optimistic

Has anyone had plastic/reconstructive surgery through the Mass General resident clinic? I know someone who had it done about 10 years ago, but would like more current information. Would love to hear your experience. I need an upper arm lift and a tummy tuck after vsg. Thanks.

I am seeing surgeon tomorrow. Expect to be scheduled for surgery 2-3 weeks from now. Anybody out there sleeved or about to be at CMC? Dr. Catania?

Good luck after your recent surgery. You must have gone thru Portsmouth Hospital? The only 2 certified programs in NH are CMC and Portsmouth. Probably similar programs. My surgery was on 5/2/11, and I found the recovery to be fairly easy. I am now 5 months out, and it has been wonderful. Yesterday, I went to a training to be a spin instructor. My BMI has dropped below 30, and I am no longer wearing plus sizes! It is truly miraculous. How has your recovery been so far? It really isn't that long that your diet is so restricted. I have been eating normally (but less) for at least 3 months now.

Be really careful about your BMI. Don't let it get to 35, and remember that scales weigh differently,a nd the one that counts is when you see the surgeon for the first time - that's when your paperwork goes to the insurance company. I had such a long delay to surgery that I worried my BMI would get too low for the insurance company to approve the surgery. Once you've had that weigh-in by the surgeon, they no longer care if you go below 35. Good luck getting in by year's end. They were really good about scheduling my surgery - with my work I didn't have a lot of days together that I could take off except for that one week, and they scheduled me for that Monday, although it was kind of close. CMC was great.

I had my surgery on 5/2/11. The process took about 8 months from first appointment, but that was mainly because my insurance (Cigna) required 7 monthly visits before seeing the surgeon. I was very happy with CMC, all the way through. I used Dr. Catania, just because he had done more vsg's. I started the program with a BMI of 41, and it is now 30.2. 2 more pounds and I will not be obese anymore (just overweight). If you have any other questions, please ask away.

I am 3+ months post op and have had no hair loss. Be very careful about Protein intake, even if it means protein supplements. I think that's the key.

Try egg drop Soup. When good, it is very flavorful, and I found it very satisfying at first. Also something to chew (egg threads). I drank 3-4 quarts of it before soft foods.

I vote for Las Vegas. Lots to do, and awesome hotels.Summer rates aren't too bad, either. Remember, it's a dry heat!

They are full of crap. I had my surgery Monday, home on Wednesday, drove and returned to work on Friday. I don't move bricks for a living, and was fine. You can't drive while you are taking the narcotic pain reliever, but I was off of that (and on to liquid tylenol) after four days. Six weeks is absolutely absurd. I was back to my exercise classes starting at 2 weeks out, and returned to spin after 4 weeks. don't believe them.

I told everybody (even strangers) about my surgery, before and after. My surgery was 5/2 and I am so glad I did it. I read a while ago that a good response was "I'm not asking for your approval, just your support." I used this with one friend, and she was quick to support and stop the discouraging words. I was just saying to my daughter this morning that i want a t-shirt that says "ask me about my bariatric surgery". There is one that says "surgically altered freak" - I like that, but don't want to give the impression I've had a boob job.

I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 about 6 months before surgery. Was on a minimal medication. After surgery, was on 10 MG of metaformin for 2 weeks, then off of it entirely. Dr. had me record sugars twice a day for the next 2 weeks (they were normal), and now I don't have to even do that anymore. Also went from 3 blood pressure medications to 1; now taking half of that one. Surgery was 6 weeks ago. It really works !!

Hi, I had surgery on a Monday; out of the hospital on Wednesday, weighed myself on Thursday - was 2 lbs more than before surgery. The next day (Friday) was 7 pounds lighter then that.(My husband said that that was a lot of peeing and he was right). You are definately full of fluid when you leave the hospital and I suppose we all lose that at different rates. Hang in there. With what you're eating, weight has to come off, right?

PS - just saw the end of your letter about being a doctoral student. I am an attorney, and was back at work for half a day on Friday (after Monday surgery), and back full time one week after surgery. Only found pain medication (except for liquid tylenol) necessary for a few days. Hope this helps..

