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My journey has been a long one to get where I'm at now. I initially visited a doctor in mid-2010 and went through many months of tests and dietician appointments and specialist appointments; everything I needed to do before I could submit to insurance for approval. All in all it took about 8 months to get through that process. However, my insurance denied me and then denied my appeal. I gave up for a little while and just didn't know where to go from there, but ultimately decided to continue to try to lose weight non-surgically (though unsuccessful).
This past May, I found a new doctor that I instantly felt comfortable with and truly felt like he had my best interest at heart from the start. Dr.Fishman of Obesity Treatment Centers in Livingston, NJ is fantastic, and so is his staff. They went through all of my paperwork, tests from previous, etc. and worked hard to get the insurance to approve me this time. They must have done something right (and know what they're doing) because I got my approval letter 1st try this time, without having to go through everything I did the first time around.
To make a short story long , I'm now 21 days out from surgery and moving right along. I have my pre-admission testing tomorrow morning, a couple specialist appointments to get medical clearance (e.g., pulmonologist, vascular surgeon, etc.), my IVC filter will be inserted in 2 weeks, and then its just waiting for my actual surgery date. I think I'm going through the normal pre-surgical fears and insecurities, though I am anxiously excited to truly begin my journey to a healthier me.
I found VST through my many internet searches for more information, personal journeys, and success stories related to the sleeve. I am looking forward to sharing the journey with all of you and hope to get to know you all better!
:wub: JerzyGirl :wub:

I would do this again in a heart beat! The idea of surgery really scared me, but the whole procedure and recovery was really very easy. The hardest part for me was adjusting to eating/drinking the first month. Every day and each week was a little easier. I am only two months out, and the transformation has been dramatic! I have lost 38 lbs since surgery, plus 15 lbs during the pre-op diet. I have NEVER been able to lose that much on my own, let alone keep it off! I still have a ways to go, but I know that I will finally be able to reach my goal weight over time. I have a ton of energy and I am not hungry! It has been wonderful. It took me two years to make up my mind to finally do this. My only regret is that I did not do it two years ago!
I wish you luck in your research and your decision. This forum is a great place to come if you are looking for information, inspiration and support!

I had my sergery aug29.2012..I started out at 306lbs and now I'm in my 12th month..I wil be one yr. Sergerversery on aug29. 2012(correction) I had my sergery august 29.2011..one yr has. Almose come..I weigh 180lbs now..I have lost 126lb in this little time..I luv my sleeve..it has save my life..I don't take blood pressure pills anymore and I feel and look great! I use to wear size 20-22 and now I wear size 8-10 and mediums..I have no regrets.

I had sleeve surgery June 26. I've been to the er or been admitted to the hospital.
First visit - Get sleeved
Week after pain. My pancreas, gallbladder, ans liver.
The next week shortness of breath. I had to get a blood transfusion.
All the other visits can't keep anything down. Er your levels are high. All we can do is give you meds.
My surgery doctor give me gallbladder meds.
He got all the reports from er visit. All er visits said my gallbladder needs to come out.
Today it came out. My husband said they the doc told him they removed 200 pebble looking gallstones.
I don't regret WLS.
God is a healer. Im still in the hospital

So my title is supposed to say Onderland damn auto correct

PRE OP Diet starts May, 2 2012 244.1lb Size 22/24 jeans
Surgery Day May 16, 2012 231.5lb
Today Aug 8, 2012 12 Weeks POST OP 202.2lb, -42lb, -33.5in total, Size 16 jeans

I think that we all have that 'holy crap, what am I thinking' moment at some point during pre-op. We think of all the horrible things that could happen, and think, 'I will be that 1 person that this doesn't work for'.
I would worry if you WEREN'T having those thoughts. It means that you're normal and are trying to know everything you can before you go through with it.
Truth is, even after surgery, you will have days (mostly in the first month or so) where you think this was the biggest mistake you ever made. But, trust me, once your body heals, as long as you are doing what you're supposed to, you will love your sleeve.
And, yes, the liquid diet sucks. But, it doesn't last forever, and, you'll have other things on you mind anyway. It actually goes pretty fast and when you get to soft foods, life is good.
And hey, I started work with my NUT on April 1st of this year at 373 lbs (I'm 5'6"), I had surgery on June 5th, now, I'm still 5'6" but standing at 273 feels a lot better. I still have a way to go, but, i have all the tools I need to get there. And soon, so will you.

Well I think I'm almost there. Completed my doctors apts, NUT and psyc eval. Now waiting on insurance approval and surgery date. Most likely will be sleeves middle to end of sept. I can hardly wait! So ready for this new chapter!

