Hello and Help!

Hello LW board, 

     I have been lurking over here for a bit and I wanted to say hello!. I love how this board spreads good vibes instead of flame threads.   I am currently working on the pre-op requirements for surgery. I won't be getting the surgery until May or June so I have some time to learn and just read, read, read.  I am 243 and my bmi is 40%, I would like to get down to 140 (or 135 if I am lucky). 

    I do have a few questions/concerns.
 
1. I need to keep my weight steady for a while because of the insurance BUT I have already cut out soda and many sweet foods.  I think I could lose 10-15 pounds BUT I need to weigh more on the Dr's scale.  Does anyone have tips other than wearing layers?  I saw a weighted vest at Wal Mart but it looked small.

2. I discovered I have the H-Pylori bacteria in my stomach, does anyone know if I can still get the sleeve?  (I am on antibiotics right now--and as sick as these pills make me feel they'd better work!).

3. I also have a small hernia and 2 large Gallstones.  I am talking to my PCP (who is also a surgeon) and wanted to know if it would be better for me to get my GB removed now or at the time of my WLS?

Welcome!

I don't have answers to your first questions, but I do have an idea about the last one.  I would, if possible, try to avoid having surgeries.  Would your surgeon be willing/able to do the coly at the same time as getting your sleeve?  I know it's done, but not ever surgeon feels the same about it.  I had my coly several years ago, and while it's not an especially difficult surgery, it IS surgery with recovery needed, etc.  Since they go through similar sites, and since it is pretty common to do, I don't see why they couldn't do this for you.

Good luck working this out!  I'd check with your doctors and be honest about your question about weight.  Many people lose quite a bit of weight before surgery, and their approval is based on their highest weight.  I went into this with the misconception that I couldn't lose weight, and initially my insurance company was concerned that I'd be noncompliant with the surgery plan, since they were used to people dropping a bit more than I had (and would've, if I'd have known I could've.)

Hope this helps!

-Rosa

heyyyy sweetie,
good luck to you
as to the 1st question i actually know a friend that used to put rolls of quarters in her pockets to weigh more on the scale lololol thats hysterical
anyway i dont know the answres to the other questions but i know some one will on here welcome to this forum

Hey there...not sure about the last questions but the first I do know what you can do...You can weight the ankle weights that wrap around your ankles. They are invisible under pants so no one would know!

Also, it's good your doing a lot of reading beforehand. I did the same thing. Welcome to our boards!

Ooopppsss...I meant "wear" the ankle bracelets! Duh!

Your BMI can be 35 if you have any co morbidities like diabetes or high blood pressure. I would have your doctor record your current weight so that when you go to your surgeon if it is lower they can use your doctors weight with the insurance company.
I had my gallbladder taken out with my first WLS. No problem there. And if they can fix your hernia at the same time all the better. It is best to avoid having sugery and anesthesia as much as possible.
As far as the H pylori bacteria, will that be cured with the antibiotics? If so I don't see a problem. If it is a chronic problem you need to go over that with the surgeon but I don't think it should be an issue.

Hello!  I don't really have the answers to your questions but I wanted to say WELCOME and good luck with the rest of your pre-op journey!

I had a huge hernia that was fixed during my WLS.....I think this is pretty common.

Best wishes and stick around!  No stupid questions here!!

When I weighed in the first time with the SURGEONS office ( my highest recorded weight was 220) I had been losing small amounts of weight and wanted to make sure I hit the BMI range, I made sure I had a completely full bladder,full stomach, kept my heavy coat on and made sure I had my pockets stuffed with a water bottle, keys, cell phone and made sure I had my heaviest shoes on. This all put me at 208 which was within range for my height, I am 4'11". I also made sure my PCP had my highest weight on record, which did help alot.

I cant answer your last 2 questions but welcome to the board and good luck.

Thank you all for the kind welcome and the responses.

1. If the surgeon can fix my issues with one surgery that is my preference. I want to limit the amount of sick time I have to take from the job.
2. The H Pylori should clear up with the medicine I am currently on (Praying hard!) ---If I had never pursued WLS I never would've known I had the stomach bacteria that could lead to ulcers and stomach cancer!.
3. Thank You so much for the pointers with the weigh in!. My purse alone weighs about 10 pounds! LOL I am going to get the ankle weights and make sure I have my pockets full!

You ladies ROCK!

You might want to check with your surgeon's office or the insurance company, I only had to weigh a certain amount at my initial consultation. After that, they wanted me to lose before surgery. Every pound lost lowers your risk of complications (and you have less to lose post-op). My starting BMI was 40.2 I think. By the time surgery came, I was way under that. If you have co-morbidities, you would still qualify with a 35 BMI.

I'm sure your infection will clear up before your surgery. If there is still a risk, they would put an antibiotic in your IV in the hospital.

I would definitely opt for one surgery to take care of all the problems. If you have or have had gallstones, they often remove the gall bladder at the time of surgery. But if the hernia or gall bladder are super painful and need to be taken care of sooner, it would be fine. I had hernia repair a few months before WLS and it was fine...just one more scar on my belly.

Other than that...good luck and welcome to the lightweights!!! Glad you found us! We're here for you if you have any questions or need support with anything!