Some Saturdays it's difficult waiting for Kristin's ASL class to end. Those are the Saturdays when she has a doctor's appointment 90 minutes after the class ends. It's difficult because on those days, I don't shop as much and have a longer period of time to wait. I don't shop as much because I don't get the perishables. I don't get perishables because I won't get home until around 3 and I don't want them sitting in the car up to 4 hours. I can't take them home and come back because it's a 45 minute trip one way. It would help if the library or lounge were open but they're both locked up tight on Saturdays! This is one of those instances where reliable and convenient public transportation would be a big help!
I brought a couple of books, this notebook I'm writing in, and a Shoprite flyer to help me pass the time. I can get some non-perishables and that will take a half hour. Writing is a great way to use time if only I could think of something to write about! ;)
One thing I've noticed this year is how my body's response has changed to temperatures. When I was heavy, my internal temperature was 10-20 degrees warmer than your average person. In winter, I would go around in a light jacket. I shunned sweaters. We kept our bedroom thermostat set to 55. I was always miserable in the summer because I always felt too hot.
When I lost all that weight two and a half years ago, my inner thermometer was still on the warm side. I remember last fall, when the temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 60s, I was comfortable wearing a tee shirt, jeans and a hoodie.
It's all different this year! Lately, we've had some truly gorgeous weather. The temperatures have been in the 60s. Now, though, I find I need to wear my heavier jacket--the one lined with thick quilting. My kids all stroll around in hoodies, like I used to.
Previously, TB set our heat between 55-62. Now we freeze at those settings. We've gone a little higher and bundle up. On an evening when it's in the 50s outdoors, you'll find me in my winter robe. TB's struggled with the change in his body temperature well over a year. He used to be like me, an internal furnace. Now he dresses like Nanook of the North: long johns, layers of shirts, hoodie (with the hood pulled up over his head) and winter robe. I should take a picture of us! I wonder what we'll look like when it really gets cold? :D
Showing posts with label duodenal switch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label duodenal switch. Show all posts
Saturday, November 5
Thursday, October 20
Our Hospital Visit & PTSD Work
I saw this quiz on Facebook and decided to try it. Here are my results:
So it's nice to know I'm just moderately nuts in some areas! I'm surprised there was nothing for anxiety and depression. Those are the areas my diagnoses lie. Anyway...
Starting backwards, today I got up and was off and running almost right away. TB wasn't bleeding and was in relative comfort so I took Kristin to school and then went for my therapy appointment. For the last month, I've been working a program used by the military to diminish symptoms of PTSD. I've never been to war but it seems I have PTSD from growing up in another kind of war zone, the home of two alcoholic angry deaf adults.
One thing I've been working on is called "stuck points". They are areas where I've given myself an incorrect message because of something that happened to me. An example is when my mom found my writing, read it, and went all ballistic all over me. That's the incident. The message I tell myself, writing is bad; writing is not safe. The feeling is shame. There are hundreds of these "stuck points". Another one is where my parents were fighting and beating on each other. In terror, my brother and I ran from the house to our neighbor's. What I told myself is that I should have been able to stop the fight and didn't; I ran away instead. The feel is inadequacy.
With that example, my therapist wanted to know what I would tell the younger me. I thought about it and said I would say I'd done the best I could and it wasn't right that I should be put in that position. The therapist pointed out something I wasn't aware of. She said my affect was that of an orator and that I was disconnected from what happened. She said through all this, she's never seen me cry. She seemed surprised.
I told her there's no point in crying. It doesn't change anything and all you get for it is swollen eyes, hitching breath and a stuffy nose. She wondered when was the last time I cried and I can't remember. I'm sure it was after Rich died but then after that--say the last 5 years--I just have no clue.
The therapist thinks I've got repression going on, a defense mechanism to protect myself against painful feelings. That doesn't surprise me. I know I can detach from my feelings very easily. I also have a wall up that no one gets through. Will any of this change? After all, I'm 56 years old and have been using these defenses my whole life. Still, I have to try.
I would like to feel whole. I've often heard Dr. Phil tell parents that if they fight in front of their kids or abuse them or expose them to bad things, it changes the child forever. It's true. My brother and I were forever changed.
