Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
i do not see to many men. that have had WLS, I am going in at the end of dec. i am now 598, I was 699 yea big i know. but that is why i am doing this. what do i expect.
Bambi
Lucifer
Although not very many men here, the ones that are here are a wealth of information.
I wish you luck on your surgery. It's the best gift I've ever given myself!
No, I don't see many men, but I think Lu, Less, Rath and Steve Davis enjoy our attention, lol, you will too.
Keep us posted on your progress and health, gender doesn't matter when your cheering section is this cute. :)
I'm one of the guys on DS and on the path to wls. I started at 497.1 and now am down to 377 pre-op. My surgery is Dec. 8. There are fewer guys on this site than women, but I've found that, aside from the gender-specific issues, we're all dealing with the same things, generally. Don't worry about saying, "yeah, big I know." We're all big, or we wouldn't be here. Also, many of us have co-morbidities that are somewhat debilitating. I have HBP, joint pain and sleep apnea. Still, I'm 42, I work out every day, and I have prepared for the last five months to have surgery, so I feel like I've really earned it. As for guy-type issues, beware any macho attitudes when it comes to depression or anxiety -- men are succeptable to them and if you suffer any symptoms of these, seek treatment. I have had prostate problems in the past and currently. I hope I'm not TMOing you, but women don't have to deal with an issue like chronic prostatitis. It makes giving a urine sample a long process... My best advice is threefold... First, follow the plan of your surgeon regarding pre-op diet and exercise -- do not think that slips or binges will not matter. They will. Second, keep track and records of everything. Make notes. Have copies of forms and test results. Health care workers WILL lose your paperwork and forms and then claim "We never got them." Twice having copies of my forms saved my progress. I was able to take my copies, shove them under the noses of the health care workers and say, "Hey, what about this? Go do you $%&#! job and don't ever screw up my case again..." Guess what? The learned to watch my case file like a hawk. Third, you are your OWN ADVOCATE. Nobody else in this process will help you or look out for your interests better than you. This means you have to ask questions and not expect doctors, nurses or any health care workers to do anything extra for you. You have to lobby for it yourself. Believe me, like most people, health care workers are trying to get through life doing LESS. And unless you advocate for yourself, they will screw you over. It sounds like I'm down on health care workers. I'm not. I've met many caring, over-the-top, helpful people on this process. But just like dealing with human nature, there are people out there just going through the motions who don't care. Since this does involve your health and, more important to them, your money, make sure you prepare a list of things you want done and make sure that everything on your list gets checked off. I'm working on my surgery visit list now. Good luck to you. Although us guys are a minority here on DS, the women are unbelievably knowledgeable and helpful. I appreciate all of my friends. This site has made a huge difference in helping me prepare for surgery. Exercise, eat well, document everything and stand up for your medical rights. Best wishes.
I had GBS over a year ago and I have lost 200 lbs (combing my pre and post gbs weight loss)
200 lbs is what most refrigerators weigh and that is how I think I used to live, by walking around with a huge frig on my back. GBS was a very difficult choice, but I would do it again in a heart back.
As for me, I did not get my life back, I got a whole new life. It is amazing and I am doing all the things I only wished I could do before.
Best of luck to you all.
1 I love fun and funny fat chick, always have and always will.
2i love to see the miserable fat ppl whine. These are mostly women!
But I'm mainly here to keep all the psyco babble in check or these crackers would over run the joint and turn DS into some fricken twelve step nighare.
Lucifer
on loan from god to stop fat whining women!
But the rest are all crackers!
Love lucifer
"all healed now" LOL
I lost 150 lbs. He has lost 120 lbs so far and has mabye 20 to go. He had some chronic health issues like sleep apnea, borderline diabetes, hypertension, and he is doing amazingly well in all of those areas.
We both are much more active. Bike regularly. Just did our first metric century bike ride this fall. We both feel better and have way more energy.
You can expect to be rid of some chronic health weight related issues, you can expect to feel good and be healthy!
Feel free to ask any questions you might have. We have a lot of very knowledgeable people that hang around here and are willing to share their tips, journeys, and offer suggestions and support.
I personally am a cardiac nurse. I have over 23 years of experience in nursing. I like to think I am a helpful caring professional who is willing to share my experience and knowledge with anyone who has questions. ( I am trying not to be offended by mapajo's comments. I certainly have found everyone in my surgeon's office to be helpful and caring and considerate and hospitals and drs offices are like everyone else, they know they have to compete to keep customers and truly are focused on customer service and enhancing pt satisfaction!)
Good Luck!
Laura