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C J’s Posts

C J
on 3/22/12 6:09 pm

Topic: RE: Looking for a New Facility for VSG in MA

What's so important here is that you've recognized that you are NOT being treated like you should. This is life altering and these people will be with you for the duration... of course you'll want them to treat you well and respect you without being judgemental!!!

I'm hoping to get some "local" people together to form a group. I fell off the wagon and stopped going to support groups all together. Monday I saw my nutritionist for the first time in 8months and we went over the importance of support and after care. There isn't a "local" group that I know of but I've been trying to get some people together to form one so we can "support" each other.

I heard nothing but GOOD about VSG - I wanted it but couldn't afford self-pay and my insurance didn't cover it :-( I have no regrets with my RNY - life is SOOOO different!!!

Keep in touch...

C J
on 3/21/12 6:34 pm

Topic: RE: Looking for a New Facility for VSG in MA

Check out Tufts - Weight & Wellness program. I was at the support group on Monday and they say they're are performing a significant amount of VSG's (assuming your Insurance company has VSG in their coverage)

I'm a post-op RNY'er I l-o-v-e the Tufts group and their program both pre and postop has been fantastic. They are all genuienly compasionate about the obesity AND individual situations. I chose Tufts for my revision from LapBand to RNY after having worked with the Brigham/Faulkner group. The Brigham.Faulkner staff is help full and surgeons reputable I found their aftercare program... well... non-existant!!! Ironically I got a letter in the mail from them just the other day asking how I have been doing... yeah, thanks my Lap-Band surgery was like 5years ago!!!

Good luck on your quest... finding the right surgeon/staff/support etc. is KEY!!!!

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 1/30/12 8:48 am

Topic: RE: Surgery Brigham& Women

Congratulations on your revision, you're going to love RNY vs Band!!

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 1/30/12 6:44 am

Topic: RE: Support Group - MetroWest/Franklin 495 area??

There was some talk in the past about getting a group together but it fizzled! We all know how important support is (both pre-op and post-op).

Seems that the existing groups are western Mass, north and south of Boston etc.

If anyone out there is interested in becoming part of a "local" group, I would be more than happy to host at my home in Franklin or maybe we could find a central location for all who are interested.

This is NOT a hospital/medical group, just US supporting eachother, discussing challenges, obstacles, struggles, and of course successes etc.

I look forward to hearing from ya's!!!

C J
on 12/13/11 4:07 pm

Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross

Nope, NOT me!

Although I had no co-morbidities or exsting issues requiring NSAIDs

I appealed several times but got no where - I have heard of folks being approved though... just be persistant and appeal!

But I do

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 11/10/11 4:23 pm

Topic: RE: Lap Band at Tufts Medical Center?

I revised from LapBand to Gastric Bypass back in January with the Tufts group (Dr. Shah). You're absoultely right in recognizing that they don't care for the lap band but of course they will do the procedure if you choose. They are ALL top notch in my opinion!!

It's your body- your decision but DO YOUR RESEARCH!!

C J
on 9/28/11 6:28 pm

Topic: RE: War time.

Hi my name is CJ and I'm a Dunkaholic

Some times I do the full caff. others half caff. but always with a touch of skim...

Oh and the K-Cups... just just add to my Dunkaholism.

Donuts don't do anything for me...

C J
on 8/23/11 2:03 pm

Topic: RE: Can anyone recommend a surgeon in MA who specializes in bariatric surgery revisions?

I had my LapBand at Brigham back in 2007 - it slipped in 2008 and was removed that night. Dr. Robinson was Fantastic thru every phase... until it came time to discuss a revision - he referred me to his colleague Dr. Lautz. As I left his office that day I got a call from Lautz's office to schedule my appointment. It was July 2010, the woman said he was booking out to February 2011. It didn't matter that I was already a patient within their group... Needless to say I was quite disappointed because Lautz has a flawless reputation. Their group of medical professionals is great too... it's just a timing thing - maybe it'll be better now?? I don't know but I do know that Dr. Lautz is in VERY high demand so if you can get in with him you're lucky!!!

When I got home I did some research and decided to switch facilities and work with Tufts. The surgeons in that group have become well versed in revision surgeries seeing so many failed Lap-Bands they don't even promote them. I also found the program at Tufts to be quite different than Brigham. Tufts puts a lot of emphasis on follow-up care.

So my referall is -- Tufts! Check them out!!!

