Crabadams72

I big, juicy, STEAK!. I know that I can eat normally with a sleeve but steak taste best right after it is cooked. I don't eat it all the time but when I do--I like to savor it and pair it with a baked potato with butter and sour cream! Hmmmmnnn I hope I can eat a tiny bit after surgery--after tummy heals of course.

My pre op measurements are 42-40-52 waaaayyyy back in 93' and 21 I was 131 34-30-36. --No idea what size that is now but back then I was wearing 10/12 jeans or a dress 8. Are there any foods that you have any aversions to? Are you enjoying the shopping experience more?

Well I am pre-op and still a lightweight big girl (242 pounds). I do have a waistline and most of my weight is in the hips,thighs,rear. Hubby like it that way to th point where he keeps asking me if I am going to lose my booty. I told him I will do squats with weights if I have to--to maintain some curves. Did you maintain some curves? I see you still have hips. Are your arms real flabby? Did you lose any hair? Did you tell friends/co-workers? --I don't plan on it but if I don't I think folks will start spreading Aids or Cancer rumors. --Some family members get off on the rumor mill.

I was examined and found positive for H Pylori. I had no symptoms but a family history of ulcers and stomach cancer on my dad's side of the family. I took 8 antibiotics a day for 14 days (14 miserable days!). The PCP is going to follow up with me to see if my stomach is clear. It is good to take the antibiotics and clear it up--even if no symptoms are present (my case). My PCP is not recommending that I not get the sleeve and he said I would be ok to get the surgery.

My insurance is administered by UHC and when I look at these forms they gave me it looks like something anyome could've printed off a computer. I am going to stick with what my current PCP is doing. I also have detailed calendars with meal plans and exercise done per week. I'm giving that to the PCP to put in my file.

I did some digging and got proof that I attended a weight loss clinic early in 2010. The records have cpt codes on them and the dates I attended. It doesn't list the name of the center or a contact number. Is the insurance company going to need to contact the center or do they just look over it to see that you tried to lose weight?

What?? Where did you go? My UHC co-pay in network is $5000.

Call UHC directly and ask to speak to the bariatrics coordinator. I have UHC and they require a 6 month supervised "failed" attempt of weight loss within the past 12 months. The doctors visits must be coded correctly as "diet counseling", the doctor must weigh you and note your diet plan/exercise plan over those 6 months. I am working towards this as we speak and expect to get sleeved around May or June. Good luck!

UPDATE!!!!! Today I went to see the surgeon and she asked me which surgery I was interested in. I told her the sleeve because besides the GERD that I have (I have no symptoms at all) and the knee and hip pain I am a healthy person and I don't want to risk the malnutrition and Vitamin deficiency making me worse. I was armed with artticles, printouts and was basically ready to give a masters level lecture to defend my right to get a sleeve. She looks at me and says "I think the sleeve would be an excellent choice for you!" WHO HOOOOO!!!!!! Now I have to make sure my PCP is on board with my choice since he was pushing more for the RNY. I really thought long and hard about it and after reading and reading about the complications of the RNY, I never felt like that surgery was the right one for me. I still have a ways to go ---have to get that 6 month diet out the way but I feel so much better!. She is also going to remove my gallbladder at the time of the surgery.(I have 2 large stones)

Oh, I just wanted to add I am getting the GB surgery within the next month or so. My PCP is a surgeon (but he is not doing the WLS), he works with Gastro issues and since I have H Pylori (I'm on meds for it), GERD and a Hiatal Hernia he thinks the RNY would be better. I appreciate all your opinions. I will be visiting the WL surgeon next week and I will see what she has to say.

Greetings, Today I went to my PCP to follow up on my EGD results (gallstones/h pylori/Gerd). When I first started researching WLS I started with the band and quickly realized that was not for me. I quickly got intrigued with the Sleeve and started reading everything I could about it. The doctor (also a surgeon) told me today that my stomach issues and Gerd would get worse with the sleeve. He said the RNY would be the better operation for me. I visually think of Star Jones and Carnie Wilson when I think of the RNY. I am at 40% bmi so yeah I am fat---I guess I thought RNY was better for the bigger folks. I'm all confused now. If RNY was your only choice would you choose that surgery? I have heard so many negatives and this is really making me rethink surgery period.

