Mountaln Gal

I could of had my surgery the first week in January. But I decided to wait. My best friend for 38 years is turning 50 on the 21st and I am throwing her a big party. I worried that I wouldn't be able to be 100% for myself and her. So I postponed my Surgery until Feb 9th. My 50th birthday is 3/30. My hubby wanted to go on a cruise or Go to Vegas. I told him I just did not want to plan anything BIG for my birthday. We've decided that on my year anniversary for surgery and my 51st birthday we'd take that cruise we really want to go on.

Hi Megan! I am from Canada as well. I am in the early stages; such as doing research and asking questions. I have a doc appointment in 2 weeks. This is when i plan to bring up the surgery topic. Im just curious, what is "PCOS". I am also hoping the government health plan will cover me as well. I do have a few health issues so don't think it will be an issue.
I wish you much success!
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I notice most people who worry about loose skin are pre op. Once people actually have the surgery and lose weight, it becomes so much less of an issue for most. It can be a pain sometimes, but then you find ways to deal with it whether it be shape wear, surgery, or exercise. Being thinner and healthier is much more important to most people than some loose skin. Obviously there are different degrees of loose skin, and it can sometimes become a physical hindrance, so that is a valid concern. For most of us, though, it's strictly cosmetic.

I am welcoming some wrinkles and lose skin! I'm down almost 100#!!
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and yes - you can have skin removal from just about anywhere - including arms and legs

re: loose skin. I used to worry about this incessantly pre-surgery, but now that I'm down over 200 lbs, i can tell you that I'd take my loose skin *any day* over weighing almost 400 lbs!! It's really not as bad as I thought it would be. If I wear elbow-length sleeves (or longer), a good bra, and tuck my abdominal skin into my jeans or tummy-control leggings, no one notices it but me.
Insurance will sometimes cover the panniculectomy part (the apron of loose skin that hangs around your abs) IF it's causing you problems, like chronic rash or infections (so if you have those, make sure you have it documented by your doctor), but it's kind of rare that they'd cover anything else.

a stricture is when you have overgrown scar tissue that blocks the entrance to the small intestine. It happens to about 5% of RNY patients, and almost always within the first 3 months post-surgery (they're pretty rare after that). I had two of them. Easy fix - they just do an upper endoscopy and stretch it out a bit. You're knocked out so you don't feel anything - and you feel 100% better afterward

Your surgeon should be able to help guide you to the appropriate surgery. For me, the bypass would have been the best option, however I have auto-immune arthritis and have to be able to take NSAIDs and steroids when needed. The NSAID/steroid contradindication is absolute for bypass and lapband, but is relative for sleeve. Lapband was a non-starter for me for a number of reasons, but wasn't even an option because it's a foreign body left in which is a no-no for auto-immune. Because I have had reflux in the past, GERD was a serious worry for us with the sleeve, but again I had to be able to take NSAID/steroids. So I'm lucky that I haven't developed GERD. But as you can see from our decision process, there can be a lot involved besides patient preference that your medical team has to guide you through.

I would just bring it up with your doctor. If they are not supportive, reach out to a bariatric center of excellence and ask for a recommendation for a general doctor that will support your decision.
I basically told mine I was doing it and thankfully after a quick conversation she was on board.

I had a doctor that did not support WLS so I switched to a doctor that did. I found my surgeon on my own then told my PCP that I was doing it and she was fine with it. My surgeon's office coordinated with my PCP to get what they needed to submit to the insurance.
SW 280
CW 257
sleeve scheduled for 12/12/16

I am 3 years out from my RNY. Here are my STATS: HW 249(this time I managed to lose 36#'s and kept it off) SW 232 LW 117 CW 125#'s. I got below my goal in 6 months, but I did gain 8#'s back. I have maintained my 124# loss for 2 and 1/2 years. I used to be on Insulin 2 times a day plus pills for my diabetes. I am off all meds for that. I use to take 12 different meds a day. Now I take 4 plus my Vitamins. People who say that the RNY is just too invasive I would ask them how much invasive is taking 80% of your stomach out? IT is gone kapoot. Both surgeries are a tool to help us get to where we want to be. We do the WORK!!! Either will more than likely get you where you want to be if you put in the work. It is NOT easy but so very worth it!!

I initially wanted the sleeve thinking bypass was too drastic, but because of GERD I wasn't left with too many options so bypass it was. I had surgery exactly 9 months ago, HW 261, SW 242, and currently 142. No regrets here at all. The only difference is can see from sleeve is that I really have to watch my sugar intake, too much (like a bowl of ice cream) and I'll get sick. I can still eat anything however. I'm an impatient person and the results were quick, so I'm glad I was able to have the bypass.
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Thanks Renea for your input. It is so hard watching my mom go through the things she is due to weight. I have taken care of her as best i can; but now require more. This all just plays on my mind and encourages me to get the surgery. Next time i go to my doc's i will be asking to get on the list.
Take care & thanks.
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You look fantastic! Its encouraging to see results like this. I am just in the research stage to see if this type of procedure is for me.
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Hello everyone! So many great, inspiring posts here. I have so many questions; but will start with just a few; i look forward to everyone's advice and experience...
-how long does the average recovery take?
-what is the age range of people who have done weight loss surgery?
-what are some meals and how often?
-did you gain more confidence in life with weight loss?
-thanks for all replies.
Th
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Hello everyone! So many great, inspiring posts here. I have so many questions; but will start with just a few; i look forward to everyone's advice and experience...
-how long does the average recovery take?
-what is the age range of people who have done weight loss surgery?
-what are some meals and how often?
-did you gain more confidence in life with weight loss?
-thanks for all replies.
Th
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