TB's surgery was a success! The procedure was done at the same hospital where we had our duodenal switches, Lourdes Medical Center. We really are impressed with this hospital and continue to be in spite of the mix-up in what time we were supposed to report. TB originally had an appointment with his orthopedic doctor in the morning because surgery was to be in the afternoon. However, we were told initially to report at 9 and so he had to cancel his appointment. Then they called back after it was too late and said oops, surgery is in the afternoon, come in at 11.
I had an up and down experience with the cafeteria. I went in at 11 to get a cup of coffee and found the door was locked. The vending machines outside didn't have coffee so I checked the time to see when I could come back. As I was doing that, the manager of the place saw me and said although the place was closed for half an hour, I could wait there. "Could I buy a cup of coffee?" I wondered. She smiled and said, "You can HAVE a cup of coffee." Ah! What a nice person. After TB went up for surgery I returned for a bite to it. There were no prices listed anywhere and no grilled cheese so I took a chance on a single slice of pizza and an iced tea to mix my protein with. It cost me just under five dollars!!!! For those two bitty things! Yikes, I felt like I was on Jersey Turnpike! So they got back they money for that first coffee. ;)
Dr. David Greenbaum did the surgery so we knew TB would be in good hands. Dr. Greenbaum also did our duodenal switches. He called me in the waiting room to tell me everything had gone well and TB would be back downstairs for me to see him in about an hour. Because TB missed his appointment with the orthopedic doctor, Dr. Greenbaum refilled his script for one of his pain medications.
So TB is holding up pretty well. His next big adventure is getting his tooth pulled on Saturday.
| Disorder | Rating |
| Paranoid Personality Disorder: | Low |
| Schizoid Personality Disorder: | Moderate |
| Schizotypal Personality Disorder: | Low |
| Antisocial Personality Disorder: | Low |
| Borderline Personality Disorder: | Moderate |
| Histrionic Personality Disorder: | Low |
| Narcissistic Personality Disorder: | Low |
| Avoidant Personality Disorder: | Moderate |
| Dependent Personality Disorder: | Moderate |
| Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: | Moderate |
-- Take the Personality Disorder Test -- -- Personality Disorder Info -- | |
So it's nice to know I'm just moderately nuts in some areas! I'm surprised there was nothing for anxiety and depression. Those are the areas my diagnoses lie. Anyway...
Starting backwards, today I got up and was off and running almost right away. TB wasn't bleeding and was in relative comfort so I took Kristin to school and then went for my therapy appointment. For the last month, I've been working a program used by the military to diminish symptoms of PTSD. I've never been to war but it seems I have PTSD from growing up in another kind of war zone, the home of two alcoholic angry deaf adults.
One thing I've been working on is called "stuck points". They are areas where I've given myself an incorrect message because of something that happened to me. An example is when my mom found my writing, read it, and went all ballistic all over me. That's the incident. The message I tell myself, writing is bad; writing is not safe. The feeling is shame. There are hundreds of these "stuck points". Another one is where my parents were fighting and beating on each other. In terror, my brother and I ran from the house to our neighbor's. What I told myself is that I should have been able to stop the fight and didn't; I ran away instead. The feel is inadequacy.
With that example, my therapist wanted to know what I would tell the younger me. I thought about it and said I would say I'd done the best I could and it wasn't right that I should be put in that position. The therapist pointed out something I wasn't aware of. She said my affect was that of an orator and that I was disconnected from what happened. She said through all this, she's never seen me cry. She seemed surprised.
I told her there's no point in crying. It doesn't change anything and all you get for it is swollen eyes, hitching breath and a stuffy nose. She wondered when was the last time I cried and I can't remember. I'm sure it was after Rich died but then after that--say the last 5 years--I just have no clue.
The therapist thinks I've got repression going on, a defense mechanism to protect myself against painful feelings. That doesn't surprise me. I know I can detach from my feelings very easily. I also have a wall up that no one gets through. Will any of this change? After all, I'm 56 years old and have been using these defenses my whole life. Still, I have to try.
I would like to feel whole. I've often heard Dr. Phil tell parents that if they fight in front of their kids or abuse them or expose them to bad things, it changes the child forever. It's true. My brother and I were forever changed.
