Body of Work: Still adjusting two years after weight-loss surgery

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  Posted by Bruce Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:54am PDT

  I was reborn 01/07/07 I was very obese 378lbs. I had type 2 diabetes which was under control with diet and 105 units of Lantis a day but was still gaining. I had high blood pressure controlled by 2 pills a day. I couldn't walk further than 2 blocks without lower back cramps. Back problems where a regular ordeal every couple of yrs. Injury to nerves L4 and L5 caused extreme pain and sciatica down both legs with distal nerve pain in my feet, which was like having nails driven into my feet at the top of the arch, which woke me several times a night. I developed OSA which would cause me to drowse at the wheel of the car, I thought I had road hypnosis, I thank the lord every day I didn't kill someone or myself. OSA caused me to sleep with a bipap machine w/O2 which caused my wife chagrin as she is a very light sleeper. My children, siblings, and parents expected a call regarding my sudden death for years. I have lost 205 lbs. I now take 1 med. prilosec. My diabetes is gone, Bld Sugar is normal. BP now without meds is 127/77. My back pain has been gone since 03/07. No pain meds! I walk 3-5 miles a day. I was released from my bipap and O2 canister and o2 machine 6 mos ago. I sleep 6-8 hours a night, w/o getting up 2-4 times to go to the bathroom. I now have a 2 gardens veg/flower. I do all my own house and land maint. Cleaning gutters, paintng, weeding. I can now climb a ladder. Even if I could befor surgery very few ladders are rated over 300lbs. At 20 mos I can eat almost everything but slowly and chewing 30-40 time a mouthful. I do go to group mtngs every 2-3 months now. First yr every week. A great thing for mind recovery. Every one happy for you until they realize the former is gone and the jury is still out on the latter. I exercise regularly and I am happy. The last time I weighed Less than 175 was when I took a physical in the 7th grade. By the time I went to High School the physical for playing football the coach was excited because I weighed 212lbs. Vanity had nothing to do with my choice to have surgery. I didn't want to be a prisoner of my house or sofa for the last 10 yrs of my life, I didn't want my wife to bear the expense of an oversized caskt, vault and burial space or caring for a stroke victim or invalid. Bottom line... I feared life without the surgery a lot more than the possible negative outcomes of such surgery. For all you naysayers help.. those who want or need the surgery need support. When they are 70+ and only are able to watch and listen will you be visiting them and caring for them or will you find other more important things to do?

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  Posted by Rae Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:27am PDT

  There is no magic bullet. There are no easy choices. Food just like anything in overindulgence can become an addiction and a dependence whether psychological or physical, they are doing wonderful things in weight loss by providing surgery, and a rounded recovery approach. They evaluate people psychologically and alot of doctors make the patients sign a life long contract that they will continue to be under that doctors care or the doctor will not perform surgery on them. Check out University of Maryland Medical Center. There are many insurance hoops to jump through and it is not easy, never will be easy. I think making choices to at least try to make a change in your situation is better than sitting on your butt whining about how things are wrong. Having weight loss surgery is a pro-active approach to a problem that for many has been with them the majority of thier lives. Never give up, never surrender~!!!-Rachel.

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  Posted by Amy Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:17pm PDT

  I know at least 5 people that have had gastric bypass surgery. They all lost massive amounts of weight, but from what I've seen after about the 5 year mark weight starts to pack back on... And 3 of the 5 did have their gallbladder removed later on down the road...I saw someone else comment about that... They all had other complications as well, but every one of them said they don't regret the decision to have it done. I think it's a tough choice, and from the complications I've seen a scary one. Seems like the surgery will get you thin, but if you don't make better choices and change your lifestyle you will end up right back where you started.

