Tammy310

@ lzuri: I imagine that they'll want some tests from me then. I have a whole host of issues and qualify with a BMI of 37 because I'm so messed up in every other aspect. lol This is probably the only time being sick works in my favor. (how bad is that) hahaha

I have a new vice...my nails. I do them myself...polish off, file a little, new color on... by the time I'm done I'm no longer hungry. and my nails look GREAT!

I've lost 8 lbs so it's working out.

I asked the surgeon, what if I lose so much weight that my BMI gets better...will the insurance company deny me? He laughed and said they WANT you to lose. The insurance only goes by first office weight. LOL

I'd still love to see double digit loss before.

Good luck to you!

Thanks Dorrie. Luckily for me, I've had to give up most of my food addiction to other health issues. I'm hoping that my "head hunger" won't be hard to control. At least (since I've come here) I now know to expect it.

I do trust my doc and the facility and program are a rated as "center for/of excellence" whatever. So, I pray for a positive outcome.

I do appreciate the support from the forum and all of you "big losers."

Hey all, I'm just wondering... why does everyone's protocol seem so different. It's all the same surgery so what's up? Example: just to get my insurance approval I had to have 3 nutritionist meetings, 3 support group meetings, 1 psych visit, 1 letter from my doctor to the surgeon stating that I'm a bariatric candidate. THEN they apply for approval to the insurance. This is a process that I understand can take up to 2 weeks. THEN I'll get a date for two weeks in the future during which I will do the liquid diet AND I believe I must have several series of diagnostic tests that will include a clearance from my pulmonogist and a pulmonary function test. Luckily for me I got to skip the required sleep study because I was diagnosed with OSA in 2008 and already have the machine.

I see some people post with no testing or things scheduled and they have their date now. (??!?!)

also, what pre-op tests can I expect? I've seen EGD, Xray, etc.

Another issue I'm seeing is the pre and post-op diet. My doc said 2 weeks pre-op all liquid except one 300 calorie healthy meal per day. and 3 cups leafy greens. I'll probably do it for lunch at work so that people don't ask questions and get in my business. Post-op is in 5 stages and each is a minimum of a week (could be longer depending on my tolerance): clear liquid, full liquid, puree, soft, then regular.

I've read some posts where people are having problems but they are coming out of surgery and going right to the table to eat the same old stuff.

Why is this so confusing (and scary) ????

Input please?

~Tammy

Hello.. you've definitely come to the right place for help and support. I've been logging in daily and everyone here seems awesome about posting and sharing. There is a great wealth of knowledge and personal experience here. Welcome and good luck!

probably only works when people are actually in it & not just logged into the website.

I believe this is the case. you have to log into the chat room. I did for like 10min and no one was on so I played around with my settings and i was out. most people look like they checked in in the afternoon. I can't so I guess I'll just be posting.

I, like 612belly, actually like the Isopure zero. Perhaps you're drinking the wrong flavor? Tonight I tried green tea. Not bad. A little more drying than the others (if you can believe that) but they're good over ice. just not the green apple melon one. YUCK.

ok...to any of you on...I'm gonna log in and stay there, stop by.

PS. it is 6:50pm EST

sooo..... I was sleeved yesterday.....

You may be sore but you're on the right road already because you've already checked in with your support group. Congrats and I look forward to your post-op comments/posts.

you look great...so much younger and happier. I like the new "attitude" in your eyes. Congrats!

So happy for you! congratulations

I haven't had surgery yet, as a matter of fact I won't even get a date until September (so maybe october surgery. )

However, I'm 5'5" @ 220 and am built pretty solid. Therefore, every time I mention WLS to anyone I get some sort of BS response:

You're not big enough to have surgery ~ I'm 90+ lbs overweight

All you need to do is excercise ~ I have a gym membership and I use it as much as my asthma will allow.

Calories in = Calories out ~ I eat 1500 cal or less daily therefore (in theory) my max weight should be 150lbs.

