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.
Hello I am new to this, I am just about finished with my 6 month weigh in and about to move to the next step, Im a bit nervous not knowing what to expect next, i have not got to meet the surgeon or set up surgery, I dont know what type surgery to expect or if that is mt choice or something the dr decides.... I am 5 foot and 402 lbs.. My biggest motivation is my grandbaby, i want to be able to do all the things with her that I was unable to do with my daughter, Im looking forward to a healthier life style, I want this not just to be able to do things with her but to be able to enjoy life for me.. I dont know what to expect next or even what the next steps are.. I hope someone can help give advice or even share their experience.. I look forward to getting to know others who are going thru or who have already been thru this.. Its a real struggle not having anyone to talk to that understands..
http://barkerbariatriccenter.com/resources/Bariatric-Surgery-Guide.pdf
After my primary doctor referred me to a gastric bypass surgeon, I stalled going through with it for five more years. During that time, I went from 225 lbs to over 300 lbs (at which point, I stopped looking at the scale). I got to the point where I couldn't walk from my car into a store without pain. I never saw my son's dorm room because I couldn't walk that far - it just hurt too much. I broke out into a sweat when I tried to go shopping with my daughter. I had to order my clothes because I'd gotten too big for the clothes in the "fat chick" stores. I had a hard time even finding shoes that fit my ridiculously-wide feet. I had sleep apnea, pitting edema, GERD, and was pre-diabetic. I felt like I was at the point where I had to decide whether I was going to give up and get a scooter or attempt to save my life by having gastric bypass... and still, I hesitated. Could I give up Diet Coke? Could I stick to the eating plan? Was I willing to give up certain foods forever? Were the potential risks worth it? What if it didn't work for me?
A friend who was also super-morbidly obese died in late 2008. She was just a couple years older than me. I still hesitated about having surgery. Then, in the spring of of 2009, I had a cancer scare - a suspicious, large ovarian cyst. My OBGYN said she wouldn't remove it surgically because I was too fat. She would only wait "and watch it." That was a turning point for me. I had known being super-morbidly obese could eventually kill me, but I hadn't realized that it would actually keep me from getting medical care when I needed it. I found a new OBGYN, had a complete hysterectomy, and was relieved that there was no cancer. The day I came home from the hospital, I participated in the online orientation for bariatric surgery. Within 10 months, I had a roux-en-y.
Pre-op, I read Geneen Roth's book Breaking Free from Emotional eating and followed the principals she described. I lost 30 lbs. I found this group and read every post going back at least 2 years. I watched youtube videos by people who'd had surgery. I read everything I could get my hands on about gastric bypass surgeries. I said goodbye to my favorite foods while practicing mindful eating. I had doctor visits, tests, met with my surgeon's psychologist, and went to support groups offered by my surgeon's practice.
After surgery, I followed my surgeon's program to the letter. I came here every day and also continued going to the f2f support group. I shrank. Quickly. About every 3-4 weeks I'd shrunk out of my clothes. I wasn't interested in food. At all. I didn't enjoy eating. That freaked me out and I came here crying about it. I was assured it was normal, I would eventually be able to enjoy food again, and to "enjoy it while it lasted." lol Walking became easier. The edema in my legs went away. I stopped needing my CPAP at night. I could cross my arms and legs. When my Aunt e-mailed that my grandmother stopped responding and may not be with us much longer, I booked a flight that night and was in Kentucky by 4:00 the next day. I was able to spend precious time with her.
Within seven months of my surgery, I had way more skin than I needed to cover my new body. My breasts were a 36 long. I wore a compression garment to contain my wrinkly tummy. I visited plastic surgeons. Nine months after my RNY, I had an extended tummy tuck and my "girls" put back where God intended them to be.
Eleven months after my RNY, I weighed 125 lbs and was wearing size 2 pants. When my daughter moved into her dorm, I didn't just see it - I helped her move in!! I was easily able to carry boxes up 3 flights of stairs for over an hour. During the 2nd and 3rd year after my RNY I got super-fit. I fell in love with Zumba, I ran, roller-skated, rode a horse, learned to ski. I went dancing. I started getting a lot of attention from men. Going from being super-morbidly obese to being in the best physical shape of my life messed with my head. I went to counseling and worked through some issues. My husband supported me through it all.
Having RNY was the best decision I've ever made (other than choosing my husband)!! My kids have both graduated from college. I went back to school and got my doctorate. I'm not sitting on the sidelines anymore. I'm fully engaged in living life. Eating isn't the highlight of my day anymore. Yes, I can live without Diet Coke. Yes, I can give up certain foods forever (as I tell people, "I don't do sugar"). Yes, it worked for me, but it didn't do the work for me. I have done the head-work and used the tool of RNY to recover from obesity.
I hope it helps to see my story. If you have questions, feel free to ask! I'm excited to cheer you on as you take your own journey to health!
JJ
I remember being scared that I'd fail. Because I'd been overweight all my life and spent over 20 years being super-morbidly obese, I was convinced that I must have a deep character flaw... I must not have any self-control or I would have been able to lose the weight "on my own. After reading the research, I learned that is b*!!s**t!!! When we get to a certain point of being overweight, our entire metabolism changes and it becomes statistically almost impossible to shed the weight and maintain a healthy weight. Our hormone levels change and our bodies become programmed to hold onto the weight. The RNY procedure "reboots" our system. You won't be fighting your body to shed the weight anymore - your body will start to work with you to reach a healthy weight. You won't feel physical hunger the way you do now (although you'll still have to deal with "head hunger"). It is totally freeing!!
JJ
You can do this! Not only does your family deserve the best version of you - - you do, too!!