VSGAnn2014

FINALLY! August 18!

Whoa! Thank you so much, Brian. I know we're not supposed to do this, but I'm copying below Kindle's post from that other thread. I didn't know any of this stuff that she reported there: Although direct contact of the NSAID with your stomach can cause localized irritation, it is the systemic action of the NSAID that causes ulcers and gastric bleeding. The very mechanisms that reduce inflammation also inhibits the mucosal lining from doing it's job to protect the stomach. This is true of both Cox 1 and Cox 2 inhibitors, but by different pathways. So NSAIDS in any form (oral, sublingual or injectable) would all have the same systemic effect. Aspirin, in fact, is so good at causing ulcers that researchers used to administer aspirin to test subjects in order to induce ulcers so they could study and develop ulcer treatments. How much and for how long you can safely take NSAIDS without causing ulcers is debatable and probably varies greatly between individuals. So although I have a medical alert necklace, and I keep traumeel and arnica on hand for aches and pains, I would probably take an Advil or two if something REALLY hurt! My surgeon actually sends his patients home with a 5 day supply of a sublingual NSAID. He explained that the benefit of reducing the surgical inflammation in the stomach and abdominal incisions greatly outways the risk of ulcers over such a short period of time.

Finally had my LAST consultation yesterday -- nutritionist -- and got approval to proceed to next step. (I had proactively already tracked all my food / exercise over the last 6 weeks on My Fitness Pal and walked in with those MFP reports.) Next step, insurance approval. Doctor's insurance person has already said that should be a slam dunk, given my insurance and comorbidities. Then the surgeon schedules my surgery, I start the pre-op diet, and ... DA DAH! Surgery and "the sleeved side" is starting to get real. And weird. (You all know what I mean.)

Yeah, that's a fair to middlin' success story .... 200 pounds in 12 months. Feel great, look great, life changed. Yeah, not bad. It's bloody bodacious! Congratulations, you rock star, you!

Thanks, jjwinWA. Did you get any impression from the conversation with your surgeon that membership in these societies distinguish in skills between those who are not members vs. those who are members? (I realize he might be naturally prejudiced in favor of his fellow members ... but did a discussion about any distinction in skills come up in any way?) Thanks, Ann

You've lost thirty pounds in six weeks. What was your starting weight?

I'm with you, Frances. I was just going with the flow. At least, no one has started any conspiracy threads about 9/11 or lizard people or the confiscation of automatic firearms. And if they do, I'm suing somebody!

Wow! You sure seem to have a philosophical and positive attitude about all this. I guess you didn't have much choice -- it was what it was. But more importantly -- congratulations that it's all going much better for you now. Freaky!

jjwinWA said: I won't take offense, but I am a CPA and that is NOT an organization. Having obtained the CPA certification requires a very stringent testing process to prove competency in taxes, auditing and accounting methods, to include governmental, GAP, IFRS and other such accounting standards, and does not simply mean joining an association. On the other hand, AICPA is an association and if you are a certified public account you can belong to the association. I do belong to that association. I do indicate CPA after my name on my letterhead. Ha, I do not add AICPA after my name. Although I do include my associations in my resume under the section of organizations and associations. Very big difference for sure. If I were to seek out an accountant for high level competency, I would certainly look for one that had achieved the CPA certification. Not to say that any accountant may be able to perform the same duties, but chances are likely that a CPA has more knowledge, experience, and training. Now that you say those letters behind a doctors name mean nothing other then associations that they belong to, as you just incorrectly stated was the case with CPA, I will call my surgeon and ask him what FACS means and what he did to get that distinction. I will get back to you with his response. Thank you, jjinWA, for that info and clarification. I didn't realize that AICPA is the testing / certification group / agency for all CPAs. Sorry about that. I look forward to hearing what you learn from your surgeon about the medical societies listed earlier in this thread. (If anyone is interested, the American Bar Association does not do any testing, certifying or licensing of lawyers -- that's done by the State Bar Associations for each state and the District of Columbia. The ABA is a professional association for lawyers that offers education to lawyers and those who support them in the delivery of legal services. There are hundreds of thousands of practicing lawyers who don't belong to the ABA.) CrazyJaney said: I've been a critical care nurse for 18 years. MD means they went to medical school but it doesn't mean anything else. It doesn't mean they are Board Certified. Board Certification is a gold standard for physicians/surgeons. I agree, CrazyJaney, that it's the doctors' board certifications that would be most informative for prospective patients. Infinite Butterfly said: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, often listed as "FACS", is a post-nominal title used to indicate that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by said College. In order to apply for membership, a surgeon typically must be certified by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. So it's more than just letters or a social organization, it actually does require some kind of evaluation to be able to use this title. (edited to credit Wikipedia for the above information. I found similar on other websites, but the explanation was more consolidated here) Infinite Butterfly, you're right that these organizations are not "just" social organizations. I think I over-stretched that point while trying to make the bigger point that these organizations don't certify or license doctors in any way. As I understand these societies' rules for admission, doctors may apply for membership in the societies -- typically by offering references from other doctors they know who are already members of those societies. And you're right that the societies offer educational seminars at their conferences. I just don't think anyone gets certified or licensed to do surgery as a result of attending those seminars. But with so much investigatory talent on this forum, we'll learn if I'm mistaken about that. Thanks to all who are offering information and opinions about doctors' qualifications and ways that patients can research their surgeon options. Frankly, I think WE patients deserve a bloody certificate as we learn how best to evaluate our WLS surgical and surgeon options.

