camille01

Hello everyone,I'm new to the site,I have had the sleeve and I agree with you in every way,this is nothing to be suffered through this is a life changing experience,we didn't get here over night this took a life time and it's going to take the rest of our life to correct it,I am currently considering the gastric bypass because I feel like I failed myself with the sleeve but I know I didn't ,I just let my self down and now I have to pick my self up,I had a major let down in my life,I had to have spinal surgery and I've been out of work for 2 year,I had one year to recover from my spinal surgery and my sleeve gastrectomy at the same time now I am suffering from back pain all the time I can't get out like I want to so now I have to retrain my self in a new way of life all over again so I am considering getting the gastric bypass,I love sweets and i can still eat them with the sleeve,I know I can't eat them with the gastric bypass so I am considering getting this done if my insurance approves it ,If your gonna get the sleeve done I would recommend the gastric bypass because I started regaining my weight and that's the last thing I want to do,so if your gonna go 1/2 way why not go all the way!

Hello everyone,I'm new to the site,I have had the sleeve and I agree with you in every way,this is nothing to be suffered through this is a life changing experience,we didn't get here over night this took a life time and it's going to take the rest of our life to correct it,I am currently considering the gastric bypass because I feel like I failed myself with the sleeve but I know I didn't ,I just let my self down and now I have to pick my self up,I had a major let down in my life,I had to have spinal surgery and I've been out of work for 2 year,I had one year to recover from my spinal surgery and my sleeve gastrectomy at the same time now I am suffering from back pain all the time I can't get out like I want to so now I have to retrain my self in a new way of life all over again so I am considering getting the gastric bypass,I love sweets and i can still eat them with the sleeve,I know I can't eat them with the gastric bypass so I am considering getting this done if my insurance approves it ,If your gonna get the sleeve done I would recommend the gastric bypass because I started regaining my weight and that's the last thing I want to do,so if your gonna go 1/2 way why not go all the way!

Hi Everybody, My doctor told me not to take anything except stool softners because its too soon after surgery to take anything else.......I had my VSG on June 30th and that was my same concern as well...and always do what your doctor tell you to do If not you will start loosing your hair and wonder why...please take your protein..and sip,sip,sip,....if your hair get brittle go to a beauty store and find some ALPHA_GEE hair Shampoo and reconstructor,its like a conditioner and it is wonderful...just dont take anything that may be harsh for your stomach because it is very delicate and you can cause it to bleed inside at least up to 1 year after surgery ...donot lift anything till you are off medical leave no more than 5-10lbs for atl;ease up to 6 months later....and your doctor says its ok...after about 3-4 months it will be ok to take gas-x or mirlax.....or something for constupation....trust me it is worth calling your nutritionist or the assistance nurse or some one who works along with the doctor....its your stomach so please take care of it...( also if you feel your weight has stopped this means you need to get a little motivated to start the fat burning process...it not gonna fall off itself)..so you have to work with the sleeve in order for it to work for you...so keep up the good work...get a gym membership and get used to the tread mill..it will; become your best friend....trust me I know....best of luck to everyone.....

Read Psalms 83:18...first give direction to your prayers,you know who you are praying to,then the bible says in order for your prayers to work for you,you have to work with them,so when you pray you need to work with your prayers,start with some of your favorite Soups, juices,soft foods like peaches,and keep in mind this is a tool,not a quik fix and it will only help if you let it help you,the drs should have told you that you get that hunger gland removed when you have the procedure done,so you really have to make your self eat....start with some baby food if you have too....it may really help...I'm sorry you feel the way you do,just write and maybe we can help each other,I havnt had my surgery yet,its in June..I need to know what to downs how to gi it as well....thanks for posting you really helped me as to what to look for...........camille01

Congratulation Meggie,you have made the best decision in your own behaft,since they now about your surgery I wouldn't go any furthur,I wouldn't give then the dates of anything,I would stick to my husband and son and after its all said and done and you start healing and looking good for yourself I really wouldn't worry about what they think,and beside they will soon come around.....you are doing this for you and your health....not for no one else...

You can call and have your day changed,plus it will give you a little more time to get your Soups ,protein,and drinks together and nothing bets having your sister by your side,mines is 500miles away and will not try to there for me,so let yours be there for you please,its called true sisters love....

