TBodmer71

My husband calls them flappers, I refer to them as skin socks. Either way, I am gonna do everything I can to prevent it from happening to me. I will wear a bra 24 hrs a day, concentrate on some chest exercises/ weight training, and if all else fails.......My husband has agreed to buy me new boobs.

Good Morning Everyone, I went in for my 1st nutritionist appointment yesterday. I had asked what the results were for my barium swallow test from the week before. She told me that their was no evidence of reflux but I do have a small hiatal hernia. She did state that she cannot diagnose and/or inform me of anything else about it. The thing that has me worried is that she stated that she has had patients that had to have the bypass instead of the sleeve because of a hiatal hernia. I do not see the surgeon for another week. I really hope I don't have to have the bypass instead. It is my understanding that I have a very small hernia. Is this typically something that can be repaired during surgery? Is it standard practice to not perform the sleeve for someone with a hiatal hernia? Please send me feedback.

Thanks for all of the feedback. It is greatly appreciated. Ya'll have settled my fears. TY

Good Morning Everyone, My case has finally cleared clinical review with my bariatric team. On Tuesday I was given a whole list of appointments leading up to and including my consult with the surgeon. These appointments are an abdominal ultra-sound (even though I don't have a gallbladder), an upper GI, visits with the nutritionist and Physicians Assistant, and lastly the surgeon consult. Yesterday morning I had to report to the hospital x-ray dept. for the upper GI. I showed up early (before they opened) because I have a severe allergy to hand-sanitizer. It affects my breathing real bad. I have COPD and asthma. It is real hard to keep away from the stuff especially in a hospital setting. They ended up putting me in the ladies dressing room before anyone else came in. Then they forgot about me. About 45 minutes later another patient came in and was having the same procedure done except, she was having her whole gastro tract filmed not just her esophagus and stomach. They took her in first because her procedure is done in steps. After her first step, they took me in and did mine. The procedure entailed taking a small gulp of this fizzy liquid that was like pop-rocks in soda. Then they told me not to burp. Then they stood me up against this rotating table. They handed me this cup of barium that I was to sip. It was an awfully thick, white, heavy, nasty, yucky, could barely keep it down liquid. Keep in mind the whole time I am doing this the lady they took in before me is barfing here brains out back in the ladies changing room (right next door). I could hear every hurl. All the nurse said was, "that shouldn't happen to you," as I am nearly "losing it" after every sip. After several x-rays of me standing they rotated the table to the laying position. They had me flip over onto my belly and back a couple of times in order to get the barium to fully coat my stomach. They took a few more slides and I was done. They had me get dressed in the x-ray room because of the mess from the "puking patient". I was so glad to get out of there and get some coffee in me. BTW, I forgot to mention you are NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight the night before the procedure. The only side affect the nurse warned me about was possible constipation and white bowel movements. Later that day I had to go on an errand for work. What a mistake. I had to poop so bad I almost had an accident at the store I was at. Well, constipation wasn't a problem. So, here I am waiting for my next appointment which is a week from Monday. I have 3 appointments the second week of July. Then I have my consult with the surgeon on my birthday in the middle of July. I was told it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after the consult for the scheduling coordinator to call you with a surgery date. Typically they schedule them 5-6 weeks out. From my estimate I should be sleeved sometime in the end of August or beginning of September. So far it has been a long journey. I started this whole process last November. But, time seems to be flying by. But if you think about it, my weight issues have been a life-long journey. It's just a matter of finally being able to obtain the tools to keep it under control. Good Luck to Ya'll

OMG! The first picture looks just like me. I can only hope I will be as successful as you at only 3 months Post-op. My journey started in Nov. 2012 with my referral for WLS. I am now on the home stretch. My case is now in clinical review and with my fingers crossed I am hoping for surgery within the next 8 weeks.

