Ian

So I am 4 days out and not really sure about this whole thing. My biggest concern is that I've done so well on the pre-op diet, that I wonder why I don't just do this on my own... I have dropped 20 lbs in just shy of 3 weeksand wonder if going through with this is the best idea. I'm sure I'll do it, I just have some anxiety over it. Over giving up complete control I guess. I've always been such a self sufficient person that this is all so new to me. I've always had a self perception of being bulletproof and healthy, although during this whole process have come to realize that I have a lot of improvements to make. I'm also quite nervous about recovery. I hate not feeling good, and really hope I can be back to myself quickly. What is motivating me at this point is that ski season is just around the corner and I got myself a shiney new season pass. Any words of advice or encouragement may help. Thanks all, I will keep you all updated as to my progress.

A few misunderstood my original post, I am still pre-op, I am scheduled for Tuesday, and very nervous about it too. I had my pre-op physical tonight after work that proved my being fit for surgery. I lost an additional 9 lbs since Monday, and my blood pressure is lower then it's been since high school.. so all is well.. i hope I can get this behind me and be wildly successful with this. Thank you for all the encouragement. I know this is the right move, just been tough talking myself into it.

Have those that feel the protein shakes are vile tried the Atkins shakes? If not, try them, they are really quite tasty.

I have Dr. Papasavas and really hope thing work out well. Hows your loss going so far?

Hello, I'm on day # 10 of my pre-op diet. Mine is a little more lax then some. I'm allowed 4 ounces of deli chicken/turkey and 1 cup of cooked vegs a day.. then the normal sugar free pops and drinks and Jello. 3-4 Protein shakes a day as well.. And after day 4, things got much better, I find that I get tired earlier, but overall it hasn't been too bad. I actually save my solid food for the end of the day and substitute 1 Protein shake for Breakfast, and 1 for lunch. I may sip a little broth in the middle of the day, and have another shake mid afternoon if I'm dying. I will say, I'm most of the time hungry, but it has subsided tremendously. My fiance actually asked for a shake for breakfast the other day, and I gave her a Mocha Atkins shake (my favorite). later in the day i asked her how she liked it, and got a ehh response.. Made me laugh because at this point I find them delicious.. hahaha.. Keep it up, it does get easier.. I half started a week earlier while not going totally pre-op but started substituting meals a week early, and it helped when I had to officially start.

Who did you surgery? I'm scheduled for Tuesday at Hartford Hospital, and very anxious about it. Ian

Hello All, My name is Ian and I'm new to the forum. I like so many on here have battled my weight problem since childhood. I am 29 years old and currently 5'10" and 344lbs. I recently started the sleeve process, and have a meeting with a local surgeon in the beginning of May. I am very excited to begin this life long change to be healthy and happy. I have never attempted a liquid only diet, and so far, that seems like my biggest point of concern at the moment. While my insurance company requires a 6 month lead up to surgery approval, the surgeon I'm going to see seems pretty lax, and others whom have used him seem to be about 2 months from initial appointment to surgery date. I hope to get to know some of you and join you all in the sleeve journey.

I have a date!!!! It's been 7 long months going through all the testing and appointments. The problem here is that the surgeon is not happy with me.. I went in for my Pre-op appointment on Tuesday, and I had gained 20lbs since my last visit several months ago. i was told from the beginning that I didn't have to lose a certain amount of weight prior, and I don't know what happened, I certainly wasn't trying to lose, instead I was looking at it as my last chance to do whatever i please. My surgeon was pissed, and told me he wouldn't do it until I lost the 20 lbs.. he put me on a 14 day pre-op diet as opposed to the normal 10, and said I will now pay for my "partying" . The b***h is I asked prior to making a decision of what I'd do and was told the opposite. I do however have a date, so I will buckle down and make it happen, cause now it's real.. before it was waiting. Nov. 15th here we come.

So I'm frustrated and starting to feel like a cash cow. I just got a bill for the initial eval with the surgeon to the tune of $700.... I met with him for barely 5 minutes. I've had more doctors appointments in the last 2 months, then I've had in my entire life. The surgeon ordered a sleep study, which I did a few weeks ago, and still nobody has spoken to me about the results. I haven't seen the bill for that yet, but I can imagine it's gonna be a douzy.. Now they are telling me I have to go in for a second night?? Does this sound normal? I mean while I most likely have some form of Apnea, I don't have any real noticeable symptoms. I also saw the cardiologist at the request of the surgeon. He had the gall to tell me I was young, and therefore had little to worry about. I am active, and the EKG, and Eval went fine, with him stating "you have a good healthy heart" .. So what does he do next? Order me to come back for an echo cardio gram?????? What in the initial Eval would cause me to have to come back? Have the rest of you had to go through similar things? I mean I had a list of things to get done, and it seems like for every step forward, I get knocked back 2 more with additional requirements!! It's starting to feel like these things are being ordered since all of these physicians work in a network with the same hospital, and so they order every test they can conjure up? I have insurance, and am still not quite sure why they are not picking up more of the bill.. I'm just venting here. Sorry

Hartford Hospital.. Dr. Papasavas. from CT Surgical Group

Welp, just returned home from my sleep Study... What a pain in the @$$... Not only was the guy rude and annoying, but then wouldn't even discuss the results with me. Anyway another thing on the list done. DONE: Info session initial surgeon meeting Nutritionist #1 Group Support Session #1 Sleep Study TO DO: Cardiologist Psyche Blood work Nutritionist #2 Group Support Session #2 So I guess I'm about halfway there, although the sleep study being done is a big relief!

Hello, I'm in CT and going through the process right now.. I am using Hartford Hospital's program with CT Surgical Group.. Seems to be a top notch place, and I like it because I can go to most appointments in Glastonbury.

Hello All.. As I'm still reading the overflowing amount of valuable information that this board provides I thought I would pose a question as it's something I'm curious about. One of my biggest food issues is that I am a volume eater, and I eat fast. I feel hunger and I eat until I'm satisfied (although usually healthy fare, it's the volume that kills me). I snack little, and often don't get in three meals a day but instead 2 large meals. My Question: How has the VSG changed your appetite (hunger) pre and post op? I know that you cannot physically fit much food in, but even so, is there a lingering hunger that exists still?

I've been working 3rd Shift for about 10 years now, so I understand how difficult it is to keep a reasonable diet and work 3rd... It just wreaks so much havoc on your body. I keep a Jar of Crunchy Peanut Butter in my locker at work, and if, in the middle of the night I start craving whatever, I'll have a couple teaspoons of peanut butter, and it helps. Peanut Butter taste stays in your mouth for quite a while, so it tends to be satisfying.

hello. Well i attended the group informational session required and had my first appointment with my surgeon. Everything went fine, the office feels I am a very strong candidate for the surgery. The nurse practitioner seemed to really be trying to push me towards RNY, not really sure why, just that there was a likely hood of faster weight loss. They are telling me I have to have a sleep study done to check for sleep apnea, and see a cardiologist for stress tests. I have my two meetings set up with a nutritionist and a date to try and get all my appoints completed by. Currently what concerns me most is cost. I was of the opinion that the sleeve was between the RNY and the band with regards to price, but at the informational session they stated that both the Sleeve, and the RNY were the same, and about $27,000. My insurance has a cap of $25,000 that they will pay for this surgery, and questions regarding price were not well received at my appointment. I really dislike the open endedness with regards to surgery price. While shelling out of pocket for a portion of the surgery isn't an impossibility, at the same time, I feel like I could shop to get it covered 100%. I'm getting married in a year, so between saving for that, and getting hammered with gas prices at 4.25 a gallon, paying out of pocket does seem wise. I like the surgeon I've chosen, and he is a big advocate of the sleeve, just not sure if i really want to continue with this surgical group. What do you guys think?