Who has had the Lap Band or Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Question:

I am seriously considering one of these surgeries. I am afraid to have any kind of surgery because I have never had to before. I also met some one who had and she doesn't look good. Plus I saw Starr Jones and she doesn't look all that healthy either. She looks kind of ill to me. Like she doesn't have the strength to hold her head up.

If you have had the surgery please share with me the results both positive and negative so I can know what I am getting into. Especially if you had a bad experience. I want to know anbout the access skin as well because that is another concern of mines. Plus how much did it cost to have any additional surgery?

Answers:
My son-in-law had gastric bypass surgery almost two years ago. He did very well and is now much easier on the eye.

The problem is in the quantities of food you can eat. He could eat only two tablespoons of food at a sitting. Any more than that, he had to barf.

At least now he can hold down a job. He was in danger of losing his livelihood because of uncontrolled diabetes. He no longer has to take any medications at all. Every illness he had was attributable to his excess weight.

There's probably not a lot you can do about excess skin. Depending on your age, workouts won't get rid of it. You're stuck. You can disguise it with long sleeves.

Where I work we have an annual 8-hour safety/health class (MSHA, if you know what that is; if you don't it doesn't matter). A few years ago the instructor (who was quite obese) decided to have gastric bypass surgery. The following year after the surgery, the instructor had lost nearly 150 pounds. At the class he looked tired and although he was still overweight he also looked...like he was starving. The next year he had lost enough weight so that he was close to what he should weigh for his height and body type, but he still looked like he was starving--sunken eyes, face gaunt, skin kinda pasty, and he still looked tired. A few months later he died too young (in his late-30s). His wife, a trauma nurse, took over his teaching schedule. She explained how he died. His body, basically, just shut down, organ after organ. She attributed this to the gastric bypass surgery.

My sister is quite obese; she wants the surgery, too. I have been trying to talk her out of it, as has our mother. Fortunately, my sister can't afford the surgery (I don't know how much it costs; I haven't asked her). Instead of a lifestyle change (her dietary habits) my sister wants a quick fix to her problem. She has tried various fads to no avail. I don't wish "poorness" on her but if lack of money is keeping her from this surgery then I'm glad she can't afford it.

I would try to talk you out of this surgery, too. It's too dangerous. Please check out these websites before you make any decision about surgery.

Who has had the Lap Band or Gastric Bypass Surgery?

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