Recent Posts

kbanks212
on 6/16/09 4:41 am - sherman, TX
Topic: RE: Wishing I didnt ever have the surgery?

Thank you so much,Well I am better, but I am still sick alot. I am able to eat a little bit now, but its alot of mind control to not to over eat..And the nights of going out to eat with  family/friends is now over.Everything in your life will change.I am 5 weeks post op and eating is still hard for me.. I dont enjoy food for the flavor anymore, I just eat to stay living.Honestly if I could go back I wouldnt have gotten it done if I knew it would be this different..I hate throwingn up and would give anything to not ever do it again but every few days I do it.My husband is very supportive now he sees that its hard for him and the kids to eat a steak or whatever and I cant eat that.Red meats are a no no.So I dont even try them.And I loved steak.Thank you for thinking of me.And I hope your surgery goes well.

Kimberly
audacious1
on 6/15/09 10:43 am - Hood River, OR
Topic: RE: Wishing I didnt ever have the surgery?
Kimberly,

I haven't seen an update - are you okay?  I read your post and my heart went out to you! I'm pre-op but you emulate my very fears.  However, I've read several stories that are similar (including a woman who was urinating blood which freaked out the nurse, and ended up being normal).  It's never okay to suffer.  It's always worth that trip or call to the hospital.  You're body just went through sooo much! Take time for you.  There are many who came from the place you are (were on 5/19) that are so grateful now that they are a way out.  I'll be wishing the best for you and sending positive energy your way! 
audacious1
on 6/15/09 10:33 am - Hood River, OR
Topic: RE: What I do FOR myself vs What I do TO Myself ...xpost
Barbara,

Your post caught immediately caught my attention.  Although your thoughts are post-op, I feel they apply to my place, pre-op.  I'm continually thinking about the "what am I doing to myself" in terms of the RNY - re-engineering my anatomy - vs - the "what am I doing for myself?"  which makes me feel more comfortable in the long term, for the long term.

You hit it exactly when you mention moving from that place of reactive to long-term.  I used to dwell (still do sometimes) in the state of procrastination- but when I think long-term, I feel more grounded, less rushed. More at peace.  The "do" makes things a chore, the "for" makes them a blessing. 

Thanks for your insight : )
candycain1278
on 6/15/09 10:22 am - Anderson, IN
Topic: RE: RNY and FOBI and LUPUS
Hi.  I'm Jen.  I have LUPUS.  My surgeon refused to put any type band or foreign object in me b/c of the LUPUS.  She told me that I would be hard pressed to find anyone that would put a foreign object in anyone with ANY auto immune disorder.  (I wanted Lap band to begin with)  I went with just a RNY and have done very well.  My LUPUS is almost entirely cutaneous and my ANA is negative but they would not allow me to have the band.  I spoke to several surgeons and they all refused me the band for the same reason.

Have you found a surgeon that is willing to take this risk?  If you have I would get a couple more opinions.  If you have SLE I really don't think that it is worth the risk to have something left in there.  I am sure you can do really well with one of the surgeries that doesn't require any type of apparatus.  Good luck!
"Life is hard.  Afterall, it kills you."- Katherine Hepburn
SW 387.1/ CW 229.1/ GW 190 (Updated 7/27/10)

    
Chubbycakes
on 6/15/09 9:37 am
Topic: RNY and FOBI and LUPUS
  Has anyone had a fobi done with the rny  and have lupus and having no problems with it?  My surgeon suggested it for long term results.   I recall that lupus sufferers cannot have any foreign objects like plastics or lap bands  due to our auto immune system would reject it and can possibly erode in the  stomach.  But the way it sounds of it being called  silastic band  is it silicone or plastic ? I would like some imput on this one.    Thanks
Barbara C.
on 6/12/09 11:44 pm - Raleigh, NC
Topic: Endocrine Society findings re: Fractures and Bariatric Patients
I received this information and wanted to share it with you. This is new data presented this week (June 10, 2009) at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Washington DC.  Doctors from the Mayo clinic looked at 97 patients from the past 20 years who have had bariatric surgery.  They found that 21 of these patients had suffered a total of 31 fractures.  Most fractures occurred an average of 7 years after surgery, with the primary locations being in the hands and feet.  Other sites of fractures were the hip, spine and upper arm.
 
