Anyone out there had lap band or
 

stomach stapling surgery? I'm very nervous about asking this, so please take it easy on me:rolleyes:

I have gained a LOT of weight since my husband died .... to the point that my health is affected. I'm only 5' 3" and believe me, it's bad! I have tried all the diets, lose it and gain it back. My weight has always been a problem, (except in my teens and 20's) and I'm fast arriving at the desperation point.

I just want to get information about the surgeries.

I have had RNY gastric bypass... :)

I decided against the lap band.

PM me if you want to chat about it.... I do not regret it five years and two pregnancies later. I truly believe it changed my life. I know it sounds a little hokey, but after I lost the weight I went to nursing school, graduated with my RN, started a career and I can be a different kind of mother to my seven kids....

But I'd rather talk to you privately about it ... :rolleyes:

One of my guys friends was obese and had one of the surgeries done (can't remember if it was a band, stappling, etc), and he lost TONS of weight, but unfortunately he really didn't learn to change his eating habits and gained most of it back.

Good luck with whatever decision you choose.

i have a client who had gastric bypass surgery(like 2years ago) and her results have been amazing!!..she is so happy and her health is great!! ..but ill tell you it wasnt easy-it was very difficult for a while after the surgery-which she was aware of before she went into it. but she says she would do it again in a heartbeat, because she is soo happy now. -my sis in law(for the most part;))her best friends mom also had it done, i am not sure the details on her situation..but i know, now, she is very happy with the results!!:)

I recently went to a seminar on the lap band. It sounds pretty decent, not very invasive. But to get insurance to cover it will take about a year. I'm going to try physical therapy (back condition that has contributed to my weight gain) and then weight lifting with a personal trainer for a year. We'll see.

my mom tried to get the lap band but her insurance denied it. Her doctors want her to get it, she has several health problems as a result of the weight and other things but insurance denied it. Go figure.

She has a friened that did it but her friend doesn't always eat like she's supposed to and gets sick and uncomfortable because she over eats.

For the most part though I've heard some very positive things about it.

My mother in law had the lap band done 1 year ago this past September. She has lost the weight slowly,but it's allot that she has lost and kept off.

I have known 2 people that have died having complications from Gastric Bypass. My good friends sister had it done and she was only in her mid 30's. she died 2 months after having it, but she never left the Hospital after the surgery. Then a few years back my husband had a guy that he worked with die after having the surgery, He had complications and died 4 day's after having the surgery.

I also have a friend that had it done and she did great, she looks good and she is healthy.She had it 3 years ago.

I have heard good things about Gastric bypass surgery, i think that would be a better choice. Good luck, let us know what you decide:)

Its a serious operation to consider, because there could be complications following the surgery plus the risk of infection. Also like others have mentioned having your insurance cover it could be another hassle since you would have to be considered at a higher risk obesity to be a canidate for the operation. Not that your're saying the lap band is a cure-all for your weight problem, but you would also need a new diet/excericise regimen, plus some therapy to deal with the loss of your husband so you don't keep on eating to comfort yourself.

I have heard good things and bad. I know a few people that have had GB and for the most part were happy with the weight loss but, then they have all that loose skin that needs to be removed. I'm not sure if insurance will cover that. I also know of a couple of people that have gained all, and then some, of their weight back. Some of the negatives I've heard is...I can't eat what I want anymore. A very good friend of mine had the lap band surgery, less invasive and the weight comes off slower than GB surgery.
I believe you have to go for a year of counseling before you can get the surgery. I know of this one young woman that had gone for counseling to get ready for her surgery and they told her that her reasons for wanting the surgery were not what they wanted to hear and they refused her.

What ever you decide I wish you the best of luck.

I used to be a RN case mgr for a major hospital surgical icu.
Of course I only saw the sick ones. Few didnt make it out of Icu due to complications. They were so young too in their 30's and 40's.
I have two personal friends that had great outcomes.
I think if you have a great surgeon, medical clearance from you internist and are mentally prepared to have very restricted oral intake then it is possible to have a good outcome.
Most programs have tons of prepatory counseling to make sure this is the right procedure for you. Good luck in your decision and do you homework!!

I had gastric Bypass five years ago. I had a rocky start and lost down to 109 because I was sick. Didn't have anything to do with the RNY but was ulcers and a tumor in my "old" stomach. After I got all fixed up, I have gained some weight back (up to 134lbs now) and feel great. It is considered "the gold standard". I, too, am an R.N., retired now, and have taken care of many weight loss patients. Not to start a debate, but I would never consider lap-band. It works for some, others it doesn't. That is also true with the RNY. A very long story that I won't get into, but about thirty years ago, I had the Intestinal bypass which has been outlawed now. had problems the whole time, had to go on disability. They thought i had Lupus or Ms. turns out it was Blind Loop Syndrome but it took many, many years to fiqure it out. I had the surgery reversed to save my life when I got so sick I couldn't walk and was having periods of Paralysis. Started rapidly gaining and because of my health history, my surgeon recommended the RNY or Gastric Bypass as people know it by. My story of illness and near death before I had it is on obesityhelp.com in my profile. If you want more info, please pm me.

Thanks, everyone. I'm trying to figure out my options. I have arthritis and back problems which interfere with exercising and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I also have high blood pressure.

I am going to read your profile, Sugar's Mom and will be pm'ing a couple of you for more information.

I would like to know how to go about picking a surgeon. What criteria to ask about, etc.

I am not known as Sugar's mom there. I think it is :Dee: country road, usa.

you research your surgeon by going to the state medical board website for your state and putting his name in. Or if there is a particular hospital you are interested in, most have bariatric website. Email a few of their patients. As far as critera, the insurance companies set it. The surgeons don't. Most likely, you will no longer have high blood pressure or diabetes, once you have had the surgery. Most folks don't. There are a very few that do. There is research to support this. have you googled Gastric Bypass surgery/ Also if you don't know about it already, the greatest website non yorkie that is out there is obesityhelp.com You can find out anything you need to know there and get all the resource help you need as far as choosing your doctor and getting your insurance to pass you.