tamtamz

Last post for me on this topic. I've read through all - except the ones not related or those about chocolate covered bacon, deep fried beer, or deep fried pepsi (lol)
It's only fair, now that I've had time to digest all this feedback, and since this created such drama, to provide an updated status. As I mentioned she is still on a feeding tube. She may drink some Water only to take certain pills which cannot be ground and flushed through her feeding tube. other than that - no food, no drink, no anything by mouth. Her food is some kind of tan liquid that comes in a bag and hangs on an iv pole and drains through her feeding tube to her stomach below where the holes are located.
As mentioned before, she really has no muscle or strength left - she lost so much during months and months of inactivity during illness, hospital stays, induced comas, and recovery. She is ridiculously thin. She still has a drain, constantly draining Fluid from her abdomen.
All of the months and months of weakness, minimal nutrition, etc. have taken their toll on her mind/focus/concentration as well. She is definitely not the same person she used to be, nor does she have the same capabilities. But she lives as normally as possible.
She requires help bathing and with daily bandage changes, but we hope that's not permanent. She is not allowed any physical exertion - not even cooking dinner for her husband or cleaning. And he can't do it because he has advance MS and is in a wheelchair.
But, finally, the bright spot is that she is undergoing experimental stem cell therapy which began this fall and which has resulted in some tissue growth. If it's not successful it means complete removal of her stomach. We've had to fight to keep the hospital from insisting we go in that direction twice since it began. If it is successful it could mean complete healing of the holes and eventually being able to get off the feeding tube. One hole has closed and one has not and there is still a "channel" that has yet to be healed. So there's a long way to go.
This is why she is allowed NO physical exertion. The new tissue is so fragile that just a little exertion or physical activity can result in a tear of the new tissue.
She is in the hospital every single week for procedures, scans, and check ups and has been for a very very long time. I just took her in the other day, unplanned, because her drain came out and had to be reinstalled. Almost every hospital visit is a day long event, requires anesthesia, and isn't very comfortable for her.
The stem cell therapy is with new equipment that goes through the esophagus and into the stomach through the interventional radiology dept. at St. Lukes Milwaukee. She has been going there since the one January stomach/lung infection when she ended up in their pulmonary ICU and that hospital is pretty incredible.
The doctors are (sp?) Dr. Schmalz (internal) and Dr. Bloomgarten (radiology), both of whom have fought on her behalf to keep her in this therapy and with whom we have all been very happy - especially Bloomgarten. The original surgeon is out of the picture. One other surgeon is waiting in the wings because she wants to just remove the stomach and be done with it (such a caring person - read with sarcasm)
I still do not advocate this surgery for most. I get that for some - like someone who can't get out of bed or out of a wheelchair anymore, or who doesn't have the time to lose weight naturally because of imminent risk of death, or who has some other mobility type issue like MS and who needs to lose weight but can't exercise - there may be no choice. However I strongly believe that if someone can lose 18 pounds in order to qualify for the surgery (as my sister had to do), they can continue to lose weight that way.
Most of the time she thinks there will be no end to all of this - that she is never going to get better - and who can blame her. At times she has wished she would just die. She is almost always in pain and has been since this all started. She is depressed and cries easily, and a lot, and who can blame her.
So maybe poor post op care is what lead to this being so critical, but it started with this surgery. She got all the warnings but Dr.'s stress that it's the smallest percentage of people who have complications - so she of course thought it wouldn't happen to her.
And the doctors themselves said it was not uncommon for leaks to occur. Maybe with perfect post op care it would have worked out perfectly, and maybe not. The point is that it is a risk and any person considering it has a right to know not only the very best potential outcome, but the very worst. I came across this forum and the first thing I thought was - here's a great place for my sister to connect with others who truly can relate to her and her situation. But I also thought - here's a great opportunity to let people know the worst case scenario, so I did and I'm happy with that.
I'm not a skinny person preaching from my soap box without any idea about weight loss and it's difficulties, or the health risks of being fat. I get that it's hard. I get that I don't speak for everybody either.
I strongly believe that insurance should encourage and pay for people to work closely with nutritionists, counselors, and some type of physical therapist or exercise coach to provide weight loss solutions rather than ONLY funding surgery as a weight loss option. Our healthcare system is so screwed up - but that's a whole different discussion topic.

Sistah...Sistah... thank you for coming back to revisit your original post and respond to several posts. I hope your sister responds to the stem cell therapy with stimulated tissue regeneration and can at sometime in the near future return to normal nutrition and the good times life affords us at holiday gatherings, etc. and those private moments of sipping a cup of coffee without a care in the world.
Your sister's story helps me appreciate my own uncomplicated surgical outcome more each day!!

I'm having the same problem at 4.5 months out. hair coming out in clumps, it's everywhere! I cut my hair about a month ago hoping that shorter hair wouldn't fall out as much but it seems worse. I really hope it stops soon!

I thought it was a good question. She asked about healthy substitutes..not everyone knows all the answers. I know I'm not perfect,,geez.

I had surgery with Dr. Kelly on July 11th and was thrilled with the whole experience. One of the most memorable parts of my trip was the broth at that restaurant. It was amazing! I've seen references on VST calling it "Magical Mexican Broth"... LOL! They will deliver it to the hotel too!

