Bariatric Surgery - Anyone else done it or thinking about it?

[Serk]

Ya'll that are with me on Facebook already know about my current adventure, but wanted to see if anyone else has been there or is considering it.

The last few years my diabetes has been getting progressively worse, even with medications, diet and exercise my fasting sugar was always over 200, often over 250, and slowly creeping higher. I knew if I wanted to be around to watch my kids grow up, it was time for drastic action, so I began the path towards having Bariatric surgery, in my case specifically Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, because this was the least drastic option that has a high probability of shutting down Diabetes immediately. (There are 4 mainline Bariatric surgeries, from least drastic to most: Lap-Band (Near 100% 5 year failure rate, no immediate effect on diabetes), Gastric Sleeve (High 5 year failure rate, no immediate effect on diabetes), Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (Good 5 year weight loss numbers, high probability of immediate remission of diabetes) and Duodenal Switch (Extremely effective, both for long term weight loss and remission of diabetes, but so extreme you need to be REALLY overweight to qualify for it or there's a risk of way too MUCH weight loss.)

I had my surgery on November 4th, spent 1 night in the hospital and was home the next day, spent the rest of that week off work, went back to work half days the next week, and was fully back to work the following week.

The day of my surgery I weighed 315 pounds, took Metformin and Januvia for diabetes and Lisinopril for high blood pressure. I took my last diabetes medication on November 5th, and my blood sugar has been consistently non-diabetic since November 5th. I took my last blood pressure medication November 3rd, and my blood pressure is now in a normal range. This morning, December 13th, I weighed in at 264 pounds, meaning I've lost 51 pounds in about a month and a week, and the weight loss should continue for several more months as my body finds it's balance with my new digestive system.

Anyway, I'll admit part of my motivation for making this post was for a humble-brag, but I also have had several people contact me about the surgery with questions, and I wanted to throw this out there, if you're interested, curious, or whatever, feel free to contact me in this thread or privately. I'm a big believer in this surgery and the life saving qualities of it, and love to talk about it. Yes, it's drastic, yes it will change my eating habits for ever, but for me at least the payoff is VERY much worth it.

(And on the Valk Related side, I dunno how true it is, but I read somewhere years ago that every 7 pounds robs you of 1 horse power. If that's true, that means that since November 4th, I've added 7.25 horsepower to my Valk! So, don't look at it as weight loss surgery, look at it as a Valk performance mod surgery!  )

[hubcapsc]

I have a buddy at work who was afraid that if he didn't gain control of his blood sugar, he'd
loose his pilot's license.

He went to the bariatric clinic at the local hospital, and they had two options: the operation,
and an austere diet/exercise plan.

He opted for the diet/exercise plan (only someone with great self control and motivation
could eat that stuff  ) and now he is Superman... has ridden his bicycle to
California and stuff...

-Mike

[musclehead]

a guy I worked with last year had one of the surgical options done, not sure which, he was 500+lbs.

now he's a modest 300 or so.

comes by it naturally he's a big dude, but he was "DAMMMN!" on the Gabriel Iglesias fat scale.

how do you know if your "DAMMMN"? people will let you know, if you go to get on an elevator and people already on it are looking hastily at the load rating. if you go to an amusement park and the kids want to ride you......your "DAMMN"!

[csj]

I also have a diabetes, that can be controlled with diet and exercise. Some 10 yrs ago
I was about 275 lbs., was having some trouble with breathing and the sugar
was nearly out of control. I took different drugs that had no effect, then took
Glyburide, stuff totally works, but on three occasions dropped my sugar so low
that I went nuts, apparantly threatened a few people, didn't know I did.

It was then that I decided to take matters in hand, did a vegetable plate
every day, (negative calories) and dropped to 210 lbs in one year. Have been
at that weight for 7 years. I DO NOT want to get any lighter than that. I'd be a
bone rack.

And that's the reason for this ramble. You lost a LOT in a month. What happens
in a year?
Hey, don't know enough about your struggle, it just rang an alarm bell when
I read the big, fast weight loss.

