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18WheelsRolling
New Member
| Joined: | 8 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 2 |
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Posted: 9 January 2006 05:59 am |
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Hi all,
I know I am new here but I did have to put in my family's story on this forum. If you are considering looking into stomach stapeling really think long and hard.
My dad has this done 16 years ago. Before he had the surgery he was the most kindest man you could ever meet. The one who gave bear hugs, the one who always stopped on the side of the road to help a stranger and the most postive person you could ever meet.
Topping at 396 pounds, the doctors told him if he did not have the surgery he would not see his 40th birthday. At the time he was 36 and my mom was pregant with with a baby that took them 10 years to conceive. He thought this was his only option.
He had the surgery and came out with a chemical imbalance. He started loosing weight way to fast! My dad forgot who I was and did not know who my mother was. He mentally shut down from this. He had to learn to walk again, learn how to use a spoon again, and how to do simple things we take for granted. My dad was like a toddler learning how to do things for himself. He even had to learn how to use the bathroom again.
He had no idea who he was or about anything that surrounded him. He completely lost his mind! To this day, he still gets confused about certain things because his mind has not completely returned. He couldn't even help with the baby he so much wanted before. He has become a grouch. The chemical imbalance change his whole outlook on life and instead of being the most loveable person he has become the one you can't stand to be around.
Within 1 year my dad went from 396 pounds to 95 pounds. His surgery was botched and in turned botched his life. He would get sick if things were not chewed up very fine and used to constantly throw up after every meal. Even now he occasionally gets sick after eating.
Did the weight loss stay off? NO he his now at 260 pounds.
I have heard many stories where there surgeries was a huge mistake. I am overweight myself and I am here because I don't want to have to take the same road my dad did. I do not want to end up like that and I do not want to put my kids through that.
If you are seriously wanting surgery, look into the lap band. I have heard it is a much more safer alternative and it can be undone when needed.
Sorry for such a long post but maybe this will make someone think twice about a stomach stapeling.
18WheelsRolling
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Hiba
New Member
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Posted: 4 April 2006 03:26 am |
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18WheelsRolling wrote: If you are considering looking into stomach stapeling really think long and hard.
Do they even do stomach stapling anymore? I ask because there have been many studies done showing that long term it doesn't work, that's why they've started going gastric bypass and also the stomach bands. But I could be wrong, it's not like I've done any research on it.
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soontobeme
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 April 2006 05:45 am |
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Hi, Gastric bypass and stomach stapling is almost the same thing, in the past they just stapled the stomach and didn't do much with the bypass, now in the gastric bypass they staple the stomach and then bypass some of the small intestine by removing it and attaching it to the stomach, I think, now that I typed it out, it looks incorrect, but you can go to:
cosmeticsurgery.com/research/cosmetic-surgery/Gastric-Bypass/
and it goes into all the details.
Judy:)
-- Post edited to comply with Posting Guidelines (please read)
Also please note that the Tutorial on this website gives an introduction to surgery:
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/faqs_surgery.html
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deb85653
New Member
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Posted: 25 May 2006 12:51 am |
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| :(Sorry to hear about your dad, but not everone goes through that. I had the surgery and I have lost 200 pounds, and would like to lose more. It has been almost 3 years now. It was the best thing I have ever done.:D
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tebrown_lv
New Member
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Posted: 6 July 2006 10:31 pm |
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18WheelsRolling wrote:
Within 1 year my dad went from 396 pounds to 95 pounds. His surgery was botched and in turned botched his life. He would get sick if things were not chewed up very fine and used to constantly throw up after every meal. Even now he occasionally gets sick after eating.
Did the weight loss stay off? NO he his now at 260 pounds.
I have heard many stories where there surgeries was a huge mistake. I am overweight myself and I am here because I don't want to have to take the same road my dad did. I do not want to end up like that and I do not want to put my kids through that.
If you are seriously wanting surgery, look into the lap band. I have heard it is a much more safer alternative and it can be undone when needed.
Sorry for such a long post but maybe this will make someone think twice about a stomach stapeling.
