Re: Weightloss before surgery

[Guest guest]

Hey Nance,

I understand what you mean about the diets. I do the same thing...

immediately go into panic mode before even starting. I'm a pre-op with about

100 pounds to lose... borderline, like you. My surgeon didn't ask me to lose

any weight, but after my first consultation, I was terrified of surgery, and

put myself on weight watchers. The panic didn't really set in because my mind

set was different. I was doing it to avoid surgery, and this was a strong

motivator! Well, in about a month and a half, I lost 10 pounds. Then the diet

stess set in. Meanwhile, I had decided to go ahead with surgery. That may be

why the WW suddenly got tough. Anyway, now that I'm 10# lighter, I don't

" technically " qualify for surgery, but I'm not worried about it. I figure if

I was approved in the first place, then my 10# loss shouldn't affect it.

I don't know if I'm just rambling now, or what, but try not to worry about

being too light! If the doc says you're a candidate, then tells you to lose a

few pounds, he's probably aware of the fact that you'll be technically

underweight.

Also, at least this LAST diet has a guaranteed reward... surgery!

Good luck!

- Alice

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice,

Thanks so much for the encouragement. And no you were not rambling. I want

to hear everything I can!! My Dr. is Dr. Reines at Newton Wellesley. On my

first visit 2/16 he didn't give me an exact amount to lose, but wanted me to

walk, and lose some weight by the next visit 3/8. Needless to say I was up

5lbs on that visit. So he wanted me to make sure I walked every day. I

walked 2 miles a day for 3 days and my back went into spasm. So I've been

trying to take it easy. I have to go back 3/22 to see the nutritionist again.

I've lost about 3 of the 5 I gained so hopefully that will help. I know what

you mean about wanting to avoid surgery. I've thought the same thing. But I

know I have to " JUST DO IT " and not think about it, as I want this to BE the

last diet ever. Do you have a date already? Who is your Dr? Do you go to

the Newton Wellesly support groups? If so I hope to get to meet you at the

next one April 13. Again thanks for the support.

Nance

[Guest guest]

Hi Nance,

I have an appointment with Dr. Thayer on 3/22! I wonder if he and Dr. Reines

share the same office space If so, I may see you there. My appointment is at

8:00am.

This consult is really just a second opinion. I have decided to have Dr. Forse

as my surgeon, and I already have approval and a pre-op test date with him on

April 3rd.

Keep up the walking... although in this weather, that’s easier said than done!

- Alice

[Guest guest]

Nance,

Just how much weight do you have to lose? I am having my sugery done at

Dartmouth-Hitchcock be Dr Buchard and to even be considered for surgery

you have to lose 15 lbs. The reason that he has his patients do that is

to show that even for the short time that it may take to lose that

amount is you can change your eating habits. You might want to contact

your Dr's office and ask just why you need to lose the weight.

Lea

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[Guest guest]

Nance

I have lost 96 lbs of the original 110 I wanted to lose & had my surgery at

NWH with Dr. Thayer. They did not ask me to lose any weight pre-op. That may

have been because I was fairly active prior to surgery as it was & I know I

came across highly motivated LOL!! You should be fine. Hope to see you at

the April meeting. I missed March as DH was out of town but I cannot wait

for April!!! I miss everyone!

Lyssa

236/140/130

From: Nan7004@...

My Dr. is Dr. Reines at Newton Wellesley.

[Guest guest]

Alice,

Dr Thayer and Reines are in the same practice.

Diane

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[Guest guest]

Hi Lyssa,

Thats good to hear. I have been walking some, but not everyday as I did 3

days in a row of 2 miles, and my back in now in spasm. It hurts just to get

out of bed and move, but I'm pushing to do atleast a little every day. I've

seen you're pictures on the internet and you've really done well.

Congrats--hope I do as well. Everybody here is wonderful on this site. I'm

glad to be a part of it.

Thanks again

Nance

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for responding. I've been doing ok with the food last few days

and have lost a little. Its great to hear everyones input and experiences.

I guess I'll have to see tomorrow exactly where I stand.

Alice, yes, Dr Thayer and Reines are in the same office. My appointment is

at 1:45 so unless you're there most of the morning--lol I probably will miss

you. Good luck tho.

Nance

[Guest guest]

Nance,

Oh well... good luck to you, too. Let me know how it goes!

