BitterSweet*

Pilates, yoga, and swimming will balance you out by slimming your upper torso to match your bottom half.

@@Darianna75, girl that sounds like a nightmare on wheels!! So sorry! BCPs would probably be ok at your age (as if 38 is even old) but only if you don't have a long history of taking them. The longer your exposure to synthetic hormones like estrogen, the higher your risks are for things like breast cancer later on in life. Ask your current OB/GYN for a progesterone only BCP (like Nor-QD) and you will forget you ever had this problem. I had the same thing going on and have been in perimenopause since I was 36. Yeah, I know. It was so bad that I just knew I was dying - bleeding so heavily that I went to the ER on 2 separate occasions!! LMAO. Bought myself a nice diagnosis of anemia as a result. Those pills really helped.

Ft. Stewart, Georgia. I'm a civilian; my spouse just retired from active duty in May after 23 years of service. Where are you?

Water weight from sodium. Push more fluids (water) and do not skip protein. Protein deficits today are what causes hair shedding months down the road.

Nope, that time frame sounds about right. The bariatric surgeon that works at our hospital was sent on TDY so I think my program will be stretched out more because of it.

Yep, just that simple. If they enrolled you in that group appointment you're already approved. When you go, they'll have you fill out a bunch of paperwork about your weight struggles, diets you've tried etc. Be honest. They'll measure your vitals, height, weight, and calculate your starting BMI; that will be your criteria. As long as you don't increase from that intial weight and BMI, you're good. You'll meet the Bariatric Team at this group session, including an individual appt with the surgeon who will spend a good bit of time talking to you and explaining everything and answer any questions you may have. If you smoke, quit. You'll get disenrolled / delayed if you continue to smoke. They offer smoking cessation classes as part of the program. They check compliance by doing a urine cotinine test. The majority of the program is simply going through the nutrition classes and you are required to keep a food log (on paper or something like My Fitness Pal). They meet once per month and you must attend each one. You will be weighed at every appt. and if you feel like you need additional help, you can go to the nutrition clinic at any point. Lab work gets ordered to check you for baseline things that may be causing weight gain (Vitamin D deficiency, low Cortisol levels, undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes, anemia, low thyroid etc). If anything comes back abnormal, they'll offer you treatment and medications. Once you complete the group nutrition classes, you'll have an individual nutrition appt and that is who will clear you as a good surgery candidate. If the nutritionist feels you haven't done "the work" (food journaling, meeting daily Protein requirements, Water intake, exercising), you'll be considered "non-compliant" and not ready for surgery because you've demonstrated an inability to make changes. They'll work with you more until you get there. You have to attend one Weight Loss Support Group. They usually only meet once per month as well. Once the nutritionist clears you, the Bariatric Nurse will schedule your Psych evaluation. Most people get cleared with that first appt. If not, they'll have you go back for a follow-up. They are just evaluating you for readiness for such a life altering change; making sure you have a support system in place; that you don't think surgery is a magic bullet; and that you understand your risk for cross dependency. The surgery forces you to physically give up food as a crutch but does absolutely nothing for the emotional dependency you have with food. Plenty of times food addiction is traded for something else like alcohol. Once you are cleared from your Psych eval, the Bariatric Nurse will schedule your EGD. This is done to assess the health of your esophagus, stomach, gall bladder, biopsy stomach skin to check for H. Pylori, and to check for any hernias that may be present (like a hiatal hernia) - because they would remove an unhealthy gall bladder and repair the hernia when the sleeve surgery is done. H. Pylori (a common bacterial infection in the stomach) would have to be treated prior to surgery; this encompasses two weeks on 2 different antibiotics. Once cleared from the EGD, you'll be scheduled for a final appt with the surgeon. It's at that time you'll need medical clearance from any specialist you may see for pre-existing confitions (such as cardiology or pulmonology). Then your surgery gets scheduled. A two week liquid diet is required before surgery (in order to shrink your liver so the surgery is easier to perform), and two weeks after surgery. Your diet will be progressed from then on as you go back for follow-ups. Hope this helps!

Most likely yeast / fungal infection. Use creams like Lotrimin or go in to your PCP and get prescription grade meds. Keep the area as clean, dry, and aired out as much as possible.

Good news. If they scheduled you for that appointment, you're already approved. You just have to go through the program before they'll do the surgery. The only requirements are that you keep all of your appointments in the program (nutrition classes, lab work) and don't gain weight. You don't have to lose any weight, but you can't gain weight.

