Gastric bypass surgery

grannynurse FNP student · Nov 21, 2005

I work in the ICU and I've yet to see a patient live after having a gastric bypass. They just don't seem to go well. One gentleman has been in and out of the ICU since his surgery 2 years ago. Last I saw, he was on a propofol gtt, xigris for sepsis, etc. I just don't have any good experiences relating to gastric bypass to think it's a good thing. And I certainly wouldn't have it done in Mexico!!
Melanie = )

GBS is something that I have never considered nor would I likely chose if I were to need it. The statistics have changed since Medicare has approved this type of surgery. The number of deaths and rates of complications has increased. Part of the problem appears to be related to the age of the person and the selection of that person. Also there appears to be an impact by the skill of the surgeon. It is not a surgery that most of us would undergo and certainly not in Mexico.

Grannynurse:balloons:

susannyc · Nov 21, 2005

Please, before you make any decisions about RNY, lap band or DS, visit http://www.obesityhelp.com or http://www.duodenalswitch.com. You'll find many healthy, happy post WLS patients. I had a DS 4 years ago. No complications. My only regret? That I didn't do it sooner.

Susan in NYC

4 years post-op DS and loving it!

hellerd2003, RN · Nov 21, 2005

I work in the ICU and I've yet to see a patient live after having a gastric bypass. They just don't seem to go well. One gentleman has been in and out of the ICU since his surgery 2 years ago. Last I saw, he was on a propofol gtt, xigris for sepsis, etc. I just don't have any good experiences relating to gastric bypass to think it's a good thing. And I certainly wouldn't have it done in Mexico!!
Melanie = )

Of COURSE you're going to see a lot of bad bypass patients-- you're in the ICU, and they don't send gastric bypass patients there first (they only get to ICU if their condition goes south). I've had gastric bypass, and know many, many people (over 1000 via a support group) who have had it done-- my husband has even had it done as well. While I have some minor complications, my husband does not. My complications (anemia, hiatal hernia, vasovagal syncope) are a trade-off. I don't have as much knee pain, haven't dislocated my knee in 4 years (that was a frequent thing prior), can walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like dying, and don't have strangers yell profanities out of their car windows at me while I walk down the street (also a frequent thing prior-- people can be cruel). Quite frankly, I was so unhappy when I chose to have surgery (and had tried every diet known to man) that if I had died, it would have at least been an end to life as a fat person. Sad, but true.

While the 1:200 death rate is accurate and I personally know of people who have died from the surgery, the surgery is no more risky than being overweight. In fact, when I was researching having the surgery, I found a study that followed overweight persons for 7 years. Half of the group had gastric bypass, and have attempted to lose weight via diet and exercise. Guess which group had a higher death rate? The diet and exercise group-- because being obese predisposed them to death at a greater rate than did surgery.

If a person is aware of and accepts the risk, bypass surgery can be the way to go. I've maintained a loss of 150 lbs since my surgery in 2001, and my husband has maintained a 120 lbs loss since his in 2002.

SLPN · Nov 21, 2005

I had the adjustable gastric band placed in September of 2003. If I had it to do all over again, I would. I would not have the gastric bypass personally. There were too many what ifs that I couldn't answer. I have lost 80 lbs. and am about 20 lbs. away from goal.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2005

I work in the ICU and I've yet to see a patient live after having a gastric bypass. They just don't seem to go well. One gentleman has been in and out of the ICU since his surgery 2 years ago. Last I saw, he was on a propofol gtt, xigris for sepsis, etc. I just don't have any good experiences relating to gastric bypass to think it's a good thing. And I certainly wouldn't have it done in Mexico!!
Melanie = )

I personally know 4 people who have had this and have been nurse to about dozen more. With the exception of one of the people who didn't follow diet restrictions afterward all have done great and one of them has lost over 200 pounds in 3 years.

bulletproofbarb · Nov 22, 2005

I personally know 4 people who have had this and have been nurse to about dozen more. With the exception of one of the people who didn't follow diet restrictions afterward all have done great and one of them has lost over 200 pounds in 3 years.

