I had GBS approximately six months ago and have lost 79, almost 80 pounds unofficially from 278.9 down to 199, and I am only 5' 4", so I was quite large at the get-go and still have 49 pounds to go, before skin surgery, which is being contemplated at 18 months out from GBS. I go back to the doctor on the 20th for my official six month weigh-in. Wish me luck. The two day hospital stay was not pleasant because my doctor does not do the leak check until the second day, so I couldn't even have ice chips after surgery for a day and a half. My throat was so raw. My surgery was laparscopic and I was able to get up the same night as the surgery and walk the halls. What else is there to do?, you can't eat or drink anything. Once I got home, the first three weeks were rough, in the fact, that everything I ate tasted like saw dust. Not everyone goes through this faze, everyone is different. I was afraid that everything would taste like that forever and I was worried, but after the initial recovery, I have done very well with minimal "dumping" syndrome. I can't eat potatoes, cheese, dairy, and/or sweets because it causes "dumping," but everyone is different. Even how you experience the "dumping" syndrome is on an individual basis. I can't throw up since surgery and just retch or have dry heaves, my heart pounds and I have had to go to the emergency room twice to get Demerol and Pherergan to make it stop, but I still say that is minimal, as opposed to other's stories I have heard about. Your new stomach "pouch" will tell you real quick like if you eat something that doesn't agree with it or if you overeat. I was also fatigued and exhausted those first few weeks. I was freezing all the time, but a hot shower would zap what little energy I had. I stayed under an electric blanket for those first weeks post-op. My doctor gives me Vitamin B-12 shots to help with the fatigue and malaise. Some people like to say that GBS is the easy way out. I even heard that Oprah Winfrey stated that GBS was an easy way out, but I have news for her and those other people who think that, I have to exercise and watch what I eat and make sure that I get all the vitamins, protein and water that I am supposed to everyday. GBS is also major surgery, so how can anyone say that is the easy way out. The only thing that is easy about it is that I have not had any hunger pains since I had surgery and have to remind myself to eat at times. Another draw back and maybe this is more of a concern for women rather than men, although to some men this is a major concern as well, I have had major hair loss with this diet and have heard a lot of people complaining about this too. My doctor said there is nothing you can do about it, even taking Biotin, because you are not taking in enough calories to retain the hair and because of the malabsorption issue the Biotin won't really help, but he said it is a temporary problem and will come back when you start maintaining your weight. I sure hope so. You can see my scalp quite plainly through my hair on top and I have had to start parting my hair on the side and do a comb over thingy to make it look fuller. Oh by the way, before surgery I was on medications for diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetic neuropathy pain and by the time I went home two days later, my doctor had discontinued all those medications. All I take now is a Nexium and Ambien, along with my vitamins. I think that is fabulous. My blood sugars, blood pressure and TH levels are all within normal limits and I no longer have the burning sensation in the bottom of my feet. I look and feel so much better. My husband, family, friends and co-workers are all so proud of me and I am proud of myself too. My reply may have been more than what you wanted to hear, but I sent it anyway for what it is worth. Hope that cleared up some of your questions at least. Good luck if you are trying to make a decision whether GBS is worth doing or not. I personally feel that it was a very wise decision for me.

I'm having it done tomorrow. So hopefully i'll be back to let you know. xx

I'm a realitive newbie.... My RNY was three weeks ago. I had a 2 day hospital stay.

At this point, I'm tired alot, but I have NO pain, didn't after about the 5th day home.

I'm so glad I had this surgery, even though I haven't seen alot of results yet, because I know that I won't have the diabetes, or heart issues my parents have.

I weighed 278 when I started the presurgery diet (3 weeks before surgery) and now I'm at 247.

I'm never hungry. I have to set a timer so I'll eat or I forget about it.

The big thing for me is find support. It makes all the difference. People who aren't overweight, and many who are, don't understand surgery.

But really, the thing to think about is, you're going to die if you don't have surgery. That's not hard to understand, and most of the time when I explain it that way I get very possitive feedback.

