I've had friends who had it and got thin quickly. The problems I am aware of are: About 1/2 hour to 45 min after you eat, you will have to crap. And, the smell is overwhelming (two people that I know of). But, I am unaware of any other negative results.

Thank you for your message. I'm sorry but I don't get to this site very often. I haven't had the problems your friends have had. Thank goodness. The things that have changed for me is that I "always" have gas and, I'm somewhat constipated, and I can no longer tolerate hot sauce or onions, 2 of my favorites. :(

Thank-you

gwen1947

Gwen,

Whatever you do,be sure and dont just sit around.Walk or something every day so you dont flab out.And the little that you can eat make sure its healthy.

This advice is coming from watching my friends body AND health take a turn for the worse because she did neither!

Hi Gwen1947,

I had the surgery 12/04/07. As of today, I have lost 60 pounds. That's definately the good part. However, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. You will have to change your lifestyle, which is why most of us fail dieting in the first place. My experiences, so far, are as follow;

I am having a tough time with the initial diet, which is basically the same as Atkins, without even red meat or pork. This is for the first four months following surgery. I don't drink or smoke, so this is not a problem for me. I know of several people who went back to drinking and they gained most or all of their weight back. (Because snacking comes with drinking.)

After surgery and the Atkins period, you will still be extremely limited to any fatty foods and sugars. Basically, any fried food or sugary foods will tend to make you sick. This varies, but this is basically for the rest of your life.

Excercise is critical, but does not have to be extreme. Just walking is needed for at least 30 minutes per day at least five days a week. Again, most people believe that after surgery you can just sit and just eat less than you used to. This is not the case. The hardest part to believe, but true, is that the small stomach, the size of your thumb, can re-stretch out with the wrong foods. No more carbonated drinks, limited rice, wheat products, and many people don't tolerate milk following the surgery.

However, at 43, I faced the fact that I was never going to be an everyday workout person. I also have high blood pressure, and was on the verge of diabetes. The positives are that I'm down from three BP meds. to 1/2. Most people with diabetes either have it completely go away within a few months or go from type II to type I. Almost all weight related issues begin to clear soon after surgery and many completely disappear within six months to a year.

As with any surgery, there are several risks. The gal who went in before me for surgery had her pouch tear about a weak after surgery. This supposedly happens about 7% of the time. In her case, she now needs blood transfusions and is need of a new kidney.

I strongly recommend that you gather all the information you can get your hands on and try to speak directly to patients before making the decision. This being said, almost everyone I have spoken with about having the surgery has said they would do it again in a minute. Even most of those who had complications.

I hope this was helpful. It's a new life, a second chance, but you must make a lifelong commitment to treating your body better once you lose the weight.