djbryan51

Hi all, I'm back home and at the computer for awhile anyway. Everything went great. Dr. Rushing said I lost about 5 lbs with this surgery as it was a rather large tumor but there was no sign of cancer cells when he was done. I'm pretty sore but that is to be expected although I am healing up pretty good. No rushing it though. Now if everything goes good and the Good Lord wills it, I'm looking at going back in about Sept. to start the VGS process. Thanks to all of you for you kind thoughts and prayers. They were really appreciated. Deb

I'm a firm believer that all things happen in God's time even when you don't understand. Last May I decided to look into Bariatric surgery. For various reasons I couldn't do anything until the end of last year. I thought o.k! But a trip to my cardiologist put it on hold. I thought no problem we'll see what happens about Christmas. On the 21st I sent in my paper work and sat back to wait. On New Year's day I started hemoraging, ended in the hospital for five days. Got out but was still having some problems. I had checked with my coordinator and was told my benefit papers were suppose to be here by next week. There is no way I can have the surgery until we find what was causing the bleeding problem. So hubby and I went to my gyn today only to hear words you never want to hear. "Deb, the biopsy was positive." It seems like I am in the very beginning stage of uterine cancer and hopefully Wednesday they will do a total hysterectomy and get it all. This wasn't my plan. Mine was to have VSG loose 100 lbs and then have the total but as I said God's Time isn't my time. I'm not giving up I'm just going to wait for the right time. Good luck to all who are going to get their sleeves and please say a prayer or two for me until I too can join the looser's side. Deb

Wish a brief period was the least of my problem. For the last year and a half I have had a period per se 24/7. I have fibroids and about every six months I end up in the hospital hemorging. Just got out Saturday with my third D n C. Hence the decision for VGS as my doctor doesn't want to operate until I can loose 100 lbs. Keeping my fingers crossed I can hear something from the clinic before I go in to see him Thursday.

This will probably be all self-pay. Even though I need to loose the weight in order to have another surgery my insurance won't pay anything on it.

How long on average does it take to get your first consult after you send your paperwork in? I sent mine in before Christmas and was just wondering. Deb

I'm 61 and I'm taking my first step in my VSG journey. The paperwork goes into the mail in the morning. Since I will be self-pay, I am hoping to have my surgery before I turn 62 in March but if not, oh well. Good things come to those who are patient. Deb Anyone from the SW WA area?

I find that A & D ointment works well too. Goldbond Power helps to keep the moisture out so you don't get sore.

Like Shannon, I too had thick beautiful hair but in the last few months its come out in handfuls. I haven't had surgery yet so the only thing I can think of is the hormones I am taking is causing the hair loss. I'm going to go ahead and get it cut short but was wondering what I could do to try to stop it. Does the Biotin really work?

I've wondered about the symtoms myself. I've had a dull pain across the top of my stomach and around my back with most pain centered under my breast bone. I've had a lot of gas and just the smell of food makes me sick.

Oh I have no intention of giving up. I was just bummed. My pop used to say all things in God's time and not yours so you had better learn to wait. Then again all good things are worth waiting for. I got Afib about five years ago. Went to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. Missed that one but they found a kidney infection that wasn't showing up normal. Somehow they figured that triggered the irregular beat. I am on meds but I never really get into a regular rythm. Doctor back then said something about shocking my heart but they never did anything more. They mentioned a pacemaker but my heartbeat is extra fast not to slow so that ended that. We will see what this new doctor has to say. Hopefully, I will still be able to get my paperwork in before the end of the year. Since I will be self pay I don't think I will have to jump through to many hoops.

Finally everything was falling in place for me to be able to send my papers in to start my VSG proceedures. I was getting excited for that first meeting with the surgeon but first I had an appointment with my cardiologist. At first I had my EKG and the tech looked at it, excused herself then came back a little later. The doctor came in and I was telling him that I was planning on VGS surgery. He shook his head and said, "Let's see what is going on here first." I do have Afib and lately have been getting more out of breathe. It is hard for me to walk 10-15 feet sometimes without stopping to catch my breathe. Now we are looking at echocardiograms and stress test for just a start. It all started because I need a hysterectomy but the doctor won't do one until I loose 100 lbs. Can't loose 100 lbs without the VGS surgery but can't have that until we figure out my heart. I'm bummed but I'm not giving up. It seems like God had been leading me this way so it it is His will it will happen! Deb

Thank you to all who have written me back. This has really helped. I also have been going to a support group here in town and one of the women I met had had revision from band to sleeve. She was quite happy with it. Now to just choose a Dr. Deb

Thanks Debbie for getting back with me. I guess the thought of 1/2 my stomach being removed spooks me but I am trying to be open minded about both methods. Since my insurance doesn't cover WLS and we are now retired, I have to decide what is going to be the best for me in the long run. I know with the band you need to go have fills and that's about $200 each time. Is there anything like that for the VS?What are outside costs?

I'm trying to decide what kind of WLS to have. I've checked out the band for some time and now want to know more about the sleeve. Please no band bashing just pros and cons about having the sleeve. What are some of the complications? With a band you have restriction. What restricts you with the sleeve? Are there foods that are natually restricted with the sleeve? I know there are probably a whole lot of questions I need to ask but I will get around to them as I learn more. I am currently 61 and weigh 295 lb on a good day . Since I am only 5 ft, this makes me almost as round as I am tall. I have afib, high blood pressure and am very short of breath. I'm hoping this will help me. Deb

I'm 61 and I don't think it is to late to have the surgery, in fact I will start making arrangements about October. My insurance won't pay for it so I am going to have to self-pay but it will be worth it. Check out the sixties forum. You'll meet a lot of people our age and older who have been banded.