gastric bypass

ok gang tell me about the pro's and con's of barriatric surgery my doc gave me his blessings and all is well with me except having a bmi of 54 i walk until my knee gives i swim walk in the pool i watch my salts fats and i do not over eat "well" i have my moments i stay very active my heart function test has been normal for over 18 months i am 47 i have alot more living to do and i don't see to many 6ft 380lbs men walking around over 60 years old i have had my icd pacemaker since jan 2005 so let me have it gang what do you think.............murf

10 Comments

Try everything first!

by hturatram - 2008-11-14 09:11:44

You definitely need to lose weight. Our 6 ft son tries to stay under 200 pounds. What about a gym or a personal trainer for a month; then you can continue with their suggestions on your own at the local YMCA? Our younger daughter did that and she was very pleased with the results. Keep a record of what you eat and list possible problem ingredients that you can change to a less fattening one. Find a local support group to help you stay focused or there may be one on the internet.
No matter how much or little you lose, it helps!
good luck and good health!
Hturatram

Surgery

by BOB 1 - 2008-11-14 09:11:58

The following is what one website has to say about the surgery. As for me I just quite eating so much and walked or run about three thousand miles a year for two years and now I must have some foot surgery. Did lose over 150 lbs, but it is a constant battle to keep it off.

PRO

Most patients experience life at a much more manageable and healthy weight

Fewer complications due to further research

No longer considered experimental

Proven success rates

Regain health and longevity

Encourages exercise

Many variations to choose the best method for you

CON

Without insurance coverage, it’s expensive

Some risk of death and other lesser complications

Very restrictive diet post-surgery

DIET and NUTRITION

The diet each bariatric surgery patient will follow differs.

EXERCISE

Exercising after surgery will help you feel better, recover faster and minimize the possibility of post-surgical complications.

EXPENSE

Between $20,000 and $50,000, depending if there are any complications with the procedure. What your insurance company will or will not cover will also influence the cost.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery is a major ordeal, and should not be thought of as a simple in-and-out vanity procedure. Doctors reserve this procedure for the obese or morbidly obese as a life-saving and last-alternative for extreme weight loss.

I was going to say..

by turboz24 - 2008-11-14 11:11:17

One of the ladies at my office had gastric bypass. There seem to be a lot of complications from it. I have heard that ultimately it basically forces you to change your eating habits, but then I have also heard that some people have successfully added back on all their weight with the gastric bypass in place. There is another group that believes that the cutting of the nerves to the digestive system is ultimately what results in the change in hunger, etc.

I can't say anything, because I have never had issues controlling what and when I eat, but I would also say that gastric bypass surgery is something to not consider lightly. This is an unreversable decision, you can end up with some pretty severe complications, surgical as well as nutritional. I get on my father about loosing weight (he is 5'9" so he claims, but more like 5'7") is 240 lbs, diabetic, high everything, and takes about 12 pills, but he basically refuses to eat correctly as well as exercise.

With exercise, it's really important to absolutely stick to a routine no matter what for 3-6 months, at which point it will become so second nature, that you basically will not skip, but those first months are the hardest (most of my friends fail then).

helloooooo!

by pacergirl - 2008-11-14 11:11:46

Hi Murf!

Hey, how are things in Alabama?

Sounds to me as if you are doing what you can and have been for awhile. I have had 2 friends whom have had this exact surgery. One was 325 pounds give or take a few. She is now like a new woman. Both of my friends are hardly recognizable now. Both were pretty, but very obese. Now, you wouldn't believe the change. Actually I have 3 friends that have had this done! The oldest is about 60 yrs old and only had it done last year. She is looking great. She can't eat much at any given time, but she isn't hungry so it doesn't matter much. They all love the way they can move and workout and WALK! They are healthier than they have ever been.

So in closing let me say... I wish you the best. It is your life and I will support you as your friend with what ever you decide to do. Just let me know.... :-)
Take care, Pacergirl

up to you

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-15 09:11:13

It is a big decision and there are always risks to a major surgery. I know of four people who have had it. None had complications. All of them look fabulous now and are much more healthy and active. Their entire lifestyles and eating habits are different. Do the risks of the surgery outweigh the health risks from being overweight? Only you can decide that. good luck,

thanks for info

by dbmurf - 2008-11-15 09:11:44

i am tired of being fat! it will take a change of lifestyle, but i must do this i have tired all of the diets this and that...............thanks

Question

by pacepal - 2008-11-15 11:11:18

Hi Murf,

You didn't mention having a Thyroid profile determination.

Rate of metabolism (nutrients to energy): sometimes our bodies need assistance to assimilate nutrient intake into energy. A slow metabolism does not create enough heat ( energy ) to burn calories taken in...thus...unprocessed
intake may be stored as fat.

Is there a possibility you have a hypo-thyroid condition?

Best wishes for you whatever your choice...pacepal

Comments

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-15 12:11:17

murf,
It sounds like you may just be one of those persons with a genetic tendency to put on weight. I have known a couple of people who could literally starve themselves and still be very overweight. If so the risks of continuing the current situation may outweigh the risks of the procedure.

Despite what some in the weight loss field preach it isn't just "calories eaten vs calories burned". There is a wide difference between how efficiently people process the food they eat.

It sounds like it isn't an easy decision to make. I wouldn't do it until you are sure to the point of being enthusiastic about it. This can make a big difference in success and recovery. Back in the 1980's I had lower back surgery for a bad disk. When I finally had it done I was ready for it. The surgeon said expect 6-8 weeks before returning to work. I was walking 4 miles/day and got a full release for work in 2 weeks.

good luck,

frank

my friend turbo....

by jessie - 2008-11-15 12:11:34

i agree with your thoughts on this. i think it should be a last resort.i think it can be done as simple as possible by eating small meals lots of veggies and fruit and 1%milk skim is better. the skim milk will tone you believe it or not. i think if you have a treadmill you can start small. i am up to half an hour a day now every day would't miss it if my life depended on it.my mother alwasy lost by cutting meals in half. of course i drink 6 glasses of water every day. chicken and fish are the meat choices pork is okay too with fat trimmed. i have become a fanatic on exercise and when i wake up i can hardly wait to get on the treadmill. i am definetely not morbidly obese but not thin either so the reason for me is to get healthy the thinner the better. well maybe a bit of fat becasue i am a woman. lol so i don't think it matters how much you need to lose but the desire to become really as healthy as one can be is for me the ultimate. i like the way i look so far and it has been just over a week. this for me tho is like long term commitment with the encouragement of my friend turbo. so hope this helps and hope you decide jessie

thyroid

by dbmurf - 2008-11-22 04:11:23

sorry i have had it checked when you are fat thats one of the first things they check and yes i will eat small amounts i can't cheat like i have done before and yes again it is a chance i am taken, all my docs are onboard and in dec we are getting underway all possible test but this is my decision and with an positive support from my family docs etc...murf

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