Gastric Bypass!!!!!

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · May 18, 2005

I am currently awaiting insurance approval for the bypass, which should not be a problem, 7 other people in my office have had it done and all approved easily.

I agree with Kris and Teri, this has not been a simple decison, lots of deep thought, tears and prayers have brought me to this point. One thing I kept going back to was my endocrinologist. She said, yes, there are risks, but any surgical proceedure has risks. What makes GBS "headline grabbing" is that the only people having this surgery are morbidly obese people with one or more co-morbidities. According to her, and several other doctors I know and talked with (not just bariatric surgeons) if you were to separate out all morbidly obese people who had ANY type of surgical proceedures done, you will find the mortality rate close to the same as GBS.

Bottom line for me, I am 37, have a 5 year old daughter who I want to be there for. I have very little in the way of health problems now, but need to be proactive before they start. (Diabetes and heart problems are rampant in my family)

HMR...great program, I know its not easy, I did it for 6 months. VERY effective. I lost 75 lbs on it. Downside to it is the expense. Even though I have lost 75 lbs, I gained a good portion back when I went off the program.

Any one who has had or planning to have the surgery, or anyone that just wants to talk weight loss support, feel free to pm me. GOd only knows this is a difficult thing to do. We need all the support we can find! :)

KrisRNwannabe · May 18, 2005

Teri -- what was your experience like? I am 5'4", 195-ish and would like to lose about 50lbs. It's something I've considered for years (maybe the lap-band?) and my doc would rather see me do weight watcherss as he says 50lbs just isn't enough to justify the risk. I'm 40, very muscular, which is why he does not really care about my BMI. It's BP, AiC, etc, that concerns him.
Any input you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

Stitchie~

I think your doc is right. you need to be at least 100 pounds overweight to qualify for weight loss surgery.

pfitz1079 · May 18, 2005

Typical criteria:

BMI: >40 (>35 with comorbidities)

Documented unsuccessful weight loss attempts

Psych screening

Medical clearance of any underlying problem causing problems with weight loss. (ie: hypothyroidism)

My wife had the surgery in 2003, she's lost as much as she currently weighs. I'm considering it.

Current research (out of Sweden) shows a much greater long-term weight loss over time for GBS over diet & exercise. Until I saw this study, I though I'd never do something like this. I figure if evidence-based practice is good enough for my patients, it's good enough for me. Try those websites, ot PM me.

Pete Fitzpatrick

RN, CCRN, CFRN, EMT-P

HONEYBEAR · May 18, 2005

I had a DS in October 2001. Smartest thing I've ever done. Minimal problems, currently looking into reconstructive surgery to remove excess skin. PM me anytime for more info. And, as a previous poster stated, www.obesityhelp.com and www.duodenalswitch.com are excellent resources.

Thanks for these great websites......I will keep you all posted.... :rolleyes:

rjflyn, ASN, RN · May 18, 2005

As a matter fact the DW had the procedure today. SHe is 4-11 with a BMI around 41. She was DX with NIDDM 3 years ago this past January. She had attempted to diet on her own and lost about 20 pounds and the gained it back. She did a medically supervised program for 9 months lost about 30 lbs and had got better control over her BS but became frustrated because the emotional support that she was suppose to get from group therapy in the plan never materialized as her "group" was a group of one.

Other issues pushed her over the edge included hx of DJD with worsening symptoms due to loss of effective medical treatment ie Vioxx. Also the fact that we have high quality health insurance.

Rj

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 30, 2005

One of my brother's in-laws had his done at St. Vincents Charity in Cleveland, Ohio 3 years ago. He was over 500 pounds at the time and had an open procedure (incision). He is out there just singing the praises of their program all the time. He did wonderfully after surgery and was back to work in 6 weeks! He's lost a couple hundred pounds, runs around like a kid again and works out. He still orders huge portions of food when he goes out to eat and has to give it all away because he can't eat it (old habits die hard, I guess). He claims that St. V's has one of the best programs in the country and that he researched them for a year before deciding on them.

St. Vincents probably has a support group for their bypass patients. If your friend hasn't already been in touch with someone in their program already she should call them. Most of these surgeons recommend that potential patients attend the support groups (even though they haven't had the surgery yet) in order to get an idea of what lies ahead for them.

Tell your friend to check out http://www.obesityhelp.com for all kinds of information about bypasses and ratings of surgeons all over the country who do them. They also have online forums like this website where she can get gobs of information.

Chad_KY_SRNA · May 30, 2005

My aunts sister on her side of the family had the procedure and has had wonderful results so far. I am fat and it has so far caused no major medical problems other than mild hypertension which could very well be stress induced. I would like to have 6 pack abs and a cute little body but I am not looking for it to happen. I suppose that I would consider the surgery if insurance made it possible. I would probably need reconstructive surgery to put everything in its new place. Its a nice dream but for now I have gotten used to things as they are.