Hope it all works out.

[Rams]

Wife had it, 85% of her stomach removed.   Results are as one would expect, she lost well over a hundred pounds.   Now she can't even eat a single burger without being full.   It not only changed her life but her life style.   Yes she lost the weight that she had been trying to lose for years but........................

I would seriously look at and talk to others who have actually had that surgery before doing it myself and not accept second hand accounts.   It's a serious change.   I'm not saying don't or do, just check out all aspects before proceeding.   Mine included.

[Hooter]

Congrat man! Its stories like this that inspire and give people hope. Without the information you just shared, no one would know your outcome. IF it helps one person the information is invaluable. I'm not diabetic, but have some guys on my department that are and looking for a solution. They have tried a mirad of programs but none have had lasting effects. Neither one of these guys is heavy but still have the burden of being diabetic. I will share this with them.  Thanks!

[Serk]

Addressing 2 things brought up thus far:

My wife had the same surgery 6 years ago, so I've had good first hand experience of what it's like, what it entails, etc... The good AND the bad.

As far as the rapid weight loss, that's really not that high for this surgery. I'm a little above normal, but not much. Ten pounds a week is about normal for the first few months.

The normal loss curve is a LOT of weight loss the first 6 months, usually too much, then a slow regain up to a good holding area by 18 months, at which point your body will find it's new equilibrium.

Using my wife as an example, she started at 315, got down to about 140 (She's 6' tall, she looked like Skeletor) but climbed back up, and has been holding steady for many years now at a very comfortable 180.

And no, not saying this is for everyone, it's definitely not, but it's something to consider. I'd tried diet and exercise, admittedly not anything extreme, I just don't have the willpower for that, but even with a sensible diet and decent exercise, my sugar wasn't dropping. I could lose a few pounds, but the sugar wouldn't go down.

[Spirited-6]

GOD DAMN I`m GOOD. All I need is a pair of lungs . Bless all with their needs and pray that help comes soon. You work your life long a hope for a healthy retirement that may or not come. Lesson not learn: TAKE CARE OF THE MACHINE. It will come back to hunt you if not !  They say; hinesight is 20-20. They are right on ! b 

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for sharing your story Serk.

It takes some guts to voluntarily let the sawbones hack away on you.   

A VA Doc buddy of mine was suggesting I have a lobotomy to smooth out my rough spots,  but I passed.

[Hoser]

This is great news, and I hope you will be my favorite ogre for years to come.  Hoser 

[Jeff K]

I also have a diabetes, that can be controlled with diet and exercise. Some 10 yrs ago
I was about 275 lbs., was having some trouble with breathing and the sugar
was nearly out of control. I took different drugs that had no effect, then took
Glyburide, stuff totally works, but on three occasions dropped my sugar so low
that I went nuts, apparantly threatened a few people, didn't know I did.

It was then that I decided to take matters in hand, did a vegetable plate
every day, (negative calories) and dropped to 210 lbs in one year. Have been
at that weight for 7 years. I DO NOT want to get any lighter than that. I'd be a
bone rack.

And that's the reason for this ramble. You lost a LOT in a month. What happens
in a year?
Hey, don't know enough about your struggle, it just rang an alarm bell when
I read the big, fast weight loss.

Hope it all works out.

So, you weigh 65 pounds now? Wow, yer gonna blow away!

[csj]

So, you weigh 65 pounds now? Wow, yer gonna blow away!

Yah Yah, very funny. Said I dropped TO 210 #, not dropped that much.


But sometimes I am blown away by a good laugh.

Before I met my present lovely lady, I had a date with a girl who had a device on her hip
that automatically injected her with her daily insulin requirement. Cool and scary
at same time.

[wiggydotcom]

That's great that it's working out so well for ya, Serk. I didn't even know there was an operation to wipe out diabetes--short of a transplant. Good for you!

