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.

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chemistz 11/02/2010

Hi,

I am a 43 year old female and I decided about 6 months ago that I needed help. I attended a seminar on the Lap Band Surgery and the Gastric Bypass Surgery. Based on my insurance, I was told that I needed to do a 6 month supervised diet with my Primary care doctor. I also attended a mental health eval. Apparently I am sane enough to have surgery :) Then I attended a nutrition class. Now I am terrified. I was already afraid of surgery. 3 years ago I had exploratory surgery to remove a 5 pound cancerous ovarian tumor. Then 6 months after that I had my galbladder removed. Not long after that I developed a hernia that is incredibly huge at this point. So, I am scared of the surgery risks but now that I have heard about the 1st 6 weeks and all the weeks after I am worried that I won't be able to do everything I am supposed to. Can anyone tell me how they got through that 1st 6 weeks and then what it is like for a few months after that?

krimicri 11/02/2010

Hi, and welcome! I had to do a 6 month program with my PCP also. I didn't have any hernia or scar issues so I can't really say anything about that, except that they will likely repair your hernia during your surgery. I bought an abdominal binder to wear around my stomach because my stomach muscles felt really 'tired' when I'd get up and walk around for the first 5 or 6 weeks. After that I graduated to a Spanx like thing for another 2 weeks or so. They don't want you using them for too long though, so your stomach muscles can get strong again.

I'm 11 months out and have lost 117 lbs (295 to 178) and doing great! Any surgery is a big deal, as you know, but you have to just hope for the best. For me it was the best decision I ever made for myself. :)

Krista

babeblue2u 11/02/2010

For me the first two weeks were hard, but after that I was fine and have been fine, i am almost four months out. The first two weeks were very hard but in the sense of I just had surgery so really no different than the other things you have already gone through. The only thing that is challenging now is getting my protien in.......i supplement at least one meal a day with a protien shake from gnc, not the premade ones they suck!

I run a homebased daycare and was able to return to work two weeks post op, i have 5 year old twin boys that are very active and was able to care for them two weeks post op, I am not saying it was easy but it is possible and I am back at the gym at least 5 days a week now and feel better than ever. Good luck with the process, it seems like it takes forever but it is worth the wait

deleted_user 11/02/2010

Congrats on your decision! I had surgery a little over 2 weeks ago and I'm so happy i did it! I was scared of surgery too but i made it! I would suggest you really research to find a good doctor! I personally think that is the key! My doctor performed surgeries on several of my friends and they all did well, so I felt fairly comfortable with him.
The surgery was not as bad as I thought it would be! Good luck to you!

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