Bariatric surgery

[needforspeed]

Anyone with questions about bariatric surgery (specifically Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) please feel free to either respond to this thread or PM me. I recently had the surgery and am willing to share about my experiences.

 

[Danny White]

I was reading about this the other day. It sounds like a fascinating surgery.

There were a couple of things I didn't quite understand.

One, the main, pocket stomach they make for you only has about a 2 tablespoon capacity, correct? If that's so, then how do you possibly achieve nutritional sustenence as you're losing weight, and even moreso once you've lost your desired weight?

Also, from what I could tell, it sounds like they re-route your small intestine to receive from both the small and larger pockets that are now the stomach. The question I had is, what is exactly the purpose of the larger pocket of the stomach now? It doesn't receive food now, does it? So what is left to go into the small intestine?

Anyway, I hope the procedure is a success for you. It sounds pretty intense.

If you don't mind saying, how much weight are you hoping to lose through this? I wouldn't normally ask a question like this, but given the topic of the thread you started, I thought it'd be interesting to share your progress along the way.

I read up on this because someone I knew just had the surgery and she was only about 60-80 pounds overweight and from what I could tell, that's kind of on the low end of what this surgery is supposed to be for.

Good luck!

 

[needforspeed]

I was reading about this the other day. It sounds like a fascinating surgery.

There were a couple of things I didn't quite understand.

One, the main, pocket stomach they make for you only has about a 2 tablespoon capacity, correct? If that's so, then how do you possibly achieve nutritional sustenence as you're losing weight, and even moreso once you've lost your desired weight?

Also, from what I could tell, it sounds like they re-route your small intestine to receive from both the small and larger pockets that are now the stomach. The question I had is, what is exactly the purpose of the larger pocket of the stomach now? It doesn't receive food now, does it? So what is left to go into the small intestine?

Anyway, I hope the procedure is a success for you. It sounds pretty intense.

If you don't mind saying, how much weight are you hoping to lose through this? I wouldn't normally ask a question like this, but given the topic of the thread you started, I thought it'd be interesting to share your progress along the way.

I read up on this because someone I knew just had the surgery and she was only about 60-80 pounds overweight and from what I could tell, that's kind of on the low end of what this surgery is supposed to be for.

Good luck!

I asked for questions and I'm more than happy to answer them.

As to your first question, you have to realize that if you have this surgery, you will be on supplements for the rest of your life. I will be taking 2 multivitamins (Flintstones chewables, surprisingly), an iron tablet, calcium and vitamin B12. In addition, I am required to drink three 8 oz. protein shakes per day. That's how you achieve nutritional sustenance.

From what I know, the only purpose for leaving the larger portion of your stomach as well as the remainder of the small intestine is to maintain a sense of normality for your body. Those organs continue to function and the stomach supplies various chemicals to the small intestine. If I understand correctly, it's mostly to keep your body from freaking out.

I'm hoping to lose between 180 and 200 pounds. That would put me somwhere between 185 and 205 lbs. My ideal weight is physically unattainable (151).

Normally, an ideal candidate for gastric bypass is more than 100 lbs overweight and has 1 or more co-morbidity factors (sleep apnea, diabetes, history of family heart problems, Gasto-intestinal reflux disease (GERD), or severe joint pain among other things). However, if you have serious gastro-intestinal issues, you can receive the surgery without meeting the weight requirement. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNY) cures GERD, Type II diabetes, and sleep apnea and will indirectly alleviate joint pain and heart issues.

Hope that answers your questions. And thanks for the well wishes. >-Greg

 

[Crown Royal]

What is your recovery time as far as healing up? Will you be excercising as well, or just watching your food intake? What is the general recurrence of obesity after this surgery?

 

[Wimbo]

I hope this doesn't sound crass - it's not meant to. Just something I have wondered about people who drop 200 pounds...

What happens to your skin? I would think your skin would be so stretched out that it could never return to form. Do you have to remove sections of skin? If so, does it become dangerous if the weight returns?

 

[big dog cowboy]

What happens to your skin? I would think your skin would be so stretched out that it could never return to form. Do you have to remove sections of skin? If so, does it become dangerous if the weight returns?

Cosmetic surgery. If you don't get it removed, it will just hang there forever.

 

[needforspeed]

What is your recovery time as far as healing up? Will you be excercising as well, or just watching your food intake? What is the general recurrence of obesity after this surgery?

Approximately 6-8 weeks on the healing time. Yes, I'm on a structured exercise program that requires me to document my activities. And I have to document my food intake as well. However, since I can only take in 4-6 oz. of food at one sitting, this is not difficult.

