I’m now morbidly obese, and my BMI is high enough that I qualify for all things medically related to weight loss, including bariatric surgery. I’ve tried everything but the injections (I don’t want to fight medicine with medicine) and the surgery. So I’m genuinely leaning towards the surgery. One type can even reduce heartburn, which would be miraculous in and of itself.
Sorry for the lengthy paragraphs. What I really want to know is everyone’s personal thoughts on bariatric surgery. I’ve attended a class for it and filled out paperwork. Next week, I’m supposed to drop off paperwork. Basically, I need this surgery to lose weight and have my knee replacement surgery (they won’t do it at my current weight). Would you do it? What do y’all think?
My pharmacy keeps saying they don’t have the meds and that all the pharmacies in the area are out. The only one my insurance will cover is Wegovy. But my problem with the meds is that I’d have to keep taking them to keep the weight off, and I’d also have to deal with goodness knows what side effects. The surgery has the potential to be better long-term, provided I stick to lower portions, avoiding sugar, etc
I know someone who did it and she said its painful. I wanted to do it up until I reduced my calorie intake to 1000. I eat low carb low fat high protein, lost 33kg in 2 months.
I was in weight management for over 6 months, reduced my calorie intake, avoided carbs, and had a daily goal of 100g of protein daily. I gained over 30 lbs in the program.
Yeah, I sat in on a presentation and the doctor showed charts with long term results. People eventually plateau and the gain some back. I’m okay with that. I’m not okay with having literally doubled in size.
Yes. I get tested every year without fail. It runs heavily in my family. Both sisters and Mom have it as well as all of Mom’s siblings and some cousins. But I’m good.
I know two people who had the gastric bypass form of bariatric surgery, and neither was disciplined enough to lose the weight. If they could only eat a small portion, then it was gonna be mac and cheese, dammit. Seriously. I think your results would be different though, as you’ve already proven you can commit to a prescribed weight loss diet.
When I was on Abilify and had gained 100 pounds up to 303, they told me I was too fat for the lapband procedure I wanted, and they would only do gastric sleeve. I chickened out.
I don’t know if you remember me from the now-defunct Sparkpeople, but I lost from 319 to 152 back in 2019/2020. Then I had another major breakdown, and now I’m back up to 224, partly courtesy of Invega.
Just telling you that so you know you’re not the only one fighting meds. (I also went through Zyprexa and Trilafon that didn’t work, and am currently at 160 mg of Geodon, maintaining my weight).
Thanks, @anon28552576. I’ve read some of the weight gain stories here, and it really hits me how little outsiders- including some doctors- understand the severity of gain that is possible largely due to APs. That’s honestly why I posted here. I think this community understands doubling in weight and realizes that it can actually happen due to no fault of the person. I’m on abilify, amitryptiline, trazadone, quetiapine, and others. The only one that I might be able to get off of is amitryptiline.
I am very serious about this. I want to lose weight. I want to be active again. I used to go walking at some really neat parks, ride a bike, work out with weights. I miss that part of me, and I’m ready to find her again. But with this heft? Like I said, I changed eating, my energy is up, and I still gained.
I’m not telling my family. My little sister is VERY critical of surgeries and not afraid to make a person feel bad about it. My mom is all about natural medicine, and my dad talks about things to everyone. I don’t want the world knowing my business. My older sister is very supportive, though; I did tell her.
It’s a bit extra risk for me because of my blood clotting disorder. My hematologist has cared for me since I got my clots 16 years ago. I really value his input, and I think he’ll give me some good suggestions.
We reduced seroquel, and it didn’t go well. I’m on 350 mg. Abilify is at 12 mg. The thing is that the combo is amazing for me. I feel human on most days. I am motivated and leave the house when I need to. No other medicine has worked like that for me. The motivation is amazing, tbh.
Either way, I need surgery. If I can lose enough for my knee surgery on my own, I’ll have a TKR. If I cannot lose enough, I may do bariatric and there’s a chance that the weight loss will help me knee, alleviating the need for that surgery. That would be ideal since replacements only last so long. I’ve had four surgeries thus far (1 back, 3 knee) and a tubal ligation, if that one counts. I did get blood clots from the last knee surgery, but that was completely, 100% my fault because I failed to follow directions on when I should be restarting my anticoagulants after the surgery. Without my foolishness, I don’t think I’d have clotted. For bariatric surgery, they place a vena cava filter first to prevent clots from travelling.
My biggest consideration is quality of life at this point. I stay in bed most of the time because my knee is difficult to say the least. I am not even the one walking my puppy now. I just can’t do the walk. And she is not high or even medium energy; she doesn’t go far at all. And I still can’t do it. I miss going places for my kids- art exhibits, back to school nights, even my daughter’s college events. I have missed so much. If I could just get this weight off, even just some of it, I might be able to be an active parent again. Before I plan to actually go through with surgery, I’ll have to have discussions with a lot of professionals in addition to the ones that I want to see on my own. The professional advice I’m most looking for is my hematologist’s. I figure he needs to be my first stop before I get vested any further in even thinking about this.
I have been thinking about this too but wouldn’t the AP make you gain it right back? Sorry curious