Thoughts on gastric bypass surgery

[Okla-homey]

I've been studying it and its effects on patients a bit this summer. Offered strictly FWIW, I'm beginning to understand that a great number of people experience profound and very dangerous complications. Sometimes even a couple years afterwards. People die. Lots of them. I'm not sure people who elect to have this done fully understand the dangers and seriousness of it.

I now don't think people should have it done unless its quite clear it is offered as THE life-saving alternative among the morbidly obese who simply cannot lose weight any other way -- including drug therapies.

I'm also seeing that a large percentage of folks who have undergone the various by-pass procedures often regain a lot of their weight after their body and they adjust their eating habits following the surgery.

Just my opinion. If you care about someone thinking about this surgery, please have them do their homework first (in the library) and NOT merely by asking questions of the doc who offers to do it.

Bottomline: it succs to be obese, it succs worse to suffer reasonably common horrible complications from this family of surgical procedures.
This shouldn't be viewed as a quick and easy alternative to being very overweight.

[mrowl]

This shouldn't be viewed as a quick and easy alternative to being very overweight.

EXACTLY.

I know a 26 year old who recently had it done. I freaked out when she told me she was doing it. STUPID. And the Dr. that approved it? VERY STUPID.

Hire a trainer, hire a nutrition expert.

[Okla-homey]

EXACTLY.

I know a 26 year old who recently had it done. I freaked out when she told me she was doing it. STUPID. And the Dr. that approved it? VERY STUPID.

Hire a trainer, hire a nutrition expert.

I read recently an independent study which indicated an alarming number of people concede they would willingly submit to having their life substantially shortened if they could lose weight in exchange.

Unfortunately, I thinks its just possible that is the bargain people are making who have this done who are NOT morbidly obese.

[StoopTroup]

You've got some serious mental problems if your not morbidly obese and elect to have this done IMO.

Any surgery has multiple risks.

If you can avoid having a surgical procedure during your lifetime...you'd be better off. With the amounts of Staff Infections that are arising in Hospitals today...I just think you should need a surgery...not elect to have one done.

[Okla-homey]

You've got some serious mental problems if your not morbidly obese and elect to have this done IMO.

Any surgery has multiple risks.

If you can avoid having a surgical procedure during your lifetime...you'd be better off. With the amounts of Staff Infections that are arising in Hospitals today...I just think you should need a surgery...not elect to have one done.

ST,
I'm beginning to understand this stuff is being marketed and agreed to like its a simple cosmetic procedure. It ain't. I mean, they are re-routing and destroying your gut and replacing it with a kluged-up stomach and associated plumbing that is prone to irritation, infection (and far worse) forever.

[RacerX]

I know three people who had it done.

1 gained weight intentionally so she could have it done. She has lost weight, but nothing drastic.

1 was big and has done great.

1 died. And by died I mean she never got out of the hospital.

[Okla-homey]

I mean, look at this. This is the most common procedure.:eek:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6603/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaajk2.gif (http://imageshack.us)

They cut-out and throw away about 2/3 of your stomach and reroute your upper GI tract! Now, just what do people think the odds are they aren't gonna have serious trouble with that Frankensteined mess sometime down the line?

[StoopTroup]

It's not like getting your tonsils removed.

I remember the stir in the medical community about even removing tonsils.

Some Docs felt removing the tonsils wouldn't really help the patient reduce the number of illnesses they were having. Some even felt that it was an abomination to even consider removing them.

I think there is plenty of proof now that a Tonsillectomy is a effective way of treating many patients now.

The Gastric By-pass or even the Banding Procedure?

Time will tell I guess.

I'm glad no one I know is willing to be a guinea pig.

[mrowl]

The complications from gastric bypass include dumping syndrome (vomiting, reflux, and diarrhea - almost 20 percent); problems with the anastomosis (where the intestine and stomach are reattached); intestinal leaks scar tissue constrictions (12 percent); abdominal hernias (7 percent); infections (6 percent); and pneumonia (4 percent).The team found that complications increased, sometimes as much as 50 and 81 percent, between 30 and 180 days among non-elderly patients.

