VDB

I chose bypass due to my worsening diabetes and it is clear that bypass has the best results in putting diabetes into remission or dramatic improvement. I just posted a topic about my results in only one month...due to the combination of restriction and the bypass in the small intestine, you will pretty much get to a normal weight no matter what you do. I know of only a few who were able to defeat their bypass, due to excessive soda addiction (they stretched their pouch and then ate huge carbs and fats). After 2 years, some regain some weight, but that is easily dealt with through care and exercise.

I agree -- bypass is the gold standard.

Date of surgery was April 21. Now, one month out, here are the results thus far -- After 40+ years of dieting and failures on my health, I am absolutely shocked that gastric bypass has produced such results in one month.

Results:

1. Down 45 pounds

2. Gone from a 54 inch waist to a 48 inch waist

3. Went into surgery on 5 diabetes meds, now on a very small dose of one med.

4. Went into surgery after a decade of swollen legs and feet, from edema. Now, edema is 80% better and getting much better every day.

5. Went into surgery with a real hassle -- urge incontinence. This means that it got almost impossible to keep from urinating when the sudden urge occurs. I was close to Depends. Now, have just gotten through a week with no urge incontinence.

6. Went into surgery with painful diabetic neuropathy in my feet. Doctor said this probably would not change much. However, the pain is 75% gone. I went the last two days with almost no pain. I had a real problem with using too much ibuprofen or aleve just to be able to garden and swim. Now, have not had any NSAIDS or even Tylenol for a month, and never will again.

7. Went into surgery on blood pressure meds that I have had to take for 40+ years. Out of surgery on no BP meds, and BP better every day, no need for meds.

Needless to say, I am thrilled with these results and am very grateful to have been able to have this surgery. It has made the year and a half of getting qualified worth it, and the fairly intense recovery weeks were rough but now each day my normal coloring is coming back and beginning to feel great.

Nik -- I have, like you, historically gone with New Balance because they carry size 18 EW. However, I recently started walking with a pair of Dunham leather mid-tops for more support. The soles are just like walking shoes, but the tops look more like a boot. Not too sporty, but it has cut the pain in my ankles.

I would have done my favorite response: Slowly raise your head up and look into their eyes. Tear up a bit. Ask in a small voice "Why would you say something like that?" Put head back down and don't say another word or look up. This really shuts 'em up except when they are stammering out an apology or lame explanation.

For me, never really a binge eater, but more of a quantity eater -- too big of portions. I like the PAL who said her eyes were bigger than her stomach! Literally

At four weeks post bypass, yesterday while on the road, went to my first restaurant with my wife. I ordered a small combination mexican dish, have to say have never done that before. I felt deprived by having to order a small combination. My brain definitely did not like this turn of events. When the (excellent, BTW) food came, I could only eat about 1/4 of it before the pouch filled. I am sitting staring at this beautiful meal and could not believe that was it for this meal. We got a container and took it back to the hotel room and shared it for lunch. We talked about this very dynamic, so decided that in the future we will share one entree if allowed; I will order child's portions if allowed; and if the restaurant will not allow those things after explaining my surgery, we won't go back. I need to ask my Dr. for one of those cards I can show people which says I can only eat a small amount of food....

To clarify, I had gastric bypass --- this surgery can be greatly affected by early pouch stretching. After 18 months, some pouch stretching is normal, but it is possible to stretch it with continuous poor eating and lots of pop and beer.

I think that "the list" is a good one -- I feel so lucky to have been able to have this surgery. I will lose lots of weight over the next year, but am very aware that after that, if I let poor choice creep in, I can blow this.

Good topic -- started with a little beer and pizza!!!

Ok, this is for you goal weight guys who need tall clothing. I have been fat since three years old, in elementary school I was a "super husky". I have always shopped, for 60 years (64 now) in big and tall stores or catalogs. I am 6'4", size 18 shoe, etc. I have to have tall sizes.

I have lost 42# in a month, and have already gone through 2 sizes but am still firmly in the big and tall store/catalog zone, but the weight is coming off very fast and I can see getting below a 46 waist and into 1 XL Tall shirts by mid summer.