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  Posted by Maria Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:36am PDT

  I just had LAP BAND surgery on July 29th. I believe it is certainly not an 'easy way out'! For anyone choosing bariatric surgery, it is a life changing decision. You need to do the proper research, find a doctor who offers support groups before and after surgery. For anyone who thinks its an easy process, its definately not! On an average of 6 months- its 6 months of doctors appointments and tests and support group meetings! I believe its the best decision for me. It is a lot of hard work a lifetime commitment, and the realization that after your weightloss you might end up with excess skin and droopy breasts and buttocks! At least I know this was a decision based on getting healthy and hopefully living longer to see my daughter grow up. So if I need to deal with some excess skin I will deal. Do your research and make an educated decision! Go to the support groups, and exercise. If you decide on surgery for the excess skin again do your research! Ask people and doctors for referrals. It is another expensive surgery that might not be covered by insurance. Have your doctor document any issues with your excess skin- such as yeast infections or rashes. All of this documentation may help you in the end to get your surgery covered for the skin removal. Congratulations to anyone choosing bariatric surgery! Remember why you decided to do it when things get tough, and realize it takes a very special and strong individual to chose surgery to get healthy. So be proud of yourself!

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  Posted by TXjanes Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:06am PDT

  In 2001 I went in for weight loss surgery at 257 lbs. I left the hospital a little over a month later after throwing blood clots in my lungs, being in a coma and on life support. When I left the hospital I weighed 222 lbs. I think the lowest I got down to was about 210. A year later I was back to 250..climbed to 288. Here's what you need to know about weigh loss surgery..first of all, IT IS SURGERY. The odds of complications may be slim but they do exist. I can't begin to tell you how hard it is to listen to my loved ones talk about the days I spent in a coma. And for what? To find myself heavier than ever? That experience was horrible for them. We are overweight for a reason. Maybe you never learned heathly eating habits, maybe you have abandonment issues, maybe it's genetic, for me, all of the above. But here's the deal. Your weight serves some purpose for you or you would let it go. I don't care how small your stomach is or what bypasses what, if you want that weight on subconsciously you can keep it on. I had a tube down my throat for a month making it nearly impossible to eat solid food when I left the hospital, that didn't stop me. I could pack all the calories required to maintain my weight in milkshakes, baby food, whatever. I was not ready to let go. Surgery is a tool, it is not the answer to all your problems. In fact, it can introduce many new ones. Surgery didn't do it for me. Think hard about the potential dangers involved. So what happened? About two years ago I told myself, "I think I was given all the tools I need to accomplish my goals." So without pills, fad diets, or additional surgery, I started my journey. Last night I ran for 30 minutes...today I stepped on my scale at 160 lbs. Turns out that whole diet and exercise thing works after all.

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  Posted by Mrs. X Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:34am PDT

  Anne, go to a scupt class! I'm sorry I never dicovered them until my 40's! I feel so much better put together in my body after a few months, maybe twice a week, do something different like yoga in between. It is not too hard, you can do almost anything with 3 pounds in your hands! You accomplish so much more in a room full of nice people going through the same struggles as you. I never thought I could do squats and lunges, now I seek out classes that feature them. They are great to lift your behind. I don't even recognize my own thighs, they are firmer than they were when I was a book worm teen! Posture is so important, you probably have posture trained by your extra weight, you will look so much nicer with posture gained from stronger upper back and shoulder muscles. You will not be sorry if you give it a try!

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  Posted by amandab Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:54am PDT

  My mother has lost a large amount of weight not from GBS but from a galbladder surgery gone very wrong, she spent 2 months in a coma and another 5 months in rehab hospitals, she had to learn to walk again, she is now home but the whole ordeal has left her very afraid of Dr.s,her skin is very loose and her belly has dropped making it hard for her to walk, and she can't were pants as the belly is in the way, I am trying to find something that will help lift her belly, can any one help,my Mother was spared but her happyness is at stake she won't leave the house because of the way she feels about her belly.

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  Posted by Deborah Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:01pm PDT

  I'm coming up on 5 years since my surgery and i started having a lot of pain within last 2 months i went back to my surgeon and he told me i was strecching my pouch because i have gain back 20 lbs now i'm looking form for anyone else who have had this problem and how to handle it or get back on the right track.

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  Posted by Maria Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:11pm PDT

  Hello all,

  I just dropped off my medical history questionaire at the Doctors office. Now I'll wait for a call to schedule my appointment with the nuturionist. I'm still researching and considering the lap band. In the interium I'm going to the gym 5 x a week and do cardio for 1 hour and weight training 3 x a week. I need to lose 75lbs. I'm opting for this after years of excersing and attempting everything to lose weight. I now have type 2 diabetis and a new granddaughter. One of the answers am searching for is the following: Do you really tone up?

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