TB's surgery was a success! The procedure was done at the same hospital where we had our duodenal switches, Lourdes Medical Center. We really are impressed with this hospital and continue to be in spite of the mix-up in what time we were supposed to report. TB originally had an appointment with his orthopedic doctor in the morning because surgery was to be in the afternoon. However, we were told initially to report at 9 and so he had to cancel his appointment. Then they called back after it was too late and said oops, surgery is in the afternoon, come in at 11.
I had an up and down experience with the cafeteria. I went in at 11 to get a cup of coffee and found the door was locked. The vending machines outside didn't have coffee so I checked the time to see when I could come back. As I was doing that, the manager of the place saw me and said although the place was closed for half an hour, I could wait there. "Could I buy a cup of coffee?" I wondered. She smiled and said, "You can HAVE a cup of coffee." Ah! What a nice person. After TB went up for surgery I returned for a bite to it. There were no prices listed anywhere and no grilled cheese so I took a chance on a single slice of pizza and an iced tea to mix my protein with. It cost me just under five dollars!!!! For those two bitty things! Yikes, I felt like I was on Jersey Turnpike! So they got back they money for that first coffee. ;)
Dr. David Greenbaum did the surgery so we knew TB would be in good hands. Dr. Greenbaum also did our duodenal switches. He called me in the waiting room to tell me everything had gone well and TB would be back downstairs for me to see him in about an hour. Because TB missed his appointment with the orthopedic doctor, Dr. Greenbaum refilled his script for one of his pain medications.
So TB is holding up pretty well. His next big adventure is getting his tooth pulled on Saturday.
Wednesday, October 19
Miscellaneous Stuff
Today TB is having hernia surgery. He's not allowed to eat or drink anything, not since midnight last night, and so he's pretty out of it. Originally we were supposed to go to the hospital at 9. TB was supposed to see his orthopedic doctor and had to cancel that appointment. Then around 7:30 the hospital called and changed the admission time to 11. It was really annoying because TB needed a refill of his pain medications.
It's so hard to watch him suffer. I'm helpless because there's nothing I can do. His tooth is especially causing a lot of agony and he'll chew a percocet and put it into the broken area. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain but not always. Then there is the chronic pain he has from busting his hump for an ungrateful employer all those years. Funny...you think you're doing the right thing by working hard but then you learn quick what a mistake it was when you get kicked to the curb after becoming disabled. I wish surgery would help the pain in TB's back but the doctors say it won't.
I think Occupy Philadelphia at least is becoming more organized and trying to set goals. I gave feedback about which issues I felt were most important and what I thought protestors ought to do about it. I hope they hear back from a lot of people. I really want to see this movement take off. One thing I would like to see is lobbying for healthcare for everyone. Poor people should be able to buy into a policy they can afford. I'd also like to see that fair trade act repealed--the one that gives credits to businesses allowing them to outsource. Even if we can't bring back the jobs already lost, let's save future jobs from going overseas. I've heard about another company laying off all their workers and setting up in the far East.
I heard the tail end of a story about a possible COLA for social security recipients--the first one in years--of about 3%. For a person now receiving about $1,000 a month it would mean an extra $30. Wow! With it, I can order a monthly supply of the bariatric vitamins TB and I need. Or we could get one half tank of gas. Something is better than nothing, which is what we've been having.
Speaking of bariatric surgery, TB and I had our annual visits with the surgeon and we're both doing great! I've lost 87% of my excess weight and TB 76%. My calcium was a little low so my PTH (thyroid) level was high. I need to take more calcium, no biggie. We both were low on Vitamin D so we need to boost the levels we take. No biggie, just means the vitamins will be a little more expensive.
Kristin decided to carry a double major. She met with an advisor to talk about what she needs to take to fulfill all the requirements. Kristin already had a schedule for herself mapped out for the near future and had questions written down so she wouldn't forget what to ask. I was really impressed with her organization!
Munchkin may be a bit of a bully but we still love her. One of the things I love most is when I nap or sleep. She will go under the covers and snuggle with me. I fall asleep stroking her fur. It's very soothing. The cats like to hang out on our bed. Many times we have five of them lounging around and it seems to be the one time they all get along!
