Just a few questions...

Hi everyone. I hope everyone is doing good. I just have a few questions that hopefully someone will be able to help me with. So thanks to everyone in advance.lol. The first question i have is, I am on medicaid and i have done the 6 month weigh in that is required. The only thing is that my last weigh in visit was in March of last year. I just want to know if i am gonna have to do it all over again since it has been over a year. Someone told me that i wouldn't have to but i want to make sure. One of the other questions is what is a jp tube? Another question i have is am i going to have to take shots to thin my blood? I guess it would be bloodthinner shots then..lol..If i do have to take them, how long will i have to do it? Ok the last question i promise..lol..What is the atkins diet? I was told by the nurse that 2-4 weeks before surgery i will have to go on the atkins diet to shrink my liver....K thats all for now...If anyone has any more info that they would like to pass on to me, i would be EXTREMELY grateful.....Also if anyone would like support and would also give me some support please feel free to send me a email at [email protected] i just wanna say HI ANNIE!!!!!!!!!...Sorry i haven't emailed you for a while but for the past couple of days i have been having a horrible gallbladder attack. ok everyone, like i said before any info would be appreciated...Take care everyone......Emelinda

Hi Emelinda,

It's nice to meet you.

It appears that your 6 month medically supervised diet attempt meet the guidelines. I reviewed the NC Medicaid requirements (http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/DMA/physician/1a15.pdf) and it appears that you'll meet the timeline guidelines mentioned there. You can visit the website and review it yourself to be sure that you meet the requirements.

A JP tube is a Jackson-Pratt Drain is a suction drainage device used to pull excess fluid from the body by constant suction. Some surgeon's use them routinely, some only in certain cir****tances. They remain in place until the drainage has stopped and then are removed. I didn't have to have one when I had my RNY, but I did have one 14 years ago when I had my lap Gall Bladder removal.

Blood thinners. Again, this is going to depend from one dr to another and even from patient to patient. You usually don't have to take them once you have left the hospital, but your surgeon will be able to answer your questions regarding this.

The Atkins Diet. This is a high protien, low carb diet that actually is pretty similar to the way you are likely to be eating as you are in you weight loss phase, once you are allowed foods again. Again, surgeons and programs vary as to how they want you to go about it, but it is very common for surgeon's to have you use some sort of diet to help shrink the liver prior to surgery. This is because the surgery is much easier to perform and safer for the patient when the liver is as small as possible and diet such as the Atkins diet tend to cause the liver to shrink.

You have a lot of good questions; questions that are really good for your dr and his office. Be sure to contact them with questions like these. I'm sure that they will be glad to answer them for you and while I'm glad to give you my take on them, it would be great to get their responses to your questions.

Good luck as you make you way on this incredible journey.

Barb

Just to clarify ...

Atkins is a diet plan, but also has suppliments that you purchase and use. I was talking about the eating plan as opposed to the bars, shakes, etc...

B

 I had thinner shots while I was in the hospital as well as a drain with my RnY but all that ceased when I was discharged. I like atkins mainly because its my only source of sweets except for dream cycles and they have good protein in them. I like the candy bars and the shakes but I prefer the chocolate royal flavor to the others. The Atkins even when on solid food makes a good inbetween snack for our family. My wife is two years post op with her RNY. I had my RNY in August with medicare and they accepted the six month program I did five months prior to the surgery. I started it in November of 2007 and had to fini**** in April of 2008. I guess it sounds alot spookier with all the shots and drains and stuff but for me it was not that bad. The thinner shots if you need them you most likely will not feel them being given. the needles they use nowdays are so thin they tend to not hit any nerves. I can attest to this from giving myself Insulin for years every day several times. The drain only feels a little wierd when they remove it if they even install one. It did not hurt  to remove it just very very different. I hope this helps out some. 

Hi Emelinda,
I am so happy to see you posting.
You will find some very helpful folks on this board.
Also you are with friends here.
                                                    Annie