Babysteppin

But no matter how much reassurance people give you, there's always the lingering doubt that I'm the one that it won't work on. So there's nothing anyone can say to ease your worries. I had to go through it to understand how much it improved my life. No more hunger pangs, cravings, I can walk away from sweets, I don't gorge myself at the buffet, I don't feel the need to hoard food, and I am not always planning my next meal.

I know this thread was started by Kirby...but boy is this reassuring to me!! haha. Thanks for posting

Just don't like the sound of "VST Addict". It sounds so dirty and seedy. :ph34r: Bahaha

Hey everybody. I need some encouragement and/or advice. I'm seriously considering getting sleeved, and it's totally freaking me out. I NEED it, as I am nearing 21 years of age, am 5' 5'', and weigh 240 pounds. There is high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease on both sides of my family, both of my parents have sleep apnea and I am borderline. So I know that it's not only to look good anymore, it's for my health. Change just scares me, and this would be a MASSIVE change. I just don't know what to do. Help :/

Welcome! I felt exactly the same way as you in the beginning of my research...freaked out and scared to even entertain the idea of doing this. I still fall into moments of those fears sometimes, even though I'm now scheduled for surgery next month! Fear is normal to a big extent...I mean, the surgery is a big unknown. We can research every little fact and figure about the procedure, but at the end of the day we still don't know 'exactly' what it will be like...we just have to go through it to find out.

This online forum has been an ENORMOUS support to me through the whole decision process...it's been so helpful to ask any and EVERY question I've had, and to read about the experiences and thoughts of those who've already been sleeved....and to also find that I'm not alone in the things I worry about by reading the posts of other pre-ops.

My best advice to anyone is to take your time, keep coming back here, and keep asking questions and participating in threads. It's amazing how helpful it can be! Making up your mind doesn't have to be a race either...I went for all of the pre-surgical appointments, but took my sweet time between scheduling each one...it took me 7 months in all. I'm so glad I gave myself the time I personally needed though, because my faith in the procedure wouldn't have been there without all this time to process it. Although that's just me!

When all is said and done, go with your instinct...the hard part is just seeing past the fears and anxieties that our brains produce, and to listen more to that gut instinct. (no pun intended.) Good luck with whatever you decide! Researching for a solution - whether surgical or non-surgical is great progress towards getting healthier, so congrats to you!!

I have a date! April 15 is the day. I feel like peeing my pants. My excitement turned to terror in one phone call!

Congratulations! I know what you mean. I called my surgeon's office recently just to see if they needed any other paperwork from me, and the coordinator replied "Nope. So how does April 22nd sound?" It took me SO offguard that I exclaimed, "APRIL 22ND??!!?"...and she said "Oh, I'm sorry is that date not good for you?" I said, no no, it's fine...you just scared the crap outta me is all! hahaha...gut reactions are a funny thing.

In the category of Protein drinks, I just found out that unjury has an unflavored variety and is supposed to be good when added into your favorite crystal light drink. Now that sounds promising!

That sounds good, I'll have to try it. Right now I'm diggin' my vanilla nectar with a spoonful of cocoa powder, and a spoonful of instant coffee...it's like a homemade mocha! Hot or cold, it's been awesome.

Fabulous!! Congrats 4/22 over here.

Yay Jen, congrats! I know...time was rolling by as slow as molasses and suddenly it's in overdrive!!

Congrats! April 22nd over here, oh yeah.

Congrats! I agree, VST has been a LIFE RAFT through the pre-surgical process. My surgery is on 4/22...super excited and yet it doesn't seem totally real yet either. Good luck to you! I'll be right behind ya.

Congrats! I'm right behind you on the 22nd!

Congratulations! I'm right behind ya on April 22nd.

I just got my tentative date of April 22, 2013...just waiting on the official word!! SO excited!! can't wait!!!

YEAH, April 22nd!! It's really cool to find someone else having surgery the same day as me. I've noticed for some reason that a TON of folks are scheduled for the 8th...weird! lol. But here's hoping more of us 22nd sleevers are out there too. Congrats to you! Would love to stay in touch since we're both sleevin' it on the same day.

Hello my name is Joan I have started this journey since November 21, 2012 I finally got my date for my surgery which is April, 5, 2013.

