Hoven

Hi. I am in NY. The requirments changed last year about the time I had my surgery in April 2015. I had Dr. Bagloo as my surgeon and have had no problems except for acid reflux. My primary care doc has been super too. I am so glad I did this and have no regrets. Life is good.

Hi, My experience went off with out a hitch. I did not have to do a 6 month medically supervised weight loss, but was told that the requirements had just changed. But I had started the process so I didn't have to do that. I had it done at NYP.

I just had the esophageal manometry completed about 4 weeks ago. They didn't do any numbing because they said it would interfere with how my esophagus would work during the test. The worst part is the gag reflex when they insert the device through your nose and down your throat. Mine did take about 30 minutes. I also then had the 24 hour impedance test. Thats where they insert a thinner catheter through your nose and down your esophagus for 24 hours and you have to wear a monitor receives signals from the catheter. It records when you eat and when you sleep as well. The manometry showed that my esophagus is fine, but the Impedance test showed that I had acid in my esophagus 70+% of the time. Its worse when I lay down. I had the vertical sleeve in April 2015. I control the acid reflux with prilosec twice a day and a zantac at night. The surgeon recommended by pass surgery. It has a 95% success rate of getting rid of acid, mainly because it takes away the acid producing part of the stomach. He also said I could a new procedure called stretta. (google it for an explanation). I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor at the end of November and will discuss with her. At minimum if the meds are working I don't really have to do anything. I know when I'm not on meds its pretty bad. He also recommend a yearly endoscopy to check on my esophagus, so that they can catch it if it turns into Barrats or cancer. Which sounds horrible too.

Hi, I just had my 6 month follow up to sleeve surgery. That went great and I'm happy with the weight loss, but I've had issues with acid reflux. A few weeks ago I saw a gastro doc and had a 24 hour PH test completed. And it appears the acid reflux is on the severe end of the spectrum. While I'm on 40mg of prilosec twice a day and zantac once a day, I still have acidy stomach. When I had the test done I had to be off the meds for 5 days and it was pretty bad with out meds. The surgeon recommended the gastric bypass. Not pushing it, but if the meds are completely taking care of the issue, the next step is that. What to do.....is the question. I'm 52 and think the long term affects of both meds and surgery are complex.

If you plan to be there one day, I'd say chapstick, a comb/hairbrush if you up to that, and toothpaste and tootbrush. You will be too out of it to really predict how to even make yourself more comfortable. I didn't even use the other until the 2nd day. I just didn't care.

Good luck to everyone having surgery this week. While the first few days are rough, it does get better. I'm out 6 days and its true.

The goal is to loose some weight prior to surgery to shrink the liver. The data is out there. Each surgeon probably has experience with what they think works for most people. My program was a hybrid. Combo of shakes and one sensible meal, along with snack of fat free cottage cheese / yogurt. In the end, I ended up being offered a surgery date a week away and never really did the preop. The date was a cancelation from another patient, I didn't want to wait any longer so I took it. I"m 5 days out from surgery and feeling pretty good. In addition, I have been following the clear liquids/ protein shakes diet since surgery. I think the pre-op probably helps people get adjusted. I'm doing fine.

I just got home yesterday. Like the others Its been uneventful. My surgeon gave me the liquid pain killer script ahead of time because not all pharmacies stock that, so ask about it if you think your pharmacy might not. Mine ended up taking 6 days to fill the prescription. I also got a prescription for nausea med while in the hospital. I couldn't down the childrens liquid tylenol they gave me on day two. I got all weepy when I gagged on it. I've never been one to be able to take cough syrup so this liquid stuff sucks. I belive I got in my Protein shakes today, got in plenty of liquid too. Either water/flavored water/hot tea/chicken broth. I've constantly had some kind of drink by my side. I was able to get out and walk twice today too. Still feels like I've done a million sit ups, and everything that I've swallowed produces some kind of pain, but not that bad. Its just very noticible. Looking foward to tomorrow. As its true.....everyday does get better.

Arrived home today after having my surgery on April 15th. If anyone has questions I'd be happy to answer them for you.

April 15th, and the hospital just called and I'm to arrive tomorrow for surgery at Noon.

@@mclorrie, I plan to have it fixed later on too. I can't breath out of my left either, and it drives me nuts.

I hear a lot of comments about how after surgery folks have changed their relationship with food. I understand how the immediate weeks after surgery are different, but I'm wondering about long term. From the time your doctor gave you the go ahead to eat what you want? Some folks say that items they used to like they don't anymore. And other say that they don't think about food any more, while other say they still do. Have you taste buds changed or is it psychological along with the psychical changes.

@@mclorrie, when I had the sleep test, they tried the pillow on me. But I was slightly congested so they switched to the mask. I guess from the test results they recommend the full mask. I also recently was diagnosed with a deviated septum so that interferes with my nasal breathing. I'm determined to make this work. And hope that the weight loss will result in being taken off of it. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have surgery on April 15th so I'm almost there.

Agree with the others. sleep Apnea won't prevent you from the surgery. And from what I hear, weight loss may make it go a way. I sure hope so. I've been using a cpap for 4 weeks and am having trouble adjusting to it. I have surgery on April 15, so I'm waiting til then to talk to someone about a different mask size or help with adjusting to it. Thankfully, while its best to get as much sleep wearing that you can, the minimum in my case is 4 hours. The most I've slept is 5.5 hours.

How are you doing today. I must have got your April 15 surgery date. I was shocked that I went into see Dr. Bagloo April 7th when I sat down to schedule surgery they asked if April 15th was good for me. I said yes, but I'm totally in shock that it is so soon. I'd just rather get it over with anyway, so I said yes. Hope you are doing well, when you get a chance let us know more.

This escalated quickly. I went to see my surgeon today to get the final go ahead and then set a surgery date. When I sat with the admin person, she asked me if I wanted April 15th. After I picked up my chin off the floor, I said yes. So in one week I'll be having surgery. They sent me down stairs to do pre-admission bloodwork, x-ray, and ekg. So, I'm set for next week. I'm shocked! I wanted to get this done sooner than later, but I didn't expect to schedule this for April 15th. I'm glad to get on with my life. Doing a happy dance.

I just got scheduled for April 15th. I was in the office when they had a cancelation and were calling other candidates to see if they wanted to move up their date. They asked if I wanted the date. I said yes. So in one week I"m scheduled for surgery. I'm shocked.

Have you verified with your HR folks as to what they need for short term disability. Make sure that they don't require you to use all of your PTO first. I'd start the dialog ASAP, so that you know as much as you can as to what everyone will require. That way it leaves you time to plan.