There are many risks for fracture in adults including age, gender, ethnicity, smoking and alcohol use, diseases like type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, and use of medications such as steroids, antidepressants, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).  But nutrition is also a serious risk.  Inadequate calcium intake and poor vitamin D status are significant factors in the ability to maintain bone health after bariatric surgery.
 
The ASMBS recommended intakes for calcium after bariatric surgery are as follows:
  • Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB): 1500mg calcium
  • Gastric Bypass (RNY): 1500 to 1800mg calcium as calcium citrate
  • Duodenal Switch (DS): 1800 to 2400mg calcium as calcium citrate
 
These recommendations are for calcium intake over and above dietary intake.  While it may sound like a lot it is terribly important that your body gets the amount of calcium it needs.  You need calcium to keep your heart beating and your brain functioning (as well as for other things).  So when the body does not get enough coming in each day, it takes calcium from your bones to supply it to the heart and brain.  People will often not know this until they actually break a bone. 
 
Generally, the ASMBS recommends that AGB and RNY patients get 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 daily and that DS patients get 2000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.  There is a lot of data indicating that vitamin D deficiency is very common both before and after surgery, and that many patients require higher doses of D3 based on their lab findings.  If you have not had your vitamin D levels tested, it is a good idea to know what they are.  Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine the amount of vitamin D you need to take based on this test.
 
To read more about the Mayo Clinic findings, you can click on the links below:

Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145

Barbara C.
on 6/6/09 8:15 am - Raleigh, NC
Topic: What I do FOR myself vs What I do TO Myself ...xpost

I met some of my OH friends for breakfast this morning and while I was talking to them about my second year post op and looking forward to my third year, I told them that I think that I think that it mostly breaks down to two things:

What I do FOR myself

versus

What I do TO myself

When I am doing things FOR myself, I find that I'm funtioning in a more planned, thoughtful mode. I am thinking about what will best serve my long term goals. When I think in terms of meeting my long term goals, I make decisions that empower me. They make me feel good about what I'm doing for me. I tend to make healthier decisions because in the long term, I want to live a longer, healthier life and those decisions move me in that direction. This includes decisions about what I choose to eat and activities I choose to engage in.

When I am doing things TO myself, I tend to find that I'm functioning in a reactive mode. When this happens I find that I am being less accountable to myself and tossing my 'plans' out the window. For me, this leads to doing things like reaching for carbs over protien, not going for a walk, etc... I find that these tend to be self-defeating and sabotaging things that tend to make me feel worse, instead of better.

Now, I'm looking at what I'm doing and I ask myself "Am I doing this FOR myself or TO myself." When I take the time to stop and ask myself that question, I find that I more often choose to do things FOR myself.

Do you find yourself doing things FOR yourself more now than you did before? If so, would you mind sharing some of the things you do FOR yourself? 

Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145

(deactivated member)
on 5/28/09 12:58 pm
Topic: RE: ignore--testing avatar


I'm finally figuring out the picture thing.....I think.  lol 


Michael S.
on 5/28/09 11:25 am - WI
REALIZE Band on 02/20/09 with
Topic: RE: ignore--testing avatar
No more butterfly!  Yay we can actually see you!

It's not a sign of weakness to seek help when you need it.
The only sign of weakness is NOT to seek the help you need.

530/428.6/363.0/200 (High/Surg/Cur/Goal)
7.0cc in my 9.5cc Band (Sweet Spot)

www.hungry2live.com - Winning my Battle Against Obesity Thanks to Weight Loss Surgery

(deactivated member)
on 5/28/09 10:06 am
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