highdesertblue

Great, amazing, wonderful news!!! I heard back from the surgeons in Phoenix, and they do revisions. The are SO encouraging. I've already been assigned a patient advocate. She said I should call and get an appointment on a Tuesday, so I can take their WLS 101 class while I am there. My sister lives about 45 minutes away from there, and I think I can stay with her if I need to spend the night. i have several "assignments" to do this week. Call me cardiologist for an appointment for clearance. Find a psychologist for the psychological clearance. call my PCP for his letter of recommendation. I downloaded all the forms to give the doctors so they can just fill them out, so the process will be a little easier. I have hope again! Now I can go back to my plan of trying to replace a meal a day with a Protein drink. I think it will make it easier to try different protein powders, and get used to eating less. In a week or two, I will try to go to replacing two meals a day. Since I know the surgery is in the future, I hope that will motivate me to stick with it. Thank you all for your encouragement!

It is a relief to hear that I could be eating salads a few months after surgery! Thanks!

Has anyone else had gastritis and other stomach problems prior to surgery. My first surgeon visit comes up Wed. Nov 5. I have a hiatal hernia, and serious GERD (acid reflux). I had my stomach stapled way back in 1989 and the stapling failed after about 18 months. I have LOTs of pain if I eat fruits and vegetables, especially if they are raw. If I eat a salad (and I love salads), my stomach hurts for 1-2 weeks. Sometimes, very cooked vegetables are OK in small quantities. I can eat a banana and it doesn't bother me, or the tiny amount of fruit that comes in yogurt. Raw or al dente vegetables do not really digest. I will spare you the details. Has anyone else had trouble digesting vegetables and fruits? Was it better after the surgery? .

Thank you for all of your support! I already took the online webinar for the doctors in Phoenix last night. I will wait to hear from their office, and then follow whatever steps I need to follow. The Phoenix facility is a Center of Excellence, which is required by my insurance company. I agree with you that if he doesn't like to do revisions anymore, then I should go to a doctor who does. I plan to call the Phoenix office and ask if one of their three doctors does revisions.

Does anyone else have serious back problems? I wonder if I should bring my trusty refillable ice pack? I really appreciate all of the suggestions.

I'm on the road to a revision, but I had surgery many years ago, and my husband got super jealous. He drank at the time (he doesn't now) and I told him it didn't matter if I were fat or thin, the only reason I would leave him was because of his drinking. We have been married 33 years now. Losing weight DID spice up our married life, if you know what I'm saying.

I feel for you. I hope you get relief soon! It might seem impossible right now, but take your lunches and breaks. Many overweight people (like me) tend to be overachievers, are afraid to say no, or feel the need to work hard to prove ourselves. I used to work myself so hard that I would get really sick and it would take two or three months to get better. You need your energy and health for surgery and post-op. Keep up the Protein so you are healthy for surgery. You are so close to surgery (how exciting) and then, I assume some time off.

Oh, I feel for you! I have to insist on them using my forearm now. I also have fibromyalgia and on the upper arm, my pain level goes up to a 9 out of 10. And then they do it again because it got an error. I also like when they use the type that go on the wrist. I can't wait until my upper arms are smaller! Keep up your momentum. December is not far away!

My daughter recently had the same issue. It took months of going without makeup (and she is a sparkly girl!). She eventually found a few product that didn't bother her. She uses Jamberry nails now. I say get the doctor approved nail polish. You are worth it!

I am anxious to hear the answer to this. My first appointment is Wednesday, November 5.

I'm still pre-op,but I've had several other surgeries. The catheter isn't bad. It is much better for me than trying to urinate on a bedpan. They usually take it out before you even notice it. I hope I can get up and walk around as soon as possible. I always feel better when I am up and walking. Best wishes to you on your surgery, Crystal88!

