthesia, and really low carbs.

[Pink Grandma 10]

I loved reading your post! I also am older than alot of people getting gastric bypass surgery, 61. My surgeon also encouraged me to have this surgery both because you tend to lose more weight and also because they have alot more long-term data on the outcomes. It's the bariatric surgery that's been around the longest. My surgery date is out there aways - September 19th. I'm wringing my hands as well. But the health benefits outweigh my misgivings by far. I am sure you'll do fine.

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