Hollyrock100

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has developed a chart for the treatment of bariatric patients in the ER. The download contains information for the treatment of leaks, sepsis, intra-abdominal bleeding, obstructions etc... The download comes in a PDF format so that you can download it for FREE before you go to the Emergency Room. You can download this PDF for here: http://asmbs.org/store/

Well, I had my second psych eval. (The first one was a year ago) No big deal. Except, I have been thinking about going to councilling after surgery. I have had some issues with my mother commenting on my weight throughout my life. I am wondering if I am keeping this weight on for a reason. I mean when I am in new love/lust. I loose the weight. Once I am single or in a dissatisfying relationship, I gain weight. I'm not sure if this is normal. Anyway, I am considering it. So, I really want to suceed. I think that if I don't change my way of thinking or feeling about myself, in 6 or so years I may be back where I started, or worse. For those of you who haven't had your psych eval. It's no big deal. You don't have to tell them anymore than what they ask. So, is there anyone out there who does get therapy? Or, do you have some sort of self-help program that will help you discovery why you do one thing or another? Thanks, Holly

First I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous new year! So, I started going to a support group with a girlfriend who is starting her journey towards a RNY. It's so nice to know we have each other during this time. At the support group we talked about how we think we will look in 6 months. Gosh, who knows. I just hope I am healthy and able to exercise (run). I would love to be one of those people who can just run and run zone out and forget about how far I've gone. My friend was worried about if she will be as desirable as she is now. She already had someone comment on her cup size. What will happen if I am beautiful with clothes on and hideous when I take my clothes off? Oh well... who knows? You, we will have to deal with that when it may or may not come. So finally my family is totally on board, all because of my sisters wonderful friend Antonia. Hail to Antonia! Thank you for making it easier for me. I owe you one.

The closer January comes, the more nervous I become. I wish there were some other way to loose weight and keep it off forever. I am convinced that there isn't. The more I research, the more I believe this procedure are sound and will help me, even over the long run. Never-the-less I am scared. I'm sure almost everyone was feeling this, and are now healthier without all of the weight they were carrying around. (Deep Breath) Stay calm and Carry on. If anyone knows of a support group in Phoenix/Scottsdale that anyone can attend please let me know. The one that is offered by Banner is not feasable, as I just can't get there on time.

Hello Everyone, I am researching Vitamin deficiencies post VSG. Does anyone know of any studies that have been published after 2009? In addition, does anyone know of any on-going studies that look at vitamin deficiencies post VSG over a 10 year period? Thank you, Holly

I have a thyroid dysorder and take Levoxyl. Pre-surg was aweful! I was having panic attacks, leg cramps, depression and terrible feelings of being scared. The Primary care doc wanted to put me on anti-depressants. I declined because it just treating the symptoms. I had a goiter that has been removed. I am 5 yrs post-op. Just recently, like 1 year ago-ish I have began to feel normal. My only advice is to go to a endocrinologist. Endocrinology is not primary care cookbook medicine. It is very complicated. Be persistant and don't take "natural" medicine as it is not regulated by the FDA. The natural medicine is not easy to control as the dosages vary by batch. Also, either take name brand or generic but don't go back and forth as their formulas are different. I now work for endocrinologists. Just hang in there and again be persistant! And, finally this is just my opinion as I am not a physician. Good Luck!

I don't know how to respond to comments so I'm just going to do it here. I agree with the statement of not telling people about my surgery. It's funny how people act towards having bariatric surgery vs plastic surgery. If I told them I was having a boob job it would be totally acceptable. Living and working in Scottsdale I am most likely one of the last people over 16 to get one. Hahah! It's true, maybe one day. Anyway, Its a whole different story when you're trying to save yourself. I really think that soon, I will be at a normal healthy weight and not have asthma, high blood pressure, a fatty liver, low vitamin D and a bleak future. Now, with my decision I can be healthy, happy and live a long life without fat discrimination and co-morbidities. I am happy with my decision. I applaude all of you who have also made this decision for yourself. I have been researching vitamins and found that I can buy most of them at Costco. Yay! On to the Protein Powder. I really like the taste of Vi by Visalus. I think it might be to thick and heavy after the surgery. I wouldnt mind doing it for the 2 week pre-surgical diet. If you havent tasted it. It tastes like vanilla cake. Holy Yum! However, I still need to find something less heavy with less ingredients. Please give me your suggestions. Thanks and have a great day.

