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Countdown is on...starting to freak out.
NovaLuna replied to LAJ23's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
It's understandable to second guess yourself. I tried for years to lose the weight on my own, but it'd take me a YEAR to lose 20 pounds and a month to gain it back with interest when I gave up out of frustration. Eventually I had to face facts. I wouldn't be around to watch my nieces grow up if I didn't do something about my weight. I was 389 pounds when I finally decided to look into bariatric surgery. I'd been coming up with excused for YEARS as to why it wasn't for me. Truth was I didn't believe I'd have the willpower to stick with it. But, surprisingly, it's been relatively smooth. There was this one girl in my bariatric surgeons office that comes to mind when you talk about backing out. She went through the whole process THREE times! She got right up to her surgery date and backed out and had to start all over again. I was talking to her in the surgeons office before my pre-surgery appointment and asked her why she'd go through all that and then not have the surgery. She said she was scared and then asked me why I didn't seem to be. I told her I'd gone through a much scarier surgery so this was like a walk in the park by comparison. I honestly don't know if she went through with it that time or if she's going though the process for a FOURTH time. Clearly she wanted to lose the weight, but the unknown of the surgery was terrifying to her. The unknown can be a really scary, I get that. But think of how much better you'll feel losing that extra 80 pounds. Who cares what your PCP thinks (vanity? pfft, a 37 BMI is still obese and your PCP is a friggin' MORON!) or if your mother doesn't approve, this is YOUR life and YOUR body! The surgery will help you become a healthier YOU! In the end though, the choice is still very much your own. Whether you go the conventional dieting route or the WLS route is still your decision and no one else's. Maybe write out a list of pro's and con's. Or read success stories to pump yourself up. Either choice you make, I wish you the best. -
I was just wondering what I would do in your situation, and my surgery was 2+ years ago, but I just remembered this: I didn't have a "liver shrinking" diet because my surgeon doesn't believe in them. I was still eating low carb and high Protein before surgery because I was constantly in 'diet' mode anyway and used to eating that way. Just Clear liquids the day before and nothing after midnight. So I had sort of a "food funeral" the weekend before surgery when we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant. I still ate a protein and a veggie, but I also had one of my beloved craft beers. A great big one, too. I think if my surgeon had specifically told me not to drink, or put me on a pre op diet, I probably wouldn't have. But honestly, it didn't even dawn on me I shouldn't. So I did. But only had the one, because I'm just not much of a drinker. I'm not going to tell you to go against your surgeons orders, but if you just limit yourself and don't get falling down drunk, I don't see an issue with it. Make sure you're practically drowning in Water for the next couple of weeks, also. Keep in mind this is just the beginning of the rest of your life. These choices are going to come up daily, sometimes several times a day. To be successful, we've really got to learn to live in this non bariatric surgery friendly world by picking and choosing the best choices for US to become successful. If the sum of those choices equals success for you, no problem. But if they are causing you NOT to be successful, it's time to take stock and evaluate why you wanted the surgery in the first place. There's my 2 pennies. Whether you wanted it or not
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I have my first appt on Wed. MyChart says it is 30 min with the Bariatric surgeon. It doesn’t seem typical that my first appointment would be with the surgeon and it seems like most of you had longer appointments your first visit. Is this weird? Maybe I’m just getting nervous.
