cwalck

What a great article Tiff. Thanks. I knew I could count on you. I think that we will try the ibuprophen thing since we have such strong documentation for my bad back. Besides I am already anemic and take B12 nose spray and a strong incidence of severe osteoporosis in my family. My surgeon tells me not to worry yet. At least I am cleared for surgery as soon as we get this thru. I do not take tylenol except if I have to take a percocet for my back once in awhile. I am trying to remain calm for the moment as I know if I get the approval the roller coaster ride will get bumpier. I have lots of notes for the surgeon for next Wednesday.

As always, thanks Tiff. ran into a problem. Medicare has now decided No to the surgery. I am done with ALL my hurdles. Passed the Psych no problem. See the surgeon next week and we will try to make aplan to convince medicare, I had back surgery and almost dies from a staff and take antibiotics every day for life and take ibuprophen every day. He said there are ways to get it thru so i am trying to be hopeful.

I totally understand. I have had a cpap for 15 years. I started with pressure of 9 and went up to 15 and my last study was back to 9 but in my case I never had them turn it down because Ilike it at 15. Do you have a humidifier on yours. My family doctor gave me a non-habit forming nose spray to use every nite before I go to bed. it really helps with the cpap. although one ofm y top reasons for the surgery is to get rid of it forever!

Do the same rules apply with the sleeve as they do with gastric bypass? No ibuprophen?

Stay on the website. You will get so many replies to this. Everyone here seems so happy with the sleeve and there are many on this site that have had the band and had it removed and then had the sleeve! Stay on here. You will learn a lot. I am getting ready for my surgery within the next 30 days

Is that forever or just the beginning when you are not getting nutrient from food? I usually drink about 3 12oz a day and I know that is almost half the amount I will have to. What is the reason and is forever. Everyone talks about the sipping sipping sipping.

I'm not familiar with your surgeon, but I can tell you why I chose VSG over RNY for my revision.

1) No blind stomach left behind with VSG that can't be scoped, but can still get ulcers and cancer that is left with RNY.

2) Malabsorption of calories and fat only last 18-24 months for RNY patients, the intestines adjusts and villi is regrown but your intestines never regain the ability to absorb Vitamins and nutrients. So, I didn't see any sense in trading 2 years of malabsorption of calories and fats, for a lifetime of possible Vitamin deficiencies and nutritional issues.

3) Removal of the ghrelin hormone

4) Pouches and stomas are not normal. I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked.

5) Full functioning normal stomach left with the VSG

6) No food or med restrictions with VSG, RNY no NSAIDS, several food limitations with RNY

7) Dumping only occurs in 30% of RNY patients so it wasn't a guarantee that it would happen to me. Bad consequences over something I ate seemed a little self-destructive. If I want to eat a miniature Snickers, I want to eat one, and enjoy it.

8) Pouch and stoma stretching

9) The number of people seeking a revision after a few years with RNY because of regain, pouch stretching, stoma issues, and all of the other problems with RNY patients not just that I've read about on forums, but people I know in real life.

10) Long term complications with the VSG are minimal vs. long term complications with RNY.

Best wishes with your decision. Every surgery can be cheated, or eaten around, it's really more about changing your entire lifestyle and choices about food that will ultimately determine your success.

Best wishes in your research.

I just love your answers and advice. I always read your stuff and so trust you and your judgment. Carol

Tiff-Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Your response made me feel so much better about things. I never was a gorger, more of a grazer because I don't work. On a nice day, not a problem, I amout of the house! When it is pouring or 3 feet of snow, I tend to graze more. I also lose no problem, but then get too comfy and gain it back. I am looking forward to the smaller portions acutally. My daughter wanted to go to Applebees the other nite because she is on weight Watchers (she weighs about 130 haha) and they have a new WW menu so I thought I would be supportive. So we both order WW Entrees and it came and I laughed for 5 minutes. The steak was maybe 3" diameter, 3 small new potatoes and a handful of brocolli. I was like "so this is correct portion size?" My stomach actually was satisfied after but it took my brain to get it. I look forward to the restriction but it is just so new and different from anything I have obviously ever experienced. I know I will very excited when I get a date. I weighed 143 in 6th grade, 185 when I got married 37 years ago and about 230 now so it is all I know. Again thank you for your constant support to everyone on this forum! Carol

This IS the most valuable information you will ever get, here on this site. I could not have done it without this forum. Everyone will probably tell you the same thing. I had to do an upper GI, swallow that awful stuff, a sleep study, bloodwork, an EKG and a stress test which caused a delay fro me. Many heavy people get false poitives on stress tests because of the extra fat and breast tissue. THAT part was hell for me. I also was concerned about the Hair loss, and everyone told me it is the Protein. When they say 60 gm. of protein a day, they mean it. I am 60 and can't afford any more hair loss. Get that protein in. The smoking is a HUGE issue. I don't smoke but your surgeon will absolutley deny you surgery if you smoke. It is very dangerous for so many reasons, anesthesia being a major reason, and infection and healing, ,etc. You need to quit the smoking at least until after you are well on your way. It could seriously affect the healing process. I even had to get clearance from my Infectious disease doctor because of back surgery 2 years ago and almost dying from a staff infection. The hoops are stresful but now that I am done I get it. Have my psych next week and then probably I am a couple weeks out, finally.

GO TO HIS OFFICE! Yes, you have patient rights. Go in person, it will make a big difference.

