|
 |
Advertisement
Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost & Profile
- Avg. Cost: $25000
- Candidate: BMI of 40 or higher
- Length: 2 hours
- Treatments: One
- Results: Permanent
- Back to work: 3-6 weeks
Latest Gastric Bypass Surgery Doctors
|
Gastric Bypass Surgery San Antonio, Texas Weight Loss, Cosmetic & Surgical Centers Of America, |
|
|
Gastric Bypass Surgery New Braunfels, Texas Weight Loss, Cosmetic & Surgical Centers Of America, |
|
|
Gastric Bypass Surgery Houston, Texas Weight Loss, Cosmetic & Surgical Centers Of America, |
|
Gastric Bypass Surgery Irving, Texas Surgical Weight Management Solutions, |
|
|
Gastric Bypass Surgery Grapevine, Texas Surgical Weight Management Solutions, |
Get the Beautiful Living Newsletter
Patient Perspective: Losing Weight, Gaining Self-Confidence
Advertisement
"My biggest joy is the fact that I'm not afraid anymore." That's how Marsha Friedberg sums up her transformation that began with an early afternoon surgery on June 20, 2001. Marsha weighed in at over 300 pounds and suffered from shortness of breath, high cholesterol and back and joint problems caused by her excess weight. She was afraid these problems would never go away, afraid of developing type II diabetes that loomed unavoidable in the not-too-distant future. She was afraid of social interaction, of how people judged her. Most of all she was afraid of a fate like her sister's who had recently passed away from complications related to obesity. Afraid to the point that she had spent 10 years in psychological therapy prior to the 2001 surgery date, grasping for a handle on her fear and anxiety.
"It's Not About Diet, It's About a Lifestyle Change"
Marsha 3 1/2 Years
after surgery
The surgery that Marsha had is called a duodenal switch, a form of bariatric surgery, in which about 75% of her stomach was removed and her small intestines were rearranged, limiting the amount of food that her body could ingest and absorb. It was a drastic step with great risks, even the possibility of death, but Marsha was determined. "The risk was higher for me to be fat," she says. So there she was, June 20th, getting prepped for a 5-hour surgery at the USC University Medical Center. And as a surprising change from the norm, Marsha said, that as she lay there in her hospital bed waiting to be rolled away, she wasn't scared at all: she couldn't stop smiling.
But the duodenal switch isn't the entirety of her transformation. Three years after surgery she underwent a tummy tuck and breast lift with augmentation to remove the hanging skin left after her 185 pound weight change. "I hate to be cliché," says Marsha of her new affect after her surgeries, "but it gave me a new lease on life." She's not embarrassed or humiliated anymore, and, she says, "my self-confidence is stable and soaring, if that's possible." Of course the path to where she is now wasn't an easy one, filled with heftier challenges than any scale could gauge.
Facing Challenges
When Marsha decided to have bariatric surgery it wasn't easy convincing a family in the wake of the death of a loved one that this was her only chance at getting healthy and feeling better. "They were not happy," she said, "especially my mother and my niece" (the daughter of Marsha's recently deceased sister). So she spent about 80 hours making copies of information she had obtained through research, compiling a packet of material for the two to read through. She gave it to them and told them that she had made up her mind and wanted their support. By surgery day they had changed their opinion.
And then came the recovery. Marsha experienced a lot of pain: "you do it and you thank god for drugs." Luckily, she had the luxury of being able to take 4 weeks off from work, and while she encountered no serious complications, she certainly had her share of hurdles. For a short period of time she had a dip in potassium levels, she developed a hernia that needed surgical repair, and continues to take vitamin supplements to make up for diet limitations (this is quite common).
Showing Off Her Accomplishments
As for the weight, it kept coming off: about 185 pounds in 18 months. She has a regular exercise program including 30 minutes of hydraulic weights 3-4 times week. But she always viewed the excess skin that she had hanging around as anti-climactic. So then came step two: plastic surgery to help shape her new form. "I am very happy with my body now," she says. "I see that I can be attractive to men."