Hi, I think it would be abnormal not to have some jitters. I was absolutely sure that I wanted to do this, and I still had jitters. Then after the surgery, when you feel the worst, you may wonder if you did the right thing (I did), but you absolutely did. I am 4 weeks post surgery. Went shopping with my daughter and took size 18 and 20 pants into the dressing room with me (22 before surgery). I had to go out and get 16's !!! It is an amazing feeling to have the pounds drop away. Also, the liquid diet, which I was on for 2 weeks post surgery, may seem awful, but remember it is only for a very short time, and your whole life you will feel better! Good luck!

Hi, I had surgery on a Monday, went home on Wednesday, and worked 1/2 day on Friday. By the next Monday, I was back full-time. I also work on a computer/phone, not hauling bricks , so I thought that the recoverty was pretty easy. Am four weeks out now, and have been back to full steam for 2 -2 1/2 weeks. You have to see how it goes for you.

I also have CIGNA, and am scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning!! I followed the rules of the program I was in, and was approved very fast. (this was done by the surgeon's office just before the surgery). They told me to lose 22.5 pounds,and I have lost 39 so far. Bur I was careful to not even approach a BMI of 35 before insurance approval. Kept my BMI in the 36's. I have several co-morbidities. You should be able to see all of CIGNA's requirements through your on-line access. I found it, with help from customer support. Then you can see exactly what they want. The 7 months does go by fast!. Good Luck.

Think she means a bath (soaking), not a shower.

You know, I think you may be right about age/experience being a positive factor here. I am 59, and agree with you that I don't care a rat's ass what other people think. I told a (heavy) woman in Macy's shoe department recently that I was having WLS, just because I think its healthy to share the knowledge. If it starts somebody else thinking about it, that's good. I will be sleeved next Monday, and only one friend told me how great I look now (lost 37 lbs, but still am 241), and maybe I should just continue what I'm doing. I told her I am not looking for her approval, just her support. Maybe the young just don't have the same sense of who they are the the self confidence we oldies have.

i am 59; sleeve scheduled for 5/2. To paraphrase someone else's comment on another topic "how old will you be if you don't get the sleeve?". With it, we will live longer than without it.

Just got my surgery date last week for 5/2/11. They short-scheduled it for me because I have a week then with no work obligations. The surgeon's office just submitted the paperwork to my insurance company last Friday, but I got the call today (4/20) that I have been approved. It seems very much more real now, as there are no obstacles left. I have been in the program since last September, and it seemed to take forever, but now it is full speed ahead. Woo hoo!

I am 59. Have been involved in this program for about 7 months, and see the surgeon TOMORROW. The "age limit" with my insurance is 65, so you are totally ok. If you don't do it now, you will still be getting older each year, only less healthy! I'm going for it>

Hi, I have been involved in the bariatric program at CMC (Manchester, NH) since last July, when I went to the infosession. Thought about it for a couple of months and then started in October. My insurance switched in January, and my new insurance (Cigna) requires 7 months in the program before surgery. I have done everything they asked - even lost 35 lbs. when they asked me to lose 23. I am really so ready. I will see the surgeon in mid-April, and then its just scheduling the surgery. My family all knows now, as well as friends. All supportive or neutral. I can lose weight ok, but not keep it off long-term. I am 59 and want to be around to see my (unborn as of now) grandchildren grow up. getting impatient, as this process has been seemingly endless. expect it to be worth it, though.

I haven't had my sleeve yet, but was catheterized as recently as one month ago for a cardiac procedure (as well as several other times with the last couple of years). Believe me, it will be the least of your problems. It does not hurt while in. Nurse told me to be sure it was taken out at the dr.approved time, to avoid a bladder infection. You will barely notice it coming out (nurse described it as "feeling like you're about to pee"). No scarring, no pain, no infection. I have probably had 15-20 catheters in my lifetime, and you really shouldn't worry about it.