shanda7182

We are all glad that you checked in with us! I hope that everything gets better, we are all her for support!

Thats a good point, I sure look forward to getting some money back. I paid about 12K, I know some paid more but dang it! I want something back! lol

Welcome to the site, as Tiffykins stated I am from Houston and had my sleeve surgery here at home. I was sleeved on 9/15/09 and i've lost about 44 lbs in 2 months. My surgeon is Dr Alanis and he was great, I had a great experience. My post experience was uneventful, it has taken me awhile to get use to surviving off so little. Now I have to get use to people telling me "how skinny" im getting, lol. If you would like more specific questions or just dont feel comfortable saying things on the public forum, send me a private message on here. I am usually on here at least one time per day. But I would like to reiterate, getting sleeved was the best decision ever! food does not control my life anymore! Im not hungry all the time, in fact, I have to "remember" to eat! Its a liberating feeling! If you are on the fence about it or nervous, thats okay, those are normal feelings! However, it will be one of the best things that you could ever do for yourself, TRUST ME! Now men are flirting away (on my bad hair days)! Its funny, people that dont know you only see weight, which is sad! I started out in a tight XL/1X scrub set.....now im in a MEDIUM, yes, I said MEDIUM, in only two months! Woo-hoo! As I stated earlier, dont hesitate to contact me, So many people have helped me on this journey and I would love to "buddy" up with you for support during preop especially since we live so close!

Yeah, I hope she is okay. I wish she would update us....so we will know what happened.

Yes, I will be the first one to admit that I was terribly nervous, so nervous, I was actually going to back out! LOL However, im glad I didnt, its been a great experience. I have noticed that my hunger and desire for food has totally declined. So, when you are post op- most of your concerns will change, like Vegas said I know its hard to imagine now. I was the biggest junk food eater around and I have not even had one carb since surgery (minue the 15g that are in my Protein bars in the morning). I just dont desire pizza or cakes and Cookies like that anymore. Im glad, it feels liberating. I have 59 lbs to go until goal.....im so excited! You will be happy when its all said and done!

Welcome to the forum! Its normal to be nervous, but it will be worth it in the end! Congrats on your decision to be a healthier, happier you in 2010!

Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment!

Hey Alegna, Sorry that you are having a long stall~ We all dread stalls, they are EVIL! I do think that the change in work hours have caused your stall. When I worked nights a few years ago, (while I was dieting, I noticied the first weeks while I was on that shift, I lost less weight). After a while, I normalized and starting loosing again but it has something to do with your body's normal "cycle" and cortisol or something like that. Hang in there, you will continue to loose again. I know it is very frustrating though. But you have done well! You've lost a great amount of weight! And you are so close to goal!! So at least you have that going on! Im sure you are looking pretty hot! Im just curious, are you tracking your caloric intake- I use the dailyplate.com and what about Protein intake? Keep us posted. P.S.: I did see Dr Alanis today for my appointment- their office is moving to the League City Area with a satellite office on Westheimer I think, just in case you werent aware, I believe they will be sending out letters.

Sounds good, I think I will do the same!

Yes, It would be nice to get some of this money back, I called the guy the does my taxes but he was not in the office (of course, its not tax time, yet). I know we can claim it but I wonder if it makes a big difference in the end. We will see come Feb. Thanks for the compliment!

Thats great to hear! Keep it up!

The liquid preop diet was not all that bad too me. I guess because I knew that it was neccessary and I did not want to risk having the surgeon knick my liver from it being too large. But then again, I only had to do a preop diet for about a week but I ended up doing it for a week and a half because I felt that my eating the days prior were out of control. I had gained about a good 10 lbs.....I think I was stressed and just trying to "cope" my preop nerves, so I started the diet earlier than he said to. Which was okay, once I set my mind too it, I was fine! Please look at this like a great opportunity, be thankful that you can have the surgery (some want it but cant afford it, dont qualify, etc). We are really blessed. Just try to focus on how you will look when its all over! Thats what I did. LOL

HI, I am a "stomach sleeper as well" by nature, I tried sleeping on my back but it was too uncomfortable= I slept on my side the first week and I found that after about a week or so (I would put a pillow under my tummy) and fall asleep like that and it wasnt so bad! I just cannot sleep any other way. This all depends on your pain level too though! Hope this helps!

