mrsto

I looked on the main page for people in Southern California. It seems no one has posted in those location specific forums in over two years. Or, at least not in California. Oh well......

Sandiburn - I use the MFP application on my phone, and love it for tracking my calories, Protein intake, etc. One day I went on the site & checked out the forums. Like you, I couldn't relate to much of it. Of the millions of people in those forums, not all have a serious weight issue. Some struggle with only 10,15, 20 pounds. In the WLS forums, you don't find any of those people, and who participates here are those who share the lifelong struggle with obesity. I found this forum last week, and now check in every day. LOVE the support, and it's so helpful to read of others struggles AND success. Welcome aboard!

Rosie - BRAVO for you! There will always be people who absolutely don't get it, and have strong opinions. But these are people who have their own agenda, and their judgment is based on ignorance. When I first started seriously exploring WLS, I didn't tell anyone except my husband (of course), my immediate family and my best friend. Part of me was embarrassed that I couldn't take control & handle this without surgical intervention. And most certainly, there will be people to mirror that self-judgment. I had this very same conversation with my best friend, yesterday. My surgery is a week from tomorrow, and I told her that I wasn't going to discuss it with anyone. Her feeling is, why not? You are taking control of your life, and what you're doing is a very brave thing. I told her that I felt that people would be watching me under a microscope, and I can't handle that. It's already a lot to deal with, without having all eyes on me. The reality is, I'm self employed......work from home most days, and who is really watching??? All that being said, I mentioned to one of my clients, that I would be off the radar the week of 3/25. I told her that I was having surgery. She asked, what, and I told her. She was very supportive; told me a couple of her friends had WLS, and both are very happy. When I went to the Vitamin Shoppe to pick up my Protein, Vitamins, etc.; as I was standing in front of ALL the protein powders, the woman helping me already knew what I was doing, based on the criteria of the protein I was looking for. I told her that I wasn't really talking much about it, and she said "WHY.....you're taking control of your health, and should be proud of what you're doing". After months of preparing for this life change, I'm now getting comfortable with the idea of being open about it. And as everyone in this forum stated above, we are taking the bull by the horns in doing what we need to do for our health. And anyone who has already had the surgery knows that it is NOT the easy way out! The band doesn’t do the work, we do! And anyone along the way with the "do it the right way-do it my way" attitude, can take their sanctimonious attitude & stick it.....(I'll stop here) LOL! Rosie – thanks for this post. It was very timely, as I’m right along side of you Please let us know how you’re doing after your surgery. I wish you ALL the best of luck!

Froggy - there is a new procedure that they can now do along with the band. It's lap band with plication. It's where they fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it with non dissolving sutures. Without cutting, stapling or rerouting intestines, they make the stomach the size and shape of the sleeve, then put the band on top. I've talked with many people who have had it done, and I will most likely have it with my procedure on March 25th. It's been shown to reduce various issues with the band (slipping, less fills, etc.) and gives that second tier of restriction. The beginning weight loss is suppose to be better than with the band alone. It's been done for about 3 years, but not currently approved by the FDA. Therefore, insurance does not cover it. But you may want to ask your surgeon about it. Just another option that isn't invasive, like the bypass, sleeve, etc. Of all options, the gastric sleeve seems the most dangerous, especially in the beginning. As mentioned by SashaWLS above, if those staples leak, you could be VERY sick and in the hospital for months. That's I risk I cannot afford. FYI - I was scheduled for a bypass last month, but freaked out ten days prior. TOO extreme, and since I have less than 100 pounds to lose, I feel that the less invasive procedure is the way to go (for me).

For 2012, unreimbursed medical expenses are deductible on your taxes, but only if the medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For instance.....if your adjusted gross income is $50K, then you could deduct medical expenses over and above $3,750. Given this, if you were out of pocket $6K on the surgery, you could deduct $2,250 of it. When you figure this out at year end, make sure to pick up all of your copays, prescriptions, eyeglasses, contact lenses.....ALL medical that was not reimbursed by insurance. Your accountant would be the best source to advise on on this overall.

d9leigh - how many nights total were you in the hospital? I'm scheduled for the 25th, and my doctor says it's outpatient. If there are any issues, I can stay one night, but they don't expect that. But I have to wonder, since I'm doing LB with plication, gallbladder removal, and a repaired hiatal hernia, is it really a good idea to send me home after all that?? I'm most concerned about the nausea I keep hearing about. To me, there is nothing worse than feeling that way

It's actually good that they do it that way. Not only because they are required to screen for many things prior, but it gives us/you a lot of time to consider everything. I was scheduled for a gastric bypass last month, and after I learned some aspects of what happens after surgery, I cancelled it. Now I'm moving forward with the least invasive of the procedures. Had everything moved along quickly, I may have done something that I would have regretted. My doctor told me that's one reason why it's so spread out. If anyone EVER has a doctor that is cutting corners & rushing them through, RUN AWAY.......as fast as you can!

I think the cleaning is nervous energy, and a way to feel in control when feeling so OUT of control. I'm self employed, and even though I won't be missing a lot of work, I've been absolutely MENTAL about getting everything done and CLEANED up. I also think all the cleaning is somewhat cathartic. When you come home, you'll be so glad that your house is in order. Just relax and let the healing begin

I'm having surgery on 3/25, and he's taking out my gallbladder at the same time. I have gallstones, and though they don't bother me, he'll remove it to avoid a second surgery down the road. It's pretty common for large amounts of weight loss to cause stones, so many doctors like to take out the gallbladder at the time of surgery, to avoid issues down the road. For me, I'll be glad to be rid of it. Sometimes I do have problems, but nothing life threatening.

