Need-a-Sleeve

***I have taken glucosamine-chondrointin for rhe last 14 years with excellent results. Despite my weight, still can climb stairs with no pain. HIGHLY recommend Probiotics due to our consumption of processed foods as over 75% of our immune system is in our intestine. Daily yogurt is a good substitute.

You are correct, it is one year but I believe the 20 weeks equals 1250. You can google FMLA & there is a government site that explains it well. That's what I had from memory!

Does anyone still have the link to this video? I would like to email this to someone at work, thanks!

FMLA is available to employees in employer groups of 50 or more, if the employee has worked 20 consecutive weeks prior to filing. It does protect your job for 12 weeks but it does not cover your pay. To get covered paychecks, you either have to use your paid time off (PTO) or file for short-term disability. You will be required to provide medical documentation from your physician & I can tell you it needs to be very specific for the expected length of your 'disability'. All of this is "supposed" to be confidential but that is never ironclad. You should talk to your human resource department. You don't have to tell them anything other than you have a chronic medical condition that will likely require surgery. Good luck!

A bougie is a medical device that is used to dilate something. For example, when the esophagus is exposed to so much acid reflux and begins to scar, narrowing the opening, a bougie is used to stretch it back open. In surgery, the bougie is used as a measurement guide to assist the surgeon in creating the sleeve. Different size people (and their stomachs) will have different diameters. So don't misinterpret if someone tells you their doctor used a 32 french bougie on them and you had a 38 (which is larger), that your stomach pouch may not be as successful. Your surgeon will use what is best and safest for your anatomy.

Look under pre-op: Rate Topic 9 votes The Official What You Will Need For Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery Thread! Started by LilMissDiva, Oct 25, 2010 2:26 PM

I don't think it is stupid at all. People hold on to memories through tangible things whether they are photos or clothes. Maybe those clothes represented that you felt good about yourself wearing them--even if you were heavy and we know Jones of New York commands respect! If you can't part with them, how about having the backs of them cut into a pillow and getting it embroided with something that captures your new success?

Hi Amy! I will be there tonight & look for you! I a look forward to it!

My surgeon is Dr. Nick Nicholson, I go see him Thursday. I agree with it not stretching as much & have seen several mentions of a "pouch reset diet" of a few days to get back on track.

Had my psych eval today & really enjoyed talking to Dr. Jay Ashmore. He threw out that about 20% of people that had WLS regain their weight after two years-- which another angle is 80% DON'T. One of my considerations in choosing between VSG & RNY is the long-term odds. It didn't help to talk to a friend from years ago that had a RNY & went from 210 to 104 & has maintained that weight for 3+ years. My concern has never been the loss so much as the maintenance. So did anyone else have these concerns?

Wonderful news Deanna! There will always be haters wherever we work which is why we can go to each other & lift each other up. Glad to hear you say that about your doctor & not wanting to hold you to a number. Just keep getting healthier!

I know what you mean, I work in the health insurance company that reviews & pays for my procedure. The advantage I have is they are DEADLY serious about patient / employee privacy. The only way it will get out is if I lose so much weight it becomes obvious. I feel for you because I don't think they are that stict in hospitals but don't let it hamper you. You are being proactive & demonstrating you will do anything to get healthy--so to heck with what they say!

Today I told my boss that I am going in for a gastric sleeve. She actually seemed relieved because I had a flurry of doctor appointments in the last 3 months that she thought might be more like cancer! LOL I told her that was what tipped my decision to do the surgery, with the acceleration of decline in health & mobility, it is time to get serious. She was also relieved that I don't plan on taking off but 2 weeks. I think I am being realistic because it took me that long to be mobile & good with a laparoscopic hysterectomy 4 years ago. Plus I have a total desk job & can work from home the 3rd week if I must. How long are we supposed to not drive?

Hi Angela! Sounds like you are on your way! How long are you planning on being off? Jana

Glad to see people are still finding their way here. The app for the iPad and iPhone is not working so it does not let you see when someone posts. Will have to check it at home on the laptop tonight!

When you really restrict your carbs, you can go into ketosis. It gives off a different body & breath odor. In nursing school we used to smell diabetic's breath--smelled like Juicy Fruit gum only kind of decay like! Don't know if this is what is going on here but definitely know what we eat affects how we smell....

Keeping it real Lulu! Thanks for that--will start 'training' to eat w/o liquids!

Hi Deanna! I know you work incredibly hard--I started as a CNA & it was brutal. I haven't had surgery yet but try to remind myself to get in all my water. Otherwise how else am I going to get rid of all this? :-)

One more thing that wasn't mentioned is to NOT smoke! All the plastic surgeons I worked with would refuse to do facelifts on people that smoked. You had to quit for at least 6 months before they would do it. Smoking makes the tiny capillaries that carry blood & oxygen to the surface close down. Last, it is physically impossible to absorb & assimilate collagen from a lotion or Creme. Collagen is the connective tissue in all our bodies & is the first & fastest cell type to decline. That is why the surfaces of our joints wear out & our skin starts to wrinkle & sag as we age (regardless of weight loss). When I ran a laser in a Dermatology clinic, we would 'zap' the patient until they bruised. The reason is part of the protective process of our bodies to damage is to increase collagen (aka scar) tissue to form. Look at people's scars--most aren't loose, they are tight & red for months. Sorry for the long-winded explanation! You might also try Strivectin ($149 a tube), we used to recommend that for stretch marks or any lotion with Vitamin E, cocoa butter or coconut oil. They help to keep the moisture in the skin which preserves elasticity.

Most states (not to mention the AMA) require all tissue removed from a person to go to pathology. Depending on your surgeon & his protocol, the pathologist will either do a gross examination (just look it over) or a micro/ biopsy to see if there is anything suspicious. From there it can either go for incineration (biohazardous waste) or some request their "parts" back for burial. Sorry, but that is the sum of it!

Are you a nurse? I am starting a support group for nurses that are contemplating, undergoing or are now 'old pro's' with their sleeves! By way of introduction, my name is Jana & I live in the DFW area and am currently undergoing the approval process. I have been a RN for 38 years--18 years in Surgery & 18 years in Case Management & as a Manager for a major health plan carrier. So feel free to jump on board!