Hi, I'm new here and am contemplating surgery and need advice.
I would recommend that you go there or OSU rather than Cleveland. Both programs have patient support groups, I actually go to both as OSU welcomes all and Fresh Start only allows current patients. This gives me 3 support group meetings a month that I can attend and they are really an important part of the weight loss process. The surgery isn't a miracle cure, it is a tool and you have to learn how to use it and how to change your lifestyle for good or the surgery will only work as a temporary measure.
You are in my neck of the woods, I live in Centerburg, work in Columbus so I go to the meetings on the way home from work.
Hi. I live in Mt. Gilead, actually, between there and Galion. Because of my central sleep apnea, I no longer drive and so those meeting in Columbus are a hardship indeed for me. I saw that they offered the seminars in Mansfield, a much closer drive for me, but when I looked further, I didn't see any scheduled to I took the one on-line. From what I can gather it looks like two visits where you see all of the necessary different departments, and then you go to (3) nutrition planning classes prior to surgery, barring, of course, any MRI's, or procedures requested prior to surgery, which would need additional scheduling. Does that sound about right? Now, about those support meetings AFTER surgery, EVERYONE says that those are key to your success, so that is a BIG concern for me. I don't know how to "fix" that. Of course, I hope that my sleep apnea will be altered and less of a problem (diabetes two as well), as the pounds leave me-but the "central sleep apnea" is as a result of a stroke and I cannot get rid of that as it comes from damage deep within the brain, permanent in nature. And that is what keeps me from driving. How long were you down and out after the surgery. Did you require special kinds of foods? Vitamins, etc? Did you have stitches, drain tubes that required removal a week later?
And....thank you for your support in my inquiries. Thank you very much.
I walked out of the hospital off most meds including diabetes and have been diabetes free for 2 years now but that is different for each person. Some have slower resolution.
I was back to work in 2 weeks, could have returned sooner.
You don't need special foods except for protein supplements at first and vitamins and calcium. As you recover you progress from liquids to mushy food, to soft food to "normal" food. Sweets and white carbs are things of the past for the most part, high protein, low carb, low calorie is the name of the game.
You do need to be able to attend the educational sessions and follow ups.
For support, you can get some online, watch the Bariatric TV shows, and they have a weekly support chat that is great, Diva Tania has a weekly online radio show, and if you are on Facebook let me know and I can bring you into the OSU support Facebook group which is a closed group so only members can see what is posted.
As for your apnea, who knows if it will get better, mine won't because it is structural, but others eventually get off the PAP machines completely.
I know that it will surely improve my apnea, right now, my pressure has been increased so high that it impacted my sinus', causing me to sneeze 100+ times per day! I'm now on a bipap and I am able to exhale MUCH easier now. So ANY improvement is a win for me ya' know. Now.. that "central apnea" business, was a result of a stroke and respiratory arrest, Im not really sure of all the diagnoses from that damage. It is deep damage within the brain. It makes me fall asleep at a traffic light, in conversation, my memory is effected. THAT'S the one I don't drive anymore for. I have just recently been put on insulin, in the last year..however, I have been on orals, etc. for a few years for my DMII. Ridding of that would be so awesome. Also, I have a quadruple fusion of the bottom weight bearing vertebra in my back, getting so, so, much weight off, will undoubtedly slash the need for such strong medications-the other reason driving is a problem. It won't fix my back but all that weight is definitely a compounded problem. I will be able to get back out in my flower gardens outside and to my sewing machine inside....music to my ears. My husband and I are looking forward to enjoying some traveling, too, over the next couple of years, as our twins, just completed their first year at a local college. They stay on campus and we are now able to leave if we choose, but my health is holding us back from doing so. Stories like yours are very moving to me and convince me that I am doing the right thing. So, again, thanks for your support. Monday I have to go for OP surgery done on an implanted interthecal pain pump, implanted right under the surface of my left flank, so I may not be on here for a couple of days, but I shall return. Have a good weekend. The sleeve is one I am looking at, but I was impressed by the rapid weight loss of the rny...i just am wondering whether I could ever qualify for it.
This surgery can save your life so it is so worth doing. Go to Fresh Start and begin the process. If anyone will do it, he will, and he is a good surgeon.
Depending on how much weight you need to lose, the RNY might be the best choice since you will have trouble exercising. The malabsorbsion will make for a stronger, more effective tool for you, but of course the choice is something that you have to make yourself after talking to your surgeon.
Good luck with your procedure.
