kflan

Yikes, looking at the other responses, I think I drastically overpaid. Wisconsin: 23,500- includes 90 days postoperative care. Doesn't include NUT, psych, endoscopy. All together I paid about 28,000.

Thank you so much everyone for the kind, reassuring words. It really does make me feel better! I can't wait to start solids so that I'll feel the restriction. I can tell that I'm going to be a slow loser-- but I'm ok with that (as long as I lose)! I'm thankful for this forum and the support we can all gain from it! I need to take a deep breath and go with the flow of this journey.

Thanks, Richard. That does help!

Michiganchic- I do have a nutritionist. My 2 wk appt is this Wed with her. I'll be sure to bring up my concerns to her. Of course, my real concern is that I'm abnormal, and that I, in fact, won't lose weight. When I said I could eat"whatever I want" I meant all the puréed things I wanted to try went down very easily. I assure you I'm not eating fast food or chips or whatever else. thanks for your support. Dean- thanks. It's reassuring to hear that others have felt the same as me!

Hi, First, please don't comment if you're going to be negative. I'm intelligent enough to understand what I'm doing wrong. I have an addiction. It's to food. I've tried every diet under the sun, I've worked out incessantly, I've cried and I've struggled and I've oftentimes 'hid' at home rather than go out socially. I think some of you (maybe most of you) can relate. I view this surgery as a 'last straw. ' How can I not, it's surgery after all! On top of that, I paid for half the surgery and my father paid for the other half (self-pay). Today is day 11 since I was sleeved (01/09). I feel no pain. I have no complications. I'm able to drink Water pretty quickly. In fact, I'm able to have just about whatever I want.... .. And I'm terrified. This coming Wed. I'm supposed to begin the puréed part of the diet. Well, I began it yesterday and it's a breeze. Sure, I'm eating less than I was before, but it just seems waaay too easy this early on! My brain is not "there" yet and the sleeve isn't stopping me from eating. I'm so scared. If I were able to do this without being sleeved, I certainly would have!! Has anyone else dealt with this? If my sleeve stays/feels exactly as it does now in the future, I believe I can lose weight... But, if it's larger... I'm so scared this will be yet another diet I failed at.

I feel the same way!! I was sleeved 01/09 and feel like I can eat/drink too much. I'm happy to hear that solids will feel differently than liquid. I started to become nervous lately that maybe this surgery won't work for me due to my lack of feeling full.

Lol. Seinfeld could totally have a field day with this thread! The Soup Nazi trying to force feed the Sleeve Nazis! Tune in next week.... People, why isn't this forum pretty much about asking questions and being supportive? No need to be overly- sensitive. No need to be cutting or harsh. No need to be a bully. No need to get on your high horse. Be kind. Be courteous. Be open minded. Be calm.

I think several of you are absolutely ridiculous. This girl asked a simple question: "what's the big deal." To automatically go on the attack reminds me of bullying. This forum breeds 'know-it-alls' and encourages those who seem to not have a life, comment on threads 24/7. To answer your question, I don't think it's the end of the world! So you had a drink. It's probably a bit early. It probably seems kind of nice to see you can still enjoy aspects of your "old life." I'm not in the business of giving advice, but you might want to ask your doctor/nutritionist to see what they have go say to your question. Good luck on your journey!

Hi, my surgery was last Wed. (Jan. 9th) and I started feeling pretty good yesterday. I'm off my pain meds and sleeping well. Everyone's different, so it's hard to compare. Good luck!

Oh, I'm with you... I just bought a bunch of creams and I'm planning on working out once I'm cleared. Loose skin freaks me out. To be honest, I'm afraid my husband won't be attracted to me if I have it. He hasn't been negative or anything... but, I'm still worried.

I really relate to your posting. We're almost the same in height/age/weight and my surgery is in Dec! Hopefully we both stay "sag free"... but, like everyone's been saying, it's probably better to have loose skin than be fat!

Thanks!

Hi! My surgery isn't scheduled yet (that will be done at my nutrition appt on Nov. 5th), but my doctor said we could do it sometime in Dec. I'm from Rhinelander and am going thru Ministry in Steven's Point. Good luck on your journey!!

I would be interested in a private group! I'm not going to announce my sleeve surgery to anyone, so unless I only received private messages (or messages unrelated to wls ), I probably don't want to share my page. I realize I should probably "get over it" and share this surgery with my friends/family, but I can't ... at least not yet.

Wow, congrats on the weight loss and your baby boy! My goal is to be you in one year (my surgery is in Dec. )! You are an inspiration to me! Thanks for posting.

Many things. I'm not able to be as active as I would like. I've always prided myself on being able to do whatever I wanted physically. Now, even "simple" things like picking up the house or vacuuming causes my back to ache! I don't move as easily, and I"m constanly going up in size. I've tried EVERYTHING!! Also, I want to get noticed again. Not just by the opposite sex, but by people in general. I feel like ppl sometimes disregard those of us who are over weight. I"m sure my own insecurities play into this, but it's definitely true. Society treats you differently when you're bigger!!

My nutritionist said that she sees little to no hair loss in patients who are getting in enough protein. Once I have my surgery, she wants me to eat around 64 grams/day (amt. is based on height/weight). She used to work in a different hospital where the bariatric surgeons didn't require protein shakes everyday, and she saw way more hair loss. That being said, I've heard it's definitely not permanent and will get better!

Hi, I will be getting sleeved by Dr. Selwyn in Stevens Point. I just love him! He takes a philosophical approach and is very easy to talk to. Good luck to everyone on here!

Hi everyone! Thanks for the advice and letting me know about your experience! It was a breeze! I was 'put under' and woke up feeling good. Right now I have a bit of a sore throat and cough, but otherwise doing well. Just one step closer to surgery day!

I'm going in for my endoscopy in one hour. What can I expect? I'm kind of nervous. I feel like I'll throw up when they insert the tube. Any advice?

Hi, I just made the decision at my doc's appt last Friday to switch from band to sleeve. I asked both my nutritionist and doctor which procedure they would have done if they were me, and both answered with the sleeve-- citing higher success rate, less complications. I figured if I'm doing wls, I might as well give myself the best possible chance to succeed. Good luck to you and your decision!

Hi, I'm looking for people who've had LB surgery at least 5 years ago (or more). Has it worked for you? Complications? Basically, I'm looking for long term success! .... Would you do it again?? Thanks!!

Suepeeps, I agree with you! Hearing someone who sees patients everyday endorse one procedure over another would speak volumes to me, too. I'm going to ask my surgeon my tried and true question: "If I were your daughter getting weight loss surgery, which would you want her to choose...."

All that being said, Iggychic, I am sorry you had complications! That truly must have been horrible and very disappointing.

Unfortunately, we're constantly putting ourselves in risk... whether it be riding in a car or crossing the street. I assume you ride in cars and I'm guessing our chances of being in a car accident are much higher than unwanted effects from a blood transfusion. All I'm trying to say is the risk of a blood transfusion from getting the sleeve is probably low and the risk of contracting something from that blood transfusion is very low as well. One shouldn't not get the sleeve b/c of a potential blood transfusion.... it's just not a good enough reason (unless, of course, they're a hemophiliac or have some other blood disorder). If one used this as a reason to not get the gastric sleeve operation, they should perhaps not ride in cars as well.