[alph]

A VA Doc buddy of mine was suggesting I have a lobotomy to smooth out my rough spots,  but I passed.

 
oh man, that's funny!!  anyone that's ever met Jess will know what he means!!   



my cousin had the surgery.  he was up to 625#!!  he lost about 150#, then went right back up to his original happy weight of around 600.  the problem is once you have the surgery you have to get rid of all the candy!!  he didn't.

[hairyteeth]

My wife and both daughters have had Roun-En-Y and are doing well. Wife is 2 years post-op, no more diabetes or blood pressure meds.  My daughters are 7 months and 2 months post-op, both are doing well. I have not given up on diet and exercise for my 300 plus pound self but know the clocks ticking and it's not in my favor. HT

[donaldcc]

my cousin had the surgery.  he was up to 625#!!  he lost about 150#, then went right back up to his original happy weight of around 600.  the problem is once you have the surgery you have to get rid of all the candy!!  he didn't.

  that is an amazing weight!   too bad for him.  doesn't sound so happy. 

[Bigun]

I'm on the verge of going that direction 6'6" and 350lbs pre diabetic and hypertensive also have sleep apnea. Both of my knees are completely shot due to a injury suffered in the military and the VA will not replace them until I get below 300 and keep it that way for a while. Starting a medicaly supervised diet 1/1/14 if that doesnt work then on to the table I go.

[The Anvil]

Serk and I talked about this in PM's. My mother has also had it (RNY) and the results were phenomenal. I'm actually going through the process to have the surgery myself. My reasoning is simple; I want to live longer and feel better while doing it. Like most people doing it, looks are not the first concern. For me it's not even a concern at all. I'm married and I carry my weight well. I make up for my size with abundant charm and wit (go ahead, have a laugh, f**kers   ).

I've spent most of my adult life at 6'1" and about 250lbs. I used to eat okay and work out three or four times a week. At one time I was heavy, but I was STRONG and I could still do the things I used to do like martial arts, play Hockey and Baseball in over 30 leagues and compete in the occasional enduro. As those of you with families and demanding jobs can attest, you just run out of time for that kind of stuff. Work keeps me away for a minimum of 50 hours a week (sometimes a lot more) and I have to active daughters. It's not like I don't have ANY time to work out but for it to really be effective it has to be frequent and consistent. I don't have that kind of schedule right now.

As a result, over the past few years I'm finding it harder and harder to keep my weight below 275 at ANY point and especially this time of year when I am loathe to leave the house and do anything (I've developed a real distaste for the cold) I can get up close to 290. I already have a cholesterol issue that requires medication and now I have become pre-diabetic as well. That has to stop. The good part is, I'm only 41 so most (if not all) long term negative health effects can be avoided.

I've started to notice my weight really affecting other things too. I do what can be a physically demanding job at times and there are a lot more aches and pains than there used to be. I don't sleep as well as I used to, just small things now that I know will only get worse. Everyone I talk to who has had the surgery talks about a dramatic increase in energy, disappearing joint pain, sleeping through the night etc. I want in on that. A lot of my joint pain is from old sports injuries so I'm not expecting them to disappear but the extra 75lbs I'm carry sure can't be helping, right?

It wasn't an easy decision. I've been considering it for a while but I'm not the kind to admit defeat and that's what it felt like. I had to come to accept that I'm not going to be able to do it on my own. But now that I HAVE accepted it? I'm totally ready.

BTW, I'd like to hear from Serk on this too but from what I hear from all of the program "graduates" the foods you can and cannot tolerate after surgery and recovery can vary wildly from person to person. For instance, it's widely though that carbonated beverages are strictly out of the picture but my mother has no problem with them. She also eats candy with no issues. Her only real issue is red meat and even then, it's only occasionally an issue. Some graduates have reported problems with bread which scares me because I LOVE bread. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Serk]

BTW, I'd like to hear from Serk on this too but from what I hear from all of the program "graduates" the foods you can and cannot tolerate after surgery and recovery can vary wildly from person to person. For instance, it's widely though that carbonated beverages are strictly out of the picture but my mother has no problem with them. She also eats candy with no issues. Her only real issue is red meat and even then, it's only occasionally an issue. Some graduates have reported problems with bread which scares me because I LOVE bread. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

It varies with time, person to person, and which surgery you have. Many people lump "The surgery" as one thing, but there are really 4 mainline, and many rarer surgeries out there, and they are VERY different from each other, in both restrictions to diet, results, long term effectiveness, etc.

