Dr. Stegemann really took care of me. Great bedside and communication with my family members. He has been understanding and encouraging. If there is a problem he is available and will address it asap.
Hi there, I would have had the surgery by now if I hadn't called and cancelled my first two appointments, last year, to get started. Seems like I get into a mode of "I can do this all by myself" and then months later I've gained a few or lost a few pounds. Who am I kidding, but myself? I now realize, I NEED help. I grew up eating healthy and working out; I know how it feels to be healthy. I went from 154 lbs to 263 in a little over six years. That's a lot of weight! My body is feeling it all over too. I can't even workout due to the extra weight affecting my feet. So, I'm opting for the sleeve procedure for a jumpstart for the rest of my life to be healthy. Why I can't "just get it" now, beats me. So, back to square one. The variate if surgery center is checking out my insurance and will call me back to schedule the initial appointment, once again. This time, I will not psyche myself out. I'm motivated and encouraged by all the wonderful experiences you all have had and I can't wait to be able to share mine down the road. Updated on 28 Feb 2016: I've decided I'm not telling anyone within my family and close friends. Everyone has an opinion and if they're not educated about the sleeve, most everyone will be telling me their opinions and why it's not for me, out of pure ignorance. Now, if I knew I had encouragement, I'd tell them. I'm sure others here have dealt with this. I don't feel like subjecting myself to stress I don't need to deal with. Updated on 29 Feb 2016: I'm so ready for this. I understand there will be ups and downs and challenges and victories! There is absolutely no backing out of it this time. My head is clear, I've educated myself on this, and i know that I've got a great support system (my husband and RS members). I thought I'd get a phone call from the center today. Oh well, I'll call them tomorrow. I need to get this ball rolling! Updated on 1 Mar 2016: I've got nine mins before the center opens. I guess I'll let them get their computers and coffee going first....then I'm calling! Updated on 1 Mar 2016: Okay, so I got my appointment set, the very first appt. it's not until April 13th though cause they're booked up. But the nice lady says she'll get me in sooner cause folks cancel all the time. (That was me, twice!). So, I guess I could have asked, what the first appointment entails. I'm assuming just the surgery options, what to know, etc.???? Updated on 2 Mar 2016: Sucks. Updated on 3 Mar 2016: Oh my goodness. I woke up thinking I'm addicted to getting myself sleeved. I couldn't go to sleep last night thinking about being sleeved. I woke up this morning thinking about it. I'm going over reviews and reading the forums and googling questions I've got for it. I haven't even had my initial consultation, yet I feel like I've got this down. Now, I know my actual physical experience may not be what I think it could be, but I'm so ready. Anyone else addicted? Maybe I should go read a book (not about sleeving!) :) Updated on 4 Mar 2016: So, I called my insurance company, Cigna, and had them explain to me the out of pocket expense and deductible stuff. I'm usually pretty good at what's what, but for some reason, I just wasn't getting it. So, anyway, after I pay my deductible of $250, I will then have to pay 20% of the surgery (ins pays 80%) and only up to $2000. So, the surgery is a total of $14650, 20% is $2930 but I'm just responsible for $2000 of it. So, in all, I'll be paying $2250 for my surgery. I'll take it! Even if I have to wait for six months. And I got a book to read so I can curb my sleeve addiction.....lol Updated on 5 Mar 2016: So, I took some before pics with my face covered up and in my panties and bra. I'm still debating if I want to post them or not. Maybe I should put a little bit more clothes on instead? But then I thought, I need to be real with myself and not be in denial about my body with people who will support me. (Btw, I caved and told my sis n law, I've got her support!! Yay!!). I don't want to hear "it's not that bad!" Cause I won't believe it anyway. With my knees hurting, my feet hurting, the occasional palpitation, GOOD GRIEF, I couldn't do a load of laundry without being out of breath! My belly is just too big! With all that said, I was in such denial about how big I have gotten cause I've always had the skinny girl mind. Comes from actually being fit and healthy and never thinking I could actually end up where I am today. I used to workout religiously, eat healthy (Lord forbid I ate a French fry in the past!!