samsmom

I just had a revision from RNY to a DS this Fall. I had significant complications and have extremely strong opinions about getting quality pre-op advice from knowledgable vets, as well as using only the most experienced surgeon for that particular surgery.
Additionally, I have strong opinions about people's ability to handle a surgery like the DS, possible complications, and maintenance. This surgery is not as forgiving as RNY or the sleeve.
I have grave concerns that someone on this forum is already trying to censor participants unchecked (board nannying) and that there is not a strong enough moderator.
People die from bad advice about the DS. I almost did. A few times. Good information must outweigh "feelings". If someone is so emotionally fragile that they cannot handle truth-telling, then they are not ready for this surgery.
If you want vets like me to participate, I need to be able to speak freely and honestly.

Here's a copy/paste of a comment I posted on another forum:
"Pooooor vision!!!! I was sleeved in Dec '11, and in Jan '12, i went to get my new eyeglass prescription. As the months went by, I noticed my vision getting worse and I was squinting just to see thru my glasses. Unfortunately, my insurance only pays for new glasses every 2 years so Im stuck with a pair of worthless glasses. BTW....pre-surgery, I only needed glasses just for reading...now need to wear a lot of the time!"
This vision thing is REAL! At my 8 mo appt, my nut talked about it but gave me no definitive reason for my declined eyesight! Hoping someone on this forum has a good explanation!

Prayer works y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to a couple of appointments today thinking I was just fulfilling the final requirements so that my info could be submitted to my insurance company. I was at the last one for the nutritionist and she said "Wait, there's a note here, you need to see Chris before you leave." I was like huh, for what?..she said well, you were approved for your surgery yesterday and you need to schedule your surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all I about died in that woman's office. I'm too blessed and too excited...praise Him..I'm getting sleeved on 4/22.

Hi All
I was sleeved on Feb 26th. Happy I found this group. Looking forward to sharing my experiences and learning from you.

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group and hope it helps to have others similar to me to share my journey with. I was sleeved on January 14 and am down 23 pounds. I probably now weigh the amount that I did in the picture I posted months ago...lol. Good luck to all and hopefully everyone keeps posting here!

Allow me to introduce myself... (smile)
I have been lurking here since I joined a few days ago. Reading all that I could and marveling at before/after pics. I am going to MX this June to have my surgery done.
Came to this conclusion after seeing the woman with the 96 inch hips last week. She was 400 pounds. I am in spitting distance of 400 pounds and that bothers me. My body aches and I can hear my joints creaking sometimes. This is not good.
The summer of 2012 I lost 60 pounds through diet and exercise. I think I've gained 20 back. I see the sleeve as a way to allow me to control the hunger. I don't want to be on prescription appetite suppressants forever. Exercising and eating clean is do a little sumthin' sumthin' but I need to control the saiety factor.
Anyways, I am glad to meet ya'll and looking forward to this journey. Learning and inspired so much by what you guys prepare and are continuing to do.

Hello all, glad this forums exist, I am schedule to sleeve on Feb 19th in Lexington, KY, really excited nervous and sometimes trying to have a panic attack about it, just a little small one, I was scheduled and approved so quick within a month that is scared me.....But I as so ready for my new journey and better life......

Hello everyone, I'm new to the group and as happy as a kid in a candy store because I found you!! I've enjoyed reading all the previous posts because they answered most of my questions. I started this process 3 times but always had to put it on hold due to family. I told my husband when I started it last Dec. that JESUS is the only way I'd quit this time. I'm very excited and looking forward to my new beginning, especially since it's on my daddy's birthday. I know he's smiling down on me.

Hello everyone I'm a newbie to this AA forum and the whole site. I just begin my journey,and I had my first consultation with the doctor and nutritionist this past week. I'm nervous to begin this journey. I hope to meet and make new friends being on this forum.

Hey Everyone! Glad I found this group! Today I found out I was approved!! Wohoo!! I am too exicited!! Looking forward to reading you all's post so i can prepare myself!!!

Hello everyone ... I got sleeved 8/17 and I live in Vegas!

hey all! Just saying hello. Hope everyone is doing great! Haven't been on in awhile.

As an add-on, remember these are not your routine "boils". This is a medical condition that is often very hard to treat, has no cure and is considered an orphan disease. Get yourself to a Dermatologist. If you don't like the treatment plan from one, find another. I had a Dermatologist tell me (many years ago) that "I didn't have it that bad, many have it much worse. Just get used to it". Needless to say, I did not go back to him. But, having consistent care from a caring provider is invaluable.

