Everything posted by gr8ful1
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Weaning off CPAP
If I were you, I would just get a new sleep study and be done with it. I will probably wait until I'm at goal weight or very close to it, but it sounds like now might be a good time for you.
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Got Bad News
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Sleeve to RnY Revision
I'm curious. How is it possible to go from a sleeve to a RNY when there is no remnant stomach after a sleeve? Does someone have a diagram of what a RNY looks like post-sleeve?
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surgery is not those who fail on diets?
Wow, it looks like you've had a tougher journey than most. I hope all of the complications are behind you. Keep up the good work!
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Bariatric Social Media Influencers
boogie2988 and Jon Calvo (no updates in a while) on youtube. Looking for more!
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surgery is not those who fail on diets?
Yikes, I just noticed the typo and awful grammar in the title of this topic. Sorry about that, folks. If I knew how to edit it, I would. The correct title should be this: "Surgery is not for those who fail on diets?"
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surgery is not those who fail on diets?
THANK YOU everyone, for all of your thoughtful and insightful responses. I trust that the surgeon, and even more so, my insurance company, will not allow my surgery unless the pre-surgery screening process indicates that I meet the criteria for being a successful candidate.
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Sleeve or Bypass???? Dont know which one to choose...
I'm still waiting on my initial consultation appointment, but I've been looking at both options for quite some time. I have GERD, so the surgeon may tell me that the sleeve is not indicated for me, which would make my decision a lot easier. And I'll be fine with getting the "gold standard" gastric bypass if that's what he advises. In your case, it appears that your surgeon doesn't strongly prefer one of the other and has cleared you for your choice of procedure. My analytical mind leans toward the gastric bypass. I consulted for a company that conducted phase four pharmaceutical trials, and I've always leaned heavily toward treatments that have the best efficacy and the lowest mortality/morbidity rates as indicated by large peer-reviewed studies. My research into the studies points me toward gastric bypass. That said, we are not talking about which pill to take here. These surgeries impact more than the amount of weight we lose and the number of years we can expect to live. Both have advantages and disadvantages that may impact your post-surgery life in different ways. Have you asked your surgeon what he/she would choose if it were for him/herself? I think that's always a good question if you are undecided.
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CPAP Nightmare?!?!
I've been using a CPAP for around 6 years now, and I too had a hard time adjusting to it. The pressure felt way too high, it was harder to breathe with it than without it, and I wondered how in the world something so intrusive could help me sleep better. I don't remember how long it took me to get used to it, but I did, and it didn't take very long. I went back to the medical equipment supplier a couple of times with my equipment, and they helped me make sure it fit right, and that I was using it correctly. And I got used to the pressure within a week or less. Fast-forward to today, and I often have to double-check to make sure that my machine is on because I don't notice the air being blown into my nose anymore! One thing that I've never gotten used to is a full face mask. I haven't been able to find a mask that doesn't leak loudly. So I use a nasal pillow mask and it works great, even when I am sick and can only breathe through one nostril. I suggest you give it more time, and that you visit with your CPAP supplier to make sure your machine and headgear are adjusted correctly. They might also be able to adjust your machine to ramp up the pressure more gradually.
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surgery is not those who fail on diets?
Greetings, everyone. I am a serial diet failer. I've been on phen-fen in the '90s, on a weight management program while in the military, Weight Watchers, and physician/hospital-based medical weight management programs that included help from doctors, dietitians, psychologists, and exercise specialists. I learn what I need to do to succeed, start of strong, leave the formal program, and end up regaining all the weight I lost or more. I am the epitome of knowing what to do but failing to do it consistently for more than a few months at a time. I keep hearing that WLS requires hard work and discipline, as well as a commitment to eating right for the rest of your life. Problem is, I am over 300# because I have *failed* to do these things consistently over and over again. When I go to support groups for my medical weight management program, the only ones who are keeping the weight off are the ones who have had surgery. Surgery is a tool, but I've already been given a whole toolbox full of tools from all of the professionals that I've paid thousands of dollars to visit. I want to use them but I keep putting them away and going back to my old unhealthy ways. I can be disciplined long enough to lose 20-70 pounds at a time, but not long enough to keep it off. Am I exactly the type of person who should *not* be considering WLS? I don't know what else to do at this point. I do have an appointment to consult with a surgeon in a couple of weeks, but I don't think I'll qualify for surgery. My BMI has been above 40 for 15-20 years, and is currently in the mid-40s, but my medical records show that it has dropped below 40 whenever I've been in the middle of a weight management program and on a ketogenic shake diet, including as recently as a year ago, when I completed my last of many 12-week programs. I have no qualifying co-morbidities, but I'm heading in that direction. Use a CPAP but AHI is below 30, cholesterol high but controlled ok with statins. Sorry for such a lengthy fist post. I have read quite a few of the existing posts and this looks like a great, supportive online community.