Jane_J

Do you think it would stand up in a court of law as a defence? I'll get me cleaver ready if so!

And this is my turn down email.... I have reviewed your request and do want to thank you for applying to join our WLS_uncensored community. However, because we are an informed consent information group and because we also support long term patients (over 10 years post op), most of whom have serious, disabling and life threatening problems (as well as significant weight re-gain), I feel that some of the information which is posted in our community might be distressing and upsetting to you at the point you are in your WLS journey. Thus I feel that our community is likely not appropriate for you at this time. However, I would like to suggest three communities which would probably be a good fit and would give you most of the information you are seeking: First: http://www.renewedreflections.com This is an online BBS community and has a doctor (MD) available for questions. Second: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ossg This is a community like ours on yahoo, moderated and positive in attitude but presents some, at least, early on problems and issues with gastric bypass Third: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graduate-ossg This is a community where you must be over a year post op to post and there are some longer term patients who have some serious health issues - they do discuss some of this on the group but again, most messages are of a supportive and positive nature for newer ops. I hope you enjoy the above communities and again I thank you for for applying to ours. If you feel my decision is inappropriate, please feel welcome to "reply" to this message and we can discuss it. best, Sue, group owner

Thanks for sharing that. I look forward to reaching your position myself. You give me hope.

I particularly enjoyed the irony of calling a group WLS_uncensored and then censoring anything you disagreed with!! I just hope she doesn't upset too many vulnerable people.

I did, I became a homicidal maniac a month out. Seems to have calmed down now thank goodness.

Below is the correspondence with the owner of WLS_Uncensored. I have not had a reply. I would ignore this group as they are a single issue band with no desire to hear alternative POVs. Cheers, Jane ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Sue, I was concerned about the info you linked to at http://obesitysurgery-info.com/gastric-sleeve.htm I have had 60% of my stomach removed not 90%. I did do a lot of research before going for this op, weighing up the relative risks of surgery vs being morbidly obese. I think it?s good that you are running a site that puts the down side of these procedures, everyone should know the risks as well as the promised hope. But it should be correct info IMHO, otherwise you run the risk of scaring people unnecessarily. I would be happy to answer questions re my op but I am only 3 months out from the procedure. I am in contact with others that are much further down the road and seem to be doing very well. But as with all surgical procedures there are risks. There are also big risks of being fat. I think from the stats I read I reduced my chances of dying prematurely from 3x normal to 1.5 x normal in the 1st 2 months post op. But I have found it difficult at times adjusting to the new eating ability, which is restricted. I have to eat healthily, Protein 1st and veggies after. I take a multivit too to be on the safe side and I am still dealing with being on a PPI and looking to wean myself off this. My gall bladder may be making a bid for freedom from me too! But on balance I am very glad I did what I did as my life was so bad before, I could not even walk 50 yards without intense back pain and lack of breath. Anyhows that my story, warts and all. All the very best, Jane x From: Sue Widemark [mailto:gswidemark@gmail.com] Sent: 18 August 2009 19:41 To: xxxx Subject: VSG - wants to join WLS_uncensored Hi you wrote you are a new op with a VSG and very happy... wonder why you are wanting to join a list where there are a lot of long termers who are not real happy and people are basically looking for informed consent info.... I'd love to have a VSG resource to answer questions but they would have to be very honest about the down sides etc.... talk to me... hugs, SueW -------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi WayupNorth, you are probably still swollen inside and that is holding water. It will go down, probably quite suddenly. Chin up and pip pip from the UK.

Scaring small children is a blast actually

Hi Chancie, you are looking fabber and fabber!! You are honour bound now to enjoy yourself as much as possible, so buy pretty clothes and party!!!

Congrats to you!!!! Think what you will be like by Christmas :-)

I had had this happen too recently. I was at a concert so I went to see the on site doctor. As I lay down flat it stopped! It had lasted 45 minutes and it hurt to breath even. I was under my lower right ribs and it was excrutiating. I had eaten part of a greasy burger and 2 greasy chips 30 mins before this happened. There was not much food choice there. My DH thinks I am a hypochondriac but I am 80% certain that this was gallbladder problems.

