Anyone experienced surgical postponement for medical issues?

[ThinkBoxGirl57 1]

I am very sad and depressed right now.. half way through the six-month pre-bariatric program at my hospital, I finally met with the surgeon a month ago. He determined : 1) because I was still living on Prednisone for my Myasthenia Gravis, and had had surgical complications 4 years ago after an automobile accident left me with a perforated colon; and 2). a knee injury which left me in a wheelchair for 3 months this spring created DVT blood clots- that I was not a candidate for elective surgery at this time. I cried for days afterward. In my car, in the grocery store, in my art studio. I could not stop crying. I live with a rare neuro-muscular disease, and finally had to be placed on high dose steroids for it (100 mg/day) 19 years ago. Or should I say, 140 lbs ago? Steroids down to 10 mg/day now with IVIG infusions every 4 weeks. Evidently IV immunoglobin doesn’t effect surgical healing the way that Prednisone does. Dr. pointed out that even if I had been otherwise healthy, the DVTs alone would have postponed the surgery by 10-12 months. We made a loose date for reevaluation in June 2019, if my neurologist can get me off of the steroids completely six months prior by increasing the frequency of the IVIG doses. I was looking into this surgery 4 years ago right before the bus accident, and the possibility of finally having it got me through the multiple horrific resection surgeries. I am still eligible for the sleeve gastrectomy, but know that it will take fortitude to stick with the ‘non-surgical weight loss program’, rehab and exercising and prednisone tapering until my reevaluation in the Spring. It just feels like a dream slipping away, and I am having trouble staying motivated with my program. Has anyone else experienced surgical postponements for underlying medical conditions? Very much looking for motivation advice. Thank you.

Edited September 10, 2018 by ThinkBoxGirl57

[Matt Z 4,140]

1 hour ago, ThinkBoxGirl57 said:

I am very sad and depressed right now.. half way through the six-month pre-bariatric program at my hospital, I finally met with the surgeon a month ago. He determined : 1) because I was still living on Prednisone for my Myasthenia Gravis, and had had surgical complications 4 years ago after an automobile accident left me with a perforated colon; and 2). a knee injury which left me in a wheelchair for 3 months this spring created DVT blood clots- that I was not a candidate for elective surgery at this time. I cried for days afterward. In my car, in the grocery store, in my art studio. I could not stop crying. I live with a rare neuro-muscular disease, and finally had to be placed on high dose steroids for it (100 mg/day) 19 years ago. Or should I say, 140 lbs ago? Steroids down to 10 mg/day now with IVIG infusions every 4 weeks. Evidently IV immunoglobin doesn’t effect surgical healing the way that Prednisone does. Dr. pointed out that even if I had been otherwise healthy, the DVTs alone would have postponed the surgery by 10-12 months. We made a loose date for reevaluation in June 2019, if my neurologist can get me off of the steroids completely six months prior by increasing the frequency of the IVIG doses. I was looking into this surgery 4 years ago right before the bus accident, and the possibility of finally having it got me through the multiple horrific resection surgeries. I am still eligible for the sleeve gastrectomy, but know that it will take fortitude to stick with the ‘non-surgical weight loss program’, rehab and exercising and prednisone tapering until my reevaluation in the Spring. It just feels like a dream slipping away, and I am having trouble staying motivated with my program. Has anyone else experienced surgical postponements for underlying medical conditions? Very much looking for motivation advice. Thank you.

That sucks, but at least you've got a light at the end of that tunnel. My mother was denied outright because of an esophageal issue she has, she's unable to have *ANY* WLS at all because of it.

[jjenclarke 10]

So sorry to hear this. As I know how you feel I had gone through nearly two years of test and finally I was going to get my sleeve a few weeks before surgery I was diagnosed with heart failure and my surgery was cancel I cry for weeks. Although I was so lucky it was found before my surgery. All together it took five years .but I am now the proud owner of a smaller stomach. I had my surgery 13 June 2018. The most important lesson is to be in a healthy place in body. To lessen complications Hang in there and get as much support as possible. Use the time to get well enough as surgery is still on the cards

[megolego 69]

On ‎9‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 7:02 AM, ThinkBoxGirl57 said:

I am very sad and depressed right now.. half way through the six-month pre-bariatric program at my hospital, I finally met with the surgeon a month ago. He determined : 1) because I was still living on Prednisone for my Myasthenia Gravis, and had had surgical complications 4 years ago after an automobile accident left me with a perforated colon; and 2). a knee injury which left me in a wheelchair for 3 months this spring created DVT blood clots- that I was not a candidate for elective surgery at this time. I cried for days afterward. In my car, in the grocery store, in my art studio. I could not stop crying. I live with a rare neuro-muscular disease, and finally had to be placed on high dose steroids for it (100 mg/day) 19 years ago. Or should I say, 140 lbs ago? Steroids down to 10 mg/day now with IVIG infusions every 4 weeks. Evidently IV immunoglobin doesn’t effect surgical healing the way that Prednisone does. Dr. pointed out that even if I had been otherwise healthy, the DVTs alone would have postponed the surgery by 10-12 months. We made a loose date for reevaluation in June 2019, if my neurologist can get me off of the steroids completely six months prior by increasing the frequency of the IVIG doses. I was looking into this surgery 4 years ago right before the bus accident, and the possibility of finally having it got me through the multiple horrific resection surgeries. I am still eligible for the sleeve gastrectomy, but know that it will take fortitude to stick with the ‘non-surgical weight loss program’, rehab and exercising and prednisone tapering until my reevaluation in the Spring. It just feels like a dream slipping away, and I am having trouble staying motivated with my program. Has anyone else experienced surgical postponements for underlying medical conditions? Very much looking for motivation advice. Thank you.

I'm sorry, that stinks! My whole "approval process" was delayed because my pulmonologist wanted me to do a sleep study which wound up showing that I have sleep apnea which delayed everything for about 6 months. I did all I needed to do with my CPAP and she then finally made a recommendation for me to have the surgery. I was very discouraged during this whole process (it took me over a year) but I had good support from coworkers that have had the gastric sleeve and they just reminded me that the process is a marathon and their advice and support helped me. I just joined these forums last week and have found them to be helpful and supportive as well so if you are ever having a bad day come one here and look at some past posts or ask some questions that can help you prepare for next year. Good luck