From reading your posts, it looks like your husband is afraid of the surgery, and afraid of losing you. besides reassuring him, I think taking him to a support group would allow him to see how many people have successfully gone through the surgery. He might hear stories about how bad their lives were before losing weight. Perhaps you can show or tell him reasons the weight is so bad for you, and how it could be much more dangerous than the surgery ever would be. My husband says he supports me. I attended the first seminar, and see the surgeon on Nov. 5th. Then I will find out what tests and procedures I need prior to surgery. My husband recently started buying me candy bars. Hmm. Think he is feeling insecure. I made a list of physical reasons I want to lose weight and posted them on the fridge. None of them had to do with how I will look, or being able to wear cuter clothes. I had to think about what I will be able to do, and how i will feel. He reads that every time he goes into the refrigerator, and I think it reassures him a little. I know he will feel insecure when I lose weight, but I plan to talk to him about how much better I feel and talk about how I can go for walks with grandchildren, take them to the park, etc. I can barely walk now, and need major spinal surgery. I can't have it unless I lose at least 100 lbs, so I am VERY motivated. I really do hope your husband comes around.

Thanks for sharing, Jim! i have my first appointment with the surgeon next week, and hearing success stories really help me keep up hope that weight loss can happen for me, too!

I am pre-surgery, but had a weight loss procedure way back in 1989. There are much better nutritional products and nutrition information available now. I had very little followup back then. My surgeon has good information, and they do much more to prepare patients now. I was not prepared for the incredibly strong desire to chew food when I was on the liquid diet. We didn't have the internet to share healthy eating ideas, recipes, and new products. We were just told to add protein to soft foods, such as non fat powdered milk in 1989. Now I am trying out different products prior to surgery. I know my taste might change after surgery. Even though I had experienced the body dysmorphia during previous weight loss attempts, I am still nervous about that. I am so blessed that my insurance covers intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, so I am trying to find a therapist in my area. Back in 1989, the local support group was disbanded before I had the surgery because the lady leading the group was tired of it turning into a "b$%#hing and moaning" session about divorces and other life problems. Hmmm. Looking back, I understand that marriages and other relationships suffer when one party has a huge weight loss. It really upsets the status quo! Today, I know that my problems won't all be solved by weight loss, but I WILL be healthier. I know that I will be able to move around easier, put less stress on my overwhelmed joints, not break into embarrassing, red faced, hot sweats when everyone else in the room is cool. I appreciate the people who are realistic and willing to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of the WLS process.

I will tell people if they ask, but I'm not sure if I will make a big announcement when I have the surgery. I am open with family and close friends. I don't really want to face all of the negative comments and "helpful' advice from people who have lost 5-20 pounds in the past. i'm guilty of offering weight loss advice that I obviously an not following. I am also concerned about people who feel insecure about me losing weight. I went through this 25 years ago when I lost weight, and it upsets a balance in relationships. I'm the fat one who makes others feel ok about having a piece of cake at the birthday, or getting ice cream on the way home from a meeting that is 2 hours away. I understand why people don't want to share, but lying about the type of surgery, saying it is a gallbladder or hernia repair doesn't make sense. People will guess what is really going on.

Best wishes in making your choice! I am going to consult with the surgeon, and rely strongly on his opinion based on my situtation. Based on what he said at the seminar, I think he currently feels that the gastric sleeve is the best choice for most patients. I hope things go well for you.

I missed out on getting the surgery a few years ago for the same reason. I have Medicare now, because I am on disability, so I finally got the nerve to start the process again. JenJen 1653, I truly feel your pain. Sometimes there are ways to get around the clause, but you would have to talk to the WLS surgeon and your primary care physician to see if they can help you. My daughter is going through the same thing. She works for the local school district, and every year they beef up their "wellness" campaign, but refuse to include the weight loss option in the insurance. Instead of holding mandatory wellness fairs, and not allowing birthday cupcakes, or teachers to drink coffee, they could offer the option to those willing to pay a little more for their health insurance. Getting loans or going to Mexico is not an option for my daughter. You might want to check with the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation. They have "scholarships" for people who cannot afford the surgery. They are on Facebook, and they have a website. You can get the details from the website. I wish you the best!