Very good points. Thanks for this reminder. My wonderful, strong body rocks!

I don't disagree. But those paramedical staff need to shut their yaps in front of other patients. Just sayin'. (What do other patients overhear them saying about YOU?)

I understand. Breathe -- slowly -- in -- out. Focus on whatever you WANT MOST to happen. Meditate on that. Best wishes.

I know that these organizations' names sound impressive. But they are not certifying or licensing organizations. Instead, they are professional associations -- which doctors may elect to join or not. Yes, they sound lovely -- and I'm sure they do add value. However, having these letters after your name mostly means you enjoy socializing with other doctors, that you may have (little p) political aspirations within your profession, and that you and your spouse would like to take a tax-deductible vacation annually at wherever these organizations hold their annual convention. Again, I'm not dis'ing the organizations. But doctors join them voluntarily. They are not mandatory in any way. Nor are they required by any medical licensing organization. They are professional / social organizations. These organizations are similar to the American Bar Association (for lawyers), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (for CPAs), and the American Institute of Architects (for architects).

I am sorry for your pain and loss.

What's the best way to get Sarah Palin's eyes to sparkle? Shine a flashlight in her ears.

Why does Sarah Palin think she is qualified to be an astronaut? Because she can see the moon from her front porch.

Congratulations! You're in the pipeline now.

Hi, Wires. Just writing to say I hope you soon are feeling more relaxed and better. It's good that you've gotten your hands on the 3X/day pills. Super! Do you have a smart phone? If so, why don't you set three alarms to alert you when you need to take the pills? (That's what I do ... I'm bad remembering when to take my meds, too.) Anyway, I hope your surgery recovery goes smoother from now on. From what I've learned on this forum you're in sort of the hardest recovery time right now. The good news is that everyone says it gets much easier. I'm confident it will go easier for you, too. Here's to an easier day for you and your family tomorrow. Sweet dreams. Ann

Jess, at age 19 you can regenerate a new arm. I'm sure your skin will be fine. And welcome to everyone else who's new here.

Most people are idiots. (Except me, of course.) But it really is true. Most people are neither rational nor predictable nor all that reliable.

Best wishes to you!

Here's another thought on this topic .... I haven't been sleeved yet, but expect it to happen next month. I have my final consultation tomorrow (nutritionist). After that, it's insurance submission, surgical scheduling, pre-op diet, and snip, snip, stitch, stitch. So until I'm actually on the sleeved side, much of "what I believe about WLS" is pure theory. I suppose it's possible that after WLS I could become a full-throated advocate for WLS and stand outside grocery stores handing flyers to fat people. But don't bet on it. Still, a few years down the road, who knows how I'll feel about all this. In the meantime, I'm keeping that genie in the bottle until I have more experience and less fat under my belt.

Jeez! I had no idea there were topical NSAIDs! This is amazing news to me. Thank you all.

Literally LOLing. Thank you.

I'd like to be very clear about some things that have been posted here. Yes, every one of us has "caused" our overweight. By that I mean at times in our lives we have eaten the wrong foods and too much of them and not exercised nearly enough. On the other hand, many of us were also dealt a really crappy hand of genetics, hormonal imbalances, biochemistry, upbringing, and life experiences that contributed to our obesity. And for some of us "fixing" our obesity is the only thing we have not accomplished in lives otherwise full of accomplishments and pride. But there's a very bright line between the tough love that a long-time family doctor may dish out to a patient they know well and the crude and brutal treatment described in some of the posts above. A doctor who does not treat the person in front of them with a desire to help needs to reconsider seriously their vocation.