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VSG cramping after purees, otherwise I'm a bottomless pit for fluids
MysteryJess replied to jason2483's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
YALL!!!! OK, I am hoping someone can give me some advice. I was banded in 2009, lost 100 pounds, was at my goal weight for about 9 years. Then around Christmas of last year, I started having trouble keeping ANYTHING down. My surgeon said the band was properly placed and had not slipped. He removed all of the Fluid from my band and I gained 40 pounds in a matter of months. My insurance finally approved a revision and I had that done 4 days ago. I had no real pain, just some gas pain in my shoulder and neck. They laid out these tiny little cups and told me to "sip sip sip every 15 minutes". It didn't take long before I had both small bottles of Water drank. I was released the next day and was able to drink 2 cups of beef broth, I ate an entire cup of sugar free jello---last night I ate an entire can of thinned down cream of chicken Soup in the amount of time it would take someone who had not had bariatric surgery. I have not had my post-op follow up yet but my mom had the VSG about 18 months ago and she can only eat about a cup of food. She told me it took her an entire day to drink 1/2 of a Protein Shake. My goal weight is 145 and I am currently 169. (I am within a normal BMI and have no co-morbidity factors but the revision was approved because of all of the issues I was having with the band.) My fear is that surgeon might have been super conservative and made my sleeve/pouch larger than it should be because I don't have a ton of weight to lose. I am just hoping that someone reading this had a similar experience but felt restricted once solid foods were reintroduced. I feel like this surgery might have been a waste of time. Is there anyone out there that was successful after not having drinking limitations immediately following surgery? -
Interesting post bariatric surgery experience
Diana_in_Philly replied to Middus's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Funny, because I just renewed my passport - I was going to do it last year, but didn't get around to it. Glad I waited. -
I am a 45 y/o female. I am a conglomeration medical problems. They all culminated in a trip to the ER in an ambulance for a strained back due to coughing caused by congestive heart failure. I knew that day that I had to do something about my weight. I slept 1-2 hours a night due to sleep apnea. I heard of this surgery that could help 80 percent of the problems wrong with me. I could not be cured because nothing cures bone growth or arthritis, but it could slow the progression of my disease. I had a consultation with Dr Awad in Palm Springs, and found my BMI to be 53 and weighed 270. He thought it would be simple to get my insurance to pay for my procedure. They fought it. Finally, after running and jumping through all the fiery hoops they threw at me, I was able to set a date for my surgery 6 months after I first spoke to the surgeon. I had my surgery done 08/26/15 and I am sleeping now. I did not have any problems for my first 3 weeks, but now that I have reached the 4th week I have problems. I have difficulty getting fluids and Proteins in on the same days, and I am having difficulty eating enough times in a day to keep my hypoglycemia under control. I wake up sick, nauseous, and vomiting from not eating for more than 6-7 hours just from sleeping. Sleep was supposed to be a good thing. The bariatric team is great. I can not complain about how they have supported me through the last 40 pounds. I still have 90 more to go.
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Whatever you Celebrate I hope you have a great HOLIDAY SEASON In 2016 I am going to: Get a better electronic scale - one that measures body fat. Get a Bod Pod reading done - I was supposed to go last week to get a baseline body fat % but my mom got sick. REACH MY GOAL WEIGHT Be consistent with exercise Be outside more with my nieces and nephews doing things like taking walks, biking, hiking, etc. Do a zip line tour Take my Vitamins and supplements EVERY DAY Continue to attend my follow up appointments with the bariatric team Continue to attend my monthly support group Help my mom through the process of getting a surgery date for herself That's it for now!
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Hey All - Well, some of you know that I've been sick since I started the pre-op diet (think that's probably coincidental). Anyway, ended up with bronchitis and a double ear infection this week. Called my surgeon today and they said I need to finish my antibiotics before they can do surgery, so surgery moved from Monday August 3rd to Friday August 7th. Funny thing is that my surgeon is doing a workshop for other doctors that day, so my surgery will be recorded and shown via satellite to other bariatric surgeons. I was fine with that for two reasons 1) they don't show my face and 2) I figure he's gotta be on his "a" game right?? So, bummed that I have to live on liquids for yet another week, but feel better that at least I'll be healthy for surgery. Jen
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Hey I just saw this on another board!!!! New Center of Excellence in Kansas!!! Original Post by Carolanne S at 5:19 PM CST on 02/05/2007 SOMEWHERE IN..., KS Shawnee Mission Medical Center was approved as of 1/24/07 as a center of excellence. That will allow medicare patients to have bariatric surgery in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The only question is wheather a surgeon associated with SMMC will perform surgery. I attended a seminar from Dr Hoehn and Dr Hitchcock and they were sort of reluctant to do medicare patients if SMMC were to become a COE due to the reimbursments from medicare. Its all about the money!
