MuttLover

I had the sleeve done in Nov. 2012, and I've had GERD for more than 20 years. Mine is controlled with Nexium 40 mg, twice a day -- both before and after surgery. Right after surgery, and every once in a while, I do supplement with Pepcid Complete.
With VSG - some people with GERD get worse, some better. Some people without GERD get GERD after VSG -- and there has been some research showing that GERD is showing up in VSG patients and the 3+ year mark. My GERD did get worse immediately after surgery (but the Pepcid Complete took care of it) -- but it has calmed down.
Just do your research and talk to your docs -- then be sure to make a decision you are comfortable with. Bypass is considered the best for people with GERD because it typically "cures" GERD, but there are other considerations.
Best of luck in your decision-making process.

My advice -- just do it. Your benefits change on January 1 -- so if you have deductible, etc, that starts over. If you have a medical FSA and planned to spend your copays, etc. from the FSA, that starts over.
If you are not mentally ready to have your surgery after you complete your requirements, then wait to start your requirements. There will always be reasons to put this off -- if you are committed to making these changes for yourself -- go for it.
I had my surgery exactly one week before Thanksgiving -- and traveled to NC from MD three days after I got out of the hospital (5 days after surgery) -- we did stop every hour to walk around (wanted to avoid blood clots!).
This surgery is a big commitment -- and if you aren't ready to make that commitment, it's better to postpone it until you are certain that you can make the lifestyle changes necessary for success. And if you are ready to make that commitment, then putting your health needs first in order to achieve your goals is something that you'll have to figure out. It's not easy, so giving it some serious consideration now, and developing a plan is critical.
The holidays are not that hard -- if you don't want to tell people about the surgery, you can just say that you are just getting over some "stomach thing".
Maybe make a list of the pros and cons of putting off surgery, and see if that list help clarify. Or ask the group for some possible solutions to cope with your cons.
You have to do what's going to work best for you, and at a time that you feel you can put your best effort forth! Best of luck on your journey!

If you have surgery in your hometown -- then the hospital will provide a gown, socks, even a toothbrush, etc. In reality, the only thing I "needed" was the Biotene spray for dry mouth. Really. I didn't feel like reading and I was in such a short time, I didn't have time anyway. If you are big texter, your phone!

Yep -- time for the boys to man-up and learn some life skills! At my office, they used to refer to my son as the "latchkey chef". He'd do the prep work and start dinner when he got home. He's 25 now, and continues to be a great cook! Same with his laundry, doing the dishes, etc.
I've never seen a teenage boy starve because his mom can't fix dinner! But if that's the way you like it - then I'd suggest crock pot meals, Anybody can cut up vegetables, toss in the meat and throw a can of Soup over it!
I'd also suggest going to Sam's or costco -- they have a huge variety of frozen Entrees. So no one has to cook. That would just be stuff for the guys -- but that would be OK until you are eating real food again.
You will have had abdominal surgery -- IMHO, it's time for them to take care of you! It will probably give them a greater appreciation for all you do for them!

Yep -- time for the boys to man-up and learn some life skills! At my office, they used to refer to my son as the "latchkey chef". He'd do the prep work and start dinner when he got home. He's 25 now, and continues to be a great cook! Same with his laundry, doing the dishes, etc.
I've never seen a teenage boy starve because his mom can't fix dinner! But if that's the way you like it - then I'd suggest crock pot meals, Anybody can cut up vegetables, toss in the meat and throw a can of Soup over it!
I'd also suggest going to Sam's or costco -- they have a huge variety of frozen Entrees. So no one has to cook. That would just be stuff for the guys -- but that would be OK until you are eating real food again.
You will have had abdominal surgery -- IMHO, it's time for them to take care of you! It will probably give them a greater appreciation for all you do for them!

What I have seen from my RNY friends and other posts (since I'm trying to figure this out as well!):
1. Medical complications that are outside of a person's control can affect their ability to lose weight.
2. Not dealing with the emotional (non-hunger) reasons why you eat when you are not hungry.
3. Grazing -- a few calories here or there add up enough to keep you from losing weight or help you gain in back.
4. Not logging/tracking food -- people "forget" how many calories they are really taking in.
5. Eating high calorie foods that are easy for sleevers to eat (ice cream, etc).
6. They want to "push the boundaries" to see what happens if they eat certain foods.
So overall, aside from medical complications or problems, it seems consistently making bad food choices is what make us unsuccessful - and that all of can end up being unsuccessful if we are not super-vigilant about what we eat.

What I have seen from my RNY friends and other posts (since I'm trying to figure this out as well!):
1. Medical complications that are outside of a person's control can affect their ability to lose weight.
2. Not dealing with the emotional (non-hunger) reasons why you eat when you are not hungry.
3. Grazing -- a few calories here or there add up enough to keep you from losing weight or help you gain in back.
4. Not logging/tracking food -- people "forget" how many calories they are really taking in.
5. Eating high calorie foods that are easy for sleevers to eat (ice cream, etc).
6. They want to "push the boundaries" to see what happens if they eat certain foods.
So overall, aside from medical complications or problems, it seems consistently making bad food choices is what make us unsuccessful - and that all of can end up being unsuccessful if we are not super-vigilant about what we eat.

What I have seen from my RNY friends and other posts (since I'm trying to figure this out as well!):
1. Medical complications that are outside of a person's control can affect their ability to lose weight.
2. Not dealing with the emotional (non-hunger) reasons why you eat when you are not hungry.
3. Grazing -- a few calories here or there add up enough to keep you from losing weight or help you gain in back.
4. Not logging/tracking food -- people "forget" how many calories they are really taking in.
5. Eating high calorie foods that are easy for sleevers to eat (ice cream, etc).
6. They want to "push the boundaries" to see what happens if they eat certain foods.
So overall, aside from medical complications or problems, it seems consistently making bad food choices is what make us unsuccessful - and that all of can end up being unsuccessful if we are not super-vigilant about what we eat.

LOL -- "Do some coloring" cracked me up!
So, girl, go get your self some crayons (lots of them!), a coloring book, and just color to your heart's content!

LOL -- "Do some coloring" cracked me up!
So, girl, go get your self some crayons (lots of them!), a coloring book, and just color to your heart's content!

Sorry you just found out -- but 6 months of pre-op weight loss monitoring is very, very common. A lot of people begin this process by calling their insurance company first to find out the requirements, and all of the surgeon's in my area ask for your insurance information at the information session or before the first visit. You might want to call your insurance company and find out exactly what is covered, how much you'll pay out of pocket, etc.. That way you can be sure you have followed all of the rules -- like most also require a pysch eval too.
Your insurance benefit book will have some of the info, so check that before you call. If you look through the boards, you'll see several insurance-related posts. I've been reading them all, so I can make sure I've jumped through all of the necessary insurance hoops!
Good luck!

I really like the "when I want to get fat again" response. I think that about covers it!

I really like the "when I want to get fat again" response. I think that about covers it!

I really like the "when I want to get fat again" response. I think that about covers it!

I really like the "when I want to get fat again" response. I think that about covers it!