You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- Obesity
- Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric Surgery/Questions Answered by Expert Steven West
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Weight gain | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I am 3 1/2 years after surgery, I have had problems, blocked bile ducts by stones left behind back ... A: As your bariatric physician likely told you, the surgery only serves as a tool to help remind you ... | |
| lap band surgery | 11/14/2011 |
| Q: can i have lap band surgery if i have already had gastric bypass i had the surgery in the year 2000 A: I'm not sure that the structure of your stomach will allow for a lap band; only your physician can ... | |
| Pain from Magnesium | 10/23/2011 |
| Q: I had gastric bypass surgery 11 years ago. Now I have a on going pain that’s goes on in my sided, ... A: If there was a leak, it is my understanding that the consequences would be dire. If you have any ... | |
| Post-op gastric bypass "1999" | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: I had a Roux-en-Y in 1999. I have been having stomach issues for the past 5 years. I recently had a ... A: None of what you're describing makes much sense to me. If food is not staying in the stomach, you ... | |
| skin removal following lapband weight loss | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: I had lapband surgery in 2003. I am 5ft. 10 in. tall and lost 151 pounds. (343 to 192lbs.) I have ... A: I would suggest that you approach your primary care physician and speak to him or her regarding the ... | |
| Gastric tube blockages | 5/10/2011 |
| Q: Is it possible for your gastric tube (post gastric sleeve surgery) gets blocked and if so, how do is ... A: Any reduction in the gastric path is at risk for blockage of food if you eat too much, too quickly. ... | |
| ercp | 3/31/2011 |
| Q: I am in volusia county in the hopital as we speak they are telling me i need theercp procedure done ... A: ERCP, from the internet, is Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. It is a procedure used ... | |
| gastric sleeve surgery | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: Is it possible to have the gastric sleeve surgery if i had the Y-and-Roux 5 years ago? I have lost ... A: It may be an option if your stomach has 'stretched' back to near it's pre-surgery size. But if ... | |
| i have ate solid foods after my surgery am i in trouble | 7/24/2010 |
| Q: I had surgery July 12th was sent home the 14th I fallowed my liquid diet after surgery for three ... A: The danger here is not that you'll stretch out your tummy. This soon after your surgery, if you ... | |
| Sugar | 6/19/2010 |
| Q: I had bypass about 26 years ago, over the years my weight has gone back up past what I weight ... A: Considering that you had gastric bypass surgery that long ago, I don't think that I am in a position ... | |
| Ulcers due to surgery and extreme pain in lower back | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: I had my surgery, Gastric bypass on 12/28 once I began eating soft foods, i.e. scrambled eggs, ... A: I'm sorry to hear that you've had such problems. Since I'm a gastric bypass patient, I'm not sure ... | |
| After surgery problems- ulcers, pain left side abdom | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: Have you heard of problems with bleeding ulcers following gastric bypass surgery? I have 2 that are ... A: I HAVE heard of having bleeding ulcers prior to AND after surgery, but not AS A RESULT OF Gastric ... | |
| gastric byapass six months after | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: I had surgery in July of 2009. I am worried that I stretched my pouch so that it is back to normal. ... A: My answer depends upon your circumstances: If you underwent gastric bypass surgery (e.g. RNY) and ... | |
| Pregnancy after bariatric surgery | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: My 21 year old daughter is planning on having the Roux-enn-Y gastric Bypass Surgery in December. I ... A: Martha, Glad that the desire for grandchildren is not yours alone; sorry I brought it up but I see ... | |
| Pregnancy after bariatric surgery | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: My 21 year old daughter is planning on having the Roux-enn-Y gastric Bypass Surgery in December. I ... A: It is wonderful that your daughter has such a loving, caring mother. I am not a doctor and I'm ... | |
| Fibre flattens belly? | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: Steven I am not a candidate for surgery but am hoping you may be familiar with gastro intestinal ... A: My expertise is not in exercise or focused weight loss, it is in weight loss surgery. Your initial ... | |
| weight not going down anymore | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: I am almost 6 years out from open RNY. I started 308lb. Got down to 174lb but currently weigh 211. I ... A: At six years after your RNY and cessation of smoking (congratulations on that, by the way!) you may ... | |
| Not Losing | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can give me some advice. I had WLS in Nov. of 2006. I started out at 355 lbs. I now weigh ... A: I'm anxious to hear what your doctor says during your visit with him in November. Until then, be ... | |
| Not Losing | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can give me some advice. I had WLS in Nov. of 2006. I started out at 355 lbs. I now weigh ... A: I am confused by your comments. Do you eat more or less than you should? And, who are you ... | |
| Not Losing | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can give me some advice. I had WLS in Nov. of 2006. I started out at 355 lbs. I now weigh ... A: I am sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the weight that you have lost. It is important ... | |
