kittymommy

After six months of appointments and jumping through hoops...I had exactly one thing left to do... My upper GI, the Xray with the barium swallow. Since I don't have any symptoms of GERD, etc...I figured it would be pretty easy.
The test is pretty nasty. You drink plaster of Paris, essentially, and roll around back and forth like a trained circus dog while they take x-rays...but it's tolerable.
What was less tolerable was being ready to leave on a mini vacation...and having the office call and tell me my results were abnormal.
"You need to see a gastroenterologist for an upper endoscopy to see what's going on."
Great.
So, I'm thinking all sort of bizarre stuff... Do I have cancer? Cause ya know they're not going to tell you anything about what's going on. Then, it occurred to me that I signed up for the service at my hospital where I can access my health history including being able to view test results....so I was able to pull up the X-ray report. It said there were abnormalities consistent with benign polyps. Whew! Ok, i'm not dying...but where does this leave my surgery?
I was so discouraged....the upper GI was the last hoop I had to jump through. I was done! LOL. Guess not...
By absolute luck, the gastroenterologist had a cancellation and was able to get me in within a week.
The sedation was interesting....sort of that twilight stuff...not exactly anesthetic, but you don't remember much. I do have a vague memory of gagging on the endoscope and the nurses patting me and telling me I was doing great.
Afterward, I learned that my polyps were not big enough to remove, but I had chronic gastritis, and they took a biopsy of the inflamed tissue.
I'm thinking...great, cancer again? LOL (yep, my mind always goes there at the word biopsy)
Nope...they were mostly looking for the bacteria that causes ulcers and infections.
Anyway....I got put on Famotadine for the gastritis...and felt pretty crestfallen, wondering how long this would complicate things and if I'd ever get my surgery..and how long I'd have to treat it, etc. I felt kinda robbed...like all my hard work was going to be undone by this complication and I'd be in limbo forever. So discouraging.
Turns out I was free of the bad bacteria, and gastritis is very common, and would not be a complication to the surgery. Whew!
What felt like a major disappointment and major obstacle....turned out to be much ado about nothing.
Wanted to leave this story in case someone had a similar test result and felt as freaked out as I did.

Congratulations!

I realize now why the people in the yogurt, ice cream & hamburger commercials eat the food slowly. They must be on the liquid diet and that bite is literally all they are allowed to have I know when I get my 1 Greek yogurt per day I eat it slowly and savor every bite too Hahaha!

Ok folks... 6 weeks out and a TMI post for y’all:
Ok so THIS is Constipation. 45 mins of agony on the toilet then an enema, which, 5-7 mins after being inserted, burned like hell. I must’ve damaged something beforehand. Needless to say hubby and I are a new kind of close now
At the risk of being gross; didn’t realize this much had accumulated, I mean, I’ve been having bms daily so what gives? And I’d been taking Fiber too so I guess it’s time to up it even more 🤨
Feeling better now.

Today is your day! Congratulations and keep us all posted!

Hubby won a gift card for Longhorn Steakhouse so even though Sunday will be my last meal before my pre op diet, we decided to go out tonight. It was wonderful; rib eye with baked potato stuffed mushrooms and a ginger ale. Tomorrow will be my last margarita...haven’t had one in a few years (haven’t had any alcohol in over a year) but it sounds good lol. Hubby is happy because after surgery I will be a really cheap date...since a shot glass full of puréed veggies will fill me up [emoji23]


Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

So I got a call today and my surgery got moved up to Nov 30th!!! I'm ready to do it already, this waiting is driving me nuts and I have anxiety.

I joined this forum back in April of this year! I have not posted much, but I have been lurking and soaking up as much information as I could. In April I started out with a Surgeon that requested that I lose 60 pounds,and I kept the office updated on my progress. Once the weight was lost I called relentlessly to get a answer from the front desk so I could get scheduled for my endoscopy....I was giving the run around. Long story short, My cousin had just had the surgery and she was talking about how great her surgeon was. (Mine and hers were under the same hospital umbrella) I called to see if I could switch to the one she had, which took a little while because surgeons don't not like to take patients from their partners basically. Anyways...He took my as his patient and I could not be more happy! He did my endo..and biopsy and I had gastritis, so got medication for that and then he requested that I lose another 25 pounds . I was discouraged, but i knew it was for my own good. I lost the 25 and when I started my journey in April I was 560 pounds. I am now 473 and which leaves me around 87 pounds lost on my own in 7 months! I never thought it was possible to do so. My addiction to food was severe. I would have rather get some ice cream and cake than socialize with the outside world before. Now I get out a lot more and have fun and I haven't had the surgery yet but I feel like I will succeed in staying on track because I have the discipline. Don't get it twisted though...in those 7 months I had about 3 slip ups to where i gained 5 or 6 back and got it off again. My pre- admission testing is Thursday and my surgery date is Dec 6th and my stomach is in knots everyday just waiting for the day. This forum has been a life saver! Everyone here that has taking the step to your new life are the real MVPs!!!

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Thank you ***blush***

December 12th is a good day, I wish you all the best. How is your surgeon’s post-op program? 1 week liquids or 2? Do you feel you’re ready? When the going gets tough think of how this time you’ll stay true on your new year’s resolution and actually become a healthier person in 2018!!

I love reading your posts! They are real and hilariously funny (that part about draging your husband to the pre op appointment and your reasons struck a cord😂😂😂) so i will be doing the same thing.

