Weight Loss Surgery with Ostomy

[Montreaux]

Here it is, in late June 2022 -- and I too, am hoping to be able to "receive" (be a candidate for) a gastric surgery, specifically a lap-band. Six years ago (in 2026) I had a colostomy, due to a gangrenous large intestine (iatrogenic). (sp?) Seems to me, the very brief internet research I've done indicates no conflicts with having a colostomy and undergoing a lap-band procedure... Does anyone have anything to add? Warnings? Am I incorrect in my presumption? Suggestions? I eagerly welcome all input!

It has been eye-opening to read / learn that fellow colostomy patients (post surgery) have also experienced weight gain, even though their life style, diet, etc has not changed! Wow! I thought:
(1) it was just me!
(2) I attributed it (significantly) to the anti-depressant medications I was taking. (Whoa, that Ability puts 100 lbs. on ya in just one year!)

If anyone else has had similar experiences to share, and/or SOLUTIONS or SUGGESTIONS -- I'd love to hear from you!

Thank you friends! Take care, stay well!

[lolapergola]

I'm having a gastric sleeve in 10 weeks time. I hated the idea of a bypass as you lose nutritional goodness .
I so wish the other people on the thread who have had these ops would come back on and share their experiences !

[lolapergola]

A month post gastric sleeve if anyone has any questions x

[To Dream a Dream]

Hello lolapergola: So good to see you posting. Although I am unfamiliar with these procedures, I hope that things are going well for you postop.

[lolapergola]

Hi Dreamy ! my daughter just got married in a dress not unlike your picture x

[To Dream a Dream]

I used to resemble my avatar, a long time ago. My niece was married this past weekend in a Ren Faire themed wedding. She had made all the gowns. Always gives me a lift to see your avatar. It's coming up on a year since I adopted a beautiful female white Angora cat. She has big blue eyes.

[PATTIE]

A month post gastric sleeve if anyone has any questions x

I am hoping you can provide some info if you are still on this forum !!! I have many questions !

[lolapergola]

Hi Dreamy and Pattie , yep am still here .Fire away with your q's .To be fair , now that we have fat jabs I wouldn't bother having the sleeve ! just saying ! jabs are very effective , cheaper , and no intrusive surgery .But I had it , so ask anything you want .
Hope you are still doing ok Dreamy ,your Avator is co cute !

[PATTIE]

Thank you. I really just wanted to know what you're journey was like, how did they actually do the surgery with a stoma. Have you noticed a difference with your output.

[lolapergola]

Hi Pattie , yes sure .The gastric sleeve is ok for colostomy's because it doesn't go near the abdomen or bowels .It's the stomach itself .My journey was ok .I am unsure if you are in the UK or U/S .I went private in the UK .They fixed a hiatus hernia at the same time so that was the end of my reflux .It's a long journey .You have check ins with the dietician - for me 2 years via phone .The weight doesn't just drop off though , I found I was very hungry even though you can only eat a little or you throw up .If I would have starved myself I would have got the same result .I lost 4 and a half stones in all which was ok for me .At the 18/24 month mark you do put a bit back on .A lot of people do the dietician said .You have to be very careful .One of the things I hated was they expect you to be up and at 'em from day one .This was very hard .I was 67 and the morning after surgery I was still very groggy .The surgeon took a dim view of this and expected me to be raring to go .
Regardless , apart from vomiting and nausea you lose weight .
Right - how it effects your stoma - I think that's very individual .I felt a lot more constipated , maybe because you go for foods that slide down .If you eat rough foods - veg and fibre - it feels so painful .So yogurts ,protein shakes, protein water , blended soups , very soft veg , whatever your tummy can manage .I normally irrigate so I suppose that helped a bit .They give you fibre drinks to take home so it must be common .
I am sat here sipping on prune juice so I have to be alert for constipation ever after .I had a blockage due to eating nuts and raisins - stupidly , but I ended up in hospital .Over time your little tummy becomes bigger but you can never go back to the days where you overate .
Does this help at all ? if you need to know more please feel free to ask
L.x