Super easy access if you use the MBTA, the Orange line is literally across the street

C J
on 8/19/11 8:38 pm

Topic: RE: time frame from first class to surgery?

I didn't have to take a "class" but I did attend an info seminar the end of August 2010 - had the required appointments september/october was offered a surgery date of November/December but I had to wait until January because of work... so four/five months.

Make sure you're up-front with your surgeon of choice - they should be able to give you this time frame based on their norm.

Best of luck to you... best decision I ever made!

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 8/4/11 6:41 pm

Topic: RE: Anyone had or having surgury at Umass worcester?

I didn't have surgery at UMass but I did have surgery (RNY)back in January.... best thing I EVER did :-)

Congrats on taking the first step!

C J
on 6/30/11 4:23 pm

Topic: RE: My first NSV!!!

So today at work I had to go upstairs... 2 flights! In the past I'd walk slowly up the stairs pretending I was reading something along the way so I didn't keil over when I reached the summit! Then I'd walk into the ladies room and hide in a stall until I could catch my breath.
Well today I walked to the top of the stairs and to the other side of the building before I realized I didn't stop along the way and I wasn't even winded or out of breath!!!

As if that wasn't enough...

Tonight we had to turn the box spring and mattress in our bedroom... my dh says "hey what's in that shopping bag" it was a pair of work pants w/the tags on - I had scored them for $6.25 and I bought them becuase I knew I'd fit into them once I started losing weight.
They are a size 28 (they run small so probably a 26) --- I wear an 18/20 today!!!!!

I

my RNY!!!!

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 5/28/11 8:19 am

Topic: RE: Cross post - My Fitness Pal?

I use the fitbit food tracker... not as great as myfitness pal but it still helps.
Unfortunately I left my FitBit clipped to my bra and put it thru the laundry! LOL! woops! It works but I'm going to make use of my warranty and bring it back to BestBuy for a new one - some of the little copper connectors came off.

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 5/15/11 7:59 am

Topic: RE: Before/During Photo - Down 50Lbs in 16 Weeks!!!

C J
on 5/13/11 6:43 pm

Topic: RE: POD #4

Sounds like you're doing well ... that's great!
You'll need that paid med less and less - and the water weight will come off quick. I was so bummed out when I got home like 15lbs higher than when I went in!!!

I'm about 15 weeks out and can remember how much of a chore it was to sip that dam fluid - even today fluids don't go down as well as food but I still try hard daily to get it all in... sometimes there aren't enough hours in a day!!!

Stay well Mary,
Christine

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.

C J
on 5/13/11 3:36 am

Topic: RE: Hair Loss

I'm 15 weeks post-op from my rny and my hair is falling out in droves!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got really thick dark hair and usually wear it up so I can't really notice the impact all of this loss has taken just yet but... it's alarming the handfulls I clear out of the shower drain, not to mention the stray hairs all over my house

I've been on top of my supplements since day one including 1,000 mg's of biotin daily.

Please assure me this will stop at some point, I'm stariting to freak out that I will completely lose it (my mind and my hair)

C J
on 4/26/11 4:05 pm

Topic: RE: Cross post - My Fitness Pal?

LOVE IT! I found it to be the most user friendly and YES, it helped tremendously - I think journaling everything you eat/do makes us a bit more accountable. I track Protein , Calories, Carbs, Sugar (in that order). I liked it most because I was using an iTouch and I didn't have to be on line to update what I was doing, it'd automatically sync changes when I got on line.

I did this until just the other day when I invested in a FitBit and use the site so I track everything in one place!!! Only been a few days but loving it... worth the $!!!

C J
on 4/19/11 3:17 am

Topic: RE: Long day-surgery is done!

Yikes, that was a long day! Wonder why everythkng took so long!?!?? Anyway, the hard part is over, he'll be in MUCH better spirits today!!!! The anesthesia wipes ya out. He should be up walking around this morning... walking does wonders for recovery !!!

C J
on 4/13/11 7:27 pm

Topic: RE: Surgery Question

Sounds like it'll work out fine... there's really not much you could do sitting at the hospital other than wait for a phone call that he's in recovery.

