Gastric Bypass, Lap Band Surgery and the Like.
 

I was wondering if anyone had ever had one of these procedures? And if so if you would be willing to talk about the benefits vs. the draw backs.

This is something I am considering, which is where My curiosity comes from.

~Elijah

I just wanted to give this topic a bump, b/c I think it is a good one.

I have known two people who had the gastric bypass, one the sleeve, and three the lap band.

All of them are doing well.

The two who had the bypass had it many years ago and it seems to me that there are more restrictions (afterwards) with that procedure and also you have to be more careful with making sure you get enough protein each day moreso than the other two. But, that is me from the outside.

Good luck with your decision and I hope some people come in here and post.

I actually just had the Lapband done 3 days ago :) I am sore, slow walking, hard to get up as u aren't suppose to push, pull or stretch, HATING the liquid diet(mainly the broth) that u must do for 2 weeks after BUT I think overall in the long run, I would do it again :) I still have some swelling so I haven't weighed yet. My Dr appt is Sept 22. I can't wait to see how much I have lost at that time :)

Good for you all... i dont need it, but i know someone who had it she weighed about 400 pounds and she now down to 189 some where around there.

Thanks Dapper...I just had lunch (ironically enough) with a friend who had the sleeve procedure 6 weeks ago. She has lost 32 pds. since the surgery 6 weeks ago (and another 18 preoperatively) and has had no complications thus far.

I am heavily leaning the direction of the sleeve. It doesn't "bypass" any of the areas of your stomach, so nutritional absorption isn't inhibited, except by dietary restrictions, which are temporary.

Thanks for coming in and sharing, I would be interested in updates on your progress periodically if that's comfortable for you. I hope the healing process isn't too uncomfortable and it's everything you hoped.

May I ask what finally prompted you to make the decision to go forward with it?

~Elijah

Oh I don't mind sharing any info :)
I have lupus. Over the past 3 yrs I have put on about 100 lbs off and on...70 for the most part. I'm not uncomfortable with my weight but my knees are lol. I can't wear heels like I use to. When my Rheumotoligist gave me the ok to have surgery I jumped at it! I have heard some very positive stories of the Lapband and I look forward to being able to share mine :)

Thank you...I look forward to following your story. Meanwhile, I will be signing up for a seminar at a Clinic in Michigan to get some more information.

I had gastric bypass surgery in April 2003. I lost 1/2 of my total body weight within 15 months. There is a normal "bounce back" on most patients, from what I was told, and over the remaining years I have perhaps put back on about 25#. I would classify myself today as being about 50# over what I would like to weigh.

I still cannot eat certain foods, but that is ok. Can't do sodas anymore because of the carbonation (however, when I was drinking post surgery, I sure as hell had no problem with beers! Don't know how THAT worked!)

The woman I room with just had a major heart attack last week, and is home now. I think that doing a heart healthy diet would be a good thing for BOTH of us! that and exercize. I need to make myself step away from the computer and walk a couple of times a day. (I am self employed here at home, and spend hours and hours in front of my computer)

Thank you...all good information. Clearly it's not a cure all, but a good jump start for some. Good luck with the walking, I should do that Myself.

One of the things my client said that she liked about the sleeve was not having to go for the "fills" that one has with the lap band. It has been about 6 months for her now and she feels great (and looks great).

The BAD thing is that she has not been to the doc for any follow up visits...her insurance ran out right after the surgery (she had already been off work for 2 years on long term disability for others reasons, so it was just a time thing). She is fortunate that she has not had any complications.

I have also been encouraged by my doctor to go to the consultation to see if I qualify for the surgery. I've been experiencing swelling in my extremities and my joints are starting to give me trouble. Is there a particular way you need to go about answering the questions in order to get your insurance to cover the procedure?

The more problems you have, the faster insurance may accept lol. Its a game u have to play. AND if the ins requests u to go on a 6 mo diet, do not loose weight. Its a ploy to see if u can loose it without surgery. If ur ins does require u to wait 6 mo, it will be worth it :)

Luv I remember (from the other site) when u had this done. I hate u had such a bad time and I PRAY I don't. So far so good. I started my puree stage tonight and I pureed some tuna salad and so far so good :) I actually got full on less than 1/2 cup.
Good luck!

Well I figure I would try pureeing some meat things so that I can get enough protein in my system