Considering Weight Loss Surgery

[VivaLasViejas]

Well, I've finally reached the point of desperation.......Almost one year ago I decided I was going to lose 100 pounds by Christmas of this year; certainly I began well, losing some 40# in five months by cutting out sugar and cutting way down on refined carbohydrates. On top of that, I developed an exercise program and have done very well with that, sticking with it for almost eight months (I couldn't do much for the past few weeks because my @#*$! asthma has been kicking up) and building a much smaller body despite remaining well over 250#.

But I not only haven't lost a single ounce in nearly five months, I've actually REGAINED 12 lbs. and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. I've never gone back to eating sugar, although lately I've been taking some liberties with potatoes and bread, and my appetite is quite large now thanks to my activity level I've become so discouraged that I'm on the verge of just giving up......but over this past year I've learned that I love the way I feel when I eat right, and especially when I work out, and that's not something I can ignore anymore.

I don't have the will, however, to keep dieting and exercising and not see ANY reward in the form of weight loss. I don't know why I can't lose any more.......maybe it's because I'm on antidepressants, which I'm NOT going to give up, or because I'm menopausal, which isn't going to be done with anytime soon. At any rate, I've given it my best shot, and I'm fresh out of options........I said I would never consider bariatric surgery, because I have enough digestive problems as it is and didn't want to risk ending up with even more, but I'm beginning to think it may very well be my last chance.

My doctor has been after me for years to have it done, and now that there is a program within our very own health system, there are few, if any, barriers as far as insurance or follow-up care is concerned. I am definitely motivated to do what is needed to lose weight and keep it off.......I'm also a realist, in that I don't expect surgery to transform me or even take off all my excess pounds. What I am is afraid.......I'm afraid of the surgery's risks, but I'm also afraid of the risks if I DON'T have it done.

I've suffered from hypertension for many years; I'm on four different medications, and it's still not well controlled. I have mild CHF (my doctor hasn't said so directly, but I know when I have 3+ pitting edema in my legs and shortness of breath on occasion that it isn't from sitting with my legs hanging down all day), GERD, arthritis, chronic lower back pain, and bad knees. Yes, I'm very functional for all that.......but I'm not getting any younger, and I'm afraid that if I let this go on much longer something will happen (CVA, MI, diabetes?) that I can't fix.

So, what do y'all think? Should I even be thinking about it? Or should I just stop trying to diet and go for it? Inquiring minds (and bodies) want to know!

[Katnip, RN]

Having come from a hospital that did a LOT of the surgeries, I can say we did not have one death in a 2 years. One of our surgeons admitted to having one death in the past few years, though. That is the BIG question you need to ask your potential surgeon. How many deaths and severe complications has he had?

We had several staff member who had it done and not only did they survive, their health improved tremendously. They looked good, too.

It depends on the type of the surgery you have. Laproscopic vs open, banding vs stapling, etc.

There are many, many people whose lives improved because of the surgery. It is a last resort for those who are at the end of their rope. It is major surgery and not to be taken lightly.

I think consulting an endocrinologist is a great first step.

Good luck, Marla. {{{HUGS}}}

[NeuroICURN]

Having come from a hospital that did a LOT of the surgeries, I can say we did not have one death in a 2 years. One of our surgeons admitted to having one death in the past few years, though. That is the BIG question you need to ask your potential surgeon. How many deaths and severe complications has he had?

We had several staff member who had it done and not only did they survive, their health improved tremendously. They looked good, too.

It depends on the type of the surgery you have. Laproscopic vs open, banding vs stapling, etc.

There are many, many people whose lives improved because of the surgery. It is a last resort for those who are at the end of their rope. It is major surgery and not to be taken lightly.

I think consulting an endocrinologist is a great first step.

Good luck, Marla. {{{HUGS}}}

True.....I will agree that the stapling is worse than banding. I was referring to stapling when talking about the statistics.

As for only one death in two years (if that's stapling), I find it hard to believe. We have some of the best surgeons at this stuff in my hospital, but often times it has nothing to do with the surgeon, it has to do with the fact that these people are such poor surgical candidates to begin with and then the drastic nature of the surgery.

[medkids]

Have you ever considered hypnosis??? I thought it was a lot of bunk until my husband tried it in desperation, and has lost 40# !! It is not a fast fix...over about 6mos. time, but it has changed the way he eats, and what he craves etc. I would recommend checking it out.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

As surgical candidates go, I'm not too bad.......I'm not so big now that it affects my ability to breathe, and I've been told I'm not difficult to intubate. Plus, the only dangerous co-morbidity I have is the HTN. I tend to bounce back quickly from procedures as well, although certainly not as fast as when I was younger :chuckle

Still, I'm definitely going to ask my MD about referring me to an endo.....I don't want surgery if I can at all help it, but I am definitely getting to the end of my rope as diet and exercise has been of only limited benefit.

[Katnip, RN]

Agreed, neuro. I think our surgeons were extremely particular about who they would take. I know quite a few were turned down because they were such poor candidates for anesthesia. If they were poor candidates, the patient had to lose at least some of the weight, and had to be able to walk independently, among other things.

I do know a lot of people who had it done elsewhere came to these surgeons for repairs of previous bypasses.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Have you ever considered hypnosis??? I thought it was a lot of bunk until my husband tried it in desperation, and has lost 40# !! It is not a fast fix...over about 6mos. time, but it has changed the way he eats, and what he craves etc. I would recommend checking it out.

Thank you, medkids. I have done this in the past, and it worked for a little while, but not over the long term. Congratulations to your hubby on his weight loss!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I know quite a few were turned down because they were such poor candidates for anesthesia. If they were poor candidates, the patient had to lose at least some of the weight, and had to be able to walk independently, among other things.

Reading things like this make me wonder if I really ought to do this or not......I can't even imagine being unable to walk, or bathe myself, or perform my own ADLs. There was a time a couple of years back when taking care of personal matters was a challenge, and that's when I decided to lose some weight. But I've never been incapable of caring for myself.......and as far as walking goes, I can outlast my kids, my hubby, AND some of my younger co-workers! I can literally walk for hours and still have a little bit of energy left.......maybe I'm not so bad off after all, especially as long as I keep exercising and at least TRYING to control my intake. And I will definitely check into seeing a specialist about my metabolic problems.

Thanks again to all of you. :)