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Weightloss Surgery + Crohn's

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/6/2010 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if anyone has had a gastric bypass surgery/lap band surgery.  Usually Crohnies don't have to worry about such a thing, but in my case I'm very overweight and I always have been.  My lowest weight was 175lbs (I'm a 5'4 23 yr old female) and that was during a horrible flare in the hospital sans food for 3 weeks.

I am aware that people with GI issuses do not qualify in most cases for weight loss surgery, but I was wondering if there was ever any exceptions?  I have tried all the weight loss programs out there, I go to the gym 4 days a week.  I believe I eat healthy, but the weight will not come off.  I'm starting to wonder if there is another issuse going on.  I have an appointment on Thursday with my GI so I will ask him about it then, but was wondering if anyone has been through this before?

Thanks!

Posted 6/6/2010 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
No real point to this post, Mag; just a few random thoughts.


I must say it's something I don't feel too comfortable about, Mag, especially if you're only 23.

You may get very sick one day, and need to draw on that extra weight. And what if you want to have a baby? Will you be able to nourish a bub if you've had a gastric bypass and can't eat much?

THese are just general questions, Mag. I'm not an expert at all, but I do wonder about your future quality of life if you do have such a surgery. You sound very healthy there: going to the gym, eating well, things like that. Is it possible you're just naturally heavier?

I think it's a good idea, though, to check with your doctor to see if something else is causing the weight retention.

I do feel for you. It's tough having body issues on top of the self-esteem issues that already come with a gut condition like Crohn's, not to mention fistulas and Pred use etc etc etc etc etc...

Ivy.
Posted 6/6/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)

My GI and surgeon are both pushing me to lose weight, and have been since the day I walked into their office.  I've struggled with it my entire life.  To be honest I doubt I'll ever have to worry about not having enough weight on me during a flare.  I'd need to lose 70lbs to even be in the "healthy" weight range, and even then I could lose another 20lbs and be fine.  I'm not worried about having a baby, it's not something I want to do.  I have however looked it up, and it's perfectly fine to carry a child after a surgery, it's actually safer for mother and baby because you don't add in all the extra complications of obesity, you would just need to be on some nutritional supplements.

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it! =]

Posted 6/6/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! I didn't know you could carry a baby safely afterwards. That's interesting.

Would liposuction work better, Mags? That way you haven't had gut surgery, and have left your innards intact for the Crohn's to attack whenever it wants :-/. :-)

More seriously, it is possible that a surgical incision might not heal as well on a Crohn's person as it would on a "normal" person (is this correct, folks?) and you don't want to end up with Crohnsy complications after the surgery...
Posted 6/6/2010 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I mean I know there has to be risks for people with Crohn's disease because it specifically says "Crohn's disease" under the section that lists reasons why a person wouldnt qualify.  I would think a lap band surgery would be safer, and it's reversible.  Not healing as fast/well is true for sure.  It takes me about 2-3 weeks more to heal from a surgery then they usually estimate.
Posted 6/8/2010 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mag! I am not an expert by any means but working for an insurance company I do see all the claims for the complications of this surgery. I can only imaging having crohns would add even more risk for complications.  The lap band might be a little safer since it is reversible and they are not actually cutting into your gut. Just make sure you go over all the pros and cons. I feel your pain on the weight. I struggled for the last 2 years trying to lose then I got hit with this last crohns flare and lost 20 pounds without even trying. But to be honest I would take struggling with weight over having this disease any day! :-)
Posted 6/8/2010 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
You may be thinking of the Roux en Y gastric bypass. I read this is not recommended for CD patients. I did in fact have the Roux en Y bypass done 3 weeks ago but didn't bypass the stomach, only the duodenum. My guts are still getting use to the replumbing job but they are coming around.
Posted 6/8/2010 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to have your thyroid levels checked. You might be hypothyroid and that could cause you to gain weight even when you aren't even eating. Good luck!
Posted 6/8/2010 8:21 PM (GMT 0)

I have a friend I have known all my life, and we are the same age 36.

He has CD, but it's weird to me, because he never takes medications for it, unless he is in the hospital.


He will flare up, get really sick, have surgery, and be fine for several years.

He is overweight though, several hundred lbs overweight.  He always has been a Big guy.

When he gets sick, he will tell me he has lost 60lbs. fast.


His weight is directly related to his diet, at least that is the main reason he is so heavy.

He had the lap band surgery done.  He is always having trouble with the thing though, yet he says it helps, and is worth it.
His doctor suggested it, he had no problems getting it done.

Posted 6/8/2010 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the responses!

I'm def going to talk to my GI about this on Thursday!

Posted 6/9/2010 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have to agree a lap band might be an easier route.  Have you had your Thyroid checked, not just the basic test there is a more in depth test.  I found out that I have hashimoto's diseases and once i got on a medication, I was able to loose weight.  I know 3 people who have had the gastric bypass and 2 who had the lap band.  The 2 who have had the lap band have not complained about complications, they did loose slower BUT they didn't have as bad as loose skin problems as the 3 with the gastric bypass.  The ones with the gastric bypass have all had some sort of bathroom issues if you know what i mean AND 1 of the friend who got gastric bypass was over 300lbs, lost about 100lb or so and then BOOM gained weight and is nearly up to 400lb, i'm not even sure how that happened.  I know its a struggle to loose weight when i started gaining for no reason i was really upset, I ate healthy, I moderately exercised and was under 30 so it gets really frustrating.  Maybe speak with a dietian, they might find a lifestlye change that helps you, like eating more low glycemic (sp)  foods, kinda like a south beach.  Also, I'm going to have to say I think there are some negative health effects from being overweight, but honestly I think some Doctors use it as an excuse.  I know some overweight people who are active people and who seem to eat healthy and you know what I think those are more healthy than me and I'm withing my weight accoring to the doctor's charts.  So that might also be a thought for you.
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