---I would have been at the gym within mins). So, where did this girl go? I can't blame my marriage (it rocks!). I can't blame my kids (who would do such a thing!) I'm wondering why I let myself go? I've been thinking real hard about it. I don't believe I've got a relationship with food to cope for any reason, or do I --- and in denial? I've got to think about sharing my pics a bit longer....we'll see. Updated on 6 Mar 2016: Oh bless God! I haven't been able to wear m beautiful wedding ring. Never had it resized because I have always known I'd get small enough to wear it again. It's called HOPE! I'm so excited to be able to wear it this year. Even if I'm having to wait till almost Oct, it'll be one more thing to bring me joy!!!! Updated on 7 Mar 2016: Hoping I get to skip the informational seminar appt! I called the center and told them I have done my homework for over a year now and I want to get the sleeve done. Also reminded them that I'm going through my insurance and my insurance doesn't state anything about me having to have this informational appt. So the receptionist will pass it on to the doctor and I hope to hear something today!!! Updated on 8 Mar 2016: I have to be honest here, I'm not really a patient person. I do okay with it, but The Lord knows, I could use it even more so. I called the bariatric center and suggested I skip the informational seminar. I KNOW what I want and believe what I need. The lady says she'll relay it to another lady and then the doctor. That was two days ago. I don't want to be that pesky patient that calls every single day either, yet, I would have thought a simple question could be answered in a relatively short time. ??? Maybe I'll wait till Friday? Until then, I've enjoyed reading reviews and looking at pics. I've been dreaming of running around the yard with my girls with no problems! Also thinking about how I can buy something sexy to wear for my husband and being confident in it. All this is having to take patience though, which I'm not fond of. Lord help me! On another note, I just remembered I had saved all of my never-been-worn-with-the-tags-still-on panties from 8 years ago!!! Lol. Now, why would I do that? I just couldn't part with so many cute and pretty and sexy panties that I bought (I had so many, I never worn a bit of them). I guess you can say I was and am hopeful to wearing them! At least that's one of the pieces of clothing I will not have to buy! Updated on 8 Mar 2016: I'm cringing at the thought of posting my before pics!!!! But I'm going to do it. I think I will want to remain anonymous too as I like having privacy. I don't even have Facebook anymore. Never have Twitter or Instagram. Just not real to me like RS. Anyway, here it goes. BIG SIGH.......DRUMROLL PLEASE.......DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH Updated on 11 Mar 2016: So I called the doctor's office to see if I can bypass the informational seminar. The lady says if I watch the video on the app, I can. Great! Then she says, just come in an hour later than your original appointment. Blah! So the date stays the same, April 14th. That's just the consultation with the doctor! Okay....so I asked her to check and see if anyone has canceled and she says "no, not yet." She's got my name written down next to her computer from last time and will get back to me at the start of next week. As much as I don't want to take away from someone else starting their new life, I'm going to be honest here and hope someone cancels! Sad huh? So, last week I came down with some kind of bug, intestinal bug. Wasn't cool. Finally started feeling better these last two days, but when I eat I feel like there is something stuck on my sternum, or around that area. It's a weird feeling. I made an appointment to be proactive about my sleeve, by getting a medical recommendation for the sleeve surgery from my PCP and also check up to see what's going on in my chest area. I'm praising God now in hope that it's nothing to be really concerned about but a quick fix; don't want anything getting in the way of getting the sleeve. I've also pretty much declared this is the year of taking care of myself. I've put myself on the back burner for so long taking care of my kids and my husband. Making sure they've got everything needed. My husband has always told me that I need to do more for myself. Like, "go out and buy you some new clothes" UGH! I hate clothes shopping now! Once upon a time, it was fun! Of course, I was a nice, fit 154 lbs! I'll get back to it....but until then, no new clothes for me. I'll wear what I've got till after the sleeve. Ok, so back to taking care of myself....I've made an appointment to see an orthopedics doctor for my feet. I would have to say most of the pain is due from the extra weight, but I do have some concerns for the bones in my feet. I broke one about 7 years ago (hey, maybe that's when I started gaining???? being stuck in a boot forever and sitting around) and so I feel like I've maybe got fractures going on. Who knows? I hope it all comes out that they are fine, just need to lose the weight. Finally, taking care of myself...I decided to not pursue a job right now. I'm blessed that my husband supports our family and I can stay home. I was looking for a job to give myself something more to do and put my 2 year old in preschool, but my husband suggested I wait until after the sleeve and just focus on my health. I thank GOD so much for the support I have with my husband! He has never put me down for gaining weight. Sure, he's been concerned, but never made me feel awful about