djbryan51

I'm a firm believer that all things happen in God's time even when you don't understand. Last May I decided to look into Bariatric surgery. For various reasons I couldn't do anything until the end of last year. I thought o.k! But a trip to my cardiologist put it on hold. I thought no problem we'll see what happens about Christmas. On the 21st I sent in my paper work and sat back to wait. On New Year's day I started hemoraging, ended in the hospital for five days. Got out but was still having some problems. I had checked with my coordinator and was told my benefit papers were suppose to be here by next week. There is no way I can have the surgery until we find what was causing the bleeding problem. So hubby and I went to my gyn today only to hear words you never want to hear. "Deb, the biopsy was positive." It seems like I am in the very beginning stage of uterine cancer and hopefully Wednesday they will do a total hysterectomy and get it all. This wasn't my plan. Mine was to have VSG loose 100 lbs and then have the total but as I said God's Time isn't my time. I'm not giving up I'm just going to wait for the right time. Good luck to all who are going to get their sleeves and please say a prayer or two for me until I too can join the looser's side. Deb

Hi all, I'm back home and at the computer for awhile anyway. Everything went great. Dr. Rushing said I lost about 5 lbs with this surgery as it was a rather large tumor but there was no sign of cancer cells when he was done. I'm pretty sore but that is to be expected although I am healing up pretty good. No rushing it though. Now if everything goes good and the Good Lord wills it, I'm looking at going back in about Sept. to start the VGS process. Thanks to all of you for you kind thoughts and prayers. They were really appreciated. Deb

Wish a brief period was the least of my problem. For the last year and a half I have had a period per se 24/7. I have fibroids and about every six months I end up in the hospital hemorging. Just got out Saturday with my third D n C. Hence the decision for VGS as my doctor doesn't want to operate until I can loose 100 lbs. Keeping my fingers crossed I can hear something from the clinic before I go in to see him Thursday.

How long on average does it take to get your first consult after you send your paperwork in? I sent mine in before Christmas and was just wondering. Deb

This will probably be all self-pay. Even though I need to loose the weight in order to have another surgery my insurance won't pay anything on it.

I'm 61 and I'm taking my first step in my VSG journey. The paperwork goes into the mail in the morning. Since I will be self-pay, I am hoping to have my surgery before I turn 62 in March but if not, oh well. Good things come to those who are patient. Deb Anyone from the SW WA area?

I find that A & D ointment works well too. Goldbond Power helps to keep the moisture out so you don't get sore.

Like Shannon, I too had thick beautiful hair but in the last few months its come out in handfuls. I haven't had surgery yet so the only thing I can think of is the hormones I am taking is causing the hair loss. I'm going to go ahead and get it cut short but was wondering what I could do to try to stop it. Does the Biotin really work?

I've wondered about the symtoms myself. I've had a dull pain across the top of my stomach and around my back with most pain centered under my breast bone. I've had a lot of gas and just the smell of food makes me sick.

Oh I have no intention of giving up. I was just bummed. My pop used to say all things in God's time and not yours so you had better learn to wait. Then again all good things are worth waiting for. I got Afib about five years ago. Went to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. Missed that one but they found a kidney infection that wasn't showing up normal. Somehow they figured that triggered the irregular beat. I am on meds but I never really get into a regular rythm. Doctor back then said something about shocking my heart but they never did anything more. They mentioned a pacemaker but my heartbeat is extra fast not to slow so that ended that. We will see what this new doctor has to say. Hopefully, I will still be able to get my paperwork in before the end of the year. Since I will be self pay I don't think I will have to jump through to many hoops.

Finally everything was falling in place for me to be able to send my papers in to start my VSG proceedures. I was getting excited for that first meeting with the surgeon but first I had an appointment with my cardiologist. At first I had my EKG and the tech looked at it, excused herself then came back a little later. The doctor came in and I was telling him that I was planning on VGS surgery. He shook his head and said, "Let's see what is going on here first." I do have Afib and lately have been getting more out of breathe. It is hard for me to walk 10-15 feet sometimes without stopping to catch my breathe. Now we are looking at echocardiograms and stress test for just a start. It all started because I need a hysterectomy but the doctor won't do one until I loose 100 lbs. Can't loose 100 lbs without the VGS surgery but can't have that until we figure out my heart. I'm bummed but I'm not giving up. It seems like God had been leading me this way so it it is His will it will happen! Deb

Thank you to all who have written me back. This has really helped. I also have been going to a support group here in town and one of the women I met had had revision from band to sleeve. She was quite happy with it. Now to just choose a Dr. Deb

