Holistic Doctor with a Change of Heart: Need Gastric Surgery to Improve Health Conditions

[DrAshmonServices 4]

HELP! As a Naturopathic & Holistic Doctor, this APP has been informative and inspirational.

In the past, I have been totally against invasive/gastric surgery.

My Story: My PCP and Nutritionist informs me a month ago that I am in severe need of a gastric method; due to my personal medical conditions, such as: severe weight gain from 180 to 337, severe back problems with L5, S1, C2/3 neck, SI Joints, pre-diabetic, elevated cholesterol & severe hypertension.

Interesting, I am an author and my motto have always been centered on "Living a Holistic and Healthier Lifestyle"! I often thought as a Military Brat, Military Officer, Holistic Doctor, Professor of Biology, Medicsl Terminology, Body Physics & Anatomy, not to mention, I facilitate holistic seminars, eat proper nutrition, eat on a saucer (I do not eat beef or pork, i am not an overeater) and i drink holistically!

Really?? Me, yes! I often thought to myself, how did I fall in this category? I fell in this category because it can happen to ANYONE!!!

Another reason, I was against these type of procedures are because I have personally assisted several patients/friends/relatives with failed gastric methods. Upon carefully reviewing each case; I noticed, the following:

*Patient 1(Gastric Bypass): Patient had an unsuccessful surgery that was reversed and almost resulted in loss of life, due to poor surgeon & patient practices.

*Patient 2 (Gastric Band): Patient was unsuccessful, due to a lack of proper eating and not ready to make a lifestyle change. This patient became very ill and suffered from band erosion several times and resulted in removal; due to over eating, dietary choices, did not follow dietiary plan and improper regime daily.

In the above mentioned information, I have selected Gastrectomy Sleeve. For years, I followed a plan and excellent dietary choices. It appears that i have not loss much weight, however I did manage to lose 20 lbs. before i made this decision to purse my health further. I have stopped my practice, seminars, writing books, until i can improve my own life!! In leadership, I have always lead by example; so I started DrAshmonGetFit on FB social media to assist others. I know how to lose weight, my issue were the injections (steroids) that casused an extensive weight gain. I have stopped back injections because I could not lose weight; due to steroid injections, lack of mobility (in wheelchair 30% of the time) and exercise regiment.

My PCP and Nutritonist have convinced me to proceed with surgery; due to my high BMI of 53, weight of 337 and other health issues listed above.

Good news, on February 10th, I received a letter from surgeon. It states that I will report to main hospital on March 19th in DE for a meeting with Nutritionist and to watch a video; thereafter a conference is scheduled with surgeon and nurse on the same day for Q & A as well as to select the most appropriate procedure for my health conditions with surgeon.

Therefore, I join this community for support because this process is not my specialty. In addition, I am willing to assist where my education and experience is needed! It is time to take my own life back!!

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Question: - won't going off the steroids and going low carb reverse the weight gain, especially if you already do Portion Control? How long have you been at this high weight? What will you do for the back pain without the steroids?

[FluffyChix 17,409]

Honestly? You need to forget almost "all" you "think" you know about medicine. Which will be a tall order. You need to not rationalize "the kind" of surgery you think you need and really lean on your doc to give you the most effective surgery that will help prevent regain given you steroid use and probably your ass-load (non-medical jargon) of insulin resistance, and go with that. Cuz I do not believe as a lay person hearing your story, that a VSG will be sufficient to put your metabolic issues into remission.

If it were me, and it is...cuz I have degenerative disc disease, bilateral SI joint erosion and bilateral hip bursitis requiring cortisone injections + pre-diabetic Syndrome X + BC (remission) + Asthma with steroid inhalers + HBP + pericardial effusion + a couple of other dandies like GERD, etc, and the very least I would settle for was an RNY and I was tempted to go for DS. I'm not tearin' up the boards with post-surgery weight loss, but it is slow and steady so far and I keep chipping away at the weight very slowly, pound by pound, inch by inch. And that's with eating a very low carb (about 20g net carbs) diet daily.

I wish you the best and welcome to the boards.

[FluffyChix 17,409]

2 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

Question: - won't going off the steroids and going low carb reverse the weight gain, especially if you already do Portion Control? How long have you been at this high weight? What will you do for the back pain without the steroids?

It didn't with me @Sosewsue61, but I've been on and off them since I was 6mos old...the cellular damage and insulin resistance were already well set-up.

Edited March 3, 2018 by FluffyChix

[DrAshmonServices 4]

Question: - won't going off the steroids and going low carb reverse the weight gain, especially if you already do Portion Control? How long have you been at this high weight? What will you do for the back pain without the steroids?

Thank you for your reply. Yes, it can and will... I have been off the steroids for almost a year. I have tried swimming which assisted a little with the few pounds that I have loss, Tens Unit, Chiropractor, & heating pad, etc.

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[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Good - was worried the pain would get the best of you and make it impossible to manage, much less do any weigjt loss program. For me - the VSG has been a good choice but I do not have your medical issues. A main concern with rny gastric surgeries was the malabsorption of key Vitamins and the incidence of ulcers in the stomach portion that is bypassed. My nurse practioner at my PCP has both issues, and the two testimonials at wls group both had B and Iron deficiences. The % difference of overall weight loss between the two is negligible IMO as long as you are compliant to the rules - no drinking during meals and for 30 after, never ever overeat the sleeve capacity, don't graze on slider foods, eat balanced Protein and nutritionally sound carbs.

Good luck.

[DrAshmonServices 4]

@Sosewsue61. Excellent, thank you so much for this wonderful insight!

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[DrAshmonServices 4]

@Fluffychix, you are so correct! I checked my letter because the 1st time that I received it, I took it with us on vacation and I briefly reviewed it. Today, I was double checking the initial appointment date on March 19th. I noticed that my surgeon already approved Gastric Bypass, not the sleeve and he requested tests through my PCP. In fact, the letter stated that I do not have to wait until my initial conference with surgeon and nurse. Wow, this surgical method is giving me great concern...

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