Time to get ready to go to the hospital!
It's so hard to watch him suffer. I'm helpless because there's nothing I can do. His tooth is especially causing a lot of agony and he'll chew a percocet and put it into the broken area. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain but not always. Then there is the chronic pain he has from busting his hump for an ungrateful employer all those years. Funny...you think you're doing the right thing by working hard but then you learn quick what a mistake it was when you get kicked to the curb after becoming disabled. I wish surgery would help the pain in TB's back but the doctors say it won't.
I think Occupy Philadelphia at least is becoming more organized and trying to set goals. I gave feedback about which issues I felt were most important and what I thought protestors ought to do about it. I hope they hear back from a lot of people. I really want to see this movement take off. One thing I would like to see is lobbying for healthcare for everyone. Poor people should be able to buy into a policy they can afford. I'd also like to see that fair trade act repealed--the one that gives credits to businesses allowing them to outsource. Even if we can't bring back the jobs already lost, let's save future jobs from going overseas. I've heard about another company laying off all their workers and setting up in the far East.
I heard the tail end of a story about a possible COLA for social security recipients--the first one in years--of about 3%. For a person now receiving about $1,000 a month it would mean an extra $30. Wow! With it, I can order a monthly supply of the bariatric vitamins TB and I need. Or we could get one half tank of gas. Something is better than nothing, which is what we've been having.
Speaking of bariatric surgery, TB and I had our annual visits with the surgeon and we're both doing great! I've lost 87% of my excess weight and TB 76%. My calcium was a little low so my PTH (thyroid) level was high. I need to take more calcium, no biggie. We both were low on Vitamin D so we need to boost the levels we take. No biggie, just means the vitamins will be a little more expensive.
Kristin decided to carry a double major. She met with an advisor to talk about what she needs to take to fulfill all the requirements. Kristin already had a schedule for herself mapped out for the near future and had questions written down so she wouldn't forget what to ask. I was really impressed with her organization!
Munchkin may be a bit of a bully but we still love her. One of the things I love most is when I nap or sleep. She will go under the covers and snuggle with me. I fall asleep stroking her fur. It's very soothing. The cats like to hang out on our bed. Many times we have five of them lounging around and it seems to be the one time they all get along!
Time to get ready to go to the hospital!
Wednesday, November 25
Six Month Visit With My Surgeon
My TB and I went to see Dr. G today. It's been a year since TB had his DS and a little over 6 mos since I had mine! TB has lost 70% of his excess weight and Dr. G thinks he's doing great. His beta carotene was a little low and his iron was a little saggy.
I had mostly good news too. I've lost 60% of my excess weight! My labs looked great to Dr. G as well. He said I should keep doing what I'm doing but I was thinking I would boost up some of my vits that were a little on the low side. The only issue with my weight loss is that Dr. G wants me to slow down. He prescribed an enzyme. Oh dear.
The other issue was a little more troubling but he said I was not to lose sleep over this. He is proactive rather than reactive, he explained. When he sees a number that isn't right and he doesn't understand why, he wants to investigate it.
My liver functions were high. He asked if that's happened to me before and I said yes. Before surgery? he asked and I said yes. When it happened, the doctor would just send me for a repeat CMP and the results must have been okay the second time around because the doctor never said to do anything. I wondered if it might be the vicodin I take. He asked, do you know that for sure? And I said no.
Here's the thing. Apparently it's routine to have a liver biopsy during the surgery. My results came back negative for cirrhosis or citosis but showing something going on. I can't remember what he called it. It's something he sees in obese patients more and more. So usually having the DS helps it--the RNY aggravates the condition (not sure why, this is just what he said). Anyway, since my numbers were still coming back high, he wants me to see a hematologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital--hopefully they have a satellite in New Jersey.
I will not worry about this. I will not. I'll make the appointment and not think about it until I see that specialist and find out what's going on!
I had mostly good news too. I've lost 60% of my excess weight! My labs looked great to Dr. G as well. He said I should keep doing what I'm doing but I was thinking I would boost up some of my vits that were a little on the low side. The only issue with my weight loss is that Dr. G wants me to slow down. He prescribed an enzyme. Oh dear.