I'd love to tell you that there is very little recurrence of obesity postop. But I'd be lying to you if I did. RNY is a powerful tool, not a cure. And as with any tool, you must maintain it. In other words, go to your follow-up appointments, follow your surgeon's instructions, avoid foods and drinks that you know cause problems, get in a support group, eat slowly and at regular intervals. The last two are the leading cause of recurrence. Why? Because you not only have to change your body, you have to change your mind. As far as a percentage rate on recurrence, I don't have that number handy. And it depends on who you ask.

 

[needforspeed]

I hope this doesn't sound crass - it's not meant to. Just something I have wondered about people who drop 200 pounds...

What happens to your skin? I would think your skin would be so stretched out that it could never return to form. Do you have to remove sections of skin? If so, does it become dangerous if the weight returns?

There's nothing crass about an honest question. Some people who lose large amounts of weight will require a tummy tuck (TT). Depending on your weight, age, and the elasticity of your skin, you may not need TT.

Yes, it requires removing sections of skin. And yes, once you have a TT, you can cause damage if you gain a significant amount of weight. So, yes, it can be dangerous.

 

[needforspeed]

Cosmetic surgery. If you don't get it removed, it will just hang there forever.

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[Danny White]

Good luck man! I wish you the best.

 

[needforspeed]

Good luck man! I wish you the best.

Thanks, DW. >-Greg

PS I've lost 15 lbs since 7/16/07

 

[Dallas]

Geezus dude, how 'bout a disclaimer or something!!??



uke:

Hahah You crack me up T. That was a funny reply.

 

[heavyg]

tried to send this via PM not sure if it went so im putting it here too:

Hey guy congrats on the surgery. Hope it works for you. I am in need of this surgery as well. Looking at the bypass and the lapband. My issue is my insurance doesnt cover it. I spoke with my dr. today and he said its very hard to get them to cover it but not impossible. I am going back to him on Aug 8th to start the process. Did you have issues with insurance or did you pay for it yourself? If you had the insurance issues how did you get them to cover it?

Thanks

Glen

 

[DallasCowpoke]

And I have to document my food intake as well. However, since I can only take in 4-6 oz. of food at one sitting, this is not difficult.

No offense meant, and I'm sure you've steeled yourself for insensitive louts such as myself. But the phrase, "cart, meet horse" seems to fit here.

I've seen 2 close friends go this route, and both regret it, albeit, it was 5-7 years post surgery. Both lost massive amounts, gained 1/2-2/3 back, and suffered greatly afterwards.

Good luck to you.

FWIW, ABC's 20/20 has their hour dedicated to cosmetic surgery as we speak.

 

[needforspeed]

No offense meant, and I'm sure you've steeled yourself for insensitive louts such as myself. But the phrase, "cart, meet horse" seems to fit here.

I've seen 2 close friends go this route, and both regret it, albeit, it was 5-7 years post surgery. Both lost massive amounts, gained 1/2-2/3 back, and suffered greatly afterwards.

Good luck to you.

FWIW, ABC's 20/20 has their hour dedicated to cosmetic surgery as we speak.

As long as I'm happy, everyone else can go rot.

Seriously, no one ever told me that this was a panacea. As I said before, it is a powerful tool and nothing else. It's up to me to change my thinking on eating.

I feel bad for those who regain weight postop. It's sort of like convicts who can't survive on the outside. The question is, how badly do you want to be free?

20/20? Is that still on the air?

 

[Dayton Cowboy]

Congrats on your decision Needforspeed. I will say having undergone my this surgery several years back myself there are no regrets. There is only one thing that I might have you watch out for. About a year after my RNY op I developed a ventral hernia. However, I was told that was not that uncommon.

 

[GTaylor]

Thanks, DW. >-Greg

PS I've lost 15 lbs since 7/16/07

Congrats! So you're probably already down a pants size, maybe even two. Curious though, since you're not eating so much can you exercise or would that affect your health?

 

[Hoov]

Needforspeed,

Question....how does the surgery help with Type II Diabetes. Im guessing that it is the weight loss and that along with the weight loss there is a decrease in "insulin resistance" ?

Also the decrease in food intake post surgery will be a factor as well.

But is there more to this ?

 

[needforspeed]

Congrats on your decision Needforspeed. I will say having undergone my this surgery several years back myself there are no regrets. There is only one thing that I might have you watch out for. About a year after my RNY op I developed a ventral hernia. However, I was told that was not that uncommon.

Thank you and I'll pay close attention to areas that might herniate. I know it's a pretty common thing among bariatric patients. >-Greg

 

[needforspeed]

Congrats! So you're probably already down a pants size, maybe even two. Curious though, since you're not eating so much can you exercise or would that affect your health?

Thank you. I've actually lost 45 lbs since July 1. I know that I'm down 2 shirt sizes.

To answer your question, I walk 2 miles every (and I mean every) morning. In fact, my bariatric team is encouraging me to increase my level of activity every week. So, no it isn't harmful. >-Greg