Husky2Healthy

Please be don't be surprised if they call you back for a second night. I did not hardly sleep at all the first test, and I made the mistake of doing it in the middle of the week. For the second test, I went on a Friday, slept better, but still came home and slept some more. I was diagnosed with 'Severe Sleep Apnea' (and so has every person I know who has been tested'. My insurance aid $1200 for a super special CPAP machine, after 2 weeks of trying to sleep with it, it is just sitting in it's case until my surgery date.

I heard a cheesy line from Oprah's weight loss video, that is my mantra when things are tough, she said : 'Power is STRENGTH over TIME.' So when the treadmill becomes to hard or when that wall (no matter what it is) comes before me, I start saying:' 'POWER is STRENGTH over TIME, I am more powerful today than I when I first started this journey and I am more powerful than I was yesterday, and next week I will be more powerful than I am am today. But I have to keep going, My Power is building, and my strength is rising, day after day.' Keep pressing on, keep a journal, sure vent throw something at a wall, then tell yourself all the reasons you are doing this, and remind yourself of the good things to come!!! Best to all!

I am scheduled for my surgery on May 5, 2011. I am very excited, and not nervous for the surgery, except getting sick from anesthesia. But I am worried about not having a sounding board or someone going through the same journey. There are LapBand support groups here, and the VSG support groups meet once a week on a specific subject, but set up like a class. It would be really great to make some local friends to meet up with or have some accountability. Is there anyone in Houston, Texas looking for the same thing and want to give it a try? Best, Steven

I am bringing a small, firm, rectangular pillow so I can hold against my belly to help with coughing and getting in and out of the bed. Now, I will just clip a safety pin to it, just in case!

I have seen people use, children plates with dividers. Also Tupperware has some portioned, microwavable containers. Amazon has great disposable plates. Also you can go have some fun, find a place where you can paint your own pottery, make your own design and divisions, then they burn/glaze it for you. Good luck!

If it is time for labs or a check up, have them check your vitamin D levels also. Not a WSL site, but a good starting point for info: http://www.livestrong.com/article/36677-lose-weight-vitamin-d/ Also I love ProofWLSWorks and Sally (The Monday Vlogger) I found this to be EXTREMELY helpful:

I don't know your whole story, but one of the many reasons I am having VSG is to stop reflux at night. My doctor told me we were going to hold back on tomato and spicy foods until a few months, so I don't mess up my staples. I am half Spanish so cutting out flour tortilla (I hate corn tortillas)is pretty rough for me, so I feel your pain. But on the bright side, cottage cheese with salsa or pico de gallo is really yummy and you get you a good dose of protein that way! Best wishes!

I am totally not being snarky by any means, but there is a load of information on here in the forum for vitamins: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/79-vitamins-supplements/ Also I order my B-12 sublingual (under the tongue drops) at Puritan Pride 2-2 oz bottles for $9.99. http://www.puritan.com/b-12-vitamins-343/vitamin-b-complex-sublingual-liquid-with-vitamin-b-12-002871?NewPage=1 Also I got my lab work back yesterday, and my Vitamin D levels were a 10.1, normal is 40-100. I have to take high dose Vitamin D before my surgery. So don't be shocked when 'if' you find out the same info. Most people are deficient, esp. among heavier people. Here is a good video to watch about it ( I love her and ProofWLSWorks on Youtube, loads of info and support!):

May 5th, in Houston, TX by Dr. Erik Wilson with UT Physicians. I am very excited!

I have heard (from forums, blog & vlogs) to get a small, firm pillow to hold against your belly while getting up from bed or a chair. Also it helps with the cough out the anesthesia. I am def. going to get one. Has anyone tried this?

I am very, very lucky to covered at 100% for surgery, with no mandatory diet/waiting period. I just got my surgery date for May 5, 2011 (just moved from 4-28-11) in Houston Texas with Dr. Erik Wilson from UT Physicians. They could have taken me as early as April 11th, but getting my Mother down here and Spring Break and other stuff just proved too difficult. Plus I want to have my surgery on a Thursday, get out by the weekend, rest all week and another weekend before I return to work. I can only take off 1 week from work, so working the weekend before surgery buys me the 2 days I take off that week. So it will be 11 days from surgery to working again. Not ideal, but it is what my schedule allows. So here we go, 61 days and counting…

This will sound absolutely crazy, but I use an oil mask and it really works to: 1) clear up my blackheads & whiteheads 2) Also I use it behind my neck and ears and gets rid of that sour smell that can sometimes happen. Here is the link: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

LOL, too funny. Dr. Pepper, What'a'Burger Taquitos, Monte Christos and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls!

