- Name: Susan G.
- Username: banded2002
- Location: Roanoke, TX, USA
- Member Since: 10/5/2006
- BMI: 23.0
- Surgery date scheduled
- Surgery Type: Revision (04/19/07)
- Surgeon: Wade Barker, M.D.
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Surgeon TestimonialWade Barker, M.D.If you are looking for personal attention, this is not the surgeon for you. Although I think Dr. Barker is a brilliant surgeon and a caring individual, it is ridiculous how overbooked his office is. There were times when I waited 3 hours to see him. I never waited less than an hour and a half. The waiting room always had at least 30 people or more in it. Most times there was no where to sit and overflow was in the hallway. They don't know the meaning of "OVERBOOKING" patients. It is just completely ridiculous. And the thing is, I haven't even actually seen Dr. Barker since my last PRE-op appointment before surgery. Since surgery, I've been pawned off on everyone else in the office. His nurse, his PA, his doctor side kick - who is nice, but is not a surgeon and hasn't been in the bariatric profession for very long. Dr. Barker would just run into me in the hallway and wave, "Hey you look great". That's it. In the past year, that's it. So, if you don't mind no personal attention and waiting 2-3 hours or more for your appointments, then this is the surgeon for you. Personally, I am fed up. |
When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power, the World Will Know Peace.
---Jimi Hendrix
Yea! I gained 2 pounds this week!! on August 15, 2008 3:07 pm
I saw the AK doctor today and I've gained two pounds. I can't believe it! I guess the "psuedo-doctor" is doing something right. Every one on the message board is bashing him and giving me a hard time for seeing an Applied Kinesiologist, but he's the first one to help me gain weight. He must be doing something right.
This is day four with no caffiene. It sucks! I am sick of drinking water only. Its soooo boring and I am soooo tired. I am also completely off wheat (actually gluten-free), chocolate and peanuts now.
The gluten-free is really hard. The hardest part is how much we relied on pre-packaged foods or fast food and eating out. I pretty much have to prepare everything now. Its definately more work now. I have to do more planning and have food in the pantry. I can't just stop at Subway or grab a grilled chicken sandwich anymore.
We made a trip to Whole Foods in Dallas and it was great. They have tons on gluten-free products. They even have gluten-free bakery products. I loved the store! However, its not going to be convenient to go there. It will be a once a month or less trip. I've found a few restaurants with gluten-free menus - Chilis and Carrabas, so far. I know there are more, but I am still searching. There is alot I can eat, but its just a matter of knowing what, where and how its prepared.
On Monday I had surgery to fix my anal fissure. It was some what painful but today it is alot less painful (4 days later). I feel much better now. Hopefully it will stay that way!
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What??? Allergic to Chocolate, Wheat and Peanuts??? on August 7, 2008 2:33 am
No way! It can't be true! Yep, AK doc says yes, I am allergic to Chocolate, Wheat, and Peanuts. At first I was devistated by the chocolate, but then when I really started thinking about, the wheat is much worse. I don't eat alot of chocolate since surgery, but I love my one to two dark chocolate squares with the fruit and nuts each day. Its just a small treat that really satisfies and takes away that craving.
But its the wheat allergy that is the worse... there's the obvious.... bread, pasta, bagels, cake, cookies, pizza, hamburger bun, flour tortillas... no Subway sandwich ever again.... but then there's the not so obvious... wheat is hidden in alot of sauces like soy and teriyaki, even ketchup, salad dressings, mustard and mayonaise can have wheat (or corn starch) as a thickening agent.
UGH! I am so overwhelmed right now, I don't know what to do.
On top of this, I've lost 3 more pounds. He has put me on a lactose, wheat, dairy free protien supplement. And I am supposed to try to get off the wheat, peanuts and chocolate. Plus work on getting off caffeine - help, I can't take this!! Shoot me now!
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Applied Kinesiologist on July 30, 2008 3:37 pm
I saw the doctor today that my pain management doctor referred me to and it was the most fascinating experience ever. He is a chiropractor that practices applied kinesiology. I know this is a very controversial practice, but I am very open to alternative medicines. I believe in acupuncture and herbal treatments as well as meditation and that type of stuff. I think it can all work together with western medicine.
I had never heard of AK (applied kinesiology) before today.
Here is the basic definition from Wikpedia: Applied kinesiology is a system that evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing alongside conventional diagnostic methods. The essential premise of applied kinesiology that is not shared by mainstream medical theory is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle, the viscerosomatic relationship. Treatment modalities relied upon by practitioners include joint manipulation and mobilization, myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies, clinical nutrition, and dietary counseling. A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient resist using the target muscle or muscle group while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as 'a strong muscle' and a response that was not appropriate is sometimes called 'a weak response'. This is not a raw test of strength, but rather a subjective evaluation of tension in the muscle and smoothness of response, taken to be indicative of stresses and imbalances in the body. A weak muscle test is equated to dysfunction and chemical or structural imbalance or mental stress, indicative of a body dissatisfied with suboptimal functioning. The most common test is the arm-pull-down test, or "Delta test," where the patient resists as the practitioner exerts a downward force on an extended arm. Proper positioning is paramount to ensure that the muscle in question is the prime mover, minimizing interference from adjacent muscle groups. "Nutrient testing" is used to examine the response of various of a patient's muscles to assorted chemicals. Gustatory and olfactory stimulation are said to alter the outcome of a manual muscle test, with previously weak muscles being strengthened by application of the correct nutritional supplement, and previously strong muscles being weakened by exposure to harmful or imbalancing substances or allergens.