18WheelsRolling Dear 18Wheels,
Hi, I'm new here, but wanted to put in my insight on this as well. About 15 years ago, my sister, also had her stomach stapled. She did not follow the guidelines and meal planning the doctors suggested to her and then she 'popped' her staples, and regained her weight.
About two years ago, she went for the Gastric Bypass surgery. This time, through doctor-monitoring her every step in the process, she has succeed to lose over 150# in two years. Yes, a person should think long, and hard before having any elective surgery. I have thought about having the surgery now for over two years (since my sister and her two daughters have had it, and have lost most of their weight - one has lost about 200#, the other 100#). Many times I have tried calorie-restrictive diets, had small successes, and failed at most types of 'eating right foods' diets, mostly due to other health problems, and not being able to exercise, and being on oxygen.
Many people I have known have had success in using surgery as a "tool" to help them finally lose the pounds that were killing them.
"The surgery is a tool built into the intestinal tract. It allows you to regain control of your weight by eliminating hunger. It makes eating less pleasurable. It builds in a behavior modification mechanism that limits food intake and encourages healthy food choices. Control is returned to you through the choices you make when you eat. Once you change your diet and begin to lose weight rapidly, you're motivated by the weight loss itself, and the improvements it makes in your life. You establish your goal weight. "
Yes, there are risks to every surgery. I feel I am willing to take those risks and have this surgery, before the risks of the diseases I suffer with, 'kill' me ... literally.
There are many different weight loss surgeries out there, and many doctors & surgeons who specialize in bariatric surgery. I don't know where you are from, but if you are curious about having surgery, there should be a local bariatric center who would offer seminars to show you the procedures they perform, and allow you to ask questions and seek the answers both you and your father may be looking for.
I agree, the surgery can (and may) cause, nutritional imbalances .. that's why with the surgeons help and with nutritional supplementation, and other aspects, people can overcome the other 'health' problems. If there is a health problem, going right away back to the doctor, can help alleviate the pain, and suffering a person might be having.
The surgical weight loss center I'll be using not only does the surgery, but also follows up with the patient, in both office visits, support groups with other surgery patients, also they are available on call 24 hours a day if any of their patients require medical treatment.
15 years is a long time and many advances in medicine and bariatric surgery have been made since then.
From what I have read, the Lap Band surgery :
"This operation, in a variety of forms, has been performed for since 1978. It is, by design, a purely restrictive operation. In addition, when optimally adjusted, it has been demonstrated to permanently reduce percieved hunger. It is the only obesity operation to date that has been demonstrated to produce this effect on most patients. In recent years, there have been two major modifications of the original operation. The first is the ability of the Surgeon to alter the size of the outlet of the stomach pouch created by the Gastric Banding. The second major change is the development of instrumentation and capability of Surgeons to perform this operation laparoscopically, the same way that most gall bladder surgery is now performed. This produces smaller scars, less pain following surgery, and a shorter hospital stay.
There have been over 180,000 patients that have received the Band worldwide. A great advantage to the Band is the absolute need for follow-up, and frequent evaluations for adjustment of the Band. The Band is most effective in those who use its adjutability. It is the only operation for obesity that is adjustable and totally reversible. In reports of Bariatric procedures in the U.S, follow-up falls off as low as 20% at 5 years for many Surgeons. "
I am planning on having another type of surgery called the Roux Y Gastric Bypass. When success is defined as "the most weight loss, kept off for the longest period of time," the Roux-Y Gastric Bypass is among the operations that fulfill this goal without producing major malnutrition.
"For years it has been known that people who lose weight by restricting their diet undergo a significant reduction in their basal metabolic rate. Their body fights to keep from losing more weight. There is evidence that patients who undergo Gastric Bypass do not exhibit this major reduction in basal metabolism. It is as if their body does not recognize that they are losing weight. This removes one of the major barriers to weight loss associated with restriction of dietary intake.
"Gastric Bypass patients also exhibit a significant reduction in Ghrelin hormone, a hormone associated with hunger and weight gain. This hormone is elevated in people on a diet. This surgery is done by the minimally invasive, Laparoscopic approach, and it has become the favored weight management operation in the U.S."
