Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

I am new on the site but have been a member of LBT for 2 years. I have not lost any weight since the inital month of the post op diet since being banded. They would do a fill then have to take it out due to not being able to drink liquids. I was doing that for like 2 years. I am livid!!!! I hate that this stupid thing is in my body not doing what it is supposed to. I have switched insurance due to my husband getting a new job. My new insurance has an exclusion stating that they will not cover anything to do with bariatric whatever. So I have written an appeal to the insurance company and have gotten a response saying that they are going to need a certificate of co…

I am a corporate pilot who has been considering VSG for some time now but am nervous as to whether the FAA will have a fit about it or not. I have read many conflicting things on the internet and cant get a clear answer from the FAA either. I am wondering if there are any other pilots out there that have had this surgery and how their medical certification went with the feds following surgery. Anyone???

I was reading the thread on complications and many listed dehydration that required hospitalization or ER visits. Is there anyone out there who went to Mexico as a self pay patient that has had to visit the ER or be hospitalized once home? If so, I am curious what a trip to the ER for dehydration costs or a hospitalization for that matter? I would just like to know what I may be looking at financially if that were needed. If there are others who've had other complications that would like to share their complications and out of pocket expenses, I would really appreciate that information as well. Thanks to everyone in advance for responding!

okay... this is a completely pointless question but I was just pondering.... right now I'm slightly out of proportion. My top half is a 8/10 and my bottom half is a 12. Now I know that my bottom half is always the last to loose... but eventually things even out. What if I stopped loosing weight right now (I have no intention of doing this). Do you think things would eventually even out, or would I be lopsided forever. Clearly I have too much free time

For the past few days, I have been feeling a combination of depressed, angry, frustrated and very difficult for my family to live with. Fortunately they love me, and don't leave me. I probably would have left myself two days ago !!! It occurred to me this morning...thank goodness for new days and new understandings...that I am being quite silly. What was it in the past that I want back? food is not the answer, because it was treated as something more than just food by me. It was my (in my addicted behavioral mind) comfort when I felt unloved or misunderstood. It was my hobby (spent hours reading cookbooks and surfing the web for that perfect recipe that was goin…

Ok so I was 100% sure I wanted the LAP-BAND?. I've been doing research for about 6 months and it made the most sense for me. I am a single mom of a 2 1/2 year old boy (and I mean SINGLE ! No man at all and no family except my sister who will only babysit once in a blue moon) So if anything happens to me I have little support. But I went to my seminar yesterday and learned about the sleeve. It is less drastic than the bypass but still body altering. And the woman made it sound like there was very little chance to loose 100+ pounds with the band. I am 310 and my goal weight is 150-160 depending on where I feel confortable. Now I know that wls is just a tool and I have to ch…

Greetings everyone! I just wanted to share my experience. I was banded first time in 2006 with a 4cc band. Everything went well aside from sliming, food getting stuck & vomiting. I figured this was just the price to pay to finally be able to lose weight once & for all. I lost 50 lbs (not quite goal) but I was so happy to lose weight successfully. At my lowest weight I started having horrible reflux at night. I would wake up choking on burning stomach acid (sorry for the gross factor). It was not only painful, but scary. Apparently my band had slipped. From what I understand this is common for the 4cc band. So the process of removal of fluid over months beg…

I am waiting till Aug or Sept next yr to get mine done. Anyone else going 2 wait till about then that wants to chat and encourage each other untill then?

I was telling my dentist and a few of her staff that I am having WLS. One of them said for me not to lose too much weight from my face?:confused1:REALLY??? LIKE I REALLY HAVE A CHOICE???? And then she proceeded to say oh you are going to be so pretty after your surgery?:sad0:OK SO WHAT DOES THAT MAKE ME NOW??? CHOPPED LIVER? LOL LOL LOL!!! I am not having this surgery to "look pretty", I personally am fine with my looks now. I am having WLS for multiple health issues. And they say KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS???? Thanks for letting me vent LOL

Hi All, Please help I am 2 months post opp. this week. My meals consist of very little food (which I understand and I am happy with). Mornings would be egg on toast (one quarter), lunch for the most part quarter glass of milk to get tablets down and then supper would be a little experimentation such as possible chicken or pie (small portion). The problem is that I do not need to ever use the bathroom (which is fine being that I am eating less) but then suddenly one day I would have to rush off with a mixture of diarrhoea and normal stomach. I usually counteract this with immodium This is normally followed by a week of nothing and then the same story again. I am o…

Of couse I was at work, so I missed the call. It was the Aetna nurse. I did talk to the doc's insurance person late tuesday, so I assume she's submitted the revision paperwork. Might Aetna be calling me to comfirm or praytell guild me thru the process? I will call on monday because she left her direct extention. Has anyone been called like this?