Apparently it is so controversial because it can't be proven to be effective in studies. However, after today, I am pretty convinced that there is something to it. It was fascinating. He would test the resistance of a group of muscles and then give me drops of B12 on my tongue. Then restest the resistance and the muscles that were weak, were much stronger. It was wild. In one test he tested the resistance, then had me press on my abdomen and tested again. The resistance was completely different. I cannot remember what he said that was related to, one of my organs. My head was spinning it was so much information. I wish my husband had been able to go with me. In another test, he was testing for different enzymes. He had three different jars that he had me smell, one at a time and again after each he would test my muscle strength. One was protein enzyme, the second was carb enzyme and I've forgotten what the third was. The only that improved my strength was the protein enzyme. So even though I get enough protein, my body needs help (with enzymes) to process the protein.
After all this he worked on some pressure points and did some adjustments and then would see how far I could get my arms over my head and behind my back. Before I we started I couldn't even raise them as high as my shoulders. By the time I left I had them above my head with out pain. It was incredible.
He thinks 120 would be a good weight for me, I just nodded and agreed with him. That weight terrifies me. But we will just see. I like the size of my body (size 2's and 4's). I like being petite. I don't know if I want to weigh 120. If I can weigh 120 because I put muscle back on that would be great.
Tomorrow I have to do a saliva test and mail that off. I return next week for urine and blood testing. He really thinks that he can help the pain in my arms. He gave me an enzyme that I am supposed to crush and take before I have protein, liquid vitamin D and liquid B12 drops to get started. Then we will know more next week after more testing.
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Crap! 110 lbs! on July 25, 2008 5:24 pm
UGH! I weighed this morning.... 110 lbs. I lost 3 lbs in one week. Shit. I tried even harder this to not lose weight. My appointment with the nutrional doctor can't be soon enough. This is insane.
110 is the least I can weigh for my height before I am underweight.
Neuropaphy on July 22, 2008 8:59 pm
I spoke to my pain management doctor and she confirmed that I have the early signs of peripheral neuropaphy. It didn't show on the EMG / NCT test but I have the symptoms.
Now that I know that I am looking at a nerve disorder and not something related to degenerative disks, I have been paying more attention to the symptoms. I have noticed now the numbness in my feet and my legs up to my knees, including my knees. That part is not painful so I didn't notice it before. Its my arms that hurt so bad. The are so sensitive. I had on a 3/4 length shirt tonight and we went to the movies. It was a fitted baseball type t-shirt. The sleeves were driving me NUTS! I wanted to rip them off. My jewelry drives me crazy. I had to take my watch off. My rings bug me. My arms hurt constantly. The pain level is a constant 7 or higher. Then if I move or reach for something, I get shooting pains up to a 10. I can't even raise my arms over my head. I can't hook or unhook my bra anymore. I can't tuck in my shirt in the back. Its all very painful.
Its a catch 22... I take hydrocone for the pain, which barely takes the edge off. It makes me constipated... so I have to take a stool softener, that's not healthy... probably one of the reasons I can't stop losing weight and my body is malnurished. However with an anal fissure, I can't be constipated!
There are two really frustrating things about this.... the first is all the time I wasted chasing the wrong diagnosis. I had two epidural steriod injections and an MRI. The steriod injections are under anesthesia, so there is always a risk with that. All unecessary and costly.
The second frustration is that I have been taking my vitamins and getting my bloodwork done. There is this stigma in this WLS community that neuropaphy only happens to people who don't pay attention to their nutrition / vitamins / bloodwork. Well, I got news for everyone, that is NOT TRUE! I've had so much bloodwork done in the last year it is ridiculous. The only deficiencies I have ever shown are B12 and vitamin D. I've been doing B12 injections for 7 months and since then, my bloodwork has never shown a B12 deficiency. I have taken iron, multivitamin, calcium (the wrong calcium, but I have now switched), B complex since surgery. Now I also take vitamin D. I have paid attention to my vitamins and my bloodwork and my nutrition.
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Archive
My Story I was banded in Monterrey, Mexico on September 19, 2002 by Dr. Rudolfo Sanchez. My first two years were very successful with out much effort on my part. I began at 262 lbs and my lowest weight was about 147 lbs. However, I nevered reached my goal weight of 135 lbs. Right around my second anniversary I began having a lot trouble with reflux. I couldn't keep a fill each time I tied to get an adjustment, and eventually the reflux was so bad that I had almost all the fluid removed. I had no restiction and could eat everything.
Another two years went by and I had gained All but aobut 40 lbs back. My band had slipped and I was still having reflux with a band that was almost empty. That's when I begain researching a revision procedure. I found Dr. Barker, who is wonderful and struggling to get insurance approva, he will be doing my suregery in two days!!! My date is 04/18/07.
I am more nervous this time than before, but I also more determined to succeed. I know that I have to use this tool this time and do the work it takes to make this work for me. I am so grateful to have a second chance.
For my life as a banded person, go here: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/smbanda/lapband_001.htm
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