- Alice

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/20/00 11:17:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, Nan7004@...

writes:

<< I'd just like to know if everyone who had this surgery absolutely had to

lose

weight before surgery and was it a specific amount that had to be lost? Were

you still able to have the surgery if you didn't? >>

Hi Nance, this is what i learned about losing weight before your surgery. If

you are in a " gaining " mode (your body)....fat develops on your liver. ITs

not a soft fat...it is a hard crystal(y) type of fat. When the doc goes in to

perform the surgery..he pushes the liver out of the way...if you have this

fat on your liver...your liver will crack. NOT GOOD! NOW YOU ARE IN SERIOUS

TROUBLE. If you are in a losing mode..this fat disappears. Every doc wants a

different amount of weight he wants lost....mine was at least 5-10 lbs. And

here is how I did it. I drank only fluids that would be allowed after

surgery...crystal lite, water, and tea. I completely cut out sodas of all

kinds. ONe month before. And thats all it took. I lost the weight. Good luck!

Carla

[Guest guest]

Hi Carla,

Thanks so much for the info. Your liver cracks??? OMG! Now that makes me

definitely want to lose it fast!!!

Thanks

Nance

[Guest guest]

I went to Dr. at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. Didn't have to

lose weight first. Actualy I saw him only twice before the surgery. But he knew

I had really done my homework and I came to see him the first time armed with

all this downloaded information.

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

Hi Nance --

I'd like to recommend the 007Secrets onelist -- it is a support group

for people who don't DIET but make "peace with food". I've been on it since

October and I'm still losing with DIETING! I eat anything I want

whenever I want to! I am free from food controlling me. This will help

you before the wls as well as after the wls. Feel free to e:mail me privately

for more info.

Hugz, Sandy in MA

From: Nan7004@...

Dieting--losing--GAINING--Dieting--losing--GAINING. LOL

Any suggestions are

greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much

Nance

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy,

Thanks so much. I will check out the site. Making peace with food is a good

way of looking at it. My biggest problem I have is that I am such a

compulsive person. I just shovel, and shovel most of the time and eat so

fast I can't even remember what I ate!! I really think that like an

alcoholic I use food for medication and I have to learn to find other ways to

deal with the emotions. That's one thing I'm really afraid of with the

surgery. That I won't be able to control the shoveling and fast eating, and

may cause more damage to myself. I really need to get my mind in the right

place. It's so hard though sometimes. Well thanks for listening.

Nance

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruthann,

Throw out food??? How could you!! LOL I'd stuff every morsel in til I felt

sick sometimes. Is that sick or what!!! Why do we do this to ourselves. I

sometimes think its a form of punishment cause maybe I don't like myself that

much. But I'm really not a bad person!! lol I really have to start seeing

my shrink a few more times a month I guess to get through this. But everyone

here has been great. Sharing the stories helps alot. I guess we've all been

in the same place cause we're all here in the same place!! Thank god for

this place. Thank you all.

Nance

[Guest guest]

That is how I am also Nance, I have even gone to a fast food place bought

some food ate half of it , then thrown it out because I was disgusted with

myself, then went back a hour later and bought more, I think I eat just like

a alcoholic drinks, and I wonder if after surgery I will be able to deal

with things without eating. I don't want to have this surgery just to

sabotage myself , with my binge eating? Anyone feel this way before surgery?

Ruthann

Beyond Myself Somewhere I wait

My Arrival

Beyond myself

somewhere

I wait for my arrival

Re: Weightloss before surgery

>From: Nan7004@...

>

>

>

>Hi Sandy,

>

>Thanks so much. I will check out the site. Making peace with food is a

good

>way of looking at it. My biggest problem I have is that I am such a

>compulsive person. I just shovel, and shovel most of the time and eat so

>fast I can't even remember what I ate!! I really think that like an

>alcoholic I use food for medication and I have to learn to find other ways

to

>deal with the emotions. That's one thing I'm really afraid of with the

>surgery. That I won't be able to control the shoveling and fast eating,

and

>may cause more damage to myself. I really need to get my mind in the right

>place. It's so hard though sometimes. Well thanks for listening.

>

>Nance

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget.

>Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already

>registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here:

>http://click./1/2623/7/_/675032/_/954011618/

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is very hard, no doubt about it. If you get yourself prepped now, it

will be easier once the surgery is done. One of the toughest things for

me was the slowing down and the chewing -- I too inhaled and didn't remember

what I ate -- it was comfort for my emotions. I've been feeling those emotions

lately and learning alot about myself and what I truly want out of life

-- scary but I'm dealing.

Hugz, Sandy in MA

From: Nan7004@...

I really need to get my mind in the right place. It's so hard

though sometimes. Well thanks for listening.