No, but I'm a military wife and the VSG is covered 100% at bases / posts that have Bariatrics. I'm out in Georgia.

They are both standard tests before a big surgery like this. You'll be fine. Good luck!

Dizzy and low urine output; especially if the color is dark and smells strongly.

I would expect exactly that kind of response from you. Instead of reading the nurse practice act (like you even know what that is), why don't you refer to your notes from your online nursing degree program, because there is no way you went to an accredited nursing school and have such a wreckless disregard for other people's lives. You didn't have to say you don't give a "fugggg" because that is more than obvious. For those of you who may read this, there are plenty of reasons why a medical device should be removed by the individual who placed it, or their designated staff (RNs, PA, or NP) who are part of your medical team. Bleeding can occur; the drain may become lodged; drains can break and it's possible to retain a part of it in your body......just to name a few. JP drains are customized. A person who is 400 lbs will have a drain that is much longer than a 200 lb person. The surgeon measures and cuts the drain to fit the patient. The drains have a length guide imprinted on them and that measurement is documented in a patient's chart. When the drain is pulled in the office at follow-up, that measuring guide and the appearance of the drain is assessed to make sure no parts were retained. There is no way an average person would know that by pulling their own drain, nor would they be prepared to handle the situation if something went wrong. But why bother, you're a nurse and you didn't know that either - otherwise you wouldn't have chimed in your worthless two cents. Nothing self-righteous about my reply. You should not give out or support wreckless advice as a medical professional because others may just do what you've suggested. You do know better and your lack of compassion for the harm that could come to someone following that type of advice, is disturbing to say the least.

@@Mz C, high Protein diets are actually really hard on the kidneys. Our bodies can't absorb and make use of more than 30 grams of protein at a time; so there's no way of having the body store it. All you can do is try to adhere to the day to day requirements of protein, Water, and Vitamins. hair loss does not happen to every single person, but one common theme is that those who drop weight more rapidly all tend to experience excessive shedding. As fast as we want those pounds to drop off after being sleeved, the slim chance of being able to keep my hair and have less loose skin by being a slower loser, seems like a good deal to me.

@@mistymc, no problem. The suggestions about Biotin and Zinc supplements that you may get are all good. They can and may help with hair loss, but can not reverse the hair out of a loss cycle; only Rogaine can do that. The supplements will help when hair begins to regrow so they're worth a shot. Avoid using Rogaine unless you plan to use it for the rest of your life. It works and works very well by forcing the hair out of a loss cycle into a growth phase; however, if it works for you it will be something you have to use permanently twice per day.

@@unbesleevable1, I don't believe anyone said pulling JPdrains was a difficult thing to do. The issue was that her surgeon put in the device and it should've been removed by that practice or they should've given her permission and instructions to do so on her own. As a nurse you know full well that you can't assume the liability of caring for somebody's post surgical care and should be mindful about saying you would've done the same thing under the circumstances. There are people on this board who may listen to that advice, follow it, and end up with terrible consequences. That's not ok and you know better. If you don't know any better, I'd hate to be a patient of yours.

Btw, skip extensions during hair loss; it'll just cause matting and tangling like you can't imagine. You'll end up yanking out more hair trying to detangle the matted mess. Clip-ins would be ok though.

As a matter of fact, I do. hair loss after weight loss surgery results primarily from Protein deficits. The damage occurs early on (usually within the first weeks after surgery) when you're trying to heal, recover, and having a very difficult time consuming Water and protein. Once the damage is done, it's done. The consequence (hair shedding) will occur months down the road once the hair growth cycle enters into a loss phase. We all go through these phases normally, it's just not very noticeable. Rapid weight loss and lack of protein makes that normal shedding process extreme and lengthy. Even if you do everything right, this may still happen to you; however, remember these concerns after surgery, and as much of a struggle as it may be, get in your daily recommended protein, water, and Vitamins. Those are the best weapons you have to ward off the hair loss. And start searching for cute wigs just in case. The good news is that the hair does and will grow back. It may come in a bit thinner and with a slightly different texture, but it does grow back. Good luck!

