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 Hi I am a post gastric bypass patient. I had the bypass 12 years ago, because I wanted to lose weight. I am happy I had the surgery. I just want to be hear to let people whom are looking to have the surgery, have some of their questions answered, by someone whom has had the procedure done. I want to start a support group for all of us who have had the surgery, whether it a good or bad out come. Lets's start helping others make the choice to have or not have the surgery or let's just be a sounding board to them. I want to let everyone whom comes to this site know, I am not a Doctor or Expert on this surgery. I can not give medical advice and I will not give medical advice. This is strictly just a lended ear and to share what has happen with me both positive and negative. Look to hearing from all of you soon.

The instructions say not to worry about how to write this yet, and I am a bit speechless at the moment. The only thing I can think of to say is that I am a disabled divorced mother of 4, and we are living off of my state disibility, and a little child support. Ive never been able to give my children a home of their own, after we had to leave our home nearly 10 years ago because of an abusive marriage. I would love to be able for us to have a garden of our own to grow our own food, so we are not so reliant on the state for the meager assistance we receive. Im not sure what else to say....

addendum: Because of many miracles coming together about 4 years ago, 'my disibility came thru, my ex husband for what ever odd reason added me to his insurance United Heath Care' I was able to get a gastric by pass. It has helped me immensley.  I had so much weight gain, when I injured my hip before then, but, the only thing that I would call a complication with this is my teeth. I have a tiny stomach now, and some things I eat just do not agree with it, and well, it comes right back up. I never knew there was damage being done to my teeth this whole time, untll they started just breaking off! I had no cavitys, I had one root canal done years ago. I found out it was the acid when I thru up that did this damage to my teeth. Well, as you know, I am on disibility, and medicaid will NOT pay to fix my teeth, which makes NO sence to me. I am at a hard spot here. I finaly got my surgery for my hip replacement, which medicaid did pay for. The dr warned me about any infections that could come up would be deadly for my hip. He said any infections could go directly to the hip joint, and is very serious when this happens. He also told me that this extra skin i have is also a danger. From loosing 135 lbs I do have VERY much excess skin especialy in front, they call it a 'skirt'. He said this needs to be removed as well. I get infections under that constantly. But, thats another story. Back to the teeth problem. There are at least 2 of my teeth now that I know are infected. This worrys me alot. All they can do is give me antibiotics, but you know how that is, you cant keep taking them for long. Does anyone have any kind of answer or input for me? I am getting pretty worried and desperate at this point.   Dovey

I have come across a lot of people seeking money for Gastric Bypass or Lap Band surgery. As a recipient of this surgery, please let me put it straight and not sugar coat it.

At my time of surgery in December of 2004, I weighed 315lbs. I had heart problems, was pre-diabetic and couldn't walk without gasping for air. I was unemployed at the time but luckily I still had the insurance from my previous job that was covered by COBRA payments they made for me as part of my severence package.

It was not easy. I almost died. I got an infection in February of 2005 that literally had me with a draining tube sticking out of my stomach for 6 months to clean out the infection.

But now it's August 2008 and I can say, that now I am at 130lbs. I still can not eat certain things, but health wise I get very tired because of the Anemia. I take my viatmins & B12 religiously, because if not I will collapse.

Lab band patients make sure you eat correctly, because the weight will come back trust me. That's why I had full on Gastric Bypass, I know myself. But even with that, you can gain the weight back. I eat foods that I like but once I'm full (and believe me you'll know..it feels horrible). I don't eat. I eat small meals throughout the day.

As for funding I know that Medicaid is now covering the surgery so long as you are 100 lbs and over in weight, tried other diet / weight loss programs for a period of 6 months and have undergone psychiatric evaluation. Check your state medicaid eligibilty and if they offer it and make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Research, make sure you have the time to recover (i.e if you are working will it interfere, children, etc) and resources available to get by. It's not easy..

 Hi everybody. I am a single mother to a beautiful son who is about to turn 12 in October. My story is sadly similar to so many that I have read. My thoughts go out to everyone out there caught up in this horrible RECESSION!!!

I worked very hard as a single mom to attain my degree, which I finally did in 2003. While in school, I worked 2 jobs.

I landed a great job where my son and I did great. I put him in catholic school and finally was able to get my own place after having lived in a shelter for almost a year.

Thanks to some bad investments within our company, my department downsized and I was laid off. Back to the struggle again. In all honesty, I just need help with this month's rent and one month of tuition for my son (Grand Total of $5,000..NY Rents suck..), who is a straight A student. I applied for all benefits available (still waiting on the food stamp card, not a lot of food in the house and my Unemployment disqualified me for Emergency funds) for my son and I. I have several interviews lined up and my resume is impressive, but the job market is horrible. I have also registered at many temp agencies in the city.

If anyone out there, knows of any other resources or places I can go to, trust me I will scrap the money for a Metrocard and go. I just need to know that we have the roof over our head and my son can go to school for the month of September. Thanks again and I wish all of you luck.

Hi. My name is Jenniffer. I am 33 years old with a 24 year old husband who is disabled.  We are living on his Social Security Disability payments which are $626 per month. It just barely pays the bills. I have been overweight all of my life and need help. I have tried every diet, every weight loss solution short of liposuction and serious surgery but have not been able to lose weight. When I was a child, my mother put me on a very strict diet of veggies and water. No sugar of any kind, no carbs except what was natural. I followed it very strictly and gained almost 25 pounds within 2 months. Now, I am extremely overweight. 316 pounds is not normal or healthy for a woman who is only 5ft 3in tall. I have asthma, gout, hypertension, insulin resistance, and depression mostly caused by the weight problem. I am afraid I am going to die before I can have children. I also have problems with fertility. I have a fear of having a heart attack within the next year and that is not cool. I am not asking for anything extravagant like a face lift. I am only asking for someone to help me lose weight with either lap band surgery or a gastric bypass. Either one would work, I hope. If anyone out there could help me with this, I would be forever grateful. I can't work because of my husband being on disability but I would gladly trade my skills ( computer skills, phone skills, appointment setting, typing, etc.) for help. I don't know what else to do. Please, someone help me.