it. I do that on my own. My LORD, GOD is my rock, then my husband. I've got a wonderful support system, as well as all you nice RS folk! Thank you so much! Updated on 12 Mar 2016: I moved it today. That is, a bunch of pavers, weeds, and dirt! I got all sweaty and gross, but it felt good to be moving. So, I'm enjoying burning my calories and I'm on a roll until I stomp on a paver and practically, almost break my ankle! Ah!! I didn't even tell my husband, he'd be like, "why do you do stuff like that?" Lol. Now I'm sitting here with my ankle throbbing and pain shooting up my foot (had before, just worse). Oh Lord, I need to get strong here, physically! Thank you showing me the way to getting a sleeve, a tool to help me lose this weight so I can be healthy and strong! In Jesus name. Amen!!! Updated on 14 Dec 2016: ...and I didn't get sleeved. Where to start? I think I'll just cut it short. I went to my doctor for a referral. She talked me out of it. I was pumped up to do it all on my own. 3 months later, in four lbs down but lost a lot of inches. I was doing weights. Then the kids get out of school for the summer. Gym time rarely existed. School back in session, I get back to it for a couple of weeks. Mind you, I gained it back and don't have time for myself. I had to go back to work. Now I really don't have the time. But that's not an excuse. I can make the time. Anyway, I go for a check up. Do. Puts me on Belviq. Seems ok at first. But it wasn't working. Lost ten lbs, and no inches which equates to muscle loss. Had my checkup yesterday. Doc took me off of the med and says "I'm sending you to Dr So and So". I won't dwell in "well, 8i would have had it done already", so I won't. My "first" appointment (after two or three cancellations) is in Jan 2017. Time to stick with it...ugh. Updated on 16 Dec 2016: Just as when I make up my mind to do the sleeve once and for all, seems like I'm eating everything under the sun. Ugh. I hope it is more like my progesterone level going up for the month and it just happens to fall in the time of my decision. Lol. Anyway, on to being strong.... Updated on 14 Jan 2017: So, the decision for the vsg has been in the making for way too long. I found that I'll have to basically do the whole insurance requirements within three months (before the ins resets regarding bariatric surgery). I'm sure to stress the importance of this at my first consult next Thursday. Finally! The ball will be rolling. Updated on 12 Feb 2017: So, where did I go? I found myself on the Bariatric Pal forums. I've gotten a great load of info, but there seemed to have been more of a drama flair than anything there. I have no idea if I was banned or the site is down (can't get on); if the first, I literally would have no idea why I would be banned anyhow. So, it's time for me to just stick to RS and update my journey. Updated on 12 Feb 2017: So, my consultation with the bariatric surgeon was on jan 22nd. It was a nice ordeal. The surgeon came and got me from the waiting room which I was very surprised. Normally it's the nurses. Had a good talk about why and what I want. Then I was on my way. Had my first nutritional appointment the following Wed morning. We went over things I can start changing, get in to a habit of doing, etc. what I should and shouldn't be eating. Nothing I don't really know, but it was a good reminder and it actually made me more motivated. I have my pysch evaluation tomorrow at 1. I'm looking forward to it. Have no idea what and how the lady is going to say/be, so I guess I'll update about it tomorrow then. Updated on 12 Feb 2017: Well, it was a site issue. Still a lot of drama...I am researching a tummy tuck after vsg anyhow. I'm hoping I won't need one, but a feeling I just might. We'll see.... Updated on 14 May 2017: Haven't been here in a while. Been on another forum for the most part. My surgery is tomorrow morning. It's been a long time waiting...finally here. Updated on 27 May 2017: It's been great. Feeling great too. Went back to work one week post. Had a few sluggish days, but I was good for the most part. I'm eating approx up to 2 Tbsp of food now. Mostly on purée and will start incorporating more this next week. So far so good. I don't regret one bit of my decision to have this. I don't know what I've lost so far, I don't weigh myself at all. I have my first post op appt this coming Wed for all of that. I'll do my best to log back in and update for the real selfers...I'm on another forum way more and sometimes I forget. Sorry about that!!! Updated on 26 Jan 2018: It’s been good. My whole life doesn’t revolve around the sleeve anymore. Less stress, lol. I eat a plant based diet. I don’t count macro or micro nutrients, calories, carbs, etc. complex carbs are my friends. I rarely weigh myself. I’m down to 185 from 266. I have to battle that ridiculous head hunger at times and mindless snacking, but I’m in the safe zone, so to speak. BUT, it won’t last forever so it’s still a work in progress, physically is the easiest, mentally is the hardest. With this short update, overall, I’m very happy I’ve made this decision for myself and finally went through with it.
