Questions about options - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

lmf · 12-30-2007, 08:23 PM

Alright, I decided to bite the bullet and post some questions. I am in Alberta and don't know much about all this yet. I plan on going to see my doctor and talking over things with him. so here are my questions:
1) How long did it take between deciding to do it and the surgery
2) How long was the initial recovery after surger (I have young children)
3) Did you suffer from depression after?
4) How much weight did you loose and how fast.
5) Did you suffer from any complications due to the surgery
6) What doctor did you see if you are in the Edmonton area?
7) How did you spouses feel about you doing this.
8) Do you have a scar, big , little?

I think that is is for now, if I think of anymore I will let you guys know.

Laura

fisher1000 · 12-30-2007, 08:34 PM

I'm gonna take question number 8.

I had open RNY surgery and I have a 3 1/2" scar. I'll include a picture below from about 4 weeks after surgery. It's a little pinker now and about 1/4 cm wide and healing nicely.

I have to tell you though, it does not bother me at all. As bad as I've felt about my body and the way it's looked for years, the scar is nothing. It's a Badge of Honor as far as I'm concerned and when I first posted a picture of it on the forum, someone told me that it was hot, and that girls liked guys with scars. I don't remember who said it, but I remember how it made me feel. When I go to the pool next summer, I've gotta story to tell--I'm interesting beyond my fat rolls. I don't have to tell all my secrets, but it's nice to look like I've got some.

You'll be fine. A friend who had her surgery done laproscopically has just tiny little dots as scars--that could pass for moles--so you may have even less to worry about!

Take care, and good luck!

-Mike

Cinerbelle · 12-30-2007, 08:42 PM

Everyone's journey is different, but I can answer some of your questions from what happened to me on my journey.

1) How long did it take between deciding to do it and the surgery
I decided in July 2005 and had surgery March 2006...but I heard the wait is longer in Canada????

2) How long was the initial recovery after surger (I have young children)
I had Lap RNY, so my recovery wasn't too long...by the end of the 2nd. week I was feeling pretty good, but stayed off work for 4 weeks.

3) Did you suffer from depression after?
Nope, thank God!!

4) How much weight did you loose and how fast.
I have lost 145lbs. plus or minus 5lbs....it fluctuates. I can not remember the timeline it took... I think I was at 90 something lbs. down at 6 months out.... I will be 22 months post op at the beginning of 2008.

5) Did you suffer from any complications due to the surgery
No

7) How did you spouses feel about you doing this.
He was the most supportive best friend I could ask for. He was behind me all the way.

8) Do you have a scar, big , little?
My scars have disappeared...but I still have stretch marks!

GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

lward76 · 12-31-2007, 04:25 AM

I started my journey around the end of 06 and had the gbp in April 11 2007, my recovery time total about 3 weeks!! My spouse nor family was not the most supportive because they wanted me to have the lapband which is what i really wanted!! Complications, yes I do! But, some and alot of people dont! I am hoping for a reverasal in april!!! Depression started about 2 months out for me and still here!! " but had problems before surgery too!!" On the other hand my family is here for me everyday!! i lost almost all my weight in 5 months!! Scars you cant see them anymore I had mine done lap!! Good luck to you!!

LisaBoston · 12-31-2007, 08:45 AM

Hello and welcome. I live pretty close to you and had a doctor in Alberta. So hopefully I can help you some, along with the others. You have a few choices in Alberta - Nohr in Medicine Hat, Farries in Red Deer and Dr Davey in Edmonton.

1) How long did it take between deciding to do it and the surgery - I looked at it when I was 19 and changed my mind. I thought about it for a few months, researched out all I could and my doc originally suggested it for the stomach stapling procedrue. I went back to him saying, no way...I want RNY. Then the wait starts...its a long list, so get on it now!

2) How long was the initial recovery after surger (I have young children), I had a 8 year old at the time, and it took me 9 weeks to go back to work fulltime. I had a stricture at 6 weeks, so that set me back some.

3) Did you suffer from depression after? Yes but did before surgery too.

4) How much weight did you loose and how fast. 32 pounds the first month, and then about 10 every month after that. I was below goal at one year out...alot farther than the doctor was expecting. You can read about me under personal stories - Lisa's Story and it explains my journey.

