Any Ptsd Victim Here Had Gastric Bypass Surgery?

[want2cope]

I was just wondering if anyone on this forum has had gastric bypass surgery and if so has their experience been good or bad..... I am considering the surgery in June. Thanks for reading....

 

[gms1976]

Hi,

I had gastric bypass in 2005 and lost 152lbs. Message me if you want to talk.

Take care

G

 

[want2cope]

Oh yes. I would love to hear your experience with it, good and bad. Did it effect your ptsd any? Would you do it again if you could do it over?

 

[gms1976]

Hi!

I would do it again in a heartbeat! I have a wonderful husband whom I would never would have had otherwise. I had my gastric bypass in 2005 in San Francisco at Pacific Laparoscopy. Google PacLap as it won't let me post any links yet as I'm too new here. They also run a yahoo group called DS_PacificLaparoscopy that you can ask questions on, anytime if you want to find out more information .

The procedure is called the Duodenal Switch (DS) with a biliopancreatic diversion). It's a mouthful, but it's also the most successful GB procedure there is. However, I wasn't diagnosed with PTSD when I had the bypass surgery, but actually 5 years later. The traumas I experienced in my childhood were hidden for many years under layers of fat and food. When I took that away - I lost 152 lbs over 18 months (from 320lbs) - a coping mechanism was taken away and I started to slowly spiral. It started with depression that can sometimes happen as the fat is broken down. I don't believe it was the cause of my PTSD onset, but I believe it took away one of the mental crutches that I was using to cope. My therapist said my PTSD was ready to come busting through the door anyway.

Be very sure you have a fair amount of time off work to adjust as it is a huge mental as well as physical change and I know that stress is a huge trigger for me. You might want to work with your therapist ahead of time if you decide to do the surgery. Also, examine why you overeat (if you do) as I know some weight issues are caused by metabolic disturbances - I have a colleague who has a major thyroid issue and has gained weight even though she eats well. I was a comfort eater. I ate to feel better. I had a crappy childhood and ate to suppress the pain. So I ate when I was happy or sad or anywhere in between. It became an addiction. I couldn't stop thinking of food. Also I lived alone, so when I returned home from the surgery, there was no one there for me. Support is really important.

Please don't let me discourage you. GB is an amazing thing! It has given me a thousand freedoms!! I love wearing a size 12 instead of 26. I go shopping for normal size clothes was an amazing experience and I'll never forget the day when I realized after trying on several items in Lane Bryant that nothing in the store fit me anymore - I was too thin!!! Awesome!! Be sure you ask a lot of questions, research and discuss with your therapist if you have one. If you don't and decided to do the surgery, I would strongly suggest you get one and have a good working relationship before you do the surgery.

I think with the right support there is nothing we can't do!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Take care

Gayle