Guest guest Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 1. Which surgery will promote the most weight loss? At my weight 50% of excess just isn't enough! My opinion would be the Rny or the gastric bypass. 2. I have had obese patients with open abdominal surgeries that didn't heal due to insufficient protein intake. Have any of you had a problem with this? Obese patients probably heal the slowest because of their obesity rather than lack of protein intake. You have to be protein deprived for a long time before any sort of physical differences occur. Kids in third world countries get kwoshiorkor because of protein deficiency which results in a swollen abdomen. 3. If an open (RNY) surgery is done, will any of the Drs. do a panneculectomy at the same time? I have a large panneculum that hangs almost to my knees and my guess is it weighs at least 50# - I would really have trouble lifting it up (like to wash, wipe etc.) after open surgery. Suggestions or comments? Yes, I believe they would do a tummy tuck at the same time - depends on the surgeon, I wish I had had one done at the same time as I have your problem one year after the band. 4. Those of you who were diabetic and hypertensive - how soon did you need to change your dosage of medication and how often? I am diabetic and was insulin controlled but as soon as I had the operation and was on liquids I virtually quit insulin and went on the hypoglycaemics. I am in the process of coming off those because my sugar levels are OK without them. I went from about 300 lbs to 220 lbs. 5. I know a laparoscopic surgery would allow me to heal faster, are there any reasons this surgery is not as good? The surgeon has to work blind at one point with the lap band laproscopically. But in open surgery he can see better. Open surgery leaves a long scar. Lap surgery leaves you with about five very small scars. Just my humble opinion Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 Dear Amber I always enjoy reading your posts and wish you would come out of lurkdome more frequently. I cannot answer all of your questions but will happily give my opinion where I feel able to comment. I am about the same age as you though I am not quite so heavy (starting weight 305 pounds). I elected to have LapBand surgery because I simply could not face the thought of open surgery and the risks involved. Just prior to my lap surgery I saw a programme here on British TV in which a man died having open weight loss surgery, mainly due post op complications compounded by his very large size. In addition, post op I was able to travel home after just a couple of days and was back at work only five days after surgery. Secondly, I elected for a gastric band over RNY or bypass surgery because I did not want a procedure which would be difficult to reverse, if I ever needed to. Also, I subscribed to OSSG where most posters have had these procedures and I have come to the conclusion that they are not necessarily so successful. They too have their problems and although the weight may come off very quickly in the early stages, I asked myself at what cost. There seems to be an awful lot of very unpleasant side effects. Also, I believe statistically that the ultimate weight losses are similar. I personally don't want a procedure which allows me to eat large quantities of whatever I want just to flush most of it down the toilet. I want to re-educate my body to accept less food. My co-morbitities were hiatus hernia (now cured after surgery), gallstones which I am leaving alone for the timebeing, hypertension which I understand will come down in due course and arthritis which again, I am assured will improve in due course. Of course, there are many people, particularly in the US who have had RNY, gastric bypass, stomach stapling, Fobi pouch etc etc and who have had great success (look at Roseanne Barr). I think at the end of the day you pay your money you take your choice! My only comment would be not to delay much longer, I wish I had had this done 20 years ago. I wish you luck in your search for the right choice. Love Janet At 00:07 01/06/99 -0400, you wrote: > OK guys, I have lurked and occasionally posted for some time now. I >thank you all for helping me come to the conclusion that I need to have >WLS (in the past fear kept me from making that decision). Now I need help >deciding which surgery would be best for me, and which physician. I need >the input of you pioneers who have traveled this road before me. I am 51 >year old female, my weight is approx. 