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From what I understand, bypass is the gold standard for bariatric surgery. To name a few; Gastric bypass patients lose between 60 to 80 percent of excess body weight in the first year. Gastric sleeve patients lose between 50 to 70 percent of excess body weight in two years. Bypassing the intestines produces a malabsorptive aspect (less time for your body to absorb calories since your intestinal tract is shorter) that effectively reduces calorie consumption. Gastric bypass surgery has been around longer. Its results and complications have been studied and its benefits proven. Gastric bypass is more complicated, has a slightly higher overall risk profile but it does produce more weight loss. I appreciate your posts, but seriously I will setup a consult with my surgeon to determine what is best for me. Just thought I would get a head start and receive feedback from individuals who may have decided to a bypass vs. a sleeve is all. -Thanks-
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Dr Vuong seminars, who has been, what are they about?
Alex Brecher replied to elcee's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I know Dr. Vuong for over a decade. He is a very nice and entertaining guy who IMHO gives out so-so medical and surgical advice. He bounced around from practice to practice and has never been able to make it as a bariatric surgeon. -
Dr Vuong seminars, who has been, what are they about?
Medowsweet replied to elcee's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I did not like his attitude towards fat people. At one point he says “you think the healthiest thing is chicken breast, and you think you know that, but but you’re wrong. Look at your body. Now look at my body. I am not getting bariatric surgery. I have never had a weight problem. So listen to me not what you think you know, because which one of us looks like me know how to eat” This made me soooo mad! And it’s not true that if you are skinny you wat right and if you are fat you don’t. (I don’t care about the chicken part) I know a girl at work. She is soooo skinny I could almost put my hands around her waist. All I ever see her eat are donuts and cookies and energy drinks and soda. I mean she is so skinny she makes you look fat, Dr. Vonung, so I suppose you think I should copy her and eat what she eats? -
I was afraid this would happen...
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to Scorpio Girl's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I am so so sorry It's not common but sometimes people do have serious complications by no fault of their own. You seem to be one of the unlucky 5% that do. If I were in your shoes, I'd get a second opinion from another bariatric surgeon. The reason being is, if the problem is something like the original surgeon didn't place it correctly, you'll want a non-biased second opinion to tell you. I'd also want a second opinion on the scar tissue and possibility for a revision surgery. Just my opinion. Again, I'm truly sorry this happened to you. -
Vitamin shoppe bariatric support chewables... Like them a lot! I take the multi and the iron ones. Helps me so much.
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Follow whatever your bariatric team told you. For myself, I started out with 1/3 of my Protein item (about an ounce if solid, like chicken breast) and 2 tablespoons of steamed veggie, and if I had room, 1/2 serving of fruit. Now that I am eight months out, I can comfortably eat 1/2 cup (or 2 ounces solid protein) and a little bit of veggie, like a few green Beans or couple of sprigs of steamed broccoli. Maybe at bedtime I will have 1/2 cup of yogurt with some berries. In between all of that, I am sipping all day. If I haven't met my protein goals the previous day, I will start my day with a Protein shake
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I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in January 2005. My total weight loss over the next three years was 130 pounds from my highest weight, 110 pounds after banding. My decision to go to Dr. Ortiz was cost - my insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery and I absolutely do not regret my decision. The procedure was still new in US in 2004/2005. I had a surgeon friend who performed my fills "blind" whenever I needed more restriction and we truthfully were "winging" it. I did ultimately have an overfill, but ignored the signs because I loved the weight loss. The price I paid was that I needed an emergency unfill (my surgeon friend moved to another state). I went a year with no/minimal restriction but had actually gotten too thin and needed to gain 15 pounds. I maintained that for about a year, then decided to get a fill. It was then (I only had approximately 2 cc in a 4 cc band) that we figured out something was really wrong because I became severely restricted and had an unfill again. The UGI revealed band slippage. I am waiting until after January 1, 2009 to meet with my new band doctor to decide what to do. I am self-pay because I no longer meet the criteria for bariatric surgery (or do I?). I'm not counting on BCBS to pay for this but I will probably go along with the surgeon's recommendation. I hate going into debt for this, but I hate being fat more. This is my story. Whatever I have had to go through, it was worth it to be thin again. FYI, my mother was one of the first gastric bypass patients in the US in the early 70's. She die four years ago, it did extend her life, but the quality of her life the last 10 years was pitiful. Land Band surgery spoke to my heart. I liked having my stomach and intestines and not dealing with malabsorption, etc. Looking forward to hearing from anyone who identifies with my issues and now problem of band slippage. I did it to myself - stress, overeating and mad vomiting. It still involves being able to control yourself and I wonder if I can do it without being banded. Probably not . . .
