just looking for some advice
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just looking for some advice
| Wed, 06-16-2004 - 12:48pm |
Im 21, soon to be 22 years old, and I weigh over 400 pounds. I'm 5'11'' tall and have a bigger bone structure. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they really think about the Gastric Bypass surgery. Have you had it done? Does it really work? Am I too young to have it done?
I've been overweight my whole life, and I've lost weight in the past, but ended up just putting it all right back on. I've tried adipex, weight watchers, and various other diets. They just never seem to work. I have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and am currently taking medication for it.
I just don't know what to do. If you could please explain more to me about the surgery and what you might recommend. Thanks for your time.
Becca

there's a weight loss surgery board on the diet and fitness page you may want check out and see what they know,i've never checked it out but they should be able to answer some q's. I have heard some horror and good stories about the surgery,i had thought about it but i don't know if i could do it. I can't think of anyone's who's posted since i've been on the board that has had it done personally.
There's several ladies on this board who have told their stories of losing a lot weight naturally through diet and exercise,you can look below in the celebration station(there's several pages just go through and check em out).
it can be done through finding the right plan/way of eating and exercise/moving around more.I would also track everything that you eat&drink for a few days and see what you can do to change it for the better. I never used to read labels, once i started it's amazing at the crap i used to eat. Because even if you have the surgery done you still have to learn how to eat healthy.
Good Luck with whatever you and your doctor choose =) And remember that it will take time, you just have to be dedicated and you don't have to start with a bang, just start by changing eating habits, then you can add walks or whatever.
Edited 6/16/2004 1:34 pm ET ET by angelinoh
About the gastric bypass, I don't want to go that route but I know people who've done it. One is a professor of mine. She was 250 when she had it and now weighs 130. Everything went great for her. I have a neighbor who had it. She was 305 lbs at the time. She has had lots of complications because she is diabetic and that interfered with her healing. She's had to have three other operations to deal with complications (strictures, infection, and a rupture). She now wishes she hadn't done it. Personally, I won't do it because I had a C-section with my last child and almost hemorraged to death. I just can't take the chance of not surviving the operation or having complications. I've got to be around for my kids.
The only advice I can give is that you should learn everything you can about that kind of surgery before you make your decision. You should also talk to several doctors if that is possible. I personally have had one doctor tell me to do it and another doctor (in the same family practice no less!) tell me not to. Some doctors see weightloss surgery as the answer to every overweight person's problem. The truth is the surgery isn't right for everyone. The same is true for diets, too.
Ivillage has a weight loss surgery board:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhweightloss
You might want to check it out. I'm sure they've got additional info and advice.
Vikki
310/296/150
Thank you for the hugs and yes, I really do need it. My friends are supportive but it helps to know someone else who is or was going through the same thing as me.
I went to the surgery board and I posted a little note there hoping someone could help me more. See, i'm considering on calling and scheduling a consultation with a physician that does only the weight loss surgery, and at the same time, i will talk to someone who has been through the surgery. I'm just really nervous.
I guess i'll just have to wait and see, and im gonna do some more research before i decide anything. Thanks for you support.
Becca
I don't have any firsthand experience with it, though I do have an uncle who has done a gastric bypass and an aunt who has had the gastric binding. Obesity runs in my family, as you can see.
My uncle had a rough recovery, but has lost hundreds of pounds. I'm guessing he was near 500 to begin and has levelled off somewhere in the mid 200s. I don't think he's following his plan as well as he could, but he's extremely pleased with his results.
My aunt is totally noncompliant. She's lost about 50 lbs, but she's having a hard time and NOT doing what she needs to be (for instance, she goes out to eat, has as much as her stomach can hold, throws up and then eats the rest).
I don't know what I think about it. It's an individual decision. I'd be lying if I said I'd never considered it, but I think it's a choice that you and your doctor have to make.
Good luck!
Erin
Mom
Hi there Becca and welcome to the boards :)
It sounds like you've got the right idea. Get all the info you can about the surgery and if it feels right for you, then go for it. Whatever you decide, you've got shoulders to lean on here.
Take care of yourself
Vikki
I'm going to call tomorrow (friday) and see if I can set up a consultation and go talk to the physician. Then after that I'll let ya'll know more.
Wish me all the luck in the world.
Becca
Glad to have you posting on this board =) While I wont go into what I think of the weight loss surgery...there is a board specifically for that and I'm sure the people there would love to help you out.But since you're here now,sit yourself down and enjoy the posts here...we'd love to have more people to yap with.
Looking forward to getting to know you better =)
Bren
Did I mention I love your name?! ;o)
There are alot of pros and cons, but it sounds like you'd be a candidate for this. It can be rough on the body and statistics show that there is a 25% chance you will regain the weight within 5 years. (ACK!!!)
I had a co-worker do it and it was wonderful for him, as well as his new wife (she had it done 2 weeks before him). He had some infection at the incision site and alot of barfing, but has handled it really well.
I would READ ALL YOU can about it in books, online, talk to your Dr., go to the message boards here for it, and weight the pros and cons. Is your quality of life at the point where the pros of the surgury outweight the cons? This is a major decision and I would inform yourself TO THE TEETH about it before you do anything else. It is a big change to your body...also, have you considered a gastric loop, instead of a bypass?
Let us know what happens....
Amy