It has been hell of late, 11 days to be exact. Bad stress test, then cardiac cath and there is nothing wrong with me, just a false reading. UGH! So I see the Psych next week which I am NOT worried and I have approval for surgery. YIKES. I still have some mental issues though I did not want to bring up at the Psych. I thought it would be better to hear from all of you. In my mind, I think about "Will this work for me", Will I be able to follow the plan" Will I be unhappy that I can't eat the things I want", "will I still want to eat them?", What if it doesn't work". Going to Mexico in November to an all inclusive which we do every year, will I be so "on the program" by then that it won't phase me?:001_tongue:

So from all of you, I need some in sight. Am I the only one who thinks these things. I see so many success stories that it should lift me up but I am so scared I will be different. Will I be hungry? Will I be full? Can I g et all that Protein in? I don't work so I get up about 10:30 and eat and then don't eat lunch because I have dinner at 5. So about 4 I get really hungry. DoIj ust drink a Protein shake at 4 and hold me over. What if I don't get 60gm of protein in, will my hair fall out. I am 60 so my hair is thinning anyway. I have not seen the nutrritionist yet, they said 2 weeks before surgery. I guess they will answer some questions but I really need to know "Am I the only one who thinks these things?":ohmy:

Big News. I am at the end of my journey. Had a little hiccup with the stress test and now find out that Medicare has stopped approving it 2 weeks ago. They said they are still investigating. I am so freaked out, I want to crawl in the rabbit hole! Carol

Do they reqiure all the same testing as USA. I have had all the testing. A little blip on the stress test. They want to do the cath and postpone. What tests does Dr. Aceves make you do?

I will still be watching all of you guys and seeing how you are all doing. Thanks. You are sooo close! I never imagined this. It took me by surprise. When I see the cardiologist on Monday night, I hoep to know more but I doubt he will say much until after the cath. I clearly remember him saying to me on the colsult. Don't worry everything will be fine. You will have your stress and i will give you clearance and you will be happy. UGH! I had NO symptoms duting the test. Felt fine. I go to the gym regularly and never had a problem. I am just so freaked out. I have not even answered my phone today. I just can't talk about it.

I called the cardiologist hysterical and asked to see him before but he has hospital duty all week so Monday it is. Then I have to schedule the cardiac cath. i am just so afraid they are going to snatch this away from me! Boohoo

With a broken rib, I went for my stress test and did fine. Dr. called this morning to tell me there were 2 problems and need a cardiac cath before I can get clearance. I am over the edge totally. So so close. i am sure April 5 will NOt happen and don't know now if it will ever happen for me. I felt FINE during the test and had no symptoms. I am so upset and can't stop crying. Seeing the cardiologist Monday and will be havig a big ole pity party from now till then. Anyone else out here had this happen? Rib is still hurting badly but this........ Carol:sad0:

Yes I have a surgeon and all tests are done. I have scheduled surgery for week of April 5 because my husband is off that week. I see their nutritionist once, 2 weeks before surgery for a consult and that is it. For me it is just sitting around waiting from now till then. I could have it earlier but i thought what's the rush, I've been overweight for 60 years, what's another month. Should I just go ahead and schedule it and get it over with.

Has anyone else felt stressed from inforation overload prior to the surgery. I read the forums every day and print a lot of theinformation and recipe idea and eating hints but my folder is becoming unmanageable and I will never remember all this information. I am still trying to find out the BEST andmost delicious way to get my Protein in liquid form during those times when i just don't feel like eating. I am from the old Weight Watcher school and still do often mae a shake from skim milk and some frozen peaches or strawberries but NO protein.

I feel like my head is going to explode.

carol:eek:

sounds great to me. Don't think I can do the boiled chicken but I will have it grilled and never eat the skin anyway.

I also agree. Good for you. You wil have much success.

Carol

That is so great!

I cannot imagine! MlKPas You only have 60 pounds to lose total? i thought they would not even do the surgery unless it was 100 pounds or a BMI of 40. How nice for you.

Tiff-Thanks for that. It is only recently that I started hearing that term. Of course I spent months on the lap band site before switching the surgery to the sleeve. So it has been a very short run for me here. Coming into this forum I had already been well into my testing and then switched surgeons and hospitals. My primary care dr. wanted me to have the sleeve instead and wanted me at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. So now, I am at the end of the road with the stress test tomorrow but I am still afraid that this broken rib is going to de-rail me. If I can get thru the stress test, then I will feel better about things. I asked the doctor how I would know if I was ok and he said NO PAIN. I cannot see that day yet. It has been 13 days and I still can't sneeze without screaming. But I have until April 5, so maybe. I also cannot imagine EVER saying that I need to stop losing weight. OMG, I am 60 and have 1 picture of me thin from my whole 60 years. Ig uess that was one minute in time. Carol

Honestly this is the first post I have seen in the month or so I have been researching about bougie size. I still have no idea what it is and how it is connected to the sleeve process. When I went to the seminar I thought they just cut the stomach and make it smaller into a banana or sleeve shape. Obviouisly i don't have all the information. Meanwhle, i have my stress test tomorrow with a broken rib in another nor'easter snow storm with another 8" of snow. Boy, I must be determined. So please explain boughie to me.

600 calories a day????? that sounds like starvation. That is like 3 Protein Drinks a day and that's all?