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A lot of scary information
Old Salt replied to LindsayT's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
In my opinion, people tend to post difficulties/problems more so than positive issues mainly because they are seeking advice or comfort. Not many people post just to say their Bariatric surgery is going great. Now to answer was it worth it? For me, YES. I did not find it that difficult of a surgery or diet to follow. Was it all fun? no. But the results are fun! Keep a positive attitude and enjoy the ride. -
Did you tell co-workers?
TQUAD64 replied to Minnah's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello Minnah: You legally do not need to tell anyone at work the details of your medical issues. You are protected under HIPPA and you do have the right to take FMLA. Of course your co-workers are going to know your gone, but they don't legally get to know why. Your HR department should be aware of that. (There are some requirements to qualify for FMLA, talk to your HR department or do a Google search). I did not tell my co-workers. I went on vacation for two weeks and had the surgery. I had my bariatric doctor complete my FMLA form, so I could take time off work to go to my monthly doctor appointments. I requested that my doctor not use her stationary or any identifying stamps that stated bariatric on it. It is my right to protect my medical information. My weight loss has been slow and gradual, which is why I chose this procedure. People are now commenting on how great I look. No one has asked what am I doing to lose the weight. I thank them for the comments and tell them the truth. I work my butt off. I am now jogging on my treadmill for 60 minutes on an incline at least five times a week. I count calories, get plenty of rest, cut back on my portions and stopped the snacking. I have had many surgeries and I have never felt compelled to discuss those procedures with my employer and co-workers. Personally, I believe keeping my personal matters and job matters separate. When I go to work, I don't talk about my personal life and when I go home I don't talk about my work life. Anyway, just my thoughts on the matter. Best of luck to you! -
The only reason you would need to have the band removed would be if it was medically necessary. When I had to have mine removed due to infection my insurance covered it 100%. If the doctor reports it as medically necessary, it is covered even if your plan does not cover bariatric surgery, like mine does not. When I got sick I was scared to death that the removal surgery would not be covered, but my new doctor reassured me it would be covered. As far as your choice, if I were young and planning to have children in the future, I would factor that into the equation and discuss it with my doctor. I too chose the band, because the only other alternate at the time was bypass. I had my band done with 8 of my coworkers and none of the others have had any problems. I am the only one who picked up a staph infection and we all saw the same doctor for the surgery and the fills (except for one). Of course, at this point because of my problems, I can only recommend the sleeve. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com
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OK - quick recap - banded almost 5 years, stomach dilation, converting to Sleeve - Insurance approved and surgery scheduled for 9/7/10. I made all of these plans before really getting to question my surgeon about the sleeve so I had an appointment on 7/14 and we spent quite a bit of time talking about sleeves. He usually uses a 36f bougie and oversews. I'll be in the hospital for 2-3 days and I will have a drain - yuck. I will be his 6th or 7th sleeve but as he put it "in Boston that may be the most any one surgeon has done", now I don't know if that is true but I do know that my surgeon is GOOD. I have full confidence in his surgical abilities - he is the Cheif of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatrics at BIMDC in Boston. Am I a little nervous - Yup - but he has done hundreds if not thousands of lap RNY, the guy knows his stuff and was very fluent in explaining the Sleeve process so I know I'll be OK. We discussed the possibility of switching from lap to open if there was a problem and that I may end up with a modified sleeve (a little larger on top) due to scarring from the band. All in all the risk seems very acceptable and I'm really starting to look forward to my new stomach. In the mean time being unfilled in murder and I've stopped gaining but I am sitting about 25lbs heavier then when I had Fluid - our goal right now is to pamper my stomach and let it resume as much of its normal shape as possible so that I can has as close to a normal sleeve as possible. Fingers crossed - the up side - 3 weeks off of work!!!!
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Took the time to jot down my 3 day food diary this morning. I'm excited to meet with the bariatric team and surgeon this morning. Not sure I have an appetite for breakfast. LOL I will be sure to keep you all posted on how things go.
