Ginger Snaps

GERD can lead to esophageal cancer even if it's treated but not well-managed. The sleeve or band can both cause GERD or cause existing GERD to worsen. Those are facts. You have to determine for yourself if the risk (GERD worsening to the point of causing cancer) to the benefits of the weight loss surgery. In my case, my not well-controlled GERD led me and my doctor to do bypass instead of the sleeve or band as both of those can cause GERD to worsen. It is definitely something that needs to be considered and discussed with your doctor before deciding what surgery will be best for you.

Try searching for Horizon NJ Health in the box at the upper right corner of the page. You may be able to find someone with the exact same insurance. BTW, be sure to change the little dropdown box to say "forums" instead of "topic" or you'll only get your post! Best wishes! ginger

I kinda weave in and out of what you're describing, too. One day I'm so excited about the upcoming changes and how great it's going to feel to lose the weight and then I hit a day where I'm just tired from thinking about it and ready to just MOVE ON! I think it's perfectly normal... just keep on keeping on...

@@lisacaron -- Saturday when I was at the psych office, I actually offered to take the letter and deliver it to my surgeon but he hadn't written it up yet (a month after our visit). This morning when I called him, I asked if I could give him my fax number so I could deal with trying to get it to the surgeon but he wouldn't do that either saying he was going to scan and email it to them. And, yes, trying to avoid involuntary commitment (or arrest!) @@moonlitestarbrite -- I wish I would have just gone with one of the psych's my surgeon had on his list but I figured it would be easier to use my regular doc. I guess I guessed wrong on the coin flip (which would work best). I think one problem with psych's in general is that the more you push or demand your rights or try to be assertive, the more irrational you look because OBVIOUSLY someone with a psych degree is more put together than you are.

I'm going to call the surgeon again before I leave work today and if they don't have it, I will drive to the psych's office (1-1/2 hours away from work) and pick it up and hand deliver it tomorrow. The bad part is, if you go off on your psychiatrist and tell them how you REALLY feel... well then you get labeled even crazier! LOL

I thought I was just getting older (joint pain, back pain, hip pain, bowel issues, GERD), but it turns out I'm obese!

At least 2-3 pounds the day of here...

My NUT recommends almonds -- because they are so much harder to chew, it's hard to put more than 1-2 in your mouth at a time and you have to chew forever.

@@pxinaz --- I agree -- rat him out to his docs. Especially a psych doc or therapist -- I'm assuming he would expect you to drive him to appointments, so I would and then in front of the doctor, start bringing it up. Have it out in front of the doctor if you need to. They need to know he's not being compliant with the program. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. Sounds like the surgery just exacerbated a situation that was already downhill... hoping you find some peace and figure out what to do to take care of yourself. Long days out of the house in a beautiful park or beach with a good friend sound like a good idea for you!

I did the online form and when I was at the doc's yesterday he saw the request for an rx in my file from them and he asked me what it was. I told him it was a way to get insurance to cover some shakes and he said "oh" and closed my file. So, I'm guessing he never sent them anything signed. Oh well -- looked at the site and it only covered a few of their shakes -- I'll just buy my own.

@@Alex Brecher -- looks like your son is learning from your experiences to consider what he's eating / drinking and the health benefits -- good for him. I'm preop -- love tea but need to find some that's caffeine free and not sweetened with sugar. Do you have any ready to drink / grab and go brands that you like?

@@moonlitestarbrite --- thanks for reminding me that at 48, according to pop culture, we are dead.

Call your nutritionist and talk specifics with them.

@@James Marusek -- I had seen your posts about BIo Oil and went and found some -- CVS even has their own brand knock-off of the name brand. It's not as greasy as some other oils so I use it on the arms and legs and neck area before bed.

All liquid in, all liquid out -- it's not uncommon... sorry you're struggling...

Wow... did he discuss any alternative meds you might can take? I'm bipolar, too and I take Lamictal for it and it doesn't have any restriction like that. I'd say contact your psych and talk to him about alternatives... you're right, it's going to be hard (impossible) to eat 350 calories in one sitting. Best wishes!

Oh no... did your doctor try appealing or has it been denied? How disappointing...

Woot Woot!

Have you done the bowel prep before? If no, you may not realize that it will be almost impossible to make it to the bathroom... I sat on the toilet most of the time I was drinking it -- had NO control. If you've had it before, you know what to expect. But, if not, I'd suggest really considering taking that one more day off because you don't want to go through the bowel prep at work and possibly have a very embarassing experience. Ginger

@@Mrs.RRn Will you pack my lunches for me please??? Looks great!

@Fiddleman with part Springer and part Border collie, I'm guessing your cats have been herded into a corner somewhere and that's why there aren't any pics of them! Sweet dog!

Wow -- I bet you could use a vacation right now!!! Sounds like you took it all in stride and even lost some weight for the effort but I bet next year there will be some SERIOUS discussion before a weekend like this happens again! Ginger

My trainer has me doing planks -- 2-3 times for 30 seconds each. I'm on the elbows and I'm currently doing them with the upper body on a bench. It's harder to do them on the floor, so if that's too hard, try doing them on a bench first and work your way down to the floor.

@@Sharon C. I'm happy you've gotten so much support and encouragement. I just went and read your former friend's blog. From her writing, it sounds like she is very insecure about herself and she would rather hide her head in the sand and say she's healthy and happy at her weight than have someone around who might topple that giant house of cards. She says she's fighting with compassion and science but her post about you doesn't do any of that. She believes in fat acceptance but won't accept you if you don't. She spouts all this stuff about being healthy at any weight while science proves exactly the opposite. I think it's really sad you got dumped on this way but you can surround yourself with people who will support your health. Best wishes!

I'm the 9th -- had a preop class at the hospital last Thursday night. It was great. We met a pre/post surgery nurse and they went over everything to expect... what will happen before surgery, the recovery room, what they'll do with your personal stuff, what monitors will be on you when you wake up... Then the pharmacist talked to us about our medications and what pain meds the doctors routinely leave orders for. We talked to the charge nurse on the floor we'll be on -- she talked about the room, getting us up to move around, etc. Then the dietician described the diet they'll bring up on the second day. Like a bottle of Crystal LIght with Protein in it. Lastly we talked to the bariatric coordinator who took us on a tour of the floor and let us see what a room looks like (all private). This morning I had my presurgery doctor's appointment -- went through all the paperwork, had to take a little true/false quiz and go over any answers I missed -- just to be sure I have realistic expectations. As I was leaving the doctor shook my hand and said "I'll see you at the hospital" and that was that! Thirteen more days... Excitement builds!!!