sickofrollercoaster

Great, thanks, sending the kids out to a movie with Dad while I go grocery shopping today! This helps! I do not have high blood pressure so not a worry there, just want to make sure I do not miss anything on the nutrition side...

Thanks so much for all of the advice, really appreciate it! I do have a question on sodium, broth is typically high in sodium, is that not a concern being on these liquid diets?

Thanks so much for the info Grace, this helps a ton! I wondered about how hot/cold the hotel room would be, so do they not have central air? So much respect for those ladies that were there for surgery and went through the tremors! What an even more exciting time! Just 3 weeks away!!!

Wow, can't tell you ladies how great it is to read all of your posts! My date is May 10th and although I want to fast forward to that date, I am nervous! My BMI is at 33 and I wanted to do the pre-op diet. Nina told me that they would not recommend it because if I lose too much I would not be able to have the surgery so I am just maintaining. The earthquakes scare me a bit but it appears that the hospital is constructed to pretty high standards if the structure itself was not damaged (sorry, I am a civil engineer so yeah, I think about these things!). It is still hard to believe that I will finally have a tool that will work for me. I have been thin before... In HIGH SCHOOL! I can say that I have always been one to lose weight when I am stressed.... Until I got into my mid 30s, now it is just the opposite so obviously that "diet plan" is not working for me anymore. A few questions as I get ready for this awesome experience: Did you just use the hospital gown or did you bring jammies (nightgown or shirt and pants)? Do they give you bottled Water (I have traveled to Mexico and Jordan before, typically bottled water is the custom)? Any shopping right around the hotel and if so, did you fee safe walking on the street? If you took a companion, was the room comfy for them to sleep (my Mom is going with me, she is 4'11" and about a buck ten so she does not much but want to make sure she will be comfy)? When do you get to take a shower after surgery? Do you wear a compression garment and if so for how long? Did anyone need a wheelchair at the airport? This concerns me a bit, after three days in the hospital I would hope I was good enough to walk on my own. CONGRATS to everyone on their success, I can't wait to be one of you!!!

PS Why doesn't my profile picture post when I make a post? Not sure what I am doing wrong there?

Thanks Tiff, always so helpful!!! I am mainly concerned about three things: 1) Not getting enough of what I need and 2) not being able to swallow a pill and 3) what Vitamin I do take making me nausiated. I probably need to start trying to find the right Vitamins now but not sure how that will help me once I do the surgery. Also, I am having surgery on May 10th and will return to work on May 17th. I will not have a lot of time to shop post op and I am a single Mom of three kiddos so I need to get things lined up for myself as best I can now. Thanks so much, I feel so much better between this website and youtube, such a comforting place to go when I have questions, doubts, fears!

Ok, my surgery is May 10th. I have never been one to take Vitamins. Even when I was pregnant, I could not stomach the prenatals. I have tried to take a multi-Vitamin before and they make me sick. So... Pre Op, should I take a children's vitamin to get my body in better shape? Post Op, what would be a good option on vitamins? Chewable? What all should I take? A multi-vitamin plus Iron, Calcium, etc? Any input here would be great! Trying to take some wonderful advice of getting my foods and vitamins prior to surgery so that it will take minimal effort in that area. Thanks!!!:wink1:

So sorry to hear about that! Honestly, I would have been fine going alone, I tend to be pretty independent but my Mom is really in support of my decision and so it makes sense for her to travel with me and share the experience. I do worry about her getting bored but I hear there is some pretty good shopping so she should be ok! I found an area of obesityhelp.com that had forums by month so maybe try there to see if there are others that are going at the same time you are to your doctor. Keep me posted, can't wait to hear how everything goes!

Thanks to all for your responses! Really helps calm my fears! I am an Engineer and have never liked medical "things" so I need to just not focus on that part of it.... I have read so much about this surgeon and talked with a few patients that are so satisfied, I am confident in my choice. Citygal, congrats!!! Keep me posted on your progress! My surgery is May 10th!

I watched some videos on utube on the Sleeve procedure, how can they be so precise, it all looks the same to me, how do they know what they are cutting on??? Dr. Aceves is my surgeon. One video I watched that is not from Dr. Aceves showed clamps on top of staples and then an epoxy type membrane on top of that. I wish I had not watched the videos now!!! Anyone have info on Dr. Aceves' techniques?

Tiff, you are too funny! I respect your candidness... I am considered a "lightweight" and where I work now, they have not seen me at my heaviest (245 and 5' tall). I am now about 170 but people i work with have seen me at 130 about a year ago, this was after busting my tail and following exactly the right diet... Yes, recipe for disaster when you throw in stressful job, three kids and a husband. Now I walk around the office and I feel the stares from others, YES I HAVE GAINED WEIGHT! I am still 75 pounds lighter than my heaviest BUT I am headed back up there! My Mom had WLS 16 years ago, she has been there and done that! I called her crying last week, I tried to be the "HERO", losing the weight and keeping it off on my own. It just is not healthy to lose and gain and lose and gain... So I am scheduled for sugery on May 10th! Can't wait! Put in for leave and I am scared of them asking me what for... Then after I return to work and the weight starts dropping off, they are gonna think I am sick!

I just scheduled my surgery for May 10th with Dr. Aceves!!! Now I am trying to get flights booked, etc. Good advice on the sodas, that is one thing that KEEPS me from eating throughout the day is diet soda but I know I need to give it up. Nina sent me a message this morning about the deposit. I know I am just supposed to send it the mail. I asked if I needed to wait to book flights until I hear that they have gotten it so that I know for sure I have the date but she said to go ahead and book the flight. This makes me nervous, what if they get someone else booked in my place before receiving my check? Anyone else have this experience? Thanks!

How much did your procedure cost with this doctor?

Thanks again for everyone's responses. I have looked quite a bit on obesityhelp.com and see that my insurance is one of the best for approving WLS. Looks like I may just have a battle with my low BMI of 33 but I have some co-morbidities they mention. Also, I have been under the supervision of a licensed nurse practioner for almost 2 years in terms of losing weight so I would hope that would help. I am having a hard time finding a surgeon near me that does the sleeve.

STCYT, Thanks so much for your response! That does help make me feel like I am not alone. I have been proud during the times I was able to lose the weight but it is just not maintainable with all of the stresses in life. If I were single, no kids and had a stress free job, MAYBE but who knows! Can you tell me more about how you found your surgeon, etc? The other thing that will hurt me as private pay is that I filed BK over 4 years ago so I am still having trouble getting financing. I make really good money and have very low debt now but the BK still haunts me... Thanks for any help you may offer!

Did either of you go to Mexico for your surgery? Have read ALOT about surgeons in Mexico from this forum.

Wow thank you SO much! I will take time to look at all of the info, this is great! Can I ask where everyone had their surgery? I can't find any doctors in my area that have extensive experience in the sleeve.

Well just talked to my mom about the sleeve and she is very concerned. She had segmentation and had great success, she was very shocked to hear that they actual remove a part of your stomach for this procedure. I just have not done enough research to calm her concerns.

I am seriously considering the sleeve. I am 35 yo, 5' tall and weigh about 170 right now. My heaviest was 244 in 2003. It has taken me years to lose the weight and actually got done lower last year to 130 but that is with a VERY strict diet and exercise regimen. I am a single mom with three small children and my profession is very stresssful. I just can't take the massive weight gain/loss constantly. My mom had gastric segmentation 16 years ago and it has been a blessing for her. Our family is obese, no way around it. I have BCBS Federal and understand after calling that they do cover this procedure. I know with a low BMI (ha low, meaning I am obese, not considered morbidly obese) my chances of approval may not be good. I also have asthma, joint pain, horrible knees, and added stress because I can't seem to lose weight anymore. Also, I used to be 5'2", I have scoliosis and am afraid the weightdoes affect that, I have back pain when standing alot. I don't know where to start, how do I find a dr? Anyone have any advice or words of wisdom in my situation?