Pashion

Maybe I do have to, I just haven't gotten any bills yet. There was some confusion on my part because I have both Blue Cross/Blue Shield federal and Tricare. Originally I was going to get the lap band and was assured my insurance companies would completely cover the cost. When I changed to the sleeve, no one told me Tricare considered it an experimental procedure and would not pay any for it. As of now, though, I haven't received any bills.

I have Tricare Prime and live in the San Diego area, they covered my surgery 100%. The catch is they will only do the VSG if it is done at a Military Medical Center. The good thing is they will also cover any type of Tummy Tuck, Inner Thigh, and Breast but you have to wait 18 mths after surgery and because they do not do plastic surgery for civilians I will be able to go to the surgeon of my choice for that.

I have been taking Water Aerobics and Zumba classes now the flabby skin is starting to appear. So me and my hubby signed up for a free personal trainer on the military base. Monday was day one core only a little sore but felt good. Tuesday was lower body only and bore was I in a whole lot of muscle pain. When I got in the car I thought I was going to vomit. Now here is the problem, my thighs and buttocks are so sore that I can barely sit, stand, or walk and I have been like this since Tuesday after the workout and today is Friday. I have not been back to see the PT because I am so sore. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I expected to feel some soreness but not like this. On a scale of 1-10 I am an 8 and today is the third day. I have tried stretching several times a day, messaging the areas, Icy-Hot, and Tylenol. Nothing seems to be working. According to my PT we are starting off easy. If this is easy then I am in for a whole lot of hurt. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

I am in my 17th week and I still burp after everything I eat and drink and I also had a hernia repair. My Dr. says no to straws as well. I now go by the name of grizzly adams by my family because my burps are so loud and strong...lol Better to burp than to be overweight thats how I look at it.

Keep up the good work you are doing great!

Hello VSG family, today is the first time I have been on here since my surgery back in February. The first six weeks was horrid for me. I was in so much pain I literally broke down crying at least twice wishing I had never done this to myself. I was so frustrated with the amount of pain that I was in that I did not even feel like posting any updates on the forum or going out. I did all my walking in the house or backyard. I had not been to church either and I was not happy about that at all. So, on this particular Sunday pain and all I made myself get up and go to church. After church was over my Pastor prayed for me and when I woke up the next morning all my pain was gone!!!! I know that was nothing but the Lord. I have not had any pain since or vomit not even once. I am still not sure why I have not been on here before now but I just had a urge to post my testimony that maybe this will help someone else.

As of 06/27/2012, (I only weigh in on Wed which is the day of my surgery) I am 17 wks post op and is feeling good and doing great. The first time I visited my surgeon about having the surgery I weighed 224.8 lbs which was on 12/06/11. On the day of surgery I weighed 204.8 lbs (I had to loose 10% of my excess body weight before surgery). My current weight now is 165 lbs. Since Dec I have lost 58.8 lbs and 39.6 lbs since surgery. I can honestly say that having the surgery was the best thing I could have done for myself. I no longer have to use my CPAP and I am now up and enjoying life, like I should be.

Thank you God for healing me and to my VSG family for reading.

I wouldnt worry so much about what they say they have lost they could be telling an untruth especially the one eating the candy. Unless it is sugar free candy. Your body is prob in shock right now and maybe increase your walking an extra 10 min or more times a week. It will all work out in your favor so stay in courage and try not to care so much about how much they loose. Good Luck

How cool is that!!! I bet your husband wish he had went into the store with you now...lol

Well I started like 10 days after surgery which was 11-17-11 walking 15 minutes treadmill mind you I can barely breath started slow.... I know I am worried too I am going toneed skin removed even though I was 223 I have had several pregnancys yoyo dieting and hysterectomy and so forth AUGHH but as you can see my arms with weights are doing pretty good I started light weight 2-3 weeks after surgery 10pds 15 psd but check with your Dr. thanks

Thank you for your help. I am in the same vote you were in starting at 224 and three pregnancys does not help my case and my arms are how yours use to be so I am inspired by your pcictures. Thanks again.

I also started on Tuesday. I attempted to start 2 weeks out and I had some rough spots but as of today I feel great. Jello doesn’t really agree with my for some reason. I’m just worried Im doing it right. 4 shakes a day, some Greek yogurt & chicken broth is my main diet at this point. Ive lost 5lbs. And I recommend the Wegmans whey Protein if you have one in you area. I think it tastes better than most I have tried. The shakes are starting to get nasty on me too, that’s why I switched the brand. It helped a lot. I knew when I stole a bite of my 17 month olds Soup that I have an issue, so I have really been sticking with it!!! Best of luck everyone. My Day is the 29th (Leap Sleeve!)

Hello

I am a leap sleeve as well, and I had to do 14 day pre-op diet I will admit some days did not go well. But today and tomorrow I am on a clear liquid diet and I am not swaying away from that at all. What date are you gonna use as your annivery date going foward? Feb 28th or March 1st?

