Taylor5

December 4th!!

I will be having a December date as well. My Dr thinks mid December I should know for sure in the next week. I am so anxious!
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Just got my date today-Dec 19th. Terrified but excited

I also just got confirmation on a surgery date of 12/27!! sooo excited for this new journey.

New to forums. Scheduled GS December 28th! I’ve been toying with this for 2 years, now I’m finally ready to change things!

Mine is at OCC with Dr. Ortiz on Dec. 27th. Good Luck!!

Happy Saturday! So I have been on BP for a few months now, have posted a few times, but am mostly just soaking in the wisdom, lol. This is my 1st time posting in the "special needs" forum, but I am grateful there is such a thing because I totally fit this category.
I am pre-op, scheduled for VSG on 12/27/17. Going to MX due to my Ins not covering bariatrics. I am 45, feel like I'm 65, but in my head am still about 22, if that makes sense? I've had Fibromyalgia(FM) for 20 yrs, Migraines (now controlled) for 30, DDD, Herniated discs in my neck & lumbar spine which cause a lot of pain in my left shoulder/arm/hand & both hips, legs, feet, etc. Have had 3 back surgeries & been the victim of 3 car accidents w/in the past 10 yrs, started having "saddle pain" in 2013 which now presents as pudendal neuralgia on left side thigh/pelvic area. Basically, pain all the time in one area or the other plus all the other happy gifts that come w/having FM ! One of which is depression that is exacerbated by daily pain & being 90 lbs. overweight.
Anyway, if any fellow sleevers (or other surgeries too) have feedback on how surgery has affected their pain issues & vice/versa, love to hear from you. Also happy to answer questions anyone might have regarding my journey so far & as I progress.
P.S. If you have had spinal fusion surgery, which is likely in my future at some point, PLEASE reach out if you can. I am desperate for good/bad fusion outcomes from real live people.

The primary component of Bio-Oil is PurCellin Oil, a synthetic version of the preen oil which is secreted by ducks. This oil helps duck feathers become waterproof. The oil acts as an effective delivery system for the product’s other ingredients speeding up absorption and improving spreadability. Bio-Oil also contains Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Lavender, Calendula, Rosemary oil and Chamomile.

i love BioOil. I have been using is since surgery to help with getting rid of my surgery scars. In the process, the stretch marks on my stomach have gotten noticeably smaller to the point where I can barely see them. My scars are smooth to the touch with the exception of the largest scar by my belly button. Anyway, the stuff is cheap, and I kind've even like how it smells.

I did not experience a skinny face. But as the weight dropped off, a strange thing happened. I developed very fine paper thin wrinkles all over my face. The type that you see on people over a hundred years old. Now I know I am not a spring chicken, but these wrinkles were very disconcerting. My wife suggested I use a product which she was using called BioOil (which is available at Walmart, CVS and other stores). I put it on each morning and the wrinkles were gone. I have been using it for around 4 years now and I am very pleased with it.
Developing fine wrinkles can also be a sign of not meeting your daily Fluid requirement. So make sure you keep yourself hydrated.