I've had HS for about 40 years. Things that help/have helped:
Accutane - worked well the first time, did not work the second. Can't use if you are female of child-bearing age.
Embrel - EXCELLENT results - it is a biologic, tumor-necrosing drug that is lab-created. You hear about it related to Rhumatoid Arthriits. Expensive, and using it for off label use is often not approved by insurance.
Laser removal of hair folicles in the areas - have seen a few articles.
Quitting smoking.
Cotton underwear
Zeasorb powder to areas
Witch Hazel
Surgical removal - some lesions come back even after removal of all apocrine glands and skin grafting
Injecting lesions with steroid - helpful for bad lesions, I do it 4x a year as prevention to all of the old lesions/bad scars
Getting rid of blackheads in affected areas - often are the prodrome of a lesion
Antibiotics consistently (don't forget to eat live yougurt to avoid problems) to decrease odor and pain
Hot packs and incision/drainage for really bad lesions.
HS sucks and has affected every area of my life - hope some of these ideas help others.

I have HS very badly and I kinda found a thing that works very well and fast! You need to wash the areas with AFRICAN BLACK SOAP really good like scrub it. Then DRY your areas really really good. Then take a cotton ball and put TEATREE OIL on every bump you have. It goes away almost the same day. I haven't had to treat it for months now. Let me know if it works for you!(:

Some remedies you may or may not know
Azo yeast tablets ( helps to prevent in some )
Tumeric casuals 500 mg. (helps with inflammation )
Wash with hibiclens or antibacterial soap
And if u have one that is oozing squeeze as long as u can stand it
Then wash then add polysporin powder on it
If u are allergic to that then use tea tree oil ( oil will sting and inflame but it will dry it up like the powder will must be pharmaceutical Grade
If one won't come to a head witch we all know can be a killer then u can put a hot compress on it and if u don't want to do that then get a tube of boil ease
If one is hurting badly enough that u can't wait for the 800 mg ibuprofen to kick in
Then u can put a cold compress on it to relive some pain and heat
If u have one that's stays open no matter what u do and its deep GO To the dermatologist!!!!!
If it itches good ole calamine or leave it be could be drying up and going away
And last bit of advice that I wish my derm would have told me before it happened
If u can get them surgically removed before they start tunneling u may have a chance to keep it isolated to that one area
And if they put u on antibiotic have the doc put u. On steroids but if u are about to or just recently had ur surgery then don't do that part for a while talk to doc 1st
That's all I know been dealing with hs for 13 yrs and I'm in stage 1 ,2 ,and 3 all at the same time everyday for 10 yrs and I have tried everything what I said on this post is the Only thing that has helped me in the least good luck to all and good bless

thank you for the updates.. i'm two days to surgery and very excited, it gives me encouragement to see your progress.. Congrats!

Just wanted to share my progress. 3 months out from a size XXL 22/24 to a L 12/14.
Weight loss 45lbs still have a TON more but working on it.
Been doing 10 miles on elliptical and bike five times a week and doing zumba two times a week.
I hope everyone is well !

Thank you. Yes I do have more energy, I used to want to sleep all day even with three kids. Now there is nothing that can stop me. Thank you for all the great compliments. )

I stopped crushing up pills about 5 days out with out a problem.

Have not lost any friendships but, I notice that people treat me different. I have even had people tell me that I have lost enough weight?? Go figure im only a month and some days out and, Im tired of people offering me food despite me telling them I dont eat donuts anymore.

Before surgery, I had my group of friends tell me if there is anything I need to just ask. After surgery, I let everyone know that I'd love it if someone would come pick me up and take me out for some hot tea.
Guess how many came to my aid? Yep! Zero.
And this after I'd helped some out of tight spots, helped move, been a shoulder, etc.
recently, a strictly online friend of mine made the best statement that I need to remember:
" If you can't be my friend when it is inconvenient, you don't deserve to be my friend when it is a benefit."
It's time for us to take care of us. Viva la revolution!

I havent even had my surgery yet and Im already seeing a change in my relationship with people i have told that i am having the surgery. So I know that it will possibly happen I'm hoping that it doesnt tho we will see! *crossed fingers*