BeanieandRosie'smom

Well after reading this I'm so glad I choose the sleeve instead of the lap band thank you ladies.

Got to get this ticking time bomb out of me! I've had it for nine years now and aside from the daily sliming/vomiting I felt it was encouraging bad behaviors. I initially lost about 50 pounds (including the pre-op diet) and that took the better part of a year. But afterwards, I was yo-yo'ing for the next 8 years. I wonder if I didn't have the band whether I would have gained even more weight (I am currently close to my original weight) so I am relieved the sleeve looks like a reasonable alternative. Hopefully, it will be a tool I can use to finally get my weight under control and start permanent changes that will get me healthier.

So I haven't had any sugar for at least two Weeks BC I am preparing for my pre op...then t the cursed cheer Danish taunted me. Don't fall for it people. The Danish only wants to give u monkey-butt! I've spent more time in the bathroom than out. Screw sugar. It ain't worth it... Now to locate the desitin....

I had a bmi of Obesity (Class 2) pre op and now on week 14 post op i have an Overweight bmi and this makes me so happy!
I'm feel so close to a normal bmi and to my goal weight that it seems unreal, my clothes don't fit anymore, i love that but at the same time i hate it, because i had tons and now i'm left with just a few options and i don't want to shop for clothes that i will just wear once.
An amazing NSV i wore a shirt that i got 3 years ago when i lost weight and i couldn't wear all this years because of course i gained back, and it was a little losse that felt so good, i didn't think i will fit, i guess i don't see myself that different but i am.

I had a band and lost 80 pounds with it. I had to have emergency surgery to get it removed because of a slip in December 2010. I put on about 30 pounds by the following November and could not get approved through my insurance. The excuse insurance gave for the denial was that I did not weigh enough; they were treating me as if I was new to bariatric surgery. After a 2nd level appeal, I was granted approval finally in May 2012. I look forward to my sleeve on July 17th!

Hello.... I'm Erika and I will be sleeved July 12,2012 in Chicago . I will be having my surgery with Dr Cahill at Little Company of Mary. I'm nervous but excited and I'm here to gain advice and recipes.< /p>

I would love to help anyone that would be interested. I was sleeved in Ann Arbor, Michigan Sept 2011 and have lots of information and advice. It has been quite a journey but a successful one. Ask away......

Hi Erika,
Sounds like your making a good decision. Sorry the lap-band didn't work for you. I thought about the lap-band, but decided against it. Now scheduled for a sleeve 6/15/12 in Cancun with Dr.Verboonen.
I think your going to do great. Your young have a wonderful attitude. Plus your a cutie! You may have to change your email address..LOL

Glad to see you've locked it down, and got your mind made up. You're gonna do great. Unfortunately I'm a guy, but I'm sure there will be plenty of ladies around.

I wanted to make sure I wasn't just crazy, so I showed your pic to my husband. He thought you were "Maybe 30?" So I know I'm not the only one!! And I think we're all just speaking the truth! It's gotta feel great to be where you're at! I hope I can be successful with the sleeve! You are a great inspiration!

I would like a text buddy too.

I've always hated weighing at the doctor, because for one thing, I was always higher than the last visit. And...my home scale was always 5 lbs lighter than any other scale on the planet (but I still insisted it was correct and THEY were wrong). Noooowwwww however, one surgery, and one new scale later....I have them shuffling through their paperwork muttering.... "wait a minute...that can't be right.....this says.....wait....you couldn't have lost... WHAT???" HAHAHAHA I love it!!!! Most doctors only see sick people. I've gotten to see the cardiologist and family doc get all happy because I'm getting HEALTHIER! Pretty good feeling folks. Wouldn't you agree??

I had my band removed and a gastric sleeve done last November 23. I had some of the same concerns you've voiced -- mostly because two doctors told me they suggested the RNY. But I was concerned about the idea of rerouting my intestines and I really wanted the sleeve, so that's what I did.
I've found that for me, the rate of weight loss has been faster than the band. And more steady. Comparatively, I think it's slower than RNY. The recovery time for me was longer -- I had a lot of scar tissue from the band. And it took more time before I was able to eat food. but now, 2 1/2 months out, I am able to eat solid Proteins that I had to avoid with the band. I don't miss the sliming, the reflux, the constant back and forth with the fills because we couldn't get it to the right place. I have no regrets, and I wish I would have given up on the band sooner.
I was a nervous wreck prior to surgery. In fact, I called the day before and asked to change my surgery to RNY. I wasn't able to because it required other tests. I'm surprised they let me continue with my surgery as much as I was flip-flopping.
As someone else mentioned, it's really a personal choice. After consulting the information and your doctor's, make the decision that, in your heart, you feel is right.