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Thank you for your reply! Luckily I'm in Canada and covered by my Inuit status as well as MCP, the only thing I'll need to cover is my flights to and from the city in our province with the bariatric team. I had a referral sent in for the VSG procedure but hopefully this education process now will tell me if that's my best option. All my research says yes but the doctor's may give me other info. Yes! I'd like to start getting into the right diet so that it's sustainable!
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Unrealistic Weight Goal ??
Cocoabean replied to pink dahlia's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Is the facilitator of the meeting a medical professional? Does he have any clue what your weight history is? It's one thing for a support leader to give a short background so you can connect. Pretty rude to comment like that, if you ask me. Goal setting should be between you and your surgeon or primary care doc, in my opinion. And ultimately, it is up to you. At one of my pre-op classes, the leader (not sure of her qualifications) cautioned that many bariatric patients do not get to a normal BMI post-op. She went on to say that it is because for many they start at a very high BMI. Excess skin sometimes does not allow for enough pounds lost to enter a normal BMI range. For others, they just don't lose it all. Studies of ALL bariatric procedures show that none of them provide 100% of excess weight loss. So, those of us that do lose 100% have done something right to get there, or there is someone in the background who has not lost near enough to make the average less than 100%...does that make sense? It was a nicer way of saying what was said at your meeting, and not directed at anyone. But, I am sorry, at a support group, when someone says they have questions, the questions should have been addressed. You should not have been told you are going to fail. Did you get your questions answered? -
I wish I hadn't gotten the band
Jean McMillan replied to maestrita's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks for posting this, maestrita. Your thread has provoked an interesting discussion, and I'm glad no one has resorted to mud-slinging (yet). Since I revised (not very happily) to the sleeve, I've often been asked if I regret my initial choice of the band. I admit that my affection for my band colors my response to a question like that. No, I don't regret my band surgery. It's harder for me to answer 3 other common questions. One: Would I recommend the band to pre-ops as eagerly today as I did 6-7 years ago? I'm not sure. The answer depends as much on the person who's asking as it does on me, and there's no such thing as a perfect or one-size-fits-all WLS procedure. Two: Would I choose to revise again (if needed) today? No. Since most of my stomach is gone forever, there's only one other WLS option available to me now: duodenal switch. I'm having enough trouble with micro and macro-nutrient malabsorption with my sleeve. I can't imagine how I'd manage with the DS. Three: Would I recommend bariatric surgery (as a whole, not related to a particular procedure) to an obese person today? I'm just not sure. I guess I would if the person's co-morbidities were so severe that some kind of WLS could be life-saving. -
Intro - My name is Edie and I'm 54. I've been waiting for this surgery since 2008. FINALLY BCBS North Carolina stopped calling it investigational. I've finished all my pre-op testing and the doctor's office submitted it to the insurance company. Now I wait in suspense. I think it could happen pretty quickly once they get approval. I had to have a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy and some samples were sent for biopsy so that could take a couple weeks - I don't know if they will wait for those results before scheduling me. The GI doc said everything looked good and that he was going to clear me for surgery. After waiting all these years, it doesn't even seem real. My surgeon has done MANY bariatric surgeries, but only about a dozen sleeves. He seems very comfortable with it though and I am comfortable with him and the reputation of the practice. I was tested up one side and down the other!
