Sannah

Sorry you had to endure a medical error!! That truly sounds very painful and unpleasant!!! Did you suffer any long term implications? I sure hope not!! Your photo tells me your doing a lot better these days!!! Yes, squish is right!! So uncomfortable! I went to three machines in three days!!!! I have yet to have an MRI. I am also VERY claustrophobic and to add insult to injury they have to put this cage like apparatus completely over my head. I took zanax, per the doctor. Well, that was insane!!! Maybe I am not meant to have an MRI. Perhaps whatever is causing these seizures will have to me okay for a while.. I feel so defeated and stuck! Thank you for sharing your story with me. Sounds like I am not alone. I am thankful that they were able to just stick your arm in!!! What a relief!!! I wish I could just stick my caged head in!!! Not that lucky so far!!! Best, Sannah

Hello! Sorry for the delay in response! For some reason my phone is not notifying me of replies! Sorry your friend didn't recognize the changes!You've really worked hard and lost 50lbs! It feels good when people recognize all your efforts! Sorry she didn't!!! I schedule an open MRI! I went to the appointment feeling so great! Third day in a row, third machine! I was determined I was going to be successful! I get into the room and it was a regular machine!!! BOLOGNA!!! I am feeling so defeated!! The universe is letting me know I do not need the MRI right now.

Who (guessing surgeon) and what (prior conditions) determine if we need cardiac or pulmonary clearance for surgery? I know this will be different per surgeon and person. What has your experience told you? The nurse practitioner didn't say anything about this. I am worried about my lungs. I have asthma and had a bad case of pneumonia( from a breathing tube) that the lining of my lungs is damaged. Best, Sannah Sent from my iPhone using VST

How inconsiderate! I am sorry to hear! How miserable this must have felt. I do not understand why people are so insensitive!! Ugh... I do not know if you are sleeved yet. Hopefully we'll both be sleeved soon and placing our skinny rears on the losers bench!!!! Then we will not have to encounter such ridiculousness!

I just re-read and see that you posted your e-mail for further questions. I will e-mail you the questions that I just posted..

Hello Suzanne, Thanks for posting your story. I really enjoyed reading what you had to say and congratulations on your success!! **dancing for you** I am still pre op. and I have a few questions if you have time. I will make a list below for simplicity sake. 1. What cook book/s do you use? I am on a pre op diet to loose 20lbs prior to surgery. Today I started making some recipes from Emilybites.com. I have a serious sweet tooth!!! Any recipe suggestions? I love chocolate, coffee or pumpkin flavors. 2. What resources did you use to research your surgeon and or hospital? 3. Have you participated in strength training? 4. How has your skin managed? Do you feel you will want or need more surgery? 5. Sounds like you enjoy the Premiere Protein Shakes, have you tried vanilla? Which brand did you like of vanilla? 6. Do you have any tips for maintenance? Thank you kindly for sharing any information! Wishing You Wellness, Sannah

Hello, They asked my weight when I scheduled. I wonder why this hospital doesn't have the same procedure! It would have saved me a lot of embarrassment. Even the other location which I am going to tomorrow does not have an open MRI. Hmm.. Thank you for sharing an inside perspective. I am thankful for this. Sannah

I am so embarrassed to share with people in my face-to-face life. I figured I was safe to share here. I have had sudden onset of potentially seizures (other symptoms as well) and I saw a neurologist. The doctor ordered an EEG and an MRI. I have completed the EEG and I went to my early morning MRI. I can not have the MRI because I DO NOT fit into the machine!!! Talk about EMBARRASSING! I I am so embarrassed and ashamed. Not to mention SCARED out of my mind about what potential results could be. I was trying to not worry, until I had a reason. Then I was told they are using contrast to identify tumors or lesions on my brain! Despite this embarrassment I found an imaging location that has an oval MRI machine rather than a circle. I hope to have pleasant results and get on with my life and weight loss surgery!!! At the moment I feel like I could (and probably should) break down in tears (maybe I would feel better). Thank you for listening. Am I alone in this NOT fitting into an MRI machine? I am 5'5" 302lbs. Best, Sannah

