Rdy2Bthin

Hi! Sleeved June 26 in Melbourne Australia.
I've lost 4 kilos which is about 10 lbs, but I'm not worries about weightloss yet. A well healed body is what I want.
I just started puréed food yesterday with pumpkin soup and roast beef purée (not at the same time)
Still taking 3 resource anyway to make sure I keep the protein up.
Trying harder with water now that I'm on purée.

I was sleeved on the 25th also. But I'm definitely not talkin 2 miles a day! lol I was told to wait until 2 weeks post-op for anything that intense. To me, if I sweat, it's working out! (Although, it's 100 degrees in Ohio so I guess walking to my car is working out. ) Prior to surgery I was doing about 8-9 miles a week. I hope to get back there soon; I'm just still dealing with serious fatigue and sleepiness.
About the multivitamin... at the pre-op class they told sleevers to start it 2 weeks post-op. When I went back 7/2 the NUT told me to wait until 4 weeks because VSG patients are more prone to nausea and vitamins can make it worse. She did tell me to start a sublingual B12 now. If it's that bothersome, I would ask your DR or NUT.

Got sleeved on the 29th. No pain meds today. Just walking and sipping trying to get my liquids in. Just gas right now but it's bearable. Hate these compression socks. How long did y'all wear them? I have to wear until my post op check on thurs with my dr. This is beautiful country in costa rica mountains for my recovery

I am in stage 3 kidney disease. I am so glad to read what you wrote. When I had my blood work done, the nephrologist said my protein was fine, but my calcium was up a little and suggested I give up the yogurt for a while. I have lactose intolerance ( so, no real milk products ). So, I gave up the yogurt and only taking calcium supplements, and the test was fine this time.

It's surgery day peeps!!!! On our way to the hospital now. Good luck and best wishes to all of my sleeve twins!!!!

Just popped in to wish everyone a surgery with no complications and a future as bright as the sun.

