KCgirl061

If you are preop, there is something you’ll want to ask for from your surgeon and anesthesiologist the day of surgery. It’s called the **Valsalva maneuver** and is done at the end of the procedure. It’s a deep push of the lungs to get the CO2 out of your belly before closing incisions. This will prevent the shoulder/ gas pains postop that so many people complain of. Ive been talking about this with a friend that had her RNY last week and she said it worked great. Soreness at the incision sites but no gas pain. Remember you must mention it to your ANESTHESIA provider, as it’s actually done by them and not the surgeon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18448749/

I haven’t. I’m just so picky about clothes knowing my luck I’d spend money on an outfit and then end up not liking it

I got my surgery date set for Aug 6! I’m so excited!

My program wants me to refrain from coffee for 6 months after surgery. Ive recently come to the conclusion that it would probably be in my best interest to not return to drinking it at all. Here's the thing: I love coffee but I'm pretty sure coffee doesn't love me back. I get heartburn often, but not on the rare days I miss getting my cup in. (no GERD per the EGD) The same thing with a general feeling of bloat and being gassy. Since these are problems I'm looking to avoid post sleeve maybe I need to say goodbye to my friend coffee. I also thought since the acid from coffee isnt good for your tooth enamel, and supplementing calcium for bone and teeth health is vital after surgery that staying away from coffee will be better for my dental health anyway.

Too true. I didn't even think about the calories I add to my cup, but there it is - one more reason.

I'm a surgical nurse, and I've got to tell you, I'm not impressed with single incision site surgeries. I've seen too many surgeons struggle with getting the right angle and approach to do the actual procedure and it just seems like a handicap. I'd much rather deal with multiple incisions knowing that the surgeon has the ease of getting the exact angle he needs for the very best staple lines.

I’m beyond frustrated with my PCP right now. Last month my Bariatric coordinator told me that his documentation on my monthly visits were lacking a lot of details the insurance company wants. So she contacted him, I mentioned it at my last visit and he said “oh yeah yeah she talked to me about it”. I checked on that visit visit today on my patient portal and it was STILL lacking details. Has anyone else had this happen and still get approved? I don’t know if he can go back and amend his previous notes but I SWEAR ON ALL THAT IS HOLY IF I DONT GET APPROVED BECAUSE HE IS A LAZY SCHMUCK THAT CANT DOCUMENT MORE THAN HALF A SENTENCE OF THESE G***DAMN VISITS IM PAYING FOR EVERY MONTH I’M GOING TO HIT HIM WITH MY MOTHERF***ING CAR!!!

Welcome Jessica! Welcome to the BP! This is a great place to get information about what WLS surgery is really like - the stuff you wont find in the medical pamphlets and classes you'll likely have to take. I love getting on and reading about people's real life experiences, it helps me anticipate and prepare for the challenges ahead. Hope to see you around on the forums!

I had my tests done 2 weeks ago and got a call yesterday from the Bariatric coordinator - my EKG came back showing a right bundle branch block. It shows up sometimes in healthy patients but also with cardiomyopathy. Is it dumb that I’m kinda hoping for the cardiomyopathy diagnosis to have better odds of getting approved? I have other symptoms that I’ve just shrugged off as part of being obese - swelling of the feet and shortness of breath. Has anyone else had the surgery clear up cardiomyopathy?

Yes in about 2 weeks

So I'm nearly halfway through by insurance requirements for surgery. In month 3 of 6, labs done, gallbladder sonogram done, upper GI scope done. I started looking at what I need to do to get a leave of absence approved at work and I completely forgot that because I'm at a new job that I don't qualify for FMLA until the end of August. Its only an extra 2 months but it seems like when you decide you want to go through with the surgery that waiting that 6 months is long enough. Trying to look for silver linings - I'll have accrued that much more sick time and vacation time to pay for the several weeks off.... okay that's all I can think of.... *Sigh* Just bummed a little and venting. TIRED OF BEING FAT

I don’t have any comorbidities, I qualify only because my BMI was over 40. Because I’m a nurse I will need 3-4 weeks off so I can’t simply take vacation time for it. It only ends up being about 6 weeks later than I originally had planned so it’s not a big deal.

Last time I got on a trampoline I found that my pelvic floor really doesn’t have the support for bouncing.[emoji15][emoji97][emoji97]

Well I contacted HR and they said that I could qualify for nonFMLA leave of absence if the surgery is NOT elective. But I’m guess they consider it elective. The surgery coordinator says they can’t change the classification of the surgery it’s up to the employer’s policies. [emoji853]

I’ve always outweighed my husband, not by much but just enough. I would love for my husband to be able to carry me over the threshold someday. Romantic or corny??

These are the vitamins a friend recommended to me, glad to see other people are having positive experiences with them!

I’m confused. Do you have an actual surgery date or are you just cleared by insurance? What happens if the surgeon says “No, insurance approval or not, I’m not doing your case until you do MY requirements?”

So this morning I was trying to find something I saw here a couple months ago, it was a graphic of WLS surgery statists from the last recent years: number of procedures done, how many RNY, how many VGS, how many revisions.... stuff like that. It had information current up to 2016. I've exhausted myself trying to find it so I'm giving up and asking for help. If anyone has it or knows where to find it I'd appreciate it!

My surgeon doesn’t offer DS so I didn’t do any research into it when making my decision. I wonder if many surgeons don’t do them, don’t push for them or what the lack in popularity stems from?

eghhhh so I solved my own problem by going to Google... https://asmbs.org/resources/estimate-of-bariatric-surgery-numbers I'm not sure why I thought it originated on bariatricpal but this is the one I was referring to

You know, I might just need to call HR and get myself educated on the matter! Thanks

I don’t have the luxury of hiding my surgery from my coworkers - I work in the operating room where I’ll be having my procedure. I’ve gotten a range of reactions from my team of 6 - all much much thinner than me. 2 are super supportive and think it’s great. 2 don’t think the surgery is necessary “if you have to change your diet and exercise anyways why is the surgery necessary?” Well because surgery gives you a metabolic advantage as well as takes binge eating out of the equation. And “why don’t you try Plexus?” I’m 100 pounds away from a healthy BMI I don’t think Plexus is going to get me there. The last 2 have kept their opinions to themselves. Maybe they don’t have a strong opinion either way. I don’t mind telling people I’m close with. I’m not very good at keeping secrets and wouldn’t want to have to keep my lies straight anyway.

Do you have a shower stool? I have to use one to wash up good "down there" as well as shave my legs. It could help if you don't have a ledge in your shower.

I read your article and really liked it. Especially your thoughts regarding getting rid of the stigma of WLS. You make a very good point!

Only you can decide if surgery is right for you or not. It took me a solid 3 weeks of reading about the surgery and considering whether or not I could make the sacrifices and take the risks involved. One thing you should consider if that the surgery not only limits your food intake but that it is a metabolism reset. Thats not something you can get from diet and exercise alone, your body will always try to get back up to the higher weight. I suggest you continue to read peoples experiences on this and other forums, go to Dr Matthew Weiner YouTube channel, he has several helpful videos. Find a seminar from a weight loss surgery program and talk to a surgeon and some local experts - they can help you decide if you’re a good candidate or not and which surgery is best for you. You should also consider RNY, if you look into it you’ll find they recommend it for diabetics as it essentially “cures” diabetes.