It depends on what you are eating and how often you are eating it......if you can find my Last Blog it has a ,copy and paste of a book on Dietary Guidelines after the V,sleeve..it will help you so much I hope you find it....if you can't please let me know and I'll send it to you....camille01

So, I eat 3oz of cheese, 6 - 8oz of yogurt and a cup of skim milk with nf powdered milk added to it every day? why in the world do i need to take a Calcium supplement????

Hi there ,you can go to Medco.com and order the liquid calcium just check with your nutritionist and make sure that its the one you can take...but the liquid goes down a lot smoother than the chewables and the pills...

Oh my goodness, these last 24 hours waiting for surgery are the worst. I think my insides are drowning with all this Water I have been drinking today.

Am trying to clear off my desk at work today hoping no one will need me over the next week and a half. Got much to do at home tonight so hopefully the time will fly by. I know that I will not be able to sleep a wink. I think the hardest part will be getting through tomorrow morning since my surgery is the last one of the day (3pm).

A little nervous but not scared. Only nervous about the anesthetic. I hate going "under". Well, actually, going under is the easy part. I hate coming out from it. I know all will be well though.

I can't wait to start a new beginning.

Just lots of random thoughts running through my head...along with the sound of the clock ticking down...tick....tock....tick....tock....

Congradulations......Yeah....hopefully soon I will be there with you soon,.....waiting is the hardest part...I have my appt with the nutritionist and 2 more appt.with my pcp for my weight managements,this month and next month and my medical necessity letter...and we will be singing together...you are in my prayers....and my thoughts are with you too.....camille01

That is so funny because BCBS is my primary insurance and GHI is my secondary. I'd like to know the answer to that as well.

HI Nikki,I contacted GHI and got a chance to talk to one of the reps.she had me to contace the doctor for the surgery CODE,I did and called them back,she told me that the sleeve is covered but its is up to the surgeon and your PCP.they have to issue a medical necessity letter to the insurance along with the other appts.

we had to complete like the psyc,nutritionist,Gallbladder x-rays ant the other test to see that we quilify.....thats what they told me....I hope this helps...

once you have your surgery there is a calcium citrate that you can buy at MEDCO store an online drug store

where I get my medications from has it in a liquid form and it has a fruit flavor to it...check it out and make sure its what the nutritionist say you can take...

Hi All,,I am glad that this issue was brought up..I am still waiting on my 2nd visit with my surgen ..I am gonna ask because I really dont think I can give up coffee because I gave up everything else about 4 yrs ago like smoking..I still have an accasional glass of moscoto wine is wonderful...I think once I have my surgery that may have to go...but COFFEE...wow that frightens me,,,I love my coffee...I can do without everything else....

Hi everyone,

I am researching various WLS and I do have a question/concern. I currently weigh around 370 lbs at a height of 5'10" (53.1 BMI). I used to weigh around 230 ten years ago and have dieted may way up to this weight - as I'm sure many of you can relate.

Anyways - I see tons of people on here that have lost lots of weight....but most people are around 80-100 pounds weight loss. I don't see many with 100+ weight loss - there are a few but not many.

My goal weight is around 168-170 (BMI of 24). Would a VSG be the best surgery for me? I really like the fact that it doesn't cause malabsorption and is restrictive only. It also seems to have fewer complications. I also have usually taken anti imflammatories for my gout and I would be able to continue to do so with the sleeve, but not RNY.

I guess I am just worried that sleeve will be a great tool to help me get down to say 260-250....but will kinda stop working and leave me flat there. If I am going to have surgery I am going all the way baby....if I set a goal I want to reach it.

Any comments or encouragement would be helpful - especially from those that have lost large amts of weight. Thanks!

EDIT: I am 32 years old and quite active - so I do plan to exercise and be more active as the weight comes off if that makes any difference for potential weight loss.

Hi Doggz.....go to www.realize.com and type in the search bar verticalsleeve and look at the precentage of weight that one looses...It says that they loose between 60/80% of there body fat...if this is the surgery for you,you will get down to your dream weight,,the bypass will help too,I am scared of the bypass because of the rerouting,but it is the Idea for people that weighs between 350/500 or better but they are all tools to help you loose...so if you want this surgery dont let anyone detear you from getting it because it will help you to loose the weight...I personally do not want the lapband or the bypass....If my insurance doesnt quilify me for the sleeve..I will remain overweight till something else comes along..........I pray for you and you pray for me...thanks for posting...all you need to do is to see the % of weight lost....I hope this will help you out....camille01

I went for my pre op, and a three hour eating class today, as March 1st approaches I get more and more excited to start my new lifestyle.

