peacequeen

Congrats! I can't wait till I'm approved,,that will relieve alot of stress.

That's a good list, Sonja! And congrats on your approval..that's awesome!

I hate going to doctors offices, they are kind enough to offer "big" chairs but I don't wanna sit in them! Even the bariatric center I go to has the wide ass chairs. I need them right now but I soooo hate to use them.

I found this on another website and felt it not only interesting but it really eased my mind. It amazes me what this little girl was able to endure and survive. I know it's crazy to compare but if I get to keep all my organs but lose a portion of my stomach for weightloss, I'm not near as concerned as I was before. How Vital Are Your Organs? Could you live without a small and large intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas? By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Health Publications Q: I just read about a girl who had six organs in her belly surgically removed during a cancer operation. Could she have survived if doctors were unable to put her organs back in, or to transplant another person's organs into her body? A: According to news reports, the young girl's small and large intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas were removed as part of a 23-hour cancer surgery. The surgeons replaced her liver and small and large intestines. Her spleen, pancreas, and stomach could not be saved. What if none of the six organs could have been replaced—and transplanting another person's organs wasn't a possibility? Of the six, the only organ that is an absolute for survival is the liver. She couldn't have survived if her entire liver was removed, unless she received a liver transplant. But healthy liver tissue has impressive regenerative abilities, so if a little of her liver was healthy and could have been left in, she could have survived. Of the other organs, the absence of a spleen and a stomach pose the fewest problems. The spleen acts as a filter to remove red and white blood cells that are old or damaged. It also helps us fight infections. But it is not an essential organ. Thousands of people walk around without a spleen, usually because they required emergency surgery when the spleen ruptured after a trauma. As part of the immune system, the spleen acts to boost antibody production when a person gets a vaccine or acquires an infection. Antibodies are molecules that block bacteria and viruses from entering healthy cells. The immune system can work without a spleen, but not as efficiently. In non-emergent situations, doctors give patients who need their spleens removed a host of immunizations. With these immunizations, the body will likely be able to produce normal amounts of antibodies. As the surgeons did in this case, a pouch to hold food can be created to substitute for a stomach. If the small intestine had not been put back in, she would not have been able to eat or drink. So there would be no reason to create the "false stomach." Normal adults have about 20 feet of small intestine. To absorb sufficient calories and nutrients, at least 5 feet of small intestine would need to be saved. If less than that is able to be saved, a person would only be able to survive with intravenous feedings. Moving down to the large intestine, the main function of this organ is to reabsorb Water that is mixed with food. It's not essential for survival. For example, the only option for some people with severe ulcerative colitis is surgery to remove the entire colon. Many people today live without a functioning pancreas; however, it's a huge challenge. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin. This young girl will always need insulin injections to keep her blood sugars in control. Also, since she won't be making the digestive enzymes that break down food products in the intestines, her diet will need to be adjusted. She will probably only be able to eat simple sugars and Proteins, and just the essential fats. She will also take pills containing digestive enzymes, which will surely help. Howard LeWine, M.D. is a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and practicing internist with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He serves as Chief Medical Editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications.

I haven't had surgery yet but I've watched several different youtube videos, very glad I did and I'll probably watch more. I would suggest others to view them as well. Probably not so good for those easily sickened by the sight of blood and such.

Here's a link to a post recently about all the things one would need. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-surgery-thread/page__st__40__p__203482__hl__list__fromsearch__1#entry203482

Yes, you are in good hands physically and spiritually. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

I have no idea why I have multiple posts..I am so sorry.

Congratulations! You look great!

Congratulations! You look great!

Congratulations! You look great!

Thanks everyone, I thought the post had run dormant but more people are posting! Thanks for all the suggestions. I do know that in the end it will be worth it, I just wanted to know if there were any treatments or remedies to keep it from happening if at all possible. I don't want to lose it if i don't have to. I'll have to start on the Biotin, I could use that even now before surgery. AnneG, is it vitol or vicol?

Longer Life, I understood what you were saying and I agree with it. I also found it humorous in a sarcastic way.lol..which I loved.lol Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think goldengirl meant that at the end of the day, this website in general is where I can find support. What I ended up doing is sending an email to my sisters telling them how their reactions made me feel. One of my sister's emailed me back and said this: I am soooooooo sorry that I didn't react the way you needed me too, but if it were me, I'd do it in a minute. My reaction may have been because I had never heard of this procedure before, and I was trying to process all that you were speaking. I want you happy and healthy,too, so whatever that takes is what I want for you. I KNOW how you have struggled. I watched Mom do the same thing. In fact, I have even thought of contacting the Ageless Weight-loss Center myself because I am stuck at 180 pounds and I was 125-135 my entire life until I turned 50. Recently, I had hit 186 lbs and I lost 14 pounds, but now it is back on me and I feel terrible. Sweetie, I love you and I truly apologize for not reacting the way you needed me too. I do care what my family thinks and this made my day. Now I know I have family support I can go to when I'm having a bad day. This whole incedent has made me realize it's ok for me to tell people, even if they don't react the way I want. There will be those who are for it and those who aren't and that's their choice. I have to be happy in this decision for myself and that's all that matters. Thanks everyone for your support and all the feedback, I really do appreciate it. I've been trying to decide how I would tell people if to tell them at all, now I know. I'll just send an email that way I can say all I want to say before they interrupt or I see the expression of doom on their faces. And hopefully in the end I get a response like the one my sister just sent..that felt awesome!