Medscape Medical News from the:
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 29th Annual Meeting
June 17 - 22, 2012; San Diego, California
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766243?src=nl_topic
http://www.medscape.com/viewcollection/32520
Sleeve Gastrectomy Gets Boost in Push for Insurance Coverage
Kate Johnson
June 22, 2012 (San Diego, California) — With a final decision expected within days from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there is now ample evidence supporting the agency's full coverage of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), researchers asserted here at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 29th Annual Meeting.
Reporting the largest series to date, John Morton, MD, from Stanford University in California, said "laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is positioned between the band and the bypass for both safety and efficacy."
In a separate, unrelated study, Abraham Fridman, DO, from the Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, reported that sleeve gastrectomy showed the lowest morbidity of the 3 procedures.
In March, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revised its blanket policy of no coverage for LSG by allowing limited coverage of the procedure in randomized controlled trials.
In its so-called "coverage-with-evidence-development proposal," the agency is considering comparative evidence for LSG against other obesity surgeries, with its final decision due on June 27.
"There's considerable amount of evidence now for coverage of the sleeve. It's actually overwhelming, the amount of evidence," said Dr. Morton, who presented a national comparison of LSG vs laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRNYGB) and laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) from the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD) from 2007 to 2010.
The analysis included data on 271,726 patients from 540 hospitals and 1200 surgeons.
Comparing mortality, morbidity, and efficacy outcomes for 117,365 LGBs, 138,222 LRNYGBs, and 16,139 LSGs, the data clearly show that LSG is safe and effective, concluded Dr. Morton.
At 1-year postsurgery, the absolute body mass index [bMI] reduction was 16.6 kg/m2 for bypass patients, 13.4 kg/m2 for sleeve patients, and 7.6 kg/m2 for band patients.
Length of hospital stay was a mean of 2.3 days after bypass, 1.9 days after sleeve, and 0.7 after banding.
Improvement of baseline comorbidities of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia was seen after all surgeries, but was most significant in the bypass group, said Dr. Morton.
The bypass group also had the highest 30-day mortality and serious complication rate (0.14% and 1.25%), followed by sleeve gastrectomy (0.08% and 0.96%), and then gastric banding (0.03% and 0.25%).
The readmission and reoperation rates were also highest for bypass patients (4.62% and 2.73%), followed by sleeve patients (3.61% and 1.7%), and then banding patients (1.38% and 0.65%).
Although 30-day follow-up data were "great," Dr. Morton noted that the limitations of the study included poor follow-up beyond this time and lack of information about patients who might have been admitted to other hospitals.
However, he said, the data are convincing for the safety and efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy.
The second study, which included 2433 bariatric procedures, was performed at the Cleveland Clinic Florida between 2005 and 2011, with a mean follow-up of 17 months.
Similar to the BOLD study, this study also showed that BMI loss after the sleeve procedure (11.2 kg/m2) fell between that of bypass (14.8 kg/m2) and banding (5.6 kg/m2).
A total of 1327 bypass, 619 sleeve, and 233 band procedures were included in the analysis, reported Dr. Fridman.
However, looking at readmission and reoperation rates, this study showed that sleeve gastrectomy was superior to both bypass and banding.
Specifically, the average number of readmissions in the sleeve gastrectomy group was the lowest (1.49), followed by the band (1.54), and then the bypass (1.96). Similarly, the rate of reoperations for complications was lowest in the sleeve group (1.8%), followed by bypass (6.6%), and then banding (14.6%).
Asked to comment on the evidence for sleeve gastrectomy, Michel Gagner, MD, told Medscape Medical News, "I think it should be covered [by insurers]."
Dr. Gagner, a Canadian bariatric surgeon, practiced in the United States for 15 years at 3 different centers before returning to his native Montreal at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur.
He said he now performs sleeve gastrectomy in 90% of his patients, and "I think the evolution I went through we will see in a lot of practices in the United States," he said.
"Outside the US, sleeve gastrectomy is growing very fast, and there are several countries where it is number one," he said. "In Chile and Japan, it is very popular; in India, it's the number one procedure; and there are many countries in Europe where the number of sleeve gastrectomies has surpassed the number of bandings. This is seen in France and in Belgium, for example."
The BOLD data place sleeve gastrectomy between gastric banding and bypass in terms of morbidity and mortality, he noted. "When surgeons are looking at abandonment of banding, they are looking for a procedure with similar risk ratio, and actually I think that the weight loss and comorbidity resolution with sleeve was better than banding, while the mortality and morbidity rate was slightly higher. So I think it's still an excellent risk–benefit ratio."
In fact, Dr. Gagner said, the BOLD data for sleeve gastrectomy is likely to improve, as the current figures still include a steep learning curve for the new procedure.
"We know it's in the first 100 cases that we get the highest rate of leaks, highest rate of bleeding, and strictures and mortality. Once they go beyond, we're going to see a drop by 2-fold in the leak and major complication rate. So what we're going to see in the database in the future of sleeve gastrectomy is that it's going to be very close to banding, so it's going to be very convincing for surgeons who've been using banding that they could adopt a procedure that has almost the same morbidity and mortality as banding, but yet an increased benefit."
Dr. Morton noted that he is a consultant for Vibrynt and Ethicon. Dr. Fridman has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Gagner is a speaker for Covidien, Ethicon and Gore.
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 29th Annual Meeting: Abstracts PL104, presented June 20, 2012 and PL133, presented June 21, 2012.

Good luck to everyone...see you back here on Thursday

Wow this is it in less than 24 hours my new life will begin. Good luck to all of my sleeve twins!!!!

Im ready for monday too. I fought a horrible migriane today. Nothing was staying down. Its been a tiring journey just to get to the surgery. Im ready for a little rest in the hospital and let someone take care of me for 3 days.

Hamany, I'm a doctor and still took all of my surgeon's advice, and did all the research possible. You cannot use your being a medical student as an excuse for not taking care of your health.
You, of all people, should understand that orange juice does not give you a well balanced diet with Proteins, and will not sustain you. If you can drink liquids, focus on Protein drinks instead.
Crisps and crunchy Snacks are easy for all sleeve patients to eat, because they do not expand in the stomach and slide right through. The sleeve is a TOOL to help us make better food choices, not a quick fix to our obesity. We still have to maintain discipline and be careful with your nutrition.
All the best to you and continue to use this forum to educate yourself about your new sleeve.

I'm sorry to hear that. My doctor's office manager refused to submit my paperwork. I got the insurance commissioner involved, because she was refusing to cooperate with me.
Good luck & I'm sorry that you have been going through this!!!
Little Bits

Hey everyone .... I have been on this site A LOT over the last year through my journey. I spend hours reading inspirational post and tips from others. It has helped me do much in times of need. July 7 will be my one year and so far I'm loving my new self. When I started is was 312. As of a few weeks ago I was 183. I have struggled over the last month with loosing and Im getting frustrated. My goal is 160 .... Sooo close!!

