Hi. I am new to this site. I was thinking of having the surgery but my doctor thinks it is a bad idea. She said you can get bowel problems, neuropathy, which I already have and I can gain the weight back if I don't stop eating. Has anyone had these problems? I am a diabetic and I am concerned how I would take my insulin with this surgery. I am hungry all of the time. Will I still feel hungry after the surgery?
toofat
- Thread starter toofat
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Bigtallsis
Member
hi
I haven't had my surgery yet so I don't have all the answers you are looking for, but I too take insulin and I feel hungry all the time I think part of it is due to insulin which I have been told we will get to stop all diabetic med. after the surgery. Neuropathy as you said, most of us whom are diabetic already deal with this pain. I've never been told anything about having bowel issues from having the surgery.
There are many on here whom have had the surgery and doing well and most keep the weight off. I watched the show last night about Melissa whom weighed 600 pounds and had the bariatric surgery, she gained some back but got it off again. The sugery is a "tool" to help us reach our healthy goals we want, and yes there are alot of things we won't be able to have and there are rules.
But I have deceided I want to live and not have no many health issues so I'm taking on this challenge to become a healthier me, not too excited about having to give up many foods but I know there are alot of great receipes and things we can still eat.
there is a web site by a chef whom had the surgery.The world according to eggface is the name and she has so many pages of encouragement and great receipes, check out her site you'll find encouragement and foods you might like, don't give up yet, your healthier days are ahead.
good luck
Donna
I haven't had my surgery yet so I don't have all the answers you are looking for, but I too take insulin and I feel hungry all the time I think part of it is due to insulin which I have been told we will get to stop all diabetic med. after the surgery. Neuropathy as you said, most of us whom are diabetic already deal with this pain. I've never been told anything about having bowel issues from having the surgery.
There are many on here whom have had the surgery and doing well and most keep the weight off. I watched the show last night about Melissa whom weighed 600 pounds and had the bariatric surgery, she gained some back but got it off again. The sugery is a "tool" to help us reach our healthy goals we want, and yes there are alot of things we won't be able to have and there are rules.
But I have deceided I want to live and not have no many health issues so I'm taking on this challenge to become a healthier me, not too excited about having to give up many foods but I know there are alot of great receipes and things we can still eat.
there is a web site by a chef whom had the surgery.The world according to eggface is the name and she has so many pages of encouragement and great receipes, check out her site you'll find encouragement and foods you might like, don't give up yet, your healthier days are ahead.
good luck
Donna
Pat99
Member
Welcome to the forum. If you aren't comfortable with the surgery then you shouldn't have it. Have you considered making an appointment with a bariatric sugeon to address your concerns? Bariatric surgeons are the experts in weight loss surgery and can answer your questions with far more accuracy than a primary care physician or other specialist. As with ANY surgery there are inherent risks. Once you learn the truth you will need to make a decision if the risks will outweigh the benefits.
To answer your questions, I have not had bowel problems or neuropathy related to the surgery. Some people have constipation in the beginning but this is easily "cured" with stool softeners. You WILL NOT feel hungry after the surgery. Maybe down the road a year or so you may start feeling hungry but by then you should have learned healthy portion control and healthy food choices. This surgery is not a miracle cure, it is a tool in the battle of weight loss. Once you meet with a bariatric surgeon and discuss whatever is on your list of concerns you will have a far better perspective to make an informed decision. While you are in the hospital your blood sugar level will be closely monitored and your insulin adjusted accordingly. I was a type 2 diabetic before surgery and was taken off my meds before I left the hospital. So far so good!!!
Please come back to the forum to let us know how you are doing.
Welcome toofat
Yesterday I was post op 1 year-I think you need to investigate further why your Doctor feels bariatric surgery isn't for you-All of the problems she mentioned can happen but they only happen after surgery but this Doctor hasn't mentioned to you that these conditions Will Happen to you anyway if you don't-You already have neuropathy-is that due to your uncontrolled diabetes or is it something else ?-Can you have "bowel problems",well if you don't drink your fluids you can get constipated,big deal !-Can you gain all the weight back,Yes you can,But you need to eat until you make yourself sick repeatedly to do it.-the stats on gaining all the weight back nationally are 13% but that includes gastric banding as well as the other surgeries that are,in my opinion,a more dependable way to long term success-I go to a support group that does a 5 year study of the patients in the group and has patients that have been attending for 5-10-and one member has been going for 15 years and they are still successful in their weight loss.-There are challenges,yes,but most of these people lead more healthy lives and many,not just me,have their medications eliminated or greatly reduced over the long term.The woman who is 15 years post op was given "less than" 5 years to live with "heart problems" 15 years ago and that is just one of many stories I've heard from the post op people in the group I attend.
I started out taking 15 pills a day and useing a c-pap machine and weighing 357 lbs-one year later and committed to changing my life I weigh 178 lbs and my A1c is 5.9-that's my first reading under 6 since I found out I was diabetic 16 years ago-I take my vitamins and eat my protien required to maintain my strength-I don't know how others feel but I would be very troubled by a medical professional that dismissed bariatric surgery out of hand because of the reasons she stated in your post-I believe there may be other conterindications present or she is lacking in the experience or the knoweldge of what this surgery can do to lessen or eliminate diabetic symptoms.
One thing is different with me-I was never insuln dependant-I only took oral meds-if you produce no insulin you may need to continue shots after surgery-In my group there are two people that are that way-So that is something to consider also-but there are others that were insulin dependant and are free of that now.
I posted this to give you some perspective and for some "food for thought"-this is a complete life change"-it is not the "easy way out"-it is a "tool" to a great new life of more healthy living-but you need to want to do this and be ready to accept taking vitamins and eating smaller portions for life-lets face it,it doesn't take much to be "full" if your stomach is the size of a tennis ball instead of a football.
To sum this up I can only say that this surgery is the best thing I've ever done for my health.
Hope this helps you-Good Luck
Ron
Pat99
Member
Before you get yourself too worked up you should really see a Bariatric surgeon. I was on a liquid diet for ONE WEEK before surgery-very doable. Some surgeons do not require a pre-op liquid diet at all. Some require 2 weeks on liquids. My liquids included applesauce, cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits and instant mashed potatoes. This will vary based on your surgeon. If you look at the big picture it's a small price to pay for a healthier new you!!!
You will also be on clear liquids for one week after surgery because of the healing process. I was in the hospital for 4 days so I only had 3 days of clear liquids left by the time I went home. I will guarantee that you will not want anything else and that you WILL NOT feel hungry. I promise!!!
Make a written list of your questions and concerns and then go see a bariatric surgeon before you read anything else. Then read everything else you want to. Your entire perspective will be changed.
Hi again
The liquid diet it a tool to shrink your liver so that your doctor can more easily construct your new pouch-the protien you will get will be more than you nornally would eat and it's low fat and reduced calorie too-very healthy.As with everything you will do for the rest of your life this is "different" but we all get thru it-it's the first step in a more healthy life.
Take Care
Ron