A friend of mine had gastric bypass surgery about a year ago. Kaiser paid for it. Kaiser will not pay for an undo or a redo if she stretches the stomach again.
It would be good if you could talk to people who have had it done...either in person or at an online forum somewhere.
It's a procedure which is going to dramatically affect the rest of your life.

It can't be undone...a lapband can but not the bypass.My neice had it done 6 or 7 years ago so I know firsthand what to expect.I know it wwill change my life....but I am up for that.It's either that or be miserable and not be able to do much the rest of my life.I can't stand the weight anymore.I do go to a forum online...I've thought about this for years...but never had insurance that would pay for it before.Most of the people I have talked to would do it again...now the lapband is a little different,I've seen quite a few gain the weight back after the lapband surgery.

One of my girlfriends had it done several years ago. Unfortunately for her it was a poor decision. I don't want to discourage you but be sure you have all the pro's and con's. She still wieghs well over 300 pounds and has had many problems.

I wish you all the best in whatever you decide.
(((((((((((chubby rat))))))))))))

ivamae

I'm so excited for you! A friend of mine did this two years ago and within the first year, lost 70 pounds. I haven't seen her in several months, so I don't know how much more she's lost. She was looking terrific at the first of the year! She had so much energy, was riding her horses again, playing with the grandbabies. And she could walk! She'd had trouble with that for years due to her weight, but now she's walking without pain or discomfort. She followed all the doctor's orders religiously ... including joining a gym and doing the workouts. She had said that once she lost her intended amount of weight, she wanted to have a kind of 'tummy tuck' to remove the excess skin because that's uncomfortable. So I've been waiting to hear when that step is going to take place.

I'm very proud of you, chubbyrat ... you're obviously not taking this lightly, or as an 'easy fix.' You're investigating the process, talking to people, and making a fact-based decision. I wish you all the very best ...

Wishing your the bestest!

Yep it will change your life drastically! For the better I am thinking! My DSisIL had it done as I've told you before and she enjoys her new body and shopping for clothes and feeling great!

CR, I'm pulling for you.

Gayle

I had my 50th high school reunion last year and one of the gals there was the biggest person in the whole school banquet. She was so unhappy about this, and she's been unhappy about her weight for a long time. Since last June, she has had the surgery and has lost a hundred pounds!! She looked so good "this" year and even had on a diamond bracelet that never would have fit on her arm the year before...she's wearin' diamonds :o) She has the right mind set for it and it appears that you do, too. Her daughter had it done quite some time ago and it has worked for her, so my friend has lots of support..from family "and" friends. On the other side of the coin, a neighbor's sister had it done and "her" sisters were afraid she was going to be slim and they were jealous and sabotaged her from day one. She should have been aware of what they were doing, but she played right into it, and I don't think she had it in her mind that she was going to have to change her ways forever in order to be at a normal size. She lost "maybe" sixty pounds and is now bigger than she was to start with...her sisters are happy :o( I think it sounds as if you have thought it all through and are willing to sacrifice what it takes. We all need to make food not so important in our lives anyway..there are better things in life than eating and thinking about eating...you go girl!

Back to the sisters who did the sabataging...the surgery was done in February and the two sisters took her to a fancy buffet after she got out of the hospital. I told my neighbor that they shouldn't have done that and she sort of snickered and said, "We were testing her." Then...the other sister bought her a chocolate fountain for Christmas that next year. She should have seen these two for what they were and should have written them off...you don't need "friends" like that let alone relatives

Reprehensible - to sabotage someone's costly (physical and financial) attempt to regain better health, to enhance one's own self-image (slightly). Let alone doing it to one's sister.

Maybe I shouldn't ask this ... but were they (otherwise) "good Christians" into the bargain?

ole joyful

Not really :o)

Good luck Cubbyrat! I looked into the lap band and my md talked me out of it last year. Have a friend who had the open gastric bypass and gained most of it back, but she doesn't exercise and eats out a lot with her family.

Wishing you luck Chubyrat!!!

Chubbyrat, Good luck to you sweetie. I wish you much success.

Linda

I know it won't be easy, but you can do it! Good luck to you and I'm rooting for you all the way.

Best wishes! My SIL had the bypass done several years ago - before she even met my BIL. She's lost over 100 lbs. & keeps it off. She can only eat tiny portions.

I know it will be hard...it's not an easy thing to do.But I think dieting is very hard too and doesn't seem to work well for me.This way a little food will make me full,I really need to lose weight for my back.It just kills me,I know this won't cure my back but it will help alot.Thanks everyone!

I wish you all the best CR.
And if you insurance doesn't want to pay, fight it. Insurance companies are trained to say NO, and sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease. :-)

Nice to know others think you're sane, huh? ;) Sure hope your insurance company will be cooperative. Best wishes!

CR, best of luck to you! Hope insurance will come thru for you.

Keep doing what you're doing, CR, and it'll be behind you before you know it. I'm happy you're normal, sweetie!

You're not crazy??? Whew! That's good to know.

I have a friend who is a nurse. She had the gastric bypass several years ago and she looks fantastic. While she was going through all the counseling, etc, her overweight daughter was giving her a hard time and calling her selfish. So Debbie took her daughter to the next counseling session and her daughter decided to have the surgery too. They had their surgery within 2 weeks of each other and both are doing wonderful and looking great!

I know you are prepared and will have success! Good luck with the insurance.

CR, I know you will do well with this because you are doing it for you. Keep us posted.

Wishing you the best of luck CR. My cousin had it a few years ago. She had been heavy ever since we were little. At the time she got it, she was just a little over 30 years old, and was around 400 lbs i would guess. since then, she has lost about 200 lbs. and has since had a baby who she can chase around and play with, which she would have never been able to do before. She looks great, and I know she feels so much better.
I'm rootin for you CR!
Take care,
Tammy