Yes Helen, me too. I am trying to join that group to put alternative POV. I did the numbers and figured my chances of living were far higher with WLS than staying very fat.

Hi DrMedHat, Just checked my weight loss chart, at 5 months I am averaging 12lbs per month. The line is still pretty linear and my BMI is just over 30. Hoorah, soon I will be just overweight rather than obese!! Cheers, Jane

Oh Hyacinth, I have just found your blog. You have not had anything easy with this have you? I hope all goes well and September will be here before you know it. All the best, Jane x PS I don't talk to my younger sister at all any more!!

Hi Tandy, I am in the UK too, had my sleeve done 3 months ago. Please don't worry, it does get better. Did you have it done laproscopically? I hated those little injections too, I got my daughter to do them for me as I couldn't bear the idea. I only had a weeks worth when I got home from surgery so poor you. They sting a bit too. But in a few months you will look back on it and be glad you did this operation. Carrying an extra 140lbs is totally draining, you will feel so much better soon. My back is not constantly aching now, and I can walk for 3 miles nn problem! I feel I have a chance of being around for my kids when they have their children now, before I thought I would definitely die early. Your current tiredness is probably to do with the anesthetic still in your system. That will improve and in a couple more weeks you will feel much more normal. Like Helen says you will get all the real info you need on this forum. Using a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) acid blocker is important and getting 60g of Protein a day is key too. The Protein shakes are available in big Tescos and Asdas (and probably all the other big supermarkets) and as long as you choose high protein/low carbs you will find they help enormously. Anyway, All the best to you. Jane x

I am pretty sure she posted that the protein limit was a myth.

Thanks Mac, I feel a bit better hearing that :-)

That's brilliant Chancie. I am really pelased for you, that's 5lbs in one go!! We all just have to keep our nerve girls & boys!

Hi, I went to the Czech Republic via CosmeticBliss and had the Sleeve. It was really good and I can heartily recommend it. I originally wanted the band but then after research on the internet I decided that the gastric sleeve would be better for me. It cost just over £5,000 and was worth every penny. Cheers, Jane

I would recommend the sleeve over the band to someone who has had lifelong weight problems. It is a set and forget solution for people who respond to physical restriction and the reduction in the hunger hormone ghrelin. The thought of a nasty port is quite off putting to me. I also know of people who had very severe weight problems whose lives have been saved by RNY. But I don't think that Sabretooth falls into this category with a mere 75lbs to lose. These are just my opinions on the limited facts that have been presented.

Hi Helen, You should be defo be on Lansoprazole. Our UK GPs are very limited in their knowledge of things like VGS. They have just got to grips with the Band. It's sad really, I work in computing and we have to keep up to date. Why can't GPs read around their subject too? I am nearly 3 months out and am looking at what comes after this. I don't want to have to take this drug forever, as I have developed one of the rare side effects of dry mouth on it. It's driving me crazy. I stopped taking the drug a couple of days ago and yestersay I was in a terrible state, we were out all day and I only had access to Gaviscon tablets, I was taking one every hour and I was still in acid pain. I took a Lansoprazole when I got home and today I am fine but my mouth is dry again. Has anyone elese here sucessfully managed to wean themselves off of Lansoprazole or Nexium and how did they do it? Cheers, Jane

Hi Chancie, You will be there before you know it. Just stay focussed and don't think about it too much. (I have to fight obsessive behaviour patterns, it's not easy but possible). Cheers, Jane

Hi all, Thanks for the congrats and hang in there VegasAngel, the scales are a bit sadistic and they do this to torture you. You will suddenly lose a whole load in a week or sos time. Its never predicable.

Mee too, seems to be about 2lbs a week although some weeks it 0 and others its 3! As long as its coming off rejoice :-)

Well done :-)