Thats not much really. 200 pounds in 3 years, people can lose that amount of weight in 3 years doing any healthy diet...not the fad ones. Now, if someone had the surgery and lost 200 in a year, follwed by further weight loss then I would say it was successful, but to put yourself through all that only to lose an amount that can be done on a diet is stupid.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 22, 2005

I just wanted to kindly point out that this thread was revived. It is an old thread from 2002. Some members may not even be around. :)

mismissy69 · Nov 22, 2005

Well I am a gastric Bypass patient. I am 5 months post op and have lost 50lbs so far. I had this surgery because of the field I was going into and I knew I wasn't in the best physical shape. I haven't had any complications so far and my Dr told me that I am comming along well. I did research this surgery for 2 years though. I would reccomend that anyone who is having this surgery DO YOUR RESEARCH and when you think you know everything DO IT AGAIN. This is not a simple thing. It takes commitment,dedication and hard work no matter what anyone says. This is just a tool to get you started not the final resolution.

ktwlpn, LPN · Nov 22, 2005

A dear friend of mine is considering having the gastric bypass surgery done but is weighing the advantages against the disadvantages. I do not know anyone personally who has had this done, but I do know of people, some who were pleased and others who had very adverse outcomes. Has anyone here had any experience or knowledge of this surgery, and would you recommend it? How about any patients who have had this procedure? Thanks - all comments are very welcome and appreciated.

I believe that FAT is between the ears-until you find out WHY you are abusing yourself with food and do the work to heal your mind gastric bypass is futile-It's a quick fix-I know several women whom have defeated their procedures by going back to their old eating habits...I also work with a woman that whom recently had lap-banding.She reports no side-effects.She seems to be loosing slowly-I know she looks like she is in a loose bag of skin...Everything is kind of hanging.I don't see her being a long term success-she is a bitter and unhappy person and this is not going to fix that problem....

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2005

Thats not much really. 200 pounds in 3 years, people can lose that amount of weight in 3 years doing any healthy diet...not the fad ones. Now, if someone had the surgery and lost 200 in a year, follwed by further weight loss then I would say it was successful, but to put yourself through all that only to lose an amount that can be done on a diet is stupid.

Yet when you talk to a doctor and mention the fact that you want to lose 200 pounds in one year, all will tell you that it's too fast. This person had over 300 pounds to lose and had tried dieting. Not everyone who is large wants to be and most have tried everything they can. This is the last resort for most of them and I think to belittle them by saying this surgery is stupid leaves a lot to be desired.

Why do we gasp when someone utters a racial slur and berate them for being prejudiced, yet when someone mentions they have had this surgery it's OK for people to look at them with revulsion and saying things like that? Fat discrimination is one of the last accepted bigotries that there is and I think it shouldn't be any more tolerated than any other form of discrimination.

Oh, in case you are sitting there thinking to yourself, "Well, she must be the one who had the surgery." I'm not. I have lost 50 pounds by dieting and exercising. It's my mother-in-law that had the surgery.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Nov 22, 2005

I believe that FAT is between the ears-until you find out WHY you are abusing yourself with food and do the work to heal your mind gastric bypass is futile-It's a quick fix-I know several women whom have defeated their procedures by going back to their old eating habits...I also work with a woman that whom recently had lap-banding.She reports no side-effects.She seems to be loosing slowly-I know she looks like she is in a loose bag of skin...Everything is kind of hanging.I don't see her being a long term success-she is a bitter and unhappy person and this is not going to fix that problem....

I have participated in these procedures and your comments reflect my obseration that bypass surgery is just another quick fix for people who need to be in therapy to figure out why they are suiciding the slow way. Everyone has access to nutritional information but they refuse to acknowledge that it applies to THEM. You only have to watch people in the grocery lines to figure out why we're where we at in losing the obesity battle.

The person who has the only excuse to be morbidly obese are the poor folks who don't have the money or the access to wholesome food. In rural areas, it can be difficult to find fresh food on a regular basis unless you can grow your own. And many people can't read the information out there. With few exceptions, this is not a medically indicated procedure.

johnnyswrangler · Nov 23, 2005

Had my surgery two years ago. Lost 150 lbs. No complications other than still being stupid and eating too much--then vomiting. I have blood work done q6mos. I'm no longer a diabetic and my b/p is normal.:)