Roll Call

Kristin from here in the 'Peg.  I am also in the Weight Wise program in Edmonton because I was above the criteria for the program here.  I'm stuck in a rut and feel like quitting.  Time will tell I guess.

Kristin, hang in there. The Bariatric team in Edmonton have been great - I get a lot of support from all the members but especially Erin, Dr. Modi and Christine. The office staff have been great and very supportive too.  Have you been attending the Weight Wise modules? All of Alberta Health's Weight Wise community programs are open to you. I try to take as many modules as I am able when I go to Edmonton for follow ups.These modules are a great resource - I like them so much that I've taken a couple twice and would do all of them over again.

i was stuck too in April and May but have increased my activity level to jump start my metabolism. I'm also making sure I get enough sleep and stick to their recommended nutrition plan.

I go to the YMCA to swim in the AM (6:30-6:45) You are welcome to join me. When are you next in Edmonton?

Kristin. When I get stuff in a rut, I read my old journals and remind myself how excited I was to go for surgery. It normally brings me out of my funk and gives me renewed energy to continue the fight :)

Hi everyone...I am Kim...I had rny Jan 23,2012 and I am down 143 lbs (20 of it preop).  I have had more than my share of complications (pretty much all of them) and I would do it all again.  

Hi Kim. Yes you've had a hell of a time with complications!!!! I am glad you are still not regretting it. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hi Everyone, My name is Diane and I had VSG in Oct 2012.  I am down 113 total and about 96 lbs since my surgery.  I have found this site very helpful and have really benefited from the support I have received here.  I would like to lose about another 5-10 lbs and have already seen plastics about abdominoplasty.  I was told I would be a successful candidate for partial coverage in MB but would definitely benefit from the full tummy tuck, so I am saving for the difference.  I also feel the longer I can work on my muscle layer, the better the result will be in the end so I am hoping for surgery next spring. 

I have acid reflux but control by 2 zantac a day and have been lucky to have never thrown up or had any nasty side effects other than the GERD.  I use MyFitnessPal religiously and believe it has kept my on the right path when through a lot of temptation. 

Hey Diane. If you don't mind me asking, how would one become eligible for partial coverage and what is the real cost? I am at the beginning of this life long journey as I just had surgery 7 weeks ago. I feel I am doing well but have been experiencing some back of my throat burning and upper stomach burning for the past couple of days. Going to work at a little "blander" types of foods for the next while. What is GERD? I have never heard of it. Just wondering if I should be calling someone about the "burning" or not and I woke up today with absolutely nothing wrong, ????

 

Hi Gone, GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease aka acid reflux or plain ole heart burn and it sounds like it is affecting you.  Bland foods won't hurt but this is a very common side effect of VSG, sometimes it gets better with time, sometimes it stays with a person for the long term.  Antacids are a good quick fix but not really recommended for the long run as they can contribute to gallstones (which we are at a greater risk for).  You should contact the clinic and they will probably recommend either a script of Nexium (or similar) or even to try an over-the-counter med like Zantac or one of the NoName brands.  My understanding is (and I am open to correction here as I am not a Dr. and it has been awhile since I played on on TV) that the part of out stomach that secrets the acid is not removed and keeps secreting for a "normal" size stomach.  It can be harmful if not treated as it can erode your esophagus in extreme cases, not to mention painful and annoying. 

About the abdominoplasty,  the MB government will cover a pannulectomy (sp?) IF it is deemed necessary from a health point of view ie: skin breakdown and infection in creases.   I heard you had to have lost 100 lbs and have kept if off for more than a year but when I seen Dr. Islur he didn't mention any of those figures.  Let's face it, 100 lbs is different on everybody but he did say that I should be at least 3 months at my goal weight but preferable 6 months for best results.  The part that is covered is only removing the skin from the bellybutton down to the mons and from hip to hip.  It does not included relocating the BB (which can get dragged down to your lower abdomen).  He thinks a full tummy tuck would be better as I have "horizonal excess as well as the vertical" lol.  It does contour your abdomen much better, if his fat pulling technique is accurate (hey - ouch)   He said the price for the extra would be between $3200 and $4000, depending on how much OR time is involved.

Hi Dianne! How have you been doing?  Awesome with the weight loss! Super sweet. I am not going to recognize you the next time I see you :D