Day Dreamer

Meg, I use organic apple cider vinegar for other homeopathic remedies; however, I know quite a few people that use it for heartburn or GERD. One thing, I would check with a bariatric surgeon to verify how the vinegar will treat the new tender tummy (especially newly post op). Melissa, Oh hun, it sounds horrible. I will send some prayers up for this to resolve. Try to stay positive; I know it is hard. They will figure out what is wrong or find the right meds for you. Good luck <3 This is some literature: Vinegar and Acid Reflux - The Natural Home Treatment A third approach (a popular natural home remedy) to help reduce or eliminate acid reflux is to take the following apple cider vinegar tonic: Natural ACV Tonic 2 or 3 teaspoons (10-15 ml) in an 8 ounce glass of Water, before meals or whenever heartburn is experienced. One underlying theory here is that the acetic acid in vinegar lowers stomach acidity (increases its pH) since acetic acid is a weaker acid than hydrochloric acid. It is also believed that vinegar (acetic acid along with its acetate salt) may help buffer and maintain stomach acid at a pH level of about 3.0. In this milder acidic environment, the stomach can still efficiently digest food but it causes less problems with the esophagus and thus less heartburn. Another theory contends that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a pH sensitive valve. When there is food in the stomach with insufficient acid present, the LES valve can periodically flop open, causing acid reflux. Too little acid in the stomach may be caused by different factors, but one of the most common one is that, as we grow older, our body does not produce as much stomach acid. As a result the LES valve, sensing less acid, periodically flops open causing acid reflux. Drinking apple cider vinegar supplies the LES valve with the acidity it needs to function properly. Ref: http://issuu.com/thebestoftimes/docs/december2008/34

I started my 2nd FB page just for my journey. Most of my friends, co-workers, classmates and some of my family do not know about my surgery and I like to keep it that way. Many people are judgmental and have to voice their opinion. I would prefer not to give them reason to say anything. In fact, when (I am pre op still) I lose weight and they ask, I will simply say I am doing Atkins (or low carb) - which is the truth but excludes the tidbit about my surgery. Good luck

This sounds delicious and easy to make!! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Edwin, congrats on your surgery and hope you see great results!! I had spinal cord surgery last year (Feb 2010) and the weight really packed on. Like you, I was extremely active (I was a soldier) and went to not being able to walk without a walker; now a cane as needed. I can't wait to shed some of this weight and lift the pressure on my weakend back. Keep us updated on your journey!! Stay positive

Hi Ulysses, the whole surgery will not cost more than 2k total for me. That is my max out of pocket. Not bad considering that self pay would be thousands more. I paid a $30 co pay for the surgeon but they have a program fee of $500. All of that counts toward my out of pocket though. One thing I have heard is that most Anesthesiologists are not contracted so you will get a separate bill for them?!?! I was really shocked how fast the approval was - even the finance coordinator told me Anthem would take the full 30 days to approve. Congrats on your surgery date hun!!!

How do you know when to stop? Or when that last bite should be the last so that you don't get this way? Oh I am so worried about this.

Yeah there was a lady in my seminar that needed the Band to Sleeve revision too... Just made me realize the Band is not for me Are you guys going to have one get the surgery than the other or try to do it at the same time? Who will take care of you if you are both having post op pains?!? Dr Oldham is super. He answered all my questions and the staff is great!! BTW I got approved YAY YAY doing the happy dance. It took 4 whole days but I just found out today. Good luck and keep us updated!

After all the bad things I heard about Anthem BC BS, I was worried I would not get approved. I was barely at BMI and with no co-mo's, so yeah, my nerves were going crazy. Today I get the notice that my surgery was approved!! YAY! My Dr's office hasn't even called me yet. I got the news right from my insurance. Here is the crazy part: Anthem said the claim was submitted for approval on 3/29 and was approved on 4/01! WOW...That is less than one week for an approval turn around. Amazing. So now I wait for my Dr's office to contact me with my EGD date and pre-surgery consult. If they are on the ball I could be looking at surgery soon. I have said many times that this did not feel real. Well it does now. I can't eat. My tummy hurts - I think it is like how your dog knows he is about to lose his gonads and he is giving you the sad face... well my tummy is giving me the sad face. LOL Anyway, I am looking forward to getting an actual surgery date. Wow! I really doubted if I would ever make it to the losers bench... Thank God for small miracles *Note: my insurance is BCBS of Cali but I work in Kentucky. The corporate office is in Cali though.

Congrats!! Did you decide to go with Dr Oflaska or Dr Oldham?