400#, I am 5'6 " tall, I began >putting on weight at about 6 or 7 years old, was 125# in 7th grade, 190# >when I graduated from high school, and continued to gain until I got to >this weight. I have a history of yo-yo dieting and I am certain my >metabolism is really screwed up!! The only time I have easily lost weight >is during my 2 pregnancies. I lost 55# while pregnant with my first child >and 45# when pregnant with my second. Just think if I had 8 or 10 kids I >probably would have the body of Raquel Welch (with the face of Phyllis >Diller!).! I live in North Florida but can go as far as New Orleans, >South Carolina or Miami. Co-morbidity's include diabetes, hypertension, >degenerative arthritis, occasional sleep apnea, urinary problems and, >according to a questionnaire I completed somewhere on the webb, I am too >short - I should be over 9' at my weight!! I am an RN (a really good >one, despite the terrible shape I am in).I pretty much understand the >physical process of all of the surgeries. I have obtained info from Dr. >Rutledge in S.C., Dr. Champion in Atlanta, and Fr.T in Gainesville, FL so >far but now I need to know: isn't enough! I have had obese >patients with open abdominal surgeries that didn't heal due to >insufficient protein intake. Have any of you had a problem with this? > If an open (RNY) surgery is done, will any of the Drs. do a >panneculectomy at the same time? I have a large panneculum that hangs >almost to my knees and my guess is it weighs at least 50# - I would really >have trouble lifting it up (like to wash, wipe etc.) after open surgery. >Suggestions or comments? Those of you who were diabetic and >hypertensive - how soon did you need to change your dosage of medication >and how often? I know a laparoscopic surgery would allow me to heal >faster, are there any reasons this surgery is not as good? I apologize >for asking so many questions however my nursing specialty is industrial >rehabilitation and case management; I haven't worked in a hospital in over >20 years. I feel if I can glean enough information from you all, I can try >to make an appropriate decision (of course I know it is up to the >physician in the end). Again, thanks for being here. I was just thinking >today that you all have really added to my life just by seeing the care >and concern you show to people you rarely, if ever see. Amber >R/Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 > > Just prior to my lap surgery I saw a programme here on > British TV in which a man died having open weight loss > surgery, mainly due post op complications compounded > by his very large size. FWIW, Mervyn died from a blood clot. It actually had nothing to do with his size. People of any size can get blood clots, regardless if they have open or lap surgery. Remember pre-op / 342 lbs do-u-remember-me@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 Hi Amber I probably can't answer any of your questions...however, there was somebody on this list who recently had surgery in Mexico. He weighed 400 lbs. and had key hole surgery....so, you don't necessarily have to have the operation open just because of your weight. Ronke HELP me please!! OK guys, I have lurked and occasionally posted for some time now. I thank you all for helping me come to the conclusion that I need to have WLS (in the past fear kept me from making that decision). Now I need help deciding which surgery would be best for me, and which physician. I need the input of you pioneers who have traveled this road before me. I am 51 year old female, my weight is approx. 400#, I am 5'6 " tall, I began putting on weight at about 6 or 7 years old, was 125# in 7th grade, 190# when I graduated from high school, and continued to gain until I got to this weight. I have a history of yo-yo dieting and I am certain my metabolism is really screwed up!! The only time I have easily lost weight is during my 2 pregnancies. I lost 55# while pregnant with my first child and 45# when pregnant with my second. Just think if I had 8 or 10 kids I probably would have the body of Raquel Welch (with the face of Phyllis Diller!).! I live in North Florida but can go as far as New Orleans, South Carolina or Miami. Co-morbidity's include diabetes, hypertension, degenerative arthritis, occasional sleep apnea, urinary problems and, according to a questionnaire I completed somewhere on the webb, I am too short - I should be over 9' at my weight!! I am an RN (a really good one, despite the terrible shape I am in).I pretty much understand the physical process of all of the surgeries. I have obtained info from Dr. Rutledge in S.C., Dr. Champion in Atlanta, and Fr.T in Gainesville, FL so far but now I need to know: 1. Which surgery will promote the most weight loss? At my weight 50% of excess just isn't enough! 2. I have had obese patients with open abdominal surgeries that didn't heal due to insufficient protein intake. Have any of you had a problem with this? 3. If an open (RNY) surgery is done, will any of the Drs. do a panneculectomy at the same time? I have a large panneculum that hangs almost to my knees and my guess is it weighs at least 50# - I would really have trouble lifting it up (like to wash, wipe etc.) after open surgery. Suggestions or comments? 4. Those of you who were diabetic and hypertensive - how soon did you need to change your dosage of medication and how often? 