Congraulations! I am a patient of Dr. Schuster and am pre-op. I'm just checking to see how others are doing after their surgery. I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Sorry to hear about the gas. Maybe it's the air that they inflate your abdomen with when they do the surgery. It's like a balloon, that why it takes so long for it to be expelled. Some people get gas pains in their shoulders. Good Luck and please keep us up to date with your transformation.

Hello All, I am in the process of getting sleeved by Dr. Robert Schuster. It is my second go around with pre-op to being sleeved. I decided to try to lose weight and go vegan for a year. The year has come and gone and I havent lost anything. I feel healthy. Anyway, I have been dealing with Banner Gateway for a little over a year. I have to say, everyone I've come in contact with has been awesome. Dr. Schuster has been very personable and I feel like he is an exceptional surgeon. The only thing I would like more of are the support groups. I work in N. Scottsdale and it takes me over an hour to get to Gilbert after work at 5pm. The chances of fighing traffic only to get there late is slim. I know having support is key to my well being. So, I am looking for other avenues. BTW if you are a Banner employee there is talk about the co-pay going down. As employees we have to pay a $5000.00 co-pay. It's crazy! So, hopefully it will go down. We will know next month. I hope to get sleeved in January.

Woo Hoo I figured out how to reply to the comments. Barbi, thank you for your comment. Visalus is a pyramid company that wants people to make money more than they want people to lose weight. So beware. If you go an Amazon you can buy it cheaper without the sales people. It really is good. I bought a bag for $40. Not cheap but it tastes like cake and it contains what is recommended by the MDs. Oh I just remembered they will send you a free sample. Good Luck in your weight loss journey.

So, I told my family. It was difficult to tell my mother. I guess she has been researching on her own and did not start crying again. Thank G-d! So, I finally have the support of my whole family. Woo Hoo! So,this is why the reaction from my co-worker was so funny. She said I was taking the easy way out. I wasn't even obese; and I should just exercise. I laughed and said," Ok, I'm taking the easy way out." I think this is funny. However, I can now see what people are taking about when they say people you don't even know have an opinion. Oh well whatever, I am taking control of my out of control life. I am just thinking about my health and the size 6 I hope to fit into one day. Ahh, the wonderful thoughts of shopping in regular store. I have listed some websites I have found with patient guidelines. www.peachtreebariatrics.com- Patient PDF Manual www.muhealth.org - Missouri Bariatric Services Guidelines Before and After VSG www.northwestobesitysurgery.com- A comprehensive list of dietary information PS: Thanks for reading my Blog and pushing through my spelling errors, crappy grammer and dyslexia.

First thank you for reading my blog. I hope to help others with information that I am digging up on the Gastric sleeve. A few months ago, I decided to go back to the bariatric surgeon because I am not loosing weight. I suspect its because of my Thyroid, the fact that I live with my ex, something deep in my brain and that I hate to exercise. Not to mention I am in Arizona where it so freakin hot. I have already gone through the 6 months of Dr supervised weight loss. So when I went in today, I was told that I just needed another psych eval and pre- op labs. Good! The doctor suggested the sleeve as the gastic band's failure rate is 50% and going higher. I agreed to the sleeve. The thing I am concerned about is long term effects of the sleeve. Not 5 or even 10 years from now but 25 to 30 years. So, I started digging into what could possibly happen. I am doing this to make my life better. I just want to be sure that I am making the right decision. You know, all of those women who silicone breast implants thought they were safe. Now they are having chronic problems. I dont want chronic problems. So, here we go. What I already know. The stomach will be reduced by 80%. The spincter ( tho opening to the stomach) will still be intact. The stomach will still have the ability to digest food, move and absorb vitamins. Although, It will produce less acid and absorb less vitamins and can form ulsers easily. Hense, the no anti-inflamatories. The surgeon will not do the sleeve on anyone who is already being treated for gastric reflux as rhe procedure will make it so much worse. In addition, even if you haven't had reflux you may develop it around the 5-6 year. The surgeons believe this is due to the internal pressure of the stomach and the weakened fibers of the stomach walls. So... if you are worried look up GERD. If it gets too bad, the doctor will ask you to get a RNY or bypass, as they will releave the pain. Which leads to... looking up everything about these procedures. Well, this is enough tonight. I will be back with more concrete info and websites.