Hi! I'm new here!

[Betty Hunt]

I am considering gastric bypass surgery and I need all the advice and information I can get. Are you happy with the results or not? Why? If you gould turn back time would you do it again or not? Why? Weight loss is NOT the reason I am considering surgery. If I lose weight, fine, but I need to deal with diabetes and back pain, as well as other health issues. Thanks! Betty

 

[Javajoy]

Hi Betty,

The best place to start is with a Weight Loss Seminar usually provided periodically by the Weight loss Center you choose to go to. There are qualifications before you would even be considered for WLS. ie: BMI of 40 or higher or BMI of 35 with comorbidities such as diabetes, sleep apnea among others. The purpose of WLS is to lose weight, it is the loss of weight that helps the diabetes for example. The surgery by itself won't cure any of the problems. You still have work to do as WLS is only a tool.

Tons of information can be found on the internet. They even have videos of how the different surgeries are done. I haven't met anyone who had bypass surgery (even with complications) who would have done anything different. It's a matter of getting healthy.

It is quite a process with a psych evaluation, nutrition classes, sometimes a multitude of other tests just to get ready for the surgery. Each Center is just a bit different. Insurance is most often a big consideration because not all insurances will pay for WLS.

Good luck on the journey should you decide to go ahead with it.

Joy

 

[Betty Hunt]

Thanks for the reply Javajoy. I should have been more clear. I have been ok'd by the weight loss center, had my first nutrition class, had my psych eval, have appointments with a cardiologist, and I am working on my other requirements. What I should have said was that being thin is not my first priority, being healthy is. I so want to feel good again. Have you had the surgery? When? How do you feel now? Would you do it again? I just want to know all about it before I have surgery.

 

[TwoMas]

Hi Betty, Welcome. Congratilations on your decision to have WLS. It should help you out with all the medical condition you listed, I was off high BP and cholesterol meds within a couple of weeks and most people with diabetes are on reduced meds if not totally off their meds soon after surgery. I am very happy with my surgery and would not change a thing. Tom

 

[I-Did-WHAT]

I did not have my gastric bypass primarily for weight loss, though the weight loss had to happen for the relief I need. I wanted to be healthier and have less pain, be on fewer medications. I was no longer diabetic a month after surgery. I had back surgery and, as the weight comes off, the back and knees will thank you as will the rest of your body.