New to Group

May 29, 2003

Donna,

First of all, welcome to the group.

I did not have the RNY so I am going to leave information about

vitamins/minerals/intake, etc to the pros. I would like to say that I am

impressed by your weight loss. The key here is to not beat yourself up

for where you think you should be but acknowledge where you have come

from.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

SRVG 7/16/01

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce

479/335/???

On Thu, 29 May 2003 15:04:41 -0700 (PDT) Donna Hersker

writes:

> RNY 11/99

> 330

> 210

>

> Hi I'm Donna, just joined today. My tummy (what tummy

> I have) is in knots reading your posts. Where do I

> start and how much time do I have? lol I had no info

> going in about my surgery, and no support coming out -

> I was my surgeon's 7th patient. All I was told to do

> was eat a smaller amount of food. I had read about

> baby food and soups, I was told to take Vit C, Calcium

> and get B12's. I had 3 hernia's from moving furniture

> within 4 months of surgery (not warned about

> possibility), had hernia's repair with mesh. Rejected

> mesh, had mesh replaced. Got 2 more hernia's (not

> from lifting), had new mesh put in. Rejected mesh, got

> septic again, had fevers, was septic for 2 months

> before finally able to get an ER to admit me. This was

> now 2.5 years post-op. At that point I had an e-coli

> growth the size of a grapefruit and required 2

> transfusions because of how septic I was. Oh,

> gallbladder was removed during first surgery (also was

> on a ventilator for 5 days during surgery as they had

> trouble intibating me). Then I got kidney stones last

> August and again had e-coli, and had them zapped in

> November. All together, I count 5 complications. I

> have scars that are horrendous, and no belly button,

> which freaks me out as I am single and would " like " to

> be datable.

>

> A friend told me about this group today. I know

> nothing about " protein shakes " . I don't exercise very

> much. I was taking meds for 14 years for depression,

> and cold turkeyed them 13 weeks ago tomorrow. I am

> climbing a tree with depression and anxiety, with

> looking at the 4 huge scars on my stomach, with the

> fact that I am still fat (I've been eating regular

> meals since about 1 month after surgery). I am taking

> Selenium, Vit E, Iron, DHEA, Melatonin and Pottasium.

> I do still get dumping every once in awhile. I don't

> understand what I can do to change any of this to

> loose the weight I should have. My " lovely " dr told me

> 3 months after surgery when I had only lost 10 pounds,

> that he could do it again if necessary (not likely I'd

> go near him again). I am so distraught and am willing

> to hear any feedback you all can share with me.

>

> Thanks.

>

> =====

> Donna - SAHM to Pongo, 10 year old Dalmatian.

May 29, 2003

Just my 2 cents Donna, I would also join Obesityhelp.com because for all

intents you are a newbie. That site has a library with some good info. If it

ain't broke don't fix it. Going off any med cold turkey is very dangerous, but

why did you decide to do so. Find a doc who knows what he/she is doing and get

back on the proper antidepressants.

Fay Bayuk

**300/173

10/23/01

Dr.

Open RNY 150 cm

Click for My Profile

<A

HREF= " http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Bayuk951061008 " >http:\

//obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Bayuk951061008</A>

April 8, 2004

Sherri,

I had my surgery at Beth Israel, my surgeon was Dr. Forse who went to Boston

Medical Center after my surgery. I believe that some of the people who handle

the GBP surgery may have worked with Dr. Forse at one time or another. Being in

Boston, having your surgery is one of the better places to be.

I suffered hair-loss but it was due to the loss of the protein that was severely

reduced to the surgery. Your surgeon or even your PCP could recommend a

dermatologist to determine your loss. I did not lose all of it.

I have the rows of staples and my incision runs from just below my breasts to

above my belly button. 10 days after the surgery I had the staples removed and

could drive after that but I lost 12 weeks from work but some of that was my

fault.

I am in Haverhill, where are you?

Patty Spakoski

new to group

Hello, I have just recently joined your group.I have just returned

from my orentation at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.I'm

wondering if anyone has had experience with this facility. The staff

seemed great, but I would still prefer a couple of personal

references. Also, can anyone elaborate on the post-op hair-loss. Do

you actually loose all of it? How about the incisions with the lap

vs. the open. I have tried to find photos but haven't been successful.

Thanks very much,

Sherri

North of Boston

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 8, 2004

HI Sherri!!! Welcome to the group!!!!! I had the lap in Sept, of 2003-am down

145 lbs, so far! Looking forward to your posts!!! sherri in pa.

Re: new to group

welcome aboard, sherri. think i have 5 incisions, pretty much faded

except for the bellybutton one. oddly enough, i almost hope the scars

never fade, they're a reminder of my sacrifice.

lori h.

23 grateful months post-op

> Hello, I have just recently joined your group.I have just returned

> from my orentation at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.I'm

> wondering if anyone has had experience with this facility. The staff

> seemed great, but I would still prefer a couple of personal

> references. Also, can anyone elaborate on the post-op hair-loss. Do

> you actually loose all of it? How about the incisions with the lap

> vs. the open. I have tried to find photos but haven't been successful.

> Thanks very much,

> Sherri

> North of Boston

July 7, 2004

Hi all! I am new to this group but have been reading posts for the last

several days. My name is Priscilla, I'm 52 yrs. old, and I live in

Pleasant Hill, MO. That's just south and a bit east of Kansas City. Is

there anyone here who lives in KC and if so, can you recommend any doctors

here?