The average cost for patients who developed complications within 30 days of gastric bypass surgery was $36,542 compared to $25,337 for patients without complications. Those numbers rose to $65,031 and $27,125, respectively, for patients who had to be readmitted for complications between 30 and 180 days of their operation.

http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060724-040807-2085r

[Okla-homey]

The complications from gastric bypass include dumping syndrome (vomiting, reflux, and diarrhea - almost 20 percent); problems with the anastomosis (where the intestine and stomach are reattached); intestinal leaks scar tissue constrictions (12 percent); abdominal hernias (7 percent); infections (6 percent); and pneumonia (4 percent).The team found that complications increased, sometimes as much as 50 and 81 percent, between 30 and 180 days among non-elderly patients.

The average cost for patients who developed complications within 30 days of gastric bypass surgery was $36,542 compared to $25,337 for patients without complications. Those numbers rose to $65,031 and $27,125, respectively, for patients who had to be readmitted for complications between 30 and 180 days of their operation.

http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060724-040807-2085r

No kiddin. And they don't address long term complications. If you're in to evolution, you could conclude that millions of years of human evolution have resulted in a GI system that exists a certain way because it works. If you are a creationist you can conclude we were made a certain way because its best. Either way, I'm thinking a reasonable person should infer...

:les: DON'T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE

(at least when it comes to redesigning our guts.)

[BajaOklahoma]

Our district was considering covering this procedure two years ago. They were willing to pay for the cost of the procedure, but not any additional surgeries or followup. There were three people who were interested and pushing for it to be covered.
Points that I made:
More people would come out of the woodwork wanting to have the surgery. Spouses, who actually receive the highest amount of benefit dollars, would be switching over to get the coverage.
Lawsuits would be filed because you can't agree to cover the procedure and refuse to cover problems caused by the procedure.
I sent them copies of study after study showing the increased risks/problems as a result from the surgery. Very scary stuff.

[Okla-homey]

see my comments imbedded.


Our district was considering covering this procedure two years ago. They were willing to pay for the cost of the procedure, but not any additional surgeries or followup. There were three people who were interested and pushing for it to be covered.
Points that I made:
More people would come out of the woodwork wanting to have the surgery.
Especially considering the aggressive marketing some hospitals and practitioners use to sell people on this..."Hey, tired of being fat? We can fix that! Come on in, snip-snip, sew-sew and you'll be a size 4 by swimsuit season!" What they fail to mention is you may well end up miserable the rest of your shortened life
Spouses, who actually receive the highest amount of benefit dollars, would be switching over to get the coverage. Lawsuits would be filed because you can't agree to cover the procedure and refuse to cover problems caused by the procedure.
I'm willing to go out on a limb and predict virtually everyone who has this done will need subsequent treatment or surgery...and maybe a casket.
I sent them copies of study after study showing the increased risks/problems as a result from the surgery. Very scary stuff. The more I learn, the more I'm convinced that you were very responsible in urging against coverage for this procedure.

[LilSooner]

Most of you guys know that I work with all kinds of doctors, but the last 11 months I have been working with a doctor that does gastric bypasses putting together his pack for the procedure. He does SO MANY procedures a year that its very scary. I have seen the benefits of the procedure, but we also have an friend that had this done and has never left the hospital. They are now talking about removing her stomach.

I think that the most important thing when considering to have this done is education. I have seen people who have had this done who still smoke and have diabetes as well as a slew of other health problems.

Over all procedure is very scary no matter if they rip you from chest down or do it laprascopically (sp).

[soonersis]

There is a much safer surgical procedure for battling morbid obesity. Compared to the gasstric bypass it's fairly new. It has only been FDA approved for about 5-6 years, but has been done in Europe for over 15 years. It is the Adjustable Gastric Band. It's a silicone band that goes around the upper stomach. To increase restriction, saline is pushed in through a port stitched to the muscle in the adbominal wall.
It keeps the person from over eating by restricting the amount of food one can consume, much like the re-sizing of the stomach in the gastric bypass. The main difference is that it does not re-route the intestines therefore it does not cause the severe malnutrition and vitamin deficeinces. It is also fully reversible. The procedure is done laproscopically, which limits the chances of infection and post-surgical complications.
On a side note, it not only helps with weight loss but it does so at a slow pace. This can help to teach the person the proper way to eat. As the perons loses weight, they are not tired from the deficeinces of gastric bypass and are more likely to exercise due to increased energy from the proper nutrition.
I know I sound like an informercial, but let's just say I've been studying for quite a while.