I have only one problem with the whole thing, I just found out today that they will be inserting a catheter for my hospital stay! This is not something I signed on for! I was told I would have to talk to the surgeon about it, and believe me I plan on it! I can not think of a single medical reason to catheterize me? Has anyone else been told they have to have this done? Its a good thing they told me today, rather me waking up with tube coming out of me .

I am not nervous about the surgery one bit, I have a great surgeon who I completely trust, however I am terrified of the catheter.

The lady that told was like, oh its no big deal, you'll be out when they put it in anyways. I was like, yeah but are they gonna put me out to remove it?

I am not happy about this at all.

hello....it was from my understanding that they would put in a cath..I think I would rather have one than to wake up laying in

pee...if they told you its a catheter or a adult diaper...which would you want...all joks aside..the catheter is to measure the output of Fluid intake...they have to measure it because you could be dehydrated and they never no it...I hope everything goes well for you ...just dont worry about it and look at it as a percaution...good luck..

It is easier said than done,,if you can make sure that you have everything you need down stairs even a recliner chair that you can sleep in,or at least get comfortable in and have someone that you can trust to have a key to your house that would be the Idea,,,you dont want to put your self in a position where you are stuck and cant call or get anyone there when you need then....it is good to have someone there when you need them and keep your cell phone in your pocket incase you cant get to the house phone....everyone heals at a different pace and no one can tell you how you are gonna feel...so have a friend on call,stay down stairs and make your self comfortable,and have your pain meds.handy.....Ill Pray for you ,,,,please keep us posted......

I heard Isopure Is good as well and you can get the gold card from GNC and save 20% to 25%.on all purchases...in store its only $10 dollard ol line its $15,but it does save a lot.....they have isopure in 5 different flavors,,,or go to Unjury I heard theres is always good...I drink muscle milk,its pretty good a lil strong...you get it muscle milk-strong...lol...just kidding but it is really good...you should give it a try...

Hi All,

I have BCBS- Federal and was wondering if anyone else has them and how hard/easy it was to get approved for VSG with them? Any advise or experience would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Stacy

hi Stacy,

When I went to my siminar that was one of the insurances that was brought up in decussion

and yes they do pay for the surgery....the best way to fine out forsure is to call the insurance co and

ask personally but you must call the hospital where you plan to have the surgery and find out the

surgery code(i think it is called a CPT-CODE)the hospital where Im getting my surgery ,The cpt code for the Sleeve. Gastrectomy is 43775. If it is approved procedure that is for BCBS,

I have GHI and BCBS ,but bcbs is my hospitalization....I hope everything works out in your favor and good luck...

HI Doug,thanks for explaining the procedure that I will face soon,you really helped,so you are about 3 weeks or so out,how is the pain now?

have you recouped from everything?how long did it take for you to ge to work?I have an intense job as well,I work at Yankee Statium in NY and I am courious

as too how long did it take you to go back to work?I am gonna have to take time but done know how much....I am so glad that everything is going well for you andbesides the pain would you do it over again?....just enjoy your journey and have fun with it... camille01

Hello,I am not to sure about splenda but I have been using the pink stuff-sweet-low for many -many yrs I mean about 15 yrs and Nothing has gone wrong or I have never experiance and side affects such as it making me hungrier,I watch Dr Oz all the time and he said if you are going to use any type is sweetner he said that it is best to use sugar because you are tricking your body into thinking that you are using sugar and there is nothing to burn(calories)so it is best to use sugar so your body can burn it off.....I have been using the pink stuff for so long I cant change back because sugar taste sooo sweet to me now....

HI all,I am 44 and I havn't had my sleeve done yet ,If it was up to me It would have happened when I started reading about it but it doesnt happen that way ,I am glad that we have to go through what we do to get where we are because the doctors what to see if you are for sure this is what you want,If I could have started my journey at 30 trust me I would have but at 40ist it is wonderful to **** this make it easyer with such wonderful people such as yourself...thanks guys because what I need to know I am learning it from you....I really dont need to bother my surgeon till its time and if I had to do it all over again I would want to do it the same way...I have 2 kids Girls.,It seame like much more because I keep a house full of kids all the time.....they keep me going,,and my husband doesn't mind ...I got married for the first time 4 yrs ago at the age 40 to a great life long partner,he had a hard time understanding why I wanted this surgery but when he gots on board he is along for the ride it took a little while but I just had to explain why I needed this for me....he has been my soul support along with both of my girls and 1 special girl friend....."thats my support group".....thanks for reading my story...thats it all in a nut shell.....

