Veda

Beaglemamma, I love your "name" and I'm a dog lover too - beagles are wonderful! Sorry, I degress. Your post is so encouraging I could cry! I am 5'9" tall and weigh 238; I have problems walking more than 3 to 5 minutes at a time. VSG hopefully will help me be more mobile. It is so meaningful to read your story! To know that this made such a significant difference in someone's life is more than amazing. Thank you for sharing! Congrats on the outcomes of your hard work!!! Wow, and you beat out Jared... If you eat at Subway, there could be commercials in you life...

A great way to burn calories and break a sweat :cry_smile: is to put on a pair of Spanx - by the time I get into the under-garment, I need a shower! BTW, buying a size larger or the less control version doesn't work either - at least not for me. Whew! Makes me tired to think about it. Is there another type to slim the butt and thighs that is not a huge effort to put on?

Annette, When I read your post, it comes across to me that you are saying you feel really good about the outcomes you're experiencing as a result of getting the sleeve - you wanted those results and they are hard-earned. Feeling good about oneself is different from thinking that you are better than someone else as a result of your weight loss. The first is a sense of well-being and feeling excited. The other is being haughty and that is sinful. If we come from a place of gratitude, it can keep the pride in-check. I agree with KabinKitty that volunteering is a good way to focus on others. I also believe that you can use your prior weight issues as a springboard for demonstrating compassion toward others regardless of their type of challenge(s). Most of my life I was thin and could not identify with those who were challenged by their weight. I never thought I could become overweight, much less obese. While I hate it, I also know that it has made me more compassionate and less judgemental/harsh in my thoughts toward others who have a variety of challenges in life. I choose compassion. My mother was the most wonderful Christian woman and she used to tell me, "It doesn't matter what happens to you in life as much as what you do with it. We all can control our responses and reactions to what life gives us." In my book, she was right! My life is richer when I react with gratitude and respond to othes with compassion. Since you are willing to use your experiences for good (being the clay), the opportunities to do so will come to you (from the Potter). I hope this helps. :angel:

Brook, the whole thing is really amazing. And, to think this was accomplished in 42 minutes...!

Thank you! I like hearing the voice of success!

I'm glad to read the variety of responses - everyone sharing their own reality at this point in time is refreshing. My doctor also said that it's not if, but when, my body would develop problems with the added weight. He was right. Hummm wheelchair due to severe joint problems or WLS or trying ANOTHER :banghead: diet? Seven years of being so heavy feels awful... I hate it... just want to feel like I used to - BUT, more importantly for me is living a life of greater mobility. Eventually, the weight caught up to me. I hope the sleeve allows me to gain greater control over my decisions. I desperately want to be able to say what KELLYL said, "I am out doing things and living again, and don't feel like a prisoner in my own body."! I hope those of you who are struggling feel better quickly! I think this issue is one of those things that a person has had to experience to fully understand and I know that's not me, but I do feel compassionate nevertheless.

:dance: Tiffykins, I now get it! Thank you. Your responses have helped me understand more about the sleeve as they are thorough. This is what I needed.

Great topic! Tiffykins, what you say makes so much sense to me - thank you for taking the time to respond! I've been wondering if people end up tracking what they eat, going on diets, and focusing so much on food post op, then why have the sleeve. This is not meant as a critical comment, but a sincere question. I just had my initial consult and the surgeon said that I will HAVE to exercise and completely change my eating habits if I want to lose 75 of the 90 extra pounds I've gained over the past 7 years. I think, why can't I just do WW one more time? I'm so sick of feeling like a failure now when most of my life I have been thin. People used to tell me that I was lucky to be "naturally" thin. Some would say that I couldn't possibly understand what they were going through trying to lose weight. In reality, I was a fat person in a thin body because I watched, like a hawk, every single thing I ate or drank. I remember one day thinking that I was not going to do it anymore and that is the day I began a long, 7 year, journey to get to where I'm now at - excited to get surgery to help me gain some control back. But, does it do that? Does the honeymoon phase help people lose the weight faster, but then all the typical weight loss efforts are still a reality after the first post opp surgery year is over? Or, does the sleeve help people keep from gaining it all back? Is it more difficult to gain the weight back or is it pretty much the same as pre-op? I feel like I'm missing this piece of information and need more input on this so that I can have peace of mind about my decision. I would sure appreciate feedback on this!

LOL! This post and the replies are funny. :laugh: How does that size stomach, thinking all of ours is about the same size, hold all the food I can eat at one setting? I guess this is the non-stretched version - I am surprised at the size.

WOW! 42 lbs. in 5 weeks - that's so great!