It was a concern but the areas we were in felt perfectly safe. The most dangerous thing was crossing the street

After 2 weeks, I broke my stall, and I've come down another 6 pounds in the last two weeks.

The first month is the hardest! Keep your eye on the prize, and I promise it WILL get easier! Now that I'm 6 weeks out, I feel SO much better, and look back at that first month and remember how very hard it was. But now, it's soo much easier! Hang in there! You got this!!

1) I have only told my wife, kids, mother-in-law, and 1 of my brothers. Everyone else that asks, thinks I'm working with a nutritionist that has me on a tailored diet and exercise plan.
2) my parents have no idea that I've had this surgery
3) I don't miss my fat clothes because let's face it, fat people are just supposed to hide in their homes and not go in public, so why should there be fashionable choices for us?
4) I still weight 270, but I feel like a sexy beast now
5) I need to do more strength training because I realized I'm not as strong as I thought, I just had really good leverage. Lol. Can't move things with just my weight anymore.

Just heard from Omar. He didn't ask any questions about how much or when. told me to drink alot of fluids and that we are still ok for Friday surgery and said "no more please." he is so polite.

You look amazing! Congrats on your success!

I have eaten a lot of refried Beans while on pureed. I top it with shredded cheese and a little sour cream.

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps?
Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy with my decision to go to Mexico and have surgery with Dr. Kelly.

Hi StillLooking -
I probably took more than I needed...
Be sure you use a rolling suitcase(s)! Also, get GasX strips. I couldn't find these at Target but found at the grocery store and I'm still using them.
I brought a robe for the hospital but ended up wearing two gowns which seemed easier. Just put the second one on backwards like a robe. Some people wear their own gown in the hospital, up to you. As far as anything I wish I'd taken, maybe more hair products, between the humidity by the beach and laying in the hospital bed, my hair was a mess! You may not have the same issue...
After the swallow test we were out alot. Out to dinner, shopping and sitting out by the pool so add sunscreen to your list. You will be amazed at how good you feel, especially once you get back into your own clothes. Be sure everything is loose fitting or has low waistbands. My incisions are just above so no real trouble with that.
Congrats on your decision to get the surgery! You'll be so happy once it's done!

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps?
Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy with my decision to go to Mexico and have surgery with Dr. Kelly.

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps?
Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy with my decision to go to Mexico and have surgery with Dr. Kelly.

I'm just 2 weeks out from surgery and haven't had a loss for about 5 days now. Actually up one pound which really sucks! Trying to get as much Protein as possible and drink lots of water...

I was sleeved with Dr. Kelly in Mexico on July 11th. Everything went well and I am very pleased with my experience. Dr. Kelly was wonderful, super friendly, answered any and all questions. And then there's Omar... I cannot say enough good things about him. He is phenomenal! He was there whenever I needed him and even when I didn't. Everything was arranged - from picking me up in the US, bringing me to the hospital, to the hotel, to dinner (broth only but the best broth ever!), shopping... Omar took care of it. I wonder if he ever sleeps?
Anyway, I'm a little sore today after the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles but overall I feel great. I am so happy with my decision to go to Mexico and have surgery with Dr. Kelly.

Tell mom that Dr k does 3 leak tests, 2 in surgery, and one 48hrs later. Also, you can tell her that the main complication is a leak, and Dr k hasnt had one in years! He also sews the fundis(sp) onto the sleeve over the area that usually is thr most prone to a leak. Tell her that Dr K is a fellow in the prestigious American College of Surgeons (FACS) and that he has been a bariatric surgeon 2x as long as most American surgeons performing the sleeve. he also belongs to the American bariatric association. He also graduated from college magna cum lade (sp) (with honors) So, in essence you are choosing an higher American standard of surgeon with a Mexico price! I believe he is extremely gifted, kind, and skilled

I think an addiction is an addiction no matter what it is, food, drugs, alcohol....... There comes a point of getting sick and tired and a willingness to change something... I am still on my journey but when I see people larger than myself I have compassion because I feel their pain.......

I posted this in post surgery but I guess it should have gone here. I was just too excited...
I finally did it! I hit the onderland. I have not been under 200 in over 13 years. You should have seen me I had just gotten out of the shower (o.k. well maybe you don't want to see that, lol) and decided what the yeck it's been a couple of days let's weigh and see what it says. I was actually shocked and just stood there. When it finally registered that the scale wasn't broke and not going to move anymore I started crying I was so happy. I got dressed and ran outside to find my husband and it was so funny as soon as he saw me he said "you made it under the 200 mark didn't you" He knows me so well...
Anyways, I wanted to share my story and to thank everyone on here for all the support and advise I have received over the past Year. I think I signed up about 6 months before my surgery and was on here everyday it is great to know you are not the only one out there with gas, your hair falling out and all the loose skin but I would not change it for the world. I feel better than I have in years and I know I've added years to my life with this change.
Thanks again - Everyone

Thanks for sharing your experience! I get sleeved by Dr. Kelly this Wednesday. I'm a little nervous but very excited to get this done. I can definitely say at this point that Omar has been wonderful. He is so quick to respond and seems to be very friendly and most helpful.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I get sleeved by Dr. Kelly this Wednesday. I'm a little nervous but very excited to get this done. I can definitely say at this point that Omar has been wonderful. He is so quick to respond and seems to be very friendly and most helpful.