In fact it was a date with one man that got her back into one of her favorite hobbies: roller-skating. It had been more than twenty years and she had forgotten how much she liked it. So she started taking lessons and eventually got good enough to take part in a show at the roller-skating championships. An impressive feat considering that just four years earlier the simple task of climbing a flight of stairs would have posed a significant challenge.
Marsha Before Surgery |
Marsha at the |
Winning the Battle
Sure she has scars still on her body, but that doesn't bother her. "I look at them as my battle scars," she says. A battle that she won. A battle in which she got her life back. She is now healthier, she can live longer, and the regular psychologist visits have stopped. And, oh yeah, that skeptical niece that was fearful of Marsha entering in to surgery; she has since undergone a bariatric procedure herself.
By Written by LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writer
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
Gastric Bypass Surgery Surgery Information Guide
-
Basics of Gastric Bypass Surgery"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
-
- Gastric Bypass / Gastric Banding Basics
Bariatric surgery, the surgical reduction of stomach volume, has been performed for decades in the United States. The two FDA approved procedures practiced most frequently are gastric bypass, which creates a small pouch that is attached to the small intestine, and gastric banding, a silicone band strapped around the upper portion of the stomach. Many of today's surgeries are done with minimally invasive technology that reduces pain and scarring. - BMI for Children and Teens (BMI-for-age)
Calculate the BMI for children and find out what it means. - Body Mass Index Calculator (BMI)
Take a moment to calculate your BMI and find out what it means. BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes). - Bariatric Surgery Basics
When diet and exercise have failed to produce results, an increasing percent of the population has turned to bariatric surgery, dramatically reducing their stomach volume. Though this procedure can offer benefits such as weight loss and reversal of life threatening diseases like type II diabetes, there are also associated risks that patients should be aware of. Choosing your surgeon carefully and being dedicated to post-operative changes in eating habits are steps to successful surgery.
- Gastric Bypass / Gastric Banding Basics
-
Details of Gastric Bypass Surgery"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
- Re-Facing Surgery: Choosing Facial Plastic Surgery after Weight-Loss...
Contouring of the Body after weight loss is a major concern for many bariatric patients, however, extra skin around the face can create similar aesthetic issues. Beverly Hills surgeon Dr. David Saadat discusses his experience with re-shaping the face of post-bariatric patients. - Dietary Guidelines Focus on Calories, Physical Activity, and...
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was realesed January 12th. The report focuses on how Americans can live a healthier lifestyle by monitoring what foods their calories come from. - Bariatric Surgery Links
Links to other sites of interest about bariatric surgery. - Do I Need Plastic Surgery After My Bariatric Surgery?
After bariatric surgery excess skin can become droopy and saggy. Learn what plastic surgery can do to fix this problem. - Patient Perspective: Life After Gastric Bypass
Two years after gastric bypass surgery Stacy Long has lost a hundred pounds and is feeling better than ever, but it took a lot of effort. Read how she adapted to life after surgery and changed her life. - Patient Perspective: Losing Weight, Gaining Self-Confidence
Marsha Friedberg underwent bariatric surgery in 2001 and plastic surgery to re-contour her body 3 years later. She is now healthy, happy, and enjoying life like she hasn't in years. - Studying the Effects of Bariatric Surgery
Recent studies show that experienced surgeons and hospitals greatly reduce the risks associated with bariatric surgery. - Is Bariatric Surgery A Safe Option For Teens?
New evidence suggests that teenagers are at no greater risk when they undergo bariatric surgery in order to lose weight, but some doctors are still skeptical. - How to Choose the Right Doctor for Weight Loss Surgery
With dozens of bariatric surgeons and doctors available, how do you make the right choice? Here are some tips on choosing the right doctor for weight loss surgery: - 10 Things You Need for Recovery After Plastic Surgery
Your procedure may leave you with scars, pain and stress during the recovery stages, and planning ahead with the right tools and supplies can make recovery much easier. Here are the top ten things you need. - Gastric Bypass Surgery Before & After Photos
- Re-Facing Surgery: Choosing Facial Plastic Surgery after Weight-Loss...