Have you tried cutting out the bad stuff ~ I don't EVER drink soda, don't eat fried food, don't use salt, drink skim or 1% milk...what else would you like me to do? (all due to other health problems)

It's frustrating to say the least and I just want to scream at them that this is my last resort, not my first option. I've done my research I've modified my lifestyle. I'm not doing this to just be skinny, I want to be healthy.

Regardless, now that I've made the decision to have it done, I just tell people that "I'm still considering it but I have other things to do first." When the time comes to actually get it done all everyone will know is that I'm out on vacation.

Your final decision is yours to make and I hope that you find support. If not, WE are here for you.

Never anyone there for me either.

I'll let you know when we try it out. Maybe people just don't realize there's a tab for it or perhaps they do it after hours. We'll see.

yeah when your at home sometime... message me and will get on at the same time to see if it works. Thanks!

will do!

Just a note, Vertical Sleeve Talk also has a Gastric Bypass forum. The web address is www.RNYtalk.com . At least it follows the same format (which you may be used to by now).

Best wishes to you! great job on the pre-op, I hope I can be that strong.

I can't use it from my work computer (where I am now) because the browser isn't updated and I'm not allowed to upgrade since my programs are not compatible with the new browser.

Try checking that. If not, I'll be happy to go online from home to meet you there. At least you'll know if it works then.

I am severely asthmatic. That being said, I love to go to the gym and I'm there by 5:30a at least 3days a week. Right now, I'm pre-op and working on toning,some general strength training, and just getting into a routine so that hopefully post-op I don't have too many problems.

I've noticed that a lot of people post things about Ab class, zumba, spin class, etc... I can't do it. Not without a nebulizer machine strapped to my chest!(At least not until I lose some of this weight)

Does anyone have any recommendations for me for now?

I look forward to your responses.

~Tammy

On my lower pecs; this is where the ladies would have saggy boobs. Fortunately I'm not quite to this level, but I have a tiny bit of pinchable loose skin there, and it makes me self-conscious. I know I can build up my pecs, but all my workouts seem to be bulking up the TOP of my pecs (a LOT), so that I have a huge chest "shelf" now but I still haven't got this lower pectoral region filled out. Any recommendations? Will decline presses work?[*]

I know that you posted this a long time back and i hope that you have already gotten your answer but, in case... My hubby is a MAJOR gym rat and he says that decline bench press w/ dumbell will fix that. You can google it and you'll see what to do.

All I can say is WOW! you do look like a completely different person (still pretty but WOW). Thanks for the boost, stories like yours make me excited for my sleeve.

Thanks Tracy. I'm a little southwest of that but can pick it up from route 9 without much problem.

If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to lose the 60? It seems the closer I get the more worried I become.

NUT visit went good and my psych is the 5th...freaking out.

I buy them and have tried: grape frost, black tea, icy orange, alpine punch, and apple melon.

I love them. They remind me of watered down koolaid. However, they do leave your mouth dry. I keep one (over ice) at my desk and sip it throughout the day.

I can say DO NOT drink the apple melon: I can't even describe that taste it was so bad.

Also, check the prices...they can be expensive. I've found a place close to me for $43 a case (12)but I've seen them as high as $60.

~ good luck

Egg salad (eggs and mayo only) is what did it the first time. Ranch Salad Dressing is what did it the second time. Usually people will tell you to avoid sweets and greasy foods but i havent tried anything sweet or greasy. It varies from person and from what ive read the majority of sleeve patients will not have to worry about dumping. The correct term is rapid gastric emptying. My dr told me i probably ate too fast but i know i will never eat anything with mayo or ranch again

Wow, and to think I bought the "sleevers don't get dumping" speech. With hypoglycemia I don't have to worry about the sugar, I already avoid it...but if ranch and mayo causes it too, I'm in trouble.

on the 1 year: My doc says that 60% of the weight loss occurs in the first 6mos. However, he didn't cap it to a year. He just said, "get up and move (exercise), eat right (protein & vitamins), and drink drink drink (water~not alcohol)" the rest will take care of itself.

I love my doc.