Gastric Bypass Hope and Help

[WyDive]

Background: over 100+ dives pre 1984 4 dives post 1984
Ex Navy diver (at 20 yrs old I weighed 200 lbs ht 6'4")
I quit diving in 1984 when I married a non diver. July of last year I weighed in at 305 lbs.
On Oct 17th 2003 I had Gastric Bypass surgery. I had all the co-morbidities, diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Today I weigh 205 lbs. My blood sugars are below 110, blood pressure is normal, and I dont need the breathing machine to sleep any more.
The 4 post 1984 dives were all made in the last 3 weeks, while on a Caribe Cruise. 2 check out dives and 2 tanks to 40-50'.
If anyone reading this is wondering about the surgery, DO IT !!
You will never regret it or look back. I have never felt better in my life and I am back doing the one thing I love the most. I just regret all the years I lost not diving. Dont wait and dont put it off, just do it and then renew an enjoyment of life
I turned 50 a few weeks ago and I am so pumped about diving again.
Now my questions to the Meds You know I cant take in the amount of water I see recommended, but since I have no intention of being a Tech Diver anyway, and if I keep my dives well within the limits, will dehydration be that much of a factor? Single tank dives are the norm, and will Nitrox be better? Right now my main goal in life is take it one day at a time and make Dive Master before I am 51.
Thanks for the Help

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I had the gastric bypass in 1999. You will be able to drink the required water and you had better do it. Yes dehydration is a serious factor. I had my weight get up to 357. Then post op it dropped to 190 and now it's right at 215 and I'm happy with that.

Just keep doing the little sips, you have to. When you dive you need to sip even more. After a couple of years you will drink water normally.

Oh and I became an instructor post-op.

 

[beche de mer]

Today I weigh 205 lbs. My blood sugars are below 110, blood pressure is normal, and I dont need the breathing machine to sleep any more.

Now my questions to the Meds You know I cant take in the amount of water I see recommended, but since I have no intention of being a Tech Diver anyway, and if I keep my dives well within the limits, will dehydration be that much of a factor? Single tank dives are the norm, and will Nitrox be better? Right now my main goal in life is take it one day at a time and make Dive Master before I am 51.
Thanks for the Help

Congratulations on getting it together. You shouldn't have too much trouble getting the hydration up if you start in plenty of time and avoid the usual things such as caffeine and alcohol.

On the basis of what you say, you now only have one specific risk factor for DCI, and that's being 50 years of age. Not much you can do about that.

Yes, Nitrox would be good for you. If you use nitrox and set your computer/tables for air, it will give you a comfortable safety margin.