Nancy E.

Hi Sleeve2014, so I'm not alone on this journey! Someone else has one of my "conditions". I was ALL set for the sleeve. It's really what I wanted, but I have to be open to the bypass if indeed that is the only one the surgeon here will do on me.i don't even have a visit with the surgeon until my supervised diet is almost over which won't be until the end of June.
Would you mind sharing with me why you prefer the sleeve to the by pass? I'd love to keep in touch with you and hear how it is all going for you. I hope the sleeve is everything you hope it to be. It sounds like it will be.
Good luck on your surgery and to your continued success. It is so exciting to know there are so many people out their taking charge of their lives, doing something positive for them self!

Hi Dena, I'm about as close in age as possible, 59 yrs and 6 months. My surgery is scheduled for November 12, (this Wed.). I am on day 5 of my pre-op diet of liquids only. I will be happy to keep you updated as I go along if you wish.
So far my 5 days on liquids only has gone well with no cheats. For me, day 7 will be the worst because I have to drink that bowel cleansing stuff and it must be pure salt Water because that is what it tastes like. I've had it before and just the thought gags me. I've never heard of anyone else with this problem though, so don't worry about it. Once I am past that I think I will be fine.
I don't know if I will be in the hospital only 2-3 days with laparoscopy or if it will be 5-7 day stay because the surgeon may decide to do open surgery, he said it is a 50/50 chance for either.
What I am longwindedly getting to here is when I get home from the hospital I will post my experience as well as ongoing progress or setbacks...which I do not expect any of those though!
I hope this will help you. Feel free to ask me any questions you like and I will answer as honestly as possible.
You will do great, I'm sure. What you are doing is for your health and it is NEVER too late to do something positive for your health.
I'll see you on the other side!

I've been on the road to bypass surgery twice, beginning in 2008. The first time, my insurance stopped covering it and the second time I changed jobs and lost my coverage. When I was younger, one of my main motivators was appearance. Now I'm heavier (223) and I've been diagnosed with diabetes 2, hypertension and high cholesterol. I want the surgery just to prolong my life!! I have Medicare now and from what I've heard they cover the surgery and the required specialists, although I read that MediCare requires 6 months of a medically supervised diet. My physician has already referred me to a bariatric surgeon at a Center of Excellence in St. Louis, MO. So I guess my question is, Is there anyone here close to my age who's had the surgery? What was your experience with the surgery itself? I'm thinking recovery and complications are bound to be affected by age. If any of you are on Medicare, what was your experience with them?
Thanks!

Today is the first day of my pre-op diet! I cannot believe time is going so quickly. I am on this diet until my surgery date November 20th! I am doing 4 Protein Shakes and one small meal which equals about 1000 calories. The headache is horrible today! I am not sure if I can do another 13 days of this. Then I think what will I feel like after surgery when I'm only drinking Protein shakes. IF the headaches go away I think I will be fine. Hoping tomorrow I feel better and not so tired and sluggish. Am I the only one feeling this way? I hope not.

Once again, Jonathan, you have great advice! I know in my head why I am doing this, but putting it on paper is a great idea. I imagine when we are really feeling down in the dumps, we are not going to be thinking of all the positive "whys". So, having it in writing and just pulling that piece of paper out at the right times would be very benificial!

Tamg26k, thank you for the information! I will check them out!!

I have to say, I love reading your posts. You are a beautiful writer and what you have to say, I can relate to so well. You have great advice and I will definitely be re-reading these posts as my surgery date gets closer. I have a food addiction and I have been saying my "goodbyes" recently, because the time will come very soon that I will have to buckle down and get serious. (Seminar and support group this Friday) I had mentioned it in another post, but it's really sad that the one thing that makes me so miserable, I have a hard time letting go of. I guess that's why they call it an addiction. I am ready though. To put this me to rest and get to know the better healthier me. I am so excited to meet her!
Thank you for your words.

"I would highly recommend keeping a list of all the reasons you are doing this and all the amazing things you will be try to do post surgery on you at all times. That way when things get super rough you can take some time and read them to remind yourself it will be worth it"
I guess I better get to writing then. I was told I will be doing 4 weeks of liquid diet just prior to surgery yummy. I am just beginning my journey. I started my 90 day medically supervised weight loss program 10 October and probably won't have my surgery until the end of February.
Thanks for sharing your story Joe and good luck as you continue your journey!

Hi! My name's Kerry and I'm having the RNY on November 11th. I have been fighting me weight since I was a little girl. Diagnosed with pcos, insulin resistance, and hypothyroidism 9 years ago and being unable to fight the pounds that just keep on piling on regardless what I eat or how I exercise has been very depressing. With 4 grown kids and 2 little grandchildren I decided it was way past time to take control of my life.
My husband is so very supportive as are my friends. I feel very blessed. I am glad to have found this support group. I have had a lot of questions answered and feel better knowing there are others who have felt the same way.

Congratulations! It is a very brave step stepping out and doing something this drastic to change your life. I know you will do awesome. Please keep us all updated on your progress.

Congratulations! Kerry it is never to late to do something wonderful for yourself. I am 66 and had the surgery 6 weeks ago. I had amazing uncomplicated recovery and I have lost 44 lbs. I definitely feel a lot healthier. I look forward to hearing about your progress and seeing your before and after pictures.

