POOKIE88
08-05-2004, 05:51 PM
*
Weight Loss Surgery - Steps "TO Do" before WLS
View Full Version : Steps "TO Do" before WLS
juliemax
08-05-2004, 08:31 PM
Read your post about pre-tests for WLS. Just wanted to let you know that my best friend had this surgery in White Plains about 16 months ago. No hernia so she didn't have open surgery. She feels wonderful today, 135 pounds down, and she wishes she had done it earlier. Her doctor also insisted in a lot of prior testing. She says now she just doesn't touch anything with sugar, she doesn't think that she will be affected by it but since she no longer craves it she just stays away from it. Good luck to you!
Chickadee
08-06-2004, 01:12 PM
Pooks, if you weren't nervous, I'd be worried!
My journey was somewhat similar to yours, except for some reason I didn't have to have a psych evaluation. The nurse who first evaluated me told the surgeon I was a good candidate and my insurance company didn't require it. I found that a little strange because a woman, who I have since become friends with, had the same insurance, same surgery, same doc and had to have one. Go figure!
I also didn't have to do the treadmill stress test or the sleep study. Again, go figure?
I did, however have to have a Blood Arterial Gas test, which hurts like hell. I wonder if the difference in testing is because we are having different surgeries?
Good thread idea Pookster.
Chickadee
My journey was somewhat similar to yours, except for some reason I didn't have to have a psych evaluation. The nurse who first evaluated me told the surgeon I was a good candidate and my insurance company didn't require it. I found that a little strange because a woman, who I have since become friends with, had the same insurance, same surgery, same doc and had to have one. Go figure!
I also didn't have to do the treadmill stress test or the sleep study. Again, go figure?
I did, however have to have a Blood Arterial Gas test, which hurts like hell. I wonder if the difference in testing is because we are having different surgeries?
Good thread idea Pookster.
Chickadee
jiffypop
08-06-2004, 11:58 PM
pookie... down in the dumps??? talk to us, darlin.. what's going through your mind/???
and thanks for the compliments.. this is all about sharing our experience... and the information we find out..
and thanks for the compliments.. this is all about sharing our experience... and the information we find out..
jiffypop
08-07-2004, 12:16 AM
honey... don't worry about whether you're a downer or not. it doesn't matter. we're here no matter what.
and darlin.l that bit about 'hernia repairs not holding as well for the obese:.. give yourself a DUH smack in the head, babe. YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE OBESE!!!! so there's no reason it WON'T hold...
and if it doesn't, the repair will be MUCH easier because you'll be so tiny!!!!
and darlin.l that bit about 'hernia repairs not holding as well for the obese:.. give yourself a DUH smack in the head, babe. YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE OBESE!!!! so there's no reason it WON'T hold...
and if it doesn't, the repair will be MUCH easier because you'll be so tiny!!!!
jiffypop
08-07-2004, 12:47 AM
pookie.. the first few months after this surgery, i'm figuring you'll lose at least 50 pounds. that should count for SOMETHING in this hernia repair thing... we're not talking about 10 pounds a month here... first month weight loss averages are in the 20-30 pound range.
Dawnajoy
08-07-2004, 11:01 AM
When I read the title "To Do" before WLS, my thoughts went a different directions. I would add research, research, research! Know what you are getting yourself into. Know the pros and cons. Know the many possible outcomes and possibilities. Knowledge is power.
Because I did so much research, when those first horrid weeks postop were upon me, I knew to just hang in there, that it was expected, and that things would get better. I had already seen enough people go through it that I had determined I would not make a decision about whether or not I had made "a terrible mistake" during that time period, but would suspend judgement for awhile.
By the time I had my first appointment with my surgeon, I was able to answer all of their questions clearly and concisely. In fact, he said to me, "you know as much about this as I do!", which was not true, but was kind of funny.
I read about the postop changes required of me (because I had the duodenal switch, my postop course is slightly different than those that had the RNY). Because I was not much of a meat eater, I spent several weeks doing a "trial run", forcing myself to eat mostly protein. I wanted to be sure it was something I could actually do.
I knew from my research that vitamin supplementation would be crucial, and had to be sure that I fully understood that and was willing and able to make the financial and life sacrifices it would take to keep up with that. For me, with my surgery, this was absolutely essential.
I also spent some time "in my head" if that makes sense. I had concerns about what it would feel like to be unable to eat much, since food had been such a big part of my life and dieting had always feel unnatural and very stressful. Once I had the surgery, there was no way out, and I spent a lot of time thinking what that would mean to me.
As a single parent, I weighed the risks of mortality with an intensity and seriousness I cannot explain in words. There is NOTHING I would not do to raise my children, guide them and love them, including remaining super morbidly obese for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, my weight and health were such that I felt I would drop dead of a heart attack, possibly right in front of them, if I did not have surgery. I cannot stress enough the seriousness with which I contemplated these things.
WLS is a life changing thing. I have thought many times since my surgery that I wish I had done it sooner, but I know I was not ready sooner, and the technology may not have been where it needed to be in order for me to have the wonderful results I have gotten.
Just another aspect of what "to do" before WLS.
Dawna
Because I did so much research, when those first horrid weeks postop were upon me, I knew to just hang in there, that it was expected, and that things would get better. I had already seen enough people go through it that I had determined I would not make a decision about whether or not I had made "a terrible mistake" during that time period, but would suspend judgement for awhile.
By the time I had my first appointment with my surgeon, I was able to answer all of their questions clearly and concisely. In fact, he said to me, "you know as much about this as I do!", which was not true, but was kind of funny.
I read about the postop changes required of me (because I had the duodenal switch, my postop course is slightly different than those that had the RNY). Because I was not much of a meat eater, I spent several weeks doing a "trial run", forcing myself to eat mostly protein. I wanted to be sure it was something I could actually do.
I knew from my research that vitamin supplementation would be crucial, and had to be sure that I fully understood that and was willing and able to make the financial and life sacrifices it would take to keep up with that. For me, with my surgery, this was absolutely essential.
I also spent some time "in my head" if that makes sense. I had concerns about what it would feel like to be unable to eat much, since food had been such a big part of my life and dieting had always feel unnatural and very stressful. Once I had the surgery, there was no way out, and I spent a lot of time thinking what that would mean to me.
As a single parent, I weighed the risks of mortality with an intensity and seriousness I cannot explain in words. There is NOTHING I would not do to raise my children, guide them and love them, including remaining super morbidly obese for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, my weight and health were such that I felt I would drop dead of a heart attack, possibly right in front of them, if I did not have surgery. I cannot stress enough the seriousness with which I contemplated these things.
WLS is a life changing thing. I have thought many times since my surgery that I wish I had done it sooner, but I know I was not ready sooner, and the technology may not have been where it needed to be in order for me to have the wonderful results I have gotten.
Just another aspect of what "to do" before WLS.
Dawna
hondamom
08-08-2004, 11:59 AM
Good morning, first post here. Im 5'8, 255, and while I am a goddess, I have scheduled Lap roux en y on Sept 27. Im very nervous. No, scared as hell. how long does it take to get back to work? Ive got tons more questions.