TinaD

I apologize for diverging from the original debate. However; I did post how I was talked about, called fat, and excluded do to my weight. How it was hard to dress appropriately to try to hide my fat so I wouldn't be talked about it called fat by someone any age. Yes young children are honest and inquisitive, older ones know better and should have more respect for others. The latter part of my post was to uplift the readers after their VS that things get better.. again I apologize.

I had aVS September 24,2012. I love it. For the first time in many years during the Rodeo this year I did not have to search my closet for something to hide my fat stomach and huge rear. It was wonderful. Many compliments and I had a great time. I was asked why my tummy was big. Small children referring to me as being fat...but I was fat, obese, overweight they were just being honest. But it still hurt like hell. Now after my VS I can sit in regular chairs, wear normal clothes, other than PLUS size, have more energy, smile more, go more places, and can actually play with my grandchildren. I look at over weight people now with empathy. I KNOW what they are going through. How hard it is to do regular everyday chores, Dailey hygiene is difficult, getting in and out of chairs, cars, couches, turning around in bathroom stalls, etc. The list for me goes on. I know this is not quite what everyone was discussing but like I said earlier I was called fat, excluded because of my weight, and talked about. I am so glad I had a Vs. Being overweight is something none of us chose.

I have noticed a little more hair loss than normal, but I do my best to eat high protein and no carbs. Almost like the South Beach Diet. No bread, chips, sugar etc. My taste had changed, I know longer can tolerate a coke, which Ur not supposed to have anyway, but I had to have one and glad I took a drink because it was awful. Candy, cookies etc taste like pure sugar, don't miss them now.I make a sandwich with one sesame Wasa cracker, ham and cheese. No need for chips,u get Ur crunch per say from the cracker. Also, I love Ede mama peas. You take them out of the pods and they are high in protein. I eat them like pop corn. I still drink my protein shakes, love boiled eggs, cottage cheese, yams with I can't believe it's not butter. Turkey Chile, water, ice tea. I did not like crystal lite. The after taste was awful. But, everybody is different and what works for one may not work for another. Good luck! Trust me..it only gets better.

I was sleeved Sept 24,2012 It was the best thing for me and my health. I feel so much better physically and mentally. No more worrying about what to wear, is my shirt covering my stomach and rear, constantly avoiding mirrors.(women u know what I'm talking about). And worse, sitting in a chair with arms or a lawn chair not knowing if it would hold me. Eating is no longer my main priority, in fact sometimes I forget to eat, which is not good. I have more energy and are involved in more activities. Don't get me wrong..the first week was hell, the second week was bad, third week was better, one month I was great. No problems, do what the Dr. Says!!! Protein, water, and walk. I love it. Wish you all the best with your new adventure. Please don't hesitate to text me or ask questions. You will be amazed how fast the new you starts appearing in the mirror.

How are you doing? Today Ur only 4 days post. Hope everything is going well. The first week was hard but after that everyday got easier and easier. Best of luck.

buplee, we talked earlier when I was going in to have my surgery and u were waiting on insurance. Did u ever get the insurance worked out and get the sleeve? I got mine on 9-24-2012. Everything went good. When I got home I could not keep the pain meds down. After 5 days I went back to Dr. and he prescribed a nasal pain med. After that, smooth sailing. Lost my weight, feel good, more energy, out of plus clothes. Im very glad I got this sleeve. The small amounts of food satisfy me fine. No hunger pains, no cravings in fact my taste had changed. I know longer like cokes, sweets or chocolate. I'm still testing the different foods my stomach will handle. Over all..I'm thrilled with no regrets. Please let me know how u are. Blessings

I am 5 months out. The only problem I had was, the first week I could not keep the liquid pain med down. When my Dr. got my pain under control with a nasal pain med. It was smooth sailing from then on. I'm still testing the different foods my stomach likes now but food is not my focus any longer. I'm losing weight regularly, feel better, more energy, and not wearing plus size clothing. This is my story, and everyone's is different. I hope this helps. Blessings

Thank you owlmom for your prayers and thoughtfullness. I will be carrying them in with me to surgery. I'm excited and a little apprehensive. I do have a wonderful surgeon and staff, and the hospital is new and high tech. So that should be comfortable, I've done everything for the past two weeks that was required, last two days of clear liquids was tough. Now I'm fasting til surgery with just a sip of water to take meds in the morning. Lost 13 pounds. So hopefully all will go well. I will post as soon as I'm coherent tomorrow. Thank you again.

Well I'm going in tomorrow. My surgery at 1pm. Pl keep me in your prayers.

Thank you Bmarion662 for your kind words and prayers. I really needed to hear them right now. I only have two days....times going fast. I start clear liquids tomorrow and fasting Mon. morning. Surgery at 1p.m. I truly appreciate your prayers.

You'll do great. My date is Sept 24, going in tomorrow for lab work. I'm on liquids now, but two days before it's just clear liquids. I'm fasting in the morning for tests. I'll keep posting as I progress. I'm so ready.

I'm in Weatherford Texas and I'm having my sleeve done Sep 24 at the Baylor Medicle Trophy Club. I'm getting pretty nervous any words of comfort or suggestions?

