[westtrenary]

Hello Everyone,

I'm brand new to even the idea of gastric bypass for anyone in my family. My Dad will have this operation on Monday January 8th, and I feel like I'm on a roller coaster of emotions. We live in different states and I'm freaking out because I can't be there when he does! And, too because he waited until after I had left last month from the holidays to even tell me on the phone. I know, saving me some days of worry, but that really made me mad!

He's 64, diabetic, close to 400 lbs, and as I've pressed my sister for information about doctor visits, is in good enough overall health to have this procedure. My uneasiness comes a lot from knowing his diabetes will keep him from healing quickly. Is there anyone who has had this procedure being diabetic that can help me know what to expect for his surgery? He told me not to come, but maybe one daughter there in mania is enough for him .

I'm so scared. I'm not mad anymore, I just want my Daddy to be OK, and better than OK in the months and years to follow. It's helped to find this site and see and read all of you, thank you for posting

Tina

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, Tina, thank you for joining us.
((((((HUGS)))))) You must be in a quandary right now.

Is he having lap bypass or open bypass? How quickly he heals will depend on part with this, but both surgeries each have their own risks.

About your father's diabetes.
How is his blood sugar level, how well is it controled? ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends that diabetics having surgery have fasting blood sugar below 126mg/dl (7mmol/l) and all random sugar levels below 200mg/dl (11.1mmol/l) so that is one indicator whether he has a better chance of not having any complications after surgery. His BS level should be kept within this range after surgery by insulin or any other means until his surgery scars are healed. After his weight starts coming off, his blood sugar level should improve, but whether he will be able to come off all his medication will have to be seen.

I shall be keeping you and your father in my prayers.

[fr1endly2]

FIRST OFF (((HUG)))
glad you found a place to come and vent your nerves.

THE ONLY Thing i would like to add is I am sure your father
picked an awesome surgeon. I know my surgeon personally would
turn away anyone who isnt in good enough health to go thru
this surgery. HE would also steer them to gastric banding
if need be.
THERE are tough surgical clearances that I am sure your father
had done to ensure his good health before the surgery. I am
sure he came thru with flying colors. I will add now that the me
walking around at my max weight of 310 lbs, a stroke or heart
attack waiting to happen out weighed the risks that the
surgery had.
I am sure he is gonna be fine and turn his health around. I know
when i told my dad i was going for the surgery he thought it was
much to drastic.....but if he could only see how great and healthy
I am now he would be so proud of my choice!!!!!

HANG in there...I am sure all will turn out fine.
We are here for your support if you need it.
AND my best wishes for your father to have
a uncomplicated text book perfect surgery
hugs

[Kat]

I'm not sure what levels your dad has been running with his glucose. I was 365 before surgery and was off all my diabetic meds. within 3 weeks. It was amazing.
I wish you and your dad the best of luck. Tell him abut RR and keep in touch and let us know how he's doing!

[bren]

I will keep your father in my prayers on Monday that everything goes smoothly for him and for your entire family. I know your scared right now but so is he. P)lease keep us posted!!

[mike]

You and your father will be in my prayers before and after his surgery. I have to admit that my wife was a total wreck before my surgery. That was understandable. She wrote me a long letter explaining why. It broke my heart to read it. I knew she was under great stress, and told me she didn't want me to have it done. Well, I am happy to report everything went fine, and here I am today giving you a little support for yourself. It is hard on the family, when the time comes. I am glad though, that you got yourself some support while going through this. YOU PICKED THE RIGHT PLACE. Give it time for your dad, and see the maraculous changes in his health afterwards. IT IS AMAZING. He will learn alot of new things afterwards as well. Especially, how to eat more healthy. HANG IN THERE. Everything will work out for the best. KEEP US POSTED ON EVERYTHING. We are all here for you.
mike

[wannabethin]

Your Dad is very lucky to have such caring daughters! I think most family members are pretty nervous, because they love us! Mine wasn't very supportive pre-op and actually tried to talk me out of it. Now, a few months later, they are seeing how great I feel and are more supportive. I'll keep your Dad in my prayers.

[FemmeMode]

WELCOME....
and thanks for posting. WOW, I have no idea what you are going thru...but I do have some sense of what your dad was going thru before he told you....and his hesitation in sharing that information.

I told people gradually as I was planning my surgery...and the hardest person to tell was my Mom. She was probably the closest person to me besides my husband...and her oppinion of me and my choices mattered most to me! It wasn't so much that I didn't think that she'd agree or accept....it was "what I didn't know"....I really had NO IDEA what she'd say...or act - and that kept me immobilize. I actually felt like I COULDN'T tell her - not b/c of her - but, b/c of ME!!!

I'm glad you are not mad anymore....my Mom didn't understand why I waited so long either...but, she supported me by loving me...showing up when I needed her...and by getting educated in what I was about to go thru. JUST LIKE YOU ARE DOING NOW....

What an act of LOVE you are showing your Dad (even though he has no idea)...by educating yourself! We are here for you....this Board is an INCREDIBLE support. We'd love to be there for you any way we can...and I whole-heartedly agree with the other posters....tell your dad about our board...he will get incredible support here...and you two can be here TOGETHER!!!

I will be lifting your dad's WLS in prayer next Monday....keep us posted on how he is recovering...hopefully he will be having his surgery Laproscopically....the recovery time is minimal...even for diabetic patients!
Talk to you soon...

[Linduhlou]

Hi Tina,
I agree, the support from the folks here is amazing! I didn't tell anyone about my surgery (other than my husband). It was a very personal decision for me and i wanted to get all of the testing, etc done first. I also didn't want to have to defend my decision to those who were not in favor. What I found when I did tell people was they were surprisingly supportive. They realized I wanted to be healthier and to feel better. I hope all goes well with your Dad's surgery.
Linda

[fr1endly2]

Well u know..the reason so many around us tend to get so scared for us is most of the times all they do know about the surgery is the HORROR storey or that one person that had complications.....
THEY just dont know of the thousands of people that have the surgyer and are so happy and had little or no complications.
SO perhaps thats the reason!
we need to inform and educate them.
LET them even come to meet your surgeon...
my surgeon requires he meet at least one family
member prior to the surgery....in my case he met
my husband. MEETING him eased my hubbies worries
and concerns tons. I love my surgeon he really makes the
process a pleasure for everyone!MY husband had equal
trust in the surgeon as i did.HELPS!!