Capt Kirk

So, my wife had a VSG done about 5 weeks ago, a week out she started having extreme nausea and dehydration. They admitted her 3x before they decided she had an obstruction and put a stent in. She was discharged with a stent and about 12 days after having the stent placed, she could no longer get Water down. Back to the hospital she goes, and they find out the stent has folded over and they take it out. She feels great, and is sent home. For the last 10 days she's been eating and drinking just fine, but the cramping and nausea started again 2 days ago. Today, she can't get any water down, it immediately comes back up. She called the surgeons office again and they seem clueless. She mentioned that she read that she may have another stricture or obstruction. The Physicians Assistant (by the way, the Surgeon refuses to talk to us directly) says it can't be an obstruction and that it's just what sleeve patients go through. I'm at a loss of what to do here. They want her to come in for "hydration and anti-nausea medication" Any thoughts on what might be causing this? Can't keep anything down, extreme nauea and vomitting, and cramping.

She had surgery on the 16th of August and has been eating bits of this and that. The last few days she hasn't eaten anything, not even Protein shakes, as she can't hold anything down. The last thing she ate was a chicken taco (just the chicken inside).

Thank you... the last time she was in the hospital, they diagnosed her with "constipation" and loaded her up with Zofran and as soon as she could get fluids down they discharged her. 6 hours later, back at the hospital because all fluids were coming up. This time they did a barium swallow and said she had narrowing but this was due to her throwing up lots. Once again, lots of fluids, and sent home. Fast forward overnight, back to the hospital in the morning, fluids coming up again. This time I basically yelled at the PA (because we still had not seen a real doctor yet, in over 72 hours). This time I basically said WTF are you guys doing??? Barium swallow and endoscopy. Before she had even returned to the room for the endoscopy the nurse had came back to her room and told me she's being prepped for surgery the next day to have a metal stent placed. So, I've done some research on these metal stents that are placed for strictures, and there is over a 40% recurrence rate for obstructions due to the way the metal stent works. Most hospitals use silicon now. Now, I'm not a doctor, but I sure as hell can read a medical article and understand it.

Well, that's a good question, do I just randomly call up a different WLS at a different hospital? How does one go about doing that? Going to the ER wouldn't do anything, simply because he IS the only WLS at that hospital, so the ER is just going to refer to him. Even when the stent was placed, it wasn't placed by him, he had it done by a different GI doctor not even related to his practice.

My surgeon and his dieticians were pretty clear about what we could and couldn't have. Protein shakes were fine (without milk), but we couldn't exceed 20 carbs a day. We can basically have whatever we want, as long as it's semi-healthy as long as we kept the carbs low. *shrug* He's supposedly one of the best surgeons in the country, so I trust his guidance.

I was under the impression that Flinstone chewables did not contain all of the required nutrients that we need? They are not a "complete" vitamin set.

Long story short, I had my pre-op EGD done, and they discovered an extreme hiatal hernia and I was referred to a thorasic surgeon for a consult. The thorasic surgeon wanted an additional EGD + a bunch of other tests. I just met with the surgeon again after my tests results came back, and he said I am not a good candidate for the sleeve. Basically he said that the valve that controls acid from my esophagus to my stomach does not function and that I have esophagel scarring from reflux in the past. He said that I shouldn't get the surgery, due to a higher chance of throat cancer in the future. He said a RNY or Lap Band is a way better choice for me then a Sleeve. Ultimately if I still wanted to get the sleeve, it would be my decision, but he said that I would live with horrific acid reflux for the rest of my life. I know no one on here has seen my lab results, but what are your thoughts? How bad is reflux with the sleeve? Does anyone else have similar issues? I was deadset on getting the sleeve done, and now I don't know what I want to do. I definitely don't want the lap band, but the RNY seems too extreme for me. SIgh.

I went with my surgeons advice and am getting the RNY. Supposedly he is the best surgeon in all of Washington state, so we'll see.

Just got the call today, my doctors office is submitting me to insurance. What an awful ride getting there though. I don't know how many of ya'll had Manometry done, but that was the most horrific experience of my life so far. That, and I had to get the 24hour pH test done for my hiatal hernia surgery I'm getting done at the same time. So glad to be moving forward though

So, I had my EGD done last week, and was told I needed to be referred for a Hernia to another doctor. Supposedly, they double team the surgery and repair the hernia during the sleeve process. However, when I saw the doctor for the hernia repair yesterday, i was told I need a whole new slew of tests to be done. A pH monitoring, a barium swallow, and another EGD. Not pleased, especially since the pH testing they want to do is not covered by my insurance, which the sleeve surgery is. I want them to be thorough and do a great job with the surgery, but it sure seems like a lot of hoops to jump through. Yes, this is a rant, and I'm just depressed about the slow process of this whole thing. I've made every appointment as immediate as possible, and it's still going to be May before any surgery, from what I'm being told now.

I had it done last week (my 2nd one) and I did NOT enjoy it. I was partially out, but obviously not enough, because I could feel myself heaving uncontrollably, but nothing I could do about it. Afterwards, I was told I threw up multiple times...

So, had my endoscopy today, and I don't think it went as well as the one I've had in the past did. This time, apparently I threw up many times during the procedure (TMI?) and found out that I have a hernia. Wonderful. Now I'm at home with a sore throat and now an upset stomach (after eating dinner).

I'm getting my endoscopy on Wednesday and all of my pre-op blood work done. Doctor says that as long as there's nothing erroneous, I should have a surgery date of early to mid April! (that is, if insurance doesn't hold up the approval). Woot!

My wife and I went to a WLS seminar last Thursday and have been waiting back for insurance verification by the hospital. Just got the call last night that we do in fact have insurance (yes I know) and surgery is covered without a diet waiting period (Yes!!). We have our first appointment next Wednesday to meet with the surgeon, dietitian, and to have our psychiatric evaluation. Does anyone have any relatively good timelines that it takes after our first meeting? I'm trying to fast track this as soon as possible, I am just so ready to make a life change.

That sounds very quick to me!

Figured I'd say Hi, as there doesn't seem to be a lot of men on this board. I'm 28, and just recently relocated to the Northwest, and decided it was time to lose this weight. Moving from Texas, where the majority of everyone is severely obese, I found myself in the extreme minority out here. The looks and rude comments behind my back have led me to this point. I also am having extreme knee problems, from walking up two flights of stairs each day at work. I attended a WL seminar last week, and I'm still waiting to hear back from their office on insurance verification for surgery. From all the research I've done with BCBS MA, I don't think there's any issue with me qualifying. The doctor told me it's usually a 6-8 week process from insurance verification, so here's looking to two months out Having never worked out before in a gym, do any of the men have suggestions on where to start, after getting surgery? Is a personal trainer worth it? When I was in the military, I was accustomed to running 5 mile runs every other day, so I don't think cardio will be much problem at all. Finally, for my first topic, I brew beer. I brew damn good beer in fact. Is beer drinking (even very occasionally) something that I will need to give up? I'm not talking about downing a 12 pack of coors, I'm talking about enjoying a delicious home-brewed coffee chocolate stout with 8.9% abv, once in a blue moon. Thanks, and I hope it wasn't TMI for my first post.