Metal13

Good info

Pre-op, I didn't want to tell anyone. But there were a few I had to tell. My parents - I eat Sunday lunch with them ever other Sunday... there was no way way I could gracefully bow out of eating with them, without mom feeling rejected.
And my best friend.... I share everything with him, plus I needed a driver to get me home from the hospital. :-P I had seriously thought about hiring a limo or medical transportation to get me to and from the hospital.

Ok Sleevers I am having a problem understanding what happens to the staples after being in th body for long periods of time. Does the stomach heal? If so, why cant dissolvable sutures be used, If the stomach does heal, does it grow scar tissue around the staples and close completely, does the body ever reject the staples, and how long can i live with these foreign objests (staples) in me?:thumbup:

That's a great question. I would like to know the answer as well. My doctor also mentioned that I will not be able to take Advil or any inflamatory medicine.

Titanium staples and other surgical implants are the most common and most tolerated world wide.

The stomach tissue heals completely around the staples and they are not visible. I've flown, and been scanned with military grade metal detectors several times without every setting any of them off. I also have 2 titanium large screws in my left knee that have been in there for the last 17 years without issue.

Suturing tissue can not give the same closure, and seamless healing process that stapling gives. Plus, there are usually three tiny rows of staples in the stapler that are shot simultaneously into the tissue.

My dad has had knee surgeries, pins, and other titanium implants for decades upon decades without issue.

I actually post pictures of the inside of my sleeve. If you aren't squeamish, check out youtube.com for the actual surgery videos. If you'd like I can share my pictures with you so you can see what a sleeve looks like at 8 months out. I had my gallbladder removed at 8 months post-op, and my surgeon decided to scope me at the same time.

Thanks Tiffykins
does the stomach regain its original size ever?

The stomach will never regain its original size with the sleeve, the part of the stomach that is removed (80% or more of the stomach) is the stretchier part, but the remaining stomach will have minimal stretchability--at about 1 year post-op you will probably be at the maximum size of the new stomach just able to hold a few ounces of food.< /span>

On the staples issue-Titanium staples have been used for years in many surgeries, they are not new to the sleeve and they will far outlast the human lifespan.

Great question. Excellent answers.

I have serveral pins in my ankle and i've never had a problem, infact my bones grew over the pins.

Thanks to all. Tiffykins yes i would like to see your pics after 8 month sleeve.
Swiftflow, I saw your U-tube video and you have done amazingly well. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, thanks to all for all the wonderful input! It has all been helpfull!

My stomach holds the same amount of food right now at 13 months out that it did at my 8 month gallbladder removal. My surgeon believes my stomach is at full capacity. There is not enough tissue left to stretch, and the part that remains is not as stretchy as the fundus that is removed.

The actual staple line:



Inside of the sleeve looking down from the bottom of the esophagus(imagine looking down into a cylinder).


Hope these help ! ! !

Just turned 49 in Feb.......can't wait to feel 25 when i turn 50!....i know this procedure will improve my life and health! Surgery scheduled in September....Blessings to all, Michele

Just turned 49 in Feb.......can't wait to feel 25 when i turn 50!....i know this procedure will improve my life and health! Surgery scheduled in September....Blessings to all, Michele

I am in the "older" group being 65 and pushing 66! Had surgery March 25th and would do it again today. Diabetes and blood pressure meds stopped the day of surgery along with a 1/2 dozen support meds for the conditions. I only take my Vitamin, Calcium and Prilosec ordered by my surgeon and watch my Protein intake. Blood sugars run from 105 to 130 depending on my food intake...my PCP is happy with the levels but I will continue to monitor the levels.
A be all fix all? NO!
A new lease on life? Absolutely!

I am 55 years old and could not be happier! I had surgery on December 12, 2014 and already lost about 80 pounds. I was 443 pounds pre-Op and now 366. I did have a TIA (mini-Stroke) a wee kago Monday but it wasn't because of the surgery. However, I have heard from many women that the pain from surgery can last weeks to months for women because of anatomy, child bearing issues, etc. I haven't heard of any with men. I was off of Diabetes meds the day after surgery.
be positive, make sure you have ALL tests they tell you before, and keep on the diet they give you no matter what. You should do fine.

I had my Sleeve Surgery done 3 months ago at age 67 and I'm more than satisfied with it. I've lost almost 70 lbs. The only draw back is I had to get tested extensively, besides the Psych and classes, I had to get upper and lower scoped, a nuclear stress test. It was covered under Medicare along with my secondary insurance because of being classified a morbidly obese and diabetic. I healed fast, without much pain. Both my parents are alive, dad 97, mom 95 so I have good genes and I have alway and still workout in a gym.

I had my gastric sleeve done in August 2014, one month shy of turning 65 and have done great!!

I started my liquid pre-surgery diet today. I can't believe this is really going to happen! I am excited and nervous at the same time!

Remember you only get so many appeals! I would contact Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy before I do anything else! You don't want to miss out on an opportunity to do this right!

I am hopeful for you. If UHC continues to reject your request for surgery despite the fact that you meet the policy requirements for coverage, I recommend filing a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance. All of them have websites and online complaint filing.The DOI is very helpful to consumers (you!), construes policy language in favor of the insured person and requires a response and/or remedy from the insurance company within a fixed time frame. In fact, you don't really need to wait, you could file a complaint now. DOI complaints get insurance companies on their toes. They are state agencies that regulate insurance companies.

Yes everyone is correct don't give up. File a Stage I Appeal. Call them and have them send you a letter which by law must cite the specific denial reason verbiage. Some doctors don't fight hard enough on your behalf so you may need to include your own letter of appeal.
I had to it and wrote a letter and gave it to my doctor to resubmit with their packet. In it I quoted their reason denying it with reasons to grant it.
Have a nutritionist or dr express that your fluctuations in weight are cause for concern and that you are at risk of increasing bmi because you are on the cusp. Make sure everything reflects your unsuccessfulness in maintains weight loss n control.
The practitioner that approves/denies these procedures uses opinion but it is supposed to corroborate with facts. Yours sounds more like an opinion. So be sure in your letter to fight fire with fire and mandate that they reassess your situation based on facts based on criteria not opinion.
It will work out for you just be ready for the battle. I was getting ready go for my third appeal letter and was sleeved finally last Monday.
By the way on each appeal letter write out something asking them to review urgently. If you don't they will make you wait the full turn around time in between each stage with can be from 20-90 days depending on insurance.
Good luck!

NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Don't let them end your fight - PCP writes a strongly worded letter. If your doctor is on your side - mount your horse and storm the castle!

I implore any of you entertaining the idea of self-pay because of insurance denials or demands to first contact Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. You can find their contact information by googling them. Please! The initial call is free. These people are here to help us!!!