Nance

[Guest guest]

Ruthann,

I had a very similar problem before my surgery. Every time I was happy,

sad, PMS'ing, or an emotional wreck, the fridge was my best buddy. Now

since surgery, I find if I have my bad days, I grab a healthier type of

snack rather than the junk foods. I try to avoid it all together, but

sometimes it's hard, other times, VERY hard. I find myself choosing things

like pretzels, a pickle, or a SF cookie or something like these.

My body will not allow me to keep on eating, and if I do overdue it, I'm

bummin' and I'd rather be miserable by my moodiness, as opposed to miserable

from discomfort.

Good luck!

Dawn

Re: Weightloss before surgery

>From: Nan7004@...

>

>

>

>Hi Sandy,

>

>Thanks so much. I will check out the site. Making peace with food is a

good

>way of looking at it. My biggest problem I have is that I am such a

>compulsive person. I just shovel, and shovel most of the time and eat so

>fast I can't even remember what I ate!! I really think that like an

>alcoholic I use food for medication and I have to learn to find other ways

to

>deal with the emotions. That's one thing I'm really afraid of with the

>surgery. That I won't be able to control the shoveling and fast eating,

and

>may cause more damage to myself. I really need to get my mind in the right

>place. It's so hard though sometimes. Well thanks for listening.

>

>Nance

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget.

>Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already

>registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here:

>http://click./1/2623/7/_/675032/_/954011618/

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nance,

You're not alone! I'm an average-speed eater (which everyone knows is much

too fast), and I'm practicing eating slower. I'm failing! I take 3 or 4 chews

and swallow automatically. I don't know how I'm going to be able to do it

post-op. I guess my new stomach will " show " me how ;-)

- Alice A.

QUESTIONS TO ASK!

1. What pre-op testing do you require, such as blood tests, gall stone

sonograms, upper GI, lung x-rays, etc?

2. What can I do to prepare for the surgery, such as dieting, deep

breathing, etc?

3. Do I have to do anything special the last few days before surgery,

such as a clear diet, fasting, special soaps, or laxatives?

4. Do you require me to stop smoking before surgery? If yes, when? How

will smoking affect my surgery and post-op time?

5. How will sleep apnea or asthma affect me during and after the surgery?

6. If I am allergic to ________________ how will this affect my surgery?

7. Please describe the surgery you perform?

8. Will you do the surgery with an open cut and if so, generally how long

is the cut?

9. Can you do the surgery Laparoscopically?

10. Do you staple, suture or band the stomach?

11. Do you separate the stomach pouch from the distal bypassed stomach?

12. Is the anesthesiologist experienced with heavier people?

13. How much intestines do you bypass?

14. What size stomach pouch do you make?

15. Do you consider it to be a distal or proximal surgery?

16. Do you cut the acid producing nerve to prevent ulcers?

17. Do you instead prescribe an antacid post-op?

18. Will you do a liver biopsy?

19. How long will I be in surgery?

20. How long will I be in recovery?

21. What types of pain management will you provide?

22. What are the alternatives to the pain management if what you initial

prescribe doesn't work?

23. Will I have an epidural?

24. Will I be in ICU?

25. Will I have IV's?

26. Will I have a nasal tube?

27. Will I be on a ventilator?

28. Do you insert a catheter?

29. Will I have drainage tubes in my incision or elsewhere? How many and

for how long?

30. Will I need a binder and does the hospital provide them?

31. How soon will I be allowed to consume water after the surgery? What

about ice chips?

32. Will you visit my loved ones in the waiting room after the surgery to

tell them how the surgery went?

33. If I choose not to tell my loved ones what kind of surgery I am

having, will you also keep this information private?

34. Which hospital will I be at?

35. Will I have a private room, or will I share with someone else?

36. When will I be admitted to the hospital?

37. How long is the hospital stay?

38. Does the hospital have gowns large enough for me?

39. Am I required to stay in the hospital until I have a bowel movement?

40. How soon and how often should I walk after the surgery?

41. Will I have lung therapy?

42. What type of complications are associated with this particular

surgery?

43. Are there any reasons why the surgery may not be performed after you

open me up?

44. If this is Lap surgery, is there any situation that might cause you to

switch to an open?

45. What type of complications may I have post-op, such as vitamin or

mineral deficiencies, hair loss, gall stones, infections, hernias,

ulcers, etc?

46. Have you had any patients die on the table or post-op due to

complications? Please explain:

47. Is there any risk of cancer or other problems in the bypassed portion

of the stomach? How will these be detected post-op?

48. How will I have to eat immediate post-op and down the road?

49. Will I be able to eat " out " eventually? When?

50. Will I have problems with diarrhea or gas post-op? How can this be

treated?

