ChaChaBurch

I'm so proud of myself, I got a prescription for anti-depresants. After that last episode I'm afraid I'll have more if I don't do something about it now, when I'm still healthy enough, mentally, to get my self to the doc.

Good for you! I'm really glad you did it.

Chacha, it could be possible. I'm adopted and we could have been separated at birth! Hahaha

Okay - now that's just weird! I'm adopted too!!!!

Bravtvp63 - That means you must be my long lost twin

I'm 50 and even though I'm only 5 weeks post-op, I know that I'll be having surgery to help remove the excess skin, etc. For me, this is just a natural extension of the VSG. I don't want to have to carry the excess skin around, plus it will help me feel better about ME! I figure I'll probably be around 51 - 52 by the time I reach goal and will have the surgery, but it is something that I KNOW will be the right thing to do. I say go for it!! And BTW - since having lost some weight, my sex life has never been better!

MommaChaCha - please add me!

I know that every doc is different but I see that everyone here be on the clear liquid for 30 days and my doc just gave me 2 week of clear liquid and the 2 more week on purred food and then in 30 days food... Those that sound wired or what....

My Doc gave me Clear Liquids for 4 days post-op, then regular liquids (which included oatmeal, applesauce, cream of wheat, creamy soups) for 2 weeks, then pureed/mushy for 2 weeks. I know that each Doctor is different. Just follow what YOUR Doctor gave you.

@Bratvp63 - Congratulations on breaking your stall, and your over all weight loss.

BTW - How did you get a picture of me for your avatar?

I printed a lot of eggfaces recipes at home and book them in a 3 ring binder. I put dividers between them for Breakfast, sauces, chicken, seafood, beef & Desserts. I just it last night. one I see another recipe I can always add more.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Hey Wheetsin - thanks for the update! Sorry to hear you're still having some discomfort though. I don't know where you are on your food -- although it sounds like you're in the soft/mushy phase, but for me, I eat 1-2 greek yogurts in a day (12g-14g each), and get the rest of my Protein through tuna, chicken, pork and eggs. However, if there's a day where I just can't get it all in, I have the "protein shots" - they're 3.5 ounces and you can either drink them alone (although they taste really icky), or like me, I put mix them in 20oz of Water, and it's palatable (barely), but still 42g of protein. And by the way, 53lbs!!! Way to go!!

Does anyone have a favorite WLS cookbook, or any suggestions for me? I love the recipes on this site, but I do much better with an actual book. I sure do wish Eggface would do a cookbook!!

I completely understand where you're coming from. I thought I would go stark raving mad!! But I FORCED myself to take it easy as long as the Doctor told me to. Now, I feel amazing and have zero restrictions on my activity. I'm really glad because it helped to reduce the possibility of any complications. So, I know it's hard to just take it super slow, but the payoff in the end is well worth it!

I had the band to sleeve revision in one single surgery. No complications, no issues. I am extremely happy with the sleeve! Wish I had done it first!!

You might want to try resistance training with the bands.

Congratulations! That's great!!!

You know . . . I never thought of it that way before!!! That's pretty funny !!!

I'm looking for a few good books on WLS. I am an avid reader and would really appreciate your input on any books that you may have read about WLS. Primarily books dealing with the "after" surgery experience. I've looked on Amazon (I have a Kindle), and I see quite a few, but I wanted to get input from some folks who may have read some.

Lifting you up in my prayers! Please keep us posted!!

Okay, now I WANT one. What are the monthly fees? I looked at the website, but I can't find anything listing monthly fees.

I would LOVE to have someone here where I live to work with that had "been there". I don't currently work out at a gym because of that simple fact. I think you would be a great inspiration to others, and I think it will go a loooong way to help motivate and encourage others when they know your story. I think turning your life around in this way and using it to help others is awesome!!

This is really great information - and insight! I am 5 weeks post-op and am doing well . . . so far. Thanks!

That's awesome! Good for you. I will be watching

I had the band in 2007 - paid for by my insurance (BCBS). At the time we lived in Dallas, and DH and I both had the same insurance (BCBS of Minnesota - our employers home office was in Minnesota). We moved to Arkansas in 2009, and I had problem after problem with my band (I didn't work, and DH insurance didn't cover anything to do with WLS), and I couldn't find a single Doctor in AR that would have anything to do with my band - since they weren't the one who put it in. In September 2012 I started researching the sleeve. I found a great surgeon in Hot Springs who used to do the band but quit because he felt it wasn't effective, and had a large failure rate (DUH). He began doing the sleeve and was very pleased with the overall results. He agreed to do my revision (although he had never done one before - but being a general surgeon, I felt VERY comfortable with him). I began the process in January 2012 (figuring I would self-pay ($16,000 out of my 401k). His patient advocate called me about 8 weeks prior to surgery saying that she had heard that BCBS Anthem was paying for the sleeve beginning in 2012. She submitted all of my paperwork to them . . . . and SURPRISE!!! They approved it - first letter. I couldn't believe it. I had my revision surgery 3/22/12. I just received today the EOB and sure enough, they paid all but $2500. I was so afraid that they would change their mind at the last minute, or figure that somehow I didn't fit their "idea" of what they should approve. It was such a load off my shoulders.

How's everyone doing so far? What's your plans for the weekend? I am doing surprisingly well. I am 5 weeks today, and feeling great. My energy is WAY higher than prior to this surgery, and so far I'm eating and tolerating foods really well. For the weekend, DH and I are working on my raised bed garden. Lots of tomatoes, squash, peppers, lettuce, herbs, Beans, etc to plant! I can't wait!! Those veggies will be awesome later this summer. Also, I'm taking a canning/freezing class on May 8th, so I won't waste anything

What you're feeling is completely normal. Your new sleeve is still swollen from the surgery (takes about 10-14 days for swelling to go down). Just remember that at this point, anything you drink (or eat) to take itty bitty baby sips (or bites). Wait a few minutes between sips/bites. I had a band to sleeve revision on 3/22/12 and I'm down 32lbs. I can tell such a HUGE difference with the sleeve. I'm on soft foods right now and by the end of next week I'll be on "regular foods" (woo-hoo)!! It will get better for you, I promise!

I'm okay. I still feel really tired. Today was the first day I actually had energy after work, but I had an episode. I started crying for no reason. I had to calm myself down so I wouldn't hyperventalate*. It's stupid things that shouldn't overwhelm me, I'm really hot (99 degrees in Vegas today), my house isn't clean, my sister re-arranged everything in my house, I have gum on my shoe. Such stupid events that are controlling me right now. I looked up psychiatrists that are covered by insurance. I have a history of depression but have been off meds for a while, guess I need to get back on. I just feel so uptight, I don't know what to do to stop these tears. I'm so hot and a.c. isn't working.

I am so sorry sweetie that you're having such a hard time! I applaud your decision to take the step to find some help. I have a friend I went to H,S, with who lives in Las Vegas and she said it's hard to cope with the heat . . . much less without A/C! And having your house re-arranged??

You have had some MAJOR changes in your life in the last few weeks, and that makes it doubly hard to cope, especially since we're still in the healing process. I would encourage you to focus on YOU first, and do what you need to do in order to get better! Keep us posted on your progess -- ((HUGS))