Woohoo! I started this journey back in November, when I asked my PCP about weight loss surgery at my yearly physical. She referred me to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Bariatrics team in Manchester, NH At the very beginning I bought the book Weight-loss Surgery for Dummies. My husband caught me reading it and said, "Hell NO!" He has since slowly been coming around after I told him point blank that as his wife, he is supposed to support my decisions and not force me to follow his. He is afraid that the surgery is an unnecessary risk. I of course look at it as a life-saving procedure. Since then I have attended 5 monthly info meetings with the bariatric team, had my psych evaluation, my EKG and have lost 18 pounds. I just had my 6TH PCP MONTHLY APPOINTMENT! I now have my medical clearance! Woohoo! So, today I'll be attending my 6th monthly meeting with the bariatrics team. I am waiting for my case to come out of clinical review. I am also waiting for my insurance approval. I should be receiving a call any day now with the pre-op appointments with the nutritionist, surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc. I am getting excited. So close, but yet so far. I am hoping to be sleeved towards the end of July or beginning of August. Now I am packing up my Harley. I'll be heading up to Bike Week in Laconia as soon as I get out of my monthly meeting at 4pm.

I used the "pill" for many years. I was never regular. Gained lots of weight. Tried the norplant (tubes in the arm) and had a bad reaction & gained 80lbs. By the time I was 31 I tried the nuvo ring and loved it! But at age 32 I had my tubes tied. I was looking into having an ablation (which will also cause sterility) and found out I needed a hysterectomy at age 33. OMG! It was the best thing I could have ever wished for! At age 33 I would never have the embarassment of a leak, cramps, monthly mood swings, etc. I am now 41 years old and do not miss Aunt Flo one bit.

Hello Jess, I am 41 with a 22 year old son. I've been struggling with my weight for many years. I only have 1 more pcp appointment then onto the nutritionist, meeting with the surgeon and waiting for insurance approval. I started this process with the intro meeting in November. I am hoping to be sleeve in July or August. Good Luck on you journey. Keep us posted on your progress. If you ever need to "vent" we're here for ya.

I had quit smoking a few years ago. In order to cope I had "wall-paper therapy". In other words, the day I quit smoking I started peeling the wall paper in my kitchen. Every time I had a craving I got up and peeled wall paper. After 2 weeks, my kitchen was beautiful and I was officially nicotine free.

When I started this journey ( I am still pre-op, Hopefully being sleeved in July) my husband was dead-set against me doing this. Then he caught me reading WLS for Dummies. He flew off the handle. At that point I told him straight out tough-****, I am going to have the surgery regardless of his opinion. I reminded him that as my husband it was his responsibility to support my decisions not make me follow his. It's been a few months and I've been working really hard to prepare myself for the surgery and do all the required things for the doctors and insurance. During that time I have been working out, taking at least 10,000 steps a day, watching what I eat etc...... But my dear sweet husband has dropped 40 lbs since January with out even trying. I've been struggling and have only lost 14lbs. But WOOHOO for me because I met the 10 pound loss required by my surgeon. My husband is a Union Iron Worker in his late 40's. At night he shovels down so much food it is unbelievable. I give him credit that for his breaks at work he eats things like granola, yogurt, fruit etc. His work is very labor intensive. He used my pedometer the other day and he had 22,000 steps in an 8hr workday. He was 235 lbs. He is now 195. He hasn't been this small since he got out of the army 25 years ago. He laughs it off and says, "Its because they worked the whole winter". blah, blah, blah. Men! He's dropped 2 pant sizes. I lost 1 pants size as long as I wear my spanx. LOL

If you are a heavy bleeder you could possibly be a candidate for the ablation. The procedure can be done in the office or hospital. It renders you infertile and under most circumstance also prevents you from having a period. 10% will still have a period but much lighter. All they basically do is cauterize the lining of the uterus. I personally had my tubes tied when I was 32. But at age 33 the Doc's told me I should have the ablation. They did some further tests and found out I was not a candidate for the ablation and I need a hysterectomy. OMG, It was the best thing I ever did! Freedom from bleeding, pads, tampons, embarrassment, monthly pain etc.

This biker chick thinks you're doing great. Keep up the good work. Besides winter up here in New England I can't imagine not riding my Harley for 6 weeks. That is insane. I had abdominal surgery before (hysterectomy) and I was riding in 2 weeks. Although, I probably didn't mention to the doc's that I ride. Ignorance is bliss. Best of luck, and continue your success at hitting those mini goals.

Try working out with Kettle bells. I get strength training and cardio at the same time. Woohoo!

Keeping them crossed for ya!

