DrivenToSucceed
Post Surgery Issues
Feb 08, 2011
So I finally reached my goal...
But it wasn't easy!
After so many months the weight just started coming off without much effort.
The reason why there is such an emphasis on presurgery counseling is because of the "addictive personality". I believe Physicians & Counselors really want to make sure that you will not trade your addiction for something else. After my surgery I slowly but surely became an alcoholic. I got to the point that I had to force myself to eat just to stay alive. I traded my addiction to food for an addiction to fine wine. 
Presurgery counseling and post surgery counseling is not a waist of time. 
During my pre surgical group meetings and counseling session I saw these requirements as an obstacle in my way...I just wanted to get them over with to get my surgery done. I did appreciate the group counseling meetings I met some pretty decent people there. However, all in all I just wanted to get my surgery done. I suffered dearly for not continuing care after surgery. 
I am now on the rebound after a one year binge. Just a note to anyone that is considering the surgery or have had the surgery...If you find yourself slipping into other addictive behavior may it be alcoholism or pain medication or any other addiction...don't wait! Get help as soon as you can and be relentless in seeking help for yourself these addictions can get worse and ruin your life.
Alive & Well
Jul 24, 2009
I am one week post op.
First off Dr. Suh performed my surgery perfectly. I went in on Friday July 17 and came home on Monday. Upon waking up out of the anesthesia the post op nurse was real
she acted like she was annoyed that I woke up in so much pain - the pain was from the gas (air) that they pump you up with it was intense and settled right underneath my rib cage. It always amazes me how some people will treat you when you are at their mercy. That's okay her reward
is in heaven.Anyway they give you your own morphine pump
which was nice. Then I was put into my own private room at Inland Valley it was perfect for me the rest of the nurses were real cool and on top of their game
. I slept almost the entire time I was in the hospital.
Dr. Suh decided to keep me one more day because I was a little weak at the operation site. I have thus far lost about 15 pounds with pre op diet included. Oh and you guys are going to love the magnesium citrate. (I didn't know they made stuff like that!!
actually it was the best laxative I've ever used with no strain at all but this emoticon is too cute to pass up!) Anyway, I am alive
the pain goes away like by the fourth day post op. Each day you get much better than the last day. The post op diet is not bad at all. I could not dream about eating anything other than my liquid diet the first few days anyway. Dr. Suh said I could have cream soups which is fine by me. But if I see another broccoli cream soup I am going to
all over the place. I had a whole bunch of staples in my belly but they are painless they looked worse than they felt. The staples got removed yesterday and did not hurt to be removed - and I am squeamish.
Dr. Suh is #1!!!
My mom prayed with him before surgery. He's really cool too! Anyway I would not encourage or try to discourage anyone from getting the surgery if you have a good support group and family that will help you through I think you'll be fine.I am starting to feel hungry for those old comfort foods though. I just want a sandwich or a slice of meat, or a pickle just a damn pickle cheese give me cheese! I'm cool though.
Still Jumping Through Hoops! Almost There?
Jun 18, 2009
Progress? 
Okay thus far:
I have completed the required 28 weeks of weight loss counseling/classes at Lite Weighs.
I have completed the required 7 patient education classes through BMG
.
I have completed the required seminar and support group meeting for the surgery center.
BMG declined my request for Dr. Douglas Khran 
so I am referred to Crown
. So instead of haggling with my insurance company 
I prefer just to get this surgery done as quickly as possible. I'm sure that's what the insurance company is hoping for too.
I have had my first consultation with the bariatric surgeon who is to perform my GBS.
I have an appt today with my PCP (who is a super cool dude thank you for everything Dr. Bashir) to have all my testing done and get the rest of my testing referrals: EKG, blood work, chest x-ray and referral for the upper GI (one more brick wall.).
And just when you think it is almost over the surgery center has a separate patient education requirement 
that is like 30 miles away.
AHHHHHHHH!
Okay!
So I am on my way to get all of these tests done today. And I am really just ready to have this surgery already.
I am sooo tired of being FAT. (Hey, why is there not a FAT Smiley???
)
I met some really cool and supportive people at Light Weighs 
(my Lite Weighs sister's). Of whom I greatly appreciate for being down to earth and for just being real people.
