Feather

Most of these posts are nearly a year old now....I'm just hoping someone will see this and we can start up a support chat. i am in need of assistance with my weight loss. I'm feeling depressed with the lack of weight lost since surgery on August 25, 2011. I have currently lost only 37 lbs. I did think the process would be quicker. In reading some of the encouraging old posts, I realize I am not doing everything I need to do. Especially the water intake. I MUST work on that. I also am to the point that I can eat anything in limited quantities. By ANYTHING, I mean just that. I have no restrictions whatsoever. I do get tummy aches if I over eat, but thats kinda rare. I feel uncomfortable daily in my stomach, not sure why. I guess the truth is, I know the answers here to what I have to do, I just need encouragement and this forum may help me greatly IF I get a response and have someone to talk to.

Hi Beverly, It should explain in your pre-op paperwork why its important to follow one of the three weight loss modalities. It is to reduce the fat around the liver and reduce the size of the liver as well. Yes, and jump starting the weight loss process is a benefit of this diet. I have lost my required weight and am finding its been hard to keep off, but I'm going to crack down and get it back down so as to avoid any possible complications. I did speak with Carolyn Williamson and asked her the same question you're asking. She said I would not be denied the surgery, but that I'd be better off following the recommended diet(s). Good luck my dear, I'm scheduled for July 14th.....yikes! Feather

Hello out there Anyone scheduled for July 14th for surgery? I was planning on traveling with a companion but don't know if she can come with me now....frankly, I'm terrified and would love to connect with others that will be there... Feather

I am scheduled for the 14th of July and am really SCARED and anxious. I have so many fears of the unknown and thats whats eating me up now. I know I must do this for myself, I'm just such a baby about it. I was going to have a traveling companion to come with me, but her own health issues may exclude that now. I don't know if I can do it on my own. I have a very bad back and walking the distances in the airports will be nearly impossible for me. We planned on using the airport wheelchair, but have no idea what I'll do now. I may have to postpone my surgery very sad.

I don't know that I am certain which procedure I am going to have either. I m scheduled for the plication July 14th, but I have many questions. I have spoken to Carolyn Williamson, but I feel the need to speak to a Dr. Never before have I elected to do anything with out speaking to a Dr extensively first. So if there is any complaint I have regarding the OCC it is this. I feel now that I have made my deposit a Dr should contact me for a final consult. I will have to address this soon as I still am not certain which route I should go. I consider the plication to be permanent. I think I'd feel the same with a band. I will never be able to control myself without the aid of surgery and live my life as an average size woman. Good luck all.... Feather

Hi Donna, I have been following your posts and I appreciate your diligence. I mean to respond but you know how life kinda gets in the way sometimes... I am planning on having the gastric plication myself sometime in the near future. I'm waiting on my birth certificate so that I can get a new passport, then 'm booking my procedure. I cannot say that I am without fear or anxiety over my decision. I know there have never been any fatalities at the OCC, but I have my concerns still. My other fears are failure. What I mean by that is that is I worry that I will not be successful in weight loss after the plication. I have read many posts of those who are unhappy with the time it is taking to lose weight and I wonder also if I will continue with my bas eating habits after the surgery. I honestly question myself and my strength to accomplish the work that is needed and to utilize the surgery as just one of the tools required to meet my goals. Now I guess I should answer your post. Yes I too chose the 2 shakes and one lean cuisine type dinner daily. I did well for awhile on this, I have lost 12 lbs. But lately I have found myself hungry and I've eaten 2 dinners and even inappropriate snacks. I feel once I get my passport it will be time to hunker down and get serious. I need to lose 20 lbs before surgery. As far as this plication being reversible, I never plan to have it reversed unless it is medically required. If I am able to lose the weight and keep it off why reverse it? It does seem that the stomach would kind of "heal into" itself after the plication, develop scar tissue and become permanent. I do hope I am making the correct choice in the plication vs. the band. Well Donna, I will try to be better at replying to your posts. I hope you are doing well ... Feather

Hello in Montreal! I know your post was put up way back in January. I am curious as to how you are now? I am thinking about having plication surgery soon myself and would love to correspond with someone who has done this and has a little history to share. I am fearful that I will not lose enough weight with the plication method vs. the banding. If you would please share some of your information I would be so grateful Thank you, Feather

Thanks Leanne for your reply. I did go ahead and call the OCC and get most of my questions answered. Still on the fence over plication OR banding....tough choice, I just want it to work! Have a great weekend..... Feather

Hi, did you book for the plication? With which Dr? I too am anxious and I haven't even booked my surgery date yet. I have lots of questions to ask as well, maybe we should compare notes to see if we've forgotten anything. I am keeping a running list of questions and just need to get up the nerve to call and ask to speak with Dr. Ortiz. Hang in there, Feather

Hi Yolanda and LeAnne, I read your posts and both of them really make me hesitant (along with many others I've read) about having the plication. If I weren't being held up by my passport i would've already done the plication surgery. Now that I have more time to examine the issue I'm getting nervous and wondering if this is really for me. I have so many questions for the dr's. and have not made an attempt to get them answered yet. Probably should so I don't end up backing out of something that could potentially save my life. I have a lot of weight to lose and I cannot do it on my own. If either of you have any advice or remarks, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback.... Thanks, Feather

Hi There, I have never heard of doing a plication with a band. I feel that the OCC is cutting edge with their technology and research so I am very curious now as to where you found the data that recommends both. If you would provide me with it I would be very appreciative, as I too am confused about which surgery to have to yield the greatest results. I am planning to call the OCC and set up an appointment with Dr Ortiz for a phone conference in which I will ask my many questions, now including this one about plication WITH band. It seems like so much stress to put on the stomach for it to be one procedure, and I certainly can't imagine having to have 2 surgeries. The beauty in the plication is being able to avoid the fills of the band. I'm not understanding the need for plication if one chooses the band, makes no sense to me. Anyhow, thank you for posting this, I'm really interested in hearing more about it now. Best of luck with your choice, Feather

If I were you I'd be on the phone with Dr. Miranda right away. If nothing improved with her suggestions, I'd be on the phone with one of the surgeon's. Its not ok to feel poorly this long. I haven't even had my plication yet and its this kind of info that really scares me. Gook luck to you!

You rock girl! Thanks for the upbeat post!

Hi Deanne, I'm curious about how your recovery is going after your April 4th surgery? I hope you are doing well. I'm going to be "plicated" soon and am looking to speak to anyone who's had the recent experience and seeing how it went. Any complaints or complications? I'm on the pre-op diet and not gaining, but not losing either.... Take good care, Feather

Hi Sharon, I too have to modify all of my eating behaviors. I am terrified that after going thru upcoming Plication I could potentially gain back the weight (like Carney Wilson)and it occurs to me that I should "see" myself eating. So, here's what I'm going to do as one of my new tools. I'm going to set up a mirror at the table that I cannot help but see myself in. I will see my size as well as my poor habits of taking too big of bites. Don't know if this'll actually work, but anything is worth a try, right? Best of luck to you, Feather