Rootman

Congrats and the best of luck !

I too was a "gulper" (let's differentiate that from drinker so as to not confuse people with alcoholic consumption - another subject entirely). I would swig down anything and everything. Soda, water, Chrystal Light - whatever was put in front of me I would drink 2,3 or 4 or more glasses of. I hated going to a restaurant where they served drinks in "normal" size glasses as apposed ot the jumbo size that many use, I would for ever be trying to get the wait staff to bring me another or fill it up again. I was ALWAYS thirsty, I remember being thirsty as a kid too. I too was NOT diabetic although I was starting to show signs of insulin instability for the last few years. Since the operation I can drink very little, in fact I went to the ER yesterday with a kidney stone, largely a result of not drinking enough water to keep my kidneys flushed. I also suffered from hyperhidrosis - I sweated profusely and constantly and have since I was a skinny little kid. It got MUCH worse as I got older and fatter. I've noticed that this is not nearly as bad either, although the weather has been cool since the operation. I used to sweat so bad in bed that I would leave salt stains on my sheets and pillows and leave a funky smell in the bed. I get chilled very easily now and hardly ever turn a fan on - which was the first thing I'd do when I came into a room. I'm not sure what changed but this change is very welcome.

Well there's good statistics, bad statistics and confusing statistics. As Lessey pointed out it is a statistical average of peoples weight loss for a year. Some have taken that figure and turned it sideways to declare that if you reach 65% of your goal the VSG is a success, this is a bit of an over simplification. YES, if you reach 65% of your weight loss goal you have statistically succeeded in loosing the amount of weight that a typical user looses e years time. For statistics sake - and for that of advertising and giving people a reference point and to avoid having to declare what so many weight loss plans in the industry say ( "RESULTS NOT TYPICAL" ), they choose this 65% mark as a mark of success. So at a 65% weight loss you are doing AVERAGE, it is like MRSKOUBiK said above - IT'S A TOOL ... WORK IT. You CAN achieve the average just buy not pushing the sleeve and exceeding prescribed caloric intake. You can achieve 100%+ by really taking an active part in your continuing dietetic needs. Add exercise, continue to eat a majority of Protein over carbs and watch your caloric intake and refuse to add those things back into your diet that do not benefit you the most. A MAJORITY of sleevers are NOT on this board. We who are here are the ones seeking a additional tool to help us reach and exceed our goal - that is - OTHER SLEEVERS, their hints, tips and support. WE can reach our ultimate goal and stay there if we take this marvelous sleeve and really put our efforts behind it and not let JUST the AVERAGE NATURAL weight loss happen. So when you reach 65% of your goal, you are a statistical success, don't stop there, continue on to be a statistical anomaly and lose 100% of your goal weight loss. You can do it.

The whole thing went well. I could of waited for insurance but was feeling so miserable and was just getting fatter by the day so I went self pay. The place is small but nice, the staff is very caring and quick to react to your needs. It WAS noisy though so bring some ear plugs if you want to sleep. The level of care is different from what you may have in your country, it is different from in the United States. It's not better nor worse just different. A lot of the BS that is part of the US care system is bypassed, they just seem to get on with it. And as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that." I was comfortable, well taken care of and pleased with the care. I would do it again if I was faced with the same choices.

I woke up at 6 am today and was in a lot of pain, the first thing that went through my mind was a sleeve leak, then perhaps an abdominal aneurysm. It came and went and then returned worse then ever. I decided it was time to head to the ER. The pain seemed to let up as I set there in the waiting room (of course!) and I had the sudden urge to urinate and it felt really weird in my bladder. I went and sat on the toilet rather then stood and felt a lot of stinging when I urinated. I had to really push to get a few squirts out and gave up. I went back to the waiting room and sat a while, Again I had to urinate and went to the restroom again, this time I stood to go and noticed how pink my urine was - there was blood in my urine. It then hit me that I had a kidney stone! They took a urine sample and confirmed the blood. An X-ray and CT scan later they found a small stone still lodged in my left kidney. I had evidently passed another small stone earlier. I was VERY fortunate that I only had two very small ones and that the first passed in just a few hours. Other's I've talked to that had multiple and large stones say that it is excruciatingly painful. They sometimes have to be pulverized with an ultrasonic pulse or even removed by an operation. CHIEF CAUSE? Not drinking enough fluids to keep my kidneys flushed. The high Protein diet may also have contributed. So DRINK YOUR Water GUYS and GALS! Don't end up like me! SIP SIP SIP!

I was desperate last fall and having all kinds of health issues. I quite suddenly decided to not even try to get insurance approved surgery but go ahead and move forward with the self pay option. Consequently I did not include my family doctor in my decision. I decided that it was finally time to go back to him - I was due for some blood tests anyway. I was nervous as I had never discussed WLS with him before. To put it bluntly he said that I "made his day!" He was so impressed and happy for me that I had finally done something serious about my weight. He said that had I asked him he would of suggested it and even go as far as suggest the VSG over a bypass type surgery. He said that he was happy and that after a tough day of listening to everyone's complaints he was so pleased to hear someone's good news. He was even impressed that I went self pay and could tell it was because of my determination to get things done FAST! He wished me luck and suggested some additional blood tests and wanted to see me in 3 months. I was worried he would be upset or criticize me. He was happy and so was I!

Well I'm 85 pounds down and still a heft 290 pounds, I had 2 pair of jeans I bought years ago during my last failed attempt to loose weight. I never came close to fitting in them. Well I tried them on after getting down to 290 last Friday and was surprised that they fit! Still a little snug but fit OK and I can get my hands in my pockets. These are generous cut jeans but I was wearing the same brand and was in size 50's and they were cutting me in half. I am so happy!

Yep, had a piece of pumpkin pie on the first day - it was Friday after Thanksgiving here in the USA. Couldn't resist, it was calling my name

Best of luck, post again as soon as you can.

I had two plain beef Tacos last Saturday but I know I couldn't handle two supremes. This stuff is really high in calories so you have to watch them: http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/calculator/

I didn't get "approved" because it's pretty much sure to be a slam dunk that they will NOT approve. It is VERY likely that they will NOT assume responsibility for another out of plans doctor's proceedure. You would be asking them to assume liability on something that has a fair amount of risk. Call and ask them directly.

I WAS 375# @ 6' tall but never had to use an extender and worried about the same thing. I managed to cram my fat ass into the seat, suck it in and pull the belt closed. I am sure I poured over the edges a bit but no one ever said anything. BTW, IF you pay for 2 seats be sure that they GIVE you 2 seats. I've heard of others who had to fork over for the second seat and got onto a full plane and never "got" the second seat, so they were crammed into a single seat. I realize the airline has to make up for the extra weight with extra fuel, but dammit! If I pay for something I WANT IT. If it would of happened to me I was prepared to raise holy hell (and hopefully not get kicked off the plane) till I got what I paid for - or a bump up to first class. BTW2: If you get a chance to pay to go first class on your return flight DO IT. It makes you SOOOO much more comfortable.

Congrats! I am so looking forward to joining you in onederland but it's going to be a few more months and 92 pounds before I do. Look forward to "seeing" you there!

Yep, same thing here. A lot of things are really disgusting now. It really "helps" me NOT want to eat so I don't complain too much.

I view it a simultaneously the easiest AND the hardest way to go. Easy because I no longer get ravenously hungry and am physically limited to the amount of food I eat by the sleeve size. Hardest because I gave up a way of life that I loved - pigging out and enjoying food nearly every day. My tastes are altered radically, some stuff I loved I can barely stand now. It is really a shock psychologically. But like Tiff said, you're using one of the BEST tools to get the job done and it is a hell of a lot better than being on all kinds of medications and ending up on an electric scooter or losing a limb to diabetes.

Vitamins are cheap insurance against a Vitamin deficiency caused illness. Here's from a post on another thread: Normally recommended are: A Multivitamin Calcium citrate for Vitamin D B12 sublingual Iron supplements Go to the doctor and ask that a blood panel and any other blood tests they desire be done to determine if you are low on any of these vitamins. Use the doctors suggestion on what to take.

I was sleeved on Monday and went back to work Friday - NOT RECOMMENDED. Like Syltx3 recommended 2 or 3 weeks.

They're made of titanium and will more than likely "outlive" you

Yep, what Tiff said. For me it was picturing my fat self in one of those motorized scooters, another lard ass American eating himself to death. NOPE, NOT ME! The only "scooter" I want to be seen on is my motorcycle! Down 83 pounds as I write this. Talk it over with him, assure him that there is more to your marriage than food and that you are honestly committed to the marriage to HIM. My wife had the same issues.

Good news and we all wish you the best of luck!

Oh, it'll come, no wait, that's not the right word . . . awww geez . . . :embaressed_smile:

Typically they say wait for about 6 weeks for strenuous activities. This will allow the incisions to heal all the way through. If it's just paddling around in a pool then maybe less but why chance it?

Love to hear from the long timers, assures me it WAS and IS worth it! Thanks for posting!

Wow Tiffy, you are such an inspiration. Hey, Celebrate by eating a piece of pie, NO WAIT , DON'T DO IT

I know this is a tremendously personal question but I was wondering what you paid as a Mexican national for the sleeve? I know that the cost is less at some sites being that Americans (or Canadians, etc) pay more but was wondering what the difference is.