Anyone sleeved or bypassed in Cleveland at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center?

[laurak814 43]

Has anyone had any experience with St. Vincent Charity Medical Centers in Cleveland, Oh for either the Bypass or Sleeve surgery?

In Feb 2016, I had initially met with a Dr & Patient Advocate regarding the sleeve surgery. My husband was (and still is) against the procedure for fear of complications during & post-op, & my lack of success with other weight loss trials. Here I am 10 months later, and at least 10 lbs heavier than I was at that time. I am miserable & now I have high blood pressure again. I had been taken off the meds for it previously due to losing a significant amount of weight & not needing the meds anymore. Well, since I have gained nearly all of that weight back, my BP has gone back up & I started experiencing Migraine headaches again on a regular basis. I also suffer from Pseudo Tumor Cerebri, a rare condition in the skull.

Fast forward to now, I'm heavier, with high BP, headaches, knee issues from past surgeries causing issues d/t weight gain, eye troubles d/t Pseudo Tumor condition flaring up from weight gain, lots of problems. Husband still unsupportive, money & cost is an issue. Must come up with $1000 for surgery, minimum.

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[SlimBra 151]

hi there....

I had surgery at UH Parma. Best decision ever....still healing! tomorrow is 6 weeks since surgery.

I was also diagnosed with pseudo tumor.......I was told it had gone away...but those headaches can be so painful

I hope you do what is best for you.......it is great to have a support team...but ultimately it is your decision. Let me know if you need any further information ...I can try to help!!!

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[laurak814 43]

@@SlimBra I was told the pseudo tumor went away also, but that was before I regained all the weight. I also have issues with double vision stemming from head trauma I endured in a car accident. It's difficult to tell when I'm having issues from which problem.

Until yesterday I didn't know UH did Bariatric surgery. That's wonderful you had a great experience. Another person I read about yesterday said the same, they had a great experience there. Four people I know have gone to St. V's & had successful procedures there. Three of them were bypass in the past 5-15 yrs & one was a sleeve in the past 6 months. I have an appt at St. V's on 12/16 to meet a Dr, the nutritionist & my patient advocate again. I haven't told my husband that I scheduled the appt. I know he's gonna be pissed I did it without discussing it with him first. We always talk things through before making big decisions. He talked me out of it last time & I don't want him to do that again.

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[SlimBra 151]

do you think he would go with you to at least hear what they have to say?

I was very fortunate that my insurance covered it...I just had to meet the deductible....and that was all met before the actual surgery.

I wish you luck....it is a major decision and I was not sure if I was going to go through with it.

do you think he does not want you to go through it because he is worried ...possibly that you will get thin and healthy and leave? I don't know you but that is a HUGE issue with spouses....they fear they will be left. My spouse shares these thoughts with me.....it is normal to be worried.....

I wish you luck....I look forward to hearing what you decide to do

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[laurak814 43]

He is worried about malabsorption post-op, me regaining weight like I always do with dieting, & part of me thinks he worries I will leave after. He knows how unhappy I've been, but he just doesn't believe that I'm miserable with myself. I feel like a complete failure. I mean there are things I wish I could go back in time & do over, like not get into that car accident, pick different career in college, etc. but he's the best decision I've made, even if we are scraping to make ends meet.

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[SlimBra 151]

well I wish you luck....

the Vitamins and supplements are not a big issue....most of us were taking many meds anyway....those will be replaced with supplements.

I know that UH has free classes ....some for pre-op...and some for post-op. Maybe you could stop by one and ask questions to people who have gone through the surgery. that is basically all they do is discuss what they went through and ask each other questions.

but this is a great forum to ask too.

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[SlimBra 151]

Oh...and I have always regained....exercise, meds....I think the best motivation is seeing the weight off, wearing smallest clothes. Once you get there, you won't want to go back.

I am 6 weeks post today...yesterday I bought a 14 top and it looks great on me. Now if I can lose some weight in my thighs, I can go down a pant size. the waist has shrunk but still tight on my thighs...boooo

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[laurak814 43]

That's AWESOME!!! Congratulations! Thanks for the input! Good luck with the rest of your journey!

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