It's a never ending debate on here as to whether one should tell anyone about having surgery. I was against it. So I went out on a limb today and told 2 of my sisters. They just seemed surprised by saying REALLY???? And one said "well you've lost alot of weight before", how did you do that, can't you do it again? What to say...I really wish i had said nothing. The conversation shifted and I became uncomfortable and would have liked to have defended myself but felt it would be a hopeless attempt. I feel kind of alone, I want to share my decision, I'm not sure why it matters to me at this point. I got the response I thought I would. It wasn't support it was questioning my decision. I'm the youngest of 8 kids..yes, the baby. Although I'm questioned alot about choices I make, I still thought I'd get something positive but nope.

Yes, I have. Some call it Last Supper Syndrome. I'm still struggling with it. I think when I get an actual date I'll be able to get more focused. Right now my brain keeps telling me that I can eat whatever I want and as much of it as I want because I'm having surgery. This isn't smart thinking on my part, I'm just being honest. .I think it's true. This is one big reason I go to therapy. The best thing we can do is get our head around the idea of the life change this surgery will make. I'm aware but I still have my eating rituals. I'm not an official binge eater but I am a mix of that and a night eater. That's making it really difficult to get any weight off. I'm keeping my weight between 278 and 288, up and down. I'm not sure if I'm going to mourn food so much, it's ruined my life. I really want to be able to end the vicious cycle. As for the statistics you've mentioned, the risks are very low, like 1 in almost 1000 and from what I was told, the sleeve is one procedure that allows you to absorb vitamins. I have hunger pangs now, so I don't think that will matter for me. Once I have the surgery, I know my mind will snap out of it because I won't have a choice. You just can't eat the same. Whether I diet or have surgery, I need the weight off but I know I will always have my struggle with food. I hate loving it so much.

You look amazing,,congratulations!

I thought of a few more things. I sing with a christian group. After last nights rehearsal, I realize I wish to be able to have the strength to hold a note. My gosh it's getting worse and I really don't want to lose my abilities. I also wish I wasn't the largest person on stage when performing ...and there are men in the group. I had to go to my son's school yesterday, I wish I didn't have to be seen by his friends looking the way I do. I feel bad for myself but worse for him. He doesn't ever let on to be embarrassed but I wonder if he is. I feel this way when i visit my oldest son at college too. I have a women's christian conference coming up and I'm getting anxiety about sharing a room especially since I sleep with a bipap. So I guess I would love to have my confidence back. I never thought I'd get to this point of feeling so insecure about so many things in my life.

Reading your post made me wanna cry..you are so young. Bless your heart,,you deserve to do all those things.

That's amazing! What a testimony for the sleeve but even more wonderful that they found your cancer so early. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck on the 23rd, please keep us posted.

Such good advice and posts on this one. I'm so sorry for you and will keep you in my prayers as well. I'm very fortunate and blessed to have a supportive husband. Something that goes a long way is that I have given him some of the control in this . I've let him be a large part of this decision and have kept him very involved in the process, letting him know how much I need him. I think the advice about sending an email (or even a letter) is an excellent idea. It's so easy to have a fighting match when you don't take a moment to gather your thoughts to convey what you feel. I've also read alot of posts from these forums to him, he seems to find it very interesting. I really like to read the success stories to him and the stories about how it has changed a persons health and life with their spouse and children. I try to shy away from reading him posts about how we want to be hotties, sexy, etc..even if I want to be all those things to hiim only.lol I think including him makes him feel more secure. Good luck, I hope all works out for you..and others who are having difficulty with a partner or family member.

I want all the above but i want to get off some of these darned meds!

Congratulations!

If UHC ChoicePlus requires a 40+ bmi for 5 years, how strict is that rule? If anyone has been able to bend that rule, please let me know. It's really stressing me out and I can't get a reply from my Ins. Coor. I have plenty of comorbitities but I hear it doesn't matter. I guess I'm just wondering how flexible are insurance companies.

Wow, I just want to cry while reading this..I can relate to almost all of it too. I have a few things to add to the list. 1. Developing rashes in places that sweat 2. I hate that it's so hard to keep my legs closed when I sit 3. I wish I could cross my legs 4. I wish I could be or feel sexy to myself and my husband 5. I wish I could wear my wedding ring, but it's too small now 6. Tough when your child says, "I wish you could play with me like you used to" 7. It would be nice to look all the way behind me when backing up in my car 8. No tolerance for heat so can't enjoy many summer activities 9. Afraid of falling because I probably couldn't get up 10. The moment when standing first thing in the morning, it's so painful since I've developed arthritis 11. My kids and husband being able to wrap their arms completely around me for a nice hug..been a long time

To any of you experts...I wear a hormone patch, will I be able to wear it after surgery? I guess I don't understand how the meds work. I take a bit of medication so I'm trying to learn what I can.