Hello, I am new!

Hi everyone! I am getting ready for surgery. I have already done the psych eval, sleep study and labwork (just waiting on results to come back this week) and will be doing my hemoccults today and tomorrow. I have medicare. I currently weigh 338 and am 5ft 1 and half. I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), obstructive sleep apnea. I am disabled and am on oxygen at night and take 11 meds during the day as well as use a nebulizer. I have chosen Dr Baker in Little Rock, I have not met him yet but stay in contact with his office. They will schedule my pre-op appt after all the test results are all in. I thought this would be a nice place to meet other people who have had the surgery or are waiting to have it. And also be able to find answers to some questions I have about the surgery. Does anyone know how long they cut you for surgery, is it up and down, or side to side, is it long or a short cut? Do they take some of your fat from your stomach during surgery or leave it all there?

Hi, I had my surgery on 3/18 at Baptist, Little Rock. My surgeon was Dr.Mark Gibbs. NO problems at all, great surgeron! Only one I would recommend! over 1000 surgeries with no complications and no deaths! My incision is about 8-10 long. right down the middle. I had open of course. I too, have COPD and came through with flying colors. They do not remove anything from your stomach, no fat or anything. You will probably have to have plastic surgery in a year or so to remove all the excess skin. I have already lost over 20 lbs in 2 weeks! No much pain. First day, minor when I coughed or got out of the bed. When I came home on the 4th day after surgery, no problems. Make sure you have someone to take care of you for at least 7 days. You can't cook, clean, bend over, etc. NO lifting of ANY kind over 10 lbs either! Good luck!

Hi, congrats on your surgery and weightloss! I am soo excited, I guess I will have to work extra hard after my surgery to tighten up my stomach. I have medicare and doubt they would pay for a tummy tuck. I should start saving now for one

HI. Did you have to be on a medically supervised diet prior to seeing the surgeon? I called Dr. Baker's office and that is what they told me that I would have to do bc Im on Medicare too.. ? I have all but given up on the surgery bc I just cant see what good it will do to be on a diet that isnt going to work...ya know? any info u can give me will be appreciated... Lisa

Hi Lisa, my weight is not my primary reason for seeing my Dr, but it was often discussed and documented in my chart, including my weight each time I see my Dr, documented that Adipex failed for me 4 times, also that I did not lose very much on the 1200 and 1800 calorie diet, but like I said my weight was not my main health problem. I called Medicare myself and they said that all they required was a letter of medical necessity for me, since I have several other co-morbid health problems, which my weight makes worse, so with the surgery my Dr says these problems wont be as hard on me. Dr Baker requires that my Dr write a letter stating that I have failed at previous supervised dietary attempts for atleast 2 years, well I have about 7 years of medical records with my Dr, so I am sure that should be enough for Dr Baker. Best advice I can give right now, is to go ahead and do diets from your Dr and even if they don't work, atleast you will have it documented for next time you try for the surgery.