thinking about gastric bypass surgery

[Lisa1171 2]

Hello im new at this i'm thinking of having gastric bypass surgery.I would like to know the good and bad of it.I'm 5'5 weight is 250.I havent talked to the gastric bypass team yet i want to know how long the prosse is and something about all the different surgery's thank you lisa

[Cupcake 801]

Hi Lisa first I would like to say congrats on your choice to be healthy in regards to your questions it depends on your insurance requirements that will determine first of you are approved as well as the requirements that you will have to go through to see your requirements some insurance like mine required a 6 month process in which your weight had to be managed by your doctor and various test before I was approved my entire process took 10 months. Once you go to your first seminar this will discuss all types of surgery that is out there for you. Good luck with your choice.

[cc1967 25]

Hi Lisa,

Congrats on taking the first steps towards a health life. In addition to your insurance rules, the hospital you chose will have a protocol and program. My insurance would only approve a "bariatric surgical center of excellence" which was also recommended by my PCP. I had to lose 8% body fat, attend six weeks of lifestyle classes, go to two bariatric surgery meetings, have an extension psych profile, two visits, will an exercise physiologist, and meet with P.A. and dietitian before I could meet with director of surgery. You also need blood work and maybe other tests like a sleep study, stress test and also an EKG. Once she approved me, I met with the surgeon. SO....not a quick easy fix nor the easy way like some think, lol I did get insurance company approval though in 24 hours though I am having bypass in 2 weeks and can't wait to be 100 lbs lighter

Edited October 26, 2014 by cc1967

[Chelly 364]

Hi Lisa,

I started first seeing the surgeon in May and had surgery in September.

I had to have 4 meetings with my PCP for weight management, 1 meeting with a psychiatrist, 4 meetings with nutritionist, loose 10% of my weight before surgery, a sleep study, stress test, EEG (in your case it would probably be an EKG), a throat scope and 1 bariatric meeting.

I had bypass surgery and am very pleased with the results of that surgery.

You ask about draw backs and the only one I have had is a developed reactive hypoglycemia which 1% to 2% get it and of course I had to be one of them. It's manageable with my what I eat.

That's the only thing I can say was a draw back and if I had to choose again I would do it even knowing this could happen.

Good luck with your decision and being a healthier you.

[Lisa1171 2]

Thank you all for the advice.My mom had it and gained almost all her weight back but she eats alot of junk.sometimes her blood suger goes into the 40's and she has to eat like a protin to get to go back up and like she has alittle hair lose but not sure if thats from the surgery or not.I dont really want to have blood suger issue's but maybe it wont happen if i eat right.I'm not sure if i can pass all the requirments.I'm depression,ptsd,and bipolar.I have been stable now for about a yr.I just feel like the surgery will help with my highcholosetrol and aches and pain's.thanks again for your advice

[cc1967 25]

Hi Lisa,

I have been told post op hair loss is due to not getting enough Protein. I have suffered from depression and PTSD but am stable, approval wasn't an issue. No disrespect to your Mom but perhaps check into different surgeon or hospital. It does not seem that her program has good after care or prep. If a post op patient chooses to eat high calorie food and no Protein the surgery won't work. It is an excellent tool for thousands though. Best wishes!

[MisforMimi 760]

Hey. Welcome. I agree with the others. I say call your insurance company first before getting your hopes up if you're not planning to pay for this yourself. The ins. companies run this game and they will have hoops for you to jump through. I have great/honeymoon examples, fair examples and just plain old noncompliant and horrible examples of people with this surgery. Oh yeah and some stellar veterans from this site. I think it's up to the individual. If you/we can get the support needed and are really ready to take on the task of discovering and coming to terms with how we got here....I think it will be OK.

Edited October 26, 2014 by MisforMimi