I am no different than anyone else on this list. I too have had weight

problems all my life and, of course, have tried and failed every diet ever

invented, gaining back lost weight, plus.

I have been contemplating this surgery for almost three years. Last year I

was living in Florida and had gone to an info meeting, was getting things

set up, when my life changed drastically. Now I'm in another state and

looking to start over again and am still looking for a doctor that is

willing to do the surgery on me. I say willing because I am not all that

terribly heavy right now. I have lost about 30+ lbs. in the last nine

months by eating low carb, but, I can't keep doing this diet as it's not

normal and I'm finding it harder each day to continue. I know as soon as I

stop I will start the regaining process and I am here to tell you that I am

totally dieted out!

I am now around 215 lbs., 5'5 " tall. I have major ankles problems, due to

weight and being extremely flat footed, sleep apnea, my hips and knees hurt

when I'm in bed, ( I already have two memory foam mattress on top my

regular mattress), I tried and failed on every diet for the last 40 years,

my self esteem jumps up and down like a yo yo along with my moods and I

suffer chronic depression. All of this, not to mention the problem finding

clothes that fit and have some sort of style, not getting the job cause I'm

too big, even though I'm better qualified than the thin person they end up

hiring, being overlooked in a store or stared at from someone with disgust

on their face, etc. I know you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

I am terrified to gain back the weight I've suffered to long to take off

but I know I can't keep up like this and I also know I will never reach a

decent goal. I get so depressed that I will not go out in public for weeks

at a time and so discouraged that I my depression gets worse because I keep

waking up in the mornings.

I'm not looking to be a size 6. I just want to be able to walk without

pain, sleep and feel rested, lay down and not hurt, be visible to others,

and feel good about myself. I want to be able to take the grand kids to

the pool when they ask me to go with them. I want to wake up in the

morning and be excited to be alive and ready to jump into the day. I want

to feel confident, secure about my body, and like a hole person and not two,

So, what do you all think? Think I can find a doctor to do the

surgery? Think I'm not a candidate? What?

p

July 8, 2004

I'm sure there are good docs in KC, but I'm in St. Louis and can tell you that

Dr. Eagon is the best! He's with -Jewish, . Good luck!

Kelley

skunks4me wrote:

> Hi all! I am new to this group but have been reading posts for the last

> several days. My name is Priscilla, I'm 52 yrs. old, and I live in

> Pleasant Hill, MO. That's just south and a bit east of Kansas City. Is

> there anyone here who lives in KC and if so, can you recommend any doctors

> here?

>

> I am no different than anyone else on this list. I too have had weight

> problems all my life and, of course, have tried and failed every diet ever

> invented, gaining back lost weight, plus.

>

> I have been contemplating this surgery for almost three years. Last year I

> was living in Florida and had gone to an info meeting, was getting things

> set up, when my life changed drastically. Now I'm in another state and

> looking to start over again and am still looking for a doctor that is

> willing to do the surgery on me. I say willing because I am not all that

> terribly heavy right now. I have lost about 30+ lbs. in the last nine

> months by eating low carb, but, I can't keep doing this diet as it's not

> normal and I'm finding it harder each day to continue. I know as soon as I

> stop I will start the regaining process and I am here to tell you that I am

> totally dieted out!

>

> I am now around 215 lbs., 5'5 " tall. I have major ankles problems, due to

> weight and being extremely flat footed, sleep apnea, my hips and knees hurt

> when I'm in bed, ( I already have two memory foam mattress on top my

> regular mattress), I tried and failed on every diet for the last 40 years,

> my self esteem jumps up and down like a yo yo along with my moods and I

> suffer chronic depression. All of this, not to mention the problem finding

> clothes that fit and have some sort of style, not getting the job cause I'm

> too big, even though I'm better qualified than the thin person they end up

> hiring, being overlooked in a store or stared at from someone with disgust

> on their face, etc. I know you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

>

> I am terrified to gain back the weight I've suffered to long to take off

> but I know I can't keep up like this and I also know I will never reach a

> decent goal. I get so depressed that I will not go out in public for weeks

> at a time and so discouraged that I my depression gets worse because I keep

> waking up in the mornings.

>

> I'm not looking to be a size 6. I just want to be able to walk without

> pain, sleep and feel rested, lay down and not hurt, be visible to others,

> and feel good about myself. I want to be able to take the grand kids to

> the pool when they ask me to go with them. I want to wake up in the

> morning and be excited to be alive and ready to jump into the day. I want

> to feel confident, secure about my body, and like a hole person and not two,

>

> So, what do you all think? Think I can find a doctor to do the

> surgery? Think I'm not a candidate? What?

> p

>

July 8, 2004

Priscilla,

I think with your weight and height you will be borderline, but with your

comorbidities you might get in. I went on asbs.org and calculated your BMI and

you are at 35.7. You have to have a 40 or greater without comorbidities or a 35

or greater with comorbidities. So if you have diabetes, high blood pressure

and/or any other issues you might be able to get approved. I think those are

AMA standards but I could be wrong. You can also go to obesityhelp.com and I

think look up doctors in your area and call them and ask them what the

requirements are. Hope this helps and welcome to the group.

Dora

Awaiting approval in TN