Hey!! I had the IUD before ever having kids. I had the merina removed becauae I could not kick the nausea. I could also not tolerate the acne that came along with it. It was so embarrassing for me. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Funny right? My dr mentioned this too me as a side affect!! Loosing too much weight!! Figures right? We can be on extreme ends of the continuum!! Too fat and thentoo skinny!!! How about happy medium!!! Best, Sannah Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi!! My psychological evaluation lasted an hour, not including the time it took me to fill out 370 true or false questions. I was told prior to my appointment that the psychologist doesn't not determine if we are fit or unfit for the surgery. However, they figure out how to help us be successful. These result would not be read until after our appointment. The actually appointment lasted an hour in time and was very dynamic. We talked very little about surgery. We talked about nearly all major aspects of my life: weight, goals, masters program, parenting, marriage, extended family, friends, events I enjoy for fun, and more. I left the appointment with a list of goals to accomplish/do. It was alright. Nothing exciting. Boring to sit and talk about your life in depth for that long with a stranger. Best, Sannah Sent from my iPhone using VST

Oh yeah!! Spent a $100 gift card I received last winter for a gift. Feels so GOOD!! I stocked up on smaller sizes of under garments!! No more Lane Bryant!! Can not wait to no longer fit into the clothes I have from them!!! Cheers to healthy changes!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey, I am curious if you saw a neurologist for carpel tunnel? Did you have an MRI of the brain? Thank you kindly! Sannah

I hope you Thursday appointment goes well!! Sounds like surgery is on the horizon!!! How exciting!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi!! Very different experiences we are having. The psychologist is part of the weight loss surgery team. I filled out a 370 question form and then had a very dynamic conversation about all aspects of my life. The surgeon said to loose 15-20 lbs for surgery. I am cool with the day before being all liquids. I can't imagine if I met the 20 lbs requirement why I would need to do a crazy pre op diet. It does not make sense to do a pre pre op and pre op. The nut said a lot of people get nervous about having to loose this weight prior to surgery. Time will tell!! Sounds like I should prepare myself either way!! Thank you replying!! Have a good Sunday!! Sannah Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi All! I hope your journey is going smoothly. I have been reading on VST for a while now. I was starting to feel concerned about the pre op diet, but I am starting to wonder if I actually have anything to worry about? This week I started my pre op appointments. Welcome group, NUT and psychologist. I have to say I am a bit surprized about all of these appointments. Psychologist- This was a weird conversation and we did NOT talk too much about weight loss. We talked about almost all major aspects of my life: marriage, parenting, my family history, doctoral program and goals I have. The psychologist told me about his life a little. When I left I had a list of goals that the psychologist made for me, which were to say the least, were weird and really not related to what we talked about. Did you have this experience? Nut- I LOVE my NUT, she is the best. She is a vegetarian as well, which is nice. I need to loose 20lbs prior to surgery, but I have three months to do so. So, we talked about small changes, like pre measuring 1oz servings of cheese (I LOVE CHEESE) and eating about 1500-1800 calories. We also talked about not making changes until I feel its time for me. Everything really seems very centered on what I feel is right for me. The NUT gave me samples of Protein Shakes, and said if I wanted I could replace one meal a day, but that was up to me. Why are so many having these intense pre op diets? Am I missing something? Maybe I have a more intense version coming up? So far I am very pleased with the clinic and the entire team. Next week I see the PT, NP and have the metabolic test. I would love to hear what your experience with your pre op appointments has been like!! Thanks for reading and sharing! Wishing You Wellness, Sannah

Very cool!! You look so happy!! I can see it all over your face!! Your husband did a nice job!! I enjoyed watching. Thank you for sharing!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Yes. The app has been sort of a let down. I first learned of VST on my iPhone. Then I went online to see if a website existed and it ddnt. Boy I was/am missing out on so much using the app. Hopefully VST will do something about this!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I hope they go down for you then, but I would be oh so thankful if my girls stay put! I so wish we could choose where the weight falls off! Thanks for sharing your journey!

You look amazing!! How did you mange to keep the girls intact!? I hope I can be as lucky as you!! I am fearful that I may join the itty bitty titty committee!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi, I am not from Eugene, but welcome to the forum!! I am from Portland. I think when I previously read back in the Oregon section I saw some people from Eugene. I hope you find them and connect! Best, Sannah

Hello All Pre Opers! Curious what your 6 month medically supervised weight loss period is like? Who is telling you what to do? What is working? What is not working? My insurance Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield will not really tell me what is required of me during this 6 month period other than seeing my doctor and weighing is. This seems too good to be true! Is your insurance being vague about these requirements? Thank you for sharing your story! Can not wait to hear back! Sannah