Here is my stupid question...do regular men's clothing stores sell long pants and tall shirts? I have no idea. I have never bought clothing in a regular store. I could just go into a store and look but I live a long way from any stores here in rural America.

Thanks!

I think my wife of 36 years will be so grateful to have a skinny vs fat hubby! She married me fat, she is used to me fat, but she knows that I will be around to bug her way longer this way --- She honestly always supported me, never nagged me, always fixed healthy food when she cooked, and has been a good partner in that way. I know that with one month post-op, she has seen me on many diets, but never saw me lose 42 pounds in a month...

I am totally with Shace on this one. I am very compliant with my bariatric program, did it to a "T" but simply, for me, don't agree with daily weigh-ins. I am one month post-op and down 42# but I only weigh once a week. I know that with getting my Water and Protein, and avoiding carbs, I will lose. Period. But as a (now) 378 pound guy, a 1% up or down (3-4 pound) is a meaningless number. The stalls are not really stalls, it is your body working out all this new equipment. Stalls are our self-imposed mind games.

Just one months post-op, down 40+ # but my Dr. said I may never get off my CPAP but just will need less pressure. The reason is that almost every male in my family over 50 has sleep apnea, and few are overweight. My brother and late Dad, neither overweight, both had/have sleep apnea. My brother has severe apnea and uses the CPAP and my Dad refused to use a CPAP... it did effect his heart and he lived to 92 but had heart problems in his last 12 years that his Doc said were apnea related.

My surgery nurse said to me: The number one reason people regain weight or have slow weight loss is carbonated drinks such as soda and beer. The reason is that the gas produces a bigger stomach pouch. I recently ran into a person who even after 4 months post bypass, had completely stopped losing weight due to soda addiction...it is that effective at producing a bigger pouch. Even a few sips of bubbly can be bad. DARN! I will miss that beer, but honestly, I think it is over for good. Now, pizza, I don't have any major concerns about, as long as my Protein is high for the day, and the slice does not have a giant crust. due to my size, I have a larger than average pouch, and even me -- 1 cup maximum of food, and a cup of pizza would be ok if I had already eaten my Protein for the day. I am going to try pizza with cauliflower crust....heresy!

SROFE5 -- also forgot to add. The digestion was also a problem for me. I started cooking a mix of dried fruit (apples, pears, prunes, peaches) and having one snack a day of 1/2 cup -- took care of the problem and gave me a great snack. I cook about three cups of dried fruit with three cups of Water, let it cook 20 minutes after boiling, and just let it sit for a few hours and then refrigerate. Of course it helps that I have apple, pear, prune trees and have access to great peaches.

Hi there -- will answer some of these: We are roughly the same size, although i am 64 years old.

What procedure did you chose and why did you chose it over the other options?

Chose Gastric Bypass (4-21-15) four weeks ago. I chose it because it has the best track record on diabetes remission; has the best track record on avoiding eventual weight regain. '

What was the general reaction from family and friends? Support from 90%, the remaining 10% were the ones who always said "Gee, you are really not that fat". My wife knew my mobility was challenged and the diabetes was worsening.

What was the biggest surprise during the process? It took me a year to get my insurance to pay for it. The surprise was how overall easy the surgery was, and rapid the recovery.

How long was your recovery? At four weeks, I am still two weeks away from being able to resume normal life, which is heavy gardening and woodworking, and lots of swimming.

How fast did you lose the weight? I have lost almost 40# in a month, I expect to lose 150# in the first year. With the smaller stomach pouch and the re-routing of my innards, I will lose weight very fast, period. It is possible to defeat this rapid weight loss, but as my Dr. says, you have to really work at it. After 18 months to 24 months, about 20% begin to gain again, but my Dr. says it is primarily due to carb loading and drinking soda and beer.

How has your life changed since having the procedure? After dozens and dozens of failed attempt to lose weight, I know that this will work, and I will achieve a normal weight. This really helps my attitude (ask my wife).