The other issue was a little more troubling but he said I was not to lose sleep over this. He is proactive rather than reactive, he explained. When he sees a number that isn't right and he doesn't understand why, he wants to investigate it.
My liver functions were high. He asked if that's happened to me before and I said yes. Before surgery? he asked and I said yes. When it happened, the doctor would just send me for a repeat CMP and the results must have been okay the second time around because the doctor never said to do anything. I wondered if it might be the vicodin I take. He asked, do you know that for sure? And I said no.
Here's the thing. Apparently it's routine to have a liver biopsy during the surgery. My results came back negative for cirrhosis or citosis but showing something going on. I can't remember what he called it. It's something he sees in obese patients more and more. So usually having the DS helps it--the RNY aggravates the condition (not sure why, this is just what he said). Anyway, since my numbers were still coming back high, he wants me to see a hematologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital--hopefully they have a satellite in New Jersey.
I will not worry about this. I will not. I'll make the appointment and not think about it until I see that specialist and find out what's going on!
Tuesday, October 13
Six Month Surgiversary Already!
On April 13 of this year, Dr. Greenbaum did my DS and what a difference that has made! Since that day, I've lost 80 pounds!
This is me on the day I consulted with Dr. G. Then I weighed 291. I lost 7 lbs pre-op.
Here is me, taken this morning:
This is me at my highest weight of 318.
I can't even wear those clothes anymore. They're long gone. I've shrunk into clothes I wore years and years and years ago. Almost time for totally new ones, right?
Another view. Then:
Now:
My DH was switched in November 2008. He's lost almost 200 lbs.
We no longer need meds for diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Our diabetes is in remission. I need a new sleep study to have my CPAP pressure lowered.
I have so much more energy! I was able to go on a 45 minute hike with my 5 year old grandson!
I don't get all out of breath if I climb stairs.
I'm not a hermit anymore.
I eat everything I enjoy, just in smaller quantities.
I feel good about myself again.
This surgery saved my life!
This is me on the day I consulted with Dr. G. Then I weighed 291. I lost 7 lbs pre-op.
Here is me, taken this morning:
This is me at my highest weight of 318.
I can't even wear those clothes anymore. They're long gone. I've shrunk into clothes I wore years and years and years ago. Almost time for totally new ones, right?
Another view. Then:
Now:
My DH was switched in November 2008. He's lost almost 200 lbs.
We no longer need meds for diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Our diabetes is in remission. I need a new sleep study to have my CPAP pressure lowered.
I have so much more energy! I was able to go on a 45 minute hike with my 5 year old grandson!
I don't get all out of breath if I climb stairs.
I'm not a hermit anymore.
I eat everything I enjoy, just in smaller quantities.
I feel good about myself again.
This surgery saved my life!
Monday, March 23
What a manic Monday!
Literally, it was a manic Monday today! I was singing the song by the Bangles in my head over and over.
My son's car broke down on Friday and was towed to the shop today. The mechanics wouldn't be done with it until 10 so TB & I gave him a ride to the bus stop so he could catch a ride out to his campus for a class. Next we had to drive an hour north to see our orthopod/pain doctor where I got a shot of cortisone in my right shoulder (bursitis :P ). We were done at noon. Originally the plan was to get back and pick up my son's car, drive it to the campus and get it to him so that he could get to his part-time job that starts at 1. No way was that going to happen. We did make it to the campus by 1:30, we did the whole Chinese fire drill stuff, and he took off.
We stopped at a Japanese place for lunch and it was delicious! What was especially encouraging is that TB, who had his DS in November and has had trouble with meat since, was able to eat two whole rolls of sushi. He loved it and was so happy he's able to add more foods to his diet every day. From there, we stopped at a couple of stores, killing time before we had to pick up Little T. That's when my cell phone rang and it was my surgeon's office. The lady, Lorraine, wanted to know where I was. I was supposed to be there at 3.
Wait a minute, no way, I said. That's not today. It's next week.
She insisted, no it's not, it's today.
We argued back and forth a few moments and then she said, well, can you come in now? You need to do a pre-op appointment and the surgeon is going to be out of the office all next week.
