Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

2nd Opinion Appointment Today



Recommended Posts

Hi:

Nervous today. I am scheduled to meet with a surgeon today. My lap band surgeon (has started doing sleeves 6 months ago) suggested that I meet with this surgeon because he has more experience than the surgeon that did my band.

My hopes are that he thinks I'm a good candidate and that he says that I should have my first surgeon do the surgery because I'm really not much higher risk than other sleeve patients and that I can have the surgery in April. I know it will take a lot of good fortune for these things to happen.

Appointments so far completed 12/20/13 Consult with first (and preferred) surgeon. 2/11/14 - Upper GI (mild gastritis, small hiatal hernia, still had food in stomach after more than 11 hours), 3/1 bariatric emptying study (abnormal - slowly emptying), 3/13 second opinion.

First Lapband 7/26/07, Second Lapband 7/23/10, Erosion and removal 7/30/13, Post-op infection 8/11 and hospitalized 4 more days.

Positive thoughts and good wishes please.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow sue, and I thought my story was bad!!! Well I wish you good luck and I hope that for you that they say that your preferred surgeon can do the surgery for you and soon!!! I am going in for bypass post band on Wednesday!!! I can't wait but I didn't have half as much issues as you did with your band. Good luck!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi: Nervous today. Sue

Hi Sue good luck today

Hope all goes well for u

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Was such a disappointing appointment today. He said he'd only do a bypass, no sleeve. He said it's lower risk than sleeve because of previous erosion. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. Having more discussions with my lapband surgeon who is doing sleeves now too. He's the kindest doctor in the world - Dr. Adam Glasgow.

I'm not saying who I saw at Lahey, but he wasn't very personable. At one point, he went to get the book with pictures about bypass, and he said "I don't usually do the education part of this, my nurses do". Made me feel like I was putting him out. Like his time was too valuable to discuss the bypass with me. Lahey Clinic is too big of a hospital for me. I felt like I was at a cattle call and I was just another one of the cows.

Anyway, just wanted to update for how it went today, but I still don't know what's going to happen. I'm very disappointed right now and wanted to cry all the way back from the hospital.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Was such a disappointing appointment today. He said he'd only do a bypass, no sleeve. He said it's lower risk than sleeve because of previous erosion. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. Having more discussions with my lapband surgeon who is doing sleeves now too. He's the kindest doctor in the world - Dr. Adam Glasgow. I'm not saying who I saw at Lahey, but he wasn't very personable. At one point, he went to get the book with pictures about bypass, and he said "I don't usually do the education part of this, my nurses do". Made me feel like I was putting him out. Like his time was too valuable to discuss the bypass with me. Lahey Clinic is too big of a hospital for me. I felt like I was at a cattle call and I was just another one of the cows. Anyway, just wanted to update for how it went today, but I still don't know what's going to happen. I'm very disappointed right now and wanted to cry all the way back from the hospital. Thanks for the good wishes. Sue

Sue,

Sorry things didn't work out planned, but know that everything happens for a reason! This doctor obviously was for you and you found them I impersonable, which is an important factor. I hope your discussion with you lapband doctor goes better! Wishing you best of luck!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear it didn't go as well as you hoped. It certainly sounds like you have had a tough time with the Band so you must be very glad to have it out. I did not have erosion and I'm no Dr. but I'm not sure that I see why he thinks bypass would be a better choice. I know there are a lot of revision patients here who did have erosion so it would be helpful for you to learn about their experiences. I have 'heard' that many surgeons now are trending towards doing sleeve vs. bypass due to the great success of the sleeve and less invasive surgery. Of course based on my own success I completely agree with that but ask 10 other people and you're likely to get 10 other opinions.

You are in the right place to get more opinions and 'real life' experiences and input. I'm sure you can find people who have been revised from both Lapband and even Sleeve in gastric bypass forums. As we all know no one surgery is foolproof - I know people who have been successful at all of them and also people who have gained back a good amount of weight with all of them. The fact that you had physical complications is the thing I would worry the most about. A Hiatal Hernia is very common - I learned after surgery that I had a small one which they repaired during the my sleeve surgery. Did this surgeon look at the particular spot where the band eroded? I suppose depending on the location that could play into his opinion. What has your preferred surgeon said and, even though he has less experience with the sleeve than others has he consulted with other sleeve experts? That's the sort of thing I would be looking into.

