Thinking About Weight Loss Surgury

I too have not had the surgery done myself, but when I lived in San Antonio, I worked with two ladies that did. They both were very successful with it. They lost the weight quickly but not so fast as to be unhealthy. They had far fewer complications than another lady we knew that had the gastric bypass surgery. One of the ladies was so successful with it that she allowed each of her daughters to have the surgery once they turned 18 as her whole family struggled with being highly overweight.

I don't know your circumstances, but I'm sure you are aware that you should only have the surgery if you are 100 lbs or more overweight and have honestly tried several other weight loss methods without success. It should not be viewed as the easy way out, though I'm not saying that is what you are trying to do.

I personally have not done it but my mother has, and I took care of her afterwards. She had the gastric bypass (spelling?) and has had a LOT of success with it. She had it in Ca so I dont know any doctors here but I think my sister was looking into it and may have a name/number to share that I could try to get for you. If I were ever in the spot where I would need it (all of us are overweight however for the most part when I need to lose it diet/exercise work for me) I would do it in a heartbeat. I just might if I continue to have a hard time with my post baby weight. My Mother, our friend and my Boyfriend's Aunt has all had this procedure with MAJOR success good luck in your decision it's a major one. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask if I have the answer so will you.

It seems that lap band is more popular these days. I don't know the difference but it is worth investigating. I say go for it. You only live once. If you aren't happy the way you are and there is a fix to it, why not? Best of luck.

I haven't had the gastric bypass, but I did have the lap band. The weight loss is much faster with the gastric bypass, but considered more healthy with the lap band. My doctor has a Hurst office and does both surgeries. His website is: www.fortworthlapband.com. He's had the band himself and does only weight loss surgeries (for the most part.) I had to have my gall bladder out a week later and he did that surgery as well. It was easier for me not to have to meet a new doctor. I had the band on April 3rd and have lost 42 pounds. A really good friend of mine had gastric bypass on April 4th and has lost 98 pounds. And she's 7 1/2 months pregnant! I've had complications (gall bladder and kidney stones). They were not caused by the lap band, but they hit right after the lap band. Now that I'm healthy again, I'm losing about 5 pounds per month. I think that's good weight loss.

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Hi C.,
Like a lot of people who responded, I haven't had the surgery,but kno people who have and, as a result, paid a lot of attention to details that affect their life. You will probably want to look at the lap band vs. gastric bypass surgery. ALSO - a good place to start your search for a physician would be North Hills Hospital. They are a center for excellence for weight loss surgery. As you know any doctor you choose should be board certified and not push you into any decision. I disagree with the statement that doctors are only in it for the money - they are "in it" to improve people's health. ALSO - make sure that any physician or hospital you choose for the surgery offers a comprehensive program that provides you a support group both before and after. Many people encounter depression after the surgery or filling thier time with other activities (or as one article put it, addictions) vs. eating - like shopping or drinking. Good luck on the decisions ahead. You cannot compromise when it comes to your health!

I looked in to the Gastic Bypass a few years ago. I meet a wonderful Dr. Dirk Rodriquez he was in Palestine Texas. The last time I checked he moved here to Dallas at Charlton on Beckley. He was a instuctor for the surgery.

C.:

Please do not think I am being critical, but unless you are morbidly obese and unless your life is threatened if you don't lose weight immediately I would suggest not to go this route. I myself am overweight and have been at least 85% of my life, but would never think of going this route. I worked with a girl who did this and she was off work for over a year with complications and never had the health to come back to work. I had a neighbor that had the same results.

Of course we see the ones on T.V. that were successfull but I am sure you know you have a 50/50 chance of living or dying during the surgery. If you have children is it worth risking death.

I just finished watching the finale of The Biggest Loser and if you don't watch that show, go to nbc.com and see the results. That is just plain on exercise and calorie counting and they lost literally hundreds of pounds. I still can't believe the winner he started at 404 I believe and ended I believe and 1??.

This is just my opinion, you asked for advice, so here is my two cents worth. Please think of this carefully before you make a decision. Of course the doc is going to be for it and it is $$$ in his pocket.

J.