Grrr.
So we got our grandson and drove in yet another direction to the surgeon's office. Lorraine apologized to me. Apparently she'd made a mistake by not being specific about which Monday I'd been rescheduled to. Originally my appointment was for Friday the 27th but Lorraine called and asked to change it to "that Monday". Since the call took place on Friday, March 20th "that" Monday meant AFTER the Friday appointment. She meant the Monday BEFORE the appointment. Sheesh.
It doesn't matter. Everything went great during the pre-op appointment. I passed my test with flying colors--it's just a bunch of true/false questions about the DS, the surgery and recovery. Thanks to the folks here at OH I have learned SO MUCH! Then Dr. Greenbaum did a quick exam and we went over the forms. It was like buying a freaking house! I signed form after form but that's okay too.
Most important, we discussed the meds I would be taking during and after surgery, specifically the psych meds. I am so relieved that Dr. G is going to have a tube placed in my stomach so that I can have my Cymbalta, Prozac, Trileptal and Ativan. No freaking out or withdrawal for me!
As for absorption afterwards, he suggested the best thing to do would be to get a blood level to determine my doses.
He said I should be able to absorb the pills in capsules, like Prevacid, although he wants me to open them up and mix them in water or mushy foods while I'm healing.
I feel great, even if it was totally off-the-wall and looney tunes today!
My son's car broke down on Friday and was towed to the shop today. The mechanics wouldn't be done with it until 10 so TB & I gave him a ride to the bus stop so he could catch a ride out to his campus for a class. Next we had to drive an hour north to see our orthopod/pain doctor where I got a shot of cortisone in my right shoulder (bursitis :P ). We were done at noon. Originally the plan was to get back and pick up my son's car, drive it to the campus and get it to him so that he could get to his part-time job that starts at 1. No way was that going to happen. We did make it to the campus by 1:30, we did the whole Chinese fire drill stuff, and he took off.
We stopped at a Japanese place for lunch and it was delicious! What was especially encouraging is that TB, who had his DS in November and has had trouble with meat since, was able to eat two whole rolls of sushi. He loved it and was so happy he's able to add more foods to his diet every day. From there, we stopped at a couple of stores, killing time before we had to pick up Little T. That's when my cell phone rang and it was my surgeon's office. The lady, Lorraine, wanted to know where I was. I was supposed to be there at 3.
Wait a minute, no way, I said. That's not today. It's next week.
She insisted, no it's not, it's today.
We argued back and forth a few moments and then she said, well, can you come in now? You need to do a pre-op appointment and the surgeon is going to be out of the office all next week.
Grrr.
So we got our grandson and drove in yet another direction to the surgeon's office. Lorraine apologized to me. Apparently she'd made a mistake by not being specific about which Monday I'd been rescheduled to. Originally my appointment was for Friday the 27th but Lorraine called and asked to change it to "that Monday". Since the call took place on Friday, March 20th "that" Monday meant AFTER the Friday appointment. She meant the Monday BEFORE the appointment. Sheesh.
It doesn't matter. Everything went great during the pre-op appointment. I passed my test with flying colors--it's just a bunch of true/false questions about the DS, the surgery and recovery. Thanks to the folks here at OH I have learned SO MUCH! Then Dr. Greenbaum did a quick exam and we went over the forms. It was like buying a freaking house! I signed form after form but that's okay too.
Most important, we discussed the meds I would be taking during and after surgery, specifically the psych meds. I am so relieved that Dr. G is going to have a tube placed in my stomach so that I can have my Cymbalta, Prozac, Trileptal and Ativan. No freaking out or withdrawal for me!
As for absorption afterwards, he suggested the best thing to do would be to get a blood level to determine my doses.
He said I should be able to absorb the pills in capsules, like Prevacid, although he wants me to open them up and mix them in water or mushy foods while I'm healing.
I feel great, even if it was totally off-the-wall and looney tunes today!
Sunday, February 1
Post hibernation update/Little T is 5
I feel like a big old bear that crawled out of its cave. Honestly, I can't believe I've slept so much over the last few days! I think it's part sinus infection, part driving around fatigue, part fibromyalgia and part fat fatigue!
