Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hi,
Most NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
like ibuprofen and aspirin are hard on the stomach…
I’ve been told they can cause damage to your innards
if you take them the way you did before WLS. And face
it, you really don’t want to have MORE surgery in your
future if you can avoid it. So we’re told to take
Tylenol–which just doesn’t cut it for some of us.
My doctor lets me take ibuprofen occasionally if I eat
something with it. The combination of ibuprofen and
Tylenol works great if you’re in a lot of pain, by the
way, but don’t mix NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin plus
ibuprofen). I read that all of these drugs, including
Tylenol, are absorbed inefficiently if you’ve had an
RNY, but I haven’t noticed any difference, personally.
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Tressa, When I had the VBG done I had to take some form of laxative the
night before, can’t remember the name. But, when I had RNY I did NOT have
to take anything to cleanse the bowels. Gas pains afterwards for either
surgery were terrible for me. But they were when I had my c-sections also.
Vicki
VBG 6-97 364/212
RNY 6-29-01 295/196/160

Denise.
I am always the one to remind you when you are being less than understanding
but I did want to thank you for your very long listing of what to expect. I
printed it out weeks before my surgery and considered it a valuable tool. I
had surgery 4/26 and am still taking it one day, one meal at a time. My
energy is way down. I read somewhere that not drinking enough can cause
‘tiredness’ , do you know anything about this. My sister is having the
surgery in the Mass. are and I have given her your ‘booklet’ to read. Thanks
again
Stacey
by the way at 1 month I am down 31.5 ounds.
I am not ready to list the ‘gains’ yet!!!! I am not feeling well enough.

Thanks to all who e-mailed me. I feel better about this now. You guys
are great!
Tressa

Hi everyone! I am now 22 days post-op, and I am having some weird
abdominal pain. I had lap rny and the pain is between the two
incisions on the left side. It hurts especially when I cough. But it
hurts always regardless. I am not sure if I am still in the healing
process or I have gotten a hernia. I have had to do lifting because
I have a 2 year old that ways 25 lbs. When I push on the area I can
find a lump. What does anyone think this might be?
Thanks,
Lindsey
297/271/150
[Moderator’s note: This is exactly the sort of situation for which one to call
the doctor!]

“currently a doctor without a place to practice. I am not presuming
to tell people not to do this — you have to make your own decisions
but based on everything I have heard I would NEVER encourage anyone
to have the MGB. If you are thinking about this please do research
and don’t discount what former patients are saying. one of the things
that bothers me is apparently the followup is done via email. Sorry
but followup for this surgery needs to be done in person.”
I had my MGB well over 3 years ago, and prior to having the MGB I
researched for over a year several other WLS …. NON of them had
more than a few month follow up! Even today, MOST WLS doc’s do not
perform long term follow up — they have your primary care doc do it.
Just because Dr. R has taken part of his practice over the
information super highway — people get ticked?! He doesn’t just
have you fill in the blanks with your favorite #’s, most of us who
have had the MGB have our blood work done, and have it sent to his
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You say that several bariatric surgeons speak out against the MGB for several
reasons. True: but they also speak out negatively about other types of weight
loss surgery too. Usually any of the ones that they do not perform!
You claim that Dr. R makes claims that he cannot substantiate. False: he
gives all his reference for where he has gotten in facts but you need to read
the whole article.
You say that the MGB is nothing more then the old style loop bypass and that
it causes cancer, severe malnutrition, and etc. False: there have been no
such studies that have found anything of the sort! It seems you are
misinformed and obviously are not a close follower of the MGB. The truth is
that any WLS can cause cancer and malnutrition.
BCBS of NC will not cover MGB surgery. True: And one of the biggest reasons
they will not cover the MGB is because ONE, there currently is not a medical
“code number” specifically for the MGB, only for the RNY which is the most
popular surgery today. TWO, with Dr. R performing the MGB in NC, there is a
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hello everyone. this is Patricia in Michigan. I had surgery 6-26-01
and to date have lost 120 pounds. I feel GREAT! Having surgery is
the best thing I could have done for myself. Now for my
question…Have any of you been pregnant so soon after surgery? I
found out today that I am. What a shocker!!
Thanks in advance,
Patricia

Hi, I would like to know if anyone has been able to get pregnant after the
surgery that is around the age of 45 or older. I have not been able to get
pregnant since I got married 9 years ago. I am looking for some hope.
Sharie

Hi everyone, today I just sent in all the test that my Dr required before my
first appointment. I will be having the surgery at Duke University & Dr. Grant
will be doing the surgery. I would love to hear from other people that have gone
to Dr. Grant. I am 45, type II diabetic on 4 oral medications and have high
tryglicirides. I have worked out hard since this past Oct. and just can not
shake the fat on my stomach! I was swimming a mile 3 times a week took a water
aerobics class for 45 minutes right after my swim & did cardio & weights 2 days
a week, with little results. Anyway, I am looking forward to the surgery in
Sept.. or Oct & will continue to work out at least 3 days a week. I weigh 280
lbs.
I am soooooooooo excited,
Sharie from North Carolina