Bariatric Surgery

webblarsk · Mar 30, 2005

I think there is a couple of threads about gastric bypass. If you try searching you should get some good results! Wishing your mom luck!

ShortyLPN · Mar 30, 2005

I think there is a couple of threads about gastric bypass. If you try searching you should get some good results! Wishing your mom luck!

Thanks! I'll tell her! We've heard nothing but good things about the doctor she's going to. Believe me she's done her research. She has been considering it for a few years, but recently was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease so 'considering' went to 'doing' in a heartbeat. Thanks for the tip. I'll look to see if I can find anything!

grimmy, RN · Mar 30, 2005

hi everyone,
my mother is looking into having the gastric bypass surgery fairly soon. i was just wanting to know if anyone has been through the surgery or knows of people that have been. any input would be greatly appreciated.

i went through an rny in 1998. my procedure was open, but quite a few are done laparoscopic now. there are different types of bariatric surgery, and some are better for certain types of people. my biggest advice: make sure you (your mom) has great support systems post-op. one of her biggest and bestest friends (food) will be as close to gone as it can be without her starving. i was on an email list with literally hundreds of bariatric surgery pre and post-ops. no matter which surgery she has, this has got to be one of the most common post-op issues. depression can be quite serious, so be sure she is aware. the other issue is to be completely aware of the risks of surgery for an obese person. depending upon how large your mom is, the general risks of surgery and pe's go up exponentially as weight increases above a certain bmi. there are definitely people (a very small percentage, but it does happen) who die during or quite soon after the surgery. it is recommended that the candidate lose as much weight as he/she can prior to surgery.

here's some good news, though: there are very few foods which will be off-limits post-op. it's the quantity of food that will change dramatically. there will definitely be some off-limits foods, and they are individualized, but most people have a hard time with dense meats (typically beef, pork) and bread. i developed lactose intolerance post-op. since i had a bypass, concentrated sugars lead to dumping syndrome, so i prefer to avoid them altogether. but i eat in the or lounge at lunch, just like everyone else. i don't eat burgers, but today i did eat half a veggie burger and a few fries, and i was just fine. i had a half oriental chicken salad from applebees for dinner. i try to have a mid-morning snack, but some days that's impossible. i keep a luna bar where i can get at it, if necessary. you're more than welcome to pm anytime if you have questions.

CHATSDALE · Mar 30, 2005

I would really benefit from this type of surgery..my dtr had one done in april of last year and she has lost a lot of weight...it was slower than she would have liked but she has lost over 80 lbs so far

she is very happy that she had the procedure done...

i would like to have it done but i don't believe that tricare would pay for it and i can't afford to pay up front

prmenrs, RN · Mar 30, 2005

Here are a couple of websites (one is actually a thread here) w/info to help you.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83281

http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/

grimmy, RN · Apr 1, 2005

i would really benefit from this type of surgery..my dtr had one done in april of last year and she has lost a lot of weight...it was slower than she would have liked but she has lost over 80 lbs so far
she is very happy that she had the procedure done...
i would like to have it done but i don't believe that tricare would pay for it and i can't afford to pay up front

i'm pretty sure that tricare/champus does pay for it. you have to do your homework and fight for what you want/need. i have a friend in n. dakota who has tricare and she got a gbds last year. she's very, very happy.

KrisRNwannabe · Apr 1, 2005

http://www.obesityhelp.com is a wonderful website. they have state by state forums so your mom can find people in her area that have had it done possibly with the same doc. I am going through process for surgery now. I need to lose 120 pounds and my doc thinks surgery is a wonderful idea. He says he has so many patients that spend the rest of their lives losing and gaining. it is very bad for your body. I am excited but scared. he says this how you should feel. Good luck to your Mom.