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ginabee38

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by ginabee38

  1. Posted

    Hello everyone! I was thinking about starting an LGBT thread, but figured I'd do a search first, and here you are! I'm from Long Island, NY. I can't believe they blocked the word "q*eer" ... ridiculous. Anyway, I thought it would also be nice to have a group of other LGBT people to share my journey. My wife had Lap-Band surgery about 8 years ago, before we were married and separated. She has had a decent share of issues with vomiting, but I think more due to her unresolved eating disorder (bulimia). I think if she didn't have so many issues, I might have done Lap-band years ago. I'm glad I didn't, because the sleeve seems much more my speed. I like the idea that there's nothing left in my body (except stitches) and my organs don't get rearranged. As someone who often eats past full, but don't typically go on super-binges, I think the sleeve will really help me if I follow the guidelines. On June 8th, I went for my 1st consult, jumped through many hoops to get clearances and information together and finally got a 2nd consult where I was finally able to get on the schedule! So, I am now scheduled for December 23, 2 days before Christmas. I hope I only have to stay 1 night (I think that's the usual stay), as I don't want to miss Christmas Eve (more of a big celebration in my family ). I can't do it earlier because of my work schedule. Hopefully I will feel well enough to work. I still need to be approved for surgery, so my fingers are crossed! Looking forward to sharing our journeys!

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  2. Posted

    I feel a bit like this too! I started my journey to get sleeved in early June (my first consult with my surgeon was June 8) and I rushed to get all the pre-op clearances done in time so I could have the surgery at the end of August. Unfortunately, I ran out of time. Now I have to wait until December, around the holidays (12/23/16 projected surgery date) due to my work schedule. These days, I am worrying most about complications, as my surgery is only 2 days before Christmas, and I don't want to burden my family (probably just excessive worrying). Also, now that I finally got a date, it's a bit surreal. Still, I'm not backing down. I am holding my breath waiting for insurance approval, especially because my coverage may change after the new year and I've nearly met my deductible, so I don't want to have to start all over with that. Such a strange journey!

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  5. Posted

    My appt is with dr sechar . I'm looking him up everywhere I can . He seems good . I think I'm scared no matter who I get. When I called he was the surgeon that dealt with my insurance .

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    I've heard good things about him and the coordinator of bariatric surgery when I went to a bariatric support group at St. Catherine's of Siena (Smithtown, I believe, in NY). Going to a support group was one of the pre-pre-op hoops I had to jump through.

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  6. Posted

    You probably need to call your surgeons assistant/ surgical coordinator and ask them. I didn't see anything in the UHC requirements about needing to lose weight but I didn't see anything about gaining either. Have you been tracking your food on fitness pal? There might be a blind spot you're having with measurement/cal intake. I know when I was still gaining earlier this year I realized I was getting WAY too many calories from my creamer and sugar in my coffee. Like I was literally doubling my Breakfast cals with my coffee intake alone. Sometimes getting your weight to at least stabilize just takes having an honest look at what your intake is and seeing if there's any tweaks you can make to at least get it to flatline. My trick was just switching to milk from half and half and not using sugar anymore (I prefer no sugar to fake sweeteners.) I do think that the Insurance could look at consistent gaining across the 6 months as a negative so better to be safe than sorry! But again, you should ask your doc office.

    Exactly.

    I scan or measure and log EVERYTHING on My Fitness Pal.

    I'm so bad at tracking. I've done it with Weight Watchers on and off. I find it challenging to be accountable for eating things I should probably avoid, so I don't always put it in or just stop tracking. I worry that I'm going to fail at losing any significant weight because of this, especially months and years down the line. I think I will be more compliant early on because I will be scared of hurting my insides and causing complications. I don't see myself as being perfect and eating everything perfect, in the long run...I just want to eat like a normal, average weight person. I understand the importance of some degree of denial, but I don't want to live life depriving myself. That's most likely the perfect reason why I am still "morbidly obese" (about 46-47 BMI). I'm curious as to whether my thoughts and feelings may change after surgery. Any thoughts on this?

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  8. Posted

    I don't have any personal experience, but I have heard a lot of positive feedback from the VSG You Tube community. I don't remember the exact people, but if I remember, I'll post. I learned a lot about the whole VSG process from watching a variety of channels on You Tube.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  11. Posted

    I would definately steer toward your recommendation of your surgeon. I just wanted to reach out and say don't be afraid of the malabsorption factor. It is what almost scared me out of having RNY. Is designed to assist you in weight loss and it works.

