Overdue Gastric Bypass Review - Concord, NC

So I wasn't sure if I wanted to add a picture w/ my face or not. But I lost an insane amount of weight from my face so I decided to add it. And yes my after pic is a Halloween pic. But I generally am pretty conservative and I don't normally wear clothes that are so fitted. This way you can really see what Gastric Bypass surgery did for me.

So this review is maybe 3 years overdue. I was 35 years old, 5'2" and 280 lbs when I decided on the Gastric Bypass procedure. I had spent years doing Dr assisted weight loss, weight watchers and so on. I just could not drop the weight. So I was finally fed up with not being able to keep up with my then 10 and 9 year old sons. I decided on Gastric Bypass with Dr Bauman in Concord NC. I cant say enough positive things about my Dr. He was very direct, to the point and honest. If you are in the area you should 100% consider him. You wont be disappointed. He and his staff are excellent. He also requires you to do nutrition counseling once a month for a year after the surgery. This really helped me relearn how to eat.

The surgery.... I know this surgery does not cost $3000. But that was my co pay so that is the number I remember. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. 2 of which I was hooked up to a pain pump. I went through surgery like a champ and was outside taking short walks up and down my street the day I got home from the hospital. Learning to eat again and taking care of yourself so you get proper nutrition after the surgery is hard. Harder then you think. So don't ever feel like you took the easy way out by having surgery because you didn't. The emotional roller coaster of not being able to eat what you want when you want is pretty serious too. But in the end I got down to 135 lbs. I got to this weight about 1.5 years after the surgery and have stayed there for 3 years now. When I started the journey I had grand ideas about getting down to a size 2 or weighing 115 lbs. But I got over that. My body got to 135 and was happy there. And now I am happy there too.

The aftermath of surgery.... I was a really healthy obese person. I am not such a healthy person at my normal weight. After surgery I am now severely anemic. I have been seeing a hematologist and have had 3 iron transfusions so far. I think I may need 1 more but wont find out for another week. My OB had to perform a uterian ablation because my periods got so heavy and were making my anemia even worst. I also am constantly low in all of my vitamins and minerals. This is because the nature of RNY Gastric Bypass surgery limits your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat. On the bright side, I will just have to go back to the hematologist every 1-1.5 years for an iron transfusion to keep my anemia under control. (Which means an additional trip to my PCP every 6 months to have my blood drawn for an iron test -- no biggie)

Would I do this again? Yes! Would I choose the same surgeon? Totally! The only thing I would reconsider is having the sleeve instead of the RNY Gastric Bypass just because of the malabsorption issues I am dealing with today.

Final thoughts.... Don't be ashamed of having to take the perceived "easy way out" by having this surgery. Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Know the battle begins once you have lost the weight. It is up to you to stay healthy and keep the weight off. I was ashamed for a long time about having the surgery. But I am not anymore. Don't let years pass by while you sit in indecision. Those are years you will never get back. If I didn't go through with the surgery I would have never reached this point where I can finally keep up with my family.

Hope this helps anyone looking into Gastric Bypass or Dr. Bauman.