Thanks Everyone for the input,I know now I have to wait for all of the appointments to be completed for all the info to be submitted at the same time for approvel,I still have 2 more months for wt management,a nutritionist visit,and another visit with the surgeon,I guess this is the one to make sure that you know what you want(surgerys),I am glad that they are taking the precousions because this is something that shouldnt be taking litely....I appericate the staff that I will have when I do have the surgery.....I have the biggest part over,now its the little things that are holding me up....I guess it takes paitents and lots of them...I have a drawer full of it...lol........keep us posted...

So I've always had a medium toned skin and in the summer oh yes I'm dark. I never burn if that can give you a clue. I luv to lay out at the pool and so on. Why is it that the past month or so everyone is asking if I'm ok and feeling alright? Everyone including my mom is extremely worried because to them I look pale. I have noticed I am alot lighter then I'm accustom to Could it be that I'm lacking a certain Vitamin?? I go for blood work on my 3mth check up. Any idea what it could be???

Do you take Iron? I am 3 months before the surgery and my doctors assistance called me and told me that I needed to take an Iron suppliment,do you thing that this is your case,vitiman d3 plays a big part in your complexion and also

there is several vitimans that is required after surgery,I know Calcium,Multivitamins,b6 for hormonal change and B12, please check with your nutritionist and see if there is something you are lacking...maybe you are not getting your Protein,,,camille01

I am needing suggestions. I was sleeved on Jan 17th and have not lost anything yet. I did have a bit of Water weight when I got out of the hospital since I was in for 4 days and had an IV the whole time. But now the weight isn't coming off and I don't know why since I am on a liquid diet still. What am I doing wrong. This is very depressing.

Hi Barb,Just look it like this...How long did it talk you to gain the weight?....then look at how long it will take you to loose it...you are retaining water....just give your self time because you just got out of the hospital and it will take time....like the friend said.put the scale away...just concentrate on healing and feeling better..when you get a chance to get out side and walk you wil see the weight falling off and wonder if you are loosing too much...and always remember this is a tool....and you have to use it as such...I know you have heard it before..but give your self some time..please start taking plenty of pictures and make your own brag book,,,I am 3 months or so from having my surgery and I got starting taking pictures when I started doing research.....have fun on your journey....camille01

I received a call from my surgeons office just last week that BCBS of CT is now considering the VSG an acceptable form of surgery. Previously it was not covered at all in CT with them. I'm so glad I don't have to consider having a band now instead.

Not sure where you are located but perhaps they are accepting it in several other states as well.

Hello chicadee,I live in NYC,in the Bronx and for teachers there Primary insurance is GHI,and there secondary is BCBS

so I am hoping that I dont have to choose between bypass or the band I want the sleeve...I was wondering how long does it

take them to accept or do the hospital even send in for approval before all the appiontments are complete or do they wait until

everything is complete.I just have a few appointments left,(my neutritionist,3 more wt mgt visits,and my second visit with the surgeon,and i'll be ready for my new journey...thanks for the imput....camille01

I have to do a psych eval also, and I am self pay. At first I thought this was stupid, but after talking with others on this site I now have a better understanding. If you have an addiction to food it is possible that after surgery you will get depressed because you will have lost in some cases your best friend. Or you might look at food as a crutch or use it when you are sad, happy ect... Talking with a professional will help you get through this and give you tips on how to deal with the loss and make better choices. I have read that after your surgery you have to be on a all liquid diet. Some people have to do this for as long as a month. I personally think this will be very difficult because you are still getting hunger pains at 5 days out. Not every dr makes you do this for that long but just think about if you have an addiction to food how bad you will want it, but can't have it. I now think the eval is a great idea. I am not saying you have a food addiction, either way it will be helpful.

hello,I have only heard of the monthly liquid diet was for people that weight almost 500lbs or some where around there

when the doctors are trying to get the liver to shrink,because with out the liquid diet the liver is swollen and it has to shrink.

bet with someone smaller it only takes about 1 week on a liquid diet,I hope that ,that is my case...I may be able to do a week or 2 before hunger strikes with its pangs,they feel like being pregnate and being hungry....I tried the week diet on liquids and boy its no fun unless you have the Protein shakes or something thick to drink that will stick....