OK...I got the results from the endoscopy...band is OK in normal position and no problem. I wish there would have been. It might have helped expedite the switch to Vertical Sleeve. So the doctor told me I don't qualify for the sleeve as I don't weigh enough. I would have to gain weight to get my BMI to 40. At least 20 pounds! Who wants to do that. And then I would have to lose weight before the VS procedure. It's like I am back to square one. I also would have to have the psych eval again and other pre surgery exams and tests. AND to see if I qualify to even proceed I need to get an upper GI (had one 1 year post op) and a sleep apnea test. This would be to see if I have…

Yikes! So to all, confession....I was planning to have VGS surgery and then, canceled, postponed and rescheduled to have Sleeve Plication surgery..... I know the controversy associated with a "new" procedure, but everything was new at some point. I am excited, have spoken to Dr's and they've assured me the results are almost the same if not the same in terms of restriction and weight loss as with the sleeve, there's the hormone issue, but I can deal with that...... So here I go......I'm in the hospital, by myself, IV is in, tights are on, in a few hours I'll be "sleeved" Send good thoughts!

Hi all, I am pretty new here, only a few weeks. Tomorrow I will have my band removed. I will have to wait a few months(about 6) to see if my area heals before anyone will touch me as my damage is pretty extensive and I won't know if I am actually a candidate for the sleeve (right now I am not) I hope everyone does well with their band to sleeve revision, thanks for posting info. Mila

So I am on my way to TJ to have surgery, like literally on my first stop. I called my coordinator yesterday no answer, so I talked to someone in travel..... Checked what I should bring, is the internet access, is it wireless, etc.... Got ready, packed, etc.... I just like 5 minutes ago got the return call....."oh! if you are taking your computer you may want to take an ethernet cord, since it depends on which room whether you have wireless access or not...." Seriously:cursing:, I mean I know this should be the least of my concerns, but my laptop is my lifeline, I am going alone...the airport doesn't sell ethernet cords....now my hope is that the hospital IT staff…

I am new at the possible thought of band to sleeve revision and have my first appt next week. I am assuming your "bougie" is the size of your stomach after the surgery is performed?? I guess, much like the "pouch" with the band?? What are the different sizes of "bougies" and what is the qualifications to determine such??? Thanks!! Deb

So I went home to see my family last week. I finally told my mom about my surgery 3 weeks ago since I knew she wouldn't believe I lost so much "on my own". She had questions, but seemed supportive. Well ... my mom is a typical southern woman & likes to share the news with everyone. When I got home, people made some comments about my weightloss, but not much. I found out that everyone thought I had been doing Weight Watchers. Mom hadn't told anyone about the surgery. When I asked her about it - she said that it was my "news to share if you want to". So, I slowly started telling family members as the week went by. I don't want to be unfair, I had some suppor…

Yep, pre-surgery jitters. If it were not for everyone's posts on VST I would surely chicken out. I have not religously followed the pre-op diet although pretty close. I have avoided all white carbs and focused on protein and salad. Slim Fast tastes better than day one. Surgery is 10 am tomorrow. This is the right thing for me. It will change my life by giving me a tool to take control of my health. Dear Lord, let this be the correct decision, let Dr. Nick be skillful and steady, and let the staff be focused on ME and not lunch. God bless everyone else in the same boat. See ya on the otherside.

Does anyone know if actoplus met can be ground up and mixed into a liquid?

I am trying to decide which hospital to choose. I am in the beginning process of getting the Sleeve. My insurance company is UHC Choice Plus. If you have any experience with the following hospitals please let me know. I'd am having a little trouble choosing. Atlanta Medical Center Emory University - Midtown Dekalb Medical Center Northside Hospital

Hello! lol I'm not even old enough to drink and I'm having weight problems lol. Anyway, I had the band done in Mar 2009 and now it's been about a year and a half and I'm back where I started. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Friday 2 July to see when I can have the sleeve done. I'm back at BMI 40 and I still have 2 comorbidities (PCOS and insulin resistance), so I'm not worried about being approved for the sugery. I'm hoping there are others on here close to my age and at the same starting point that I am at.

