jenseyedea
December 22, 2007
I have already started making friends on here. That is so great! I love to hear what other people have done and tried. That just gives me more ideas of things to buy and have on hand...maybe for those days that I may not feel like running out and finding somehting.
It saddens me to read through the memorials. I think about how risky this surgery can be, and I wonder what my fate will be at time. I don't want to sound crass but I know that I have researched why this does happen. Most of the time what I have found is a high BMI of 50+, and many co morbidities. I talked to the surgeon about this at the conference. I told him that was a HUGE concern of mine. He assured me that since I am on no medications, my overall health is pretty good. No high blood pressure, no diabetes, no heart problems...ect. So he said he didn't forsee any problems. But I still worry about blood clots. But I have had 2 c -sections and that is always a risk there as well. But you just do your breathing treatments and walk. So if that is it...I will try and do my best. Alright well I plan to check in most every day and give my state of mind, updates, and all that fun stuff.
Have a good one. Blessings.
December 21, 2007
Dec 23, 2007
Well...I have been overweight off and on all my life. I have tried everything under the sun to loose weight. Only to gain it, and more back. This is my last resort. I have looked at the GBS for almost 5 years now. I know the risks as well as the benefits. I am so close to it now, that I am so excited.
I have degenetive disc disease, as well as arthritis. It is overwhelming at times...but I keep pushing on. I love life and want so much out of it...I got to do what I have to do.
Blog 3...
Dec 21, 2007
Defining Obesity
Obesity: Causes and Treatment
Obesity is a common problem in the . Current research suggests that one in three Americans is obese. In the alone, about 300,000 deaths per year can be blamed on obesity.
Obesity tends to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic contribution. However, family members also tend to share the same diet and lifestyle habits. Environment also plays a role in obesity. These environmental factors include what and how often a person eats, a person’s level of activity and behavioral factors. We have come to realize that obesity is a chronic condition and a lifestyle battle that requires long-term lifestyle changes.
The treatment of obesity can be difficult, especially when the patient does not have a correctable endocrine problem, such as a thyroid disorder. Low calorie, low fat diets-along with exercise-usually are recommended to treat obesity. Crash diets and appetite suppressants generally are appropriate only under very specific conditions.
Am I A Candidate?
For patients who remain severely obsess after conventional approaches of weight loss – such as diet and exercised- have failed, or for patients who have an obesity related disease, surgeons may be the best treatment. For other patients, however, greater efforts toward weight control- such as changes in eating habits, behavioral modification and increasing physical activity-may be more appropriate.
Answering the following questions may help you decide if surgery is right for you:
Are you morbidly obsess (have a BMI over 40)?
Do you have a BMI greater than 35 with one or more significant obesity related conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and a family history of early coronary heart disease?
Have you tried dieting in the past? Has it been combined with simultaneous behavior therapy and exercise?
Have you been carefully evaluated by a team of medical, surgical, behavioral, and nutrition experts?
Do you understand the gastric bypass and/or gastric banding procedures?
Are you committed to lifelong follow-up care and lifestyle changes?
If you have depression or excessive stress, has it been adequately treated?
Do you have realistic expectations and are motivated?
Are you between 16 and 70 years old (with some exceptions)?
Blog 2... The Steps To WLS
Dec 21, 2007
This is from my Patient Handbook.
The Steps to Weight Loss Surgery at BMI
Step 1: Complete Initial Patient Worksheet Questionnaire *This was lengthy and you had to think about it, but painless
Step 2: Send the Initial Patient Worksheet Questionnaire to the program office
*Painless…Unless it gets lost in the mail. So be sure to make a copy for yourself
Step 3: Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery
*This is different for everyone.
Step 4: Medical Questionnaire for Weight Loss Surgery *This was done at the Workshop
Step 5: Appointment for Weight Loss Surgery Patient Workshop
*They are only done during the week. Just so you know. 9-05-07
Step 6: Weight Loss Surgery Workshop
*This was a day long thing for me, since I live almost 3 hours away from
Step 7: Visit with the surgeon
*I did things a little out of order, but this is set for 1-04-08
Step 8: Medical consultations and assessments
*I had a lot of these tests done at my local medical center. Like blood work, EKG, x-rays, etc. Then I took these with me to my psychological appointment. Don’t forget to make sure you keep the originals. Just in case, CYA. This also included going to
Step 9: Acquiring insurance approval
*This was done for me at the workshop. I have both Medicaid and Medicare because I am on disability for my degenerative disc disease. 9-05-07
Step 10: Scheduling the surgery date and pre op clinic visit. *This will be done 1-04-08
Step 11: The Surgery
*Hope to be 2-11-08
Step 12: Follow up visits
*More to come.
Step By Step...Start Here.
Dec 21, 2007
I wanted to post information for those of you who are just starting their weight loss journey, or are just curious. So, I want to make sure everyone knows that this information is for me from the Cleveland Clinic. My tentative surgery date is February 11th 2008. I am going to see the surgeon on January 4th 2008 for a final consult/exam. The next step will be the surgery.
The following blogs contain the information I have been given. I hope you can find it helpful, I know it is a lot of information. If you have any questions, or I can be of any assistance please ask me. I know I have asked others, because there is a lot that I have yet to learn. Thanks. J
