Bambi

Ok Mini - what are you having tomorrow.....Are you on shakes only starting Wed? I am and I see some peeps get to have a small meal, but not me.....it's probably best, since I'm not sure how to measure a small meal...LOL

I was actually considering General Tsao's chicken.....fried and sweet

Tomorrow is the last day before I begin my liquid only pre-op diet. Any suggestions on what I should eat? I know this may appear silly, but I have tried the past couple of weeks to not go crazy...and now I wonder if maybe I should have splurged a little more on some unfriendly sleeve foods.....

Hi Lan - my surgeon told me to take in minimum 70 grams of protein. You may want to try and up the quantity if possible....

Fabulous!!! You're a great inspiration to us all..... congratulations!

loser and gaffromva - we'll all be starting our pre-op next week...We can do it!!!! It will be great!!! We're on our way to dropping weight - we we'll keep each other motivated.....Let's get ready!!!!

I love all the positive reinforcement from you guys.....I'll be having my surgery in NYC on a Wed. I work from home, so I'm hoping to be back at work on the following monday. I'm planning on not scheduling any travel or client visits for at least the first week and maybe the 2nd week too, if I can help it.... The one unfortunate thing I'm finding is - I'm counting the days to pre-op and trying to get in all my larger portions of candy, ice cream, Pasta and alcohol!..... I attempted to have the lap band 2 years ago and did the exact same thing....I continued to have my last suppers for a week. Had the surgery, but they were unsuccesful in actually placing the band due to excessive scar tissue...My new surgeon claims he will have no problem with the sleeve, but you never know... All these last meals and drinks are not what the doctor ordered, but I just can't help but feel like I need to overindulge right now.....

As many have said before, you're very inspiring, Tiff....

Hey everyone!!! I just got my date and I'm psyched!!! I"ve been reading all the posts for awhile now and adding a couple of my own here and there, but now I plan to be a full fledged active participating part of the VSG community..... My 2 week liquid pre-op diet starts in 6 days and all I keep focusing on is how many good bottles of wine can I drink between now and then...My hubby and I love wine...I more then him....He's supportive of me and the surgery, but a little bummed that I will be taking a break from the wine and the winery trips we take....So, I'm loading up now....LOL I'm ok giving up wine and large portions of food now for a healthier lifestyle long term (and I know I will incorporate smaller portions and wine back in later). Here's to a thinner 2010 and to saving lots of $$$$ on buying cases of wine and tons of food...All the extra cash is going to my new wardrobe and shoe fund!!!!

Hi Strat - my nutritionist said no caffeine because it dehydrates you and it's hard enough to get in the minimum amount of fluids....My doc on the other hand said it's no problem if you want a cup or 2 of coffee...Personally I drink the 1/2 caff. or lite...It does the job without giving me the jitters and I can drink a little more....

You're excitement is coming thru the computer.....congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment!!!!!!

Rene - I read this and I reflected on how just this past weekend I was the over 300lb person eating a wonderful steak dinner with my average weighted husband and his father...we were all glutons but clearly I'm the one who cannot handle all the food and drink....I loved your blog because it home perfectly! Thank you for sharing..and we will make it to the other side....

The following bariatric surgical procedures are considered medically necessary for Members who meet the associated criteria: Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y; gastrojejunal anastomosis) Vertical banded gastroplasty (gastric banding; gastric stapling) Biliopancreatic bypass (Scopinaro procedure) Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS or DS) Medical Necessity Criteria The Member must meet the criteria of either A or B: Class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation, in the presence of one or more of the following comorbidities: Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris or coronary artery bypass) Life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, obesity-related cardiomyopathy) [*]Class III obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation. New CPT CODE: 43775 - Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure; longitudinal gastrectomy (ie, sleeve gastrectomy)

I love the positive reinforcement shutterbug...So, glad you're doing well and smiling about it!!!! Can't wait to start sharing my smile with you....

Hey Deb - I have told my mom, hubby and 3 friends. 1 friend just had a lapband put in, another friend is considering wls and the 3rd friend is extremely heavy. I am choosing to not say anything to anyone at work or any of my other friends at this point....Even though this will be the center of my world and all of my attention will be focused on weight loss and new lifestyle, I don't want to have to discuss myself and my choices with everyone that is in my life. I read in a book that wls is extremely selfish and I have written on another post that I want to do this and be selfish!!!! The thought of sharing this decision with everyone and then having to listen to them rip apart my decision and my food choices and my lifestyle changes, just totally stresses me out. My decision to have wls is mine and mine alone. It is my time to put myself first and be a little selfish.... Maybe in time I will change my mind, but for now this way of thinking keeps me motivated and moving forward regarding the choices I am making.... Good Luck with your decision....

WOOT!! WOOT!!!! Glad everything went well for you....

thanks everyone....no date yet, but we're looking at January!!!! Woot Woot!!!

I'm on board to get the sleeve, hopefully January...Here's my quick story...2 years ago, I had surgery to get the LapBand, and due to excessive scar tissue (from a gallbladder operation), the surgeon was unable to put in the band. He mentioned the sleeve would be an option, but all I wanted to do was run far away from wls. Fast forward 2 years later, I have met with 2 different surgeons and after a long weekend of excessive eating, drinking and extreme fun and partying, meeting with the surgeon, deep soul searching, discussion with mom and husband - I am doing it!!!! I have jumped on the weightloss sleeve train and am excited!!!!!! I am 42 and can't wait to be extremely selfish and do this for myself and absolutely no one else!!!!! WOO HOO..... I'm even looking forward to adding my ticker below....I had one in lapband talk, but after the surgery gone bad, I never updated it again...Unfortunately now it will be a few heavier, but eventually it will be much lower....I AM NOW A MEMBER OF THE VERTICAL SLEEVE TALK FORUM OFFICIALLY.....I'm really excited!!!!!

Hi Little - where did you find that information? I just went on the Oxford Health Plan (OXHP dot com) website and under Medical and Administrative Policies, clicked on Bariatric and found the following: Due to insufficient clinical evidence to support medical efficacy, the following will not be reimbursed by Oxford: Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

An East Coast thread would be great, as well......WooHoo

How fabulous!!! You must update your ticker!!! Congrats!!! You look stunning!

Oxford doesn't cover as of 8/17/09 - Due to insufficient clinical evidence to support medical efficacy, the following will not be reimbursed by Oxford: Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

It is true that not all United plans cover the surgery. It's open enrollment time, so I plan to switch insurance companies so that the surgery will be covered. I'm hoping to do all the pre-op testing in December and have the surgery in January with my new insurance.....I've scheduled my initial conversation with the surgeon for two weeks from now.....