It's also important to have the support because after surgery you go thru a greiving stage. You greive the loss of food. It was my friend, confidant, and generally a drug for me. Most people go thru some sort of malaise or depression after surgery and it's important to understand that it's a normal part of the prossess.

Anyway, if I can help with anything or if you have any specific questions, just shoot me a message.

I had RNY bypass 9 weeks ago and everything went smoothly with no unexpected problems. I am down 50 pounds thus far, but am impatient and want faster results. It is an amazing surgery. For the first time in my life food is not the main thing on my mind.

i had gastric by pass 7 wks tomorrow...i have lost about 35 lbs....i am not going to sugar coat it..this is a very difficult LIFE STYLE change..you have to be emotionally ready to make the change..that is tough when pastries and fast food call your name all day :)...would i do it again..probably...i will let you know in another 7 weeks...good luck!!

i had gastric by pass 7 wks tomorrow...i have lost about 35 lbs....i am not going to sugar coat it..this is a very difficult LIFE STYLE change..you have to be emotionally ready to make the change..that is tough when pastries and fast food call your name all day :)...would i do it again..probably...i will let you know in another 7 weeks...good luck!!

I am planning on having the surgrery. I am 50 years old 5'3 and my bmi is 41%. I have fought this weight my entire life. I have debated over the surgery and I have insurance that will cover it. I want the yo yo dieting tostop. I need the surgery and I have a postive attitude, scared but postive. I have my first apt for the nurse on March 14. I am in the very begining of the process. Thank you all for your sharing it helps me to understand.

I will have gastric bypass a week from tomorrow. It's taken a long time to get to this point and it all feels unreal to me. I suspect next week it will feel only too real...lol. I wasted a lot of years struggling to lose weight only to gain it back. I'm 54 and I'm ready.

I had my surgery Dec. 2 and have lost 39 lbs. I had to have my gallbladder removed about three weeks ago, which sometimes happens after gbs. It has set me back a little on getting my excersice routine going good, but I would not change having this surgery for the world. I have had some really great wow moments that have made it worth it all. I would recommend having this surgery to anyone who has struggled with weight loss like I have. It is worth any sacrifice you have to make.

Go for it. It's a life changer for sre. I had my RNY surgery done in Sept. 2010 and now 5months later I'm down 100lbs. I had an easy time with the surgery and adjusting to life afterwards. I havn't dumped but I avoid hi-carb stuff and focus on protein rich foods. Like Onederful said everone is different.
Good luck

I had RNY October 7th, and I have lost 87 pounds, weighed in last week at 199. I would do it again in a minute!

I had RNY 2 years ago. 2/26/09. Best decision I ever made! It totally changed my life. I have lost a total of 150 lbs. I had no complications post op or in the 2 years since. It has been an amazing 2 years. I am so much healthier and so much happier now than I was before!

Good Luck!

Laura

Hi and Welcome to our family !
I had GBS 11/9/10 im down 76 pounds... only problem I had was at 5 weeks or so i was stuffed up and nothing worked they had to remove it but I was on a water pill and wasnt drinking enough... but other then that I do not regret it, best decision of my life !

Good Luck

I had GBS Nov 29/10, as of Feb 1st I am down 65lbs, down 3 pant sizes so far. It can be an emotional roller coaster at tiems but I do not regreat my decission at all. This is a great group for support and learning.

Good Luck

Dianne :)

Had gastric bypass on 4/5/10 - have lost 115 pounds so far. I am 5'3" and I haven't felt this good in over 25 years. I had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and now I am free of those things. Off of 6 medications. I only take one med for thyroid. So nice not to have to pop pills, have injections, pay for prescriptions etc. Best thing I ever did for myself. I feel like me again. I wish I had done this a long time ago since I was 58 when I had surgery. But my future is bright and that is what is important! I stay away from carbs for the most part, which isn't easy since they were my favorite thing!