I was having the WORST day at work today, then right in the middle of it, I receive a phone call from my bariatric doc's office. It's the lady who checks off all of the insurance requirements wondering why I missed my appointment on July 31st for my H.Pylori test, Upper GI and chest xray. I tell her, "I didn't. I was there and I had those tests done". Except for the chest xray which I had the tech at my office shoot me and I faxed the results over to them on July 20th. Well, it shows that I cancelled that appt, so I must not have been there and they have no results. WHY OH WHY do people argue? I tell her again, YES I WAS THERE ON JULY 31st and I DID HAVE MY TESTING DONE! I told her I had blood drawn and then went to imaging for the upper GI. She inquires why I had blood drawn! DOH! To check for H.Pylori!!!!! Then she SEES the results for this test...why didn't you have the breath test for that? WELL, because I get there and find out that you all were out of the little balloons to do the test that way. BUT, she still can't find my upper GI results and insists I never sent the xray results to them. So I RE-fax that and ask that they call imaging to get the upper GI results. Then....BAM! Oh, and I don't see a pre-op release note from your cardiologist and we must have that. OMG! September 2010, my PCP sends me to cardio for a stress test due to my high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the fact that my dad dropped dead of a massive heart attack 4 months before that at the age of 63! I have the stress test done and they note a "shadow" that they feel is due to my large breasts, but I insisted on a heart catheterization to be 100% sure....and all was clean And I have not seen the cardio since, and he did not expect to see me again either. My PCP manages my co-morbidities. Well, you saw a specialist and because of that, he has to sign off too. So I call cardio...yes, he can write the letter....at the appointment I now have to go to to see him. I figured that. I mean, he hasn't seen me in 2 years! So, I have an appt with him next Thursday (8/16).
I am not miffed that I have to have this appointment or that I have to have this letter...I understand why. But OMG...WHY they didn't tell me this 4 months ago....OR when I went over the insurance checklist ONE month ago WITH this exact person that was calling me???? I could already have this done! I thought they sent this to my insurance on Monday...now I find out I will be waiting at LEAST another week to go to insurance. UGH...the competency of some people baffles me sometimes. I know my snag is nothing compared to those of you that FOUGHT insurance to pay, and those that came up with big money because your insurance wouldn't pay...but geez! I am a VERY organized person, and for them to throw this on me last minute ticks me off. AND it was the straw that broke that back today...I thought I was gonna go postal at work with all going wrong there and then this news....LOL!
Thanks for listening to my rant Jumping off of my soap box now

I'm seeing my surgeon for pre-op consult. We're going to set a date for the surgery (hoping for the week of the 20th, but will take sooner if offered!) Just so excited, scared, relieved, inquisitive, determined....*sigh* I could probably go on for days. I'm just ready. I'm ready for this weight to be taken off of my shoulders...figuratively and literally. I can't wait to be sitting on the losers' bench with all of you post-op'ers.

My starting weight was 340 lbs & as of today aug. 8th, I weigh 294.8. I haven't been under 300 in at least 9 yrs, & it feels so goooood. Besides having my kids this surgery is the best thing that has happened in my life.
Having this surgery, took awhile to adjust, but I thank God for it. I feel like I got my life back.

Hi Everyone,

Fear can stop us from doing so many things in our life. For many it just paralyzes them, and they can’t move forward. Are you like this? Every day that you allow fear to control you, it just steals another day of your life. It is time to take back your power. How many of you have been on the Roller Coaster of weight loss????—lose the weight to only go right back to eating how you used to eat before you lost the weight and then regain it all back plus more? I did that more times that I can count in my life, and I would beat myself up over it every time I did it. You are sitting there right now shaking your head “yes” because you have done the same thing too!

I thought long and hard before I had weight loss surgery. I spent 6 months asking questions from people on these boards, reading everything I could find to read about the different kinds of weight loss surgeries and the doctors who did it. I was going to be a self-pay because my insurance was NOT going to pay for it.
My greatest fear was not going to Mexicali, Mexico, once I made up my mind to who I wanted to do my surgery. My greatest fear like so many of you was what if I spend all this money for WLS and end right back on the Roller Coaster of lose the weight only to regain it back??? I am here to tell you I am living proof that having Weight Loss Surgery was the VERY best thing I have ever done for myself. I had a VGS aka “sleeve” surgery in Oct 2008; 4 years ago and lost 105 pounds and have kept it off. Weight Loss Surgery is NOT a miracle cure, I had to work at it and I also exercise too. But, it is my tool to allow me to be successful and to maintain my weight forever.

You too can do the very same thing I have done by having WLS. You have to make a lifestyle change when it comes to eating. I never consider myself on a diet. I also NEVER feel deprived when it comes to eating. I have just changed by eat small amounts of food and making good food choices. I eat healthy food, but I also eat yummy foods. Do I have desert? Sure I do, but not every day, and when I do, I eat a very small amount of it. I have also learned to cook differently, and to convert some of my favorite foods into Low Carb and healthy recipes.

