Question:
How do you know when you are too sick for WLS?
I have BAD health problems. I am caught in a bind. The weight is killing me but I have so many bad health problems some unrelated to weight that Im afraid WLS would kill me. But its between a rock and hard place. I need to get a pituitary tumor outruled and due to problems with MRI havent been able to get a brain scan--cant lay flat and breathe have tried several times. May be able to this Fall. (If this turns out negative--I may proceed with WLS plans) I gained 350lbs in 28 months in the late 90s. Got to 630lbs. I am now 450lbs. I lost 160lbs slowly 99-2001 and due to meds for endocrine diseases but stopped short 2 years ago and never lost another pound once I had life threatening infection and diabetes diagnosis. I am losing hearing by the minute they dont know why--have told me autoimmune hearing loss. I am svery hearing impaired. I am diagnosed with severe form of PCOS, Hyperadrenalism--they havent explained that one but told me could be rarer form of adrenal hyperplasis, suffer from undiagnosed neurological problems--tics that started with weight gain, visual problems, SEVERE asthma-had when thin and nearly killed me a few times in my 20s before weight gain, severe allergies, Lympedema--at least 100lbs of me is water and I have gained 50lbs of water in one day, infections galore already, diabetes, fatigue, hair loss, hypothyroidism--serious--Im on 6 times amount of meds of normal hypothyroids, cold spells etc. I am sick. However I feel like the weight is killing me. I cant lose weight no matter what I do. I eat healthy and do what I can but I have been disabled for 6 years and this is getting old. My family has a history of severe autoimmune disease. Father was overweight and had multiple autoimmune disorders. I have been told I could have lupus--tests have been inconclusive. Im scared. Im not sure how much is weight related and how much isnt. Would I worsen my situation to get WLS or improve it. I would be taking a massive spin of the wheel as far as survival goes. They wanted me to get surgery on my stomach from my weight loss it hangs and collects water all day, but I was told by that surgeon that I was too sick. Has anyone this SICK on this board ever gotten weight loss surgery and been ok? Another question--Does anyone know of any hospital programs where a person can check in for help in weight loss and rehab. I need respiratory rehabilitation. My asthma is getting far worse. — Sarah H. (posted on May 29, 2003)
May 29, 2003
Your a high risk patient thats for sure. But you have lots to gain by
improved health too. Asthma often improves or goes away after WLS. I
applaude your weight loss. My surgeon does high risk patients, thats the
type of surgeon you need. His heaviest was over 1,100 pounds. I see them
come in wheelchairs and a year later the wheelchair is GONE and they are
going to the gym! As far as if your too sick for surgery thats up to your
surgeon. If your rejected by some do at least see mine. He has patients
from all over the country and does most LAP. He does NOT require pre op
diet either! See my profiles bottom to the address for a on line support
group replay. Its in real player. Too bad Hippa RUINED THAT:( See the link
to BIG pete, he was sicker than you and a real inspiration! At the very
bottom of my profile. My wife Jen was oin 23 prescription drugs, and
coiuldnt work anymore. Had successful surgery she takes just allergy pills
and a small prozac dose, her Aasthma is GONE! and so is the PCOS! You have
the chance to really improve your life@!
— bob-haller
May 29, 2003
The last post was correct, you need to see a high risk surgeon. I have a
blood clot on the lower left venticle of my heart, diabetes type II, high
blood pressure, thyroidism, and I have had two strokes that left me blind
on the left side of both eyes, and I am 51 years old. Because I am high
risk, due to my heart, my surgeon had to agree to do my surgery. My
surgeon use to be a heart surgeon before he changed fields so I feel so
good about having him do my surgery. Once you find the surgeon that will
agree to perform your surgery, you will have no doubts that the surgery is
the best thing you can do for yourself, so do not take NO for a answer,
just find a high risk surgeon. I am sure that all your health problems
will go away, but if only a few go away, and you are not carring around
extra weight, you will have to feel better, and have a better quailty of
life.
— cindy
May 29, 2003
It would be critical for you to get the best surgeon possible. One that
specializes in high risk patients. They would need to get you as stable
as possible first. Research your surgeons. Find out who in the bariatric
community is handling cases as complex as yours. Good luck to you. BTW,
the fact that you've already lost some weight is a big plus.
— mom2jtx3
May 29, 2003
Yes, there is a place that severe people can go to for 'weight loss and
rehab'; Im just not sure where it is :( My late husband looked into it....
but PLEASE sweetheart as scary as having surgery can be have your PCP (if
possible) contact the Bariatric surgeon in Virgina (I'm going to go try and
find his name since it escapes me). Being that you have sooo many heath
problems and the weight issue - your insurance may let you be hospitalized
to 'stable' the health problems then proceed to have surgery. My late
husband was over 600 pounds. He resisted the idea of haveing WLS - he
finally concented to a panni (the removal of the hanging skin - which he
had 'bad' due to being in the hospital with phnemonia - and alot of 'water
weight'.... This can be done on you at the same time as the WLS. In my
opion; NO mater what your health issues, they are not going to get any
better if you dont loose weight; and if you cant loose weight without
surgery, Surgery is the best way to go... YES there are danger's espeically
if you have health problems; but what will happen if neither gets better?
Have your PCP put you in the hospital; have you monitored then have
surgery. Don't wait... please.. some times you can wait too long :(
— star .
May 29, 2003
The doctors name is Dr. Sugarman. He's in VA. Also, Dr. Smith in Atlanta -
He actually 'called' our home and talked with us. You need an
'experienced' Bairatric surgeon. Have your doctor consult with Dr.
Sugarman; if he can't help he will refer you. Just dont put it off any
longer.
— star .
May 29, 2003
I would think it would be best to get your health problems under control
the best you can at this point before WLS. You mention a pituatary
tumor...has your doctor mentioned Cushing's Disease, I saw on TV a women
who kept gaining weight and it turned out she had Cushing's and had a tumor
on her pituitary that once removed she lost weight. Doing some research on
WebMD it said that Cushings can also lead to diabetes. Do a library search
on this site for Cushings you will probably find other information. I'm
not saying that is what's wrong...I just hope other medical conditions
causing your problems are ruled out before you have WLS. WLS isn't a
miracle cure for all our medical problems...while in most cases it does
improve them...I'm learning right now that I'll probably always have to
deal with one of my condiditions. I hope you get whatever help you need to
be healthier!
— Sarahlicious
May 29, 2003
Since you live in Michigan, let me suggest my surgeon, Marek Lutrzykowski,
MD in Bloomfield Hills. I was over 500 pounds at one point and 494 day of
surgery. I too had severe asthma, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, stress
incontinence and amenorrhea. Not any more. Good Luck to you. Be proud of
the fact that you are being persistent and courageous in the face of your
annoying disability!
— merri B.
May 29, 2003
I could have Cushings. I want to outrule pit tumor before getting WLS. I
have many symptons of Cushings and then severity of my weight gain--how
fast it was and neurological problems. I have been trying to get MRI for
year. They are putting in a stand up MRI in Chicago and I can travel to it.
(Im not healthy enough to travel to the one in NYC. I cant get lay down
MRIs because I cant breathe when I lay flat becaue of all the water going
to my chest. Not even for 30 secs. They thought of intubating me and well
even that was problem given most open MRIS are not in hospitals. They
putting the stand up one this Fall in Chicago. Ive waited this long. Hope I
fit. I am concerned about my medical problems being so extreme. Ive been
around supersized people my size and I am the sickest by far with many
unexplained symptons. This is why I am worried. I also had weight gain
stop. One weird thing too, is we have to figure out how much of me is
water. (have severe lymphedema) My husband says I appear to be losing
weight on top, shoulders and face are smaller but edema is bad. I can
differ as much as 8 inches around from morning to night not making this up.
I will have to seriously consider what I am going to do. I am not getting
any better. I am on a Cushings board and they are praying I get help. Some
women there were diagnosed only with PCOS. Thanks so much for your support
and surgeon suggestion in MI
— Sarah H.
May 29, 2003
I was a very high risk patient. It has been a miracle for me. Asthma, type
1 diabetes, colitis, had a quadruple heart bypass after two heart attacks,
CHF, Gerd.... and I was in diapers......Now I feel great! Linda
— Linda M.
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