Luanne

You look great and I better you feel even better!

My doctor gave me a Omeprazole script which my insurance covers. I understand that taking a PPI is recommened for at least 6 months as the stomach produces the same amount of acid as it did for a regular stomach. Also the PPI helps the healing process.

You're only a little over a week out = remember you just had surgery, your body is healing so don't overdo it! I'm 14 weeks out and have to force myself to do just about anything. For me, there's alot more factors to the "laziness" than just the surgery. This too shall pass...hopefully sooner than later!

Thanks! ~ I saved this to my favorites in case I need it down the road...Lu

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/

LOL: I love your "I'm on the LOSERS TRAIN and ENJOYING THE RIDE!!!! Come on aboard!!!"

This Journey is a ROLLERCOASTER RIDE but it is the BEST THING I've EVER DONE FOR MYSELF!!!! That is the KEY you are doing it for YOU and nobody else! Some of my family was on board with me and some weren't. Just like with ANYTHING you can't PLEASE EVERYONE!! You do what is BEST for YOU!!!

I'm on the LOSERS TRAIN and ENJOYING THE RIDE!!!!! Come on aboard!!! LOL

Congrats & thanks for your update! I'm doing ok but I can't get motivated to exercise as I should: What kind of exercise program did you do then & now? Lu

So Lara, why did you decide on the plication instead of sleeve?

I went to Dr Ortiz for my lap-band in 2007. His plication ad is what got me thinking about sleeve surgery. I think Dr Oritz is a very good doctor and his staff are good as well. Use this time to review all of your options. When I had my lap-band removed I decided against the plication and for the vertical sleeve - but that was my choice based on my research. I also didn't return to Dr Ortiz - I think he is a great doctor, but he didn't have as much experience with the procedure that I wanted. He is extremely experienced with lap-band and is the only one I know of that is doing the plication right now. It is a very new form of surgery. He is a well respected surgeon.

If you are going to be self-pay, you have a lot of surgical weight loss options.

For those who don't know, plication is similar to the sleeve except the excess stomach is not removed. It is sort of folded over and stitched.

Do lots of research and read the posts here - they are very insightful.

Good luck--

Lara

Lara is right = LOTS of options! Do your research, and also put Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli, Mexico in your search line. I prayed about it and knew my surgery was the right thing to do and Dr. Aceves was the surgeon to do it. I had 3 personal friends that he did 2 bands & a sleeve on. I never had second thoughts or any nerves from the day my decision was made. Good luck on your search for the right one.

Dr Aceves suggested to take a PPI (I take Nexium) for 6 months as the stomach makes acid as if your whole stomach was there and the PPI helps it heal.

mmmm....where art tho Dec 2010 sleevers? I lost 34 lbs in 10 weeks and screamed to a halt of 6 lbs over the last 5 weeks...last week was 1/2 pound. I guess I just have to patient and step up my exercise. How's everyone else doing???

YOU are an inspiration to what will be !!!

CONGRATS! ~ I am sooo happy for you & your family! I also am so grateful for all your sharing on this VS forum...you have guided & directed me in many areas. Thanks again & Congrats!

Have faith that it's the right thing to do...

My Dad had left me some money and I knew he would approve of how I spent the $8500 as he was always concerned with me being overweight. Over the years, he sent me "the lose-weight-quick ads" like the polka-dotted bikini one swearing weight loss over night or just tell me to quit eating. It's alot more than that as we all know.

Over the last 30 years, I have probably lost & gained over 500 lbs (or more!) and once again, I had lost 90 pounds a year & a half ago, gave all my big clothes away and had two closets full of a brand new wardrobe. 20 pounds came back on slow and then BAM another 45. I think my hubby was glad I did the sleeve so he didn't have to buy me more clothes! The Sleeve is a lifetime tool so I do NOT have to gain/lose...it has helped me make better choices. If you know it is the right decision for you, inform them ~ they'll either be supportive or not.

I've found a surgery center, I'm approved for financing, Husband has reservations about the $$, Have NOT told any family or friends because I'm nervous that they will not support me, or question me. I'm 80 lbs overweight with a BMI of 36.5.. AND pre-diabetic.There is no way I will ever lose 80 lbs and keep it off. but I'm afraid my family members (who are not overweight) will just tell me to get my butt on the treadmill. But I know myself, I know I'll never lose that much weight and keep it off on my own. I really want the sleeve gastrectomy.

Any advice on how to tell my family ??

It's never to late to make better choices for ones health! I'm also glad younger people are having the surgery. I wish I would have had it done years ago: In the last 30 years, I have probably gained & lost over 500 pounds. How healthy is that?!! I'm 14 weeks out & so grateful of the decision to have a tool for a lifetime of help! Lu

Plenty of sagging with this 57 y/o but I'm of the "super obese" group and definetly will need panus removal due to repeated infections. My face is wrinkle~free so far but I expect that will change. I have so many problems caused by my obesity and feel so much better I can handle wrinkles. I still can't weigh myself on a regular scale so I don't weigh myself very much. I'm so glad I had surgery and am happy so many younger people are having surgery before their health is ruined. Hooray fo us 50's.

