Weight Loss Surgery After Transplant

[iKAZ3D]

Has anyone had weight loss surgery, more specifically gastric sleeve/vertical sleeve gastrectomy? I'm three years post-transplant and am scheduled for WLS on the 21st. I would love to see some personal experiences if anyone has any. My doctors have been less than helpful in terms of really getting the necessary information I felt I needed.

Thanks!

[Hootie]

I cannot speak to what it means to transplant patients. However, I can tell you that it drastically altered by daughter's life and not in a positive way. She had all the complications of losing gall bladder, hernia surgery, scar tissue build up and all had to be fixed with surgery. Those were issues but the biggest issue that these patients have is the inability to absorb nutrients. With a smaller stomach, not as much acid is produced for food break down so the nutrients  do not get absorbed. The biggest one is protein which as we know is problem for dialysis patients and guess not as much for a transplant patient. A gastric by pass patient takes all kinds of vitamins every day. A fist full.

I would investigate with other physicians and not necessarily with the gastric surgeon. They want to always do the surgery. On a side note, a lot of people who overeat get that fixed with the surgery but something else even worse develops and that is alcoholism. Seems that a lot of people go from a food addiction to the later. Not saying that is your issue whatsoever. However, when we were going through the various hospitalizations with my daughter. The other doctors said many times....we see that very, very  often. My daughter traded one poison for another. She lost the weight initially then gained it all back by eating smaller amounts often and drinking wine. Happy to say now that she is over 1 year sober after rehab and halfway houses.

Hopefully that helps stimulate conversation for you with your doctors. I am sure a lot of patients have had ultimate success with gastric by pass but talk to some who have had it at  least 3-4 years to help you make up your own mind along with your doctors.