5. I know a laparoscopic surgery would allow me to heal faster, are there any reasons this surgery is not as good? I apologize for asking so many questions however my nursing specialty is industrial rehabilitation and case management; I haven't worked in a hospital in over 20 years. I feel if I can glean enough information from you all, I can try to make an appropriate decision (of course I know it is up to the physician in the end). Again, thanks for being here. I was just thinking today that you all have really added to my life just by seeing the care and concern you show to people you rarely, if ever see. Love ya, Amber R/Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 1999 Report Share Posted June 1, 1999 This is why the nurses get you up and moving about straight after surgery, so there is no pooling of the blood in the lower limbs. It is SO important to move around as much as possible. At 16:35 1/06/1999 +0100, you wrote: > > > > >> > > >> Just prior to my lap surgery I saw a programme here on >> British TV in which a man died having open weight loss >> surgery, mainly due post op complications compounded >> by his very large size. > > >FWIW, Mervyn died from a blood clot. It actually had nothing to do >with his size. People of any size can get blood clots, regardless if >they have open or lap surgery. > > >Remember >pre-op / 342 lbs >do-u-remember-me@... > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >ONElist: where real people with real interests get connected. >http://www.onelist.com >Join a new list today! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 1999 Report Share Posted June 2, 1999 Hi Janet are u and I the only two people awake at this early hour? (earlier for you) I'm goin to the chat room if anyone else is up and ready. OOXXOO Liz Pennsylvania, USA start 330 lb. 1998 down 50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 1999 Report Share Posted June 2, 1999 Ah no, you miss my point, I know that Mervyn died from a blood clot but I do believe that open surgery means that the patient is forced to remain in bed far longer, thus increasing the risk of blood clotting. Of course, this would apply to any major invasive surgery. Lap surgery allows the patient to get out of bed and move around almost immediately, reducing the risk of blood clotting. I also realise that in the UK, where Mervyn's surgery was performed, clotting is taken less seriously and little or no precautions are taken against it. I still maintain that lap surgery is less risky than open. Just my point of view. Janet At 16:35 01/06/99 +0100, you wrote: > > > > >> > > >> Just prior to my lap surgery I saw a programme here on >> British TV in which a man died having open weight loss >> surgery, mainly due post op complications compounded >> by his very large size. > > >FWIW, Mervyn died from a blood clot. It actually had nothing to do >with his size. People of any size can get blood clots, regardless if >they have open or lap surgery. > > >Remember >pre-op / 342 lbs >do-u-remember-me@... > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >ONElist: where real people with real interests get connected. >http://www.onelist.com >Join a new list today! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 1999 Report Share Posted June 2, 1999 I have heard Mervyn's name mentioned many times...Can some one tell me his story ???? Janet Edmonds wrote: > > > > Ah no, you miss my point, I know that Mervyn died from a blood clot but I > do believe that open surgery means that the patient is forced to remain in > bed far longer, thus increasing the risk of blood clotting. Of course, > this would apply to any major invasive surgery. Lap surgery allows the > patient to get out of bed and move around almost immediately, reducing the > risk of blood clotting. I also realise that in the UK, where Mervyn's > surgery was performed, clotting is taken less seriously and little or no > precautions are taken against it. > > I still maintain that lap surgery is less risky than open. Just my point > of view. > > Janet > > At 16:35 01/06/99 +0100, you wrote: > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > > >> Just prior to my lap surgery I saw a programme here on > >> British TV in which a man died having open weight loss > >> surgery, mainly due post op complications compounded > >> by his very large size. > > > > > >FWIW, Mervyn died from a blood clot. It actually had nothing to do > >with his size. People of any size can get blood clots, regardless if > >they have open or lap surgery. > > > > > >Remember > >pre-op / 342 lbs > >do-u-remember-me@... > > > > > > > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >ONElist: where real people with real interests get connected. > >http://www.onelist.com > >Join a new list today! > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > With more than 18 million e-mails exchanged daily... > http://www.onelist.com > ...ONElist is THE place where the world talks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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