tamarlarae

Hi all!

I am a teacher and unfortunately got SUPER sick this year between strep and the flu. I am now out of PTO, vacation, and sick time and I've got my psych eval that I HAVE to do for surgery approval as well as this training seminar the doc requires. Everything else I am pretty sure I can schedule when I am off work (blood tests, other tests, etc.), but I am also in school and have had to take 2 days off as unpaid so I am on THIN ice with my boss... I have a meeting with HR tomorrow and told her I am having surgery and she has reassured me that I do not need to elaborate or explain what the surgery is for because of confidentiality reasons, since I will have to miss at least part of the day any advice?? I'm so nervous I am going to lose my job (which I need for surgery), but these things I absolutely have to do in order to be approved are only available in the mornings. Anyone else run out of time or could offer me advice?

Did you end up getting your adenoids removed? I had really bad ear infections all my life and 2 years ago I had to have tubes put it. That helped a lot, but now it's a lot of sinus stuff

I'm so sorry for those of you that have not had any success with the band. I really hope things will get better and you do not have to suffer much longer! I really do appreciate all your help though and if you ever need an ear I am more than happy to listen :-)

Glad you are doing well!! Please keep us informed about post baby weight :-)

I was not told I'd have a 12 week nutrition plan. I hope not because I will have to get sleeved this summer otherwise I can not get sleeved... I am a teacher and have to work around my breaks... It's good to know there's not much hassle though!! Thanks guys!

Ok do I have a question... I have been trying to eat healthy (paleo diet after I spent hundreds of dollars on a naturopath) and have been feeling pretty well. Of course I have my cheat days or fall off the wagon days, but I have been getting really sick lately. Now, I do work with kids and I realize they're germ factories, but this is my 3rd year doing this so shouldn't I have built up SOME immunities? My husband lost 220 pounds and had gotten sick ONCE in the last 3.5 years, so he says he thinks its partly because of my weight. Anyone else have this issue or did have this issue and notice a difference once they had surgery?

Thank ou for your input!! Just keeping my fingers crossed at this point I guess...

I was hoping someone could give some insight this as well! I'd love to hear people's experiences.

Does anyone have BCBS of IL but not live there? I am trying to get a feel on how long the wait is, or how much "trouble" I might run into. I do not have many comorbidies but I have high BMI and heart disease as well as diabetes runs in my family. The people I've talked to have been less than helpful since I do not live in IL.

I will be having the surgery to get pregnant and have a baby. I'm well aware of the time you have to wait before starting to conceive, but I was also told by my OBGYN that I needed to loose weight if I didn't want to have another miscarriage (I have had 2).

Ok great thank you!! I have my first appointment with the surgeon on the 29th (next Friday eeek!) So I am sure I will know more then. Most posts I read, people have a very easy time dealing with them. However, I only have a high BMI and no other co morbidies so here's to hoping I get approved!!

AspieMom- I am looking into getting this surgery and have BCBS of IL but I live in AZ. I am the only one on my insurance so I KNOW I have met the $250 deductible. I have called 4 times and each time gotten a different answer. SOOO frustrating. My husband and I live paycheck to paycheck but I have student loan money I plan on using for this surgery as well as (hopefully) some of our tax return money. Did you have to pay $2500-$3000 and then more?

Darn!! I was hoping for a miracle lol. But I guess I can't have my cake and eat it too...

Haha thanks ladies!! Thoughts or opinions on those wraps I keep reading about? Will those help with stretch marks too or is it mainly more for the loose skin?

Ok thanks for the info giggles!! I'm so nervous now since I've called 4 times and have gotten seriously 4 different answers. Kristina- since you went through the lap band I would love your input for this as well. I'm so AS worried about loose skin since I am so you g, but what about stretch marks? What'd you use/do?

Thanks Kristina and giggles!! I am a teacher so my time is limited on when I can get sleeved. What were some of the hoops you had to jump through for insurance? I have BCBS of IL and have gotten a different answer each time I call... It's super annoying! Also, when did you start noticing the weight come off? Like what week?

