duckydoom

Spokane, WA

Hey, Tammy! I'm a fellow Washingtonian, but wrong side of the state Do you have myfitnesspal or a fitbit or anything? We're at least the same time zone and could maybe challenge each other to do X amount of steps or exercise at certain times of the day?

@@Christinamo7 I LOL'd at your nipple comment and scared my dog out of a deep sleep. Thank you for that I came here to see the responses... husband and I have basically made the same sort of pact. Loose skin is no biggie - he's been with me through literally thin and thick. I'm more concerned about my boobs (Clusie on Youtube had a hilarious video about boob jobs a few weeks ago), and I don't want to have "jacket sleeve titties" or " money pit titties" after all is said and done. Mine were pretty big even when I was 140# (32DD), but he's seen them all the way up to a 40DDD at 240#. They're always the first to lose volume whenever I start a new diet or exercise program. Overall though - I think he'll be distracted by any loose skin or floppy bits because I plan to get all of my energy for sex back. I do plan on wearing a bra while we do it though, so nobody gets a black eye

I've been on the Nuva Ring for about 7 years now to regulate my period. I'm 32 with no kids, and PCOS and I have definitely had our issues. All the doctors believe that the sleeve is going to help me lose the weight and get all of the symptoms of the PCOS under control, but I still plan on taking my birth control. Husband and I aren't really interested in procreating though, so I would ask what your opinion is on kids and if you want any in the future (or if you think there's a small chance that you might). Did they discuss hormones you'd be on if you got the hysterectomy? I know a few gals who've had it done and they've recovered well - but they also had all of the kids they'd ever wanted and were ready to be done.

Congrats!

I think the general rule is no drink within 30 minutes of eating - before or after. My friend takes small sips of her alcohol when we go out for dinner together - it takes her about 2 hours to finish a drink and eat a fair amount of food.

Congrats for getting everything set up and ready! I have a friend who was in her 60s when she had her VSG. She felt that she was tired a little bit longer than she's expecting me to be (I'm in my early 30s), but recovered well. Her scars healed magnificently, and she actually doesn't have much loose skin to speak of - she used moisturizers as soon as her doc gave her the okay. She's 5'8" and was around 240 and is now 160. Good luck!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch as long as you don't insult my pet parenting or my little brother, we're good LOL! Thank you to everyone else as well - I'm one of those "need to plan everything a year in advance" people and seriously neurotic about every small detail I can possibly pick up on. If only I could apply that OCD to deep cleaning my house, exercise, or eating right

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Got it. I'm just neurotic, and quite good at beating topics to death lol

I'm used to keeping up my Protein, so hopefully that helps. I have really fine hair, so any bit of loss shows. I've been looking at different protein powders and unflavored mixes to add in. Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

Definitely get your insurance company to send you a copy of the bariatric policy. It should spell out exactly what the requirements are pre-surgery, and then you can take this to your surgeon and compare notes. Either way, you'll know your full coverage benefit and what is expected and required of you. As others have said, it might just be your surgeon being particular, but it would be good to have everything outlined in writing. Good luck!

You made it Congrats! It's only up (well, down on the scale) from here

I've been starting a small list, based on what I've read in other posts, but not too much of anything because you don't know how your tastes are going to "evolve" as time goes on. Some of the suggestions I've seen are: Water with electrolytes (like Vitamin Water or the zero calorie Kirkland alternative) sugar free popsicles sugar free Jello sugar free applesauce homemade bone broth (less sodium and tastier) Gas X struos Chapstick for when you're in the hospital fresh out of surgery, your lips will be dry! I've been getting some samples of Protein powders so I can figure out what might work, what might not work so I don't have to have unused containers of product sitting around. You can usually go to health food stores and let them know what you're looking for. Hammer Nutrition sells sample packs, too.

I'm really hoping the universe does indeed feel kind towards me. It's just one of those teeny details that I'm freaking out about beforehand for no good reason. I'm starting with the OGX shampoos for now, and hooking up with my hair stylist to get some Nioxin3 in the next few weeks.