NEVER give up on your dream of becoming the person you want to be! Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. Stop slowly killing yourself with that fork and do something about your weight. Make today the day that you promise yourself that things are going to change. I am always out here if you have any questions or need help. You can also send me an E-mail to: Suzannesh@aol.com
I did go to Dr. Aceves for my surgery, and he was my choice because I felt he was the very best doctor I could have do my surgery, after all my research. I highly recommend him. During my research, his name was the name that ALWAYS kept coming back as the best doctor there was for me.
I know how very clean the hospital is and the entire staff are fabulous. They are they to make sure that everything is great and they want you to have a wonderful experience. You will think WOW, I never received care like this in the USA.
Hugs and do not allow this fear to control you!
Suzanne
Sleeved 10/21/2008
Lost 105 pounds

Omg you brought me to tears- your words are very inspiring and motivating... Thank you!! I hope to carry this in mind for my surgery!! I really need the support! I have no one to support me but my mom ... Everyone opposes or show no interest in my decision and its heart breaking... So I decided to make friends on here who have or will be experiencing the same life changing goal

We all have been scared sometime during this process. I personally I'm the biggest baby just ask my two sons lol. My biggest fear was dying on the table. I finally figured it out, If I die on the table at least I died trying to better my life and the life of my family. Or I could do nothing and die sooner or later anyway. I chose to go for it. I had all the support in the world from my friends, co workers and of course my family. Iam so thankful for that. If you are not getting the support that you need from people that are closest to you, I am so sorry. You will get all the support and positive feedback you need right here.
We all have that one moment when we make a decision that changed are lives. Mine came at a amusement park. Me and my youngest got on a ride and where about to get started but the safety belt was not long enough. I was so mortified, embarassed and ashamed that I had to see my son get off the ride because of me. It still took me a couple of months of soul searching before I decided to have the surgery. I am so glad I did. The day of the surgery I was more anxious than scared. They gave me some meds that I don't even remember the ride to the operating room. I am down from my highest weight of 489 lbs to 263. I feel so much better. I dropped 50 points on my blood pressure in the first month after the surgery. I am a better father, a better husband and a better coach. My wife and two sons can actually hug me and touch their hands.
The one thing you have to is come to terms with your eating problem. I had to. If your thinking about drinking soda or beer or doing other things that got you to where you are currently, You are not ready. I decided that my loved ones are more important than that big bowl of ice cream or going to a all you can eat chinese buffet.
These community helped me. The information and the support here is awesome. Give yourself a chance at a better life. Give your loved ones a chance of future memories. I am so glad I did. Sorry if I rambled.
Respectfully,
Joe

You're being selfish if you DON'T have surgery. Your obesity is making it harder for you to do your job as a parent and a wife. Once that weight starts coming off, you'll feel so much better that you won't let your family's crazy comments register. It's time they all learned how to help you a little bit...and you're doing your kids a disservice if you don't make them learn how to take care of themselves. No time like the present for them to learn this lesson.
BTW, your husband has the right to say something to you privately, but he does NOT have the right to express his opinion in front of your kids. HIS job is to support you, mentally and emotionally, as well as financially. He needs to support you in front of the kids whether he agrees with you or not. You guys aren't running a democracy...it's a benevolent dictatorship and the kids need to learn that now.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll make the right decision, but IMO you should have the surgery now and start that journey to a new, healthier, life.

I had to the 6 month supervised weight loss.. Look at it as a way to prepare you for your new life!!! Trust me, it goes by very fast... I wish I would have been more diligent about using my 6 months to jump start my weight loss and prepare myself a little more..
You can do this... Trust me!!! Best wishes!!

Had my nuclear stress test and echo cardiogram yesterday and the Doc just called and told me I am totally cleared for surgery!! All I need now is for Barix to call and set me up with the nutritionist and surgery date!!!!!! Soo happy and excited to move forward!!!!!

Welcome! I have found this site to be a great source of information, inspiration and support! I hope you do too!

Welcome! Lots of good info on here.

Welcome, you will love this site. I know I do!

Time for a new beautician

I'd like to at least see and feel what "too small" may be like! If I don't like it...I'm an expert at gaining weight, I already know that!

I'm 2 weeks out and lost 38 pounds already ... so excited

I always like seeing progress photos so here are some of mine. I had surgery on 4/20/12 and have lost 85 lbs. A few of those were pre-op.
I eat 600-700 calories a day that I track on MFP/min of 60 protein/min 64 oz water/max 25 carbs.
I have totally got this! My only regret is that I didn't pick out a more attractive "progress photo" outfit.

Just had to share. I went to a Water park tonight with my 2 children and my church and I went down the water slides. It has been over 20 years since I was comfortable enough to even attempt going on them. My girls were so happy and we had a blast. I will be attempting roller coasters next. BTW, I am 4 months out and down 94 lbs. Started at 330 and down to 236.