Weight loss and surgery

[Navymom]

I am almost complete with all the hoops you have to jump through to get bariatric surgery. My blood work indicates a low carbon dioxide level of 19. Should I be concered about this? My weight is about 300lbs and everything else is in the normal range, althought I do not see cholesterol or triglycerides.

[surgeon]

low CO2, by itself, and at that level, probably means nothing; although it needs to be seen in greater context. There are many things that affect it, including kidney and lung issues. Your doctor is the best source of opinion. But if you want an unsolicited opinion about which you didn't ask, I'd say that of the bariatric procedures, the one that makes most sense is the "Lap-band," in which an adjustable band is place around the top of the stomach. It's cheaper, far safer, reversible, and adjustable, and in many areas is done as an out-patient procedure. And whereas weight-loss may be faster with gastric bypass, over time there's no difference -- in fact some people with bypass start to gain after time. If that happens with banding, the band can be tightened (it takes a few seconds, injecting fluid into a port under the skin). With bypass, you're mostly out of luck, or need a huge procedure.

[LvdByGod]

please be careful that the drs have an extreem amount of experience...my really good friends husband just died as a result of this surgury. leaking fluids resulted in infection and then coma and death. he never got out of the hospital.

i'd go for the lap band if i ever did it.

[SmileBeHappy]

I had a gastric bypass in 1996 and never lost all I wanted too. I have since gained 60lbs. and seems to be going up  and now trying to loose again, but very depressed and am hungry all the time. I am working on it. Thinking about the lap band if that is possible after having had the gastric bypass, but not sure if that is possible to do nor do I have the money after what was spent before although I did have ins. to cover a lot of it. Just a thought to those of you who plan to have the gastic bypass it may not be for everyone.