No problem. After I got all my Preliminary Tests (sleep Apnea, Blood Work, Nutritionist visit, Therapist visit, Cardio testing, and letter from Primary Care Doc saying it is a Medical Necessity due to High Blood Pressure, Pre-diabetic, High Cholesterol & Triglycerides ) of the way, it took just over 2 weeks to get approval with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of California (the company I work for is based out of California). Then I wanted a specific date for surgery, but it would have been about a month until the first open surgery date. Hope this helps.

Yeah, desk job, but work knows I am having surgery.

What about for men? I already have Moobs. I am very fearful of sagging skin on my chest.

Houston, Texas- Dr. Erik Wilson 5-5-11 - To Be VSG Surgery Date

I actually dealt with this today, I just stated, this is what is happening, this is why, and bottom line, I am doing it. I also explained how this way 'not the easy way out' and how I would need to alter my life. I took the choice away for them 'advise me' or let me know how I feel, and the large amount of people (20) I sent it too, and all the positive results I got back let them know, I have a large support system in place. If I get more advise, I will simply tell them, something like, 'I appreciate your concern, but I am concerned with your apprehension/attitude about this surgery. This is a positive life choice for me, and if you keep trying to talk me out of it or tell me it is a mistake, then I won't be able to share this part of my life and journey with you. I need all the positive support I can get right now, I can't have this negative input in my life right now. So telll me everything you have a problem with, and let me explain my point of view. Also if you don't agree with it, it would be nice to know no matter what, you will still be here for me.' I am all about boundaries, and calling people on their sh*t. We only have one life and only we can live it. Although, on the flip side if you keep hearing the same concerns from the same people, ask yourself if there is any truth to it, like rushing into it, ect.

I agree with Tiffykins & Katt, sounds like you have doctor not yet completely comfortable performing VSG's. This is your body, and your life, even if you are restricted with insurance issues you can ALWAYS get a second opinion. I changed doctors, on the bright side, most the hoops I had jumped (phych evaluation, sleep apnea testing, ect.) was done and I just had to request copies for the new doctor. Take your time, research wls doctor's in your area or if you are going through insurance, talk to your insurance rep to get help finding a doctor you feel comfortable with. Don't get discouraged, just consider yourself and experienced patient, make a list of questions and keep going until you find a doctor you feel comfotable with or a doctor who CLEARLY explains why for YOU a different WLS procedure would be better. Hope this helps, Steven

This is my favorite foodie site, and trust me, I get super moist chicken every time. I hope it helps: My link

Time off is an issue for me also. I am hoping to have surgery on a Thursday (working the Sat & Sunday before to make up the time), then take the next week off, and the go back the following Monday. So it will be a total of 11 days off, and 5 days of paid time off. But what I plan and what happens may be 2 different things all together. Good luck!

I find it really interesting that people are cold all the time. I live in Texas, I am ALWAYS hot, I am ALWAYS sweating, I have to keep my hair very short because it is always wet from sweat. It should be interesting to se what happen after my surgery.

Thanks for all the advise. The pill IS a slow release, the substitute would be 3 slightly smaller pills that are ALL slow release. It is very frustrating. I currently take 5 pills(2 big, 3 small), I pop them all in my mouth and a healthy slip of water no problem. I know afterwards it WILL be one pill at a time, and one pill I CAN cut in half, but the one I MUST take daily is the one I fear of having problems swallowing the first few weeks. Thanks again for all the help, I will just bring it back up next visit.

I am getting closer and closer to my approval for VSG, but the problem I keep coming up with is a pill I HAVE to take daily. It is the size of a Centrum pill, it can not be cut, or crushed or available in liquid form. It may prevent me from having any type of surgery. I am not looking to be lied to, if I can't swallow the pill, then I just can't have the surgery. I am going back to talk to my doctor about this next week, I am just obsessing about it. I guess the questions I have are: Did anyone else have this problem? How did you get around it? Or did you just try to take the large pill? If so do you wish you had not, or did you not have any problems? Thanks for listening, Steven

I went through the same thing, I had to get real pro-active (AKA use more vacation time I am trying to build up for surgery). I called and said, I would come on 'X' date (usually 3 or 4 days notice) to the office to pick up the doctors letter/lab paperwork. The call 2 days later to remind I was coming in, to put a fire under them. Then call the day before, then call the same day the office moment the office open's. At that point if it is not ready, I just simply tell them it needs to be ready and will be in at that time. One doctor had it ready, the other I sat and waited until they the got the paperwork ready. Letting them now I had taken time off to get the letter and was not leaving without it and hinted about filing a complaint with all the documented calls to the board. Hope this helps, Steven