Sad, scared, questions on after care - ThinnerTimes

LavenderRose · 07-05-2008, 05:07 PM

I see my surgeon on Monday and I currently have lapband, which has not worked for me even though I have followed the rules. Exercise has been hard because of chronic rheumaoid arthritis pain and fibromylagia. I am currently on pain meds and increasing my exercise level...thank goodness...lol

When I see my surgeon Monday I am asking him about getting GB. I know neither surgery is a "miracle pill" and is only a tool. I am thinking GB may have been the surgery I should have done first off, but so many people where telling me to do the lapband because they didn't want me to die from getting GB. Well I did the lapband and am not a success at all with it, no matter how hard I have worked so darn hard and obeyed the rules. I am in tears over this and feel like a BIG failure. I want so bad to be healthy and be able to move around better. I can't stand this anymore. I am not even sure my surgeon will let me get the GB, but I am talking with him about it. I had LB 1.5 yrs ago.

My dad died of a heart attack at 44 yrs old and I am 40. I am afraid I don't have much longer to live and that is why I am now thinking of GB. I am not trying to find an easy way, I just want to live a healthier and longer life.

From all the posts I have read the GB option is not easy at all and alot more involved then getting the lapband because of the stomach removal and intestinal rerouting. To be honest I am scared to death of the surgery, but I am also scared to death I won't live long. I want to see my grandbabies grow up....I don't have any YET, but when I do, I want to see them grow up.

My one question is how much care do you need at home after surgery and for how long? My husband works a lot and I need to know if he will need to take off or if I will need to get someone to come stay with me. I have a neighbor/friend who can check in on me from time to time. For me it took me a couple weeks to heal with the LB. If I have read correctly it seems like it takes 6-8 weeks to heal with the GB enough to get around good. But I need to know about how long I will need someone 24/7 around me to help me.

I also want to be able to look in the mirror too and smile instead of crying at how fat I am. I want to live my life and feel better instead of depressed and tired all the time. I want to be healthy!!!!

Any other advise you can offer would be appreciated. I need all the support and information I can get. I admire all of you for how far you have come the success you all have achieved.

LavenderRose

BabyNicole · 07-05-2008, 05:52 PM

Sorry that the band failed for you. When I first decided on WLS, I was going to get the band. RNY wasn't even in my mind! Then I went to visit my surgeon and he told me the that there is a high percentage of people who fail on the band.

So after tons of research and soul searching, I decided on the RNY.

Now, I am almost 2 weeks post-op, and can say that this was easier than I thought...BUT I am 31 and wasn't super obese. I really didn't need much help except for dog sitting, but again, that's just my experience. I think that since you already had WLS the second time around will be harder for you. Do you have anyone close by that can stop over if you need help?

Good luck!

Sue0609 · 07-05-2008, 08:41 PM

You should speak to your own surgeon, but this is what I was told. I was originally set on lap-band. My surgeon asked me to seriously reconsider and go with gastric bypass. As the poster above wrote, lap-band has as high failure rate. My surgeon also told me that it is much more dangerous to do lap-band and then convert to gastric bypass than it is to just to gastric bypass in the first place. You will have to speak to your surgeon about what that risk is.

If there are no complications I don't see what the "after care" would be. My husband hasn't been doing anything really. I came home after 2 days and he went right to work, he didn't take any time off. I was home alone all day, no issues. He did go food shopping with me for the first week, but I did it alone after that. In fact, I had a small dinner party (no eating for me!) 1 week after surgery.

If you have small children that need a lot of care (picking them up, etc.) I can see where you might need help. But otherwise, it's really just a "hang out on the couch and recuperate) surgery. At least for me.

MiladyB · 07-05-2008, 08:52 PM

I actually needed very little help after surgery. My husband took a week off but he didn't really do much for me. He just prepared the meals and kept the household running so that I could take care of myself. I came home just 24 hours after surgery. I was back to work as an RN at 4 weeks postop without problems.

You really shouldn't need much help, if it is done lap. If it is open, that is another story. But in general most people do really well after lap GB.

LavenderRose · 07-07-2008, 08:32 AM

Thanks everyone for your input!!!

I am on my way to see my sureon today and I will talk with him about my situation and see what he recommends. Whatever we decide on. I just want to work on losing this weight and being healthy.

'thann · 07-07-2008, 08:43 AM

Best of luck with your surgeon!

As far as my GBS, I didn't need any help from my husband to do anything. I had laproscopic surgery and was up and around the day of surgery, home in two days, driving in four (um, don't tell my surgeon!). I have a fairly high pain threshold, so I stopped pain meds after three days (that's how I justified driving). The biggest thing you need to remember is NO LIFTING anything over 5 pounds. A full gallon of milk weighs 8+ pounds.

Note: I was not super obese, so that might have something to do with my rapid recovery, and I am 52 years old. EDIT: I am 53! I forgot I had a birthday! LOL!

'thann

fayezy · 07-08-2008, 06:49 AM

Thanks for the internet---I have completed the bc/bs 6 month diet and have an appointment 8/4 with surg. One of the last steps and I have lap band all the way BUT....GBS has been discussed and I feel maybe this is a better option. I was to have GBS open- 4 years ago - and found cancer instead. Now pcp and oncogolist and wls surg are on board with going forward. So I have the scare but no surgery. Help with any advice.

Paula08 · 07-12-2008, 03:39 PM

Lavenderrose,
I too had the lapband but had to have it removed after only three months. I did have a very successful run while having the band but unfortunately it slipped and had to come out. Now, i am waiting to get a GB in Sept. it concerns me that it will be a bit more dangerous now for surgery but my doctor is planning on have his head surgeon in with us to keep it all as safe as possible. Do you have a date yet?
Let me know if you hear anything about additional dangers with revision.

Hugs
Paula