kvlasy

People confuse "easy" with "successful". Its only hard if you have to persevere and fail over and over again. Been there. Done that. We ALL have. In addition to the pre-surgery testing, the surgery that has its own entire set of challenges, we ALSO incorporate traditional diet and exercise into our post surgical lives. We do MORE than what has been the traditional path for weight loss! Its the final hope for those of us who have tried the traditional way unsuccessfully for years. Its final. Its not easy.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs US computer engineer & industrialist (1955 - 2011)

Okay she loves you and she's concerned. I get that. But her implication that you haven't thought about this, or thought enough about it to reach HER conclusion, is somewhat manipulative. Your body....your decision. Don't "let" a doctor talk you into this? Don't "let" her talk you out of it if it's what YOU feel that you need and it's what you want. I'll get off my soapbox now (wow, did this strike a nerve with me!). Wishing you the best on your WLS journey!

Definitely call the coordinator.

My PCP was mildly negative-to-neutral prior to surgery. I went ahead anyway. Almost two years later and 100% of my excess weight gone and he's thrilled every time I go in as to how great I'm doing. I accomplished so much for myself by doing this. I think I presented him with a compelling reason to be more supportive to the next WLS candidate that comes to him. **Winning**

I was an outpatient at a small surgical center that seems pretty much devoted to WLS related procedures (I had my upper endoscopy there too). In at 6 a.m. and released 23 hours later. The center had multiple large recliners, which is where I spent all of my post op time when I wasn't circling the nurses desk or walking to the bathroom.

I admire that, as rough as this is and how ill you have been, that you are positively advocating for yourself. I am keeping my fingers crossed that these next two appointments will provide better insight as to what is really happening and a clear path forward to good health for you.

My must haves were my heating pad and iPad.

RJ - never doubt that you belong here. Things members say resonate with you. Things you say resonate with other members. You. Belong. Here. You are a complication survivor but that isn't all you are. You don't let it define you but you use it to support and educate others. Your voice is strong - not just the voice you use to communicate with us, but your inner voice too. When it is at odds with what others are saying, listen to it. ((Hugs to you))

Saw this in a Big King (aka Burger King) in Australia: woman with waffles, syrup and soft serve ice cream. She took the ice cream, plopped it into the waffle, rolled it, drenched it in syrup and ate it before the waffle could melt the ice cream. I thought....man that looks really good! I haven't tried it but I'm sure it's tasty!

Get a second opinion and a third. Don't settle.

**Chiming In**. My inspiration for even considering WLS is due to someone with a lap band. She wasn't someone's spouse or someone's friend that I "sort of" knew, she was someone I worked with. She is still my inspiration and I am grateful. I follow these threads and support all of you. I hope this never goes away.

I had sporadic upper back spasms when I was heavier, going back more than 10 years. The chiropractor said it was a combination of things: mild scoliosis combined with slight leg length difference combined with "pelvic" instability from having children. All righty then! Monthly adjustments and alls good. Forward to today: down 80 pounds. Starting mid-August with sciatica. Multiple visits to the Chiropracter. And a PCP visit. And muscle relaxers. And oral steroids. And pain meds. MRI. Now I'm referred to a pain center - likely for a steroid injection into the area. Ugh! Interesting though - my surgeon, PCP and Chiropracter all agree that the weight loss has changed the various stress points on my body. I walk differently. I know I sit differently (I can cross my legs!). My joints haven't adjusted as rapidly as I've lost the weight so things have shifted out of whack. I'm getting there though. It beats being a walking time bomb (heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, etc) because of my weight. I just sometimes have to remind myself of that, especially when it hurts. :/ I definitely sympathize - hang in there!!

Mine did exactly the same!

I am 18 months out and have been struggling with a major flare up of sciatica since mid-August. In the last two weeks I've seen my chiropractor, my surgeon and my PCP. - not to mention getting an MRI on Thursday. The surgeon's PA told me that NSAIDs are fine and only restricted for bypass patients, that the only difference in my stomach at this point is that it's smaller. I took oral steroids with no problems (still taking Flexeril nightly). My PCP has now given me a script for Celebrex - as its gentler on the stomach. I have been taking Advil and Tylenol for the last two weeks for pain control. I don't think that's what I would call long term but so far no ill effects. I'm switching to the Celebrex today though.