This is exactly how I felt like 3 or 4 days ago - I even posted about it -- http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39749-nervous-and-worried-i-wont-be-able-to-commit/page__p__352984#entry352984
Then a lot of people made me realize 3 things:
1. - Everyone who has done this was scared. There are no exceptions. We are at a precipice, at my current life path - I'll be dead in 10 years either through co-morbidities, or self-inflicted from the pain. Yeah - I've thought of taking the easy way out - -I figure even if I die doing this - at least I'll be done with the pain one way or another and then I'm not so afraid.
2. That there is a lot of support in this group and people will reach out to help you through this- you are not alone - not at all. We are all here for you.
3. Post-surgery - it won't be as much psychological as you think - for one foods you used to love may now make you super sick- at least that's what I've heard, -- and you won't be able to eat more than a few ounces at a time anyhow so even if you did cheat - you'll still lose.
Yes we all need to learn to improve our habits.. that's maybe our whole purpose in this life. Once you see the weight dropping off you'll also receive increased Serotinin which will increase your motivation to keep doing it, plus if you exercise along with it- which you definitely should - then you'll also get endorphines - Seratonin plus endorphins are two of the biggest best drugs out there- in fact Serotonin I believe is released when you eat sweets - so you'll get the same effect from your new lifestyle - by doing good things.
Gist: Everyone's scared, There's lots of Support here, You won't be as hungry/craving of sweets as you think you will be.

Here's a site that explains it well: http://myaceinhand.blogspot.com/2012/01/bougie-size.html

BeanieandRosie'smom, - yes, the higher the number of bougie, the larger it is. My doctor pulled out a number of pens, markers and highlighters and showed me the difference in size using them. It's really not that much!

Don't worry about being scared - that's normal. Hell, if you weren't a little scared then I WOULD be worried! lol
When I went for my band surgery my biggest fear was dying on the operating table. I think that's most people's biggest fear... but then when you think about it, I am something like 100x more likely to die while driving my car everyday over on the operating table during surgery. It's all relative.
I am so silly... my biggest fear is the possibility of loose skin! LOL I know.... I'm looney. I trust my doc with everything (and obviously my life!) - and that's why I pay him double than other docs in MX because I firmly believe you get what you pay for.
You will be fine! I think the only worry you should have is NOT having this done and not being able to be around to watch your babies grow up! Obesity is that scary of a killer!

You guys are seriously gonna make my cry!!!! I'm just so hormonal lately LOL!

You're all just too sweet and to say that I inspire is truly such a huge compliment...HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are almost 45?!? No way. I seriously, honestly thought you were my age (I'm almost 27). You look amazing! And you are just gorgeous!! Congrats and absolute best of luck in the future!!!

I'm 9 days out from being sleeved by Dr Rodriguez in Juarez Mexico. I had excellent care and absolutely no problems. I feel great. Dr Rod and his staff were awesome and took good care of me. I went to Mexico because my employer chose to exclude wls on its insurance coverage, and self pay in Omaha was going to be $21,000. I wasnt willing to put my family in debt for this surgery. I paid $6800 plus airfare. I wouldn't change a thing.

Just think of my situation/problem. I'm retired law enforcement & think how hard it is for me to give up donuts. LOL. There's a joke in there somewhere.
When I go grocery shopping, I have to steer clear of the bakery shop. Just the aroma throughout the store gets me going.
Good luck to you & God bless.

Hello eveyone. So I have been doing good with everything I am 1 little over 1 month post op.. So at work today they bring in my favorite desert of all time Donuts...GRRRRRRRRR!!! I want one so bad but I dont think that would be good for me. So I went to the fridge at work and brought out a Fat Free Jello pudding Cup. Have any of you all had these tempting times ?.if so how did you handle it. Trust I am fighting with all my will.

They may be tight.....but darn it they are ON and zipped!! WHOO HOO! I never in a million years thought I would be able to get into them. I bought them over a year ago and gave them to my tiny sister and told her that I hoped to someday get them back. Well tonight, I casually asked what size they were and said that it would still be a while. Well, she sent them home to me and I thought "what the heck!" and low and behold they fit! When I say "happy dance" I mean...."wake up the whole freakin' house and jumping up and down" kind of dancing! LOL!

A few before's....just for the record.
me and my BFF at a concert.

So, here's my 9 months picture. I'm FINALLY seeing the loss. That's my NSV for today!

Erika, You are a genius! Never, would I have thought of checking with the local WLS about counseling. I've been afraid of someone talking me out of going to Mexico. I 've heard the hardest part of WLS is your own head..I will definitely check into it!
Terri