My wife used to love milk, but she became violently lactose intolerant after the surgery. She's okay with cheese or yogurt or such, but the thought of drinking a glass of milk on it's own makes her retch.

One of my first tests I did on myself was I wanted to know if I had developed the same, so I poured myself a tall glass of cold milk and drank it, with no problems. (Yay me!)

Bread is discouraged the first few months before it can get into the pouch and puff up, blocking the opening out of your pouch. Over time the pouch will stretch a bit, and the opening becomes more stable and you can eat at least a little bread. I'll be 6 weeks post op Monday, and I ate 1 dinner roll with dinner 2 nights ago, and 1/2 a piece of cornbread with dinner last night.

Carbonated beverages are strongly discouraged for the first several weeks to months, some surgeons say forever, and other than the occasional beer I haven't tested that one yet, but I will. My wife drinks carbonated beverages all day every day with no problems.

With the Gastric Bypass, some people get what's called "Dumping Syndrome" (Which isn't related to "taking a dump") where if you eat too much sugar too fast, your intestines freak out and "dump" the food down the system way faster than they should, you get un-digested food deep into your digestive system, and your body freaks out. I held her hand when she ate a cupcake 2 months after surgery and the pain was bad enough I almost believe she was serious when she asked for a gun to end the misery.

On the plus side, after that, she literally lost her sweet tooth for several years.

I've timidly tested the limits to see if I'll develop dumping syndrome, and so far eating reasonable amounts of sweets hasn't triggered it in me, but I'm in no rush to push through that boundary, I don't want the syndrome, and even if I don't develop it I don't wanna think it's okay to sit down and eat a whole bag of candy.

One of the biggest issues I have is the need to chew chew chew whatever it is I'm eating. I used to hork my food. If I do that now it comes back and says hello (Another advantage of gastric bypass, since the acid from your stomach is rerouted down into the intestines, there's no acid in the stomach pouch, so when you do get sick, it's not so bad, there's no acid in it. Whatever you ate comes back up exactly how it went down, and there's not much of it to boot.)

My surgeon told me when I really wanna test things out, the ultimate test is sliced brisket. The long fibers of it are almost impossible to fully chew up, and they're one of the most difficult foods to get through the pouch into the intestines.

One more word about the 4 mainline different surgeries. The 2 low end ones, Lap-Band and Gastric Sleeving, are restrictive only, they only limit the amount of food you can eat at one time, they don't change anything with your digestive system beyond that.

Gastric Bypass reroutes things so that the first foot or so of your small intestines is skipped (The most efficient part.) AND the stomach acid and the food don't even meet each other until down in the intestines, further making your digestive system less efficient. So, not only can I eat less, I get less out of what I DO eat. (This is also why this surgery shuts down Type 2 diabetes immediately)

Some commentary on all the screening you have to do pre-surgery too. At least for my surgeon/insurance, I had to:

-Medically supervised diet for at least 3 months
-Primary Care Physician sign off on necessity of surgery
-Psychological Evaluation to make sure I'm doing it for the right reasons and understand the massive lifestyle changes to come
-Sleep study to check for obstructive sleep apnea
-Sonogram stress test of my heart to make sure it's healthy enough for the surgery
-Sonogram/breathing stress test of lungs to make sure they're healthy enough for the surgery
-3 months of group diet sessions
-One on one with dietician to make sure I understand do's, don'ts and must's post op.

Seems like I'm missing something, but ya' get the idea. It's not a decision taken lightly, by the patient or the medical community.

I also made the decision relatively young (I was 41 when I had the surgery). The younger you are, and the sooner after you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (Or even pre-diabetes) the better your long term prognosis is. My diabetes was accelerating rapidly, but I was only diagnosed with it at all 5 years ago.

