Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hello does any one know of any doctors taking new patients now
I am asking because my sister is in need of this surgery also and
she seen how it has been working for myself and she wold like to
have it done now.
I have been on a plateau now it has been about a month no change
at all I have been going to curves 5 days a week aquafit 3 times a week
and I do my exercise ball at least 4 times a week for 20-30 min a day
and I seem to be not loosing anymore any one have any suggestions for me
on what I can do to help me start back the weight loss I can be still
loosing
inches I will noon the 26th so I will let you’s know.
Rachel Toal
Doctor Joffe
November 11/2002
-103 LBS
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Hi everyone. I had surgery (Open Proximal RNY) on Jan.28, 2003. I
have FINALLY gotten to my goal on the amount of water I should be
drinking, the amount of protein per day…and the correct amount of
vitamins according to my surgeon. However, I have tried and tried
to take the sublingual B-12 pills. Everytime I try to take them, I
get really sick and lose everything! Other than the B-12
injections, is there any other form of it that I could take? I have
an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday of next week, so I’m
planning to ask him then but thought I’d see if any of you have any
suggestions. I know if I swallow the B-12 pills I have they’ll lose
the sublingual effect, but is that something I can do? I have had
NONE since surgery. It’s the taste, the texture of it as it
dissolves in my mouth…I don’t know. All I know is that I can’t do
it. Any advice?
Thanks in advance,
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Denise, I am bawling as I sit here reading your email, I’ve read it 3 times
and seem to cry harder as I read and reread it. I am so sorry that this has
happened to you, take heart sister it’s happened to a lot of us I’m sure. I
just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone, I feel the same way, I’ll
always be a ‘fat chick’ that 330 lb girl is still who I am, the only thing
that’s changed is my outward appearance and I CANT STAND those people that
want to talk to me now who ignored me before. I’ve had a body appearance
change, but my heart’s still the same as it was when I was 330 lbs and that
‘fat chick’ that they didnt like before.
Amazing and sad how people behave isn’t it? i have a few ex friends and i’ll
stress EX friends because 3 of them haven’t had the surgery but 2 of them
have had the surgery and they have become the people that are mean and ugly.
actually talking about someone being ’so fat’ or ‘tubby over there in the
blue dress’ …… i’m like WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, SAYING AND
BECOMING? they are the people that are wrapped in beautiful bodies but have
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I’m in a sedentary desk job and do not want to be away any longer
than is absolutely necessary. If there are no complications, how
long will it be before I can go back to work? I can start back part
time and from home if necessary.
If it matters any, I’m 33, 265 lbs and in good health.
Thanks!

Dear Mary,
Sorry to her of the refusal of wls. I, too was refused abt 2 years ago
after all the meetings eith the physician and psychologist, dietician, etc.
I got a phone call saying I was refused because of my heart and my age…I
was 54. I told my cardiologist and he told me there would be no problem
with me getting thru surgery. I let it go and was deeply disappointed.
Here I am again, only this time the surgeon said I am a risk, but if the
cardiologist, wound specialist(due to my diabetic ulcers on my foot), and
the pulmonary physician (due to some pullmonary hypertension brought about
by my atrial fib) give clearance……then I am a go for surgery.
I told him of my past refusal 2 years ago and he surprisingly said “Of
course”. He went on to say that he was employed there at the time and they
took no one over 52. He also said it was because it was a hospital…that
would not take any over 52 yr old people! I was so glad to hear that, as it
always felt unfinished for me. If ny doctors didn’t recommend this surgery,
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Okay, I had thought I was going to have a lap rny but due to
excessive amounts of scar tissue from my previous two abdominal
surgeries, I was told it has to be an open. Now I know that it is
recommended that you stay off 4 weeks, but I don’t have but 1 paid
week off, and I cannot afford to take more than 2 weeks off.
I bounced back really quick from my last two abdominal surgeries and
they were fully open, not laparscopic, and I was feeling fine in 2
weeks, full recovered after 4. Did anyone on here go back to work 2
weeks after their open rny?
Thanks
Lisa G.

Ray, Barb, Denise, or anyone else for that matter,
Is there any data on what percentage of your caloric intake is mal-
absorbed after an RNY bypass?
Just curious.
Joe C
Pittsburgh, PA
open RNY/2-6-03
Dr Joe Colella/Allegheny General Hospital
360/309

I am
still a bit nervous about the Statistics of 1 out of 200 die or have
complications.
The only statistics that are important are YOUR surgeon’s statistics. My
surgeon has had one death in 1700…It is a fair question to ask, as is how
many patients have you performed THIS surgery on, how many times do you have
to convert from lap to open, how many leaks have you had, what is the
average hospital stay, what is the average size/wt loss of your
patients…If a doc operates on people in 350+ category the death rate may
be higher because the risk is also higher…all of it is just
information…it helps you know what your personal risks are…
GOOD LUCK

Christine,
Bladder infections can come about from not drinking enough water to flush
bacteria out of the system. I noticed you said you were still having
trouble getting in enough fluids. Is what you ARE getting in water or
colored drinks? Colored drinks also contribute towards bladder infection.
Get yourself some cranberry extract pills (I got mine from Wal-Mart) and
some Cystex (a pill that helps with the pain and frequency of bladder
infections and helps with the acidity in the bladder), also available from
Wal-Mart or most any drug store. Of course, if you haven’t already seen
your pc doc for this, you should. Bladder infections very easily move to
the kidneys and you may not even know it. The doc can prescribe antibiotics
to help kill the bacteria. Of course, if you’ve already done this and the
infections just come back, then the other suggestions I gave will help.
Cranberries change the acidity in the bladder and help keep bacteria from
forming. Thus the cranberry extract pills.
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Melissa,
I would be honored to be your first client if you moved to the Tampa Bay area.
The fact that you have gone through WLS (so you would understand what we have
gone through), physically re-conditioned yourself to undertake running, which is
something this 46 year old body could probably never do, and are still working
towards further goals would help me to push myself further than I do when
working out with the professional trainers at Lifestyles gym (where I go).
I do what is expected of me (to an extent), but feel like they’d really rather
be working out with one of the younger, better built people that frequent the
gym. Also, in having a personal trainer that has not reached their goal weight
yet, makes it nice for them too, because they now have someone to cheer them on
as they reach their goal weight! Charlene