Nikki264,

You have over came a lot in your life and I am sure you will do just great with the sleeve! I live in San Diego as well and I love Dr. Fuller, initially I was going to have my surgery with him but because my insurance is Tricare they denied it and said I had to go thru Balboa military hospital to have my surgery. I love the way they move so quickly at Dr. Fuller's office with getting you prepared for surgery. I met with Dr. fuller back in 09/2011 and would have had my surgery in 11/2011. I was very upset because Balboa has a lot of requirements to meet and they are two months behind on scheduling surgery as they only have one person whom does the scheduling I was so disappointed when I was switched over. But I was finally able to get a surgery date of 02/29 after writing a three page letter to complaint department, how crazy is that. Good Luck and keep me posted maybe we could become walking buddies since our surgery dates are only two days apart.

I do not have to drink the magnesium citrate. Today I had to start a two day clear liquid diet consisting of Soup broth, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, flavored Water, and just plain Water. I was also told to stay home on the 29th...yeah right I have two appointments tomorrow...yikes lol

What time are you guys going in for surgery? For what ever reason my doctor's office won't give you an exact time until the day before. I guess thats what happens when you have to use a military hospital.

Hi guys, I'm having surgery on the 29th, at first I was nervous about the date. But I'm happy to know that I'm not the only one!! Best wishes to all of us.

Meagaan26,

Hi there, you can join our leap year sleeve club...lol Good luck

I do cardio 7 days a week 30 minutes on 10 incline and then every other day circuit and arms one day legs theother abs everyday! lool no I dont have a trainer but they are always @ the gym supporting me the good looking too lol

lol I bet they are good looking. So, how soon after surgery did you start working out? I am really worried about excess skin. My insurance will cover it, but I really don't want to go that route.

Hello AA sleevers,

I am new to the group my surgery date is 02/29. I look forward to seeing the lbs melt away. Good luck to every one!!!

So funny I have the leap year date also. I've been leaning towards March 1st??? How are you feeling. I think the next couple of days are going to be the longest days of my life!!!

Hi Andi,

I am excited and nervous all at the same time, how about you. Tomorrow I have to start a two day clear liquid diet. Do you? It looks like we are going to be sleeve sisters. Keep in touch with me and let me know how things go and I will do the same. If you choose March 1st I will too...lol

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

As we all know when ever there are 29 days in Feb that means it is a leap year, which only occurs every four years. Well my surgery happens to be on that day. Lately I have been wondering, going forward on my journey, what date should I choose for my sleeve anniversaries (too funny thinking about the years to come when this year just started). Should I go with Feb 28th or March 1st. Let me know sleeve family what date would you choose?

Hey, I did some Calcium shopping today too! I can't find chewable calcium citrate anywhere! I called the Vitamin shop and they had twin lab calcium wafers which are NASTY.. Does anyone know any good brands?

I have gone to about 5 stores and no one sells chewable calcium with citrate + Vit D. I could not believe that. I ended up finding a liquid at GNC it was kind of pricey but I used my Gold Card and got 20% off. If you are military you can get 20% off all month instead of only the first week of the month at the franchise stores only.

At GNC I found a liquid Calcium magnesium 32 oz bottle that has Vitamin D 400IU and Citrate of 1200MG and total calories is 10 per serving, it is by Tropical Oasis. My Doctor recommends 2000mg so I will have to take 1 and 3/4 tablespoons per day. Is has a 60 day supply with the recommended dosage. I got the orange flavor because that was the only one left. Not sure how it taste because I will not start taking it until after surgery. I am just trying to stock up on all my Vitamins before surgery.

I had my sleeve 11-17-11 53 pds gone 3months and a week .

Hello Living Again,

Congrats to you. How many times a week do you work out? Do you have a personal trainer? And do you do cardio as well or just weights?

Feb 29th for me on a leap year. I am so excited for all of us. I meet with the Anesthesiologist on 02/24 and then I will have everything complete. Pre-op diet is so-so but at least I'm not starving...lol Good luck.

WOW!!! You are all doing AMAZING!!! thanks for sharing! I hope I can post my loss soon!

Hey Sabrina,

I see your surgery date was 02/20/2012 I hope that all went well. Good Luck

traceyc, I will make sure to pack some lip balm and my robe and slippers.

Carbgrl thanks for link. I printed the list and will go from there.

Canadianprairiegal good luck with your surgery. Are you counting down the days? I know I am...lol

Hello All,

My surgery date is 02/29/2012 and my doctor said because of my sleep apnea I will most likely be in recovery for 2-4 days. This is my very first surgery and besides toiletries I am not sure what else I should take (like clothing), any suggestions.

Thanks

Ok so asked my Dr today at my 2 week visit and he approved me to start taking pill Vitamins ( I have a pill crusher just in case) calcium citrate, b1 and B12, Iron and Vitamin C and Biotin :smile1: Starting tomorrow!

Hello Shells,

After my surgery I will have to take the same Vitamins that you are now taking. My question is. Were you able to find the calcium citrate, Iron and B12 in a chewable form? If so where at? I have been looking just in general cause I wanted to start stocking up on them before surgery. But nothing chewable. I am going to try GNC today and see what I can find.