Amyllf2

Cupcake I have a sweet tooth as well! I figure the bypass will really reinforce the need to end that bad habit. The sleeve may have given me too much freedom. I know myself and I can already hear the "but it's my birthday and I've had peach pie for the last 40 years". And I mean a peach pie, all by my lonesome!!!! I had heartburn again last night so I'm 100% bypass!

I live in Frederick County Maryland but my surgeon is in Reston/Fairfax. I just had my first meeting yesterday. I'm torn between the bypass and the sleeve.

Binge eating disorder therapy. I for one had no idea something like that existed. I find that fascinating because I am certainly in love with food. Looking for the books!!

Bypass it is. I woke up in the middle of the night with a case of heartburn and took it as my "sign" that bypass was the way to go. I don't think I have it often, but my dear hubby kindly reminded me there are times I eat tums like candy. And since heartburn is an issue with the sleeve- it's been taken off the list. bypass here I come!!!

Mine will be just 3 days of clear liquids- nothing else. There are lots of people on these boards that report a 14 day pre-op. You might want to jump on the Sleeve boards and see what they say. I don't know if it's different or not.

My BMI is on the "low" side at 42. That may be part of it and he may have other plans for higher BMI folks. He told me he believes the physiological part of the pre-op programs is accomplished in 3 days. The rest is psychological. It's just another example of who different each practice is based on the doctor. I don't know about you but it makes me crazy. The more research you do the more different answers you get. For example, on this board people have required bone density tests, endoscopy, metabolism test .........not to mention this discussion about Vitamins and supplements sold by doctors. UGH!!! Nw wonder we are confused!!

The surgeon at my very first consult made a point of telling me I would not be buying any expensive things from them and I should not run out and buy anything expensive. He said generic Vitamins are the same as all the ones marketed as bariatric. I have meet the nutritionist this week and have that on my list of questions. I also asked about the Optifast for pre-op since I had seen in on here many times. He said I won't be using it but he does know colleagues who require it be used. It's not his thing. In fact, I'm only required to do a 3 day clear liquid pre-op.

According to the "chart" I have 136 pounds to go. So he said realistically that's a the difference between the BP and Sleeve would be 10-15 pounds. I don't remember what it feels like to be 160 or 175. It's been over 25 years. I've been sitting at this computer for hours on end. I've got myself so worked up I can't sleep. I'm starting to think my fear issues with regard to dumping is the fact that I'm a food addict and I have so much self doubt which is a bad combination. My "fat" brain says there is no way you can live without at least a bite of cheesecake now and then, or butter on something. So is my desire to have the sleeve really my mind figure out a way to cheat? I am also a little worried about something my mother said in an email recently: "A doc I worked with had done the psychological for a friend who then never took the Vitamins and she has a permanent dementia from not doing that. I have jokingly said that if I am in the nursing home everyone has to make sure I am given my vitamins and supplements." The Vitamin thing scars me. I now my mom manages it well now, 8 years post-op.

My doctor used that same term "Golden Standard" when talking about the bypass. I'm so confused!!!!

I had my first meeting with the surgeon today. I went in to the meeting all gungho about a sleeve, but now I'm on the Bypass page looking at that option. So confused. I may only need to get the psychological eval done because I think I have the structured diet program part complete. Shannon what lead you to your decision to Bypass verses another procedure?

Had my first visit today. My insurance doesn't cover the nutrition part. My practice requires pre-op ($200) and post-op sessions. ($350). I will also pay $150 hospital fee on my BCBS.

I just got back from my first meeting with surgeon and got on this board to ask why people picked sleeve and not BP. My surgeon does all 3 and says he will do whatever procedure the patient wants, as long as the decision is a well informed one. He's not fan of the LapBand but said he did one just last week. I walked in to his office sure I wanted the sleeve. Now I am having doubt. He said the weight loss difference between the 2 could come down to only 10 pounds which is not a factor for me. What he emphasized to me was the leak rates are higher for the sleeve because of the amount of stapling. Now, he said it's a difference between 1% for the BP and 2.5% for the sleeve. But higher is higher. He also mentioned heartburn and reflux. He said the BP is better for anyone with heartburn and actually can cure it. While the sleeve can actually leave people who did not previously have heartburn with an issue that will need medicated long term. He asked me why I walked into his office with a sleeve on my mind. The only reason I could provide is that the bypass part kind of bothers me and I worry about dumping and intestinal issues. Why have all of you picked the sleeve and not the BP?

I'm heading in for appointment number 1 today. I've got my binder all ready to go. They are going to think I'm a nut. It has the notes I took during my information session via webinar; a calendar for the several date options I would like to consider based on my teaching schedule (April, May, July); my documentation proof of 6 months of supervised diets as required by my insurance; copies of recent blood work and EKGs from my recent gallbladder surgery; pages of stuff I've found on this site and most importantly my list of questions for today. I've been thinking about WLS since 2004 when my then 60 year old mother had her bypass. I was heavy, but not heavy enough. I can remember joking with my PCP about being more than capable of gaining a few more pounds to qualify. But at the time I was working for United Airlines and our insurance policy specifically excluded all kinds of WLS. So I never actually thought I would be walking into a surgeon's office for this discussion. I retired from United and gained 35 pounds over the 10 years- neither of which I thought would happen. I'm a life long dieter. Diet pills in high school when I weighed 140lbs; Weight Watchers in college dropping from 160 to 140; Jenny Craig, many attempts at WW, South Beach, Atkins and most recently Ideal Protein. I even took Redux in the FenFen era. I have really good BCBS insurance now. Unfortunately I pay a fortune for it because my husband lost his job and we pay cobra. But since the payment is as big as the mortgage, I figured I should take advantage of it while I have it. The requirements for approval are surprisingly few- Be 18, have a BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbid conditions; complete a psychological examination and participate in either a 6 month structured diet program or 2 three month consecutive programs. I'm 48. My BMI is 42. I did WW for 7 months in 2013 and Ideal Protein via my cardiologist for 9 weeks. I take BP medicine, a low dose aspirin, and a nitrate to reduce chest pains caused by a totally blocked small artery in my heart. So with the exception of the pysch eval- I'm already done with my requirements. It was a comment during a snow storm this winter that was really my light bulb moment. My 17 year old and husband headed out to sled one day and my daughter made a comment that broke my heart- She said "Mom, have you ever gone sledding with us? I can't remember even one time" OUCH! The truth hurts. I haven't done anything with my kids over the last 10 years and now they are all grown up. (17 & 20) I don't think my daughter ever understood because she was very heavy but never slowed down. I think she just thought I didn't want to do anything with them. Breaks my heart and I need to change that by being active with them moving forward. I want the 4 of us to do a Mud run kind of thing or ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point with them. (side note: my daughter stayed on WW and lost 65lbs in 2013 unlike the hubby and I who weigh more now) I have enjoyed lurking on these boards for the past view weeks and look forward to taking the plunge with all of you. Happy Friday!!! Amy

I know there a bariatric practice in Frederick Maryland that has a $600 fee. I didn't use them because of this. I'm meeting a Northern Virginia surgeon tomorrow for my first appointment. There has been no mention of a fee thus far.

I just had my gallbladder done on 2/14/14. I went back to work today (2/17). I'm a little sore but nothing major. I hope to be sleeved late this spring but the gall bladder could not wait until then.