[The Anvil]

Thanks Serk, excellent info. Do you have any plans on speaking as a graduate? You'd be good at it I think.

And yeah, I've heard that dumping syndrome is the big fear. Like you I also devour food like a wolf (partially because I'm often pressed for time) and I'll need to train myself to chew.

Could the part you forgot be the "stage 2" liquid diet pre-op to shrink the liver?

[Serk]

Thanks Serk, excellent info. Do you have any plans on speaking as a graduate? You'd be good at it I think.

And yeah, I've heard that dumping syndrome is the big fear. Like you I also devour food like a wolf (partially because I'm often pressed for time) and I'll need to train myself to chew.

Could the part you forgot be the "stage 2" liquid diet pre-op to shrink the liver?

Er, not if I can avoid it. I type a lot better than I talk... Although if asked I'd prolly do it, as more of a question and answer thing.

Not only the chew chew chew, but you're also not supposed to drink anything for 15 minutes before eating, and an hour after eating. That one's gonna be a tough one for me, I don't succeed at it very well. I went to a proper restaurant for the first time last night and managed to not drink anything until a few minutes after I'd finished eating (Finished eating the 1/5 of a kid's meal that I was able to eat that is ) but then had to have a few drinks of water anyway.

Yeah, the liquid diet for a week before surgery (Some surgeons want up to 4 weeks before, mine was okay with just 1 week) was a thing I'd forgotten, but the even bigger one was an EGD, which is technically surgery on it's own (Knock you out, shove a camera down your throat and have a look see to make sure they don't get any surprises when they go in for the real thing.)

Speaking of the surgeon, there's also some debate as to if you should go to one of the big surgery mill type places that knock out tons of 'em assembly line style or a smaller or even a general surgeon.

My theory was the big surgery mill places may do a LOT of 'em, but... they've DONE a lot of 'em, and know all the things to do, all the things that can go wrong, how to prepare for 'em, how best to fight and wrangle with insurance, etc, so I went to one of the large surgeons in my area who has billboards everywhere, advertises on TV, etc. (He also has nice taste in cars. On sunny days he'd have his Ferrari out front, overcast but dry days he'd take the McLaren, and on rainy days he'd drive his Rolls Royce...). He was also the same surgeon that did my wife's surgery.

He's done so many of 'em, he know how to do it quickly (2-2.5 hour surgery, I was in and out in 45 minutes) with minimal impact to the patient. I was on oral pain meds only by about 18 hours post op, up and walking 2-4 hours after recovery.

(If you're anywhere near Dallas, or just curious, here's who did mine - http://www.barkerbariatriccenter.com/ )

[Serk]

Just wanted to give a brief followup on this.

-Still non-diabetic.
-Diabetic symptoms are mostly gone (My vision has gotten better, I don't hafta go to the bathroom constantly, the thick calluses on the heels of my feet are mostly gone, don't have the neuropathy in my feet any longer, and other... things... are working much better as well )
-Still non-hypertensive (Don't have high blood pressure any more.)
-I'm able to eat anything I want at this point, in reasonable quantities (The only things I haven't tried at all yet are BBQ and ice cream, both of which are notorious problem makers (Real BBQ, as in brisket, not that meatloaf they call BBQ where you're from )
-I do not appear to have dumping syndrome, so I can eat sweets, just have to keep it in reasonable amounts.

Obviously, with the above, I have ZERO regrets about doing this, and would whole heartedly suggest at least looking into it for anyone who's struggling with the same issues I've been struggling with.

On the weight front, I was 315 day of the surgery November 4th and this morning the scale told me:



On the physical size front, I wore a 44 inch waist before this, and it was tight. I'm wearing 38 inch jeans right now, and I have to use a belt to keep them tight. I was a "full" XXXL shirt before this, XXL shirts are baggy now, and I can get away with wearing a XL shirt pretty comfortably.

Sorry to be a total braggart, but when ya' find something that works for ya', and you know other people have the same problems, ya' wanna shout from the rooftops that there is a way out...

