LBD

It looks like we've got about the same amount to lose too... Big road ahead but lots to look forward to! Good luck... I'll check back on this thread to see how things are going with you. yay & cheers!!

Hi MWin... Same boat.... My boys are at summer camp this week and next and so I'm in doctor visit marathon mode! First appt with my surgeon last Thursday & nutritionist, cardio, bloodwork, psych, endoscopy, ultrasound all scheduled this week & next! When do you estimate you'll have surgery? I'm most likely going to have it in October.

Just read through this thread & really appreciate your story- good for you!!! Well on your way. I am pre-op & having the same kinds of aches & pains you described... Are you feeling better? How was the surgery?

Thank you both... The Psychologist told me that the report is never covered by insurance and that I would need to pay her $100 for that..maybe that test is part of the report? The actual visit is $75 and that she could submit for. Can't remember if that was the case for me the first time. Maybe I'll try & call someone else.

Hello! I have to say this is the first time I've ever posted anything related to my medical history online, but this looks like the place to do it. Six years ago, a year after giving birth to my second child, I was about 275 lbs & decided to have gastric bypass surgery. The surgeon that performed it was well known & head of the department of a great hospital. Unfortunately, when performing the laparoscopic portion of the surgery, my doctor pierced my aorta, so I began bleeding internally. No blood pressure and I lost 6 or 7 units of blood. The surgeon opened me up & stopped the bleeding. Luckily, a very talented vascular surgeon happened to be there & was able to graft the artery. I was very lucky to survive this at all, but needless to say, I didn't get the surgery I had hoped for and went though hell recovering with a 15" incision. Now it's 6 years later and I'm heavier than I was and feeling much worse and meeting with another surgeon in a couple of weeks. Trying to be brave here and hope that it's worth the risk... again. I know I need it desperately, and with any luck lightening will not strike me twice. Wondering if I should go for the sleeve. Any thoughts?

Hi, I am pre-op but have made protein shakes as a meal replacement from time to time... Now I have no real clue if this would work or if it would sit well, but it is more like a yummy shake than anything else. I happen to have a really great blender (Oster brand) that makes great frozen drinks. I peel & break up bananas & freeze them in a plastic bag. I use 1 scoop vanilla Pure Protein powder, 1/2c water, 1/2 c low fat milk, 1 frozen banana, 1 t peanut butter. Yummy, but I'll report back after a few weeks of them, lol!

Just met with my doctor & I've made a big decision. Learned some new information about what actually happened during the first procedure and what this doctor would do differently. I learned that he was actually in the operating room assisting my former surgeon when things went wrong. He was able to shed some light on what happened (second laparoscopic tool (don't remember the name) was inserted too deep) he actually assisted opening me up so to stop the bleeding. I never went into cardiac arrest, (which to me explains the lack of tunnel/light) just no bood pressure because of the hemmorage. He said that he hadn't had to transfuse anyone before or since. I feel pretty good about him and he sincerely wants to help right the situation for me. He feels that the sleeve would be the best choice for me considering the graft & scar tissue that would be present in the area. He's use a smaller tool 5mm versus 10mm to start with and would change the location of entry. Still am nervous but confident in him. My husband is really sick/nervous about this decision, but at 35 lbs heavier than I was the last go around, I know that I really need this. Haven't spoken to my father or sister yet, just close friends. Not looking forward to that aspect of the process. In the meantime, I have several of my pre-op appointments scheduled for the next couple of weeks. What has been everyone's experience with the nutritionist, or psych evaluation/report? Anyone have these covered by insurance?

Thanks for the advice! Will update after my first appointment.

Wow, thanks very much! Maybe when I go there, they may chose to start me out slow. I'm hoping that they won't take the "you don't need the surgery, just exercise" approach.... I wonder how they respond to people who chose to have WLS?

I'm so happy to read everything above! I have my first appointment with my surgeon coming up this Friday, but just spent the weekend with friends who didn't have any real issues with weight but have been very successful with getting in shape with cross fit. My friend urged me to check it out & today I discovered that one location literally just opened, right down the street... Sounds like synergy to me! I just emailed them about setting up a free session just to chek it out. My issue is that I have the aches & pains, knee/anklet/hip issues that come along with needing to lose 130 pounds... Would you all suggest starting now or should I wait until I've had the surgery & lost some weight? Also, I'm guessing that anything resembling the paleo diet is off the table after surgery...