I'm trying to decide what kind of WLS to have. I've checked out the band for some time and now want to know more about the sleeve. Please no band bashing just pros and cons about having the sleeve. What are some of the complications? With a band you have restriction. What restricts you with the sleeve? Are there foods that are natually restricted with the sleeve? I know there are probably a whole lot of questions I need to ask but I will get around to them as I learn more. I am currently 61 and weigh 295 lb on a good day . Since I am only 5 ft, this makes me almost as round as I am tall. I have afib, high blood pressure and am very short of breath. I'm hoping this will help me. Deb

Thanks Debbie for getting back with me. I guess the thought of 1/2 my stomach being removed spooks me but I am trying to be open minded about both methods. Since my insurance doesn't cover WLS and we are now retired, I have to decide what is going to be the best for me in the long run. I know with the band you need to go have fills and that's about $200 each time. Is there anything like that for the VS?What are outside costs?

I'm 61 and I don't think it is to late to have the surgery, in fact I will start making arrangements about October. My insurance won't pay for it so I am going to have to self-pay but it will be worth it. Check out the sixties forum. You'll meet a lot of people our age and older who have been banded.

I've heard people mention they can't eat bread after banding. Is this all breads or can you have like leftsa, flat bread, tortillas etc. Just kind of curious.

Maybe it sounds silly but meeting an old boyfriend from 40 years ago really got me thinking about seriously trying to loose weight. Last time he saw me I weighed 110 lbs. Well to say the least it was a shock (which he covered well) when he saw me a nearly 300 lbs. I went on Medifast and later Weight Watchers but just gained everything back. This spring I started having some problems which requires surgery but my doctor said that there was no way he would operate on me unless I lost 100 lbs. With my weight and Afib he said I wouldn't make it. Talk about a wake up call! Both he and my cardiologist recommended the lapband. My husband and I went to a seminar and came home to discuss it. He is retiring this next month so funds are going to very limited but he agreed that this is something I need to do unfortunately our insurance doesn't cover WLS so this is going to be all out of pocket. I was hoping to get started in September but it looks like it will be November before I can even begin scheduling any appointments. Am I scared? I'm terrified but it is the fear of failure not the surgery. I can't fail at this because there will be no second chance.

I too graduated in 1969 and the only concert I ever went to was the Beach Boys. I remember being in school when JFK was killed. My little brother came to my room crying. He had an imbedded hernia and when it acted up I was allowed to take care of him. He was crying when I went to the door and he said.."Sissy, someone killed the president." I guess I turned pale as my teacher asked what was wrong and I told her. I remember standing in the library watching the TV in shock. We lived in a rual community so we had to stay until the buses came to pick us up. We've lived through civil rights, Viet Nam, Challenger, Columbia, the Kennedy assasinations and 9/11. We might not have been the greatest generation but we still knew how to work and didn't expect the government to take care of us. So here's to us and the great things we have accomplished and the many more left ahead of us! Deb

Pat, where are you in WA State? I'm in Longview. Is this helping with your Afib? I have it too and even a little excercise makes me very much out of breath. Do you still take meds for Afib? Hubby said I wouldn't have to eat because my meds would fill up my stomach. I would love to get rid of a bunch of them. Deb

Hey B-52 my husband has a Harley and I can't wait until I get down some so I can go ride with him. I'm still in the investigating stage as it looks like we are going to have to pay for this ourselves. Since we are retired I have to be careful of costs. I still figure if this is what God wants for me to do then everything will work out. To all: Keep up the good work. You are inspirations! Deb

That's a question I hadn't thought of. How long does a band last? Am I going to have to pay again in 5-10 years to replace a band? Sorry Pamela for stepping into your posting but that could make a big difference in my decision to have a lapband or not.

One more question. What is Plication and how does it relate to banding?

Sorry for more questions but can some one explain PB'ing and sliming? I have heard these terms used often but not sure what they are? Deb

Hi, I'm 61 also. I am just starting on my journey and hope to be able to get banded even if I have to pay for it myself. Right now I'm filling out my paperwork for insurance verification but I really don't think our insurance will cover it, My cardiologist suggested this two years ago but I wasn't open to it. Then I hit 306 lbs. At 5 ft that is a huge amount. I'd dropped about 15 lbs and hold about 290. In April my gyn told me I needed a hysterecomy and sent me to a specialist. He said flat out he wouldn't even attempt surgery unless I lost 100 lbs. His next words were "Have you considered bariatric surgery?" You don't need to hit me with a 2x4 for me to see that this was looking like my only option. So dispite the insurance if God wants me to have this surgery- it is as good as done!