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I have noticed from others that sometimes after being banded for a while, it is easy to forget or stray from the original guidelines or some banders didn't get adequate information from their centre initially. For starters, I would log what you are eating (ideally through myfitnesspal or something like that that will track calories too). You should not exceed (per my doctor) about 1200 calories per day and should have about 60+ grams of protein. Try not to exceed 1 cup of food per meal and have a planned healthy snack in between meals (piece of fruit) or something. If you are not able to get even yogurt down, perhaps your band is a little too tight which may be causing you to eat some unhealthier items (sliders) that will go down easily and that may be part of the problem. It sounds like you could really benefit from a visit (or 2) with a nutritionist to get back on track. You shouldn't feel so defeated and frustrated with your food choices. I am able to eat most anything as long as I eat slowly and eat small bites. I would urge you to see out one (my bariatric clinic has ones on staff) and they have a lot of great ideas and advice. I truly don't feel deprived and only did when I was too tight and struggled getting solid food down. I also have found healthier ways to still enjoy many foods I loved before but now in a healthier way. There is a website called Emily bites (I believe) and there are many recipes that you make in cupcake pans so they are portioned out into appropriate sized meals. They are healthy versions (ie. lasagna) of everyday foods. I really enjoy them. Good luck to you!
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Congrats on the weight loss! I've been a member of bariatric pal since my surgery. Haven't followed it a whole lot since then. Looking to get some support as I initially lost 70 pounds, but have regained 30! It has me freaked out! However, my own fault here...I started a private practice (I'm a psych nurse practitioner) and have been so focused on work I have not been exercising at all. Also went back to some bad eating habits. Trying to get back on track and get into a regular routine of my daily 2-3 mile walks.
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I take a Bariatric One a Day Vitamin that I've been very pleased with. It comes in chewable and capsule. The price is affordable and the product can be found at www.procarenow.com
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I had my first appointment with my surgeon today and I am on my way! I have already met several requirements and my particular insurance plan is one of the easiest to get approval through. My surgeon was great. He answered all my questions and, believe me, I had many! He explained everything in detail and said that normally the process, from first visit to surgery, takes about 3-4 months. <Big frown and exhale> ...BUT since I have the plan I do, it will go much more quickly for me! <Resume goofy grin> I am on track for a late September/Early October date! I've scheduled the first of two appointments with both the PSYCH and NUT. My upper GI is Tuesday. The rest will be scheduled through the surgeon's office (sleep study, pulmonary, EGD). I am officially a bariatric patient and I couldn't be more excited to get my life back!
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I used Dr. Trivedi, a link to more info about him is on my profile. I'm like the 7th person in my family to have this done and most of those 7 relatives used Trivedi, but Trivedi is part of a practice that features all bariatric surgeons. I think he's a very good doctor, but his front desk staff is extremely rude and incapable of getting anything done, you have to be very proactive and extremely on top of them. There's only a handful of nice people working in that office.
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I have a GREAT psychologist whom I'm seeing privately. He is also the person who did my bariatric intake interview / testing / interpretations. But I swear that some of your stories sound like there are some incompetent buffoons out there doing clinical psychology work for a living who don't know how to interpret psychometric instruments and don't understand the strengths and weaknesses of those tools. Those tests should not be used like Tarot cards. (joke) S.M.H.
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One of those solutions (I believe) is Betadine. Not sure on the other one. When I gel my fills, she slathers that all over the needle site. I think what Jean said (regarding bariatric surgery) is right on the mark. But for your procedure, sounds like you just need to get that hospital ick off of you
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What Are You Looking Forward To?
theoldmusicbox replied to Remodeling.Me's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I feel the same as you on these things. Here's my short list I'm looking forward to ------ getting my driver' license renewed and NOT lying about my weight. ----- buying the 'cool' motorcycle jacket, not just 'this one since it fits me' for cooler riding days. ----- walking my daughters (12and 4) down the aisle when they get married (before sleeve, dr said that i might not have been around for that if I didn't get under control) ----- going to amusement parks with my 14 year old son and not just being his company in line, but ride the rides with him ----- joining my son to help him train for cross country. ----- finishing a 5k in less than 50 minutes without passing out or dying (my first ever attempt will be in 2.5 weeks) ------ being able to be an inspiration to people, and not feel like they are all just thinking 'wow, how does a person let themselves get that big?' ----- feeling like my wife isn't lying when she says that she really is still attracted to me. ----- burning all of my 2x 3x 4x 5x and 6x t shirts while dancing the happy dance around this fire pit, because I won't ever need them again. -
What to expect at first consult visit.
