Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know I am alive and well...haven't posted in quite some time.  Used to be a permanent fixture here!  I'm doing well...holding my own.  Had the sclerotherapy procedure to reduce the size of my stoma (stretched somewhat over the years) and that helped immensely at first but now not so great (which they said was common...usually takes two or even three treatments to make it the correct size.)  So I will be going back for another probably the end of the month.  I have lost about 7 lbs total, between picking up my walking again (yay me! ) and getting my eating habits back to normal.  Fell off the proverbial wagon for too long.  Easy to do. But just wanted to say a great big HELLO to all my friends here!  Have a great week! Hugs, Theresa

Theresa I am glad to hear that you are doing well. And to know that you have lost 7 pounds is awesome! I am sorry to hear that you have to go back for more than one treatment but at least you knew that going into this whole thing. 

Good for you!    I'm so glad you finally got back on track.   Was the procedure hard on you?   Was it outpatient?   No matter how many treatments you need, it sounds like a great thing. I've missed you posting, don't be such a stranger. Keep on keeping on! Linda

Good to see your smiling picture and hear how you are doing!  Congratulations on getting back on track, I know it wasn't an easy thing to do.  I'm interested in learning more about the sclerotherapy, please share as you feel you want to.  Cost?  Pain?  Time involved?  Covered by insurance?

Hi Jane! Here's what I have on the procedure.  My insurance covered it.  It was done out-patient and only took about a half an hour.  Pain was minimal...I was working the next day.  I went to Dr. Baker at MMPC for it.  Do think I need another go-around though, which I hear is the norm.  Definately nixes overeating!  Thanks for your reply!  Hugs, Theresa Sclerotherapy

The gastric bypass pouch works optimally when a small opening keeps food in the pouch for a longer period of time. However, in some patients, with the passage of time, the opening can enlarge slightly. Until recently, there was no procedure available to address this situation. However, a study published in the Obesity Surgery Journal demonstrated that when a procedure known as sclerotherapy (pronounced: sklare-o-therapy) is performed in conjunction with a consultation with a registered dietitian, the best weight loss results are obtained. How Sclerotherapy Works Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure available for gastric bypass patients who have a dilated (enlarged) opening in their pouch. The procedure may be helpful in preventing additional surgery and may assist the patient with continued weight loss. It involves injecting an irritant around the opening from the pouch to the intestines. The body then reacts to the irritant by constricting (decreasing) the opening. Who is Helped by Sclerotherapy? This procedure can be very helpful for patients who are 2 – 5 years post surgery and have lost a fair amount of weight, but continue to struggle with the sensation that they can eat more than they could immediately following surgery. The procedure involves having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to evaluate the size of the pouch opening. If the opening is deemed large, then the irritant can be applied to decrease its size. In some cases, it may take more than one application to get the opening to constrict to the desired size. If you have questions please call mmpc Michigan Weight Loss Specialists at 877-877-6672.       

yea for you Theresa!  glad to hear that you had the procedure done.hope it keeps improving..i was thinking about you the other day.....so it is great to hear from you.......i also havent seen your sister on here in a while.i remember she was having trouble with her head........how is she doing?  take care of yourself..hug rae

HEY LADY....GOOD TO SEE YOU POSTING AGAIN!!!! I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THAT WAS DONE AND IF INSURANCE COVERED IT....GLAD THAT YOU ARE BACK ON TRACK AGAIN!!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON!!!

HUGS

Hey Theresa- Nice to see you back..I wondered where you went to.  Take care and don't be a stranger! Shannon

I've missed you. So glad to see you post and that things are going good for you. I am going to send you a PM. Hugs, Connie

WOO~HOO Theresa is back and going strong :0) Congratulations on finding your determination. I misplaced mine for a little bit there, but found it again. Do you think you will be going to watch the Centurian night on July 10th (I think). It's the second Tuesday of July at the main hospital second floor. It's an awesome thing, and really helps me. Talk to you later. God bless, Annette