Thank you that makes me feel a little better I'm going to try my best to get qualified it's nice to read these stories on this page again thank you

I am so sorry for you and your family on what you have gone through....at this point the original surgeon should be held liable and everyone that was involved, that is such a huge malpractice suit...if anything I hope that things will turn around....I researched and researched when I decided on the dr who was to do my surgery and I knew some of his previous patients ....
Stay strong and know SSD always denies on the first time and if you have to find a good lawyer who deals with disability cases and only gets paid if u get approved... Good luck

Im sorry that you are having so many problems i agree with the above statements continue working with your doctors to get to the bottom of this. I hope everything is resolve soon .

Well, I have been home from the hospital since Monday evening. I had surgery on Wed Sept. 3. The surgeon went in to do an exploratory lap and to insert a feeding tube to my old stomach because I am severely malnourished right now. So, the surgery was only supposed to be an hour long and that was to explore the abdomen and then insert the feeding tube. The surgery ended up being 3hours long. I had severe scar tissue build up. My liver had so much scar tissue it was attached to my pouch, and I had a lot of scar tissue on/around the pouch itself which was causing all the pain. Also, I had a bowel to the right of my pouch that had twisted and then collapsed in on itself. He had to untwist the bowel and then stitched up so it wouldn't twist or collapse again. Also, I had busted several stitches due to the excessive vomiting I have been having. And lastly, he found a large right ovarian cyst that I will follow up with my OBGYN for. He did insert the feeding tube as well to allow my stomach to heal over the next 6 weeks. My surgeon is pretty sure that the bowel and scar tissue were causing all of the problems that I was having. On the good side of things, I weighed myself last night and I'm officially down 110 lbs since surgery!!! Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep me in them as I continue to heal.

@TashaB88 I had to be readmitted to the hospital for pneumonia 2 days after I was released from the surgery and I understand your frustration with the other doctors. Even though I was only 5 days out from surgery, they basically ignored me when I told them I had to be on a special diet and things like that. I called my surgeon several times asking his opinion on things they did including giving me giant pills to swallow and not having me on the bariatric clear diet instead of just a clear diet (that included fruit juices and Jello with sugar, caffeinated coffee).
You have a right to question everything they do and you should definitely stay in close contact with your surgeon. You are you own best hero!

I think a lot of people struggle with whey Protein. There are several other forms available including egg based, beef based, and plant based. Some nutrition shops will sell you small samples so that you don't have to buy a huge tub and wind up not being able to tolerate it. Try calling around and see if anyone near you will sell small samples. I was able to get quite a few samples by emailing different companies and asking for them.

Immediately following surgery and in the first few weeks following it everything tastes 'not right' - for me that lasted about 5-6 weeks. Combined with the mild to severe nausea that many of us feel during that time it's hard to get the Protein we need. It'll get better eventually. One tip someone gave that was helpful to me was this: measure out a full scoop of unflavored Protein Powder and put it in a bowl. Over the course of your day, sprinkle a little onto/into EVERYTHING you eat or drink. It's such a small amount you can't really taste it and by the end of the day you've gotten an extra 20 plus grams of protein. Good luck! You'll feel better soon! :-)

I would ask for them.
Maybe it's they whey Protein you can't handle.
Have you thought of trying egg white Protein Powder?
If you haven't tried that yet may I recommend Jay Robb Egg White Protein powder and if you can tolerate Whey Protein powders then the Jay Robb is easy to drink. I use both types.
You can get Jay Robb products at Whole Foods, directly from the company or Amazon. The come in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and one or two other flavors.
May I also recommend Torani sugar free syrups to give your shake a different flavor. They are made with Splenda. They come in a multitude of flavors. You can get them directly from the company or if you have World Market stores in your area they carry it too.
Feel better.

I have read about Wernickes encephalopathy. I have done a lot of research on weight loss surgery. Try the New England Journal of Medicine and National Institute of Health websites and search for studies using the key words. Also consider contacting the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS). If any one would know how to guide you it would be them. Also, contact major University Hospitals. They are doing research all the time and Bariatric surgery has been around for over 20 years in the US.
Good Luck, there must be something out there. Next time I see my doctor I will ask as well and let you know.

Morgens, Vitamin B12 deficiency causes neurological abnormalities. This is why we have to take an additional 500 mcg from the multi Vitamin which already contains some. I am actually planning to take a little extra (750 for good measure) My understanding is patients with B12 deficiency have sensory abnormalities and hallucinations. Everything you mentioned in fact sounds like text book B12 deficiency. Those conditions are reversible with just taking B12.
Has your girlfriend been tested for B12 deficiency? It's a simple blood test.
I am not a doctor but I am well informed. Please seek medical advice, and a second opinion if necessary.

Looks like you are sitting around 39.3 bmi. I would drink lots of Water and wear my heaviest clothes. Slouch some on the height measurement. It won't matter previous dr visits with the higher height. Do you have any other weight related issues? sleep apnea?
And congrats on taking the first steps!

Yes, I had one in Chicago on 9/12/14...painless!!!

Had mine last week and it was fine,i was nervous as heck but the staff had my fears gone in no time.

I had mine about 6 weeks ago. I don't remember anything because they were also scoping the other end too. Just hope they did not use the same scope. Lol. Just kidding. They would have cleaned it first.