Curve ball 101----big curve ball!!!!!!!!!

[Don 5]

Wow I was the one complaining about waiting so long and finally was scheduled for June 1st.

My wife had an ovary and a growth removed on February 10 and on March 4th I went to the ER for back and shoulder pains. I ended up on the ekg, then an ambulance takes me north 14 miles to where the nearest catheter center is. There is a table round people waiting for me. Tjhe next day I have all sorts of tests and on Friday the 6th I had a triple bypass.

I had had a stress test about year ago and they have always come back fine. I take a small dose of Lipitor and my cholesterol always comes back picture perfect (except my HDL is just 4-5 points low)> This came from out of the blue,

1) Should I still consider bariatric surgery???

2) If so, which one? (I wanted the band, Surgeon convinced me ROux EN Y) To me it is now a toss-up.........especially since the Roux En Y seems to be almost as stressful to the body as this bypass.

3) I am hoping that I have alredy started to lose some weight, maybe this will be the clincher or the closer. I am down to almost 240 now( from 270 a year ago and an all time high of 283).

WHat a surprise!!!!!!!!:scared2::scared2: Not a good one.

Don

[meschultz 0]

Well I hope you are feeling better and heal very fast. I would certainly talk to your surgeon. I know mine made me have a cariac clearence and your suregeon might want to wait a little while until your body has had time to adjust. I would be nervous to have the by pass surgery, but that i just me. I went the Lapband route and I absolutely love my band... Jus take it easy and keep the lines of communication open with your surgeon. ask him to discuss the benefits of both. I am kind of amazing for a person only weighting 240 he would want to do bypass. my husband started out at 330 and he is down to 270 in about 6 month time frame.. I have lost 80 lbs in that time with out bands.. It takes a little more dedication, but is not as hard on the body.. Maybe consider a second opinion from another doctor if yours wont discuss both options with you.. Take care and best wishes..

[SunnyRachel 7]

Wow! I'm really sorry for this unexpected health crisis. I hope you feel better soon and recover quickly.

Just personally, Don, 240 does not sound like a mountain to move, and for a male, I bet you will be able to move it quickly. If surgery is safe at all for you, the band sounds like a safer choice. Again, just my personal gut feeling.

Whatever road you choose, I wish you continued health and no more surprises like this one. Please feel better soon!!

[HeatherO 7]

I also think the band sounds better when you don't have too much to lose. I don't know how tall you are but I would imagine you have less than 100 pounds to lose to get to a normal BMI. It is so much less stress on the body.

Another way to look at it is by reviewing your eating habits. If you are a chronic overeater at meal times, banding may be the best choice. If you are a sweetaholic or primarily eat junk food, then R&Y might have the added benefit of the "dumping" syndrome which might cause you to lose the desire to eat sweets if you get exceedingly sick when you do.

Also keep in mind that doctors have their preferences as well. Some doctors favor one surgery over the other in most cases. Your doctor could be biased one way or the other and it is helpful to keep this in mind. Ask your doctor why they prefer one over the other in your particular case to see if it makes sense to you . . . after all, it is your ultimate decision.

If you can get cardiac clearance and bariatric surgery would be considered relatively safe from your doctors perspective, I think you would still benefit from taking off the weight. Any excess weight is a strain on your heart. Weight loss with a healthy diet and doctor approved exercise may prolong and enhance your life considerably.