gumbi

Oregondaisy, so sorry for all you've gone through!! It sounds like hell on earth, best wishes for speedy recovery.... New doctor, yay!

So sorry about all your complications with the pain and the surgery....it's really awful when this stuff effects every part of your life so much. I'm a nurse who works with back pain patients ( epidurals, radio frequency ablation, and other chronic pain treatments). The radio frequency ablation procedure is indeed amazing, but only appropriate for the medial branches of the nerves. Nerves that enervate your legs can't be ablated (burned) safely or you might not be able to walk at all. Epidurals can also be helpful, but sometimes the disc/nerve damage is severe that just an anti-inflammatory injection (as with the epidural steroid injection) is just not enough. The shot, not matter what med is used, cannot fix anatomy. You say you live in a small town, but is there any way to get a second opinion? This doesn't need to mean you switch doctors at this point, but maybe someone to review your scans and surgery to see if what you have had done has been the most appropriate interventions, and if there is any other possible treatments that can help. You could see another spine surgeon or a physiatrist (medical spine specialist, they do procedures sometimes but not surgery). The money and time spent to do this can really be worth it. One of the hardest things to handle as a patient (I think), is when you've lost confidence in your doctor. You feel alone and abandoned. You worry that what was done was the wrong thing, that maybe there have been mistakes that you aren't aware of, or that they are lying to you in general. This kind of mental anguish can really effect your recovery and your health overall. In order to pick yourself up and move forward, you need some real knowledge SPECIFIC to you, and a plan for recovery. Did you get physical therapy after surgery? Maybe time for some for some so your gait can improve. Sometimes the swelling and inflammation caused by surgery can be weeks and months improving. Hard to know what advice to give you specifically because every case is so different. BUT, do not lose hope! Find yourself someone who is on your team that you can have confidence in and will help you find the right treatment if there is any, or at least a good plan to remain positive and moving forward! Hang in there, and best wishes!!

I had a dumping episode of last night. I can start full liquids on pod #3, that includes Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. I had 2oz of Fage 0% for dinner and had a horrible dumping episode about 20 min after I finished, bad stomach cramps, sweating, some diarrhea, I ate super slow over 45 min, but can't handle this yet, maybe not ready for dairy. I'll go back to stuff I know is safe for a while.

I had surgery a few days ago. I've been pretty open about it, as I am with most things in my life. I hate to be the subject of gossip, especially at work, but do feel better if it is a least somewhat factual. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I only have to listen to those opinions of those that really care about me, others get to express what they want, but I don't have to take it in. Gotta do what is right for me and my health.... I think most people who have expressed an opinion to me are doing it because they care, ok some are jerks, but most just seem worried for me. I thank them for their thoughts and concerns and then go about my business. No one has so far said anything mean or cruel. That day may come, but those people don't matter to me.

I had some GERD, and small hiatal hernia before surgery. But once on pre-op diet and smaller portions much better. Surgeon found a much larger that expected hiatal hernia during sleeve surgery that he repaired, now on protonix AND omeproxole for at least 3 months. But he felt comfortable still doing sleeve, and no heart burn so far, but only POD #3.

My surgery was 2/25, the painful deep breath thing is normal, it seems like everything in my abdominal cavity is swollen, and it hurts to take a deep breath, BUT that being said, you still have to take deep breaths. Did they give you an incentive spirometer to measure your breaths in? Need to use it 10 times an hour while awake. I think walking helps with the breathing thing too, mobilizes everything. You can do this.... And you can prevent the complications too...this surgery requires us to be hard workers and to be tough, that 'easy way out' thing is a bunch of bulls***!

Hi! Congratulations, you sound like you're doing great. I am POD#3, had surgery 2/25. Today I started full liquids and I'm feeling great. I've walked outside about 10 minutes twice today. Yesterday I was super tired, slept 12 hours last night, only waking up to change position. I've had most of a protein shake and some chicken unjury. SF gelatin seems to go down the easiest.

I got a lot of samples from vita lady. Worth the investment . My surgery next week so I'm glad I have choices for later on. I don't like the syntax koolaid type flavored much, but I bet they come in handy afterwards. I love the Premier RTD like everyone else, but who knows if I will after surgery.