In Conclusion, I agree with you that people who are considering having any weight loss surgery should consider the consequences. Yes, there are risks. But do these risks overwhelm, the risk of dying young, being overweight (more than 100# overweight), having diabetes ... and its complications, heart attacks, stroke, joint disease, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and social/economic/psychological problems of being fat? I don't think so.
I am willing to endure through the endless testing of my heart, lungs, stomach and intestines, and then being put under, and having a "tool" for weight loss done to be able to live a normal life, lose the weight (I'm over 250# overweight), and live a long, healthy, happy life with my husband and family, and not dying before I'm 44 years old. (I'm 43 now).
(Quoted portions are from my surgeon's literature on their procedures).
Thank you, Tracey Brown
Las Vegas, NV
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forever trying
New Member
| Joined: | 6 April 2007 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 6 April 2007 02:20 pm |
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| Hi 18 wheelsrollin & everyone else, Well your correct about stomach stapeling, it's NOT the answer. I had it done 16 years ago also & it certainly was hard work, as you said you couldn't eat without being sick after almost every meal & the pains that were left in my stomach were just unbearable. I did lose alot of weight & did look great. I lost around the 9 stone mark & thought well it doesn't matter as it's worth it all this pain, but you know what it was not worth it in the end as to this day I still can't eat meat & many other things such as rice or pasta as they all fall heavy on me & still find I bring up any of the mentioned foods. It's a true nightmare still & what's worse I have gained all that weight all over again. I just keep trying with diet after diet after diet but still to no avail, I have been married for 11 years & we have 3 children & must admit they all love me for whom I am not my size. My only discomfort of the weight is how much more luck can I have? I don't have high blood pressure & my colestrol is at 3.9 & no diabetis, how much longer can my luck hold out is my question. I am now looking into a lap band & I'm just researching on the net as my first stop, I also have had two friends whom have had it done and they have been impressed with it, so I think why not get in & check it all out. I'll let you know what pans out.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 April 2007 04:25 pm |
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I am very sorry about your expereince. If you have any questions about the lap band please let me know. I am 5 weeks post op now and it's the best thing I have ever done.
hugs,
Tracy
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jillybean720
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 April 2007 03:58 pm |
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There are big risks associated with ANY surgery--you just have to weight the risks/potential benefits between your current condition and the surgery.
I wouldn't directly compare the stomach stapling surgery of 16 years ago to present procedures. Weight loss surgeries have come a LONG way in recent years, and there are many different potential procedures now, not just 1.
Any good doctor will sit down and go over the risks of any surgery with you before you decide. If your doctor does NOT do this, seek a new doctor.
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forever trying
New Member
| Joined: | 6 April 2007 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 7 April 2007 04:53 pm |
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Hi Trac, Well it sounds like your happy with your decission. I love to hear a story like that, I'm sure this is going to be something that I will be going with myself. Do you find it hard to deal with portion control from the begining? I am asuming that it would be very much like my first surgery about a teaspoon full of food came out on the first night & I'm sure I could only eat half of the vitamized food. I live in Australia & we don't always move that quickly on alot of things but I do know that our Dr's are certainly up there with the best of them so from that point I have no fear of the surgery, but am a little curious. Are you under a general whilst in surgery or is it like a block? Even though I know of a couple of friends that have had this procedure done I really haven't asked that question. In your 5 weeks have you had anything that you have found terribly difficult about your surgery? Were you out of action for long? Looking forward to hearing from you again Trac or anyone who can help me out on my few questions. Have an enjoyable Easter break everyone & stay safe.
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Synicalchick
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 April 2007 05:02 pm |
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I only missed four days of work, then the following week, if I was tired, I went home.
I don't really know how similar ours would be since you have already had the other procedure done. With the band we don't have dumping syndrome. It is a tool that works with real food. If you eat/drink mushies or high calorie liquids, you can gain with it.
try lapbandtalk.com and you will find many many answers to your queries I think
T
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forever trying
New Member
| Joined: | 6 April 2007 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 7 April 2007 05:28 pm |
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Hey what a great site you put me on to, Thanks heaps trac. gotta go as I have some more serious reading to do. 
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