Congrats! There is more to come as Bob stated! Its good to have one so early out!

Hey, As a recent VSG'er, almost 2 months ago. I remember how nervous and scared I was. If it wasnt for these boards, I think I would have backed out! However, it wasnt a bad experience for me at all, my surgery was pleasant and complication free. My surgeon made me feel so calm, I prayed and left it in Gods hands. You will be fine, its normal to be nervous, however, the worst part for me was the days leading up to surgery (wondering if I would survive the surgery, would I have a leak, would I wake up, etc). However, we must remember the risks of those things happening are relatively low. Also, I considered my risks if I stayed overweight and that outweighed the surgical risks. Now im about 7 wks out- 40+ lbs down and feeling fantastic! Its so worth it, im about 60 lbs away from my goal weight! I cannot believe im almost halfway to goal at about 2 months! Its so worth it! food does not control my life anymore, I have to remember to eat (set alarms), its an unbelievable sense of freedom! Good luck on your VSG journey, keep us posted!

Yes, I am waiting to see myself. I would love to get something back (I have a wedding to pay for. lol)

That sounds great! Can I include medications too (pain meds, acid reflux meds, etc) Do you know what documents I need?

Hey guys! Quick question! This is my first time every paying for anything medical out of pocket (since I do have insurance) however, I paid cash for my VSG and I was told that we could get some of the money back at the end of the year? Does anyone know any specific information regarding this? Thanks.....

Yes, hang in there, most of us have been there. I remember making a post about it too not long ago. I think part of my problem (even now) is that Im not getting in enough calories and im almost 2 mos out, so it does take some getting use too! After about a week of being stalled, I broke it! I stepped up my exercise, bumped up water and protein and I lost 7 lbs directly after! Hang in there!

We are sleeve sisters I think and we are going through the same thing. It seems the further out I get the less "important" food feels. My mom told me that the sleeve was a "miracle" surgery because she knows how much I enjoyed food. Now a bite or two and thats eat, if that. Im still not getting very many calories in and the "rumblies" that I once felt in my tummy are gone. I think my acid production has decreased tremendously and my ghrelin is all gone now. In a way, it feels good to not have food control you. Im down 40 lbs, 7 lbs away from ONDERLAND....I cannot wait! LOL....But I know I have to get in more calories than what I am now. I track my intake on thedailyplate. Most days its 300-400 calories BEFORE exercise....after exercise I might be down 100 net calories for the day:confused1: Thats scary.....I need to work on forcing myself to eat something.

All I can say is, ITS not worth it! Just think about the risks and stay away! I do believe that the further along you get the easier it gets (because you do actually get to eat certain things eventually). I am about 7 wks out and I dont have cravings at all, where in the beginning I did. Just hang in there and don't eat another thing off plan!

Oh my gosh, We bought candy today for the trick or treaters and the smell of the Snickers and Twix bars was soooo overwhelming. I know I have a keen sense of smell since surgery but I could literally smell it before I opened the large package that the mini candies were in! Gosh, it smelled so good, what I would do for just a bite of the candy....But I resisted and I will continue to resis (at least this Halloween) he he!:help:

Congrats on your recent surgery! I was sleeved on 9-15-09! I see you are just right in my backyard- Im in Houston, TX, I love The Woodlands, its such a beautiful place! Dont hesitate to ask away on this site- we will all offer as much advice as we can!

Welcome to the site. Please dont hesitate to ask us any questions, after all, I was a VERY nervous pre-op only about 6 wks ago. We all have been there and we all work together to resolve problems...We're just like one big sleeved family! lol

Hi Kromrider, You are doing great! You are making your tool work for you! Youll be at goal in no time!:confused1: