iegal

Great questions *My personality has not changed. I no longer hide in the back of all pictures, meetings, groups. *Weakling? Hmm, I was not one before and I did not become one. *Do I recognize myself in the mirror? Sometimes looking in the mirror is more of a reality check. I was not a self loathing fat person, just a disappointed one. *Ego-maniac...not by a long shot. I stick up for fat people now. Amazing how many people are free with their comments now that I am part of the "thin" group. I am very vocal about feelings, all people being human and it being fat is not all about self control. Love shopping for normal size clothes and want to wear my size label on the outside for the world to see. So that might be egotistical. *I am still a people pleaser at times, but not as often. *Changes- people treat me differently now that I weight less. Better, like I am somehow more intelligent or more worthy of their time. I am capable now. I can hike freely with my family, I can walk without my thighs rubbing togethter causing an embarassing rash. I like the new me. *Surprises - how everyone views me differently. I have not changed, I am still a good person. Loosing weight allowed others to see me in a better light. *Ahead of time - wish I new about the sleeve years ago. Walked into my surgeons office expecting to get banded. He suggested the sleeve for me, then I found this AFTER choosing to get sleeved. Hugs to this forum for reenforcing my decision for the sleeve. I love my sleeve.

Dear insperational LilMsDiva; You are a success. Why when not at goal? Each day I see you post, you are willing to make adjustments to reach goal. You are working out consistantly. You eat differently. You do everything right and most of all ... you never give up. You may be discouraged on a day, but you do not give up and move forward. A natual leader never accepts defeat. You are amazing! Thank you for always be open and honest with us here on VST forum, letting us share in both struggles and victories. A salute to you!

Excited your recovery is going so well. Welcome to the losers bench!

Welcome Mini-Gil; Thanks for your great story of no regrets on sleeve. I too am still loosing my hair at almost 7 months out, but I did not start losing hair until 4 months out. Hoping it stops soon. From what I have read on this forum from other experiences sleevers, not much you can do to prevent hair loss. Yet some use Nioxin shampoo and swear by it. I am almost to the point of trying that too. Love your excercise program and that you run 5K's several times. Strength training is important, not just eating less. Way to work the sleeve!

Congrats on being 3 months out and you have lost quite a bit - 46 lbs. Now - you need a reality check. If using you stats from last three months that means In six months, you will have lost approx 100 lbs or 1/3 of your weight you want to loose, right? What diet have you been on that you have lost close to 100 lbs in 6 months and KEPT IT OFF FOREVER? You will not always be fat nor will you lose weight at the same rate as your husband. Celebrate his success and celebrate your too...even if lower #'s. scale is going down. At 349, you have a lot of weight to lose, so give yourself the grace and time to do this right. Be merciful to your body and understand it is going through radical changes. You can do this. Start excercising (walking/light weights) more to lose more wieght. Track your food intake. Then shake things up a little. I have faith in your ability to stick to the plan. Hugs to you.

Thank you for taking us back to weight loss basics 101: 1) Keep track of every bite you eat Congratulations on a 4 pound weight loss!

You need to get another big laugh and realize that you will no longer be attractive to this creep cause you are looking good and still loosing all the time. That alone is a great reason to get the sleeve... Ewww

HA HA...I thought I was the only bony rear end. Sad that I resemble my grandmother from behind. Also sleeping on my side is now uncomfortable since the hips bones have no padding. Ah - the complaints of the skinnies. What a joy to have these burdens. Gotta run, watching an ad on TV about Brazilian Butt excercises.

Couple of ideas: 1) BCBS of IL covers it...as of Nov 2010. Is is possible for you to buy insurance from them, get a transfered policy and self pay insurance for a 6+ months and then get sleeve? This might be cheaper than shelling out $20K. 2) Appeal and ask why other BCBS agencies are covering but not MN 3) Remember you must have BMI of 35 with 2 comorbidities or BMI of 40 with no comorbidities for BCBS Good luck and keep us posted

Congrats! May 10th come soon for Karen H.

One week ... and I flew 4 hours to present at a week long conference. Then I took the second week off to stay at home. Too much too soon for me, standing up and talking all day. Did not get hydrate enough, not enough protien so I was wiped week 2. If you can take off the time to learn new habits without financial worries or job worries...do it. Good luck!

Thank you for all of your words of encouragement along with an update. Now I know what my goal will be and where I will be in 2 years continuing for the rest of my life. Hugs to you and congratulations on taking charge of your life!

Congratulations on such an amazing loss. YEAH

Sorry about your frustrations with insurance. When did you go to your first nutrition class? Can you call back and ask them if you are grandfathered in because you started back in November when requirements were 3 months. I have not fought with insurance because I was a self pay. At least you have an opportunity at insurance paying. If all else fails look at the bright side, you could be paying 100% like IEGAL.

Prayers for your recovery. First couple of days are not without bumps and reminders that the body has just had surgery. If you are still throwing up, please call your surgeon or hospital you were discharged from especially if you are running a fever. You might have read this...that each day gets better. Rest, hydrate and take care of yourself. Hugs.

A hug for you. Now remember,it is okay to cry since a lot of changes have taken place. You had surgery. Your patterns are different. Hormones are in play. Realize this is temporary and you will go back to "normal." Smile, each day you will feel stronger and more like yourself before surgery, minus the hungries.

I can't believe how much you have lost nor how different you look from when I saw you last in early March. WOW. Great weight loss. Let me state that LeslieH has not only followed her diet plan for sleevers, she excercises consistantly as we all should. She has changed her lifestyle to achieve her goal. Her success is due to her determination and efforts. Big cheer for your amazing transformation Leslie!

Congrats - anxiously awaiting that 100% feeling better post. Rest and hydrate often.

Hello Ms. Lady in NC; Glad to hear how quickly you are bouncing back! I had VSG done as an outpatient surgery...surgery at 10AM home by 5PM. No pain but I did take the pre-perscribed pain med one night to sleep since I mixed up my days and nights that first week. No staples, no drain, no cathader, no pain, & no overnight stay. As previous poster stated, outpatient is the new wave of VSG - along with spider VSG (scarless vsg) As long as you feel you can hydrate enough, ask to go home. Home is so much more comfortable. Exicited you are off to such a wonderful start with your new tummy.

Patience is needed...you are still newbies to the sleeve. You body is adjusting from the shock of surgery, hormones are still in play that make you feel hunger. This will lessen over time. Really. Measure your food/liquids. Sip slowly. Okay - about constipation. Wow, remember that one. I wanted family members to clap after my weekly um..... well you know. Was like giving birth almost. Stool softeners help but talk to you doctor. Okay - about fullness with liquids. Liquids are sliding in and sliding out, so you probably will not feel "full." Do not eat if not according to your surgeons plan guideline as stomach is healing and you do not want food stuck in suture area. You still have hormones in the body making you "feel" hungry. You will learn the difference between head hunger and real hunger (I experience none) as you move along in journey. My signs now are hiccups or in the beginning the frothies/excessive salavia. Fun, huh? Crazy, but today I have to monitor what I have eaten and at times force protein/food in throughout the day. Food is now a different kind of obsession and at times I hate it or enjoy it. Patience this phase will be over soon and onto another phase. Good luck.

At first, your stomach does "talk" to you quite a bit (or at least it did for me) and sometimes was embarassing. Doctor even commented on it at second checkup at one month out. But, now it is a lot less. When I drink too fast mostly or have food & water in same time frame. Listen to your body, amazing how now I am aware of queues and hints that I am hungry, full, need more liquids. Before I was just always hungry...always. Gotta love the sleeve.

Hello JulyBride; Are you able to check with your surgeon to see if he has any guidelines for you to follow? As a previous professional dieter, I can remind you that if you eat too many calories and do not burn off those calories that equals weight gain. So you state you are still loosing weight and also eating Protein first (good choices ) which sounds right. Here is one to look at: http://www.gastricsl...leeve-diet.html for post op sleeve patients. Here is one without caloric information but does have a food log with protein grams for most foods. This would be good for newbies. http://www.cornellwe...gastrectomy.pdf Hope this helps.

I am so sorry to hear of your suffering with nausea. I can empathize. Did not feel well for over 5 days and then was tired for another two weeks. Was like a baby who would sip, sip, sip, waddle around the house a little when someone was there to watch me then take another catnap - repeat. Recommend trying room tempature drinks or warmed decaf peppermint tea. Put a heating pad on your stomach on low, this seemed to help a little bit too. Good news - even with my slow paced recovery (in my opinion) I would do it again in a heartbeat. So worth every discomfort.

Hello; I did not tell my adult children, but they saw the results. They know today but were not part of my decision or support system. I did not do this to decieve, but to keep my health issues and decisions private. I deserved to make a choice that would directly benefit me. Do not seek support where none will be offered. My families opinions are important, yet not the final word. Previous posters all offered sound advice and viewpoints with the same conclusion. This is about you, your health, your future lifestyle.

Hi; I did not have a EGD prior to VSG. But I did have an EKG and an ultrasound to see if I had gallstones and condition/placement of liver & stomache. Agree with justdance - each surgeon and patient is different. Why don't you ask your surgeon why you need one and if it can be optional? Good luck!