Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hi;
I understand the reason they would like us to lose some weight before surgery is
to a) make it easier on the body to withstand the surgery, and b) make it easier
on us to get moving after surgery. It makes sense to me. (not that I’ve lost a
lb yet). I know that when I start walking for just a couple of days, and/or
lose just 5lbs… feel so much better. Thanks for bringing this up. I need to
work on it.
Kim, Age 43, Height 5′ 2′, BMI 43
Approved for Surgery in March or April
Group Health Cooperative, Seattle

Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven’t posted or been following the post for some time.
Let me get you up to date with my surgery - I had a lap RNY done 09-
24-01 has lost so far 65+ pounds and 26+ inches. I only weigh and
measure myself once a month - don’t like to keep getting on the
scales everyday and comparing my weight loose with others. My problem
is that I am losing my hair like mad - every time I wash it - there
seems to be another good amount that has come out. This is a lot more
that I am use to. And my hair is also dull and now appears to be
oilier than it use to be. Is this normal and how long does this last?
I have been taken all the vitamins and minerals that were recommended
by the surgeon - so is there anything that you all can recommend?? I
would love to hear from you.
Thank you all in advance.
Mimi

On the recommendation of a few of the members of this group I
purchased the book Preventing Childhood Eating Problems. I have
started reading it…still reading through the program.
I have a question for those of you that have read the book and
started the program with your children…Did it seem scary to you at
first? I am afraid of the food choices my children will choose on
their own…also does it work?
Both my husband and I are post-op Open RNYer’s. My children (7,5,
and 1 1/2) are genetically doomed from both sides. I am very
concerned about eating problems with them. I would like to prevent
them before they get them.
Any insight on the book is appreciated.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Open RNY 9/6/01
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Hi there group. I’ve been a silent observer for some time now. I am going
to be having on open RNY on Jan 30th. I’m wondering if there is anything
that I can do pre-op or post-op to minimize the scarring from the incision.
My sister had the same procedure done 2 ½ years ago and her scar is pretty
bad. I’m obviously willing to live with a scar (I’m having the procedure
aren’t I?) but if there is something that I can do to minimize it…I want
to do that. Also, any suggestions on what I should take with me to the
hospital, or tips on being prepared for my post-op time at home?
Thanks to all of you for your help,
Jodi
28yrs
5′4″ / 245lbs

I was asked to write and explain to the group for the newbies what the
legislation is. The legislation is introduced in the Ohio senate and is
called Senate Bill 162. It is a bill that would mandate COVERAGE of surgery
for those who qualify according to NIH guidelines. Patterned after
Maryland’s bill (which went into effect October 1, 2001), the Ohio bill is
currently in committee. It was introduced by Bob Hagan, Tim Ryan and Daniel
Brady. The committee chair does not seem to want to let it get out of
committee. His name is Lynn Wachtmann. We need to put pressure on his
office — basically let his office know how much this bill means — in order
to get testimony heard. It is taking a while but I am hoping it will come
together. Thanks everyone who said they would call. If you want to call
Senator Wachtmann’s office HIS NUMBER is 614-466-8150. Thanks! Together we
can make a difference!
Denise Rasley
mailto:drasley@…
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We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.
Debbie Gower’s Surgery
Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2002
Time: All Day
WIll undergo a Lap RNY at North Colorado Medical Center in
Greeley, CO. Phone number is (970) 352-4121. Please keep me in
your thoughts and prayers

Hello,
John my husband had surgury on the 7th of Jan. It was
the Roux en Y. He went in today and had the staples
removed. Surprisingly he said he felt no pain. :O)
He was 557 and now he is at 517. We are all thrilled
including his Doctor. He has been told it is okay to
eat soft foods, textures like mashed potatoes etc and
he can start trying solid foods. I made him some fish
and other than giving him too much it went real well.
He is doing real well so far. Today he was up most of
the day and hopes to go back to work next week. John
loves Mexican food, when will he be able to start
eating it again? In small amounts of course with
caution to the fat. He was told not to eat bread
unless toasted, how would buritos or taco shells be?
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“KikiJae” <kikijae@…
Dear KiKi - Yes, you will die. One day. But, it won’t be from this surgery. I
have no idea if you are doing the right thing. Only you know the answer to that
and only you CAN answer that. I also have no idea if you will be sucessful. I
can offer this to you: Are you ready and willing to make this PERMENANT
LIFESTYLE CHANGE? If yes, then most probabily yes. If no,….
My name is Glenn and I had the open RNY on August 20, 2001. I have lost almost
105 pounds and I feel great. I am suvccessful because I work with the greatest
practice (in my opinion) in the country. It is the Vascular Disease Institute
and Obesity Surgery Center in Gainesville, Georgia. They have a website I
suggest to you (www.vdos.org) and I love them because we work hard on the
long-term to this change which is the mind and mental focus for success. The
surgery itself is but a tool, not unlike a hammer or tape measure. However, the
surgery is only a tool which can be used improperly and broken if mis-treated.
The key to long term sucess id to understand how many of us got morbidly obease
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“tracie7171″ <wagnertl@…
Dear Tracie - My name is Glenn and I had the open RNY on August 20, 2001. I
have lost almost 105 pounds and I feel great.
Pain is a relative thing. I am not sure how it is measured or that it truely
can be. It is alot like asking a chef “is this dish spicy?” What might be mild
pain to you could be terrible pain to another. I can’t answer your question,
but I can tell you the facts of my case. I had surgery at 2:00 in the afternoon
on Monday August, 20. I was in the recovery room by 4:00 and in my hospital
room by 6:00 pm. I took a very short walk that night around 11:00 pm, had my GI
test done the next day, took two walks that tuesday that were a little longer
each time, and was discharged to come home on Wednesday afternoon. I was a very
good patient because I OBEYED MY DOCTOR AND HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER!! He
said do and I did regardless of wether I “liked” the taste of something or not.
I “gagged” down the medicines I was told to take and TOOK what my doctor told me
to take.
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Hi, Melissa, I also had a pain that sounds similar to what you are
describing….My doctor told me that it was the stitches pulling.
Apparently, even though he uses the kind of stitches that dissolve, there are
plastic stitches at the ends of the incision that do not dissolve….and
these can pull at times. Please do not go by this, though, and do talk to
your doctor. Good luck.
marilyn