[Randy Larsen]

My doctor recommends that I have gastric bypass surgery. Any one know anything about this procedure or have had this performed on them?

I'm not so sure I want to do this.

Please advise...

[skr]

Unless it’s a life-saving procedure, I would not risk the possibility of infections, especially MRSA. A friend of mine passed away last year, not from the Crohn’s disease but from infection from her port.

[passionfruit]

I tried to lose weight for many many years. I counted calories, tried diet plans. changes all my recipes, cut out most fat and sugars. The best I could do was not gain weight for extended periods, but then I would have a major stresser in my life, and shoot up.

I had my gastric bypass right after Thanksgiving.

I wasn't THAT fat, in fact when I went to my first informational meeting at the bariatric doc's office, I was the smallest person there. I wouldn't have qualified for the surgery based on my BMI alone. I WAS type II diabetic. The combination of weight and diabetes is what got my surgery approved by insurance.

I was actually looking at having a lap band, but when looking at statistics, decided that GB was the better choice for me.

The statistics say you are more likely to resolve your diabetes with GB than with lap band. If you suffer from GERD (and I really did) it will most likely be resolved with GB, while lap band could make it worse. Finally, lap band is a man made thing. It could fail, and require surgery to replace it. You have to go to the bariatric doc for the rest of your life with lap band. So they can add or remove water through a port right under the skin. It could rotate, or move and require additional surgery.

I didn't want to be tethered to my bariatric doc for the rest of my days.

So far I have lost 60 lbs. My diabetes is gone, and I no longer have GERD. This has taken some of the pressure off my spine. I have degenerative disk disease, and have had two diskectomies and a spinal fusion. Because of the lost weight, I am in less back pain. I will live healthier, and if God is willing, I'll live longer.

And looking better is an added bonus to all the health benefits.

As for the malabsorption thing. I pay close attention to nutrition. I religiously take my vitamins & minerals and be sure to get plenty of calcium and protein.

You can fail with this surgery. You can over eat and stretch out your stomach considerably. The lady I sat next to at that meeting was quite a bit larger than me. And I was a little shocked when she said she had GB 10 years earlier, and now wanted a lap band.

[WestwardHo]

Randy, find a Doc that will work with you.
Consider the cost of surgery, etc.
I hate diets because I become obsessed with food, recipes, the next meal, etc., etc.
The cost of prepared meals you don’t have to fiddle with may be worth the cost.
Special diets are temporary fixes. At some point you’ll want to go back to stuff you like....
Eat normal. To prove the point a guy went on a Hostas Twinkies diet and simply counted calories. He lost weight.
Not a recommendation. Eat normal.
You’ve gotten a lot of good advice on this thread. I hope you do well.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

“I’m not so sure I want to do this.”

---

Seems like you’ve already answered your own question. I can’t imagine undertaking such a major step unless I was 110% convinced that I was doing the right thing. Follow your heart and take the important step that “feels right”.

Certainly a committed trial of proper diet and judicious exercise seems indicated even if it incurs certain expenses and inconveniences.

[HangingTuff]

I have a friend who had it done. Due to the surgery her body will not retain iron anymore, a serious problem. She is gaining the weight back. I would suggest that it be a last, last resort.

[texgal]

Try the Amalyse diet. Amalyse is made from Yogurt, Honey and Soy so it is safe to use. You can use it a a meal replacement or in lieu of a snack. We mix smoothies from fruit and ice and add the Amalyse powder to it. The Amalyse can be found at GNC.

My sister had gastric sleeve but did not change her eating habits and she was beginning to gain her weight back. She substitutes the Amalyse for 2 meals per day and eats a regular 3rd meal (reduced size). She has not felt hungry and is maintaining her weight loss of 165 lbs.