Hello all. I am not necessarily new to this site, but I am new to this idea. After much deliberation, I have decided to get the sleeve!! I am 24 years old and would LOVE the advice, support, or help from other people at or Round my age. I have always been chubby or overweight but only in the last 5-6 years have I been obese. I have an appointment on March 29th to see a surgeon (my 1st appointment) and I'm very nervous. Unfortunately, I have a schedule that I can ONLY have the surgery this summer or possibly over a fall break, but that's about it. Anyone live in the AZ area? If not, anyone willing to chat or talk through some things??

I am in Mesa, just past the Gilbert border. Where are you? I have started seeing those Popsicles come up in discussions. I'll have to try them and see. Can you get them at a regular grocery store? The head hunger is definitely a pain! I keep myself pretty busy but BECAUSE I am usually so busy, when I have down time idk what to do with myself and will eat. Such a viscous cycle because then I over eat and end up hating myself. BUT I have literally tried everything so I am excited/nervous for this next step.

Kristina,

I really enjoy reading your posts! They inspire me to do things right! I see you're in AZ, me too!! Maybe we could be a support for each other? I think after 6 hours of research and talking with my husband, I have finally decided on the sleeve! I'm still so nervous though and am scared about the diet. I am an emotional eater and often find myself eating because I'm "bored." I believe this is called head hunger? How do you move past that on the liquid diet?

Thank you for all your help/support! I will definitely be making a lifestyle/mental change and I have been preparing for it for a year. The insurance thing is good. I've called and am covered for either surgery (except one is $750 and the other is $2500). I'm not concerned so much about the cost, but obviously if I spend that kind of money I will not want it to go to waste. Has anyone heard of the plication surgery?

Oh believe me, I plan on making the necessary lifestyle and mental changes. I have tried everything else, idk what else I can do. I'd like to take my life back and be healthy for myself, husband, and future children.

I understand I am not going to get an unbiased opinion on here. But that's partially why I chose to post in this forum. I was curious as to people's thought, opinions, etc. with the band already had issues. Like I said, I've known more people with the band, but I know 2 with the sleeve and they do not seem to have many issues. Everyone on here seems to be saying the recovery time is a lot easier, how so? I am a teacher at a private day school that deals with kids that have behavioral and emotional disabilities. We often have to go hands on with them, so I definitely will need to make sure I have adequate healing time. I also can't seem to find if this is an inpatient or out patient surgery. Does this depend upon the person? I thought it was out because you can go home at the end of the day correct?

Thank you so much for all your advice!! Believe it or not, it does actually help. This is the biggest decision I think I will ever have to make besides deciding about being a parent so I want to make sure I make the right one for me and my family. I have only just read about plication. I will need to go read more though since I'm not as familiar.

Thank you for your advice!! I am leaning towards the sleeve, but am just so nervous! I've actually met numerous people with the band and they love it. However, I would like to have kids and I'm not sure how the port site will do. BUT there are nutrient issues that come with the sleeve. I looked at the forum about pregnancy, but didn't find any answers. I am definitely going to talk to my surgeon on the 29th, I just don't want him to look at me like I'm an idiot because I still haven't been able to make up my mind for a year haha

I am semi new to the forum. About a year ago, I was gun-ho about having surgery. My husband and I wanted to try to have kids but after 2 miscarriages I just couldn't try again. Then, as I was scheduled to have a meeting with a surgeon about surgery, I chickened out and said I wanted to try on my own. Well, here I am a year later and have yoyo'd my weight. I have an appointment on the 29th again and I am stoked! However, I can not seem to make up my mind about lap band or VSG. I have done the research, believe me, a years worth. But there are many pros and cons to both, and can't seem to decide what would be better for ME. I need HELP!! What were some of your reasons for choosing the sleeve over the band? How long was your recovery time? What are/is the biggest restrictions?