How did you know?

[Miss Mac 6,261]

I did it for my health. At 62, I had many co-morbidities including two knee replacements and 17 herniated discs. It was the stroke that did me in and pushed me to follow through with bariatric surgery. I got sleeved in December of 2013 and actually have had a very nice, uncomplicated recovery. My goal was to lose 100 pounds from 235 to 135, but my doctor is ok with where I am at now, bouncing around 150. I still don't have a lot of energy, but my overall health is waaaaaay better, and I have more good days than bad.

Before surgery I had GERD, but not anymore. I had chronic diverticulitis, and six weeks prior to my sleeve, I was in the hospital deathly ill with ischemic colitis. My doctor told me later that he thought he was going to lose me. I have not had any further bowel issues at all since getting my sleeve.

[samelton68 64]

I kinda wish I would have had the RNY over the VSG

[Djmohr 6,965]

I had a great experience. The first 3 days are uncomfortable because of the gas they use during all of these surgeries.

I was literally up and out of my bed within 30 minutes of getting into my room. I got up and started walking in short increments. I used heat packs, gas x and walking to deal with the gas pains. I learned very quickly that the pain meds did not work so good on that gas pain. I really did not have a lot of surgical pain.

I had surgery on Monday. Was released on wed. morning. I took the pain meds through Thursday night and by Friday was feeling pretty good.

The tougher part was getting all of the fluids they wanted me to drink in. At first you can drink 2 tablespoons at a time, which meant you would have to sip constantly. I ended up not being able to keep up with it and I would get nauseous. I found out that was actually dehydration setting in and got better about sipping all day long.

I had no complications from bypass. I don't get dumping syndrome and honestly it was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Immediately following surgery my comorbitities went into remission starting with diabetes including stage 3 kidney disease.

I did send you a personal message a short time ago about some of the things I had learned about bypass prior to having it. Check your messages.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Carolm1965, all I can say is "Wow ! You are amazing ! To go through what you've been through and still be able to see a positive future ahead of you takes an incredible amount of strength in your soul. You are a great role model with a "can do !" attitude , and you should be VERY PROUD of yourself ! You go girl !!!

[catwoman7 10,873]

I didn't have a painful recovery, either (gastric bypass). I barely used any morphine at all in the hospital (the only reason I used the little that I did (via the pump) was because one of the nurses made me because she thought it would make my walking a little easier - otherwise, I felt totally fine and wouldn't have used it at all). The codeine or whatever they sent me home with sat unused as well. The only discomfort, really, was some slight nausea the first day in the hospital - and then my abs were pretty sore for the first few days. Enough that getting out of bed was a bit of a challenge (but do-able). Otherwise, nothing. Extremely easy recovery.

I did develop a stricture in week 4 or 5, but that's an easy fix...(and not terribly common).

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

What's a stricture?

[catwoman7 10,873]

overgrown scar tissue that blocks the entrance to the small intestine. They happen in about 5% of gastric bypass patients - usually within the first couple of months after surgery (while you're healing). It's an easy fix - they do an upper endoscopy and use this balloon thing to dilate it. Night and day difference - I felt better immediately!

main symptom is you have a hard time keeping things down - but I also had some acid reflux with it. Both symptoms were completely gone after they "fixed" the stricture.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

Thank you for explaining that sounds painful but bearable.Dosent happen that often. That's good to hear.

[catwoman7 10,873]

it wasn't actually painful - for the upper endoscopy, you're knocked out.

as for the symptoms, the acid reflux was really bothersome, but not in a painful sort of way. Oddly, I was glad for the times when I threw up because then I could get it over with rather than deal with the acid reflux for two or three hours. UGH!!

Vomiting, at least for me, is easier post-op than pre-op. First of all, there's not much there, and secondly, you don't have nearly as much stomach acid, so you don't get that horrible taste in your mouth.

[SkinnyDown 409]

Thank you, to everyone for your encouraging words.

I've learned a lot more about people in this thread.

We're all fighting the big fight, and it feels so good to have people around me, who understand what we are going through!

I'm always in awe of people who have met their goal, or are so close to it, and how that must feel...as I am still so far away from my goal, but when I think about it....not toooooo many more lbs until I am halfway there!

You're all so helpful here, I just wanted to say thanks!

[wantingabetterlife 364]

Thank you, to everyone for your encouraging words.

I've learned a lot more about people in this thread.

We're all fighting the big fight, and it feels so good to have people around me, who understand what we are going through!

I'm always in awe of people who have met their goal, or are so close to it, and how that must feel...as I am still so far away from my goal, but when I think about it....not toooooo many more lbs until I am halfway there!

You're all so helpful here, I just wanted to say thanks!

You are doing a great job!! Just remember how far you have come....not how long the journey may be. The scale may be in my favor right this moment but I am still struggling to work through body dysmorphic issues. I can't see the smaller me when I look in the mirror. We each have so many struggles (support from loved ones, stalls, hair loss, saggy skin, etc) and like you said, so many on here understand! It keeps me from pulling out what's left of my already thinned hair

[terrydumont46 1,954]

my heart stopped. it was a simple leap to wls after that although the heart stoppage had nothing to do with weight. up to that point I tried nutra systems, wt. watchers , south beach diet. calorie counting, exercise etc. and my wt was going up not down. I have always yo yo'd well but this time no. when my wt hit the 300 mark I was done trying with diet programs

[Sharpie 3,306]

I chose to have lapband surgery . I had diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I did not want to have a radical surgery such as bypass or sleeve at this point in my life. I have been extremely happy with my band and have had no complications or issues. I have been banded 2 1/2 years and I no longer have any health problems. In fact my Primary Physician told me yesterday at my checkup that he couldn't be happier with my labs. Everyone who has weight problems has to make their decision in their own time. I knew at 5'0 and 200 lbs I was on my way to be disabled. Best of Luck to you and I will pray for success.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences

[Sylvia13 64]

I'm in my 50s and was just beginning to have problems, nothing too serious, but I knew that if I didn't do something, I would be shortening my lifespan. I had thought about WLS and quickly dismissed it at first. I kept feeling that somehow WLS would mean that I had failed, that I would be taking the easy way out. Then I found myself chatting at length with woman that I hadn't known for very long. In the course of our conversation she told me that she had had WLS and had lost 135lbs. I was stunned! I had only known her as thin. I had never spoken to anyone who had had WLS. That really got me thinking. And then I was speaking to my rheumatologist and I confessed that I trouble not seeing this as admitting failure. She responded that I would be more of a "failure" if I did nothing. That was my turning point. I started researching and attending seminars, and now I'm 9 weeks post bypass surgery. No regrets.

Edited July 23, 2015 by Sylvia13