Quote:
Originally Posted by PricklyPear  Hello I am new here and I am very happy to be part of this forum!
I have a big decision to make and I need some advice, opinions, good and bad...about gastric bypass.
I need to lose weight because I am taking alot of meds to keep my high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol in check. My doctor recommended that I would get the lap band but unfortunately my insurance WILL not cover it. I have Tricare Prime and Lap Band is considered a trial..almost cosmetic. They will cover gastric bypass and I feel very uncomfortable because of all the horror stories I have heard from friends and on the internet, etc.
I weigh 230 lbs and I have two young kids, 4 year old girl and a year old boy and its so important for me to be healthy and see them grow up. I need to be with them and I am not ready to be buried in the ground.
I have tried to lose weight by doing diets and exercises but I always fall off the wagon (is that the right term?) anyway...I really need some advice from anyone who may have had gastric bypass.
I have heard ... that you can lose hair...leak...die on the table, die after the surgery...poop alot..etc.
Is there more good to it than that??  |
Hi Prickly Pear,
I know two people who have had gastric bypass. I would think long and hard before doing it. Both of those people have been basically disappointed. One had a serious post-op infection and a long, painful time in the hospital. For the other, the surgery went pretty well, but he's putting the weight back on. Now he says he realizes that the surgery didn't cure his habit of constantly wanting to be chomping on something. Like, some people can't stop biting their nails; he needs to always have something going in his mouth.
The surgery didn't cure his psychological problem.
You said you've tried & "failed" at diets. I have too. My problem was boredom, impatience, and cravings. Recently, though, I've found one I'm very happy with, and it features chocolate. Unsweetened cocoa, that is, which by the way has recently been discovered to have great healing powers for diabetes, heart disease, and more. Take a look at this page:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141...554450-6716069
Give this one a chance. Try it at least for a few weeks. I'm on my 7th week, and the weight is coming off steadily, without a moment's craving. You have two little ones. This diet will be good for them and for your whole family for a lifetime. The doctor who co-wrote it is on the CT. Department of Health. He is also a federally designated First Responder. I love his gentle voice and wise, often funny encouragement. He wrote the book with his wife, a Nutritionist and heart smart cook.
I still have pounds to go, but this time, I'm happy. More reassured than I've ever felt. I love that book which btw is full of new medical information I never knew.
I wish you happiness, health and a Happy Thanksgiving.
P.S. That reminds me. This diet book also has a recipe for No Sugar No Fat Pumpkin Pie. It...is...luscious. Much more delicious than the heavy, lardy usual kind.