Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hi Claudia and welcome!
I had bad knee pain pre opt which improved alot after I lost about 30 lbs
but……….about a year later it returned with a vengence and now Im
looking at knee replacement surgery in the future. Im trying to put that
off and instead try some Halagan injections into the knee joint as that will
give apprx 26 weeks of pain free relief so if that works might as well do
that than submit to major surgery which takes months to recover.
My surgeon said that happened not only because I had dengenerative joint
disease but because when I lost weight I got much more active and that alone
put alot of stress on the joints that were already damaged.
But you never know. With you, the pain might go away permanently or for a
few years…….
Judie

Hi everyone, Ok I got a question? I heard from a really good source/good friend
that I will not be in good hands at Montefiore Hospital? I am not worried about
my Dr. Because I trust Dr.Rubin with my life, it is the after care I am
seriously worried about now because no one is staying there with me I am going
to be alone once I hit recovery? Anyone else here have a bad stay there or any
nightmare problems while a patient there??? I am scared shit less now, excuse my
french? But I didnt chose MaGee’s because of past experiences there with them
nurses, so I thought going to Montefiore would be better? Now I am scared to
death to have Friday come around after looking forward to this day for the last
few months?? Please help? it is to late for me to change hospitals now? I
called & asked & the answer was NO… I wished I had asked about Montefiore
Hospital before I scheduled my surgery there… Is it really that bad? Maybe I
can asked to be transferred over to Magee’s after the
surgery is done???? I dont know all I know is I am scared to death now… Not a way to be going into surgery please help me….I am scared!!!
(more…)

Hello, Deb here and thought I would share my news. I
am 3-1/2 weeks post-op and have lost 25 pounds since
the day of surgery. Not as much as some others have
lost in same amount of time but much more than I could
have ever done on my own! Next weigh in will be at my
regularly scheduled visit with surgeon at 6 wks.
Deb S. in Cinti
Open RNY 10-24-03
=====
Deb S.

I know this is a little late response, but here goes. First, CALL YOUR DOCTOR
NOW.
Second, I have blacked out (fainted, passed out, whatever) TWICE from
dehydration. First time I was lucky and someone caught me, second time I was by
myself in Target, went down hard on my tailbone and head. It’s been 2 1/2 months
and I STILL have a soft spot on the back of my head.
Second trip to the ER: So dehydrated it took SEVERAL tries from nurses and a doc
to get an I.V. started because my veins were so dry, when it came and they tried
to take blood, it was SLUDGE from lack of water. I had to have 2 bags of saline
solution before I was able to go home.
GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR, GO TO THE ER.
This is not something to screw around with.
After you get medical attention (if it is dehydration or not) make sure and
FORCE yourself to get at LEAST 64 oz. of water a day, if possible MORE.
If you need more details, please email me off list and I will try and send a big
(more…)

Hi Everyone,
You all have truly blessed me with your postings! I am anxious every day to be
informed by you all. I am having my first consult on December 3 and need and
want to know as much as possible. I have two questions I need to know:
What is sleep apnea?
What is dumping? Do you vomit uncontrollably? Does it give you a warning?
I hate to vomit and the thought of upchucking all the time makes me sick to the
stomach (no pun intended)!

(New B&A photos added to Ossg group photo albums.. my album is Heather Smith’s
B&A photos)
I have made it to my next goal and am so excited to be sharing this with you!! I
never thought that 7 1/2 months ago I would be sharing this “private”
information with anyone (even Jason didn’t know how much I weighed!). 3/31/03 I
weighed in at 367.5… today 11/16/03 I now weigh 248 lbs… that is down 119.5
lbs! I measured myself 3 days ago and I have lost 85 inches total (I measure my
neck, both upper arms, both wrists, bust, chest, waist, hips, both thighs and
both ankles). I was wearing size 5x/6x tops and 36W bottoms.. today in this
photo I am wearing size 24 bottoms and my sissies undergrown 2x Disney Store
sweatshirt… WOO HOO! I have gone from a womens size 12 shoe to a size 10 1/2
and have had to have my rings sized down 2 whole sizes! I can now chase my kids
and enjoy a good race to the car (I can win now too! haha)… we go on 2-3 mile
walks (depends on how whiny the kids get *rolling my eyes*) and Richard Simmons
is visiting my home a few times a week (no laughing! it works! haha).
(more…)

There are many causes for “blacking out” some of them are more serious than
others. One of the more common, is dehydration. When you are dehydated and
go from sitting/lying to standing it takes your body a second or two for
your blood pressure to catch up. This is called “orthostatic hypotension” It
is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, and the person faints. This is
especially true in the morning, your blood pressure is naturally lower in
the morning. Low glucose is a big cause, again after a long sleep that is a
possibilty. There are several cardiac conditions that could also cause
fainting. I am glad you are going to your doctor. One big piece of advice
for people who get dizzy easily. When you are sitting/laying down, and want
to get up, rise very slowly, hold onto the chair/wall, and count to five
before you start walking. This gives your body a few seconds to catch up.
Good Luck
Gary
Lap RNY 5/27/03 Dr. Cerabona West. County Med Center NY
(more…)

Was wondering what causes fainting or a person to blackout…dehydration or
protien deficient? Woke the other morning really thirsty and got up to go
get a drink and no warning just went black and fell to the floor hit my face
and back and shin OWWWIE it hurt.Don’t want it to happen again so what is
going on anyone else expierience this type of thing before I have NEVER
fainted or blacked out before in my whole life and I’m 44.Any info will
help.Gonna contact Dr. but gotta wait till Monday as the office was
closed.Really glad I wasn’t driving ya know ….Barb

Hi all,
I’m new to this list (just joined today). I have been giving
serious thought to lap banding. When i discuss it with my wife, she
tells me i should try more diets and that i haven’t tried everything
yet. I know i am a food addict. I went to one or two OE meetings,
but don’t have the time to keep attending (i work full time and am
working on my master’s degree). I have tried weight watchers and a
few other “diets”. My doctor put me on Meridia and all it did was
make me nausious so i stopped it. I have been thinking that surgery
is my only option since it will physically FORCE me to stop eating
so much.
My psychologist that i have been seeing for depression (gee, i
wonder why), sugested that i talk to my PCP and look into the
surgery. He told me that his office is one of the ones that does
Pysch evals for the surgery and gave me the name of a WLS that has
(more…)

Hi. This is my first time to post. I am a 25 y/o female. I am 5′4″
and I weigh 220 lbs. I also have diabetes type II, hypertension,
sleep apnea, and acid reflux. I am an emt and I work for an
ambulance service, so my sleep apnea is a great concern for me,
since I drive an ambulance all day and all night. (I work 24 on/ 48
off). I am seeing Dr. Lee Schmitt @ Medical Center East in
Birmingham, AL. My surgery date is Dec. 3, 2003. I am very excited.
I have had several family members to have this surgery (rny), and
they have all done great! If anyone has any suggestions for me, I
would appreciate them all. Please send me and email. Thanks so much,
and I will try to keep everyone updated. -Sherri