The answer is likely yes but there are a number of nuances. No one can tell you if you are a good candidate (or speak about individual risk!) until they have taken a complete medical history. While someone may be a great candidate for surgery, it doesn't mean their insurance will pay for it. First you need to understand that insurance companies are always WAYYYYYYYYYYY behind the science of medicine. Your BMI is 37.9. If you are trying to use insurance to pay for surgery then they will require that you have a serious medical condition that is related to the weight because your BMI is less than 40.0. Generally things they will accept would be high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and a few other more rare conditions. Unless you are on medications for high blood pressure they are very unlikely to accept blood pressure readings from a doctor's office as proof of high blood pressure. If you are not using insurance to pay for surgery, then it will be up to your surgeon to decide if you are a good candidate for surgery. There are multiple studies showing the benefit of sustained weight loss in your BMI category and you are likely to be low risk so they may feel like you are a great candidate for surgery.
It's very unlikely that your gastric bypass is the cause of the issue. There are many things that can cause diarrhea, most of which are not particularly dangerous. Definitely if it has been going on this long then it should be addressed by your physician. Generally stool studies and lab work are a good place to start. If you have not had a routine colonoscopy in 10 years (or 5 yr if a previous one showed polyps) then it would be wise to get one. Taking a probiotic can also help, especially if you have had to take antibiotics for any reason in the last few months. Finally, there are several medications that can slow the diarrhea but it is important to make sure that you don't have something more serious going on before starting them. I would make sure you get in no calorie fluids that have electrolytes (gatorade/powerade zero, pedialyte, etc) while the diarrhea is going on as you will be losing electrolytes in the stool.
I think most bariatric surgeons believe in good, sound nutrition, regardless of how you choose to get that nutrition in your body. Most of the vegans I know do not struggle with their weight so I have not treated a lot of them in my practice. I have had a handful of patients that have become vegans after their weight loss surgery and as long as they are mindful of getting in adequate protein (which can be challenging depending on how strict of a vegan they choose to be), can do quite well.
It is a common misperception that a gastric bypass can not be reversed. In fact, many people will choose a different operation because they have been told that a gastric bypass is "permanent" or "irreversible". Having done it 5 times myself, I can assure you that it is ABSOLUTELY possible to reverse a gastric bypass! While it is possible to reverse a gastric bypass, it still remains exceeding unusual to come across a clinical situation that would require reversal. Here are a few reasons that might justify a reversal:1) Ulcers at the gastrojejunal anastomosis (connection between the gastric pouch and the small intestine) that will not heal or continue to come back over and over. This is most commonly associated with a patient that starts smoking after their gastric bypass. Usually if the ulcer is due to a medical reason the ulcer can be healed with medications and rarely an operation (not a reversal).2) Severe malnutrition. Again extremely unusual that nutritional issues can't be addressed without reversal.3) Psychological issues. Some patients can't mentally adjust to life after their gastric bypass and may become a danger to themselves. There are likely additional reasons why a surgeon might suggest a reversal of a gastric bypass but these are the ones that jump to mind. As you can see, it would be an extreme reason to reverse a gastric bypass and that's why it isn't done often, but it certainly can be done. One thing to keep in mind, if a gastric bypass is reversed the patient generally regains a significant amount of the weight they were able to lose with the operation.
As long as a patient is at least a year out from their weight loss surgery when they get pregnant, they should not have to change their diet during the pregnancy. As long as baby's growth is normal, mom does not need to gain a significant amount of weight during the pregnacy. The latest recommendations suggest that as little as 20 lbs can be gained during pregnancy and the baby is not affected. Where I see patients get in trouble is when they use the pregnancy as an opportunity to revert to old habits of poor food choices and grazing (eating small amounts all day long). Many women will also stop exercising during the pregnancy which is just the opposite of what they should do (unless advised by their OB due to medical concerns!). This is the perfect recipe for gaining a LOT of weight during the pregnancy which will be more challenging to get off after the baby is born. I advise patients to gain no more than 25 lbs with the pregnancy because that will come off quickly once the baby is born, especially if mom is breastfeeding! Don't worry, the pregnancy won't affect your metabolism and you should be able to lose any "pregnancy weight" after you give birth. Just a couple more things to keep in mind. Don't stop taking your vitamins and minerals during the pregnancy. You are very likely to need some extra iron after the baby comes so make sure you get some bloodwork to check your iron levels after the baby is born. Also, don't let them do something called a "Glucose Tolerance Test" if they are concerned you have gestational diabetes! They will have you drink a big glass of fluid that has a LOT of sugar in it and you will have the worst case of the Dumping Syndrome EVER! There are some other tests they can do to see if you have gestational diabetes (if they are worried about it) besides the glucose tolerance test so make sure they know you have had a gastric bypass. Good luck and congratulations!