As an "always overweight" person, I am wondering if others finally decided to pursue WLS for some of the same reasons I have. I'm in the research phase but know I want a Sleeve, and will have one by the end of the year. Why did I not do this before I hit 60? Well, I did not like the possible side effects from the options that were available (before the VSG). I was functioning "well", could do most of the things I wanted to do, until the past two years when I gained 20 more pounds. That put me over the top...130 lbs overweiight. Now I can't tolerate gardening for more than 10 minutes I get so fatigued. Used to be able to walk a mile or two but no more...winded and…

Someone asked for the list that Dr. Aceves sends out to his patients. It's posted in a thread in questions and answers, but I thought I'd put it here too: Okay, this list is what Dr. Aceves' office sends out. Other doctors may have other suggestions. Suggested items to bring to the hospital: Some items you may want to consider taking to the hospital with you: Pajamas, the nurses and doctors will be checking your incisions so you might be more comfortable in your own pajamas than the hospital gowns, however, hospital gowns are provided if you prefer. Non skid slippers, thongs, or slip on shoes of some sort. The hospital …

1. 500 calorie a day diet...how and why? That is really low. 2. Still can't drink Water with meals. 3. New small stomach can stretch like the band pouch. 4. Can still have same reactions as band...gagging, fullness but still hungry. 5. Isn't the lack of Ghrelin supposed to curb appetite? 6. Here's a new one...just read some people have this problem...hair loss. OK someone help me out here...I don't want to go from the frying pan into the fire. :thumbup: I would want this to be better than banding and work over a long period of time. And I want to be able to dine out in comfort. I want to drop the weight and keep it off, in comfort. My exercise regime currently is…

Hi, Well my band it out as of Thursday! it was a pretty easy procedure, for me at least! The dr told my mom that the band was starting to adhere to my liver, and there was lots of scar tissue. My side, where the port was, is killing me still. Feels like I have a hot poker sticking in there. On a brighter note, the pain killers are helping! And when I woke up on Friday, I had an email from Walter from ObesityLaw.com saying that they will take my appeal case if I wanted! Has anyone ever used them? Or heard any good results from anyone using them? I am curious to know what outcomes others have had. They say they have a 90% success rate of wins! Which is wonderful! …

Hi, My name is Kate and I am in the verrrry beginning stages of the process. My doctor expects me to be sleeved late September or early October. I am nervous, scared, and full of questions. I would love someone who has been there, done that, and got the bumper sticker too :biggrin0:! If anyone wants to chat and provide some support, I would greatly appreciate it. I am 26, live in Houston, and have been with my partner Alisha for 1.5 years (she is hoping to have the surgery after me). I would love to talk to either someone around my age or a parent-type mentor. Basically, anyone! I have Facebook, yahoo, AIM...the whole nine yards. Thanks for reading! Lots of love, …

Does anyone feel sort of sickly every day? I know I do and I am really tired of it. Am I the only one? I haven't seen anyone else mention this. I have only recently been sleeved. I try to get all my protein in. I just feel tired and weak and almost like I am coming down with something...every day. I can't take any pain medicine which I think would help me feel better. I have tried children's liquid ibuprofen. I am afraid of taking anything that might make my blood too thin. Does anyone else have this? :confused:

Sorry for my lousy nettiquite--I should be introducing myself, etc, but I'm just going to vent. I was sleeved on June 30, 2010. I am just about a week out and not a happy camper. Some of it is the sleeve, some my work but I'm just freaking out today. Here's my litany: 1. I started feeling hunger 2 days post-op. Now it wasn't the same, intense hunger as before but it was a gnawing pain in my gut and rumblies. Maybe it's acid but the doc did proscribe protonix and I am taking it. 2. I ate my first soft food today. My doctor wanted me on Clear liquids for 2 weeks but I couldn't do it. So I feel guilty about that. 3. I ate about 3-4 T of brocccoli Soup at lunch and a …

Hi All, I have written before about how this month has been terrible for me in terms of dealing with emotional eating. My therapist suggested that I try to find other sleevers who are also in the same boat. I think that it is hard to publicly on these boards say that one is having intense trouble following the program and feeling like a failure. I would really welcome hearing from anyone either in this thread or in a confidentiality-ensured private message. After several months of dramatic weight loss, I hit a wall of stress eating and I have not lost a pound this whole month. I haven't gained either but I attribute that to my worst problem that I throw…

:confused1:I am five days post surgery and every thing seems to be fine except I get this feeling of discomfort every so many hours a day. I have been taking my pain meds to help me feel better. I would like to know if anyone else has this problem? I initially thought it was a full feeling, but there are times when I have not eaten and I feel this way. I also thought it was my body adjusting to having to go to the restroom and I thought it was associated with gas. It does not really cause me pain but i get short of breathe from it until the meds start to work. Any ideas or help on this would be appreaciated.