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I need help with an appeals letter
Tiffykins replied to Rekeca's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I posted some links that I"ve had bookmarked for awhile on how to get approval. BUT, if you do not meet the requirements, you will have an uphill battle. My highest recommendation is to get a letter of support from your PCP/PCM that has managed your care for that time, get a new surgeon because it's denied after your initial appeal, you will need a peer to peer review, and if your surgeon is NOT willing to do that for you, then I personally would not allow him to cut on me, and get paid for it. Here is a sample of a support letter for you PCP/PCM. To Whom It May Concern: This Letter is a formal request for approval for Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy, for my patient _____________D.O.B______. __________ is Xfeet and X inches tall and weighs XXXpounds. Her body mass index (BMI) isXX. She has been diagnosed with morbid obesity (CPT code: 278.01), since ____. She is having significant adverse symptoms as a result of her obesity. She is having difficulty standing and exercising due to the significant impact of the excess weight on her body. She has difficulty performing any daily activities and in participating with her friends and family in recreational activities. She has been diagnosed with ____________________. The effects of these conditions are severe, and can be life threatening. Co-morbidities have proven to be expensive to treat and sometimes incurable. Research has shown that weight loss is not only cost effective for the insurers, but for the patients as well. _________________ has made numerous weight loss attempts, including: South Beach Diet Weight Watchers Curves Transformations medical weight loss Michael Thurmond Certified nutritionist consultations Based on ____________�s medical history, it is highly recommended she undergo bariatric surgery. In my professional opinion, it is the only way to improve her health conditions and significantly improve her lifestyle. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Sincerely, MD -
I ordered Bariatric Advantage chewable multivitamin and Calcium Citrate chews from Amazon. Free shipping with a Prime account. Check with your surgeons office. Mine sells everything you need. Prices & my Dr's office was about 10% higher than stores or online but beats a blank.
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Lose too much weight= denied?
Dub replied to Chelsea Nacole's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Your program nurse can dial it up to the pound for you. I'm unsure how it worked for everyone else, but when I began the process back in June.....once I weighed in on my initial first of 6 monthly diet sessions....that was the weight & bmi that counted for the whole deal. The nurse explained that I qualified in every way, shape and form because the current insurance criteria were to have a bmi over 40 or over 35 with comorbiities (mine were: high blood pressure & sleep apnea). She calculated how much I could lose prior to the surgery and still qualify.....it was a large amount. I only lost about 1/2 that weight. She said that even if I dipped below the 40 bmi or 35 w/ comorbiities during the next 6 months that they would be submitting my initial weights with the package and I would be fine. In other words, she encouraged me to lose as much as I could pre-op. I ultimately went over to another surgeon/program (which had the same structure) and did a self pay in order to cut months off the wait time. Please verify with your program's nurse/administrator and with your insurance plan's bariatric patient advocate. The other experienced folks will hopefully jump in with advice and experience, too. As funny as it sounded to folks......I had the same question. I new I could go into beast mode and lose a bunch of weight in a short period.....even though it seemed unlikely. Best wishes to you. -
Having breast implant fixed and I don't want my doctor to know about my Gastric Plication
Mhy12784 replied to Laura1040's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
If you had bariatric surgery your anesthesiologist ABSOLUTELY needs to know. They have to intubate you for surgery and sometimes insert oral or nasogastric tubes while you are under anesthesia. If they don't know you had bariatric surgery and insert one of them they could seriously hurt you. Honestly it "probably" won't make a difference in regards to your surgeon, but that's assuming that nothing goes wrong (which while incredibly likely for something serious to happen during a breast implant surgery, is still possible). But if you're not willing to disclose everything with your anesthesiologist you probably shouldn't be having surgery. (I'll note that it's very unlikely they would use an OG/NG tube for a breast implant exchange, but the point is there are viable scenarios where you could get seriously hurt by not disclosing something as significant as bariatric surgery) -
I’m having a revision from sleeve to bypass on July 5th. I had a hard time with protein shakes when I had the sleeve, they tasted so chalky. Can anyone recommend protein shakes from Bariatric Pal that are good and not chalky tasting?