I've heard that it does and doesn't stretch the stomach - both opinions came from doctors. I'm a TOTAL diet Sprite and diet Coke addict; in fact, I'm drinking one now. Better to be safe than sorry so I will be going cold turkey soon. Good luck to you - You're NOT alone! :ballchain:

Size 6 in TALBOTS! Wow!!! I remember when I was a size 6 and their size 10s were tight. Awesome. :clap2: At 175.6 lbs. you must have plenty of muscle too. Fabulous! I can't wait to say "I've been sleeved."

Unbelievable. Wow - I just can't imagine going through this right after major surgery. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt! I think it's too bad that there are not affordable options in the states when people have to self pay in order to take care of their medical needs. Thank you for deciding to post this so everyone going to Mexico knows what happened in this situation. I wonder why you weren't sent to another facility that allowed you to recoup for the full stay, instead of releasing you a day early.

If you are hired with the first 90 days being a probationary period, your employer can legally terminate your employment. The chances of this happening may depend upon the type of work you do and if you can help ensure that your employer's business does not suffer losses while you are gone. As the top director at my work, I always appreciate employees who think about the company during times of their personal need for time off. Not everyone would agree with me, but I think telling your direct supervisor that you had a pre-planned personal medical procedure, and you need to keep the appointment, but would like to work with him/her to minimize any inconvenience to them is one way to approach this. If it came to a choice between VSG and having a job... These days, 4 months being out of work is nothing compared to a lot of people. Congrats on your new job! Your found one quickly.

Thank you for your response! I am so new at this that I'm still figuring it out. I attended the general information meeting for the NEW system in Newport Beach and scheduled the sleeve surgery for November 18. They said I would only need a week off from work (management/desk type job). Did you need more than a week to recouperate enough to return to a desk job, if you had to?

I am going to attend an information session tomorrow that I registered for with this same doctor. A staff member I've been talking to at Dr. Q's office told me that if there are complications, and it is medically necessary to have further treatment, insurance should cover it. My insurance does not cover any of the surgery so I will self pay. Like you, I can pay for the surgery, but not a six-figure hospital stay. I plan on asking this question again tomorrow.

After sending you a PM tonight, I read some other posts on this website in the forum VSG Complications and Support (or something like that). You might want to do a search of the name of your doctor on this site and read what some people were saying tonight. Since I had read your post earlier, I thought I should let you know. At least, I would like someone to do the same for me. It would minimally give me a reason to make a list of questions to ask about procedures used.

There's a difference between sharing and advocating. I find it helpful when a medical professional opens up and shares - it makes them more human I think. It's safer for a lot of people to hear, and talk, about personal things with a kind professional instead of a friend or family member. I think you did an honorable thing!

Perhaps giving your family some time to adjust to this news might be helpful. If there are group meetings close to you, your parents could attend so they can learn more of the facts together with family members of other potential patients. It's pretty strange to find out who is supportive and who is not. In the end, those who love you want you healthy and happy. Your mother might be speaking from a place of fear for you, but the words are coming across as harsh. If you show her respect and love, I bet she'll come around.

I found out today that the Aetna plan my employer uses does not cover WLS. I live in Orange County and would like to ask those of you who are willing to answer this: What did self-pay cost you? AND, did the amount you were quoted cover everything or was the hospital in addition to the cost you were given? I have an appointment with a group in Newport Beach that charges $18K all inclusive. Thank you!

The oddest reaction I've gotten is when I told someone who weighs about 80 - 100 pounds more than I do; she just stared at me and didn't say a thing. A dear friend of 28 years says she'll still be my friend, but won't do a thing to support the decision like take me to the surgeon...This friend and I have been to WW together, talked about food/weight since we met, and I have listened to her struggles with alcoholism. My husband had an absolute hissy-fit, but now says he was being selfish and apologized - he will be supportive now of whatever decision I make. My 6' tall beautiful daughter who wears a size 6-8, naturally, said that she is totally supportive and has worried about me for the past 2 years. She said, "Mom why bother with trying to lose weight the way you have for years. Why not take the help?! It's not like you have to suffer in order to deserve being good to yourself." ALL of these reactions AND I haven't even seen a doctor yet! I'm at the first step of calling to find out about it after doing a lot of online research. The person I expected would not understand is my very thin daughter. She, however, could not be more understanding and helpful. I guess we just never know! "I had WLS, I don't eat very much and my stomach is smaller, it's none of your business, or ..." is our choice just like the choice to get the sleeve. Geeze, I talk like I've already had the procedure done!

Your blog is delightful, interesting, and hopeful - thank you for sharing it! Your video is so beautiful...