ProudGrammy

@@Bob Cook i see this is your first post!!!! what took you so long?? i can tell you are a "smart cookie" making the wise decisison to have the sleeve Surgery is in about 5 weeks (novermber 3rd) i can relate to being scared being "put under" you will be given the Versed to help relax you during surgery calm down and take a nap talk to your doc about your fear about being put to sleep he will try and reassure you that things should go smoothly then when you meet the anesthe........(msp) guy- ask your questions again, and he should help you too you will have loose skin- but that can be helped with garments and stuff that OP were talking about sure loose skin is no fun - but that can be dealt with you will be working on losing weight getting rid of your co-morbities like diabetes, high blood pressure, wearing a CPAP remember the sleeve is here to assist you with losing your weight you work with it - and it will work with you you will always have to follow the many rules that you will be learning not drinking for about 15 minutes before you eat no drinking allowed while you eat cut food in small pieces chew thoroughly eat slowly do not drink for 45-60 minutes after you eat eat Protein protein protein first small portions the thing is these "rules" are basic rules that "normal" people should do too especially drinking at least 64 oz of Water keep coming back, reading this board you'll see many questions and answers that will also pertain to you pre-op and post op we love help cute newbies (i'm talking to you dude ) you are on the road to a healthier, happier, longer life who deserves it more!!! good luck with surgery speedy recovery kathy

@@truberry LOL LOL my X husband used to say "any more than a mouthful is a waste!!!" hope thats not TMI my wonderful husband of almost 23 years went through me and my dble mastectomy 15 years ago- so he's been fine with the "small" me up their LOL after always being big - my reconstruction i insisted on small boobs now they are small and "perky" but remember i'm still as "cute as a button" @@Kindle - training bra gotta luv it kathy

@@alexsisv holy moly bud what would anyone miss about being fat???? I won't miss a darn thing!!! especially my thighs rubbing and chaffing together in the heat of summer!!!! plus a million other things too - but thats a whole different post!!!! kathy

@@macman way to go with your amazing weight loss!!!!! if you are looking and feeling good - wanting to lose those last 10 lbs, i say go for it!!!! like i asked @@Andrew0929 are any of your other family members even a LITTLE overweight??? maybe they are feeling happy for you, but a little sad for themselves they need to lose weight - and you showing your new "figure" might give them weird feelings NOT jealous, maybe a little "envious"??? i think theres a difference if doc is ok with you losing a little more, thats great IMO always listen to you first and foremost maybe/probably you are tired of being "called" overweight over the years\ now surprise, surprise - "they" think you are too thin can't win for losing good luck dude keep up the good work happy maintennace kathy congrats

@@tyt221b ahhhhh man, i missed your b'day?? happy belated hope you had a great day i wanted to take you out for a couple of drinks i was gonna buy Water of course like @@coastalchic - i also have trouble keeping my balance on the ball had a trainer a couple of years ago, he showed me how to use the ball i didn't like cuz i was scared/nervous (scaried pants!!!) about the ball rolling from under me but....i was much heavier at the time - maybe i could do it better now?? "kindof" like using a bicylcle pump to fill your tire not sure when you should stop filling it, might be too little air - but of course don't want to overfill and go pop!!!! maybe like goldilocks and the 3 bears - one was too soft one was .too hard - etc..etc can you have someone show you exactly how to use ball for situps sound good sure there are other things too!! you've lost 67 lbs!!!! keep up the good job good luck congrats kathy

@@mzniki40 welcome, welcome and welcome sorry about the pain you are presently dealing with "we" are all smarty pants here will give alot of great answers/experiences/support and good suggestions your doc office told you to wear that supportive stuff, right??? at the end of the day, you should always listen to your doc for his answers, directions/instructions sounds like a good idea giving you some support where you are hurting - hopefully this will help i've heard from others, similar situations of pain/problems with incisions - or in general since you didn't say otherwise............. rest of your recovery is moving along ok??? able to drink, no gas, other issues??? every day things should improve hopefully pain will gradually go away check with the doc if anymore problems good luck congrats on being a loser as you become winner kathy

@@#9grammy from one grammy to another checking and getting something in writing is always the way to go I am pretty sure - 99.9% that NOW medicare does cover the sleeve (past year or so) but.............get it in writing from medicare best of luck to you here's my story......... warning, warning - long post - i'll give you a minute to get a large glass of water!!! welcome back i will start by saying i WAS eventually approved by BC/BS 3 years ago i was trying to get insurance approval to pay for my sleeve for various reasons i had to retire taking disability retirement and ss at the age of 53 medicare had to be my primary insurance as i was applying for insurance my doctors office explained medicare doesn't cover the sleeve i called them (medicare) and they verified that they only covered the lapband and gastric bypass (too many reason to list why i didn't go that route by default) here's what was explained to me - and i did have to follow these "rules" medicare said i first must have surgery (no insurance approval at the time) in otherwods go into surgery blindfolded with no approval by insurance yet!!!! Not until AFTER surgery could i send in my paper work to medicare Medicare had 30 days to respond - - an automatic no would be the response then docs office would could send paperwork from medicare to my secondary insurance - blue cross blue shield from my former employer (the state of NY) and i would be approved i was concened/nervous - docs office told me that things "would be fine" famous last words!!!! my doc's office said "oh yes, oh yes" now your 2nd insurance will approve you, and that will be it!!! so............i proceeded with my sleeve in december 2011 surgery and PO and new life continue to be wonderful but........hold onto your hats mid february 2013 (DOS 12/15/11) i received a long statement/bill from the hospital/doctors/anesthia etc. bill was for twenty two thousand dollars (and change) What, what??? are you kidding me called bc/bs and explained my story and they said something like- "sorry you owe us the money!!! :o" spoke with the same case manager many many times (she was very helpful and sympathetic) remember my DOS was 12/15/11 May of 2013 - case manager called to say i was officially approved i screamed of joy and happiness (my mom heard me in CA - i live in NY!!!) i then said "please send me the "official paperwork" in a week i got copy of bill/statement marked with a big red stamp PAID in FULL i was almost in tears, while DH was sighing in relief alls well that ends well, I guess bottom line in life in general - i learned the hard way I always make sure all my i's are dotted and my t's crossed!!! i end my story "with official" documentation stating "I am one happy/relieved insured sleever patient " so, thats my story and i'm sticking to it!!! kathy

@@truberry i always try to look to the good from the bad you lost some of the girls but you are healthier, thinner, happier now 15 years ago i lost my girls too but i needed a double mastectomy i'm here at goal to talk about it!!! kathy

@@Mad__crow you are "probably" a week out or so PO??? some people do have problems taking their meds don't know if you take other meds beside the bariatric ones i do have other meds - and i still only take 2 at a time with Water like OP said - don't overdue the water, don't gulp the water no gulping for awhile - when your doc/NUT says its OK since you are so early PO - maybe you can squish meds up putting them in applesauce??? or, repeating - take them slowly with small amounts of water you do need to drink as much water as you can ALWAYS but for now sip a few ounces very slowly stop, and maybe repeat awhile later good luck newbie kathy @@Forsythia I see your post "up above" and see you have lost 99 lbs, so close to the century club i'm holding the door open for you - come in soon keep up the good job kathy

@@HealthyNewMe that wraps it up for me too in a nutshell @@Vabeachlady have you always been heavy??? these past 6 months, is this basically the first time you tried to lose weight??? "kindof" sounds like it might be your first successful weight loss if thats the case, keep on doing what you are doing "maybe" surgery isn't necessary but if you are a professional dieter like many of us, and can't keep off the weight........... maybe you might want to reconsider the surgery again you did make the smart decision to have the surgery, not sure if you want to second guess your initial thought this can be ONLY your decision think seriously about all your options - pros and cons good luck with your decision kathy

@@Lovely Lady hey bud i've been looking for you!!!!! nice to meet you looking terrific ahhhhh, onederland - lovely neighborhood keep up the good job kathy congrats

@@soulfullyurs you should ask your doc we can give you our experiences but at the end of the day always listen to your doc (or me ) you can "prep" yourself up and join the gym my doc told me i could start exercising at 2 months all docs/NUTS are different - always listen to YOUR doc a one, and a two and a........ happy exercising kathy

still going GREAT. @@BigFrank hey dude, recognize me I'm post "above" #281 from april 29th, 2014 I'm 18 months GOAL happy as a clam too life IS good I thought we were "seeing" less and less of you glad your life gets better and better thanx for visiting, come by again anytime when you are in the neighborhood we'll have a drink or two - i'm buying Water that is 222 lbs lost - continued happiness - who deserves it more great update always nice to hear continuation of peoples lives best of luck with your journey towards a new career keep up the good job with your wonderful sleeve kathy congrats

@@sycet welcome welcome welcome to our "little" group (we keep getting "smaller" ) you guys seems so lovely and warm and supporting hmmmm, you don't know us yet - but we're all pretty nice hoping to be 140-145. (I'm 29 years old) ?? important to know your height how long will it take? A year? More then a year? LOL - if I had the answer to that popular question - I'd be rich!!! sorry hun, no specific answer to your ? - we all lose weight in different time periods - never compare your progress to someone elses - it took me just under one year to lose 105 lbs reaching GOAL!!! others might take longer, or shorter time drink nutritional shakes like Ensure, Glucerna etc in the first days of your liquid diet phase? ???? i never did, but others might have opinion about Protein shakes? yeach I hated them - but they are essential - they have some premixed shakes in a can - ie Premier that i preferred over the powder impossible to deal with a period if it occurs on my surgery date? I have seen many OP on the board who have had their period DOS - didn't cause a problem (maybe they were bummed to have same day of surgery ) year or a couple of years later do you start struggling with your hunger and appetite again? again, we are all different, i think many people do "struggle" a bit hunger issues did come to "haunt" me but - follow all the rules you've worked with earlier - this is a lifetime battle/struggle - you must always be conscious of how much you eat, drink et al - being aware of "the problem" is half the battle at 2.5 years (1.5 maintenance) i do have my periods/issues but i'm still standing (much taller now ), very healthy and happy good luck next week speedy recovery kathy hmmmm, i just came back here, i don't know why side of my post is in blue!!!

@@OhSoNique glad things worked out for you in the end i am one happy, satisfied customer with the sleeve for the past 2.5 years best of luck next month speedy recovery kathy

i don't think @@2muchfun meant any harm with his comment above its just that 49 lbs is great in 2 months so he "might" have been alittle surprised by your comment he's a good egg i see him around the neighborhood sometimes and he always smiles, and waves then again, he's just a guy only kidding dude - you are aces @@iammomof3 - as everyone "above" saids - and the people to follow - you are doing amazing!!! 49 lbs in a couple of months!!! I "think" some newbies might have wayyyy too high expectations on how much and how quickly they will lose but I can see see you are a smart cookie and are thrilled with your weight loss You are way ahead of the game - so happy for you but as OP said, you probably won't lose those last 51 lbs in a couple of months you might have a stall or two - and your weight loss will probably slow down but thats ok - the weight will come off!! I promise!!!! would i lie to you"? " quick little "joke" 1rst day PO - my mom asked me if my underwear fell to the floor LOL I lost about 20 lbs those first couple of months, i was extatic (msp ?) keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life who deserves it more? 49 lbs down woohoo good luck kathy congrats

ecouraged wife to attend next PCP appointment @@Andrew0929 great idea having wifey at next appt. don't know why she would not want to go out of curiosity, is your wife or daughter overweight??? IF they are - they might feel weird you being so nice with your new weight when they might be overweight i can see you 3 sitting around the dinner table "discussing" YOUR life!!! they are entitled to their opinion(as wrong as it might be ) don't think you can ever change their minds i doubt the dr will be successful either Agree to Disagree!!!! it is/can be hard hearing comments all your life about being "heavy" now, after losing 143 lbs some people are not happy for your loss can't win for losing!!! I see you look great in your size 34 pants!! as long as you are feeling good at your weight - (i'm sure you are NOT overdueing the loss, right??) do what you do - body is still accepting your new weight having the doc bless your thoughts on your weight, that will be the "icing on the cake" you continue to do wonderfully 143 lbs gone OMG!! party dance, party dance woo hoo!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life kathy congrats

@@n0ble199 if no one mentioned it yet........... Quest is terrific BTW - quest is paying me .50 cents (they got me cheap!!) everytime i say their name enjoy kathy

@@AvaFern hap, hap, happppy anniversary how time flies when you are having fun!!!! our stats/goals are almost the same we are both 5'3 DOS - you were 237 i was 235 your GOAL is 129 mine is/was 130 you look great I look "cute as a button" as you said, everything you are doing now, spending money on... ie clothes, makeup, cosmetics - YOU DESERVE IT!!!! 92 lbs lost don't look at me, i didn't take them keep up the good job kathy congrats

obesity was safer! ... @@mrshawk92 gotta love that statement by a professional yet!!! keep looking for him/her you'll find someone great any smart PCP would be lucky to have you as a patient I asked my PCP if he thought i was "big" enough to qualify for WLS he very/too quickly said - YES hmmmm - didn't have to give it a 2nd thought but he is great and he continues to be very helpful and supportive @CowgirlJane your PCP actually said "needed to buy better cookbooks to lose weight." did you ever find those?!!! @I will what I want - I'm reminded of the saying, "the best revenge is a better life." - like that @@mrshawk92 congrats to you and your soon to be lucky dr good luck with pending surgery in Mexico or the states!!! kathy

@@Comfy_Blue you've heard many good comments from "above" and you'll hear many more there is a reason the doc says to wait a couple of years (healing, whatever his thoughts) signing a paper is ridiculous what are they gonna do if you get preggo??? take the baby away!!! you are 30 (you "might" be feeling the clock ticking???) many people PO get preggo, and lose the weight successfully others gain a lot - then having problems losing the weight or gaining and not having problems reducing as its always been said - we are all different but.......its true that after surgery, it is/can be easier to become pregnant some people shortly PO say OOOOOPS other people want to lose the weight to help them have an easier time getting preggo - LATER "sorry to be so blunt" as you said above but i would use some sort of birth control!!!! IMO for what its worth i would "try" and hold off getting pregnant right now but definitely keep "practicing", and practicing!!! your sleeve won't stop working after having a baby as long as you continue all your good habits you've learned you need to eat the nutrients you've been doing for baby and YOU try not to let cravings get the better of you (easier said than done) baby or you don't need that gigantic bowl of chip and dip as me and others, you will always have to work for the rest of your life to be successful losing the weight, and then maintaining eating correctly, small portions, drinking etc 2.5 years PO - maintaining goal i am not too worried about getting pregnant then again I'm a happy, wife, mother, and a very "PROUD GRAMMY" 60 years YOUNG!!! good luck with your future - baby now or later good health and happiness forever congrats on your wonderful weight loss keep up the good work kathy

@@Recycled century club alert - century club alert did i remember to tell you that you are awesome??? wellllll....you are!!!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer, life!!! i know you will kathy congrats

@ Oh my i am so very sad for your situation complications after surgery hope your immediate, initial physical problems have improved (gone) some of us deal with emotional issues, being exhausted/tired PO very hard times i am sorry you are back to work while you still dealing with/recovering from major surgery not feeling that well your boss is nasty, verbally abusive!!!! Try not to let her (or anyone) get the better of you!!!! try not to let anyone intimidate you!!! of course the above is much easier said than done you've worked hard at your office for 12 successful years as you said, you know your job you don't need/shouldn't be degraded/beliddled (msp?) by your boss (or anyone) dealing with so much stress in general is terrible having a nasty, unsympathetic boss too!!! continue your wonderful working skills on the job work leftover since your surgery??? there are only 8 hours in a day I know you do your best - on the job and in life No one should expect more (not you either!!!) all above posts are great!! @@pink dahlia "stand your ground on their bad attitude, and dont stress about the extra work because stress wont change the situation" feel better - mentally/emotionally and physically continued speedy recovery giving you hugggggs and tissues best of luck on your successful road to a healthier, happier, longer life good wishes and vibes being sent your way from syracuse, ny kathy

@@FluffyChiq hhmmmmm you think so?? you can't spell "psychiatrist" you let your son push a dangerous redial button!!!! you were holding your son who was clad only in his pj's you were wearing a diaper!!! and in your own words, you confess to being a dork you also say you are 100% ready to be committed!!! wow - you will fit right in with this group!! ROFLMAO WELCOME WELCOME and WELCOME :) kathy

@@mamaofmatthew at goal i got my first tattoo on my right wrist small italic first letter of each of my 3 grandkids!!! have a red heart under each letter M organ A ndrew E than promised hubby i wouldn't get another tattoo for the next 59 years!!! 3 months later i got the word "survivor" in italics above my right ankle survivor promised hubby i wouldn't get another tattoo never, never, never again!!! I think!!!! good luck with surgery speedy recovery kathy