Gosh, I love it when people are called out on their sh!t and resort to name calling. Classic. 1) No one would know your "damn business" if you had not posted it ASKING FOR HELP. So because you didn't feel like everyone supported your panicked state, we all must have it out for you right? I totally understand. 2) I wonder who really sounds ignorant here.....Hmmm, let me think. Patient has major abdominal surgery and has a drainage device placed under sterile (that means no germs for any "ignorant" readers here), and has her nurse friend pull out the device at home because she was impatient and could not wait to be seen by her surgeon. I'll wait....... 3) You slept great. I hope your nurse friend did too and I'm sure what you asked her to do and what she did doesn't come even close to being ignorant. I totally get it. Those folks that "don't judge you" sound just like you, no wonder you get along with them so well. 4) Good riddance. I'd hate for you to stick around and have another issue surface in your recovery, ask for help, and develop the logic of a 13 y.o. when everyone disagrees with you. Makes perfect sense to me. Be sure to take a backpack on your journey; that's what children carry their emotions and school supplies in. 5) I would wish you well, but I'm sure you wouldn't want happy thoughts from someone as ignorant as I. Oh, I forgot.....you won't be reading this anyway.

@@HalloweenBaby24, after following the link enter the surgeon's name in the search bar. Two doctors with that last name will appear, then select yours. Navigate the search areas beneath his name and open "malpractice." I would take everyone's advice and simply ask what the circumstances were for the lawsuit. As I figured, it was settled out of court (for 1 million dollars); this is a very common occurrence though, and there isn't a practicing doctor who has never been sued. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CCEQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2F12.150.185.184%2F&ei=1C3mU4KiBYPjsASPpYDgAQ&usg=AFQjCNGJOgOtCD_FD0WExSO1N2kLWRGYcg

@@VSGAnn2014, you are spot on. It's also a little weird, meaning contrived, that someone would come back to a site 3, 4, 12 years after having an elective surgery to post a review about their experience and the doctor.

I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope your positive attitude would also translate if you were to have a complication. Pulling JP drains is really no big deal - I've done it at least 100 times; however, I love my nursing license and there isn't a friend or family member that is worth me losing it over. What your nurse friend did is a clear violation of the nurse practice act and she knows it. She shouldn't have put her license on the line for you, and you shouldn't have asked her to. Doesn't matter whether you agree or not and don't care to hear the "negative" responses. That was so not cool.

@@HalloweenBaby24, I followed the links and read the reviews. I can definitely understand your concerns. I agree with Ann that there's a lot of smoke there. I really can't advise you on what to do, but I'll share my opinion. Malpractice suits are very difficult to win because all doctors make mistakes in every setting you can think of. But wrongdoing / mistakes do not make a lawsuit. There must be identifiable wrongdoing that caused damage, either through death or permanent disability. You can't win a malpractice lawsuit without both factors being present. So, if we are to believe the post about this man's wife dying as a result of something this bariatric surgeon did, there had to be a very serious breach of standard of care that was clear, and directly attributable to him. It is likely that the surgeon settled out of court; if not, the court records (indictment etc) are public and accessible. I would start digging. Too many people classify him as "arrogant" so I am inclined to believe that; however, terrible bedside manners have nothing to do with a surgeon's skills; it just makes them an @ss. You have a right to know about any complaints and or malpractice suits that have been lodged against this surgeon. Access this information through the medical licensing boards for your state; it is public information and will probably help you to come to a decision. I truly wish the best for you, and bravo for continuing to research everything even though you already have a surgery date.

Easily tolerating 12-15 beers means your physical body may have a dependency issue, even if you feel as though your mind does not; the amount is excessive and you'll know if it's really a problem or not by doing one simple thing........Stop drinking. If you can easily do this and move on with your days and nights without a problem, then you're good and have nothing to worry about. If you cannot simply give up alcohol (all kinds) today and not be consumed with urges to drink so much so that you give in, you may have a dependency issue and need help. Only offering my opinion of course, as someone who has seen others battle with addictions to drugs and alcohol for years. Damage to your liver is possible after years of binge drinking, and 12 to 15 beers in one night (a couple of times a week) falls into this category. Liver function tests (LFT) is a blood test that can be done to somewhat assess the health of your liver, but you may need an ultrasound done. The good news is that no matter the circumstance, the liver is only one of two organs the human body has that's capable of regenerating itself. It is a very resilient organ and heals nicely once the offending thing (in this case, alcohol) is stopped. I'd suggest doing a liver cleanse of some sort, and giving up alcohol completely. Add lemon juice to your water and it'll also help your liver to function better and begin healing.

No advice on Chantix, but have you considered using one of those vapor cigarrettes? I realize they don't contain nicotine, but at least it's a substitution for smoking? Good luck to you!

Follow your surgeon's instructions. The guidelines they have in place are for a reason and it is to minimize complications that are known to occur. Birth control (ALL forms) carry the risk of blood clots. Introduce another risk factor such as surgery and the risks increase substantially. Best wishes to you and good luck on your surgery.