    The most important thing is to take your Vitamins as instructed and see your doctor for your annual blood work to ensure your nourishment is on point.

    I cannot speak for the bathroom several times a day (I almost wish for that), with bypass I have struggled with Constipation which is normal. I now take Linzess daily and that has relieved that issue. I don't know enough about DS to know what bathroom issues you might have. Only a DS patient can help you better understand that.

    I would not be afraid to go for the Cadillac myself. When I had RNY which is the gold standard, I was thrilled and not a day has gone by that I regretted it. Best thing ever for me personally.

    Best of luck to you with either choice. I am certain you have done research and best understand your needs.

    I don't necessarily agree with steering toward the recommendation of your surgeon, especially if you had a particular surgery in mind. I think it's very important to know the ins and outs of each surgery. I want to get a Vertical Sleeve, but my surgeon suggested RNY due to my diabetes (type 2, non-insulin, so far). He said the rate of improvement for VSG on diabetes is about 65-70%, but the RNY has a higher rate of improvement (80, 85%?) of A1C (a popular diabetes test). For me, I know I do not want to rearrange my internal organs. I know that by losing a significant amount of weight, that I will most likely improve my A1C. I know Vitamins will be extremely important, but I don't want to have to depend on them to the point that I will be extremely malnourished if I forget to take them. It's important to listen to your surgeon's suggestions and why he/she feels that you could benefit from one surgery over anothr. Read, research and make the best choice for you.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  13. Posted

    I started going through the hoops with her several years ago, but I just wasn't ready. I'm glad to find some Long Island and city peiple too! It's great te hear about people all over the country, but it feels comforting to have some familiar places show up too! I will be watching your journey as well. Dr. Mehta came very highly recommended by a mother of one of my students years back. If I was ready, I probably would have stayed with her.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  17. Posted

    Two people in my life had Lap-Band. One of them had it revised to a sleeve. The other person, (who is my wife, but we're separated) I saw struggle with the Lap -Band in the presence of a significant eating disorder, including bulimia. She has managed the bulimia to some extent and has kept off about 60 lbs. Seeing her struggle has been one of the reasons I put off surgery for so long. Another reason was that I didn't want any thing "permanently" left in my body (yes, I know it can be removed through surgery). I also knew I didn't want to have my organs and intestines rearranged through bypass surgery, so I stalled...for a few years. Neither felt right. Recently, at the end of May/ early June, I came across an article on Gastric Sleeve and felt this would be the best surgery for me. Everyone's needs and wants are different, but I just wanted to share my experience, so far. Also, my surgeon (Dr. Atwa, East Setauket, NY) said that he removes more Lap-Bands than he puts in. I think him and the other doctors no longer do the lap band. Good luck on your journeys, whatever surgery you choose.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  18. Posted · Edited by ginabee38

    It depends on the person.

    Pressure on my stomach was great. It helped with the gas and the support was awesome and it helped protect my incisions from clothes, bumps and pets.

    Where did you find a binder? I'm still quite round. I bought one in the past, but it was way too small. I'm going to assume here that others have had difficulty finding an abdominal binder that fit well. I have animals and I work with small children...hoping it will help!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  19. Posted

    Hello! I'm pre-op VSG on Long Island (NY) but due to my work schedule, I won't be able to have the surgery done until December 23...the day before Christmas Eve (guess I won't be eating any holiday goodies THIS year!)

    The only problem now is that I have waaaay too much time to worry about all the possible complications! Still, I want to stay positive. I have jumped through all the pre-PRE-op hoops (before I could even GET a surgery date), but I am still waiting for my insurance to approve me. Anyone in Western suffolk, south shore? My surgeon is Dr. Atwa of East Setauket. Anyone have him?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  20. Posted

    Hello everyone, I'm new to this site. I've been learning about the Lap-Band and it's positives, along with it's negatives. I'm beginning to see the benefits outweighing the risks and I'm thinking it could be an amazing tool for me to have on my weight loss journey. I currently weigh at least 100 lbs above a healthy weight and have never been a thin adult. I've already seen personal successes of others in my life, and now, I believe, it's my turn. Still, I have some reservations and I'm not 100% sure-I'm probably around 60% convinced right now. I just went to an info session @ NYU in NY city and learned a little bit more. I'll be checking out the forums and learning about other people's experiences in the coming weeks and go through the process one small step at a time.

    Gina

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