I went through something similar so I tracked down the direct contact person at my insurance company that deals with bariatrics. I was trying to figure out the best option for insurancre during open enrollment, one insurer only required 3 months of the supervised diet BUT I found out that they require documentation that you have been at the 40% bmi for 2 consec years. That insurance had a much lower out of pocket expense for me. I chose them during open enrollment and switched back to my previous insurance at the last minute. Now I have to wait until June. My PCP is great, but I have to pay $5,000 and some has to come out my 401k. My insurance coordinator is really good with answering my many questions so I hope there are no surprises. I am right at the 40% bmi and I have to make sure the med asst writes down the correct weight because she was trying to knock off 2 pounds for my clothes! --I wanted to slap her.

I hate water. However, I've had a bout with a kidney infection (i think I passed a stone) and the pain is something I don't want to experience again. I also found out during my pre op ultrasound that I have a stone in each kidney so I am upping the fluid intake to get them out. After that I will always need to take in a lot of water.

Back in my 20's and after I was done having kids, I was an exercise junkie and very focused on every lump,bump and bulge. I had lipo on my tummy in 97, I didn't feel like the Dr got out enough fat so I had to go in for a touch up. Fast forward to 2010 and while my gut is not huge, it did get bigger and as a whole I have gained weight, lost weight and gained more weight. Back in 99' (wow its been a long time) I was very close to my goal weight and my stomach had gone down well, my boobs went down and sagged but I worked out and was pretty toned. Now as I approach surgery in June, I know I am going to look different but I really don't want to go under again. I've had a few surgeries and plastics just don't appeal to me. I have seen people whose arms are not that bad on youtube, the boobs-I can always get padded push-up bras. If I lose my butt though --hubby is going to have an issue with that so HE will be paying for some enhancement. I just want to give my body time to contract and fall into place, and maybe I can learn to love my body for a change.

I subbed to your youtube vlog. I agree 100%

I need to get my thyroid checked. I know my mom was on meds for it. About the belly size, Lets say you go with the RNY or the Lap Band your new pouch is only going to be the size of an egg. Different doctors use different bougie sizes, so you can ask your surgeon what size is used. My opinion is that they remove that amount for a reason, you want that Gherlin--sp? removed to reduce hunger pains, they are also removing the "stretchy" part of the stomach--so if its done too wide it would be like you never had the surgery.

You look like a completely new person! AMAZING Great job Diva

You're very pretty. You look great at 168. Whatever your goal is you will look wonderful!.

That makes sense. I was afraid I would never be able to eat normally.

I am in the same position as you. I went to a seminar in late Nov. I basically made a split second decision that I was going to get WLS after going to the PCP and seeing how fat I am. (I've been in serious denial!). This site is great, since you may have a wait (insurance wise) I would read-read-read these posts all the boards, get the book WLS for Dummies, also go on YouTube and search for VSG Journals and check out obesity help.com I would've ended up with a Lap Band if I didn't read all these materials!.

Ahhhhh, my sweet beloved Pepsi. I'm pre-op and I have tried several times to quit. I had to realize that I like my soda with certain foods ex-pizza. I have been drinking soda since I was a child (no clue as to how early). All I can tell you is that I am stubborn and what did me in was my ultrasound. I did not drink enough water--soda dehydrates, and I now have Kidney Stones. That did it for me as I think I have had a kidney infection and passed a stone before--worst pain ever!. Now I drink Water, diluted Crystal Light, and the low cal Hawaiian Punch packets in water. It is a struggle for me, much like the nicotine addiction for a smoker-but I am managing. ----- I did slip up over Christmas. My husband bought a 12 pack of Pepsi, claims it was for the kids but I have told him I want them off the sodas too. I saw that pack and immediately had one and it was good-but not worth my kidneys : )

Hello, Are any of you out there on Youtube? I've been watching a lot of online journeys and I enjoy them and I'd like to see more VSG'ers out there.

I'm pre-op and I need to get mine removed. I can't imagine how someone could gain a ton after the surgery?. I thought you were prone to bathroom issues when eating fatty foods once it is gone. One poster here Tiffy--she had hers removed at 8 months out from VGS and she lost weight even though she was trying to maintain at that point.