Bariatric Surgery

I have been wondering about gastric surgery. I am cautiously considering it because I am very miserable and feel very unhealthy. I am afraid of the actual surgery, scarring, not being able to eat normally. Is it reversible?

I also want to know if it has any effects on pregnancy or breastfeeding because I want to have children. Any experience or advise is greatly appreciated.

My scar is about 6 inches long, and very thin. Many surgeons are doing the procedure laparascopically now which leaves you with about 6 small "hole" scars. As for the not eating normal part...I can eat just about anything I want, just smaller portions. I don't have a problem with that, as portion control is what got me in this mess in the first place. I don't eat anything with sugar in it, but some people find they can eat sugar without the dumping syndrome. I'm just scared to even try, lol. The surgery is not reversible, except, I think, in extreme circumstances. Personally, I wouldn't want to reverse it anyway. I'd just end up where I began.

My surgeon suggest you not get pregnant for at least 18 months after surgery, so you can make the full effect of weight loss beforehand, and also to make sure you are eating completely properly so the baby can get the right amounts of nutrients. There are several yahoo groups for gastric bypass support, and it's my understanding there is at least one that deals with pregnancy after gastric bypass. I'm sure there is something at obesityhelp as well.

Good luck on your journey, and let us know how it goes. You can also email me through my profile if you would like to talk.

Hi and welcome.  The various surgeries and degrees of invasiveness are described at the bottom of this board. 

The surgery I had is called Nonadjustable banding (there is also an adjustable band).  It is a very simple procedure that does not involve cutting of the stomach or bowels.  It is simply a band wrapped around the stomach to restrict food intake.  This procedure is the only one that is totally reversible if any complications should arise. The other surgeries involve puncturing and cutting which cannot be reversed.  This is the main factor that made me choose it.  It is also the least expensive of the surgeries.

I had mine originally in 1992 and lost 110 pounds in 9 months.  I later had it removed out of stupidity.  I had the band put back on in December 2003 and have lost 63 pounds to date... much slower than the first time around, but I'm a lot older now too.  :)

You lead a perfectly normal life after the band except that you don't over eat and you tend to stay away from foods like bread and pasta.  :)

If you'd like more details about the band, let me know.  :)

Paula

WOW!  Congratulations on EVERYTHING!

It's incredible how much life can change for the better in such a short amount of time!!

Thank you for your notes.. and please visit the board often to let us know how you (and your family) are doing!!

Paula