Obesity Surgery WP Blog

I wrote about a week ago saying I’d been denied for life insurance,
four months after my open RNY, with the stated reason being “bariatric
surgery.” We met with the agent last night, who said he called the
insurance co. and found out that they deny people for the first six
months following *many* surgeries, including C-sections. They want me
to re-apply in January, when I’ll be 7 months out. It will be
interesting to see if I get approved then, and if so, whether there
are any surcharges. At that point I’ll hopefully be overweight but
not morbidly obese.
At least the story is better than my original assumptions.
Celia

I went to my pcp yesterday to beg for a referral to a surgeon, he
implied this surgery was a quick fix or “the easy way out” but he did
give me my referral. he proceeded to tell me his problems with weight
gain over the years (12 whoppin pounds in 20 years) but he does “the
zone” now and is nice and healthy…good for him=)~ like 12 lbs gives
him any perspective! Oh well I got my referral and can hopefully get
on my way! Good luck to everyone out there, I love reading your
stories and profiles they are so encouraging!
Thanks apryl

Hello my name is Shelly. I am waiting for my surgery. Nov12. I am
very nervous and anxious. I would love as many tips as possible. I
am in the houston area. I would also love to hear from ppl in the
houston or texas area ..

I have a date, Nov. 22, 2002. Thanks to all of you who have been
there so far for me and please stick around, I know I’m going to need
you more than ever now!!!!

I don’t know if I should have a proximal or distal RNY. There is no
real standard of what distal truly is. I think it’s when more than 5
feet of the intestine is bypassed. My BMI is 61 and I weigh 358 lbs.
Dr. Betcher of Fresno, CA recommends distal, but I’ve read over and
over about MORE FREQUENT BM’S & GAS AND THAT THE ODOR IS AWFUL. I’VE
ALSO READ AWFUL STORIES ABOUT DIARRHEA!! I’m scared to death of this
and I don’t know if I want to live with that if it happens. I’d
rather be a bit heavy. What’s your experience??? Thanks, Nancy

I had my RNY on 8/19/02 and to date (almost 2 months) I have lost 45lbs. I
am ecstatic about this weight loss and feel I’m on my way. I have been
following the 4 rules (no snacking, drinking water, eating protein and
exercising) explicitely. It has been over 10 days and I have not lost an ounce.
I understand this happens after you’ve lost the majority of your weight, but
only 2months out?
I need to hear from those who this has happened to and what they did to kick
start it again.
Thanks!
Cynthia

Original message
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My question is this. Each day I read the digest and see messages about
vitamins, protein drinks, shots, surgical complications and other related
subjects. I am finding this depressing rather than motivating. Will I ever
be eating fruit, vegetables, fish and chicken and other things that I always
thought were what thin people ate? Will I still desire those foods that got
me this way in the first place……… ice cream, cake, hot dogs, pizza,
chocolate, ad infinitum. ?? I know about dumping, but I also know that it
does not happen to everyone.
Please share your insight. At 52 I do not want to spend the rest of my life
unhappier than I am today.
Thanks.
Ricki
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Suzanne, Who is the author of the book “Feeling Good” that you mentioned in
your e-mail to Alicia. Thanks! Sandra
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
it’s David D. Burns
suggest that you go to www.bn.com
or www.amazon.com
or even www.half.com
Good times!

Hi all,
I just wanted to write and thank all of you who responded to my post.
There were so many of you that were kind to me.
I sometimes sit and wonder where my life is going to take me, and not
knowing anyone here in this town I sometimes post on OSSG.
I’m grateful everyday for this surgery, but as I said I do get
lonely. I was married for 14 years. I got divorced right after my
surgery and moved away over 3 years ago. It is hard for me to be “out
there” (i.e. workng, dating, etc.) as I am disabled (neurological
disease-pseudotuor cerebri), I can walk and talk and interact with
others, you can’t see it from looking at me. I just miss sharing alot
of the great milestones since I’ve lost the weight, etc. with someone.
I’m sure alot of you can understand this.
I have my ups and downs just like everyone else does, I am not
depressed. In fact before I was diagnosed, antidepressants were
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I’m having a lap RNY next week (YEAH!!!). I also have arthritis in
both knees, hip and back (thanks to family genes and my long term
weight). Bextra controlled the arthritis pain really well.
Unfortunately, I’m off the Bextra since 10/1 due to upcoming
surgery. My knees are killing me!!!
I’ve been reading that some MD’s ok celebrex. I checked w/ my
rheumatologist who tells me that bextra is the same medicine as
celebrex. BUT, I’ve also seen lists of post-op meds to avoid and
both bextra and celebrex are on them.
So, my question: Is it possible to take either Bextra or Celebrex
post op, if precautions against stomach irritation are taken (eg take
a prevacid with the anti-inflamatory)? I’m not taking anything for a
while, but I would like to get back on the Bextra just to be able to
get up and down the stairs!
Any ideas?
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