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Idk if they're on Bariatric pal, but premier protein shakes are pretty good. They've never had a weird taste to me. (atkins, slimfast some of fairlife's make me pretty sick) Quest protein are also pretty good if you can find them. One that I've found that's also good is Fairlife High Protein shake in Vanilla. It tastes like melted ice cream. I like to pour it over some chilled decaf Chai Tea to make a chai tea latte/type drink. it's nice and sweet without the calories of a reg drink.
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Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. I have had such a journey. I feel I could write a book at this point. Basically im an old bandster since Feb. 2003. Banded by Dr. Horgan in Chicago. Anyways I lost 60 pounds then plataued for years then decided to exercise seriously lost another 50. I was still hungry but it did keep me from overeating and eating late at night because i developed reflux all night if i ate past 8pm. Gained some back exercised more again went back down. Anyways I was always dine because i could exercise. Well over a year ago i was diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia and low thyroid. So now exercise is pretty much impossible. I feel trapped. Its a bit depressing and im never depressed ever. I started at 315 got down to 190 now im back i think about 280. Im scared to even weigh myself. This weight is making life even harder. So i found a hospital nearby that seems to have a good bariatric program. Im not sure if i will even qualify with lupus and anemia. I will be attending this saturday their seminar. The thought of going through approval for another surgery is exhausting. I had to fight a denial with my band since it was so new at the time. But I feel like I have to try at least. Im not sure which would be best for me. I have a bad sweet habit now that I didnt have before the band. But as all us bandsters know chocolate goes down so easy. If anyone has lupus or is looking to switch from the band I would love to talk. Thanks for listening to my story.
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Why is having surgery in Mexico such a taboo subject?
TheCurvyJones replied to jjinWA's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had my surgery with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez with Endobaratric in Mexico. I felt like I was in expert hands and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I wish Dr. Alvarez was my primary care physician. From everyone that I've talked to that had their surgery covered by insurance, Aftercare typically comes with the cost of the surgery, meaning they don't get paid to provide aftercare for a surgery they didn't perform. Also keeping in mind that surgeons tend to be a little bit behind the eight ball… Think about it, some of the surgeons are still handing out RNY guidelines to VSG patients. Bariatric surgeons can't even come to a agreement on post surgery routines, let alone come behind another surgeon and provide support care for some other doctors work. He's already missing out on nearly $30,000 of income from a surgery he's not performed. Many surgeons just feel that the work done in Mexico is subpar and they don't want to be responsible for any complications. That said, there are innumerable doctors in the Seattle area. It should be relatively easy to find a weight-loss surgery friendly doctor to provide after care for your daughter. -
Should I reschedule?
ShoppGirl replied to aussiedoodlelover94's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I agree that your surgery will most likely still go on if you don’t cheat again but Only you know if you are really ready to comply with the post op diet at this point. If you aren’t certain maybe call now to set an appointment to speak with the bariatric therapist. They can help you determine if you should go through with this surgery now or if you need a little more time to get your mind prepared. This is not just because you want to be In the best place possible to maximize your weight loss but even more important because immediately post op you can Seriously hurt yourself from just one little cheat. Not trying to scare anyone, but you need to be fully prepared to adhere to the post op diet in order to recover safely. If you aren’t ready just yet, there is absolutely no shame In taking a little more time and working with the bariatric therapist on some coping strategies or whatever else you need to get fully prepared.
