BitterSweet*

Just so that everyone is clear. Anytime you sign a consent form, that constitutes elective surgery - which would include open heart surgery, hemmorhoids, dental surgery, and yes WLS. It matters not, they are all elective. There is a stigma, it is unfair, and is driven by money, not liability. Doctors have and will continue to have to provide care for patients who have surgeries by other physicians. That's just the way it is. They either wise up or their not-so-smart attitude will continue to increase the burden on the health care system. If a patient can not get a bariatric surgeon to accept them after WLS in MX, guess what happens? Straight to the emergency room people go, and ERs don't have a choice, they have to treat you no matter what the problem is or whether you have insurance or not. The EGD, ultrasound, CT, labs......whatever is necessary based on your symptoms will get done, no matter where you had surgery. Bariatric surgeons in the States who turn their noses up at MX are not worried about liability, they're worried about their pockets. They would gladly accept a patient who had surgery in New York or any other U.S. city / state. It's ridiculous.

The bladder is a sterile environment. There is no bacteria that is ordinarily present; when there is, that's what a UTI is. Sometimes over the counter meds and lots of fluids can fix the problem, but when the infection rears itself mutiple times, it was not cured the first time with your treatment of choice. Dehydration makes it worse because the urine is concentrated more. Save yourself a bunch of problems and head to the doctor. That infection has not and will not go away without antibiotics; you've already tried and it didn't work. A simple UTI can travel upwards beyond the bladder and end up in your kidneys, which will result in an admission to the hospital. Take care of yourself and feel better soon.

I think the thought of it can be alarming at first, but it really is unfounded and ridiculous. People all over the world have surgery for one thing or another and a different doctor provides care for them later on. Yes, it's best to go back to the surgeon for follow up, but PCPs are more than capable of managing post-op bariatric patients. What happens when you move related to a job transfer or to care for an ailing parent? You certainly aren't going to travel back to the original surgeon just for a follow-up; you'd do what everyone has to do, find a new doctor and transfer your medical records.

Lol!! It's part of the omentum. Fat that's already there in the abdominal cavity. Not all surgeons use that technique, so you're lucky. You sound like a smart lady. Keep trusting yourself, don't ignore symptoms at all. Are you on med(s) for reflux? A lot of people with nausea are cured with a different or stronger PPI medication.

Btw, @@Kindle, per your suggestion I read that lengthy thread about OCC and thanks to your input and two other girls, I have chosen my surgeon. I'm so happy and feel at peace. So, thank you so much. It's people like you that help make the world a better place. You are far out from surgery, have surpassed your goals, look fantastic, and still take the time to come on this forum and help others. Usually we never know whose lives are touched by the things we do or say, but I just wanted you to know that you touched mine. Thank you. I hope to pay it forward one day. =)

Yes. If you gave known gallbladder disease before VSG surgery, reputable surgeons will remove it during your sleeve operation. Not all of them will, but I can guarantee you if you have stones and they don't remove it, the attacks will come as massive weight falls of you; you'll likely end up with a second surgery to remove it later. Surgeons who won't remove it during sleeve surgery put patients on a medication that is supposed to help dissolve stones. The point is, every surgeon has such different guidelines both pre & post-op, and not all of them rule out gall disease or check for hernias prior to surgery. You have to be proactive if you have one of those surgeons. A gallbladder attack will have you praying to sweet baby Jesus! It is horrible!!!

Looks great!

Are you taking something for acid reflux?

@@Kindle, you're right, but it's the only thing they can do to initially check for issues. If a surgeon does not order an EGD pre-op, there's no other way to check beforehand to see if there's a problem. You're accurate though, labs won't always show an issue, especially if it's just sludge like you had. When stones are present, labs are always abnormal because they affect the fluidity of bile between the liver and gallbladder.

I'm so sorry, that's terrible. The suggestion you got about asking OCC for a recommendation is a good one. I'm going to OCC as well and not telling my doctor until I get back. It's military so they don't have a choice about seeing me, and God forbid I need more care, the hospital where I work is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and they would just refer me that group of surgeons. Hood luck to you and your daughters. Sorry about all of the frustration y'all have to endure.

"Odd organ" was your pancreas. The attachment to a fatty piece prevents twisting of the sleeve. It's a technigue they use to anchor the sleeve in place since they remove the heavier, hanging, stretchy part. Anchoring also helps prevent reflux! Pretty cool, huh?! Congratulations on your surgery and good luck with your weight loss.

Is it ok to chew ice? You know the tiny, chewy ice from Taco Bell or that hospitals have for patients? I was wondering if that's a good way to squash the feeling of needing to chew something and getting fluids in?

Nice link. Thanks!

Next time you go in for a routine pre-op appointment, claim that you have started having pains in the right upper abdomen after you eat. It'll prompt them to do liver function tests (LFTs) to check the health of your gallbladder. If there is sludge or stones your lab results will be abnormal and they'll do an ultrasound to confirm or rule out gall disease.

Can someone riddle me this? If volume of fluids is so hard right after surgery, has anyone tried to make their own protein "shots" at home? That way protein requirements can be met in a small amount and the rest of the fluid consumption could be water instead of trying to gag down large protein shakes.

Hilarious!!! Sorry, I have no advice but thanks for the laugh!

I've stopped going to the bariatric support group. I feel like an outsider at the meetings. The very first meeting I went to I felt really comfortable until everyone introduced themselves. I presumed that everyone there was pre-op because they were so big, but they were all post-op, and looking at me like I didn't belong. Fat judging fat.

I have spent all morning reading this thread. You girls rock and have helped me solidify my decision. Thank you so much!

Btw, I forgot to mention....fenugreek will make you smell like maple syrup!

Lose weight slowly.

When my production slowed down I used fenugreek. I did have to take more than the suggested amount to jump start it though. I don't know if you're anti-medicine too, but Reglan can also help increase milk production. I can't tell you why it works, and it doesn't work for long, but I noticed a big difference with just taking one pill per day for 3 days. I hope things work out for you. =)

I hate to say this, but tell a partial truth. Part of the reason you intentionally missed the appointment was because of the tragic accident with your friend. You can tell the weight loss center that and leave out the portion about you derailing. Get back on the program, eat right, exercise and make sure you have lost any weight you may have gained so that you won't be disqualified for surgery. Return to that center with confidence that you can do this. The person who needs to hear the whole truth is a therapist. This won't get any easier and I have read countless posts about the difficulties dealing with the mental detachment to food after surgery. Now is the time to begin dealing with the emotional part of the journey. That is where the real work is. It is possible. It has been done before, it can be done again. Good luck to you.

The shock of surgery alone can cause an issue with your milk production. Unless you have one of those amazing recoveries that some people have, breastfeeding may be difficult after surgery. If you are one of the people who really struggles with getting in and keeping down fluids, dehydration will also slow down or dry up production. If your baby can't handle Proteins very well, what is your plan for subsisting post-operatively when that's all you can have? What was the feedback from your surgeon and nutritionist? Btw, congratulations on your baby and your decision to improve your life with WLS.

No. You'll likely gain several pounds after surgery from all of the IV fluids, retention, and swelling. Stay off of the scale until you go back for your first post-op appointment.

My, what a beautifully decorated uniform. You are awesome, thank you for your service, and good luck with surgery!