Kristine

I am retired now, but was still working when I was sleeved in 2012. I worked 12-hour shifts in a busy L&D unit. My physician took me off work for six weeks. Truthfully, I could have gone back to work in four weeks. However, with the extra time, I was able to learn and organize my new eating plan. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

When I started investigating which intervention to persue (RNY, sleeve or lapband) my bariatric physician told me they use the amount of weight an individual needs to lose a guideline. More than 100 lbs - RNY. 50-100 lbs... a sleeve. Less than 50lbs - the lapband. Based on your posted weight and goal weight, you would fall into the sleeve catagory. Maybe this is one of the reasons your surgeon is steering you to another decision. I do not think my bariatric group sticks with these numbers as a hard and fast rule. Lots of people with over 100lbs have had a sleeve done with great success. Likewise, people with less than 100lbs have had a RNY with success. It is a personal decision. I believe your diabetes will respond with either procedure. Personally, I had a sleeve done and I've never been happier.

At 61 years old, I know exactly what you are talking about! I have been taking Osphena for the past nine months and it has made a big difference. In fact, I don't really need lubricants anymore, which has made both of us very happy. The only down side has been a huge increase in hot flashes, something a really didn't have much trouble with before. All things taken into consideration, I will keep taking the Osphena. My OB-Gyn gave me a card from the manufacturer that limits the cost. I do have very good insurance, but it was free the first month and then limited the co-pay to $35 for the next five months. With my insurance I pay $50/month now. Sorry I don't know the cost without insurance.

I have a friend that has travelled with Gutsy Women Travel. She has been widowed for years and I know she has been to Italy on one trip and earlier this year she went to Costa Rica. She said one of the reasons she enjoys the trips so much is because of the wide range of ages among the other women travelers. Google the group name and the website will pop right up. I am going to see her tomorrow (we are part of a quilt class/group that meet each week) and I will ask if she has any other advice for you. Good Luck!

The power of the internet - just think how many people you have been able to tell about your experience at Talbot's and influence the shopping habits of others. With review sites like Yelp and Trip Advisor, you would think companies would do a better job with customer service. Clearly, some do not. I am sorry this happened to you, but you did the right thing by going to the manager. Perhaps a letter to their corporate office would be in order.

My doctor took me off my high blood pressure medication about a week post-op (my b/p was 86/44). I am nine months post vsg and still off medication. My blood pressure runs 110-120 over 60-70. Love it!

I just saw this post, so this may not be relevant any longer... But I can highly recommend the Scripps Center for Weight Management. Dr. Ken Fujioka and Dr. Michael Lee are the two physicians that specialize in weight loss management. Both are excellent as well as all the staff. My surgeon was Dr. Mark Takata - again, just excellent. The office is on El Camino Real in the Del Mar Heights area of San Diego. Oh, and the office staff is great. Very knowledgable re: insurance etc. Another group of excellent bariatric physicians/surgeons is Pacific Bariatric in Hillcrest. I work at Scripps Mercy San Diego and they do all their surgeries at this hospital. A very good group. Hope this helps and I'm not too late with a little bit of info.

This topic has been fairly well covered, but I'll add my two cents... when I started considering wls, I did a google search for "successful lap band surgery" and I got zilch, zero, zip. All I read about was complications and a huge amount of vomiting. Yuck. Since I hate to throw-up I took the lap-band off my list of possibilities. I was sleeved August 2012 and I feel fabulous. I'm somewhat of a slow loser, but I've lost 65 lbs and since the trend continues downward, I am happy, happy, happy. Good luck in your decision making process.

Sorry you're feeling icky in the mornings. I'm not trying to be flip or rude (since i don't know how old you are) but have you thought of taking a pregnancy test?

I like Ensure High Protein. 25gms of protein/210 cal/23 gm of carbs in 14 oz. I buy them at Target for $8.99 a four pack. I have seen it at Wal-Mart for the same price. I tried the Costco premier shakes and (to me) they smelled too much like vitamins. This was pre-op and I probably should give 'em another try. But, I like the Ensure and tend to stick with what works. I prefer the "creamy milk chocolate" but, the vanilla is good too. Boost also makes a couple of shakes with 15-16 grams of protein each. I have used them when I was on vacation and couldn't find Ensure. Just keep trying different kinds and you'll find one you like.

I did not tell very many people before I had surgery, but I did discuss it with my internist and my gyn. I don't want to throw them under the bus, but neither were very supportive. My pcp really has not had much experience with patients having a sleeve and he was at least honest enough to say this. His experiences were related to lap-band and rny patients. His primary concern was (is) that I will gain back the weight. His comment to me was "your brain will find a way to make you eat". The next appt I had with the weight management MD, we discussed this exact possibility and his response was "Yes, you can gain back weight, but it is so much harder to do and you can get a handle on it much easier." Decision made. I didn't mention surgery to my ob-gyn until just a few days before I was to have surgery. Just as Msantiband said, I didn't need her approval, I was just keeping her in the loop as one of my providers. Her response was more neutral, but I didn't get the "great" I was hoping for. I am sorry you didn't get the support and approval you were seeking. Unfortunately, physicians (especially specialists) often do not have any more knowledge about a topic out of their area of expertise than the general public. To many perpetuate prejudice and ignorance in relation to obesity and weight loss surgery and your experience demonstrated this. My advice is to ignore her. If you decide to keep her as a provider (since you did say she has helped you with other areas of your healthcare) then live your life as an example regarding how successful a vsg can be. Perhaps you will help to educate her and change her outlook. Your other option is to change ob-gyns. Do not for one minute think there aren't other great doctors in your area that will help with your gyn issues and provide the support you need as a wls patient. Just remember...... She. Is. Wrong.

I actually flew to Portland on Thursday. Even before surgery I did not have to ask for a seat belt extender, but I was getting close! My nsv is that on Thursday, I was able to cross my legs while sitting in a coach seat!! I couldn't believe it and I kept crossing and uncrossing them just to prove I could do it. Amazing! Travel is so much easier now and I plan to do a lot more!

Absolutely! Highest weight -240 Surgery weight - 220 (8-22-2012) Current weight - 185 Valentine's Day goal weight - 175 I am a slow loser, but I can do this!!

I am an RN and work 12 hour shifts - on my feet, up and down the hall, lifting/turning pts etc. My surgeon took me off work for six weeks because he didn't want me lifting anything over 20 pounds. I've enjoyed the time off, but I could have gone back a little sooner. Four weeks would have probably been enough. I was sleeved on August 22 and my six weeks is up tomorrow.

Well, I'm a little late in commenting on this thread, but I had Dr. Takata, Dr Fuller's associate and was sleeved on Aug 22. I have been seeing Dr. Lee, the endocrinologist with Scripps Weight Loss Management group for some time and he spoke very highly of both surgeons. I thought the care at Scripps Green was fantastic. I hope you are doing well and had a good experience with Dr. Fuller.