Barefoot - oops.....I will call you Cindy :-) I just looked at your profile..... It can take a couple of months before you're ready for surgery. There is a lot of pre-screening, testing, evaluation and classes. It's possible that every doctor does it a little differently, but I think it's pretty standard to go through all of the tests. Mine was a psych evaluation, stress test, sleep evaluation, blood work, nutritional counseling, upper endoscopy, another (I think) MRI swallow test. Then, once I figured out which surgery, there was about three hours worth of pre-classes. It's a long haul before you get to the operating room, but you'll learn of everything in detail when you meet with the surgeon.

Tara - your weight is going in the right direction....DOWN! Whether it has to do with the added plication or not, you're on you way. Can't ask for more than that! I'm really leaning toward plication. As me again tomorrow & I'll probably say something else, but tonight I'm feeling pretty good about it

Barefoot - here is a better link. The one posted above doesn't really get into the details... http://doctorsofweightloss.com/banded-plication

Here is a link to a website explaining it. FYI, this is not my doctors site, but it explains it pretty well. There is a lot of info on the internet, if you Google "Lap Band + Plication". It seems to be becoming more & more popular. http://www.austinbariatric.com/default/iband

Tara - when having plication done at the same time as the band, it's difficult to know what one would have felt like without the other. Maybe it's working more than you know? I've spoken to people who added it later, as well as those who had it done together. It sounds like the plication helps with fullness, and staying full for longer. I've read tons of studies (even though there aren't many out there), and plication is supposed to help with initial weight loss. Since they don't fill the band until your body heals from the surgery, the full restriction isn't really there until later. With plication, you're restricted right out of the gate.

It seems to me you've lost a lot of weight in the 9 months....GOOD for you!' I understand about letting the surgery work. Or, working with the surgery :-) As they tell us continually, it's a tool, not a cure. People can gain weight with any of the surgeries, if they don't follow the rules (most of the time). I'm glad it's working so well for you. It's a mindset, and you are clearing moving in a positive direction.

Thanks, Carolinagirl. I'm scheduled for 3/25, and I'm an emotional mess. I go from excitement to panic to anxiety.... But I understand that the emotional roller coaster is pretty normal. I understand SO much about everything hurting. The weight takes it's toll on our bodies, but it can only get better with every lost pound. I look forward to doing things I once did effortlessly. Now, between my back, knee and hip issues, I'm in a good amount of pain after walking about 20-30 minutes. But I'm doing it now most every day, in preparation for my new life. My dog is happy, too Once I can get back on my prescription anti-inflamatories, I'll be even better! With the pre-op, it's Tylenol only. Hardly the same, but at least it's something.

Tara - thanks for posting. Anything I hear from banded plication patients is helpful. My feelings about doing it change from day to day. Yesterday I was sure that I'd do it. This morning.......not so much. But I do agree with Draven, that if the band fails, the plication is in place as a backup. That's a positive way of looking at it, and going into this surgery, we can't know what to expect. Everyone is so different. When you're able to start exercising, I'm sure the weight will start coming off a little quicker. Unfortunately (cuz I hate it), exercise is half the battle. But I do feel so much better when doing it. Thanks again..... Good luck with your back. If your doctor writes an order for physical therapy, the physical therapist can help you with an exercise program that will be easy on your back, knees.....whatever issues you may have.

Great - thanks Melody!

Melody - I hear that generally, people have problems with bread. I guess a tortilla falls into that category. Please keep us posted on your first post-op appointment.

Draven - yeah, I like that idea, too. I spoke with a woman who works with my surgeon, and she just had plication added to her 6 year old lap band. She's been very successful with the band alone, but since he was going to remove her gallbladder, she asked him to do the plication at the same time. She said it really helps with feeling full, and she's very happy she did it. For me, it's going to be a game time decision; one that I'll make as they're sticking the needle in my arm! LOL

Draven - that's a good way of looking at it. And yeah, a 10 pound gain over 50 is quite an accomplishment! I understand that the plication is supposed to reduce common issues with the band, but I wonder how a reversal would play out. I would think that the folds in the stomach stick together and scar over time. That's my concern. In the long term, would it matter? (not really asking you that question.....just the whirlwind of thoughts, concerns & fears that go through my mind).

Melody - what caused it; anything you can put your finger on? That is scary, especially because this is a WHOLE new deal. I hear about throwing up in these forums, but it sounds like it's not bad, as long as it doesn't happen on a regular basis.

Draven - if you had it to do over, would you do the plication again, or lap band alone? I'm so interested in other people's experiences with this procedure, because I go back & forth between about adding it. Makes me a bit nervous, but I like the idea of added restriction. Although, it doesn't sound like you experienced that, until you had a fill. Glad to hear that you got back on track. Stress is a hard one when food is our "go to" drug :-) How has your wife done with the band?

Draven - I would LOVE to hear how you've been doing over the past months since your surgery. Any complications (my biggest fear considering plication+band). How was the weight loss over the first few months? How many (if any) fills so far? I guess I have a lot of questions

Melody - I look forward to hearing more from you :-) And I'm glad to hear that you're in the best of hands out there on the east coast. I'm located in So. Calif., and am also in the very best of hands. The doctor's name is Helmuth Billy, and if I had to guess, I'd say that many of the reputable doctors know of each other; even across the country.