Hello...My surgery on 25th. You guys sound like you're doing well, congratulations! I can't wait to join you on the other side

I was put on 1000cal/day diet initially, lost the weight but then ended up having to delay surgery and went back to old eating habits. Surgery now scheduled next week and I'm having trouble too. So I'm jumping back into it with only protein shakes! Seems easier to say no food, than this food ok, this one not. Food for my son is 'his' food right now. Everything easier if you can hang in there through the first few days.

Hey everyone! I'm a nurse in Northern CA, for 30 years. I do procedural sedation for outpatient procedures. My surgery date is 2/25, I'm so excited, can't wait.... I've been on hold for surgery to get sleep apnea under control, and finally on BiPAP/AVAPS. I've always been overweight and healthy, but in my 50s starting to have more health issues related to the weight, sleep apnea, Higher BP, higher cholesterol. I'm determined to get this under control and feel good again. I'm so sick of collapsing in exhaustion after work. There is more to life than that!

I've had this same debate with myself and others in my life. I lost 42 lbs on pre-op diet. Maybe I didn't really need surgery?? Everyone told me it wasn't worth the risk etc, and if I could do this why couldn't I just keep on doing it? Was told not to lose anymore or I'd be disqualified for surgery! Ok so I've regained almost 20 lbs..... Holidays etc. I couldn't schedule surgery because sleep apnea diagnosis/treatment seemed to take forever. Now have appt w surgeon in 3 weeks. So back on diet for me until then as he wanted me to lose 30lbs. This pre-op period has been up and down for me as far as deciding to definitely have surgery and what surgery to have. The ease with which I regained was eye opener for me. It's all my life-long weight struggles in microcosm. I need to get back on the wagon mentally more than anything. I'll be reading these boards daily cause it really helps with mind-set!

My surgeon requires treatment for sleep apnea for two months before surgery. The diagnostic process for sleep apnea has really slowed down my WLS journey. I have complex sleep apnea which is when the treatment, like CPAP, helps the obstructive sleep apnea., but worsens the central apnea. Still trying to find the right therapy, have a second inpatient sleep test this weekend. I was hoping for surgery by now, but it'll be at least another 3 months!! I still have a hard time believing that I have sleep apnea

I'm in program at Kaiser South San Francisco. It does seem every area is different! My surgeon wanted me to lose 30 lbs on 1000cal/day diet before surgery. That was more that 10%, starting weight 234lb. Lots of appts, NUT, surgeon, psychologist, nurse practioner, sleep apnea testing, but no ongoing classes. The sleep apnea stuff is slowing me down, can't seem to get a therapy/setting that doesn't worsen apnea. Who knew that happened?! If I end up with CPAP machine I need to be on it for at least 2 months before surgery scheduled. They say when you can finally schedule surgery, the time frame is about a month out. So I figure I'm at least 3 months from surgery! I'm not sure how much weight loss before surgery is too much, or even if there is a too much. I have email in to nurse practitioner to ask this question. So far I have lost 44 lbs, current BMI is 34...

Hi, I too am in beginning stages. I saw surgeon 7 weeks ago and he put me on 1000 cal diet! I'm only 5'1", weigh 226, BMI 42, (BMI 44 at MD office). He said short people who carry all their weight in abdominal area are the hardest to operate on, not enough room to operate, can't get enough gas in. My fault I guess for asking that question. (Former OR nurse, couldn't help it!). He wants me to lose 30+ lbs before surgery. I'm doing well, lost 27 lbs so far. But testing revealed I have sleep apnea, and I must be on CPAP/BiPAP mask for at least 2 months before surgery. I'm worried that if I don't lose more, or gain surgery might be cancelled. Nurse said I can lose larger amount and still have surgery, but if I lose more weight successfully seems silly to go forward w sugery. I KNOW my issue is not losing weight, but maintaining it. I'm struggling with mental state here, not so much the diet. I am trying to concentrate on the process of getting my body ready for surgery. But the waiting part is hard no matter what the reason.