Here goes - I'm 14 months out. My biggest complication has been to create a budget for new clothes.
I'm 56. I have two teenage daughters - one a freshman in college, one a freshman in high school. At my highest known weight I was 271.5 (photos I have seen indicate I was probably larger at points, but didn't get on scales). That was April 2016. I had my surgery August 2016. I weigh 166 right now. My BMI went from 48 to 29. I still want to lose another 15 pounds. I'm 5'3".
Sometimes, I get nauseous if I eat things with too many carbs or too much sugar - that's my body reminding me not to go back to bad habits. It has happened about 4 times since surgery. I took my nausea meds for a day or two after surgery and that was it. I didn't use any pain pills after discharge from the hospital. I take a PPI daily and have no issues with heartburn or reflux. I drink wine when I want (but only after I have met my Protein and Water goals for the day and have calories left over to do so). I eat what my family eats because I cook for them. I use Barilla Protein Pasta instead of the regular Barilla pastas and we all have spaghetti or ziti together.
My bloodwork looks great. My team wants me to be a success story for our support groups. I've gone from barely fitting in a size 22 to being a size 8. My profile photo is from about six month ago - so its not accurate. I fence (en garde) 5 hours a week and work out in the gym another 2-3.
My biggest complication has been wrapping my head around the fact that I'm not fat anymore. I still, in my mind, see myself as the fat woman I have been for so long. I weigh less now than I did when my husband married me 20 years ago.
What makes this surgery successful or not is getting your head in the right place. If you are already resentful, then you are not in a good place to do this. You may want to work with a therapist on what is holding you back from taking care of yourself. This only works if you are going to make the plan work and are committed to it. I decided I didn't want to be the fat mom any more. That I wanted to be able to dance at my daughters' weddings when they married and not be in a wheelchair because my joints gave out from carrying almost 300 pounds on a 5'3" frame. I wanted to be healthy. The only regret I have is that I didn't do this 10 years sooner.
Best of luck on your journey.

I too only had surgery in August. I have had a boring recovery. Woke up feeling no pain from surgery. I was pretty much back to normal on day 7. Had gas pains on days 2 - 5. After a month, I was off all meds. I've lost 41 lbs and have gone from a xl shirt to a medium.

I haven't had any nausea, very mild heartburn, controlled by pepcid and Tums. I take my Vitamins and have no reason to think I will suffer a lifetime of deficiencies. And I eat what my family eats, for the most part. I eat the Protein, leave the carbs. And I have half a glass of wine on occasion. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. In fact, I feel in control, while everyone else is gorging on their full plates of food.

Of course there are risks with surgery, but there are also risks of staying overweight.

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I guess I was living in a bubble for a long time as I was so not aware of how many of us live with chronic pain. I still remember when my doctor did that stupid pain scale and I said my pain on one particular visit was 4-5 and he said it looked to him like my pain level was worse based on how I was walking/sitting, etc.
I reminded him that pain was subjective and since my highest pain was more than most people could bear, my version of a 4-5 would likely immobilize someone not used to living this way.
I do my best to not have it impact my life...or impact it as little as possible.
I'm glad this thread is here...to get input and advice and just comfort in knowing I'm not alone in dealing with this.

I also have FIBROMYLGIA. I have Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis Arthritis. I have used so many Opiates. I was dignosed. 1997. I got lucky because my Dr had Fibro also, so he knew all about it. Back to the medications I have been on. They put me on MARINOL which is the THC from pt. It was a joke. I have made brownies and smoked it for my pain.. The thing is you don't know exactly how much to use so I overdosed myself a couple of times. Man the PARANOIA I just knew I was going to the ER and would have to tell them what I did. LOL Then they put me on METHADONE, this distroyed my Cognitive abilities like noones business!! Then they put me on VICODIN, I took high doses of it. After I moved back from Idaho to Roseburg, Oregon finding a DR was a real challenge!! When I found one to help me he was shocked to say the least!! The amount of VICODIN that I took were TOXIC!! So he tooj me off of it and gave me FENTANYL PATCH"S. He retired just recently so I had to start all over with a new DR. who is worried about the FDA stepping in and stopping the use of OPIATES at all unless you have Cancer. You talk about the worrying!!! I have had the best coverage of my pain ever. So I had my RNY and I can honestly say that getting my weight off has really helped me out. I never had probems with my knees until after my WLS they tell me if I hadn't lost my weight that I would be in a wheelchair. But now here is the DAMNED IF YOU DO AND DAMNED if youy don't. You all know what they say about exercise helping FIBRO well yes they ARE right, but before whenever you tried to exercise you had so much pain that you wouldn't have been able to exercise!! After my WLS it is totally true about it helping my pain level. They are defintly right in that area!! I still hurt and some days I can't do what I had planned but YES IT will help us but there are just times that I roll up on my couch with a blanket. Good luck to you all

