Hi VerticalSleeveTalk community! My name is Bernie and I am a surgical technology student. I have to write a paper on pre and post operative surgery experiences with information obtained from a blog. Would anyone be willing to help me out by answering a few questions? I would greatly appreciate it!

Hi Bernie, I don't mind helping out. I had the Lap Band in 2005 and then had a revision to the Gastric Sleeve last month. You can email me if you'd like @ kekerene@hotmail.com, just put your name in the subject line so I don't delete it thinking it's junk mail.

Hi VerticalSleeveTalk community! My name is Bernie and I am a surgical technology student. I have to write a paper on pre and post operative surgery experiences with information obtained from a blog. Would anyone be willing to help me out by answering a few questions? I would greatly appreciate it!

Hi Bernie, I don't mind helping out. I had the Lap Band in 2005 and then had a revision to the Gastric Sleeve last month. You can email me if you'd like @ kekerene@hotmail.com, just put your name in the subject line so I don't delete it thinking it's junk mail.

Thank you so much Kekerene! I wish I could do this via email but we have to use the blog and then print it out. Would this be ok?

Thank you so much Kekerene! I wish I could do this via email but we have to use the blog and then print it out. Would this be ok?

Hi bernie Im a pre op, what would you like to know?

I'm also willing to help out if you still need someone.

i would love to answer any questions you may have!!

I am 11 weeks out this past monday and love my sleeve. inbox me or ask your questions here. you will get responses!

Kelly

Wow, thank you everyone! Tell you what, I will post the questions and would appreciate anyone who responds.

You can be vague or general, or a combination of both. You can answer each individual question or put in paragraph form – I'm fine either way - I don't want to take too much of your time. Thank you again!

1. What type of surgery did you have?
2. What was the reason you had the surgery/
3. What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?
4. How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?
5. Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?
6. What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/
7. Were there any preoperative instructions?
8. Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?
9. What was the outcome of the surgery?
10. Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?
11. Were there any post operative complications/
12. Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?

• What type of surgery did you have? I will be having the sleeve on this friday.
• What was the reason you had the surgery/ I am having due to health reasons. I am 33 with 3 active kids and I want to be more in their lives. I have family history of type 2 diabeties. I currently have high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery? do not have one at this time because I am pre op the pre op liquid diet sucks!!
• How long were you suffering from the chief complaint? the diet is 5 days pre op
• Was the surgery elective or medically necessary? Medically necessary Full Paid From Cigna Insurance
• What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/ BMI, Ekg, chest xray , blood work up
• Were there any preoperative instructions? pre op diet
• Were there any preoperative issues or complaints? pre op diet
• What was the outcome of the surgery? hopefully a weight loss of 80lbs plus current weight 230
• Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op? 6 days for drain removal, 1 mth , 3mths 6mths, 1yr, 11/2 yr
• Were there any post operative complications/ hope not
• Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place? look above

• What type of surgery did you have?
• I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and a Hiatal Hernia repair
• What was the reason you had the surgery/
• Obesity
• What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?
• Obesity
• How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?
• All my life, but particularly the last 15 years excess weight was more difficult to lose with diet and exercise
• Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?
• Elective
• What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/
• Blood chemistries, urinalysis, EKG, chest X-ray
• Were there any preoperative instructions?
• No food/drink after 10 pm
• Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?
• No
• What was the outcome of the surgery?
• Weight loss of more than 62 lbs in six months
• Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?
• Post op labs were done at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months by PCP, not surgeon
• Were there any post operative complications/
• None
• Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?
• Labs every three months until month 12; then yearly if everything is okay.

• What type of surgery did you have? I will be having vsg on 9-22-11
• What was the reason you had the surgery/ I will be having the surgery because Im obese.
• What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery? n/a , however, I fear death of surgery, and a staple coming loose and damaging another organ.
• How long were you suffering from the chief complaint? n/a
• Was the surgery elective or medically necessary? This surgery is elective. In fact, I don't qualify for insurance to pay (bmi is too low and I haven't other medical issues due to weight yet), so I am paying for the surgery.
• What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/ None
• Were there any preoperative instructions? Yes, lacitive 3 days prior, and a 3 day liquid diet. 12 hours before surgery, zero to drink or eat.
• Were there any preoperative issues or complaints? no
• What was the outcome of the surgery? tbd
• Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op? n/a
• Were there any post operative complications/ n/a, I do expect there to be some complications. I have Chron's and I think the pain from the surgery may trigger it.
• Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place? n/a

I hope I was of some help.

Wow, thank you everyone! Tell you what, I will post the questions and would appreciate anyone who responds.

You can be vague or general, or a combination of both. You can answer each individual question or put in paragraph form – I'm fine either way - I don't want to take too much of your time. Thank you again!

1. What type of surgery did you have?
2. What was the reason you had the surgery/
3. What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?
4. How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?
5. Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?
6. What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/
7. Were there any preoperative instructions?
8. Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?
9. What was the outcome of the surgery?
10. Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?
11. Were there any post operative complications/
12. Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?

1. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

2. Obesity

3. Obesity had lead to uncontrolled diabetes, (I was taking almost 400 units of insulin a day)

4. I have been overweight almost 30 years but the last 10 years it was causing a lot of co-morbidities

5. It was an elective surgery, but the insurance paid for it as it was considered medically necessary.

6. 6 months of a doctor supervised diet, cardiac workup, nutrition consult, psychiatric eval and some basic bloodwork.