I’m 33 yrs, 5’3, over 250 lbs (meant to weigh in first thing in the morning to be exact and forgot 😅) and dealing with painfully weak knees, thyroid fluctuations, pre diabetic and been TTC for the last couple of years with complications.

i finally got approved and my surgery date is Dec 12th!! I still have 3 appointments left, pre op with my surgeon and two appointments/class with the NP and NUT.
I'm so nervous and super excited and can’t wait to get to the losing side😍
can’t wait to be healthy and being able to wear what i like, not what barely fits👗


Please keep sharing your daily experiences and/or any tips pre op or post op

Your in Control of your self. Take responsibility and be sure to follow your plan.the rest will fall into place.

Congratulations!

Congratulations! Glad you're doing well Wishing you all the best!

I had my surgery yesterday morning!! I feel great today. A little sore but so glad I went through it. He found a large hiatal hernia and a whole in my esophagus. But he patched me all up and I am doing great. Just waiting for my leak test, then I can go home!!

if you commit to follow the rules, the process of the sleeve will help. I am 3 weeks out, and could not overeat if i wanted to. A few bites of soft foods and I am full. I am no longer "chained" to food, no longer always wanting to stop and grab a diet coke and a snack, or something from a vending machine, or taking a large portion of food.
I really love the freedom from food that I feel. Starting at my 1-week-pre-op weight, I am now down 28 lbs (at 3 weeks post op)

Was 263, now 235.

Good Luck, I hope you are happy and confident as you move forward. Having this place to check in with is great for support and questions.

I haven't had the surgery yet and I'm nervous as hell too. The reason being is the last big surgery i had (breast reduction) i was one of those rare cases....figures right? They hit an artery didn't know it until i was in recovery had to go back in to fix it. The doc said he hadn't had a case like mine in 30yrs. The recovery was longer but it was worth it to not have any more horrible back Pain. I don't regret it. It does make me nervous about this surgery but i focus on the positive because there will always be a million 'what if's' . you've got this! Congrats on your date and please keep us updated!!

I'm about 5 months post op and down almost 60 lb. It's the best thing i ever did. I can actually run now that all that weight is gone and I love it! With in weeks I was taken off several of my meds.

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hi there! I have been through the hoops and am having my surgery this month the 20th! I am scared and anxious about it. It took me since April when I started this journey and the hoops have been many but preserver and you will get there. I can honestly say that everyone I have spoken with have absolutely lost weight (dramatically) with the sleeve. Good luck to you, hope to talk with you again!

Just got home from the hospital! Still feeling pretty darn well, just a bit sore! I am still in awe over how well this whole thing has gone! I'm also attaching some pics to show my progress. The first is from right before my gastric sleeve when I was 262 lbs. second was from the morning of LBL and liposuction surgery at 169 lbs. Third is 2 days post op. Haven't weighed myself since surgery, and I'm still definitely swollen, but feel terrific  

Hey everyone! I had my panniculectomy on June 5th and here are my before and afters!
Stats:
Highest: 540 Size 38
Surgery: 480 Size 32
Panni: 275 Size 24 pant 18 top
Current: 248 Size 16 bottom and 14 top
15 pounds of skin removed
I am soooo incredibly happy with the results! I don't care about scars. I went from a size 24 before surgery to a size 16. AMAZING!

I want to have more surgeries done but I need to wait to get to goal first. My panni was so bad I had to get it removed before getting to goal.

My thighs will be first. Ugh I hate them!

I just had my panniculectomy on June 5th...It was covered by insurance 100% but I had MANY skin issues from it and it hung very low. It also was just the flap removal...not much contouring. I am also not at goal yet, this is a interim surgery. I have lost 292 pounds so the extra skin I have is significant. I added it up and all the surgeries I want will be around $23,000. My surgeon thinks he will be able to get insurance to cover my thighs though which is the one I want the most and is also the most expensive surgery I need. He told me my thighs are the most significant he has seen. I'm worried though because I do not know what my insurance situation will be like next year since I have insurance through the affordable care act and I need to be at goal and a stable weight for 3 months before I have the thigh surgery. I am still 49 pounds away from my goal and do not think I will be able to reach goal in 2 months in order to have this surgery this year.

MY surgeon actually told me to be on the look out for any rashes or skin irritations. If it happens let my primary doctor know right away.... my Insurance will pay for skin removal for medical reasons. However, it depends on your insurance

Well, my story goes this way!! I lost my weight and had many skin issues. I went to my PS and his office was in my Surgeon's office. Because of ongoing skin infections I reported to my PCP, PS and my Dermatologist. I also took pictures of my infections. I didn't need them at all. The PS office personal know exactly what the insureance co needs. My surgery for my skin removal was coved 100%. I had a severe reaction to the muscle relaxant that they used. I was paralyzed and couldn't move anything for 8hours. I came to unable to move and the nurse was shocking my temple I couldn't tell them I was awake at all. All and all my skin surgery ended up costing wait for it....$38,000. All of it was paid by my insureance. Thank goodness Personally I would not go to Mexico or any where else for surgery. When you have to see a DR for whatever reason it might be hard to get someone else to see you. Not sure but I did fire my WL Surgeon and had not one problem going to another Bariatric Group.

Thankfully my insurance covered the skin removal I had done, although they wouldn't pay for belly button... had to cough up $2400!