Those are some good meds they got you on..... :wink_smile:

I believe that the medical records (or a copy there of) belong to you regardless if you switch doctors. It can't hurt to call and ask; plus you have to tell them sooner or later

Hi Tammy, Congrats on your weight loss!!! Great job. My question is: are you wearing any compression garmets? I have read that wearing them post op will help to bring that skin in and keep it from stretching more Someone posted that they wrap their arms with Ace bandage while exercising because sagging skin wobbled and pulls the skin down more. I am also hoping that my pregnancy go-to, Cocoa Butter, will work post op like it did with my 2 kids (Although I haven't heard many mentions of people using it....) Hmm Good luck and keep up the great work!!

I am sort of the odd man out here. Because I am borderline BMI with no co-mo's, I have to be careful not to go under the required BMI until surgery. So I can't lose weight, but also don't want to gain. I am trying to maintain right now. It was suggested to me [can't say by whom, just yet] that although my DR requires a 2 week low carb Atkins style diet and light exercise, I should instead do 3 days mushies, 1 day clear liquid pre op. So I have not been dieting or exercising. Sounds fab right? Not really. I feel slow, tired, fat, bloated and just plain yucky. I wasn't exercising wildly before I started my WLS journey but I was enjoying a nightly walk with my family. Even without that little bit of exercise I feel so crappy. I hope to start walking again 2 weeks prior to surgery to get my blooding flowing, lungs open up and get my heart working properly. I believe if the exercise makes you feel better (more energy, healthier) then go for it!!

Congrats!! Good to see your in high spirits!! Stay postive! :tea:

I am currently taking Wellbutrin until my VSG gets approved. It does not enhance my sex drive; however, it is the only anti-depressent that does not LOWER sex drive. It was prescribed to me as a last ditch weight loss aide (not for depression). Even if I don't take it as prescribed, I notice a loss of appetite. Otherwise, no sleep changes and general well being - well, I am generally a perky, out going girl and that is the same too

Amy, I missed last nights episode and I really wanted to see it I think that every WLS has the potential to fail - or should I say - every patient has the potential to fail. If we eat crap food that slides through then of course it will fail. You on the other hand, have a great attitude and motivation that will keep you losing. Everyone here on the forums will encourage and motivate you. Congrats on your 10lb loss!!! Happy Dance Time :party4:

Well put HLM Thank you

I have to agree with Sam. I do not get a slow load at work or home. You may need to defrag your computer. I have noticed that some of the ads do not load at all. I wish they were not there all together, because i hate seeing them, but I understand the site needs some sort of income to allow us to use it for free. So I gladly deal with the ads.... Such is life. Good luck

Lara, I watched it online and thought the same thing... why are they glossing over the reality? Dr. Oz is usually very good about presenting both sides of the story. I was also shocked that they only covered the Band. But I realized it was because they were focusing on the new FDA approval for WLS for people with a BMI of 30. This would mean someone that has much less weight to lose and the RNY or VSG would be too extreme for minor weight loss. I am glad that you are speaking up and showing Dr. Oz that the story was simple too one sided. I hope he does a show on the realities of the Band! Go you! :thumbs_up:

If you have Netflix, try watching "The Beautiful Truth" and "food, Inc". They are both very powerful documentaries about our food, the chemicals we ingest and the effects they have on our bodies - including obesity and even cancer! I really, really want to go completely organic post Sleeve because of what the food industry puts in our food.

Oh hun, it sounds just horrible ((HUGS)) I get massive migraines and take prescriptions for them, including Phenergen (sp?) to stop the nausea. I imagine the dizziness is from dehydration from all that vomiting L Not good. I have heard that the surgery will wreck havoc on a cycle; causing multiple or more severe cycles – thusly, increasing your chance for a migraine. I hope you feel better soon and try to get some liquids in to help with the dizziness.

Thanks for posting this. I follow this board as well as OH. I did not notice the VGB vs VSG either. So I googled VGB and was shocked at the pictures. It looks like the Band with a ton of staples. Again, thanks for clarifying

Thank God for little miracles!! Congrats!! :Dancing_wub: Happy Dance time!!

Hey girl, listen I went to my PCP and he [skinny as can be] put me on Wellbutrin. Ok, how many diets have I done, how many pills have I taken? When I asked him about WLS he laughed it off. So, fine - I went to a bariatric center and decided to go through them instead. They have done everything. They gave an imformative seminar, did all my blood work, labs, saw nutrition and even psych - all in ONE DAY! It was amazing. They even submit for insurance approval for you. I strongly suggest finding a Center of Excellence and moving forward without your PCP. *Note, you need a referral for insurance purposes. Good Luck