51. Will I vomit a lot?

52. What kind of post-op care/help will I require once I go home and for

how long?

53. How much weight should I expect to lose and how fast?

54. Will there be medications that I can no longer take post-op, or

medications I won't absorb normally?

55. Will I get sick eating sugars, natural or otherwise, or from eating

fatty foods?

56. What percentage of calories and fat will my body absorb post-op?

57. How many calories and fat grams should I eat post-op?

58. How many grams of protein will I need to consume each day?

59. Are there any specific foods I should not consume post-op?

60. What supplements and medications will I be taking post-op?

61. What about pregnancy post-op?

62. When can I plan to get pregnant post-op?

63. How often should I get weighed?

64. What types of exercise do you recommend and at what stage post-op?

65. If it came down to life and death, can this surgery be reversed?

66. How many surgeries have you performed?

67. Can I speak to some of your post-op patients?

68. How much does the surgery cost and do you accept my insurance?

69. Do you think I will have problems getting insurance approval?

70. Will you help me in the appeals process, if necessary?

71. If I have to self-pay or pay a portion of the costs that insurance

doesn't cover, will you accept payments?

72. Do you have a sliding pay scale?

73. Do you require a deposit? How much?

74. Do you have a support group?

75. When and where do they meet?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/26/2000 5:04:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,

OSSG-NewEnglandonelist writes:

<< Every time I was happy,

sad, PMS'ing, or an emotional wreck, the fridge was my best buddy. Now

since surgery, I find if I have my bad days, I grab a healthier type of

snack rather than the junk foods. >>

Ruth and Nance and Everyone,

I'm enjoying reading this thread. I'm almost two weeks out from my LAP RNY,

still on liquids. I'm watching family members eat and wondering if I've made

a big mistake for life by limiting my intake in this way. I walked through

the grocery store the other day and EVERYTHING...everything....everything

seemed to be filled with fats and sugars. Since the day I found out about

this surgery in August, until the day I had it, in March I was SURE of my

decision. I know in my heart that I've done the right thing, I just wonder

if the end of this liquid stage is particularly difficult to deal with

mentally? (Good news is I'm seeing my shrink on Thursday!!) Thanks for

letting me vent.

Fran in Caribou, Maine

LAP RNY 3-15-00

275 1st appt./268/?/140

Dr. Aslam Augusta, Maine

[Guest guest]

--Ruth and Nance and Everyone,I'm enjoying reading this thread. I'm almost two weeks out from my LAP RNY, still on liquids. I'm watching family members eat and wondering if I've made a big mistake for life by limiting my intake in this way. I walked through the grocery store the other day and EVERYTHING...everything....everything seemed to be filled with fats and sugars. Since the day I found out about this surgery in August, until the day I had it, in March I was SURE of my decision. I know in my heart that I've done the right thing, I just wonder if the end of this liquid stage is particularly difficult to deal with mentally? (Good news is I'm seeing my shrink on Thursday!!) Thanks for letting me vent.Fran in Caribou, MaineLAP RNY 3-15-00275 1st appt./268/?/140Dr. Aslam Augusta, Maine

Fran

Don't worry at all about it. I am 10 months out and can eat just about anything. I can eat like a normal person. Not like a could pre-op, but normal portions. Sometimes I wish I couldn't. It is definetly difficult in the beginning, but everyone here will tell you it gets better all the time. You did make the right decision. Do you have a support group in ME?

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice,

I''ve been trying to be more aware of how fast I eat and trying to chew more

too. Just trying to become aware of it isn't easy. I hope I can adapt after

the surgery as I won't have a choice. I just hope I don't sabatoge myself

afterwards.

Thanks

Nance

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

Thanks for the encouragement. I know mostly all of these emotions right now

are anxiety. Its just scary thinking that it won't work because of the way I

eat now. I know changes will have to be inevitable but I just hope the

changes are permanent.

Thanks

Nance

[Guest guest]

Alice,

Your new stomach will definitely " show " you. It will let you know that you

have eaten too fast. I remember the first time it happened to me. I just

got up, walked to the living room and sat on the couch for about 20 minutes.

Then I had to go to the bathroom because I had to get rid of it. After

that I was fine. Let me tell you, it was a long time until I ate fast

again!

Congrats on making the decision for Dr. Thayer! I'm sure you won't regret

it.

Are you going to the pre-op meeting Tuesday morning? I am going to be the

Post-op guest! I hope to see you there!!

Diane

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[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I just realized that there's a meeting tomorrow. I will definitely be

there... if I can find it. Do you know which room it's in and how I get there?

- Alice