Thinking about Gastric Bypass

[CarolMcca 2]

I'm at the early stages of going the procedure route, and I'm looking for any feedback good or bad. It will really help me make this decision if I get feeback from people who have gone through this procedure and not just what the clinics tell.

[catwoman7 11,212]

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Should have done it years ago.

[CarolMcca 2]

how did you find the surgery, did your hair fall out? i'm worried about after the surgery and how i will handle food after

[BriarRose 432]

I am over 10 years out. I weighed over 320 pounds and was 5'3" and 54 years old. I have lost 145 pounds (well, 147) . I should have done it many years before.... but it wasn't around then !!! I am not 65 years old. I am still considered overweight - even obese, if one does not count in my age ! But I now weigh between 175 and 172. I am able to maintain that at 65 years old with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic brittle asthma. IF I had plastic surgery I would easily weigh another 15 pounds less, but at my age I have elected NOT to have another elective surgery.

I went from a size 28 plus size to now I wear a 14/16 petite. I am incredible healthy - work full time still, organic garden and raise hens for farm fresh eggs !

Eat /drink your Proteins. Take your Multi Vitamins. Eat lots of healthy vegetables of all colors and forms, keep carbs to a bare minimum. Eat enough healthy fats to keep your skin and hair healthy. I did not lose hair after surgery. But some people do. I would suggest following your doctor's diet well, and making sure you eat healthy proteins always first !!!

[GingersnapMI 29]

On 7/22/2021 at 8:22 AM, catwoman7 said:

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Should have done it years ago.

Ditto!

I chose RNY bypass over sleeve due to:

1) RNY gives slightly better results, statistically, and seems to be more commonly recommended for my age group (I'm 58).

2) I'm a twenty-year GERD sufferer, even when at lower weights. The sleeve can cause/increase GERD symptoms (you will find a fair amount of people here who had revision surgeries from sleeve to bypass due to GERD). I also had an older sibling who was a long-time GERD sufferer and ended up dying at age 61 of esophageal cancer. I decided to take no chances.

3) Bypass is reversible, sleeve is not. (Though there are very few instances when a reversal would actually be needed/done.)

4) I actually wanted the possibility of dumping as a "reminder" to stay on course with proper eating over the years to come.

5) RNY procedure bypasses some of the small intestine which causes mild malabsorption of nutrients/calories. This means that lifetime Vitamin use is absolutely necessary (which is also recommended for sleeve recipients) but it also means that occasional digressions from proper eating won't be as detrimental to overall results.

Edited July 26, 2021 by GingersnapMI

[TravelKat 8]

On 7/22/2021 at 6:23 AM, CarolMcca said:

I'm at the early stages of going the procedure route, and I'm looking for any feedback good or bad. It will really help me make this decision if I get feeback from people who have gone through this procedure and not just what the clinics tell.

I am so happy I made the decision to have it done. It hasn't been easy, but much easier than I thought it would be. Four months out and I feel so much better. I am no longer anemic, sugar was borderline high and is no more, my blood pressure is down, and I have so much fewer aches and pains. I can walk now without being miserable, I can find clothes that fit, and my neuropathy pain has decreased. The hardest part for me has been the mental adjustment. I used food when I was bored, happy, mad, and anxious. My brain is adjusting to how I handle these emotions without food. It's a good thing but difficult. Totally worthwhile!

[GreenTealael 25,336]

On 7/22/2021 at 8:22 AM, catwoman7 said:

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Should have done it years ago.

Same!

Nothing was as bad as portrayed on TV (sadly My 600 lb life was my only reference on how it would go) and every benefit outweighed the negatives for me.