Comments on: Obesity Surgery Info..

By: Neva Marjory

Neva Marjory — Tue, 25 Mar 2003 08:46:00 +0000

eply for Jan1998 99

Hi!…It’s me
Lactose46 a.k.a. Laura. I just wanted to try to answer your
questions.

1. In terms of a minimum weight for the stomach
stapling surgery (which I got) they usually consider a
person for surgery if he or she is around 100lbs. or
more overweight. However, I have heard of many people
who got the surgery done even when they needed to
lose less than 100 lbs. like 90 or 80lbs. In fact, I
have a good friend who got it done and she is losing
75 lbs. to reach her goal weight. I got my surgery
done by her surgeon as well. She has asthma and the
surgery was recommended by her regular family doctor. I
know it’s something that is somewhat individualized,
but these were the guidelines specified by my
surgeon. Also, he did this surgery on people with a

variety of different weight loss needs.

2. My
hospital stay was four days. I got the surgery done in the
early afternoon of the first day and then I was
released at 10:00 a.m. on the fourth day.

3. I
think my surgery was laproscopic surgery but I’m not
sure. I know it’s called vertical banded
gastroplasty.

I hope that I helped answer your questions.
Don’t
hesitate to ask me if you have any more.
Good
Luck!
Laura

By: Neva Marjory

Neva Marjory — Mon, 24 Mar 2003 22:04:25 +0000

as very interested in what you had to say about
your surgery. I have not seen anything about if there
is a minimum amount of weight that one needs to lose
before they can have this kind of surgery . Do you know
anything about that? Also how long was your hospital stay,
& did you have laprascopic surgery? I guess you can
tell that I am not real familiar with this procedure.
Thanks for any answers.

By: Neva Marjory

Neva Marjory — Sun, 23 Mar 2003 19:20:29 +0000

i Oceanwench!
I just wanted to respond to
your question about the lowest risk surgery available.
I don’t have a broad knowledge about all the
various weight loss surgeries, but when I had my surgery
I had the same main concern that you did, finding a
surgery that seemed the safest in which I could absorb as
many nutrients as possible. I went ahead and got a
procedure done called vertical banded gastroplasty also
known as stomach stapling.

I had the surgery
done on March 9, 1999
and couldn’t be more
pleased! I’ve lost 50 lbs. now and am continuing to
rapidly lose more. I feel very healthy and energetic and
have had no problems with vomiting or feeling weak.
Basically what happens in the surgery is an incision is
made
on your abdomen. The doctor places a slastic ring

around the top portion of the stomach opening. Then some
tiny surgical staples are put in to create a pouch in
the top part of the stomach. The only thing that is
removed is your gall bladder so that you don’t get gall
stones (due to rapid weight loss). When you eat you feel
full on a much smaller amount of food. The food still
digests the same as it did before the surgery and you can
eat just about anything as long as you chew it up
very thoroughly. Of course, the doctor says you need
to make healthy eating choices and not eat a lot of
junky things, but I’m sure you know that. :o)
It’s
also o.k. to have treats every once in awhile. I try
not to deprive myself and be moderate. It doesn’t
seem to be such a struggle anymore.

I make sure
to take plenty of liquid vitamins and minerals and I
also take yeast powder (which is high in protein, low
in calories) as well as a green vegetable powder
which is nutritious and low in calories as well. Both
are available at health food stores and can be simply
stirred into water, juice, sugar-free cool aid, etc. They
make me feel great and are good at promoting good
cholesterol. I also eat a little low-fat yogurt each day.
That’s high in protein as well.

I can excercise
so much better since the surgery, and I am doing
tae-bo and brisk walking four to five times a week. I’m
able to wear clothes in the back of my closet that I
haven’t worn in two years. Even things like walking
around in the mall is easier now. My feet don’t get
tired anymore. This surgery is opening up a whole new
life for me. I am so much happier and more hopeful
than I have been in years. I am finding that there are
many rewards to having had this surgery done. I wish
you the best of luck and let me know if you have any
questions!
Take care,
Lactose46