Gastric Bypass Surgery

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have only recently been introduced to gastric bypass surgery. It seems to be something quite high in demand. I do not profess to be well-educated in this area. As a potential WLS patient in the future, this topic interest me. As a nurse, I want to be educated as well. Some of my concerns as a nurse involve the future of WLS clients. What is to be expected in the future in regards to those many years down the road? I am thinking about the nutritional needs of these clients when they may later end up in nursing homes? Strict dietary needs are critical to these patients, especially in the first few months following surgery. Will these clients later end up needing peg tubes in order to regulate nutritional needs? Also, because of the decreased BMI that will result from the surgery, will this have a negative impact as an elderly patient? What impact this surgery will have upon the patient when they are elderly and/or in compromised health in their senior years. What impact will this have in the nursing homes as care givers? Will WLS patients have special needs? As the US trend is increasing in the number of geriatric patients, they are also increasing rapidly in the number of gastric bypass surgeries (WLS). Does anyone have any enlightment for me on this topic? Any idea of what to expect in regards to health care needs for these clients in the future?

Thank you. Debra

I had gastric bypass surgery done on March 10,2003 and was at pre-op weight of 340lbs and 45 bmi or maybe higher...I really researched this for over a year and did not make this decision lightly the reasons were many 1)quality of life IE get on the floor and play,2)health reasons...hpertension sleep apnea and diabetes. Any how I would look at all of the bad things that happen also but the GOOD outweigh the bad the stats say only 1% results in death and about 3-5% have post op infection and complications but the with the laproscopy the risks are higher. I would tell any who is considering this to really study and do not make this decision lightly. I have people ask me would I hve the surgery all over again knowing what I know now and the answer is always a resounding YES....I do have to adjust my eating and still am finding out what I can and can't eat because what I can eat today will be different tomorrow.

As far as the news of the staple gun misfiring it can happen even on a regular surgery and it is a risk you have to look at. It does not happen often but it will happen.....but with this the popularity of this surgery it will be brought into the light because it is something bad for something good.

My life has been dramatically improved and I have sooooo much energy :chuckle that I at times just wear myself out and including my wife.....I have lost 133 lbs in almost 7 months post op the only bad thing and draw back to this is the excess skin that hangs after the loss :o Well if anyone has any questions that I could answer or help with just email me or PM me :roll

0 Votes
Specializes in OB.

I think the decision to have this type of sugery should not be taken lightly. It needs to be researched, thought about, talked about, and evaluated. There are many support groups out there and I would advise anyone considering this procedure to contact one and talk it over with those who have experienced it.

I congratulate all who have lost wieght!! No matter how it was done! :D

My concern is with the age of the patients, and the degree of obesity. I worked on a surgical floor, and I saw many pts. in their early 20's having gastric bypass, and even one boy who was 18! I saw quite a few who I would not consider morbidly obese, they were only 200-250 lbs. Is surgey the best option? Was it the last resort or the quick fix? This troubles me. :o

Just my 2 cents!

0 Votes
Originally posted by rpbear

My concern is with the age of the patients, and the degree of obesity. I worked on a surgical floor, and I saw many pts. in their early 20's having gastric bypass, and even one boy who was 18! I saw quite a few who I would not consider morbidly obese, they were only 200-250 lbs. Is surgey the best option? Was it the last resort or the quick fix? This troubles me. :o

My experience is that wheb you have this surgery done you have to go through extensive questioning one by a psychologist and he/she will ask about if this will be done as a quick fix or if you are emotionally stable. Through my research before my surgery the doctors have started performing this surgery on teens that are considered morbidly obese..meaning if BMI is higher than 40 and also if they are over 100lbs and other medical problems (ie diabetes,hypertension,sleep apnea,etc.)This surgery is the last possible solution or "fix" to being overweight after all possible diets and meds are used up. Because I have tried them all and I did this surgery after almost a 11/2 yrs of study and research, but I fully agree with the quote Was it the last resort or the quick fix---the drs have the final say if they will do this or not but as in any surgery if people want bad enough (risks and all)they will find a way to go through with it.... ok enough of this rambling Ya'll have a great day and finally I am happy to call my self a BIG LOSER !!!!!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment