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Weight Loss/Maintenance

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rox63

(9,464 posts)
Thu Mar 1, 2012, 08:54 AM Mar 2012

Bariatric surgery [View all]

I don't see any topics on it here, so I don't know what the general opinion of it is around here. I have the vague feeling that it may be frowned upon within this group.

I am considering lap band surgery rather than gastric bypass. I'm not comfortable with all the re-routing of internal plumbing that goes with gastric bypass. And the side-effects (malabsorption of nutrients, 'dumping syndrome', etc.) also scare me. And it is really major surgery. Lap-band seems to have fewer risks and a shorter recovery time, although the weight loss tends to be slower. Slower sounds healthier to me. And it can be reversed in an emergency, whereas gastric bypass can not be reversed.

I have been heavy my entire life. Both of my parents and my only sibling were obese, and all developed type 2 diabetes in middle age. My Mom is also legally blind because of diabetes. My Dad died of a stroke at age 64. I already have hypertension and I had a mini-stroke last year. That scared the crap out of me. I'm currently 48 years old, and have back problems, knee problems, and very likely have sleep apnea as well. (being tested for that soon) I currently weigh about twice what would be considered a healthy weight for my height.

I've been on many diets and food plans. While I have lost weight on some of them, I always gain the weight back. My biggest weight-loss successes have been on prepared-meal plans like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig. But eventually, it gets expensive to stay on those plans, and I quit. Then the weight gradually comes back on.

I'd like to hear people's opinions. I've only just started the evaluation process for this surgery, so it would be a few months before I go under the knife. It's a long process, and I will be evaluated by doctors in several different specialties before I can get approved.

So please discuss - I am interested to hear what people have to say on the subject.

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Bariatric surgery [View all] rox63 Mar 2012 OP
It's a hard decision. Pholus Mar 2012 #1
Thanks for your thoughtful answer rox63 Mar 2012 #2
That all sounds good so I think you picked a good one. Best of luck! nt Pholus Mar 2012 #3
While you are waiting for the surgery noamnety Mar 2012 #4
I'll take a look at these rox63 Mar 2012 #8
I think both of these books noamnety Mar 2012 #9
If reversal of diabetes is a concern, bypass is better MaineDem Mar 2012 #5
I am not yet considered diabetic rox63 Mar 2012 #7
I have had bariatric surgery. Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch. auntAgonist Mar 2012 #6
wondering auntAgonist Mar 2012 #10
Thanks - I'm just 3 weeks into the program from my intake appointment rox63 Mar 2012 #11
Good for you!! You're having the lap band yes? auntAgonist Mar 2012 #12
I'm aiming towards the lap band, yes. rox63 Mar 2012 #13
I think, with all the prep you're doing auntAgonist Mar 2012 #14
I toyed with this, too Goblinmonger Mar 2012 #15
I have been to WW multiple times, with no lasting success rox63 Mar 2012 #16
I had a verticle sleeve gastrectomy on '09 annabanana Mar 2012 #17
Hey, I often wondered how you are doing! auntAgonist Mar 2012 #18
My insurance covers the sleeve gastrectomy rox63 Mar 2012 #19
Rox, I would highly recommend the sleeve! auntAgonist Mar 2012 #20
I thought you might be interested in this email from a bariatric surgery group I'm on .. auntAgonist Mar 2012 #21
Thanks for the information rox63 Mar 2012 #22
any updates on how you're doing, where you're at in the process? n/t auntAgonist May 2012 #23
I'm still in the process rox63 May 2012 #24
The waiting is actually good. MaineDem May 2012 #25
I've still got some work to do on a few things rox63 May 2012 #26
Good to hear that things are progressing well for you. Your Drs are being very thorough auntAgonist May 2012 #27
Will do! rox63 May 2012 #28
Importance of post- op jesspinto Feb 2013 #71
Clarification: I didn't write that post. I shared it because I thought it important. auntAgonist Feb 2013 #72
Hi Annabanana genxlib Sep 2018 #76
Mixed on results. annabanana Sep 2018 #77
Appreciate the response genxlib Sep 2018 #78
Met with the surgeon yesterday rox63 May 2012 #29
Good luck with the cardio Dr and all the sign offs!! auntAgonist May 2012 #30
Thanks! rox63 May 2012 #31
Yay! I know how exciting and scary it is. I couldn't believe my ears when my insurance company auntAgonist May 2012 #32
The surgeon says mine should be less than an hour rox63 May 2012 #33
An update rox63 May 2012 #34
Good Luck!!! I'll try and check in before auntAgonist May 2012 #35
Tentative surgery date is 6/18 rox63 May 2012 #36
Good luck to you!! nt K8-EEE May 2012 #37
Thanks! rox63 May 2012 #38
Good Luck!! Have you heard anything yet? n/t auntAgonist Jun 2012 #39
Still haven't gotten official insurance approval rox63 Jun 2012 #40
Update! Insurance company has approved! rox63 Jun 2012 #41
YAY!!! Congratulations. You'll be in my thoughts. What an amazing journey you are about to take. auntAgonist Jun 2012 #42
Thanks! rox63 Jun 2012 #43
Wow! With all the prep you're having to do I have no doubt auntAgonist Jun 2012 #44
Found out this morning that I've already lost a total of 30 pounds rox63 Jun 2012 #45
One week until my surgery date! rox63 Jun 2012 #46
omg I remember the "last supper syndrome" very well. I went out for Mexican Chimichangas auntAgonist Jun 2012 #47
Excited and nervous! rox63 Jun 2012 #48
I report to the hospital at 6:00 AM on Monday morning. rox63 Jun 2012 #49
Hope everything went well for you. I am watching closely because I madmom Jun 2012 #50
welcome to the group madmom! auntAgonist Jun 2012 #51
Thank you. I am still in the research stage and I'm waiting madmom Jun 2012 #52
Research this: little elvis Jun 2012 #53
little elvis has been blocked and tombstoned too! auntAgonist Jun 2012 #55
I'm home from the hospital rox63 Jun 2012 #54
You feeling okay? spinbaby Jun 2012 #56
I'm doing better than I expected rox63 Jun 2012 #57
I'll be watching you with interest spinbaby Jun 2012 #58
The adjustments are just until you find your "sweet spot" rox63 Jun 2012 #59
The way I figure it... spinbaby Jun 2012 #60
Cures diabetes? jambo101 Jan 2013 #61
Only if its obesity related jesspinto Jan 2013 #63
You are not too old at 65 The duodenal switch has been proven to cure diabetes. auntAgonist Feb 2013 #67
jambo where in Canada are you? Have you thought of going to the USA, I know that auntAgonist Feb 2013 #68
Thanks Auntagonist jambo101 Feb 2013 #69
The clinic is important jesspinto Jan 2013 #62
I had gastric band surgery back in June '12 rox63 Jan 2013 #64
How much total do you want to lose? spinbaby Jan 2013 #65
I want to lose a total of 120 lbs rox63 Jan 2013 #66
I hear you about the exercise spinbaby Feb 2013 #70
Jesspinto you seem to advocate going out of country for surgery. Every post includes auntAgonist Feb 2013 #73
I just now noticed where that link went spinbaby Feb 2013 #74
exactly spinbaby. If this person has experience with this clinic they'd like to share, I'm willing auntAgonist Feb 2013 #75
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