UTGal99

I don't live in Knoxville or TN anymore for that matter. My hubby's job had us transferred to WV. Fortunately, we are only about 5 hours from Knoxville so I can go back for regular visits and of course, football season!

Yes, the UT stands for University of Tennessee. That is my alumni. I grew up in Knoxville and all my family stil lives there. I visit often. Us Tennessee gals need to stick together!

Here is a good guide to follow: Women Age Underfat Healthy Range Overweight Obese 20-40 yrs Under 21% 21-33% 33-39% Over 39% 41-60 yrs Under 23% 23-35% 35-40% Over 40% 61-79 yrs Under 24% 24-36% 36-42% Over 42% Men Age Underfat Healthy Range Overweight Obese 20-40 yrs Under 8% 8-19% 19-25% Over 25% 41-60 yrs Under 11% 11-22% 22-27% Over 27% 61-79 yrs Under 13% 13-25% 25-30% Over 30%

Congrats - pics, please!

Congrats - looking great! Keep it up and in no time you will in the 200's - woot woot!

For those that have had a VSG and wear a Medic Alert Bracelet - what does it say on the back of your medic alert bracelet? Did you put VSG, Vertical Sleeve Patient, etc.?

Thank you for that encouragement! As I am getting very close to scheduling surgery time. I appreciate the insight into what lies ahead. I am sure I will be looking for the hand holding and support here soon too! Congrats to you! Awesome work - keep it up!

P.S. Once you lose a bunch of weight you won't care who asks you. You will be so proud! You will want to shout your success from the rooftops.

Your anatomy changes signifcantly with a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The medic alert bracelet is there to notify any paramedics and medical staff should you need to be intubated that anatomy is not normal and be careful. The last thing one would want is for them to damage to the sleeve because they were not aware of it. It is for your safety and protection. If you are concerned about people asking what the medic alert bracelet is about you can always wear a decorative bracelet and/or necklace. Here is a great website that makes very attractive, unconventional medic alert bracelets with style! No one would ever know and all medical personnel are trained to look at bracelets, necklaces, etc before administering care. http://www.laurenshope.com

I know exactly how you feel! I wish I knew what "it" was too. I battle it everyday!

That is scary to me. I am still considering the surgery but don't want a portion of an organ removed from my body that assists and/or helps control body temperature. WOW!

I have head hunger all the time. I am looking for food even when I know I am not hungry. I wonder how much the hunger hormone, ghrelin, plays a part in that? Will be great after surgery since they remove that portion of the stomach.

I have a hiatal hernia and am looking to have a VSG done. My insurance is Cigna; however, I noticed that Cigna will not cover the hiatal hernia repair done in conjunction with the bariatric surgery. Here is the statement from Cigna's coverage literature: Cigna does not cover ANY of the following performed in conjunction with a bariatric surgery because each is considered not medically necessary• cholecystectomy in the absence of signs or symptoms of gallbladder disease • liver biopsy in the absence of signs or symptoms of liver disease (e.g., elevated liver enzymes, enlarged liver) • herniorrhaphy for an asymptomatic hiatal hernia • routine vena cava filter placement for individuals not at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) I wonder if there is any way I can get my insurance to cover both procedures (VSG & Hiatal Hernia). If the doctor is going to be in there doing the VSG he might as well go ahead and fix the hernia, don't you think? Any suggestions/tips/advice on how to get it covered in conjunction with the VSG? Thanks!

You look great! So happy for you - keep up the great work!

Wow, I am really shocked you can eat all that stuff as of week 2. I would have thought it would be liquids only for 2 weeks??? I am pre-op so I don't have any experience with what to eat and when. Congrats on your success thus far!

6 bands have broke? Wow! What in the world do they think is causing that?

I worry about the same thing. I like to drink with a meal too!

How come the wait is so long before surgery? September 17th seems like a long time. I have yet to be sleeved either, but just curious if this is the norm?

So awesome! Congrats! I agree - pics, pics, pics!

I am not sure about how long for the concern of leaks; however, the staples are made of titanium. They do not fall out. Scar tissue will form around them; but they are not dissolveable.

What size bougie did each person have?

Thank you all for your comments. I had a LONG talk with my PCP this morning and am feeling much better about considering VSG. I have to agree with my doctor - the risk of not doing anything far outweighs any risk from the surgery. Yes, there is a possibility of complications but you just roll with the punches. I think to myself - if I had cancer, I would do what I need to do to take care of it. I have a weight problem and need to do what I need to do to take care of that too! Looking forward to a more in depth conversation when meeting with surgeon soon.

I joined this forum as a pre-op patient seeking answers to my questions regarding the VSG procedure, complications, life after, advantages/disadvantages, etc. After reading some of the posts I am scared to death! Some of the side affects of the surgery (hair loss, etc.) concern me. I know I need to lose the weight and get healthy but at what cost will the surgery bring me? I am afraid that I would fail, I am afraid I would have serious complications, I am afraid of having 85% of a major body part removed and what if I need it? I know that overeating and living the lifestyle I do has got me to this point, but I am scared I will miss food, I am afraid I could regret it. I am so VERY VERY scared. Am I just not ready to have this surgery performed b/c I am so shocked by the things I have read? Does everybody stress this bad considering having this done? Somebody, anybody convince me that this is the right thing to do....

This REALLY scares me! I don't want to have big clumps of hair missing and have to resort to wearing a wig. I'm not really sure being sleeved is worth it for that consequence. I'm just not wiling to wear a wig! Anybody had no hairloss or very minimal?

I have read a few comments about hair loss with the gastric sleeve. Is this common? If so, why? When? How long? Can you prevent it? What kind of hair loss are we talking (a few strands here and there or handfuls?)