My bariatric surgeon is telling me that the earliest possible surgery date depends on how soon my pre op test results come back to his office.
Pre op diet: the only pre op diet my bariatric surgeon put me on is a "no white foods diet" and he gave me a prescription for Omeprazole. But he also told me that if I gain even one pound more than what I weighed in at in his office which was 254lbs than he will refuse to perform the surgery
.
So, I don't feel like I have quite broken through yet
because of all of the frustration
.
I mean how much patient education does one need?
I think I can teach the weight loss classes all by my self
.
Hell, I could probably perform the surgery
.
January 2, 2009
Jan 02, 2009
Well I had my second appointment with Dr. Phillips today! I have to admit I was kind of reluctant to go but I am glad I did go. This time around Dr. Phillips seemed to be very relaxed and very well rested. He treated me with respect as if we were old friends.
I felt like this appointment was a time set aside just for me.
Dr. Phillips spoke to me regarding the importance of not totally restricting myself of foods that I consider not part of a healthy diet.
We also spoke about me having an all or nothing attitude about things in my life, especially diet. I have been trying these "life changing" diets and if I cheated I would throw my hands up and say forget it. I would abandon my weight loss efforts over a few pieces of chocolate. I always considered me wanting a bag of chips next to my bed or on the sofa with me as I watch television to be "bad" behavior.
With this different perspective - Dr. Phillips said that I can have chips
and now I don't even want the chips. I mean they're just not necessary. Dr. Phillips says to think of my journey of losing weight as something that I enjoy
(because it will make me happy when I am thin) and not something that I am restricting myself of - I believe this really works. A lot of the snack foods I would eat I would use as a form of rebellion - rebellion from what? That is another blog for another day.
Introducing Me!
Dec 16, 2008
Hello Everyone
My story:
I found myself 120lbs overweight and I have truly tried every "lifestyle change" weight loss drug & diet known to man - and I finally decided that with all of my health problems sciatica, severe back pain, gastric reflux disease, and sleep apnea - if I don't do something to help myself I will become increasingly obese and I will not be living my life to the fullest potential or quality. Where's the fun in being young and FAT??
Sooooo, I have Medicare insurance & could not find a way through Medicare to obtain the necessary educational requirements to have this surgery. Then I transferred my insurance to IEHP Medicare Dual Choice this was a frustrating waste of time!!! Then I did some research and changed my insurance to HN & I found a wonderful program at Beaver - they are very organized and detailed (they are really on top of their game) they have a Patient Education program and a program called Lite Weighs that deals with the emotional and nutritional education. WOW! What a difference. I AM FINALLY ON MY WAY... I love the staff at Lite Weighs they are great. These people are patient, polite, and considerate the doctors are knowledgeable and genuine!!!! I am receiving vital information and I am learning how to make this transformation. Beaver only contracts with two bariatric surgery centers one is SCRIPP (I hear Scripp is top of the line) and the other is Crown (not too sure about Crown I mean I haven't heard anything good or bad). As far as surgeons I have really done my research as well and I am absolutely convinced that DR. DOUGLAS KRAHN is the man for the job!!!! I ONLY TRUST HIM WITH MY INTERNAL ORGANS - FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully I can get a referral for him to perform my surgery somehow someway.
He has an outstanding success rate and an extremely low death rate (only one patient death due to uncontrollable circumstances - the patient was going to die anyway)
This surgery is a BIG DEAL!!!
I did not like the initial appointment with one of the doctors at Lite Weighs. I thought him to be a bit rude. He did an assessment about my food intake and exactly how many calories I was taking in over the amount that was necessary which is the actual cause of all my weight gain and during this conversation he wrote down the five things that were preventing me from losing any weight, he wrote 1. exercise 2. exercise 3. exercise 4. exercise, and then he said, "Do you see where I'm going with this?" Uh, How rude. Really I took this sarcasm personally (I was pretty pissed!) until I discussed my meeting with him with another patient and I learned that she too had the same experience so it was not a personal attack.
I still wanted to
HOWEVER, I realize that he sees an overwhelming amount of patients even though it was quite obvious that I am fat because I over eat and I don't exercise & maybe I needed to hear it from someone other than my mother.
Anyway, I have since concluded that I will not let his need for a vacation get in the way of my success!!!!!
God Bless you doctor 
You're in my prayers.