I can definitely relate!! I have had Fibro for the last 17 years. I have Osteoarthur, I have had 1 back surgery and now have rods and Cadaver bones but man it sure helped me!! I couldn't straighten up when I got out of bed or stood up from my chair. I still have lots of pain but it seems like at least I'm not hurting every day. I had to quit my job and was put on high pain medications which I overdosed on and then it messed my brain up big time. I still don't have the mind to get things out I know what I am trying to say but I can't get it out. That was METHADONE!! I have lost my cognitive abilities. My crack of a Nurses Protectionist even gave Marinol, THC in a capsule form. But...with my weight loss Surgery and continued exercise, I can now say I am so much better than before. My WLS has saved me in so many ways. I hope everything works out for you. Look forward to following your journey. Hang tight it will get better.

My heart literally just skipped a beat! I have been telling my neurologist/neurosurgeon/orthopedic surgeons and pain doctors this same thing for years...and no one believes me! Every time I get an injection or take a Medrol dose pack, I gain a few pounds, most of which do not come off! I have a print out of all my procedures the past 4 years in pain management as well as my weight at my first visit (165) and my weight at my last visit (205). Obviously some of this also has to do with limitations on exercise due to pain, but I KNOW the steroids caused so much of it. I am up almost the whole night after I get an injection and somehow always forget it's going to happen until 3 a.m. and I'm wide awake thinking about food!
Anyway, I apologize for going somewhat off topic from OP point, I was just really excited to find someone else w/the same issue. Also, I love the advice about going low carb during that time. I'd never thought to alter my diet to help prevent/minimize that gain, but I am betting it would help. So thanks for the tip!

Yep, I checked already...4-5 days, and the total price was almost as much as a 1st class air ticket. Wouldn't mind a train adventure some day, but not to and from surgery, I don't think! Looks like we're doing 1st class. Damn shame I won't be able to eat anything good, but oh well, hardly the point, right? Omg, I'm gettin' sleeved!!!

I've flown quite a bit and the amenities you are wanting are definitely going to require first class. In a regular seat, there is next to no recline and barely room for your legs. There is almost no room for anything other than sitting straight up with your legs in the usual sitting position unless you are very short. I flew from the US to Malaysia that way. My suggestion would be multiple connecting flights with time between so that you can get out and move around. I have a bulging disc in my lower back, and would love a seat where I could just lift my feet up a bit. I'm flying to San Diego on the 4th and will be in the usual uncomfortable, cramped seat. I have a very high pain tolerance though.

@Berry78, @Apple1, @Lovergurl and @Kat410,
Thank you all for your responses and feedback on your successes in MX. I have considered it because I know others have had good results, but it was kind of a last resort idea for me - for one because I have a lot of back issues/chronic pain and don't know how well I would do on the flight there. To be honest, Florida is pushing it between the airport and the flight, but I was also supposed to be doing an intrathecal pain pump trial soon and thought that might help me survive the flight if I end up having it implanted. Now my pain doc isn't getting back to me to schedule that (really not my month for success w/drs I guess).
I finally decided today to say scr^w the consequences and book w/my local hospital to have access to the support group and follow up care. Turns out the woman I've been assigned to recently fractured her foot, and then had a death in the family. So that is partial cause for no return calls. They let me schedule a nurse phone health history next Friday 10/27, then a surgical consult with an internist there on the 31st, but said they can't schedule my nut appts til after that and she has no openings til Dec as of now.
They are still making me do 3 nut visits, even though self pay, prob a month apart, and even though my ins is supposed to cover that they said they checked and they don't and cash price is $800 for 3 visits!! Also, since so many ppl need appts, they are thinking of doing "group nutrition" classes, so if they do, maybe I can come in sooner than Dec - maybe. I'm thinking - why would I pay $800 for 3 nut visits to begin with, much less 3 Group nut visits? It just seems like a lot of money to me, and on top of the self pay price.
She also said "Kay", who is "my person" there, will be in a couple days next week, and she needs to check with the hospital about pricing because they don't know how much anesthesia fees are or the hospital fee - But all 3 fees are broken down in the info packet I got from Kay at the seminar! Surgeon/Anesthesiologist/Hospital. And, she said they are going to set everything up and bill to my ins co anyway, as if they were going to pay, even though we know they won't because it's flat out excluded. I have no idea why. One of the only perks of being self pay is supposed to be a few less hoops to jump through. Now I feel as though they are purposely creating more or acting unsure of pricing all of a sudden!
Maybe they don't want my money?? Honestly, maybe they just don't get that many self pay patients and they don't want to deal with the hassle so they are trying to wear me down. Well it's working, because I feel like just giving the loan back and calling it a day. As a long time chronic pain patient I am used to having to constantly advocate for myself, but sometimes it just gets to be too much. I'm sorry to include you in my pity party - I know it is pathetic. I didn't even question anything she said on the phone because my mind was spinning thinking, "This doesn't make any sense!" Now I'm thinking of everything I should have been saying, of course!
I don't know, I guess I'm going to sleep on it. I will probably look into Mexico more - maybe I will end up going there...But I can't see any of my current doctors being helpful with that. They will probably say I'm making a mistake, so getting help from them may be hard. Thanks so much for listening though. I just don't know who else to talk to. No one in my circle really needs to lose weight, much less go to this extreme. They just won't get it. It's a really lonely place to be sometimes...

I used OCC in Mexico. The process was flawless from the time I stepped off the plane till the time they took me back to airport. Very nice hospital and hotel. Excellent care. Just a really good experience. And Dr. Ortiz is accredited just like US hospitals. I was back on a plane 4 days later.

Have you considered Mexico? I went with Dr. Illan, and had a good experience. You probably have the same chances of complications wherever you go, but if Mexico is cheaper then you have that buffer. (I live in Maryland).

I also had surgery in Mexico with Dr. Illan and I had a very good experience. I would definitely consider this option.

This is exactly why I chose the Mexico route.
I was also self-pay and truthfully I wanted to be able to bring my cashier's check for a quoted amount and be done with the hassle.
I coordinated with my PCP and did all the pre-op tests (most of which are covered in an annual check up, which I was due for anyway). I sent the records to the doc in Mexico (they still did their pre-op tests, which was fine). My PCP was aligned with the choice and I knew financially it could backfire if I was one of the rare people who had a complication. I prayed that the stats stayed on my side and they did. For co-morbidities I was pre-diabetic and borderline hypertensive.
The experience in Mexico was great - albeit different from the American healthcare system.
No complications, no problems and I was fully informed and educated of what could bite me in the a$$.
I paid about 5K for my surgery - all expenses except airfare and the upgrade from the mediocre hotel in Cancun.
I would research it for yourself if you haven't already and if you think it's an option for you, consider it!

That's awesome they combined your surgeries, but definitely a headache waiting on reimbursement! Yes, BLIS is what I have been asking about! I can't find anyone local to me who offers it. It's definitely worth the cost for what it offers, but not as helpful if I have to drive or fly several states away to return to the surgeon for follow-ups or complications. My local surgeon won't see other docs' patients until they are at least 3 months post-op and out of the immediate danger zone. I mean, I don't blame him, but if he offered BLIS I wouldn't need to look anywhere else!

Thank you : ) My thinking is similar, although they require all fees paid before they will schedule the surgery, so offering to do so is kind of a moot point. But I am still trying to negotiate it based on the fact that they promote their self pay prices as being fair due to being half of what they charge Ins Cos. However, I used to do medical billing and I know Ins Cos only pay half or usually less of the amount they are billed, so I feel that should be taken into consideration at least. Taking off even a couple thousand would leave a little cushion in case of complications. I brought that up w/the bariatric lead and that's when she transferred me to Pt Access, which turns out to be hospital billing...who said they can't help unless I already have a bill, lol.