I was wondering if anyone knew anything about gastric bypass surgery. Do you know anyone who has had it and how did it work for them. I am thinking about having it done. I've met with the specialists and doctors, but I want to know if anyone has done it, or knows anyone who has and what they're opinion on it is. Thanks Fam!!

Alize, is that the surgery that is supposed to cause weight loss? If it is, I know someone that had it done and she's Black. She had it done about a year ago and she's obviously lost weight and instead of being "fat", she's now thick but not thin.

I haven't talked to her much since the surgery but she did tell me soon afterwards that she had to adjust to eating small portions and had to learn how not to eat certain foods. When she would forget, like when she would attend receptions and eat what they served, she would get hot and get extremely sick. Her stomach was much smaller and her intestinal tract had been changed.

I don't know if she's pleased with the results or not or if she ever regretted having it done. She told me that the percentage of women that do feel that way, is small.

Of course any type of surgery is invasive and extremely risky. If women feel they are over-weight and don't like the way they look or feel, I always promote counseling to discover reasons behind habits that have formed around food or if it's due to a medical condition.

Self-discipline is not always easy when one's mental and emotional state are shakey. So just telling someone not to eat so much is easier said than done. I've learned though, from talking to this woman that had the surgery, the pain that some women feel when they desperately want to look different and think that when they do, they will be loved more and seen as more attractive. The decision to have surgery is not an easy one to reach and comes eventually after a long process of emotional struggles around self-esteem.

I don't mean to pry Alize, but I'm wondering why you are thinking about having this procedure done? How do you feel about yourself now and what are the results that you expect to achieve after surgery?

It's true the surgery is supposed to make you thinner, but in the event it doesn't turn out like you anticipate, and there's always that chance Alize, what then?

I'm a sister who cares about your well-being...Peace! :heart:

I'm not concerned so much with the whole fat or think issue. I've got health issues that are intensified by my weight. I am fine with myself. I know that I'm a beautiful woman. It's my health I'm worried about. I've tried everything. From diets and excersise to pills and shakes, to jenny craig. EVERYTHING. I just can't lose the weight that I need to lose. I have been looking into this surgery for some time now, and I was just wondering if anyone had any feedback. Thanks NNQueen. Your comments are much appreciated.:grouphug:

what kinds of combinations of foods are you eating, and what time of day is your last meal sistah?

Right now I eat my last meal around 7pm. I'm on that Atkins diet right now. No bread, no potatoes. That type of thing.

alright, what, if any kinds of protein do you eat. Also how many minutes a day do you exercise?

Sekhemu, those are good questions, although I would add to the question of protein consumption, simple sugars and carbohydrates. Also do you consume empty calories that you get from alcoholic beverages and sodas? Is the weight caused by your health issues or eating/resting/exercise habits?

Alize, I lost 30 pounds on Atkins and lots of inches. Who says you have to stop eating at 7p.m.? Actually you are putting yourself right back in the same situation - starvation mode. From 7p.m. till even 4 a.m. <which is 8 hours> or whenever you eat breakfast, low-carbing doesn't have the chance to work efficiently. Check out Atkins Center (http://atkinscenter.com) and Low-Carb Friends (http://atkinsfriends.com) if you haven't already.

I've met a few people that have had bi-pass surgery. One Black lady and one white. Both were cautious about what they ate, yet were not excersicing. They said it was the best thing they could do since they couldn't exercise. So whatever works for you, I wish you the best success.

I've always been a plump princess, but after I quit the drugs and alcohol, I used food to cope. That's when I put on the majority of my weight. I've delt with the food issue. I don't eat fast food. I've never been one of those "fat kids who love cake". I've tried it all and nothing has helped. I can lose like 40 pounds, then I get stuck. FOR MONTHS. Eventually I give up and try something else. I can't get beyond that 40 pound mark. Thanks for all the comments on this here ladies. Keep em coming if you've got em. If I do decide to have it done, I'll have to make sure to put a before and after picture in the family album.

have you asked yourself what is causing you to be "stuck". How many minutes a day do you exercise. One thing I would strongly suggest you NOT DO... is to eat after sundown or past early evening. The body is not active as you know during sleep, and your rate of metabolism slows down a great deal. Hence very poor digestion.

thanks for all the suggestions ladies. Very much appreciated.

Hello. I am a newbie, but I wanted to let you know that I had surgery on September 26, 2003 and so far have lost 56 pounds. Any questions you have, I will be happy to answer.

Welcome to the community, Misha and thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope you enjoy your time here. As you can see we have a lot to offer....Voice Chat, Black Mic Radio, online classes and more. When you can, please take time to explore all of these opportunities because they were developed for members like you. If you like what you experience here, we would love to have your support so that we can continue to make it possible to offer these great features.

So sit back, relax and enjoy your time!

Peace.

Hello. I am a newbie, but I wanted to let you know that I had surgery on September 26, 2003 and so far have lost 56 pounds. Any questions you have, I will be happy to answer.

I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback. So, your happy with it I'm guessing. How long was the hospital stay or time off of work and school? Still haven't gone through with the surgery, I'm waiting for my new insurance to kick in. Hopefully after the new year I'll finally be able to get it done. I see that I came back to forum just in time for some awnswers. :) Nice to meet you hope to talk to you again soon.
:heart:MUCH LOVE :heart:

I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback. So, your happy with it I'm guessing. How long was the hospital stay or time off of work and school? Still haven't gone through with the surgery, I'm waiting for my new insurance to kick in. Hopefully after the new year I'll finally be able to get it done. I see that I came back to forum just in time for some awnswers. :) Nice to meet you hope to talk to you again soon.
:heart:MUCH LOVE :heart:


I was in the hospital for 3 days, it would have been 2 days, but I had horrible gas and was so bloated and miserable, they wanted to keep me an extra day and give me a little help (milk of magnesia) to make sure everything was okay. I walked the halls and took pain medication, and by evening, everything was just fine. I stayed off work for 6 weeks, because I had the sick time, but would have probably been fine after 3 weeks ( I had laproscopic RNY).

I have started exercising and I love it! It is so much easier to do since losing some of the weight, 65 pounds now. I like walking, I use the seated stepper, and I like water aerobics. I hope in time to start lifting weights again.

Please do alot of research on each procedure, and most importantly your surgeon. Ask him or her about his mortality rate. Ask him about risks and complications. Ask how he guards against them. Ask (in the case of RNY) about when and how leaks are tested. Ask about transection (or not) of the stomach. email me for more details, misha61615@yahoo.com

Good luck in your endeavors.