-
Ready for Gastric Bypass Surgery"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
-
- Seven Signs You?re Ready for Plastic Surgery
If you?ve decided to jump into a plastic surgery to fix a figure flaw, you?ll be joining millions of Americans going under the knife for the latest procedure. But are you really ready? - Find Bariatric Doctors around Saint Petersburg, FL
- Find Bariatric Doctors In Other Cities
- Patient Financing
Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
- Seven Signs You?re Ready for Plastic Surgery
-
After Gastric Bypass Surgery
-
- Healthy Lifestyle Tips After Gastric Bypass Surgery ? Living...
From new workout routines to eating a high-protein meal plan, here are some healthy lifestyle tips for living well after drastic weight loss. - Food Shopping After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Since most bariatric patients must limit the quantities of food at each meal, a carefully planned menu is required. Here are some of the key foods to include in your weekly diet after gastric bypass surgery. - Recommend Your Doctor
- Healthy Lifestyle Tips After Gastric Bypass Surgery ? Living...
-
Featured Articles & News Related to Gastric Bypass Surgery"What other related things might I like to know?"
-
- Bariatric Surgery: When Patients Become the Center of Attention...
Bariatric surgery centers often take a more comprehensive approach and require more from their patients than basic surgeons that may not focus solely on baraitrics. If you're a patient that benefits from additional attention and additional tools and resources, both before and after surgery, centers of this type could offer you yet another option when considering bariatric surgery. - Large Diet, Large Health Risks
Morgan Spurlock and his thirty-day McDonald?s diet gained big numbers at the box office and on his doctor's scale. Read about his health risks and public and corporate reaction after the first few months in theatre. - Bariatrics: The Surgical Way to a Smaller Stomach
The high profile cases of bariatric surgery, including Roseanne Barr, Al Roker, and Carnie Wilson, have grabbed the American publics attention. The frequency of this stomach shrinking surgery is continually growing and attracting more and more of the medical profession with better technology and more experience. - Weight Loss Programs that Work ? REALIZE Gastric Band Unveiled...
If morbid obesity is taking its toll on your health and lifestyle, gastric band surgery may be an effective way to lose the weight for good. When you have over 50 lbs. to lose, dieting and exercise usually aren?t enough; gastric band surgery can help you lose the weight by constricting the size of your stomach so you simply eat less. Weight loss experts and bariatric surgeons are now turning to an improved version of the original silicone prosthetic device of gastric bands with The REALIZE Gastric Band. - Seven Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
For those that have at least 100 pounds to lose, obesity surgery may be the only solution for stopping excessive weight gain in its tracks. Still, weight loss isn?t the only benefit of the drastic change; here are seven other advantages of the gastric bypass procedure. - Treating Obesity Without Gastric Bypass Surgery ? What Are the...
Weight loss surgery offers hope for those who need to lose more than 100 pounds, and procedures such as gastric bypass, gastric banding and other bariatric procedures are helping many win at the battle of the bulge. But is surgery the only choice for dramatic weight loss? - Addiction Transfer After Gastric Bypass Surgery ? The Hidden...
To conquer the problem of excessive weight gain and cases of obesity, many Americans turn to gastric bypass surgery to eliminate the extra pounds. Unfortunately, these patients are also vulnerable to several vices if food addiction is left unaddressed. - Gastric Banding Reduces Impact of Type 2 Diabetes
While millions of obese patients pursue gastric bypass surgery to get rid of excess pounds, weight loss may not be the only reason to go under the knife. Gastric banding surgery may help improve conditions of Type 2 diabetes; find out why. - Surgeons Announce Surgery-Free Weight Loss Procedure
Anxious to lose those excess pounds? Surgery may not be your only option; researchers are testing an innovative procedure that helps patients block out calories and lose an extensive amount of weight - all without a single incision.
- Bariatric Surgery: When Patients Become the Center of Attention...
Related Subjects and Keywords: body contouring gastric bypass duodenal switch bariatric surgery
Dissatisfied with our Health Articles? Have a health article suggestion?
Tell us how we can improve.
| Surgery Guides | Cosmetic Procedures | Find A Doctor | Patient Resources | Site Navigation |