Question:
This is a subject I feel very passionate about. Please do your homework before you commit to the surgery. They are approving people for gastric bypass surgery who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and above, even if they are otherwise completely healthy, but for their weight and for those with a BMI of 35 and above who have one or more co-morbidity's (Osteoarthritis of knee and hip; Rheumatoid arthritis; Diabetes Mellitus [Type II Diabetes]; Cardiovascular Disease; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Varicose Veins/ Chronic Venous Insufficiency; Hypertension/High Blood Pressure; Low Back Pain; Joint Pain; Sleep Apnea; Urinary Incontinence; Gallbladder Disease; Gastroesophageal Reflux [GERD] [Heartburn]; Infertility; Depression; Breathing Problems). That means a 5' 5" female weighing 215 lbs. or a 5' 10" male weighing 245 lbs. with just one of these listed health problems would be a candidate for the surgery. Without a co-morbidity they would have to weigh in at a whopping 240 lbs. and 275 lbs. respectively. Un-be-freakin-lievable!!! I still lurk at my "old" weight loss surgery support group about once a week, mostly to remind myself how fortunate I am that I discovered the LC WOL and this group. In the profile list they place a little angel icon next to members who have died. Many of the "final" updates are posted by the widowed spouse or some other family member or friend. I can't help crying for the poor souls. Such a familiar theme to so many of these tragedies. Here is an actual memorial post: "I am not a registered member of this help group, but I would like to add a name to your memorial. My cousin went in for surgery on April 6, 2000 and after 6 days of complications stemming from the stapling, she passed away, never leaving the hospital. Something that started out so positive, a new start for her, ended so tragically and I would like to have her remembered on your sight. I have started to use this sight and others to learn more about the different procedures and also to get some support in dealing with the loss of my cousin. It is a wonderful place for people who are looking into the surgery, getting ready for surgery, recovering, etc... Keep up the good work! Any way here is the info and I would really appreciate you listing her name.

Answer: I would like to read any "new" findings. The whole surgery route, for me, has been abandoned, but I love to learn. What I know about the procedure is that the European literature (where the procedure has been performed for the last few years) show that weight loss is similar to the weight loss seen with vertical banded gastroplasty. The European literature thus far shows a relatively low incidence of side effects and surgical complication. A major concern with this surgery is that it is, in essence, an old surgery (gastric banding) that was abandoned in the 1980's because of a high incidence of complications (bleeding and obstruction). Although this new approach is less invasive than the "old" banding procedure and the band is adjustable, this procedure is in essence a take-off on a bad basic procedure (gastric banding) which will likely result in the same long-term complications that occurred with the "old" surgery. Regardless, please send me the info you have, I appreciate it.