Thank you. I think I have figured it out now. A little bit about me. As I mentioned, I was sleeved on June 12th. Pre Op I lost 97 pounds on my own. Just killing myself with exercise. It took exactly 12 months to lose that much. I'm feeling kind of depressed after the sleeve. I guess I was just expecting to see a bigger difference by now. I know, Im impatient... But thats just me. A classic over acheiver. I find myself not craving anything but missing the texture of chewing on something. My post op visit is on Monday... I hope to see a big weight loss on the scale! I'm posting a full body pic... Its me the day before the surgery.

I just found this site and I'm having surgery on Monday the 25th too. I've been doing the pre-op Protein shakes (New Direction) and am doing well. I'm so ready for some beef broth or something, though.
I'm feeling excited, nervous and ready for Monday! I look forward to looking around this site a bit more and checking in with all of you.
Best wishes to all of us for a safe surgery and speedy recovery!
Having surgery in Lansing, MI with Dr. Mindy Lane.

My preop started today! I need all the prayers and positive thoughts you can throw my way! Just the word diet sends my brain into cravings for foods I can't have!

My doctor told me that the sleeve could be converted to an RNY if needed.

What about diabetics? Is the sleeve just as good? I know a lot of people say RNY is better for diabetics. My sister and I are both having surgery and she has chosen RNY because of this. I do not want to try to undo influence her for a sleeve as she might feel unsupported for her RNY. Should I say something? I think the sleeve would be better for her too.

Who could argue with a new grandmother? Congrats!

I'm tracking observations of people's reactions as I lose weight. Curious to see the way different people act.

I read about that in this book about the subject and it really bothered me. I'm a very friendly person and for the most part I talk to people in public and always have conversations with them. But, since I turned 40 (well into 40's now) I noticed the "invisibility factor." I had heard about it and never thought it would happen to me. Sometimes I feel ignored and I know it's not my personality. I do think there is a prejudice against "older" women and heavy people. Yep, I think if I knew--- but how will we??? it would definitely make me angry.
Funny, I almost posted the same thing recently.

June 11th too.can't wait. Is anyone else anxious and having trouble sleeping?

June 22, 7:30 am! Im so nervous and excited I may throw up! Seems so far away, yet so close.

To those of you who are pre-op I know there are 1 million thoughts, questions, concerns going through your mind in the time leading up to your decision to have surgery and the actual procedure. One of the main concerns I faced was the negative perception others would have, thinking that I took the easy way out! I just want to encourage you that for everyone who says you took the easy way out I guarantee they would not be strong enough to deal with the lifestyle adjustment that you have decided to undergo. How many times have you lost 5 pounds just to gain back 10 to 15. We have tortured our bodies and minds. Food has consumed our thoughts and daily activites, taken us away from things we enjoy and caused insurance rates to be raised. Well you are strong enough to take your life back. The serious consideration of this procedure shows you are strong enough, being a part of this forum and doing your research proves you are strong enough! There will be times when you feel did I make the right decision, is this right for me? If you are ready to rid you of the extra baggage that no matter how good you feel on the inside you are unable to hide, the looks when you walk into a buffett, wondering if a chair is sturdy enough to hold you, loving to go shopping but hate trying on clothes in public. You are strong enough! Be encouraged because you are brave and wonderful and STRONG!

Well, I made it thru yesterday (surprisingly) and today is day d@mn 4 of 100% pre-op. It’s supposed to be day 6 for me, but since I cheated over the weekend I’m not really counting those days. Yesterday was SOOOO hard! I thought I was gonna break. But I'm just gonna keep on keeping on cuz I’ve still got a long road ahead (this is a 14 day preop).
I was sooooo tempted yesterday. I drove over to Noodles & Company (one of my favorite restaurants) after I got off work. But then I just kept going. It was so hard cuz I wanted some mac-n-cheese!!! I felt tense all over my body as I saw the restaurant in my rear-view mirror. But I kept going. I press toward the mark of the high calling of WLS. That’s bible! LOL!
I can say I’m feeling different in my body. It’s only been 3 days, but I am sleeping so much better at night. It’s amazing. Normally I wake up in the middle of the night and I’m all sweaty and usually have acid reflux, so I have to get up and pee and then eat a few tums…that’s usually EVERY night! But the past few nights, I still have to get up to pee but no need for tums. And last night, I didn’t sweat AT ALL! That might sound crazy to you…LOL…but that’s been my reality. So when I didn’t sweat, at all, it was like WHOA!!! LOL!
So even though it's been quite rough for me to stick to my preop, I can tell that changes are going on in my body, which is good.
Surgery day is 6/23!!