Personal experiences w Gastric Bypass/Malabosrption?

[HokeyReligions]

My sister-in-law is undergoing a gastric by-pass surgery in March. They create a by-pass to the stomach and also to the intestine to aid in the absorption of nutrients and not fat.

 

I've looked up some info online and its a scarey procedure in a way, but also one with the best results. My brother and SIL have to go to counseling together first because its a life-changing operation and both of their lifestyles will have to change. I know one person who has had it done (not a close friend) and she said that her surgery went well, but she started having some problems a few months later and was constangly throwing up and feeling 'sick' and the constant vomiting did a lot of damage to her teeth and esophagus. She had a second surgery which fixed the problem and she lost something like 120 pounds and has since had a baby.

 

She was also in her 20's when she had the surgery and my SIL is around 60, and had type II diabetes. There are some medical claims that this will also "cure" type II diabetes.

 

I'm just wondering if others have had any personal experiences (someone close to you maybe) that can share something of how it affected their life and their family.

 

I know its a touchy subject because so many people believe that 'fat' is easily treated by diet and exercise and those who have never had a serious weight problem brush it off as somehow 'lazy' or 'ignorant' and have no idea about the physical aspects of obesity or the mental physiological problems.

 

I think if I were that much overweight I might consider the surgery also because of how it changes the absorption of fats into the body - not as an appetite suppressent, because that is what it is Not. I'm one of those people who can gain weight eating lettuce!

[agnf666]

Hokey,

 

Well... Monday my dad is undergoing gastric bypass surgery... I will keep you updated on this... I let you know who the procedure went and the all the other things... REading things online can make this surgery alot more scarer then it should be... I'm so scared for my dad... I just hope it goes well...

 

when is your SIL undergoing this procedure?

 

P.S.. I can gain wieght eating anything... which sucks!!! LOL

[JayKay]

I do not have personal experience with gastric bypass....but I have counseled a number of patients who have had the procedure.

 

It is certainly a 'life altering' experience in every sense of the word. You are changed physically and emotionally.

 

The immediate effects of surgery are, of course, the inability to eat much more than an ounce of food at a time. Gastric bypass patients are supposed to see a 'team' before and after surgery (doctor, therapist, dietitian) to help them cope with the huge adaptation in eating habits.

 

My patients are usually started on clear liquids after surgery. They progress to baby food and then, slowly, solids. They also have to take big vitamin pills because they run the risk of malnutrition. Dehydration is a very real risk for these patients and they need to learn what their fluid requirements are and to recognize the signs of dehydration.

 

Some will experience vomiting, nausea, 'dumping' syndrome, sweating, fatigue, hair loss and bloating for quite some time after surgery.

 

There are risks of complications post surgery; the more health problems you have already, the higher the risks of a post-surgical complication.

 

Many patients will lose a tremendous amount of weight the first 6-8 months and then the weight loss tapers off. They may still technically remain 'overweight'. It's important for them to be counseled not to lose faith if they hit a plateau.

For some patients, having a higher-than-desirable body weight is just the way it is. If you started out at 450 pounds, you may never be able to get lower than 250. That's just the way it is. Others will be able to continue to lose more weight.

 

There's the issue of loose skin tissue that gets left behind after massive weight loss. Surgery is the only way to correct it.

 

Patients CAN gain weight back if they dont' stick to a diet plan. So after all is said and done, it still comes down to maintaining a low-calorie diet and being more active. Some patients slowly 'stretch' their stomach pouch by eating larger meals....while others start drinking high-calorie milk shakes which are pretty easy to digest no matter how small your stomach is.

About 40% will gain a significant amount of weight back.

 

One woman who gained about 80 pounds back after initially losing 120 pounds told me, "I'm an addict. That's all there is to it!"

 

She got into therapy and started dealing with her addiction. It's a shame she didn't get into therapy earlier so that she didn't have to un-do the effects of a $20,000 surgery!

 

Anyway, this surgery is no walk in the park, but it can benefit people for whom ALL other methods have failed.

 

Just keep in mind there is still no guarantee of success. You still have to work the program they give you.