Some updates: After I saw Dr. Greenbaum, I've swung back to the duodenal switch. He agrees with Dr. Wasser that the lapband is not for me with all my co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc). I talked to him about my concerns about malabsorption and being able to afford the supplements and vitamins on our fixed incomes. One thing he pointed out is the money we save on prescriptions can go toward the vitamins/supplements.
He said I shouldn't let that guide my decision toward the more convenient surgery. Lots of people have the surgery that is the safest, the quickest or the least expensive and they end up regretting it. It's true. I've read the Obesity Help Revisions and Regrets boards enough to know that. He said the practice would do the lap band for me if that's what I want but he doesn't recommend it.
He didn't push me to make a decision. He said to check out obesity help some more and also duodenal switch.com and another website (can't remember it offhand but I can easily find it) again. I'm going to go to more of the support group meetings that the practice has and hopefully will meet Joanne, a person I "met" online who was a patient of Dr. Greenbaum's and has been supportive and helpful all through my confusion and waffling. This is not to say that TB hasn't been--he has, it's just that he doesn't want to push me toward one procedure or another.
Want to see what all the procedures entail? My dh TB wrote a pretty good summary here.
All my friends have been supportive too, praying for me to make the best decision for me and for a positive outcome.
I also decided not to delay or postpone my surgery because of Bill's car problems (thanks, James!). Bill is a college student and he is going to see if he can't get some loan money to get himself a car. Meanwhile we'll do whatever we can to help him without driving ourselves into the ground or sacrificing our health needs.
So with that in mind, I went for part one of my stress test on Friday. It was no big deal, just getting injected with stuff, waiting around for two hours and then having pictures of my heart taken (with me trying very hard not to cough!). Part II, the walking on a treadmill, takes place tomorrow.
I can hardly believe our Little T is five years old today! It seems only yesterday we went to the hospital to see him for the first time. I picked him up and just totally fell in love with him from that very first moment. We got him an erasable marker board with markers and an eraser. He seems to enjoy those things, especially now that he's copying letters and numbers! Happy birthday, sweet Little T! We'll be seeing you later.
Some updates: After I saw Dr. Greenbaum, I've swung back to the duodenal switch. He agrees with Dr. Wasser that the lapband is not for me with all my co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc). I talked to him about my concerns about malabsorption and being able to afford the supplements and vitamins on our fixed incomes. One thing he pointed out is the money we save on prescriptions can go toward the vitamins/supplements.
He said I shouldn't let that guide my decision toward the more convenient surgery. Lots of people have the surgery that is the safest, the quickest or the least expensive and they end up regretting it. It's true. I've read the Obesity Help Revisions and Regrets boards enough to know that. He said the practice would do the lap band for me if that's what I want but he doesn't recommend it.
He didn't push me to make a decision. He said to check out obesity help some more and also duodenal switch.com and another website (can't remember it offhand but I can easily find it) again. I'm going to go to more of the support group meetings that the practice has and hopefully will meet Joanne, a person I "met" online who was a patient of Dr. Greenbaum's and has been supportive and helpful all through my confusion and waffling. This is not to say that TB hasn't been--he has, it's just that he doesn't want to push me toward one procedure or another.
Want to see what all the procedures entail? My dh TB wrote a pretty good summary here.
All my friends have been supportive too, praying for me to make the best decision for me and for a positive outcome.
I also decided not to delay or postpone my surgery because of Bill's car problems (thanks, James!). Bill is a college student and he is going to see if he can't get some loan money to get himself a car. Meanwhile we'll do whatever we can to help him without driving ourselves into the ground or sacrificing our health needs.
So with that in mind, I went for part one of my stress test on Friday. It was no big deal, just getting injected with stuff, waiting around for two hours and then having pictures of my heart taken (with me trying very hard not to cough!). Part II, the walking on a treadmill, takes place tomorrow.
I can hardly believe our Little T is five years old today! It seems only yesterday we went to the hospital to see him for the first time. I picked him up and just totally fell in love with him from that very first moment. We got him an erasable marker board with markers and an eraser. He seems to enjoy those things, especially now that he's copying letters and numbers! Happy birthday, sweet Little T! We'll be seeing you later.
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