Well, I know it has been a while since my last post, and of course, I think I am the only reader here so I suppose that should not matter but this post is intended as an aid for others contemplating a similar experience.
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Well, I just had barriatric (weightloss) surgery, in particular I had laproscopic - adjustable gastric banding. The procedure went well and except for some emotional issues with anesthesia recovery, I am glad that I had it done.
I thought that I might make myself available to anyone who is thinking about this surgery for themselves or others. So if you have any questions post away...
What follows are some useful websites.
Useful sites
American Society for Barriatric Surgery
http://www.asbs.org/
Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)
http://www.humed.com/
My Surgeons
Advanced Laproscopic Associtates
http://www.lap-associates.com/
The First Guy I went too (see below as to why this did not work out)
http://www.lapsurgery.com/
Now the story...
As some of you know, I am obese. In fact at the time of the surgery I weighed approx 600 pounds. I used to weigh a lot more but was successful with a decent diet and exercise. Then I broke my left leg (during the recovery of which I joined FE). After that I put about 100 lbs back on. Now a few years earlier I had made a promise to myself that if I could not lose weight by my 32nd birthday I would have barriatric surgery. So it was time.
I did a little basic research between, the ASBS sight, a few reference papers and most importantly, asking others who have had surgery before about their experiences. Now I have an advantage in that I work in a hospital, so I can access medical knowledge and advice rather more easily than can the regular person.
Ultimately, I learned that Hackensack University Medical Center was the number one facility for this procedure in the Northest US, if not in all the world outside of Australia (apparently the most advanced surgeon/researcher on the subject is in Australia). Some other reputable facilities exist but I can only provide info on two; the facility where I had the procedure, HUMC, and the one where I work. I recommend strongly that you avoid the hospital I work in for this procedure. However I will only give out the name via PM in order to protect myself for corporate web trolls.
Now I have had several relatives go through the same procedure at the same facility with the same surgeon although this surgeon, Dr Schmidt was not the first one that I went to. In fact the first seminar I attended there was for Dr G. Ballantine, who is on staff at HUMC. I know someone who had the procedure done with him and she has had excellent results but my experience with him was less positive.
I attended his seminar and it was well presented, although the space was a little cramped, he gives it in his office suite. Dr Ballantine performs the two major types of procedure, full bypass and the lap band procedure, both in the traditional way (cuts you open big time) and laproscopically. So I made an appointment, did the bloodwork, ekg and xray that seemed to be in his packet...and waited a few weeks for the surgical consult (the office visit used to setup the procedure).
So, I did some more research and determined that the lapband was the best for me. I take a psychotropic drug (paxil) whose primary absorption is in the stomach and I could not lose the bulk of my stomach.
But Dr Ballantine did not tell me one thing...
Now, to understand my mindset, I work nights and do not drive and have never been to Hackensack. So I used a benefit day, took a 3+ bus trip and arrived at his office. I told him I wanted the band done. We talked a bit and then he dropped the bomb... Basically he had never performed a procedure on a patient of my weight. I wanted to kill him, that was the angriest I had been in 5 years. He recommended that I contact the group of surgeons who I wound up choosing because they had more experience with my weight.
If Dr Ballatine had mentioned his lack of experience with heavier patients, half of the patients in the room with me at his seminar would have walked out. I would have had the procedure in Nov 2005 or maybe late January with my current surgeon, instead, I had to start the whole thing all over again, going to a new seminar and eventually having all those tests again (btw, those tests are part of pre admission testing, you only need them done within 30 days before the surgery. This is something that Dr Schmidt and his partners made clear but Dr Ballatine did not).
Fastforward a bit...
Presuming that you are not rich enough to pay out of pocket (around or up to $100,000 US), various Health insurance packages have different prerequisites for the surgery. I can only testify to my insurance, Horizon of NJ.
I had to, get psychitric screening, get a recommendation from my primary, attend the initial seminar and attend an educational/support group meeting. Note that the support group meetings are usually monthly and all must be done for full coverage approval prior to the surgery. I will follow up with what my costs are. I had to pay a $500 dedeductable and I expect a bill from the Anestheisologist. The first seminar is free and the support group meeting at HUMC costs $50.
Also, one other area I prepped, out of prior surgical experience, was my apartment. I cleaned and organized ahead of time. Expect to be a little out of sorts for a few days due to the anesthesia and surgical recovery. Also expect a lot of gas (they fill your stomach with air to facilitate the procedure).
The diet for the weeks following this procedure is also specialized. For instance until I see my surgeon again next week, I am on a clear liquids diet. This means natural juices, iced tea, gatorade, no carbonated beverages. If you have bypass (remember I have the band) you also have to avoid suger, so that means sugar free. I also have a dozen or so cans of chicken and beef stock but I have only used one and I have packages of sugar free jello but I have not made any yet. I will comment on the next stage of the diet when I get there.
Well, day of surgery arrived and it went as expected. I arrived at the hospital (after a 3 hour bus trip), was admitted to the Same Day Surgery unit (SDS) although it has a slightly different name at HUMC but I am used to that name from most other hosptials. I wound up waiting an hour or so. I checked my valuables in with security and my cloths in with the nursing staff. I went to the OR that was that.
Waking up was rougher than prior experiences, I woke up intubated and maybe that induced a bit of a panic attack or an anxienty attack but after they took out the vent and I was able to move a bit, the panic passed. I got to my room on the floor and fell alseep. I woke up at midnight and was told that it was time to get up and walk around a bit. That is part of the recovery procedure. I also had to urinate or they would have put a foley in. The nursing staff was great, they were helpful, understanding and informative.
I found out that much of the pain post op was from the air that they put in me, basically extended gas pains. These have improved a lot but even 5 days later I still feel a bit gassy.
I have not eaten in 5 days now... although once I see my surgeon that will change.
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Thoughts and Feelings?
Well, I now know that once I can eat regular food again, as long as the majority of my diet is healthy, I can have a bad meal whenever I want because the band limits how much I can eat. So a slice of pizza with 5 toppings or a small hero sandwhich, or a cream cheese bagel.... once in a while, is ok....
I seem to have won a decisive round in the battle against obesity, since this surgery is among the most successful options for permanent weightloss.
Aside from some real scares during recovery, which was not my prior experience, I am generally confident about the early outcome.
