Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Would whoever sent the link for the Beltlipectomy please send it to me at
ynk_reb@…, it was the one with all the pictures I think it was from
down in Iowa, I can’t remember, but I sure would appreciate it.
Let me say how much I enjoy reading everyone’s emails, they are so informative,
I am 6 months out and have lost 93 lbs, but before surgery I had lost 37 so
since July 1st of last year I have lost a total of 130 pounds, it is so amazing.
My dh and I were out the other night and someone made the comment they thought
he had gotten a new wife, I was so proud (smiling). I know it makes my dh
proud.
Wanda

What’s behind our nation’s obesity problem?
56% It’s laziness — get out there and exercise 2,043
24% Fast food is the culprit 883
19% Fat genes are making fat people 698
Total votes: 3,624
I came across this while wandering around on AOL, and it seemed to be typical
of the censure and discriminatory thought process the general public has
towards people who are obese. it is my aim to become a sort of advocate for
understanding obesity, and IMHO, education is the only way out of the hell we
have all suffered because of our size, our weight, our genetic makeup. yes,
noone forced me to eat that extra helping, those cookies, noone made sit on
the couch because it was too painful to get up, but what about my brothers
and sisters all around me who ate the same things, sat on the couch as much,
yet did not gain the weight. are they inherently more “virtuous” than i?
shall we love suzi more than mary because mary has a genetic predisposition
(more…)

I had WLS 6 months ago. My starting weight was 324, and I’m down to
around 210 right now. I’ve been going to the gym 4-5 times a week,
and I’m very pleased that everything seems to be shrinking nicely and
I don’t seem to have much of a problem with hanging skin yet. Even
my stomach, which used to HANG, is shrinking and getting tighter. I
know that ultimately I will have some extra skin, but it doesn’t seem
like it will be an amount that will concern me much. However, I have
noticed one area that doesn’t seem to be losing any weight, and that
is my pubic area. It’s still fat and even sags a little. I don’t
think I would qualify for a tummy tuck, so plastic surgery is out of
the question. Are there any exercises that will help me reduce this
area???

Hi all. Had to put a couple pennies in here. In reading the posts,
I hear a lot of people are being told “can’t you just try
dieting?/eating less/exercising more…” The following is my opinion.
this all boils down to a lack of respect for the obese person. I
have never heard of anyone asking potential adoptive parents “why
don’t you guys just have sex and make your own baby?” Does anyone
ever remind an asthmatic how breathing is such a simple task, it’s
actually an INVOLUNTARY ACTION?? Of course not, that would be such
poor manners/so intrusive/just plain rude!
As a fairly recent post-op, I admit that I am not out of the obese
category yet. When I get a “normal” BMI number, I will not stop
being an advocate for the obese. It’s the last socially acceptable
thing to pick on. It is not acceptable to judge people for their
skin color, sexual preference, hair color, religious beliefs,
nationality and a whole list of other stuff. Almost everywhere in
(more…)

Kim,
You are not stupid! This is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.
Stand proud, you are about to become a member of a very select group of people
who have made a tough and brave decision to do what is necessary for you to live
a longer, healthier and more satisfying life.
Out of curiosity, what did your husband say? He needs to stand up for you when
his mother is so out of line.
You say she didn’t really want you as a daughter-in-law to begin with. I am
guessing she will not be supportive. I would definitely not allow her to visit
while you are in the hospital. She does not need to be involved in any part of
your journey to the other side.
Just wait until you start to lose the weight! You can laugh all the way to the
new and thinner you!! Janet
After dark all cats are leopards.

“re-made belly button (they are known to fall off, btw).”
Barbara, what do you mean they fall off? I thought it was an indentation
remade, how does it fall off if it is an inny and not an outy?
I want to know I am having hernia TT repair in a week from Tuesday.
Vicki in IA
VBG 6-97 364/212
RNY 6-29-01 295/191/160?
Hernia Repair and panni 11/19/02

Ronda, I think your goal wt in your signature line is so appropriate.
I am one that is getting caught up in the numbers game, both on the scale
and sizes that it is driving me crazy.
I posted on the Graduate board and Off Track board recently about how
acceptence of my current wt might be what I need to do to stop the insanity.
I have been at my current wt (fluctuating the same 5-7 lbs for 4-6 months)
and even jointed TOPS thinking if I was accountable to someone, the rest of
the wt would come off to “my” goal wt. My body might be happy where it is
at now. And wearing a size 14-16 isn’t too shabby coming from my largest of
32-34 or 4X-5X.
Vicki in IA
VBG 6-97 364/212
RNY 6-29-01 295/191/160?(or where body stops) LOL
Hernia Repair and panni 11/19/02

HeavyWeight Solutions is currently airing on Discovery Health. I was flipping
through channels and found it and they are showing the actual surgery. You see
them sewing/suturing/cutting the intestines and making the pouch and everything.
The surgery is being done by Dr. Champion — I know some of you have had him –
and they interviewed him. David Smith is the patient they are following. I
believe it is an RNY he had done. Dr. Kurian (spelling?) is also shown doing a
lap band on Cindy Levy (again spelling). It is being done lapascopically. It is
interesting — they say you can beat the band by blenderizing, eating frequently
or having a milkshake. IF you tune in NOW you can see the lap band being placed.
Discovery Health is the channel. I am sure they will reair it because they often
do.
Denise Rasley
mailto: drasley@…
BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98

Dr. Kushner was talking to Headline News at approximately 1:08pm EST. The
anchor(Cat Carney) referred to it as drastic surgery for adults so why should
teens have it? The segment was on teens having obesity surgery.
The teen criteria according to Dr. Kushner has not been determined. For a child
it is hard to tell because it is a moving target — if they are in the 95th
percentile or above they are considered obese. As the population gets heavier,
obese teens get heavier. So you have to look at maturity level and activity and
such to determine which teens should have surgery — it averages out to those
70-100 pounds overweight minimally according to Kushner.
She (Cat Carney) asked if surgery was a magic bullet? Kushner says no it is the
HARDEST treatment one can undergo. It changes what you can eat, how much you can
eat and how you eat. It is fundamental and lifelong treatment. One procedure on
the market (lapband) that is reversible. Others are all permanent. Family
support is critically important for teens that have this surgery according to
Kushner. Someone who is alone and has no support will not do well.
(more…)

I am just 6 days out of surgery and doing ok. I had surgery on
Tuesday….open rny….and came home on Friday. I have been in my
recliner the whole time(except to get up to go to bathroom and just
move around). I am thankful that I bought it. So far I have had
plenty of help with kids, house, and personal care, I was trying too
hard to be a perfect patient yesterday and ended up more tired and
uncomfortable. I tried to get in all the recomended food and drink
rather than let my body decide what it needs,
Today I feel a little stronger and I think I will try to shower
again. I had a shower on Friday before I went home.
As far as pain goes….so far I have stuck to the roxicodine every 3
to 4 hours around the clock. Today I am going to try childrens liquid
tylenol. I am tired of being tired!!!! I want to be more alert.
I did sneak on the scale this morning and found that I lost 4 1/2
lbs. Not much but it has ONLY been 6 days. I think that once I have a
(more…)