5) Did you suffer from any complications due to the surgery - just a strictre, and that was easiliy fixed. No other issues. Health is much much better.

6) What doctor did you see if you are in the Edmonton area? I had to travel 14 hours by road to Nohr. But well worth it.

7) How did you spouses feel about you doing this. Husband is very supportive. I didn't tell the rest of the family until months after. The size of me is not an issue with my husband, he is just happier that I am healthy and able to do so much more with my family.

8) Do you have a scar, big , little? I had open procedures, you can have it done lap... So my scar is from the bottom of the breastbone to where my belly button was. I since has a tummy tuck, so that scar is much more, but well worth it.

Glad to see you here. Hope you get the answers you need. This board is great for information, as there is little out where we live. cruise around here and you questions will be answered.

LisaBoston · 12-31-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1000

I'm gonna take question number 8.

I had open RNY surgery and I have a 3 1/2" scar. I'll include a picture below from about 4 weeks after surgery. It's a little pinker now and about 1/4 cm wide and healing nicely.

Take care, and good luck!

-Mike

Mike, I just had to say how nice your scar looks....mine is much more red, but I too don't let it bother me...I forget its there!

lmf · 01-01-2008, 12:46 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. Does anyone know if Dr.Davey is still practicing in Bonnyville?

Squishy · 01-01-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmf

Alright, I decided to bite the bullet and post some questions. I am in Alberta and don't know much about all this yet. I plan on going to see my doctor and talking over things with him. so here are my questions:
1) How long did it take between deciding to do it and the surgery
2) How long was the initial recovery after surger (I have young children)
3) Did you suffer from depression after?
4) How much weight did you loose and how fast.
5) Did you suffer from any complications due to the surgery
6) What doctor did you see if you are in the Edmonton area?
7) How did you spouses feel about you doing this.
8) Do you have a scar, big , little?

I think that is is for now, if I think of anymore I will let you guys know.

Laura

Nice to meet you Laura!!

1. It went pretty fast for us. We have BCBS of MN and approval took about 30 days from submission. The only delay I experienced was when the psychologist dragged his feet in sending in the results of the psych evaluation. I had to pester him a little.

2. I had surgery on Wednesday... was released on Friday afternoon... and took the next week off before returning to work. I was tired for a few weeks, but was able to function.

3. No depression for me. Just the opposite actually.

4. So far I have lost about 85 pounds. A lot come off in weeks 2 through 10. It slowed after that, but progress is still good.

5. No complications for me following surgery. I forget what they called it, but Jane sprung a leak from one of the drain incisions that leaked a lot of fluid for a few days. It eventually stopped though. It was just an annoyance. It was not painful at all.

6. Not in your neighborhood...sorry

7. Jane was very supportive and went with me to the education session. By the end of the session, she decided to do it too. (And even got in two weeks before me! LOL)

8. I have a pretty big scar, but it is fading and doesn't bother me at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1000

I'm gonna take question number 8. I had open RNY surgery and I have a 3 1/2" scar. I'll include a picture below from about 4 weeks after surgery. It's a little pinker now and about 1/4 cm wide and healing nicely. -Mike

I had open RNY too, but my scar is 10" long and about 1/4" wide. It has faded a lot since the early days. Mine is longer because the surgeon found some other problems while he was in there and opened me up more to repair those problems. It really isn't bad though. I am surprised that the scar is so small for a "normal" RNY though. I didn't realize how much bigger mine was than it would have been without the additional work until I saw yours. Thanks for posting it.

-Mike-

lmf · 01-05-2008, 04:34 PM

Well, I took the jump and spoke to my doctor, he agreed and filled out the paper work. We faxed it in and I have an appointment with the surgeon in Bonnyville on the 25 of January, like 3 weeks from now. Man, I didn't expect it to be that fast!! I told my husband I have an appointment with a weight specialist but haven't told him everything, I am not hiding it from him, I just know that he will want all the info, and I don't have it yet!! I will keep you posted. Been documenting my meal for about 1 month, so I will bring that will me to the appointment. Anything else I should bring?

Lori P · 01-07-2008, 03:08 PM

Oooooooh......... sounds like you're going to be seeing either Dr Davey or Dr Birch. Let me know what they're like cause I'm to be seeing them soon myself.

*hugs*

Lori