7. 10 days of a liquid diet before surgery, bowel cleansing night before surgery

8. No preoperative issues thank goodness

9. I am only 4 days post-op, but with the 10 day liquid diet and my post surgical result I have lost 35 pounds

10. My first post-op visit will be tomorrow at 5 days.

11. The only post op "complication" was almost two solid days of hiccups. Thankfully it has been almost 24 hours without them. They were very painful. If I hadn't had them I would not have needed any pain meds.

12. My surgeon requires 5 years of support group attendance and office follow up.

Wow, thank you everyone! Tell you what, I will post the questions and would appreciate anyone who responds.

You can be vague or general, or a combination of both. You can answer each individual question or put in paragraph form – I'm fine either way - I don't want to take too much of your time. Thank you again!

1. What type of surgery did you have?
2. What was the reason you had the surgery/
3. What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?
4. How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?
5. Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?
6. What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/
7. Were there any preoperative instructions?
8. Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?
9. What was the outcome of the surgery?
10. Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?
11. Were there any post operative complications/
12. Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?

Bernie, all good questions but to get the real spectrum of WLS, I think there should be more questions you should be asking. I am sure you will get plenty of answers from the great peope on this forum on your listed questions. I have listed a few below if you want to branch out, just a recommendation.

1. Why so many insurance companies do not cover WLS and our experience with them.

2. Why many people choose to self-pay and go to another country to have the surgery.

3. Why an insurance company will not approve many people that have Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and High BMI, many companies do not consider this medically necessary and would be considered "elective" on your #5 question.

4. Why some view surgery as "an easy way out", which it is not, the surgery is simply a tool.

There are many people on the forum and had the surgery for a lot of different reasons. To lose the weight, of course but to change their lives and for medical reasons.

Good luck on your paper.

Wow, thank you everyone! Tell you what, I will post the questions and would appreciate anyone who responds.

You can be vague or general, or a combination of both. You can answer each individual question or put in paragraph form – I'm fine either way - I don't want to take too much of your time. Thank you again!

1. What type of surgery did you have? Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
2. What was the reason you had the surgery/ To lose weight so I would become healthier and get off some medications.
3. What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery? Diarrhea after surgery
4. How long were you suffering from the chief complaint? About a week.
5. Was the surgery elective or medically necessary? Medically necessary to improve my health.
6. What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/ Blood test (complete blood panel & Vitamin panel), EGD, Gallbladder ultrasound.
7. Were there any preoperative instructions? Follow a liquid diet for 12 days prior to surgery - on 11 days do 4 Protein shakes, plus 6 other food items a day, the day before surgery 100% clear fluids. No bowel prep. Nothing to eat after midnight.
8. Were there any preoperative issues or complaints? Nope.
9. What was the outcome of the surgery? I had surgery 2 weeks ago - so far have lost 16 pounds.
10. Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op? Yes, I have my 2 week followup tomorrow. Then there will also be 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and every year after that.
11. Were there any post operative complications/ Thankfully no. I was really lucky in that I had no pain after surgery and recovered very quickly.
12. Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place? Just what I had answered for #10.

• What type of surgery did you have?

I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

• What was the reason you had the surgery?

Obesity, High blood pressure, diabetes.

• What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?

Obesity, High blood pressure, diabetes.

• How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?

Since about the age of 9. I have lost and regained the same 100lbs 4 times in the last 15 years.

Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?

Elective

• What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery/

Blood chemistries, urinalysis, EKG, Upper Endoscopy, Upper G.I.

• Were there any preoperative instructions?

No food/drink after 10 pm the night before surgery and I was made to lose 25lbs pre-op.

• Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?

No

• What was the outcome of the surgery?

I was sleeved 11 weeks ago and have lost 40lbs and 95lbs overall.

• Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?

Yes. I had first follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, then once a year for life.

• Were there any post operative complications?

None

• Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?

Labs every 6 months.

• What type of surgery did you have?

Vertical Sleeve

• What was the reason you had the surgery?

Excessive weight over long period of time. Could not lose.

• What was your chief complaint that resulted in the surgery?

Too Fat

• How long were you suffering from the chief complaint?

All my life with the exception of a very short time when I lost a great deal of weight. (Short time meaning less than one half of a year)

• Was the surgery elective or medically necessary?

Elective

• What treatments or diagnostic tests were done prior to surgery.

See Listing on my signature. Also add Dismotality of the Esophagus to that list.

• Were there any preoperative instructions?

Yes, I had to lose 30 lbs before my insurance would approve my surgery. I lost 41 lbs before surgery.

• Were there any preoperative issues or complaints?

No complaints or issues.

• What was the outcome of the surgery?

Wonderful. I am eight weeks out today and I couldn't be more pleased.

• Was there a post operative visit? If so, how long post op?

Yes, at two weeks. I also have a three month appointment scheduled.

• Were there any post operative complications/

NONE - Absolutely NO complications. The next day after surgery I was up and going. You would not know I had had any surgery at all. (Note: I am 63 years old with NO medical issues.)

• Was there any additional follow-up that has or will take place?

Yes, The nurse called me six days after my surgery to see how I was doing.

Hope this helps. However, I believe my situation is an unusual situation. I know there are many others who have had some complications etc. I just feel very fortunate to be so healthy and so happy with the outcome.