Weight-Loss seminar

There was a seminar at the bariatric hospital for the Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass and we signed up for it. It was very informative and after the seminar, we were able to ask the doctor any questions.

It was after this seminar that Jason decided that perhaps the gastric bypass was what he wanted. So we brought our files home and continued reading and researching on the gastric bypass.

Honestly, I am still scared and hesitant about having him go through either procedure. I wish he did not have to do this.

These are some of the complications of gastric bypass. How can I feel okay about this whole thing after reading the complications? But the husband is stubborn and also optimistic.

I, on the other hand, is the worry-wart and the pessimistic one.

What are some of the possible complications of gastric bypass?

• Over one-third of the people who have gastric bypass surgery develop gallstones.
• People who have had this surgery are more likely to develop liver problems.
• Between 10 and 20 percent require a second surgery to repair a complication. The most common complication is a hernia. It is also possible for the staples to pull loose (so there is no longer a pouch).
• It is possible for a leak to occur from the stomach or intestine into the abdominal cavity. This will result in a serious infection called peritonitis.
• There is a very small risk of death from the surgery. About 1 in 2,000 (0.5%) people die from the surgery.
• Complications of a laparoscopic approach include leaks in the abdominal cavity and a blocked bowel. This approach has not been used long enough to draw significant conclusions.
• Other risks associated with major surgery include infection in the incision, an abscess inside the abdomen, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

The first consultation

We went for the first consultation at the first bariatric center here. At this stage, Jason was more inclined to do the Lap-band ( Laparoscopic Gastric Banding). The PA met with us and made us watch a video presentation of the Lap-Band system and explained the procedure and details. Then, we met with the nutritionist. We were supposed to meet with the doctor too but was told he was not available and had left the building.

We were under the impression that this was just an initial consultation to find out what Lap-band was all about. We had made it clear that no decision had been made on our part. But upon check-out, they collected $250 from us. They did tell us that if we were to decide not to do this surgery with them, they will refund the $200 (but not the nutritionist fee).

Fair enough, but it still felt like daylight robbery to me because we were not told of all these charges in advance.

In the car, we had the same opinion that this center did not make us comfortable and they were very unorganized. (PA also could not find her files and had misplaced her scope)

More researches later, and we found another place.

We called the first center to tell them we have decided not to do the surgery but was then informed that the $200 can NOT be refunded., blah blah blah.

What the $%^& ??

After a complaint letter, some more calls, and a few bad reviews written about them, we finally got our money back.

The decision

When Jason told me he wanted to do the lapband or the gastric bypass, it scared me. I've heard of horror stories and I am afraid of the complications that might occur during or after surgery. It is also a life-changing situation. And I'm not too fond of big changes myself.
I remember my response to that was "It's ok to just stay fat" or "why don't we try something else instead of surgery" or "Call Jenny!" or something, anything but surgery!!
But the husband had made up his mind.

I had questions. Lots of it. So I started reading up on anything and everything I could find on google.

And we made an appointment for a "free" consultation to one of the bariatric centers here. Ofcourse it wasn't free but more on that later.

So, the journey begins...