Worries & Fears... surgery is within reach now...

I have Fibromyalgia... I currently take medication for it... also take Nexium for GERD... after the surgery, how do medications work?  I mean, will I still be able to take my same meds?  Or maybe I may not need some like the Nexium?  How about allergy medicine?  I have been on a 12-month supervised diet now for 6 months, and just found out my BCBS insurance has changed to a 6-month requirement and now I need to make the decision of whether or not to go ahead with surgery... but I just seem to have so many worries... my friends say I worry too much, but from what I have been reading about the surgery... it is a major lifestyle change... I want to be sure it is the right one for me... How did some of you get by all the fears and worries?

I'm am still preop, but I have fears too.  Which surgery are you thinking about having?  At our informational meeting one of the surgeons said RNY is a cure all for GERD and that 99.9% of his patients have no further problems with reflux.  he did also say that if you have to take pain medications like NSAIDS(motrin etc) for arthritis for example that often time he will prescribe a med like Nexium to prevent damage done to the pouch by those meds since they are so hard on the stomach. I think it's normal to have fears.  I know the closer I get (even though I don't have a date yet) the more I wonder if I will be succesful.  I don't want to fail at weight loss once again. Back to the meds....my MIL had RNY in 2005.  She still takes pills for thyroid, depression and vitamins.  I believe she takes them whole.  I know in the beginning she had to have liquid meds and maybe crush the others and mix with pudding etc. I kinda have BCBS...up until Jan 1st we had BCBS of MI.  Employer switched to a new company, but my union contract states that I will have BCBS or equivilant so that means I get to follow BCBS requirements under new plan.  I have an actual copy of the email sent to surgeons by blue cross outlining changes.  It says that preapproval is no longer required as long as the surgeon follows the guidelines exactly.  So, if you've finished your 6 months, you could call your surgeon and get scheduled if you meet all the other guidelines!  WTG!

HI     I am going to MMPC of GrandRapids and the Dr's there told me No more NSAIDS. I currently take motrin for Arthritis and Fibromyalsia and they said after surgery NO MORE>  So I asked my Rhumatologist what I will take then?  She told me to call her...there isn't alot.  I sure hope they work whatever it may be.  I also take prevacid...insurance stopped covering Nexium.  WE will see I guess.

I'm not sure how your bariatric facility works, but at Hurley in Flint I had to go through extensive pre-op testing with the PCP for their facility.  He reviewed my entire medical record, all my test results from that day of testing, my medications, etc .... he adjusted a few things, put me on one new med and told me exactly which of my medications I needed to have changed and to what.  He also answered any of my last minute questions about the surgery and post-op medical care. For instance, I was taking Allegra before surgery for allergies -- but because Allegra is a slow-release type medicine, after RNY I couldn't take it, so he had my own PCP write a prescription for what was better. As for GERD.  What type of surgery are you having?  In almost all RNY patients GERD will immediately go away after surgery.  However, it's a growing trend that you'll be put on some type of antacid (I'm taking Prevacid) for several months up to 1 year to help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and the production of stomach acid in your new pouch. As for getting over the worries and fears.  You don't.  You just need to learn to live with them and figure out if this really is the right decision for you at this time in your life.  If you need to take an extra month or two to come to a place of peace about this decision, then do it.   It's perfectly natural to be worried about all the BIG changes you're facing, but don't let the fear of those changes get in the way of what's best for you and your good health. Good luck, Pam

The facility where I am going is at Marquette General Hospital... it is new... they never had one there before.  The doctor is from Florida, he seems quite knowledgable and has performed over 1,000 surgeries while in Florida.  The surgery I am considering is RNY.  So far I have only gone for one visit where I got some information and he examined me, but since I had to go through a 12-month thing, I never asked him anymore questions.  He did tell me I had to go through the psych eval and also see a cardiologist due to my age and family history.  I have the psych eval set for the 20th of this month.  His nurse also talked to us about life after surgery... medications, proteins, vitamins, etc... I kind got the impression I could stop the Nexium... but never asked them about allergy medication, etc... this was back in the beginning of August so I have probably forgotten some of what they told me... now that this is coming up sooner than I expected, I will definately be asking them more questions.  This website has also been very helpful.  Another concern I have is about the costs of the vitamins, protein drinks, etc... afterwards... will it be affordable to me and being in such a remote location, will I be able to find things easily?  Sigh...  I found there is a support group in my area so I plan on going there and talking to them next week.   I really want to lose this weight... my life is misreable... some days I can hardly walk... I know my fibromyalgia is part of the problem, but imagine my weight is not helping either.  There are other things healthwise going on, which I won't get into right now... but it seems like the docs I have been going to all come back to the same thing... my weight.  

I agree Roseybud........... everyone points to your weight! My Mom also has fibromyalgia her Dr. put her on Fentanyl Transdermal Patch's she changes them every 3 day's, at least she can move around now.

Hello     My name is Elaine *Melon52* and I am worrying alot also.  They just gave me a date...Feb 22nd.  Thought that was quick after waiting since Augest when I started all this. I have tried to loose weight since aug. and lost some and gained it back.  My faults are pasta and breads mostly. I am going to a pre-op appointment with several people friday.  I will find out how the  meds work.   Currently I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, GERD, sleep apnea, just to name a few. I won't be able to take Motrin or asprin ever again.  Don't know what they will replace it with. If you'd like to put me in as a friend I will let you know how things come out. From michigan here too!  :) Good luck Elaine

Hi Elaine - congrats on getting your surgery date. I had Dr. Kemmeter for my surgery in August and I had no problems at all. I am 68 yrs old (almost 69) and had diabetes, hypertension, and could hardly walk. My diabetes is virtually gone, BP is normal and I ride my exercise bike 4 miles a day. I usually frequent the over 50 forum, but check in on the Michigan site a couple times a week. You will be in excellent hands with Dr. K. and his staff is wonderful and caring. I am supposed to come up to MMPC on the 18th, but it will depend on the weather as I live clear down in Sturgis and it's a 105 mile trip one way.

If I need to take pain medicine, it's Tynelol Extra Strength.
However, I think I've only taken it once or twice in the last six months!

Keep me informed on how everything is going. I will be thinking of you and praying for a good surgery on the 22nd and a smooth recovery.

Keep warm,
Pat R.