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I came every close to losing my DOT medical card ( I'm now on a temporary 90 day medical card ) . Without this card I can't work    I had 325 in my urine test at the hospital the company I work for sends us for the physical .... I went to my doctor after fasting 30 plus hours and was down to 90 . My Grandmother died from diabetes they took her foot off then two years later her leg. Around 9 months later her other leg and she was unable to see ( blind ) I think she just quit fighting and died. Diabetes is some serious crap and effects so many organ's and nerve's  it does not get the respect it needs when it come's to funding for a cure.

[Mapper]

Just wanted to give a brief followup on this.

-Still non-diabetic.

I have ZERO regrets about doing this, and would whole heartedly suggest at least looking into it for anyone who's struggling with the same issues I've been struggling with.

On the weight front, I was 315 day of the surgery November 4th and this morning the scale told me:



Sorry to be a total braggart, but when ya' find something that works for ya', and you know other people have the same problems, ya' wanna shout from the rooftops that there is a way out...

 

AWESOME!  I'm glad these things are working for you!  Sounds like the worst part is you're having to buy smaller clothes… oh well.   

[Serk]

Had to dredge this thread back up, I hit another milestone today. According to the (bogus) BMI system, I am FINALLY not overweight and have a "regular" weight for my height as of today. My BMI is 24.7 for the first time in forever... The weight loss has slowed, but is still happening, and I can eat most anything I want, just not a lot of it.

(And as a European friend of mine pointed out, I'm now under 100 Kilos! )

[The emperor has no clothes]

Serk, That is awesome! You should be very proud. Those 3 little boys are going to be glad you did this

[Willow]

Serk, That is awesome! You should be very proud. Those 3 little boys are going to be glad you did this

That'll be a shock.  One of those little boys has lost her penis.   

Good work, Serk.  No small accomplishment.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Serk, That is awesome! You should be very proud. Those 3 little boys are going to be glad you did this

That'll be a shock.  One of those little boys has lost her penis.   

Good work, Serk.  No small accomplishment.   

uh-oh

[Daniel Meyer]

So totally awesome!

[Daniel Meyer]

Diabetes is some serious crap and effects so many organ's and nerve's  it does not get the respect it needs when it come's to funding for a cure.

This is SO true...

My employer tests for it now...me and the wife...calls it a "lifestyle choice"...and jacks our health insurance premiums by 80%.

[Serk]

Woot! Hit a milestone today I never thought I'd live to see... At this point, I'm happy with the weight I've lost, wouldn't even mind putting a few pounds back on... (Apologies to those that have already seen this on Facebook)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Woot! Hit a milestone today I never thought I'd live to see... At this point, I'm happy with the weight I've lost, wouldn't even mind putting a few pounds back on... (Apologies to those that have already seen this on Facebook)

Very awesome !

[Willow]

Too much, Serk.  Too much.  Put a healthy amount back on. 

My admiration for your accomplishment, but don't let the momentum carry you too far.

[98valk]

please educate yourself more about diet changes and herbs to use. the standard american diet and the doctors make one worst. much info below
http://www.naturalnews.com/GoogleSearchResults.html?cx=010579349100583850635%3Aw_kzwe9_yca&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=diabetes&sa.x=13&sa.y=12&siteurl=naturalnews.com%2F&ref=&ss=2411j1022471j8

buckwheat was the stable grain in this country up until the early 1900s when the switch to un-healthy wheat which is actually an hybred with a weed happened.
some buckwheat companies blend with wheat, read ingredients.
bob's red mill has pure creamy buckwheat and groats. just about all buckwheat is organic very little chemicals if none at all are used due to how fast it grows. whereas wheat requires chemicals.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031118072746.htm

Buckwheat May Be Beneficial For Managing Diabetes    dtd 2003

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=11

The researcher’s mentions that buckwheat contains an ingredient named chiro-inositol which may be responsible for lowering blood sugar because it is present in high percentage in buckwheat and is seldom present in other foods. It plays an important role in the glucose metabolism and cell signaling.

http://diabetes.knoji.com/foods-that-fight-diabetes-from-bananas-to-buckwheat/

God Bless
ca

[MP]

199#?   WOW! You must be thin as a rail at your height.  I would think you would not want to go any farther.