Vixynne replied to laurasjourney's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My first consult with my surgeon was pretty much an information-gathering session. My weight and BMI were calculated, and one of the nurses talked briefly with me about my health history, my family's health background (questions about obesity, diabetes running in the family,etc.), and asked what efforts I've made in the past to manage my weight. If I remember correctly, I had a questionnaire from the original bariatric surgery info session that had to be filled out before the consult appointment, and once I was in the exam room, part of the discussion was just about going over my questionnaire responses. I was asked which surgery I wanted (RNY, sleeve, or lap band) and why I wanted the sleeve over the other two options. (It wasn't asked as a challenge of my choice, I think the nurse practitioner just wanted to find out what my thinking was and why I had a specific preference.) Then I was asked if I had any questions, and the nurse practitioner answered them. She also gave me a printout that charted all the different appointments I would have between then and then next consultation. My surgeon only stopped in briefly to say hello, review my chart and let me know that he thought I'd be a good candidate for the sleeve. It was all over pretty quickly, and when I checked-out before leaving, I was given a 3-ring binder of VSG information, with tabs for me to keep other printed info from my nutritionist, psych eval, etc.; that binder has been a great help in keeping me organized! It should be a very positive experience for you--bring a list of any questions or concerns you have, and maybe a notebook to write things down (in case your surgeon's office doesn't do the whole binder thing). You could always design your own binder, too! You must be excited to get started--good luck! -
Can I still have my VSG if I’m on my period?
Ruby Hernandez replied to Ruby Hernandez's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Thank you SusieQ2019, I hope my experience gors as smoothly as yours. Also, thank you for the pad reminders! Best of luck on your bariatric journey! 😁 -
I know, right!!!! My Bariatric team has already well educated us on what not to eat to keep things from getting stuck. Actually, it's that they probably didn't chew it good enough. She said to chew, chew, and chew again and you should have no problems. But everyone is different. Glad to see a fellow Dec. 7th bandster, 6 days to go.....whoo hoo.....I've lost 6 lbs already being on this pre-op diet. We're not required to do liquid until the first week post-op so now it's a high protein, low-carb diet. Keep in touch and let me know how everything goes for you.
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When I attended my orientation, the bariatric coordinator explained that we would have to choose between the two and we pick them. The Dr uses both and it's up to the patient. I have been running searches but to no avail. When they passed both around the room, the differences that stood out to me were the way the band inflates. The Lap Band has sectioned pieces on the ring and the Realize has one continuous band (non perforated) if that makes any sense. My question is - Did others have options between the two? Are there pros and cons to each? Are they the same in results? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
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My pouch almost always hurts and aches, my ulcers, tension. repeated urp -ups or something to notify bariatric team about Monday-Tuesday?
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abdominoplasty after lapband
Tashaplus3 replied to parisshel's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Hello!! i am 6 years out from my lap band and had a tt about 2 years after. There were no issues working around the port or tubing. The ONLY issue is that I can see the port through my shirt. No one else seems to notice but my flat stomach and abs (I workout a lot) make the port stick out slightly. A good surgeon has probably worked on bariatric patients in the past and can work around. Next month I am having my final surgery. Lower body lift. I’ve had boobs, tt, a lot of lipo and now this. All worth it of course. Let me know if I can help further. Congrats on your success. -
I'm not a doctor or pharmacist, but generally, the sleeve doesn't promote any particular issues with medications. The malabsorbing procedures like the RNY or DS can have issues with extended release meds depending upon the XL mechanism used, and the RNY can have issues with some meds known to promote stomach upset. Check with your bariatric surgeon or a pharmacist to make sure. el
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I didn't do a manual setting. I just put in my basic info and activity level. It won't make a difference. Anything under 1000 calories is still going to give you a warning when you close your diary for the day because there is no setting for bariatric diets. I'm on and accept friends as long as they share their diaries. My username is Milaxx if you want to add me.