Have a concern, I've been doing really well for 1 month now, eating all that i'm supposed to and getting in protein, etc. . . suddenly on sunday I had (and I'm not kidding) explosive diarrhea tons of it and watery. . (sorry) but where that came from I have no idea! then since that time, I'm having a tough time eating 4 oz of anything, milk, tuna, anything, I'm just plainly not interested, and when i do try to get in "just one more spoonful" I start getting nauseated. . . my water intake since sunday has decreased by about 15 oz . . . and it takes me now about 40 - 45 minutes to eat or drink 2 - 3 oz . . . whats going on? Am I getting sick? I'm feeling ok physically. . .er…

Has anyone gone through this cycle where you started regaining weight and you had to change your food/eating to get back on track? I want to turn this problem around ASAP! Any advice greatly appreciated!!

I would to with someone who was sleeve around feb 2010. I want know how they are feeling and their and talk about my issues.

My surgery date is set. I am becoming a sleeve sistah on July 14th. I am determined and I know that this is what I need to do...... I am 5'5" and weigh in at 300lbs. If you looked at my medical chart, you would be impressed, all my numbers are great, with the exception that I am 300lbs. I am healthy as a horse, a fat horse that is..... I work out like a mad woman, I train for triathlon, I lift 2 times a week, and do cardio 6-7 days a week.....spin, swim, C25K....you name it... I am in great physical shape and am healthy, except that I am 300 lbs....and am 5 feet and half tall??? So can you guys imagine what I could do physically if I weighed less???? I mean, let's…

Hi! I had the Lapband procedure 5 years ago! And lost the most weight the first month (liquids and soft foods). I lost some after that but had trouble with the whole band thing pretty much from the beginning. I was misled to believe I would feel satiety, that's the word they used. No I never felt satiated, as in not hungry anymore. Filled, yes! Gagging, burping, drooling all part of the wonderful experience of the band. I found ways to "cheat", like God forbid drink with my meal (like normal people do) or go vomit in the bathroom, really pleasant especially when out to dinner. I guess I fell off the wagon and did not go to support group meetings to face successful banders…

Hi y'all! Ok, so I'm wondering if any of you that paid for your surgery yourself and used a US surgeon would mind sharing how much your monthly note is if you financed? We can't afford more than a couple hundred bucks a month so I know interest rate will be key in making that happen but I'm just wondering if anyone's note is around that or less? We won't have much to put down on it in cash, if any, so I assume I'll be looking at anywhere from $12,500 to $15,000 financed. Also, if any of you cash pay peeps happen to have UHC Choice Plus, do you know if they would cover any kind of complications or testing before/after surgery since you self paid and they didn't cover …

HI all -- I am worried! So I am one month post-sleeve revision (from the band) and today was my first "food" day. Being the contrarian type, I decided to "test" the waters, as it were, by eating "more than I should"....but I am not feeling restriction!! Here's what I had: Believe me, this will not be a habit, and I've asked hubby to throw away all tempting food items. I started with chicken - about 1.5 oz....went down great - in fact, in my 3 years banded, I was never able to get chicken down. So I was glad. BUt I still felt "hollow" so I went on...had some cherries. WOrked out great. Then had some of my son's salad (with croutons and cherry tomatoes). Still gr…

My insurance has approved me for a band to sleeve revision. My surgery date is 9/7/10 (5 days before my 5 year band anniversary). I wanted to thank everyone here for your kind words, understanding, support and advise. It has meant a lot!!

I just got back from my pre-op class. I loved it.......until the end. Let me start from the beginning. There was a physical therapist who talked to each of us individually about if we have any problems with starting a exercise program now and she also talked about some other things too. We then gather in a group and went over a handout that she gave us. Basically the handout was about your goals for exercising, how to find your target heart rate, what kind of shoes to wear... etc. COOL. Then the nurse coordinator comes in and another handout is passed out. We go over it. Everything is looking good until she says to prevent blood clots each of us will be using AV impulse p…

WTF! Why are those posts on here???? This is totally disgraceful and they tell us to watch our language! Ridiculous!!!