Would you do it again? Absolutely. Like you, I was always a great big giant, a farm kid who even though overweight, could do about anything physically. I was 200 pounds overweight and still active. BUT at 60 years old, that stopped being true. My ankles got swollen, the diabetes got bad, and I had a heart attack...but now, this should add 20 good years to my life span, at least.

Any regrets? Just that I did not have the guts to do it sooner

What should I be aware of? There is so much to learn both pre-op and post-op. It is like getting a degree in bariatric surgery. Huge amounts of reading.

What, if any, foods do you miss that you can no longer have? My stomach pouch, although bigger than most, still gets full very fast, and you have to eat your Protein first -- leaving no room for carbs, but honestly, I miss carbs but can have very few... just a few crisp crackers.

Good luck, man!

I know that my clinic said this was due to not chewing thoroughly, eating too fast, or eating too much. All I know is that after my RNY I have experienced the pain you speak of. They told me never to drink but rather to go out and walk until the blockage clears. It seems to work for me. Hope you feel better!

Way to go, BB76. That is a high five for losing that much weight and an even bigger high five for being such a good Dad!!!

3 weeks out from bypass....BMI got below the label "Super Obese", did not notice the exact moment that occurred Darn, first time in my life I was labeled "Super" and I just threw it away. Speaking of labels, "Morbid" -- I think we need new labels.... I am going for Small Giants, Giants, and Really Big Giants...

Good luck with your gastric bypass. I am three weeks post bypass, doing overall well. There is a lot to learn, new skills, and so much information! I agree -- it is tough for my relatives (dozens in the area) to see why I did this fairly drastic step, but they were not there with me during the dozens or hundreds of times I failed at weight loss. Yes, some have judged me but most are very glad I am doing well. Your MIL is just reacting from fear -- she does not want to rock the status quo, but good for you, it is your life and your body!

Same as the others. My excess swelling and fluids gone in three days after getting home.

Yes, getting lots of Protein, always get my full Water allotment, am using the recommended Multivitamin with Iron. I am seeing my PMD on Monday next week, and will ask her to check the hemoglobin and hematocrit. Thanks!

Hi everyone. Three weeks post gastric bypass. I am normally healthy looking, great color. But since surgery, my skin tone is either a bit pale gray or white. Anyone know if this is normal? I have been getting some sun on walks, taking my Vitamins etc but my wife thinks I look sick even though I feel pretty good considering major surgery.

I think depression is a natural and adaptive reaction to surgery as major as WLS. Unlike other surgery, this one brings up from the depths all of our "stuff" about being obese. In my case, I knew I needed this surgery, having been fat since age 3 (64 now), and that all the hundreds of attempts to do this on my own were going to be over. Honestly, I got depressed just contemplating my journey in this area, and was reacting to the huge changes coming. I am now 3 weeks post surgery, no depression, and am looking forward. Good luck!

Got to vote with the snippers! I used sharp sterilized nail clippers. I went to my regular MD for those I could not reach and she got all of them in ten minutes. One of my former docs told me that they were primarily genetic. I would never do any around my eyes even if I could reach them! I have had no success in getting my wife to snip them off, but can't really blame her!

One of the reasons for WLS is to deal with chronic diabetes, certainly was for me. I had read articles citing gastric bypass as having 25% greater results with putting diabetes in remission than did the sleeve, and the band had much lower than either method. This was the reason I went with bypass. I left the hospital on no diabetes meds, but will likely be back on one soon, which I may need for a few months until more weight comes off. My office no longer does the lapband due to problems including mechanical breakdown. It is no longer used in most of Europe for this reason.

Yes, Vitamins have made me a bit nauseous... I am three weeks out and have learned to take a tablespoon of soft cream of wheat, then the vitamins and then another tablespoon of soft cream of wheat. Seems to prime the stomach pouch.

A man's point of view. I have no respect for men who treat their partners like that. I l always have to think that anyone who constantly accuses their partner of cheating is really pointing the finger at themselves. It is an incredibly courageous thing to do, moving on -- just be vigilant, men like that can be very apologetic and silver tongued devils, once they realize what they have done to themselves... those behaviors don't ever really change. Great work on your program as well -- good job!