Congratulations.

MP

[gregk]

Kinda sounds like what my brother had done except his situation was a bit different, he had stomach cancer and had to remove his total stomach. like serks wife, he cannot eat much & has to eat more often and he dont take care of himself had to do formula stuff after an the Docs want him to take it again. Had to go through kemo and is still watched & the surgery was over 10 years ago not sure but hes 66 and looks like he just came back from a death camp. I would not want his quality of life an dont know but think his days are over.

[Master Blaster]

Thank you Serk for this thread.  It came at just the right time, my wife was considering trying one of the versions and because of this thread she opted for the bypass.  Had the surgery about 3 months ago, and threw out about 60% of the meds she was taking.  Has lost about 42 pounds so far, and quit snoring while sleeping.  Believe me that was a relief for me.    She also was diabetic, and that is also gone.  The whole thing has been a positive experience and we both don't regret it a bit.  The regimen is not that difficult, hardest part is changing lifelong habits.

[Serk]

Thank you Serk for this thread.  It came at just the right time, my wife was considering trying one of the versions and because of this thread she opted for the bypass.  Had the surgery about 3 months ago, and threw out about 60% of the meds she was taking.  Has lost about 42 pounds so far, and quit snoring while sleeping.  Believe me that was a relief for me.    She also was diabetic, and that is also gone.  The whole thing has been a positive experience and we both don't regret it a bit.  The regimen is not that difficult, hardest part is changing lifelong habits.

Great to hear! Yeah, although I swore I never snored, the spousal unit disagreed, and is most thankful that it's gone away now as well...  The regimen quickly becomes habit because most of it is self correcting, eat too much of the wrong thing, and it hurts, you learn to not do things that hurt...

[cookiedough]

Real glad it worked out for you Serk.  I can see doing this type of surgery if have diabetes and other underlying issues.  Sounds like a good idea overall.

Thanks for bringing this up since although diabetes is not directly related to being overweight, it doesn't help being fat.   Just don't go below 200 since I think at your height I would like to be around 210-225 lbs. with some meat left on your bones.

Me being only 5'10", I should be 200 vs. 280 darn it.      Back to my high school days. 

[cma1]

being overweight has nothing to do with diabetes ???

who told you that ? my dr. said obesity has EVERYTHING  to do with diabetes. of course he is one of them nasty old v.a. doctors, so he probably don't know what he is talking about, but ain't it amazing how it seems to disappear after one loses a bunch of weight ?

my best friend went over 300 lbs, actually around 400 I believe. he was ravaged by diabetes. the dr. was so concerned about it that they sent him to the san fransisco v.a. hospital and had his stomach (or most of it) removed. he has since came all the way down to 185 lbs, the diabetes is gone and his main concern now is all the hanging skin, but the v.a. has made arrangements to have it removed.

I had went all the way up to 275 before I contracted throat cancer. I would not recommend the diet, but I went back down to 195 after surgery and radiation treatment. trouble was, I lost 50% of the muscle mass too. the cancer is 100% cured, a fact I thank God, and the v.a.  every day for.

 it has taken me 7 years to gain back the muscle I lost and it is now almost a religion for me to stay under 200. at 200 I wear a 34 inch waist and a size 50 jacket with the sleeves modified for my biceps. I will never let myself get out of shape again, but then I'm a lot younger than most of you, I'm only 66 years old. I am going back as a volunteer to work for the police dept. and am thinking of joining the senior pro rodeo tour. while I don't miss wrestling drunks, I miss the rodeo life real bad.

at 66 I only take one pill a day to control heartburn, nothing else. it is really pretty easy to maintain, I just really miss the biscuts and gravy, donuts, fast food, and beer. but the health benefits are more than worth what I have to give up.

oh yeah, and the 35 year smoking habit, don't miss that at all.