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!.That is amazing. I was told I would have a two week down time. My surgery is scheduled for Sept 24th. I'm on my second day of liquids and the closer to time and the more phone çalls from the hospital getting everything prepared I'm getting really nervous. Helped me so much reading about your procedure. Please keep us posted on what to expect with ours. You are on your way.

After 4 months of seeing a nut once a month then the last month, August, having to take a test and make a 90 or above, seeing a pulmonary specialist, finding out I only have 77.4% oxygen intake, had an xray of my lungs, saw a phsycologist and watched a film on the VS I found out my insurance will not pay and my surgeon will only take cold hard CASH ,$14,000.00, for my VS surgery. What a let down. Now after working since May to get everything the surgeon wanted done before the VS I was shot down Friday. So..over the Labor day weekend I have searched for a new surgeon with financing that will honor all I've done to get this far. I hope I won't have to start over. I know lots of sleevers that didn't go through half of what I had to...especially take a written test. Any words of wisdom our comfort?

I met my new surgeon today, love him and his staff, from the moment I walked in...I was their first priority, now there were other ladies there and a gentleman and I am sure they were treated the same way. They did honor previous tests....laughed at the one test I had to pass. Going in knowing you are going to have 60~70% of your stomach removed I was worried. After speaking with surgeon and staff I was eased considerably. My new qualify of life starts tomorrow. I am thrilled. Today was hectic getting everything scheduled but since today was my last day for real food for a long time, my husband made me breakfast in bed and since we were at the doctor through lunch and a hour drive from our home, we didn't get home until til 6pm. He bought all of my LIQUIDS that I start tomorrow and my very last Coke. I have a wonderful support group. Is there anyone haveing their surgery around my time? Maybe we can keep in touch and compare and support each other. My surgeon did say it was a very intense surgery and about a 2 week down time.

Buplee, I am so sorry. I've been preparing for my VS for 4 months, and my insurance denied me, over and over again. So with Prayers, Care Card and savings, I'm doing it anyway. And here I am, I have a date. I would read others on here and how excited they were when they received their date and it is a feeling indescribable. So excited but a little scared. I'm going to my doctor tomorrow and then the next day LIQUIDS. I'M ON MY WAY!!!!! Tinad

Cowgirljane, the test covered all aspects of the VS. Before, during, and after, what to drink, eat, how many grams protein per day and why, dump syndrome, how to eat, for instance, do not drink 30 min before, during or after eating, eat for 30 min., chew food 20~30 times, what are the good sugars, the golden rules etc. Yes, it was very belittling because if I did not pass with a 90 or above I would have to wait another month and take another test til I passed. But I wanted a VS so I did everything they wanted me to do. I waited one full week for everything to be turned in to doctor then Mon thru Thurs. Off the following week "lI started calling Fri. morning finally at 5:30 pm I reseived the phone call and was shot down. Honestly, I felt sometimes like they were making it as hard as they could so I would fail and then after 4 months of this....i couldn't do it because they wanted $14,000.00 CASH. I wish they had told me that sooner.

Yay after all the drama, Tuesday I called another bariatrics surgeon and it was so easy. They offer financing, he will honor all that I have done, nutritionist, pulmonary specialist, bariatrics psycologist and he will see me the Sept. 11th and my surgery date is Sept.24th. Do I hear a Whoop whoop? Finally after 4 months. Thank you for all the encouraging replys.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are doing well emotionally and physically. No pain meds is wonderful because I heard there was some aspect of discomfort at different levels. I have finished everything, now waiting on phone call from surgeon staff to set appt. to set date. Was the week before surgery on the clear liquid diet hard? Also, did you get a medical alert bracelet? I was told the one thing to be sure of is, if an event of a car wreck (example) that u cannot be tubed due to the size of your stomach and could puncture it. Was this a concern of yours? I've really thought of this and cpr and other medical emergencies. I was just wondering if maybe your dr. discussed this with you. I can't find anywhere on this forum where its mentioned. I'm going to have my sleeve done but would like to know from someone if they know any of these answers. I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like you have started off great. I hope it just gets better and better as time goes on. I sure hope mine hours as well as yours.

I have just finished the last step before seeing my surgeon to set the date...yay...and I'm a lil concerned about switching meds from tablets to liquids after surgery. Was it a big deal? Did they taste bad? How long do you have to do this or is liquid meds permanent. Thank you for any responses.

I'm assuming your a Texas gal. I haven't seen one on here. I'm in Weatherford and will be having mine in Ft.Worth by Dr. Casteneda. I just finished my phsyc. Last step. Now waiting on date to be set. I'm glad to correspond with someone close by.

I am to see my phsyc Aug. 20. I wanted to see one closer to where I live but my surgeon refused, he wanted me to see a phsyc that was familiar with bariatrics. I'm worried about seeing her, the procedure,(since I've read some are still in the hospital after their designated time) and the hair loss. I have read that some had intense pain. I know some have lower or higher pain levels but why are they staying in the hospital longer. I'm supposed to stay over one night. The phsyc is my last step before getting my date. I know I'm rambling but I've been working on this since May and now it's nearly time and I'm lil worried. Also, did anyone have to take a test from their Nuts before the surgeon would do the sleeve on you, I did and had to pass with a 90. Thank goodness I passed. Any help or words of wisdom would be appreciated. O Has anyone used Care Credit? My insurance isn't paying for mine. Thank you, Tina