[StoopTroup]

Banding does seem like a better idea.

I still like the idea of having your jaws wired shut. :D

[Penguin]

My Father-in-law had the procedure done. He gets nauseated very easily. He loves to cook, but he can't take more than just a sampling before he has to lay down from his upset stomach. I think he vomits about once a week.


I hate the mf, so I think he deserves it, but I wouldn't wish it on my second worst enemy.


BTW, he has had minimal results. He has gone from "obese" to "real fat." He looks better, but I wouldn't think the procedure was worth it.

[Okla-homey]

I found this on a Tulsa gastric-bypass patient blog:


medicare:
no probs with approval i did have to pay a $261.oo deductable.i went to the hospital today for registration and pre-op and found out 2 days before my scheduled surgery that i have to pay a deductable of $812.00 TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT THEY WILL TAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS AT 18% INTERSET.UPDATE 11-11-02 GREAT NEWS MEDICADE PAID THE 812.00 HOSPITAL BILL I IMAGINE ITS BECAUSE I ALSO HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED AT THE SAME TIME.

Good thing the doc thought of yanking out that pesky useless gall bladder in order to save this lady some money and insure us taxpayers could cover her surgery.:rolleyes:

[Mjcpr]

18% interset seems high.

[Okla-homey]

18% interset seems high.

This is business. Don't let 'em fool you.;)

[SCOUT]

I had a coworker who had this procedure done about 2 years ago. He was probably in the 4 bills range when he had it. He has knee problems so he had difficulty exercising. His doctor talked with him about it, he researched it and decided to go for it.

He has lost 160 lbs and recently had cosmetic surgury to remove excess skin from his stomach area. It is difficult for him eat right and stick with the restrictions that he needs to but he hasn't had any ill effects yet.

I hope he doesn't. He is a totally different person with a totally different outlook on life.

[MamaMia]

I found this on a Tulsa gastric-bypass patient blog:



Good thing the doc thought of yanking out that pesky useless gall bladder in order to save this lady some money and insure us taxpayers could cover her surgery.:rolleyes:
Its common place for a surgeon to yank out womans appendix, without telling her before doing so, at the same time as they do hysterectomy's or C-Sections too, for some extra cash.

[FaninAma]

Its common place for a surgeon to yank out womans appendix, without telling her before doing so, at the same time as they do hysterectomy's or C-Sections too, for some extra cash.

With all due respect, that's total bull****. If you know of a surgeon doing that and have any credible evidence give me his/her name and I will turn him in to the state medical board. If any woman has had this done without appropriate informed consent they have an open and shut case for suing the doctor for not obtaining informed consent.

This thread is bordering on becoming hysterical. If you really think a physician or surgeon is acting unethically it is your civic duty to report that physician to the state medical board.

Mortality and morbidity statistics are constantly monitored by hospitals. If a particular
procedure is resulting in an abnormally high rate of complications the hospital involved will not continue to expose themselves to lawsuits. Bariatric surgery has helped a lot of people including 2 of my friends. It is not a monor surhery and shouldn't be used except for those who are suffering from major health problems due to their obesity. Anybody looking to have a major procedure performed should check out the credntials of the surgeon with their local medical society and with the surgeon's board of specialty. You can also check the National Physician Data Bank. Still, the best way to be sure you are referred to a good surgeon is to have a good relationship with your primary care doctor who usually knows who the good and bad surgeons/specialists are.

[Okla-homey]

See below. And I ain't arguing, just discussin'


This thread is bordering on becoming hysterical. If you really think a physician or surgeon is acting unethically it is your civic duty to report that physician to the state medical board.

After which the complaint will be thoroughly investigated and if substantiated the doc will be shot at dawn -- as we hear so often happens. ;)

Mortality and morbidity statistics are constantly monitored by hospitals. If a particular procedure is resulting in an abnormally high rate of complications the hospital involved will not continue to expose themselves to lawsuits.
I beg to differ. It also depends on how profitable the procedure is to the hospital. Its a standard cost-benefit dealio. IOW, do they earn substantially more than they pay out on claims? Particularly since some of the complications won't manifest until years later, if they are making more on the procedure today then their insurance company is currently paying-out, they tend to press on.

Bariatric surgery has helped a lot of people including 2 of my friends. It is not a monor surhery and shouldn't be used except for those who are suffering from major health problems due to their obesity.

If you add-in the word "morbid" in front of "obesity" above, I absolutely agree. Thats how I started. Problem is, some docs will do the procedure for folks who are not in that category or have not exhausted other alternatives. Its one thing to say "I've tried everything to lose weight" and quite another for that to be the truth. That's a problem I have no idea how to fix.

Anybody looking to have a major procedure performed should check out the credntials of the surgeon with their local medical society and with the surgeon's board of specialty. You can also check the National Physician Data Bank. Still, the best way to be sure you are referred to a good surgeon is to have a good relationship with your primary care doctor who usually knows who the good and bad surgeons/specialists are.Good advice.

[Tailwind]

Its common place for a surgeon to yank out womans appendix, without telling her before doing so, at the same time as they do hysterectomy's or C-Sections too, for some extra cash.
My hysterectomy was done due to uterine cancer, so the Doc took out everything in the area to assure that the cancer hadn't spread. He did inform me beforehand, and didn't charge extra to remove the appendix. I'm glad it's gone, cuz now I don't have to worry about having a seperate surgery if it was needed.

[MamaMia]

With all due respect, that's total bull****. If you know of a surgeon doing that and have any credible evidence give me his/her name and I will turn him in to the state medical board. If any woman has had this done without appropriate informed consent they have an open and shut case for suing the doctor for not obtaining informed consent.

This thread is bordering on becoming hysterical. If you really think a physician or surgeon is acting unethically it is your civic duty to report that physician to the state medical board.

Mortality and morbidity statistics are constantly monitored by hospitals. If a particular
procedure is resulting in an abnormally high rate of complications the hospital involved will not continue to expose themselves to lawsuits. Bariatric surgery has helped a lot of people including 2 of my friends. It is not a monor surhery and shouldn't be used except for those who are suffering from major health problems due to their obesity. Anybody looking to have a major procedure performed should check out the credntials of the surgeon with their local medical society and with the surgeon's board of specialty. You can also check the National Physician Data Bank. Still, the best way to be sure you are referred to a good surgeon is to have a good relationship with your primary care doctor who usually knows who the good and bad surgeons/specialists are.It happened to me when I had my baby. I mentioned this at my baby shower that was given by my church when my baby was 7 weeks old. I kept having to postpone my shower because I still felt terrible. There were over 60 women there. This guy delivered most of the babies for the ladies in our church, almost half of whom had C-Sections. I found that, in and of itself, to be quite odd.

I realized that this OB/GYN doctor who took my appendix did that to all of C-Section women in my church, as did some other physicians in the area, if they still had an appendix and also had insurance. His name was Dr. Harroz. I didn't even realize that he had done it until I had a 6 week follow up appointment and complained about the time it was taking me to recover. The nurse explained that the appendectomy was probably the reason why. I was very angry but was so shy that I didn't say a word about it until I got home.

She said that its very common and reminded me of the fact that I signed papers at the hospital authorizing him to do what he felt was in my best interest, so I felt helpless. That was about 24 years ago, so I doubt hes still in practice.

[TUSooner]

It's truly amazing the stuff you learn in the legal profession.
No joke.

[BajaOklahoma]

Mom, about the time you had kids, it was basically a given that if they did abdominal surgery, they pulled the appendix. I worked post-partum at Mercy in OKC about that time frame and it happened there all of the time - with all of the docs. I don't know if they charged extra of not.

[MamaMia]

Mom, about the time you had kids, it was basically a given that if they did abdominal surgery, they pulled the appendix. I worked post-partum at Mercy in OKC about that time frame and it happened there all of the time - with all of the docs. I don't know if they charged extra of not.From my research on the subject, I found that they did charge for it and they only did it on people with medical insurance. That way, they knew they'd get some money out of it. My girlfriends and family members who had their C-Sections in a military hospital, still have their appendixes, or is it appendi? :D

[GDC]

How about not eating so much and get up off your *** and get some exercise?