Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hi Dolly,
I just did this a few weeks ago. My insurance company or surgeon, I’m not sure
which, requires a psych eval, too. Having never talked to a psychologist or
psychiatrist before, I was a little nervous about it. The psychologist asked me
a
few questions like, how long have you been overweight ( all my life ), have you
ever
been treated for depression or an anxiety disorder, has anyone in your family
committed suicide, and have you given a lot of thought to this surgery. Then he
put
me in a room alone with a psychological test. It was like the old year end
achievement tests at school. Fill in the little circle with a number 2 pencil.
My
choices were False, Somewhat True, Mostly True, and True. The questions, for
the
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Okay ladies I have my 2 week check up tomorrow with Dr. Goldberg,
and need to ask: What did you do about your bra? My incision is so
high into breast area, I know that my bra will cut into the
staples. What did you do? Please let me know.
Lisa A. (WHMC)

Hi everyone, I have been doing research for the past couple of months
on surgery and I have decided to go ahead with it. My appt. for
consultation is in May and I am really nervous. I’ve been readig
different sites and posts from people who have done it already and
have lost a significant amount of weight. Now my question and my
fear is of the extra loose skin. No one speaks of what to do or what
they have done about this. I don’t want to finally lose weight then
gain another problem of sagging skin. I attribute this to someone
I’ve seen who had folds of skin falling over each other on her legs,
I was sick to my stomach. Please help with suggestions, I don’t want
this to be another reason for me to stay fat…What would I do to
prevent, tighten or remove the extra skin? Would your skin tighten
back as you lose weight? Please help.
Thank You

Gail,
When I was first out from surgery I almost had to explain because my eating
habits where so different from others… but now I can eat pretty much
anything I want and I don’t talk about it right off the bat anymore. When it
comes up in a natural conversation…then I will tell people. That goes for
dates and just the average person I meet.
Sandra in California

Hi All,
I just thought I would share my good news. I am now 101lbs lighter then
I was in July. I just bought a pair of size 12 jeans, the zip up kind and I
look pretty good in them!! My life has change dramatically. I work out
Monday through Friday and I have energy to spare. I can run along with my
kids, I can wrestle on the floor and I can interact with my children the way
I want.
One of the most important things that have happened is my self
confidence. I can walk into any restaurant or any party and feel good about
me and how I look. I know no one is looking at me because I am big. I
feel good and it shows in everything I do.
This surgery has done wonders for me. Oh yes I still battle the food
demons, But I shall prevail, I am determined!! It is a tool and you still
need self control and will power, but it is so much easier and the results
are amazing.
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I knew that the first month you lose a lot but I was not a super mo
and thought I’d not experience it. Lost 29 pounds in one month and
find it very frightening. To compound it all my husband (of 24 years
and very best friend) died suddenly 16 days after the operation so
I’m totally lost emotionally. I’m forcing myself to eat and the
doctor asures me it will slow down but the sky fell in on me and I
keep looking for the next thing.
If those of you out there who felt this fear of losing too fast could
respond I sure would appreciate it.
Cat
RNY 2/5/02
Clark, Alvarado
start 222
end ?

Come March 20th I will have lost 205 to 208 pounds. This has been a
good yr.
At first, the first 5 months was pure hell. 12 days in the hopsital,
then 2 months later another 6 days. For 3 months a home care nurse
stopped by every day.
But all in all its been good. Had to share this….
Duke
447
Mar. 20th 2001
245 today
NO MORE PAIN PILLS

Hi all,
Just want to say a BIG “THANK YOU!” to all of you who shared with me
the rules for RYN diets. I really appreciate the help!! It’s amazing
how some of these surgeons are excellent surgeons and do the
operation well, but have such poor follow-up. The information they
don’t give us is the most important part of the proceedure.
Again, thanks to all who offered their help. It truly is appreciated.
Thanks,
Cindy

Denise
What about a surgeon that promised to stick with you forever but at my 2 yr
check-up says “I guess I will cut you loose” — I hadn’t even reached my
goal weight..He is swamped with patients but I really felt sad and
abandoned —I am in the process of finding a good PCP who will take an
interest. I thought the surgeons were interested in long term follow-up for
statistics- ya know?
Sylvia
Open RNY
10-20-99

Dumping: Intense nausea, profuse sweating, heart palpatations, incredible
fatigue (needing to lie down for awhile)… later, vomiting and/or diarrhea
(not always, though). Lasts 30-60 minutes and then miraculously disappears
and you feel perfectly fine again. Dumping happens from the body trying to
dilute the sugar/fat that you ingested… the body throws all extra water
into the intestines, draining your body of fluid in other body organs
(simple explanation, not real technical, sorry).
I do not dump from sugar, only fat (butter and cream) and it reminds me to
eat properly… no more Alfredo Sauce for this chica! Dumping is a really
sucky sensation and I have dumped GOOD more than once.
I had my stoma into my pouch close 8 months out (no apparent reason could be
found) and I vomited every 30-45 minutes for 24 hours before calling the
surgeon. I went to the ER and was scoped 6 hours later (they had to get the
doc in there to do it). I couldn’t swallow and keep *anything* down,
including saliva. After vomiting, I felt fine for about 30 minutes, then
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