:wink1: This is a cross post - as I posted it on the Insurance list too Just wanted to give you all an update on my status I am scheduled for my Upper GI on Friday 7/2....(I so dread this -- but I will force myself to drink extra Water after - because the barium sticks to my small intestines like cement & last time I got a small bowel impaction - and all the OTC stuff only treats the lower intentines and it took months for the barium to exit :smile1:) My doc appoint with my Band Doc is on Thursday 7/8. I am getting my PCP letter and I will write a letter -- so all will be ready for my 7/8 appointment I am optimistic, but realistic... but the good news is m…

I sensed it a long time ago. It seems about at one year, every time I got a fill it would last really well and the band worked for about 3 weeks, but then it would get loose again. Well, I went for an unfill as part of my plan to get revision, and sure enough out of 10.25cc that were added to my band, only 8cc remained. They tried and tried to get more out, just to make sure, but they got it all. So I was right, my band was leaking at higher pressures. This is why it was getting so annoying. I'm glad, I'm going for revision....I would NEVER advise someone to "FIX" a band problem....they just seem to come back and it isn't worth the expense. I feel better knowin…

I don't want the friend I live with and nanny for to know about my sleeve. She is a great friend BUT has no understanding on how to keep something like this to herself. I have my week before diet and then I will leave for two weeks. Three days in Mexico and then a week and a half at my sister's to recover. Do I just tell the half truth that I'm trying a new diet? How do I keep her from knowing after I come home? Will I have the scars for life? Is 13 days long enough time to heal? I care for her three boys five days a week that are ages 5, 4, and 3.. I have to start the liquid diet a week from today! I can't believe how much my life is going to change two weeks from now Ju…

I haven't been in the chat room lately. I've been kind of busy in the evenings but I am going to be around tonight and will leave the chat window open. Does anyone want to talk?

Well I had my lap band removed and my sleeve surgery May 21st and since the surgery I lost 12 pounds. Now that I have started introducing more foods into me I have already GAINED 4 pounds back. I am constantly tired "work 8 hours a day and have a two year old" I walk every evening and I watch my fat and sugar intake like my Dr told me to do. I haven't gotten my vitamins started yet hopefully today I can go pick them up. Any suggestions on what to take? Any advice on the gaining? HELP!! Very discouraged after all I've been though with the band not working and now I'm discouraged with this :thumbup1:

I WISH I would feel less restriction and I'm 9+ months out!!! I don't get what my problem is- Last night I ate small slices of steak, and after about 3 maybe 4 ounces I thought I was going to possibly rupture my esophagus-the pain was horrible and my mouth filled up with saliva like right before one is about to vomit. I was really shaken by the experience which lasted about 15 minutes then, thank God, subsided. Today, I could hardly eat even soft warm cereal (had to throw out half of it) Later I had a teaspoon of tuna, followed by 2 tortilla chips, chewed well and then a Greek blueberry yogurt. Three quarters of the way through the yogurt I felt like my esophagus would e…

Hello Everyone, I'm located in Toronto, and due to be Sleeved by Dr. Aceves on 15th of July, 2010. I have been reading all the posts on this awesome website, and thanks to all the great information, and wonderful support found here, I've decided to take control, and change my life!! I've just started working with a Holistic Nutritionalist, and am currently trying to find a trainer who will start working with me 8 weeks post op. I'm pumped and ready! My husband is very supportive, and is 100% behind me, which is awesome! I have 2 children, 8 and 10 yrs, and they just know that mommie has stopped smoking (finally) and is getting healthy and fit. They too are very supp…

tomorrow will mark my 2 weeks since my surgery. last night i decided to try some fat free refried Beans with a little bit of cheese mixed in. i took small bites and set my fork down in between bites. i think it took me about 20 mins or more to eat them. i didn't measure out the beans when i put them on a plate. i just used a small spoon and scooped out two spoonfulls. i was able to eat all of them with no problems. in fact, i didn't feel restriction at all. is this normal for this early out? could it been the beans i was eating? i'm hoping to feel restriction when i try some tuna or canned chicken.

I just got a call from my surgeon's insurance girl "Congrats, you were approved" - Yaaaaaaaaa - "They are going to replace your band with a new one" - HUH???? WHAT???? OK - I spoke with the surgeon about band to sleeve revision - WTF?? Then she proceeds to blame me because I emailed the office and my email said band revision so that is what she submitted me for - DUH - my email and I quote was "Band to Sleeve Revision" and since when does she use a patients email as the basis for her insurance approval??? The surgeon had to write a letter - he knew what I wanted - I just don't understand how these things get screwed up. So she has to do it all again - only took three …

Has anyone who switched from band to sleeve here had Federal BCBS insurance? Can anyone tell me about their process? I've had the band for about a year and a half and I'm right back up to BMI 40 and I STILL have my two comorbidities - PCOS and insulin resistance. Can anyone tell me any information about their process with Federal BCBS and getting switched to the sleeve? Thanks in advance!