| weight loss after surgery | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: i had my bypass 5 months ago and i have only lost 2 stone i exercise now and eat sensibly but i ... A: First of all, congratulations on losing the 2 stone; you should acknowledge that you have made ... | |
| Not losing! | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: I am 5'4 and went in at 262 and am now 195. I do not seem to be losing much. Shouldn't I have lost ... A: In order to answer your question, I need more information... What type of bariatric surgery did you ... | |
| lapband on 15 year old female | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: I'm a 15 year old female and I live in NY. I weigh around 265+ and i'm 5'5. I was wondering if I'm ... A: Not being sure what your weight is (265+ what?), the only thing that I know is that your BMI or Body ... | |
| GASTRIC-BYPASS AND BELCHING | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: I had gastric-bypass surgery 6/04. Since then, my belching has increased to the point of where I ... A: Trying to keep this answer representational of my own experience, I do belch after I eat but only ... | |
| weight loss surgery | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: 7 would i qualified for weight loss surgery and will my insurance pay for it? thanks; A: Your question indicates that you are serious about changing the way your life is going and that is ... | |
| LOOSE SKIN. | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I HAD MY SURGERY DONE IN FEB.2008. THEN I HAD TO GO BACK AND HAVE RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY DONE ON ... A: I am not a doctor; I am a gastric bypass patient just like you. My recommendation to consult your ... | |
| Regain question | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: I had WLS 9 years ago, I initially lost 130 lbs, but over the past 5 years and 2 pregnancies I have ... A: First of all, congratulations on, in chronological order, WLS and then two pregnancies. As you ... | |
| LOOSE SKIN. | 5/15/2009 |
| Q: I HAD MY SURGERY DONE IN FEB.2008. THEN I HAD TO GO BACK AND HAVE RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY DONE ON ... A: Am a little confused. Not sure what aspect of what you discussed that you'd like me to shed light ... | |
| burping after bariatric surgury | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: I burp constant, and have since the beginning. I had surgury Dec 5, 2006. It has gotten so bad that ... A: When you say it has started to "affect" your back, what do you mean? Have the tests you've had been ... | |
| revision surgery for severe gerd? | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: I had a gastric stapling (partition) in 1980 when i was 17. this was purely a restrictive ... A: I would suggest that you approach a specialist in bariatric surgery. Without knowing what's going ... | |
| weigh gain after gastric bypass | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I had my surgery 9 years ago; about 2 years ago i started to gain weight and now I am almost up to ... A: You should pursue/investigate bariatric revision surgery. For those who have been post-surgical for ... | |
| 14 and 14st | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: I'm 14 years old, I turned 14 alsmost 2 weeks ago. I am only 5ft and weight 14'6st. I was wndering ... A: You should know that there are 14 year olds everywhere in the world with problems just like yours. ... | |
| learning | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: will u ever be able to drink juice and soda after surgery and what about pizza and barbeque A: Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or ... | |
| weight lost | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: how to get back on track? I've lost only 60 pounds. I want to lose 60 more. But It is so hard. I ... A: First of all, I want to confirm that you had Weight Loss Surgery. Is that the case? If so, how ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Steven West
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer any and all questions from the perspective of a weight loss surgery patient. I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - Roux-en-Y - and can answer questions from the perspective of one who has experienced the pain and suffering of murderous obesity. I have mustered the courage to open myself to the opportunity to live life again! Let me help you get there, too! Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but for those who fit some specific criteria, it is a viable option. With the rise in obesity in America, there are suddenly weight loss surgery centers springing up on every street corner, it seems. Choosing to have weight loss surgery is a major decision in your life, and choosing the right center can mean the difference between weight loss success and failure. There are three main types of weight loss surgery being performed today at most all surgical weight loss clinics: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is similar to the first surgery, but is done laparoscopically, so it reduces the size of the incision, and reduces the pain and recovery time of the surgery, and the LAP-BAND surgery, which is a band fastened around the stomach to create a small pouch. Weight Loss surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In most cases, candidates must be at least 100 pounds overweight. Surgery should be the last resort, rather than a quick-fix. Surgery is a long-term answer to managing your weight, and you need to be aware it will change your life.
Experience
I am a post operative patient of Weight Loss Surgery (Gastric Bypass, RNY). I am interested in providing coaching for pre-operative and post-operative patients.
Organizations
Member of obesityhelp.com.
Publications
Profiled in Obesity Help Magazine.
Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. I am an engineer working for Computer Sciences Corporation in the Washington, D.C. area.
Awards and Honors
I am a retired veteran with over twenty years of U.S. Naval Service.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.