buplee

Hi all, recovery has meant a lot slower than I expected and I am still using a walker to get around. I'm hoping to get sleeved in December at this point because I need to be more ambulatory before I can actually have the procedure done. Out of all the surgeries like that in the last six years, This has been the hardest surgery I have ever dealt with because I can't see the scar. With my knee there was this big bandage, that served as a reminder. With this surgery I have this 5 inch scar on my back which I have only seen because my wife has been taking pictures of it through the various stages of healing. I never realized how hard spinal surgery could be. Please keep me in mind guys, I haven't posted much in the last month because I really had a hard time dealing with my recovery, but still I am thinking about all my post and pre-op sleevers and can't wait to become one of the thin crowd. Thank you all for your support and I'll be posting soon

Good morning everyone, I successfully made it through spinal and neural surgery. I am now in the rehab phase of my surgery, which include 4 hours a day of physical and occupational therapy. I am now learning how to walk, stand on my own and do everyday tasks. It is amazing how many menial tasks we perform a day that we take for granted, which I must learn to do on my own again. Things like walking, getting dressed, getting things out of closets, and going to the bathroom by myself. Unfortunately this unexpected surgery has caused me to put off the sleeve surgery I desperately wanted, and I would have had tomorrow. I am now hoping to get out the hospital in the next two weeks and to get sleeved in November. I am still dealing with pain management on dilaudid and OxyContin. Pain is getting betting but I still need some help. I will continue with my goal of being sleeved this year and will continue to update you on my progress.

Thank you very my Holly, It is the support my family my vst forum friends that is helping through these times. I am still very weak, but getting better each day. I still have a long road ahead, but I was told this would prevent from being sleeved. Thanks you and I can't wait until my really day.

I am writing this at 3 am on the morning. I got another surgery date of 10/23 pending final approval from Aetna. I fell down the stairs in my house three times this week including one down the entire stairway from second level of my house. I found out during a MRI after an trip to the emergency room that I had a severely herniated disc pressing into my sciatic nerve causing weakness and numbness. I am scheduled for spinal surgery today at 12 or 1 pm today, but hoping this does not delay the sleeve, but will help due to weight complication. Has anyone had an unexpected illness or surgery but still got sleeved in the same month? I am hoping to get both out of the way this month. Keep me in mind this afternoon and I will check in when I am able given I will be morphine or another powerful painkiller. Best wishes to my fellow pre- and post- op sleevers.

You look great. You have no fear of wearing the dress out in public.

My wife said she can't wait until I am sleeved based on the posts from this forum. I want to have marathon sessions like I did in my 20's and 30's.

I am writing from my Ipad and sometimes I can post a reply, and sometimes I can't. When I can't I get a dialog box that tells me that I should install the Ipad app which I am currently using.

Yes that helps. I thought it would be something ridiculous like 4-6 weeks.

How long after surgery do you need to wait to drive? I never gave any thought that I would not be able to drive post-op.

Baby Beluga, You are welcome for the recipe, and yes it is hard with a wife who is a baker and is thin. There are complications with any surgery. Don't use the forum as your source for info, speak to your surgeon's office about complications. I too was nervous, but I thought about and decided I want to be thin. I want to shop in departments stores in the "normal" section, and not in the big and tall or the portly section. I thought about the band at first and have two neighbors who have had serious issues with the band, and told me they wish the sleeve was around when they had wls. Think about the future. Do you want to go through yo-yo weight loss or do you want a lifestyle change? I have lost a lot of weight in my life and gained it back each time. The road along your journey will not be easy at times, but the benefit will be worth the effort. I know mine won't given the cultures and the foods. Do your research and speak to a medical professional and you will be fine. Think carefully and you will make the right choice for you. Best to you on your journey.

Thank you all for your respective posts and support. I am no longer conflicted and will get the sleeve once I am approved by Aetna.

Congratulations to you. I can't until it is my turn. Did you have a lot of pain after the surgery? How long did you stay in the hospital after the surgery? That is my biggest concern, as I have previously had long stays in the hospital after a total knee replacement and then a life-threatening infection a year later.

There are any ways, but to cheat a little you can use the following: Depending on how much you want to make: 1-2 32 oz containers of egg nog, you can also make it from scratch but this way is quicker. 1-2 15 oz cans of cream of coconut 1-2 14 oz cans of condensed milk 1/2-3/4 liter total of Bacardi dark rum and Myers rum ( I like it strong, but you can use less depending on you taste). You can leave out the Myers, I do that as a homage to my wife's WI heritage. 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon- (I use fresh ground cinnamon) 1/4 teaspoon of cloves 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (again I use fresh ground) Blend all the ingredients together and refrigerate for 2 hours. shake well, serve and enjoy. I garnish the glass with a fresh cinnamon stick. Yes, it is great to have a wife who cooks so well, she also owns her own bakery. Now you see my dilemma. Enjoy the recipe

I make the coquito but my wife makes everything else. I know the holidays are going to be the hardest for me. After New Years, I'll be fine. Even if I am not sleeved by the holidays, I will have to use self control. My wife makes a dish with boiled maduros and a little ground beef. Maybe that is a solution.

I am glad to see this forum discuss some of the similarities as well as some of the unique issues AA sleevers face. I am waiting for my approval from Aetna and hope to have surgery in the next four to six weeks. I was declined in September because Aetna said my file was incomplete and I had no comorbities other than a BMI of 50% ( go figure).

My wife is West Indian and Cuban and I am African American so I feel your pain. I am hoping to get sleeved either late October or early November. That means no arroz con grandules, codfish fritters and cocquito, as well as the traditional southern foods my family prepares for me this year. My wife and I are thinking about going away for the holidays so I won't be tempted to cheat.

I am now jumping though some more hoops for Aetna so I can be approved this time around. I was denied two weeks ago. I initially asked for approval for the band, but after feedback from the great people on this forum and more research, I hope to get approved for the sleeve this time around.

Raven21, Why do you have to wait until November? Are you waiting for clearances?

How did you get to a nurse to speak to you? I was told they do not speak to members. I have a bmi of 49, but no other comorbities. I was told that they wanted a 4 year weight history ( not thevrequired two years), and needed another three months of nutritional counseling. I completed the required three, but did not go back for additional apps since I was getting my other clearances out of the way. It took me three months to complete. I was told I was out of compliance by not continuing with my visits to the nutritionist. The insurance specialist at the surgeon's office was livid and had a very heated discussion with the rep at Aetna, when they denied me. After she challenged them, she was told that my surgery date was two days past the 6 month timeframe to have surgery, and I would have to do three more consecutive nutriitional counseling visit. I am on two of three with the last being in early October. Maybe they spoke to you as a professional courtesy since you are a RN.