My name is Terri, I am struggled with my weight since elementary school. I was the biggest girl in 6th grade (back in 1982). I was 5'8" at 186 lbs. I was thin through most of my teens. Got married at age 18. Had my wonderful son at age 19. Earned my Assoc. Degree in Criminal Justice when I was 22. Got divorced by the time I was 22. Met Bruce when I was 23. I earned my degree in Corrections probation and parole when I was 27. My relationship with Bruce was very rocky and lasted 6 years. My weight really fluctuated during these years plus and minus 90 pounds. At age 37 he committed suicide. I was devastated. For quite a few years I steadily gained after that. My fat was my wall to keep people away. At age 36 I met my current husband at a Bar and I don't even drink. A dear friend of mine introduced us. He loves me unconditionally. At this point he does not like the idea that I am seeking to have the sleeve done. He thinks I should lose it "the old fashion" way. Yeah, like I haven't tried that before.....I have told him straight out that I am going to go through with it with or without his support. He now has accepted this. He has expressed his concern but is no longer trying to force his opinion about the sleeve. My 22 year old son is very supportive of my decision to be sleeved. I am currently 274 lbs. My highest weight was 286 in January of this year. I am hoping to be sleeved by the end of the summer

I am also on my journey to get sleeved. I am in Southern New Hampshire and being sleeved at the Elliott Hospital in Manchester sometime this summer. I started this process back in November 2012 when I had my yearly physical. I inquired about wls and I got my referral. I went to the info meeting in Dec. Since then I have been to the 3 group meetings that are required, I've lost the 10lbs that are also a requirement from my bariatric team. I've completed the psych evaluation. Next Tuesday I'll be going to my 4th (out of 6) monthly weight management appointments with my PCP, and I've had my EKG. When I spoke to the Surgery Coordinator earlier this week she said that my file is now going to be sent to clinical review. They will decide if I should get any further testing done prior to scheduling me for surgery. after next tuesday I will still need 2 more monthly visits with my PCP. That puts me at mid June. Then my surgeon office will take another 5-6 weeks to schedule my surgery and get my insurance authorization. I am thinking that I should be sleeved sometime in August. I know that 9 months seems like a long time, but so far the last 5 months have flown by. My suggestions to you would be to start taking photos of yourself. Keep a journal and/or scrap book. Start experimenting with all different kinds of Protein shakes. I am now having 1 every morning. So far I have lost a pound a week for 12 weeks. Start exercising. I walk on my treadmill about 5 times a week for 30 to 45 min. The more in shape we are before surgery the faster we meet goal after.

I had multiple (5+, I forget how many) abdominal surgeries to remove ovarian cysts/ruptures. Finally I was given the possible option of an Alblation or Hysterectomy. They did a biopsy and told me the Alblation was no longer an option. At age 33, with 1 child I had a partial Hysterectomy. They left me with 1 ovary so I wouldn't go through menopause that early in life. It was the best decision I ever made, or had made for me. I was finally free from having severe cramps, backaches, leg cramps, anemia, heavy bleeding that would last for weeks even months at a time. I no long needed hundreds of dollars of femine products. And I have since haven't utterly embarrassed myself by "leaking". I felt like Mel Gibson in BraveHeart........FREEDOM! I say GO FOR IT. Pain is only temporary. The freedom is forever.

Before I had my hysterectomy I was using the Nuva Ring and It was great! I was the worst at remembering to take my pill. I didn't gain any weight from it like I did with the Norplant.

I bled like that for 20 years. I finally ended up getting a hysterectomy. The best thing I ever did.

From a former smoker....Just keep trying. It took me 1 year after being diagnosed with COPD (emphazema) to be able to quit.keep going back to your doctor for different ways to assist your quitting. Their are alot of tools and drugs you can try. I tried everything from hyptnosis, cold turkey (usually would last just a few hours), prescription drugs, over the counter remedies, etc. Finally 2 1/2 years ago, instead of going on vacation I stayed home for a week. I quit that Monday morning on the patch ( which I tried many times before). During that first afternoon I had to do something or I was gonna fail once again. The best thing I ever did was grab a putty knife and start peeling wall paper. I now call it "MY WALL PAPER THERAPY". It gave me something to focus on and kept my hands busy. Oh, and by the way....the best wall paper remover is 90% warm water and 10% liquid laundry softener. If you really want to quit, you just have to keep trying to find something that works for you. Good Luck, I wish you the best.