It's pretty sad, but so true... People are so superficial. I know I am treated differently and I know that look that people give me when I walk by... not fun and it's actually pretty sad that I got so used to it. I am looking forward to just feeling light & not feeling so tired so I can do more, losing the lbs and aches and pains AND not experiencing those kind of "looks" anymore. Clothes!!! It's been so many years since I've been able to buy normal clothes that I WANT to buy- cannot wait for that. Sorry to hear about your situation with your friends... Obviously, they felt threatened and jealousy is tough to get over, but that's on them. Congratulations on your success & new life!

Wow, I'm 44, in planning stages... I hope to post pictures like that in a year's time! You look fantastic- can you put into words how you feel now??

That is crazy though, considering you only have 10-12 units of blood in your body in the first place.. Hope you are feeling much better!

Wow! It sounds like we are both lucky to be here. I had lost the same amount of blood during my first WLS years ago, but that happened during the laparoscopic procedure. Did they say where the blood was coming from? My aorta was cut and they repaired it with a graft- didn't they open you up to find the origin of the bleed? The problem with the laparoscopy is that to some extent it it a blind procedure and apparently my anatomy was "different", whatever that means. Stories like ours are very rare but they do happen, and even great doctors screw up... He had no idea- but it is his job to make sure you are ok!!! Mistakes like this remind me that it's so important to be in a good hospital where there are other physicians around, like vascular surgeons who can step in in an emergency situation. So sorry to hear this happened to you!!!

Exactly! I also see people talking about their NUTS!!! Also needs some clarification, lol

Trudyjo & Tagster- same story. I will definitely be posing this question to my doctor when I see him in a couple of weeks- can't imagine that it could be the cause. My mother also died two years ago and we have a family history of PC... Exactly what I'm trying to avoid by getting this surgery!

Wow!!! I am inspired.

As I mentioned in a thread I started the other day, this is the second time around for me. I'm meeting with a new doctor after the first doctor who operated on me in 2006 ruptured my aorta during the laparoscopy. Because it became an emergency situation I never got the gastric bypass surgery. Never thought I would try this again but even a near death experience wasn't enough to help me to stick to a plan long enough to take off the weight. Food has always been my drug of choice and I see this second time around as my rock bottom, and self imposed intervention. Just realized lately that I needed it then & still do. Personally, I know that I need not to have a choice in order to succeed. For example, I had tried several times to quit smoking over the years and the only time I really did what's when I found out I was pregnant for the firs time 12 years ago. So going forward I know that this structure will be hard but I am committed to do what I need to do for a healthy life, and will get all the help I will need (medical/therapy) to make this work, because it just has to.... Grateful for an online community like this!!!!

I'm guessing we all would need more info to answer my question... Just scared but hopeful! Thanks again.

Thanks, everyone. The surgery, which was performed in 2006 was intended to be a gastric bypass procedure, and yes, he was very experienced at that- supposedly he had performed thousands, but who really knows. After this happened he said that if I ever wanted to try again he would do it for free but I could never risk that with him. According to him my anatomy was "different" meaning I guess he didnt anticipate my aorta being where it was??? He has since left the practice, to go out on his own and his partners remain, who I really do like and seem to be rated highly. I know I have a lot of questions for this new doctor and I don't know exactly what he would suggest but I feel like they will have my back in this. Thanks also, at this point I'm guessing that the sleeve is the way to go. I'll see what they have to say, but I guess a better way to pose the question is, knowing what happened to me would you try again if you were in my shoes?

Thanks Tigerbelle... It is scary- I have had several surgeries in the past but this was the only major issue I've had- sorry to hear about your issues as well- no fun! I am wresting with this as an option right now. My husband and I are both frightened but trying to be rational about what I need. My OB said that if anything they would be overly careful with my case considering the circumstances and I'm hoping he is right! I also am having lots of issues physically & have a family history of cancer so I am weighing things out here... Not sure how my extended family will feel since they are still shocked from the last time, but I have to improve my life. This decision to possibly go forward only really happened this week after attending a seminar- still need to meet with the doctor who is aware of my history so we'll see what he says. Not sure which surgery if any will be right for me, but the good news is I found out that my insurance will cover most of it if I do go forward with this... Thanks for your support and good luck to you too!! Will let you know what we decide on Aug 2nd.