WEIGHT BE GONE!

Hi Everyone! This is my Weight Be Gone Thursday. If you would like to follow me in my journey you are welcome.  This is an update that I shall be doing from time to time. The reason I've started my journey is I had a rude awakening to the reality of life's threats in that if I still wanted to lead a fun, and somewhat of a meaningful happy life I had to make  some serious changes.  Also, with my Spinal Stenosis I have been taking steriod shots.  Yes, the ones you've seen on the news lately, but fortunately my last shot was in the April batch NOT September's.  Somebody up there likes me!  Thank you Lord!  Moving on... I've gone to LIFEWEIGH, and consulted with a dietician, doctor and ... oh I forget what he's called but we talked about exercise.  Exercise I am to do curl ups in the chair with 2lbs weights. First forward up & down 10 & a 15 sec break and then behind me same way for 30 minutes.  Mainly because due to the pain in my back and legs that's all I can do right now until I get my shots again, which is November 28th.  Recently I also found out that I have to be 4 wks. free of steriods before I can have the procedure done.  We're looking into when we can start them up again.   They've put me on a Pre-Diet and that's no caffeine, no carbonation, 1 cup of food with my 6 meals a day and it's a high protein diet.  I'm also taking One a day vitamins with iron and Vitamin B12 on top of all the other medication I am taking.  Oh fun!  My 3 meals and 3 snacks is not to bad.  I can have eggs, cheese, and even nuts.  Veggies must go with the meal and here's one thing I can't get use too is eating without drinking.  I have no clue why.  I better ask next time I go.  They even have a wardrobe room where you can donate your fat clothes and take clothes that do fit you while you lose the weight.  I think that's a real hoot!  Number one, I've lost weight, but slowly and up & down.  I diet, but no exercise due to my Spinal Stenosis going out of whack!  Now, there's something called a "Sleeve Gastrectomy"! This lady I spoke with lost 160 lbs. by doing it, and not only is she pain free, but she's still losing and happier than a pig in...... well, you get my point!  The doctor said medicare could possibly change and they would pay for it, but right now it's only the gastric by-pass.  So maybe by the time we're ready to do it, which will be in January Medicare will.  Fingers crossed and any prayers you don't know what to do with send my way. Gastric Sleeve Surgery Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy The sleeve Gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a new stomach which is roughly the size and shape of a banana. Since this operation does not involve any "rerouting" or reconnecting the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch. Unlike the Lap-Band® procedure, the sleeve Gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen. Because the new stomach continues to function normally there are far fewer restrictions on the foods which patients can consume after surgery, however the quantity of food eaten will be considerably reduced. This is seen by many patients as being one of the great advantages of the sleeve Gastrectomy, as is the fact that the removal of the majority of the stomach also results in the virtual elimination of hormones produced within the stomach which stimulate hunger. For patients with a body mass index greater than 60, the sleeve gastrectomy may be the first part of a two-stage operation. Some patients have a body shape that can make a bariatric surgery more technically difficult – particularly those patients who carry their weight in their belly. If you fall into this category, you may benefit from a two-stage bariatric surgery. In the staged approach, a multi-step operation like the gastric bypass is broken down into two simpler and safer operations. In the first stage, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed. This allows a patient to lose 80 to 100 pounds or more, making the second part of the operation substantially safer. About The Gastric Sleeve (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) Low BMI individuals who should consider this procedure include: Those who are concerned about the potential long term side effects of an intestinal bypass such as intestinal obstruction, ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency. Those who are considering a Lap-Band® but are concerned about a foreign body inside the abdomen. Those who have medical problems that prevent them from having weight loss surgery such as anemia, crohn's disease, extensive prior surgery, and other complex medical conditions. People who need to take anti-inflammatory medications may also want to consider this. Usually, these medications need to be avoided after a gastric bypass because the risk of ulcer is higher. Now you ask what advantages does it have? It does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines It is a technically simpler operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch. There is no foreign body inside your body It does not need adjustments or fills It may be a safer operation for patients with a body mass index (BMI) more than 60. It may be used as the first stage of a 2-stage operation. Risks and Complications As with any surgery, there can be complications. This list can include: Deep vein thrombophlebitis 0.5% Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5% Pneumonia 0.2% Acute respiratory distress syndrome 0.25% Splenectomy 0.5% Gastric leak and fistula 1.0% Postoperative bleeding 0.5% Small bowel obstruction 0.0% Death 0.25% My sister-in-law and other people I know has had a gastric by-pass, but a few years goes by, and they're all putting the weight back on.  It stretches the sack and POOF! You're back to step one!  Even my next door neighbor had a lap-band done, and she only lost a few pounds.  I've discussed this with my doctor, and I got a referral and off I went to lifeweigh.  I changed my diet.  I eat six times a day 3 meals 3 snacks, 6 bottles of water (although I'm not quite there yet). The rest is explained above. So, my friends we shall see will I be cured once and for all with this like they said I will or are these so called doctors practicing physicians and not for real doctors?  IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE???  I'm tired of every one practicing on me.  So, I'm for this I really am and I promise you shall get the before and after and of course along the way info from time to time.  When I walked into the doctors office for the first time I told them I don't want to be Miss America I just want to be pain free.  My white flag is sailing!  I'm in for the long haul now and my tests are finished (to make sure I'm somewhat healthy), and back to the diet and exercise.  Thanks for stopping by!