UPDATE: My 3 month upper GI & blood work all came back great! I do need B12 shots every two tho which is ok with me. PLUS my insurance paid for it all!

GLAD to hear from you all! ~ I'm 56 & 11 weeks out...I have lost 34 pounds and feel great! I lost over 90 on a dr's program in 2008-2009 and put 65 back on, over 45 in 3 months. Out-Of-Control sooo I went to Mexico in December and very grateful of the decision! I feel I'm losing slow enough so I don't have "the wrinkles" and "bags" as I didn't last time. I have my 3 month Upper GI & bloodwork coming up and am worried that my insurance won't cover the GI expense. I was told to call my insurance & find out b-u-t that might put a red flag on it--am thinking I should take my chances? I was 270+ at my top, 185 at my lowest, started the sleever at 245 and now 209 = Can't wait for my 160 lb goal!

WWW.CornellWLS.com = print-out "The Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program: Dietary Guidelines fo Laproscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy" It gives the "Sleeve Basics" plus food suggestions, diet progression, supplements, etc.

There seems to be a plethora of different post op diets and diet plans. To me, this is somewhat disappointing as I feel like there has to be a "more" or "most" correct post op diet. Even if it has to be altered a little bit here and there to meet specific patient needs, there should be a solid, standard, uniform post op diet guideline for foods and scheduling or "phases".

For instance, the very well made, professional looking guideline I have says that I am to be on the "soft food" diet after just 3 days. This includes just about anything as long as it is pureed or mashed. Here is a clip from that:

"• 3 Days to 3 Weeks Post-op: Home Soft Diet (high Protein foods). Try to consume 4-6 oz of fluids

every hour. You should be consuming approximately 550-700 calories and 50-70 grams Protein. "

Some of you are on clear liquid diets for a full 2 weeks after surgery which seems highly unnecessary to me. I am no authority and I only say that because I am doing fine 8 days post op and well off the clear liquid diet.

Even the nomenclature of the the phases and food types on VSG post op diets is confusing and conflicting. Some call it pureed stage, some call it "mushies". My doctor had never even heard the term "mushies" before. What, exactly, is a "full liquid"? I bet there is wildly conflicting definitions of a "full liquid".

The purpose of my post is to put out there the need for an authority on this subject to get into circulation a very STANDARD, post VSG operation diet plan complete with definitions and calendars.

- OR -

Throughout the industry, make the entire VSG procedure incomplete without a very thorough personalized diet plan designed for each individual. Make it an industry standard so that doctors are required to have nutritionalists on site to create your own personalized, easy to follow, well defined diet plan.

Even though I am doing fine, it is concerning to think that maybe I am causing damage to my sleeve by entering stages to early. Conversely, I am sure SOME of you would be ecstatic to know that perhaps you can have some blended Soup today rather than in another week.

It is still a new field but as it grows in popularity, it will need standards.

Soooo what is a NSV ?

You look great!

I did the same thing: working toward insurance-paid VSG with a supervised diet program on Phentermine, lost 90 lbs, gained 65 back. I should have continued with my surgery goal and done it then but thought, "THIS time I'll keep it off..." My decision to go to Mexico & self-pay was the best decision for me ~ done with jumping thru insurance hoops!

GREAT accolade!

3-12-11 UPDATE: My doctor ordered my 3 month Upper GI and blood work which all turned out great and my INSURANCE PAID for it, no questions asked.

I had my self-pay VSG done in Mexico Dec 9, 2009. My doctor has wrote the orders for my 3 month followup Baruium GI and blood work ~ should I get preapproval from my insurance company (Signa) or hope it will slide thru? What have others did?

You're doing great! It was 6 weeks & I was eating beef & pork plus popcorn (my favorite!) as it seems to be my slider. I have "slimed" twice with chicken tho. We are supposed to wait 4 months for raw veggies, correct?

Hey, thanks for checking in!!! I am doing really well, loving my sleeve so far! I've lost 45 lbs since Dec. 14, and I feel much lighter on my feet already! I am tolerating just about everything (except I am scared to try beef or pork ), and I'm feeling good!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

3-12-11, UPDATE: My doctor ordered the upper GI & blood work tests, they all came back perfect plus my insurance paid for them--no questions asked!

I have my doctor-ordered upper GI next week but am afraid my insurance will not cover it as I did have it in Mexico. I am also wondering if one is not having any side-effects if it's necessary?

I was and still am addicted to sugar-free popsicles! ~ My treat when I crave sweet!