I think discharge is at like 10 or 11AM but my b/friend worked until 3:00 that day and picked me up after work (like 4ish) they WILL NOT kick him out of his room!!! Don't bring much cuz they have everything he'll need!! I brought my ipod/cell phone and charger cuz it's $15 a day for their phone and $15 a day for tv service! They have WiFi in all the rooms too so if I wasn't sleeping or walking around I was surfing (using my phone) . I got the TV service but was a waste since I was walking around or sleeping most of the time. Believe it or not surgery/recovery is a breeze and pain free cuz they'll give him medication!! He'll be just fine!!!! The hardest part for me was sipping which seemed impossible!!! Advice to you.... be patient with him and encourage him to get up and walk around once he's in his room!

Best of EVERYTHING to your hubby and your rejuvenated family!!!! This is gonna be an amazing journey for all of ya!!!

C J
on 4/11/11 2:19 pm

Topic: RE: Surgery Question

Is he still working with Dr.Shah at Tufts??
When I had my surgery the end of January - she was REALLY starting to show, guessing by now she's got quite the baby-belly going on !!!

With a 6:30AM arrival time there shouldn't be any delay (mine was 1:00 ended up being like 4:00!! My fiance and I were in the surgical holding area (me in my johnny on the stretcher and him in the uncomfy chair for hours!)  patients being wheeled in an out... I had my relaxing IV ****tail so it didn't really bother me.   He got a call (direct from Dr.Shah at like 6:30ish saying I was in recover) So about 2-3hours max.

In my opinion they're pretty organized... when he checks in, they'll give you an ID# which you can use to indentify what stage of the game he's at... PreOp/Op/Recovery -- they have monitors around the hospital and there's a special "surgical waiting area" for you and your babygirl.

Are you bringing her due to lack of a sitter? If so I'd be totally happy to volunteer to meet you guys at the hospital and hang out with her while your holding his hand as they're prepping him even if it's for like an hour or a half a day...  The only other down-fall about Tufts (which I hear occurs at MANY facilities) is that once you're out of surgery, you don't always get a room right away :-( I layed in recovery until early the next morning - and was VERY p.o.'d about it --- he may be in luck since he's #1 on the roster!

You guys must be getting so excited!!!!

C J
on 3/15/11 6:24 pm

Topic: RE: LOOKING TO START A SUPPORT GROUP BELLINGHAM-BLACKSTONE-WOONSOCKET-MILFORD AREA

I'm DEFINITELY IN!!! I'm sure Kimberly will be too (she lives close to us) she's not on right now cuz she just had her surgery Monday!!!! Oh and I a have a non-board member friend that had RNY a few weeks ago who lives in Milford... She's IN! So that's 3 + you of course!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help put this togeter!

BTW..... HOW YA DOING???????????????

C J
on 3/14/11 4:07 pm

Topic: RE: Got My Surgery Date!

Congratulations!!!! I was at work when I got my date, I closed my office door and cried like a baby!!!

It'll be here before ya know it!!!!!! Wooooohooooo

C J
on 3/8/11 6:21 pm

Topic: RE: Back to the Hospital

SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!? Girl you're like the poster child!!! On the bright side its nothing "major"! Don't be doubting ur surgery, it's just a matter of figuring out ur new tummy. Are you back to class and a routine??? I hit my turning point at five weeks prior to that I was flipp'n miserable! Hang in there Chickie!!!!

C J
on 3/8/11 6:12 pm

Topic: RE: SURGERY UPDATE

John, I was thinking of you today so glad to read all went well aside from ur false alarm, I had an ugi after my surgery too... I was freaking out just looking at the size of the cup!!! Good to get that panic out of ur system before ya go home!!!! I take it us test went well??? Are you going home tomorrow (Wednesday)?? There's no place like home!!!!
Be Well!!!
CJ

C J
on 3/5/11 1:58 pm

Topic: RE: Good fats and carbs presented at HOWL tonight

Hey Penny - I showed up at 6:05 and they were all out of the handouts (very good turn out obviously!) do you remember where on line she said that orange pamphlet was posted?? I won't be back to the office until March 17th but would like to have it as referrence.

THanks - CJ

C J
on 3/4/11 2:39 pm

Topic: RE: Support Group West of Boston???

I've had an eye out four a group in the MetroWestish area for a few years but nothing

. I'm in Franklin myself... I don't really see the benefit of the hospital group just yet so a local group of peeps to share with and seek advice and help from would be perfect. I'm gonna take part in the Brigewater group at the end of this month, it's like 30/40 mins away but I know it'll be worth the trip!!

I've been declared a slow loser - and couldn't be happier!!
I can, I will.