Anyone here Have Dr. Cosner?

How long did it take to get your surgery?  I'm looking at a revision from a vbg to an RNY.  I just had my appointment last Friday and I go back the first week in June for my UPPER GI test.  I just had a breathing test done so getting it sent to them.  My Family Doctor is writing him my referral and my co-morbidities.  I'm 5'2" and weigh 235.  I'm mirerable, my knees hurt so bad I just had one scoped and they did some work on it but it still hurts.  I can't get up and down without using my arm muscles.  I have had 3 back surgeries and now am left with chronic pain from it and nerve damage down my L leg and into foot.  I think if I get this weight off again and keep it off this time my knees and pain will have to get better and maybe I can get off all this medication for High Blood Pressure.  My legs are so swollen every day I can  hardly walk.  I'm just getting really anxious. 

I had a VBG thinking it would do it for me cause I wasn't a sugar eater that is until I had that surgery and found that sugar slid right through.  Without sugar I have to lose weight.

I'm lookiing for any advise from anyone out here - this is my first time back since 1999.

Do you mean Dr. Coster from Grinnell?  I did and I loved the whole group of them.  Very helpful and supportive.  Good luck!

Yes I meant Dr. Coster!  How long did it take before you received a date?  Where do you get your Calcium Citrate 500 mg w/ D?  Those pills are so large they are hard to swallow.

When did you have your surgery - what kind and how are you doing today?  I know I'm full of questions and I am also very anxious.  Thank you.

I had my first appointment in June 2008..I think I had my approval by August, completing everything and ready for surgery by September 2008.  I got all of my vitamins and supplements at WalMart, but ended up have to do the vitachews because I could not get the calcium citrate down in the beginning.  I had a RNY and lost 165 pounds.  Other than occasional kidney stones...which is a side effect that not everyone has and generally happen when I am not drinking like I should....I am doing great.  I still have a sugar intolerance which for me is a great thing as I loved my sugar.  

If you live close to a support group, attend!  I can't tell you how much it helped to connect to a fellow weight loss patient.  I was lucky to meet a person who had the surgery a couple of months before me so she was very helpful and encouraging.  We also could go out together and order off the kiddies menu and not feel silly.  I think having a support system is really important with your exercise, diet, clothes, "side effects such as hair loss" and different things to do to get your protein in and water in.

I miss my support group.  Unfortunately I live in the northwoods of Wisconsin and the closest group is over 2 hours away.  

Ask away and make sure you ask Dr.Coster's team too.  Also I have never had such good care at a small hospital as I did at Grinnell.  From the massage therapist to the dieticians to the nursing staff.  Everyone was awesome!  Good luck!

Do you buy your vitachews at Walmart?  How's the flavor?  I'm looking at a revision from a VBG to an RNY.  I seen the doctor in June  so I'm looking at Aug or Sept also.  How much weight have you lost?  I live 1 1 /2 hours from Grinnell but I may be able to get into another group if they will allow me since I didn't use their doctor 1/2 an hour away.  Yes I agree a support group would be wonderful. 

Thank you for all your information and good luck to you too.

If you're looking at an RNY because you're counting on dumping on sugar you may not realize that only about 30% of RNY people dump. I don't dump and can eat sugar.

Good luck

I had RNY and I can eat sugar too.  I think that you need to research your options and more importantly, discuss it with your PCP.  This is just a tool, no matter which surgery you may choose.  We still have to do the hard work that goes with losing and maintaining our weight loss.

Just my opinion here!
Carol

Hi Again, yes that is true about only 30% dumping.  Dr. Coster told me I was actually one of the lucky ones because of that.  There are foods that I have found I definitely have to watch as they are "nonregistering" foods for me, so I steer clear of them.  I have learned I have to take my own "snacks" to family gatherings.  Chips, crackers, and dry cereal are 3 things I definitely stay clear of.   I did water aerobics to start off with for exercise because my weight was prohibitive for me to do much else.  Within 1 to 2 blocks my legs were killing me.  The water aerobics really made a difference. Believe me you can sweat in a swimming pool.

I weighed 360 when I started my weight lost journey and now weigh 170 with tons of loose skin, but so far very lucky in the fact the loose skin does not cause me problems.  I am not interested in having plastic surgery to correct it unless there are problems, so I carry around a few more pounds because of it. But that is my choice.  I know there are others who have had the plastic surgery and are thrilled with the results.

Start altering your eating habits before surgery.  I cut out all soda pop before my surgery.  I went decaffienated before the surgery and started in on protein shakes per Dr.Coster's recommendations.  A huge goal is to shrink the fatty liver as much as possible before the surgery.

Definitely make sure you are up front with Dr. Coster and his team about your  needs and expectations.  I definitely had to have a mind set change because I needed to get used to eating healthy foods, high in protein and fiber along with being well balanced.  That is where I definitely miss my support group for the different helpful hints, butt kicking, and encouragement.  Try to find one to get to if you can. 

I am almost 2 years out.  I was verty close to being stuck in a wheelchair because of my weight and bad legs.  I had severe sleep apnea and high blood pressure.  I can now go anywhere my hubby does and we are riding bikes together.  I no longer need my C PAP machine and my blood pressure is normal.  But I also still have problems with being able to eat something one day and the very next time I will be sick from it (shrimp is one I have a love-hate relationship with).  I know not everyone has that problem, but it is a side effect that is out there as a possibility.  The kidney stones also are a pain, but then carrying around almost 200 pounds extrra body weight was not good either.

Hang in there and good luck!

Cindy

I've had my initial appt. and then went back a wekk later for my upper GI and psych eval.  They have called and aded the calcium citrate +d and I was wondering when will I see the doctor again.  Do they call you to c oome visit so they can tell you what they have decided or do they do it over the phone.

Thank you guys.

Have you done your nutrition appointment?  If I remember correctly they will call you.  Once all of the "hoops" have been done then they present you to the board for discussion.  I think I got a call that night telling me that I was a go and that they would submit me to insurance for approval.  Best of luck to you.  Please stay in touch to let us know how you do!