Ultimately you decide but it definitely sounds like whichever way you go it has to be better than your experience with the Band. I wish you all the best!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Was such a disappointing appointment today. He said he'd only do a bypass, no sleeve. He said it's lower risk than sleeve because of previous erosion. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. Having more discussions with my lapband surgeon who is doing sleeves now too. He's the kindest doctor in the world - Dr. Adam Glasgow.

I'm not saying who I saw at Lahey, but he wasn't very personable. At one point, he went to get the book with pictures about bypass, and he said "I don't usually do the education part of this, my nurses do". Made me feel like I was putting him out. Like his time was too valuable to discuss the bypass with me. Lahey Clinic is too big of a hospital for me. I felt like I was at a cattle call and I was just another one of the cows.

Anyway, just wanted to update for how it went today, but I still don't know what's going to happen. I'm very disappointed right now and wanted to cry all the way back from the hospital.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Sue

Sue, don't cry, don't be disappointed you know what I don't feel one surgery is better than the other, but the bypass is still a good option for a surgery. I am having the bypass by choice my doctor was trying to get me to do the sleeve but I don't want that, I want the bypass, because I know my self and I have been following a topic about self sabotage, and I would sabotage myself knowing if I do the sleeve there is still one more surgery to go to, so that is why I chose the last option and I can't do no more after that, so this is it for me, I have to loose the weight, I know it's tough, is there any other doctors around your area that will do the any of the surgeries? I am sorry it didn't go well, but stay strong and weigh your options and when you figure out what YOU want then you stick with it, and if they can't do the sleeve because of some issues, maybe just take that as a sign, and have the bypass? We are all here for you!!! Good Luck!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Update. I'm meeting with my lapband surgeon tomorrow. He is so kind. I really want the sleeve, but it's not looking good for this. He had discussions with four of his peers and they all think that bypass is the surgery for me. They all think that with the erosion and slow emptying stomach my complications with sleeve is too high. I was dropping some big crocodile tears this morning at my desk when he sent me an email with the updated consensus. I'm so afraid that if I have bypass that I'll have bowel issues. Not because I won't follow the rules, but just because of them playing around with the intestines with bypass. I asked my lapband surgeon if he could recommend a medically supervised liquid diet. We've been going back and forth with a lot of emails, but tomorrow morning I'm going to see him in person. I think he's going to try to educate me more about the bypass. I've done some research and I just don't think it's good for me. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anybody have any success losing 50 to 80 pounds with liquid diet and actually kept it off?

I'll keep you posted in the best interest of informing others on the Bariatric Pal boards.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Update. I met with my LapBand Surgeon yesterday. He does sleeves now too. He's such a kind doctor. He spent time discussing my history with four other doctors from around the country. They all agreed that the only surgery I should consider is bypass. Sleeve is too risky for someone who has already had band #1 slip, band #2 eroded, and I have a slow emptying stomach (even though I never feel full). He said there would be too much risk of a leak because the tissue is weakened by the band. There's a lot more pressure in the sleeved stomach than there would be in a bypassed stomach. He then gave me a peptalk about how he knows I can do it if I really set my mind to it. I don't want to disappoint him or my family. So, I've decided that I've got 6 months to lose a substantial amount of weight (I said 50 pounds, and he said I should only think about 25 pounds in 6 months). If I cannot do it, I will seriously consider gastric bypass surgery.

I also met with a bunch of folks that are in my LapBand support group. We have monthly game nights that are really good for the mind and soul. They are very supportive folks.

Between the pep talk from my surgeon, the support I feel from my group, and the desire to look better for my Daughter's wedding, I've decided I CAN DO THIS! I signed up for my fitness pal and logged in food for yesterday, and also did today's. What do you know, I lost 2 pounds overnight. It's amazing what a person can do when they really try.

Can't say I'll be doing much exercise yet because it's still so flippin' cold out and my feet hurt when I walk on a treadmill, so I have to walk outdoors. Tomorrow I'll walk because it's not as cold during the daytime.

Best wishes to all of you. I'll have to stop watching this site for a while because I am still very disappointed that I cannot be sleeved.

Take care.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck sue I hope you the best

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best wishes to you. I cannot be sleeved due to erosion and scarring possibility. My surgeon and 5 others would only recommend bypass for me.

Struggling, but doing the old fashioned thing - diet and exercise. I'm afraid of intestinal issues if I were to have bypass.

Take care.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear that sue, Good luck, hey listen you can do it!!! Just keep your portions down, and exercise your butt off!!! lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×