My height 5'0 feet

My weight on 11/21/12 was 226

My weight on 2/26/14 is 218

My surgery date 4/5/13

I have struggle my whole life being over weight and finally I decided to make a change so I can better my self and I can be healthier for myself and my 2 kids who are my world. I am super nervous and hopefully it will go away.

I am happy I found this site and I can hear people remarkable stories and the journey to our surgery date..

Hey Joan, welcome!! I'm so glad to have found this site too. I've been in the pre-surgical process since August and VST has helped me sooo much in getting through it and building awareness and confidence about the procedure. Congrats on getting a surgery date! Go April sleevers!!

Some folks gain all the weight back by grazing continuously throughout the day, and particularly by grazing on calorie dense foods when they do it. (Although this can happen with 'healthy' food choices too, if grazing frequently enough!) People can essentially 'outsmart' their sleeve/pouch/band by still eating small amounts at a time, but yet they do it repeatedly. I'm not speaking from direct experience since I'm still pre-op, but I know 2 people that gained all the weight back this way. The psych at my surgical center confirmed this when I asked him, and he basically said that some people end up trading in old binging habits, for new 'grazing habits'. The best defense is to recognize the behavior pattern early on, and seek out support!

So I have my egd on Friday... Should I stop taking tynenol And maybe just take some Prilosec just incase?? This is my last step.... I've been dealing with getting approved since last June and don't want any other hold ups

I'm no doctor (although wouldn't mind the pay)....but I'd think it couldn't hurt to take the Prilosec. Particularly if you already feel you have issues with GERD, heartburn, etc. The only thing with Prilosec is that it doesn't kick in instantly...you have to keep taking it for a little while. So might be best to just wait and see what comes of the EGD then. Worst case scenario is that maybe you just need to follow a course of medicine for a short period of time before having surgery. At least it's not usually a show stopper. I hope! Good luck

A similar thing happened to me. They found inflammation on my EGD, as well as an ulcer (caused by the inflammation). So they started me on a daily dose of Prilosec, and then I had a follow-up EGD 2 months later and everything had healed fine by then. Try not to worry...my docs told me this is a fairly common thing, and that the acid reducers along with avoiding known irritants can easily turn things around. The only downside for me was that it delayed getting my surgery date for another couple of months, but it's all Water under the bridge now. Going in for my sleeve on 4/22! Good luck, and hope it works out the same for you!

So...is The Walking Dead totally kickarse this season or what? Just sayin'.

Hi friend! Congrats and good luck!

Thanks! Same to you!! We're getting there

April 22nd here! donledo77@gmail.com Feel free to reach out anytime!

I'm on April 22nd too! Hello there new buddy.

Oh yeah, and this place is great too! http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/

Glad to see we've got a great group of April sleevers!! It will be nice to have the support. Question about the Protein shake samples - how are you getting them? I've done no research the shakes at all yet. I imagine that my next doc visit will get into it but would love to be ahead of the game and already trying them out.

Hi there! I got a great nectar variety pack here: http://www.bjsbariatrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bjb&Product_Code=synSamplePack&Category_Code=syn

This place is good because they let you pick all the flavors - which most sites don't let you do. If you do end up liking nectar, I found that Amazon sells the tubs for waay cheaper than anywhere else.

I love coconut curry....just made it for lunch today! I mixed together a spoonful of curry paste, light coconut milk, chicken broth, and cilantro...then simmered the chicken in it for like 20 mins. Yummm.

I like the Syntrax Nectar line the best. You can find different online stores that sell sampler packs. It really helps before taking the plunge and buying the big tubs of a flavor. But I tend to go with the vanilla Bean Torte. It tastes great, like vanilla cake batter on its own. I also like stocking up on the vanilla because I think it's more versatile than other flavors. You can blend in flavor extracts, jello/pudding mix powder, cocoa powder, PB2, instant coffee, frozen fruit, etc. Helps keep it interesting, and saves me money on buying all different flavored Protein powders. Sometimes you just gotta keep trying brands till you find a winner!

Have to admit, I couldn't resist looking at a post titled, AVOPORK!! haha. Looks wonderful!

....Wow that feels good to say...we're "April sleevers"! Finally got my surgery date pinned down (4/22). I'll bet others must be equally as happy/nervous as me!! I'm from MA and having surgery in Cambridge. Where are folks here from? Glad to find this group started up, because April will be here before we know it!