I looked up hair loss, and I know the basics, but I'm wondering if anyone has successfully proactively prevented hair loss? I'm looking at a couple of options for shampoo and conditioner - Nioxin is obviously the gold standard, but I've also been looking at OGX Niacin3+ caffiene and OGX Thick and Full Biotin & Collagen which I have seen mentioned on a couple of VSG blogs. I'm currently taking a Hair, Skin and Nail supplement with 5000mcg of Biotin, argan oil, and other fancy stuff. Its in capsule form so I plan on switching to a gummy after surgery. I didn't lose much when I had my lap band, so I am hopeful, and I know it's different for everyone, but I'm wondering if anyone specifically took supplements and new shampoos/conditioners prior with good results?

Oh man, feel your pain there! Hope it isn't too bad. I really want to do the iud, but my body doesn't like them Nuva ring for me! Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

Came here to check up on you, how are you doing?

@@Gaby86 sure thing Here with my limited knowledge if you ever need to talk lol

@@Gaby86 well, shoot. It is pretty ridiculous that they denied you without even reviewing anything. The seminar sounds pretty standard, thats what I had to do, about 2 hours out of my day. I hope it all works out for you!

My good friend who is 5 years out from surgery drinks occasionally - we get together once every month or so and we will each have a drink. They hit her pretty quickly, but also don't last that long. One drink and she's tipsy, but within a couple of hours after eating and chatting she's sober enough to drive.

@@Gaby86 hmmm... so they must be worried about internal scarring as well, that's the only thing as a non medical professional that I can think of. Have they done scans or indicated if there is any way that they can determine how much tissue is there? Are they just worried about the wounds not closing up? When I had my lap band removed, they just went through the original large cut, and he made another small incision as well. From what I understand they don't need to make giant cuts to do the sleeve under normal circumstances. Have they told you if they were willing do the surgery that they would have to completely open you up again? Sorry I have more questions than answers. Were all of the surgeons at the same practice, or are they at different locations?

when I had my lap band, I applied for FMLA, and had the doctor give me a range just in case there were complications I didn't get dinged for unapproved absences. I'm probably going to do the same when and if I'm approved for the sleeve, and just use vacation days at first. I have it in my head that I'll be able to be back to work the following week since I telecommute and have a desk job, but I still want that FMLA buffer just in case. Congrats on your approval and surgery date!

Think of how much healthier you will be physically after the surgery. Once that's out of the way, there might be less stress and more room for you to work on the emotional side of things. I have binge eating disorder, and I did amazing with my lap band until my body decided it didn't like it. I didn't lose much weight (a total of 30 lbs) before I had to have it taken out, but it really helped me to stop and think about why I was wanting to eat. With that physical limitation and the discomfort that comes with it, it was great incentive to look inwardly. Even now with the band removed, I don't just mindlessly shove all of the food into my face because I remembered how much it sucked to feel sick afterward. When I had a gym membership, I tried to redirect my eating urges to exercise as well... it kinda worked, lol. I still hate exercise, but I got a bigger emotional release and felt better after working out than I did after eating til I was ready to pop. Make sure to get in your walking after you've had the surgery. I remember that was the worst part for me, tender tummy and gas pains wasn't fun. I'm only going on lap band experience (and removal), and I'm sure others will have some great advice for you re: recovery, but I have two friends who had the sleeve and their recovery seemed miles easier than my lap band recovery. Good luck <3 feel free to PM me if you wanna talk!

are you self funded, or going through insurance? Have they given you any reasons why they're not interested in proceeding? Is there scar tissue or something like that?

well, dang. I came here to check the median - I was going to try to go back to work the next week. Doc usually does surgeries on Tuesdays, so I was hoping to be back at it the following Monday. I telecommute though, so I'm thinking it won't be too bad as long as I don't have any in office mandatory stuff.