Valentina

I guess what I am asking for is some imaginative wordage to have on hand in case the insurance company wants to know why I think I need a sleeve instead of the bypass that they have already agreed to. I am looking at my own medical history to give them some medical necessity for the sleeve.

free is always the best, but lakes have "bitie" things in them! I wish you lived closer to me so we could become mermaids together... I'm all alone here. It's always more fun with a buddy. Take care and good Health. Valentina

I have to keep reminding myself of something my mentor in the standard poodle showing ring once told me----"TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE".

I know that in the past I can thank at least one hospitalization for "whey". Manufacturers are more than a bit sneaking in their advertising. Soy is sometimes called: vegetable Protein, natural protein, natural thickening agent,etc. There is milk whey, but if you read on, do you see the word "soy" anywhere on the label or any of the remarks above? I also have Osteoarthritis and have just had a total left knee replaced. I take NSAID daily. This I think will also help sway my insurance company because with the bypass, and the band one should not take NSAIDS due to ulceration formation. My insurance has not said "no" yet. I just want to be ready. I have a surgery date of June 6th. It has been a lllllooooonnnnnggggg road for me to get this far. PLEASE, PLEASE, if anyone has an idea, let me know. You all are always soooo supportive. In fact this site is my only support, so once again "I lean on you". Take care and Good Health, Valentina

Hi! Valentina here. I have a SEVERE allergy to SOY!!! I go into anaphalaxis whenever I consume the least bit. I have been hospitalized several times because of it. I break out is whelts if it contacts me. I need some comments to send to my insurance company as to why getting sleeved is medically indicated over gastric bypass. Please, check the labels on your Protein drinks, Snacks, Desserts, etc before answering. I thank you all in advance. I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!! Valentina PS: Please keep in mind that "whey" is soy based if not note otherwise...

Keep us posted on what your MD says. WE CARE!!!!

I come from "country" so I know all about the driving to go where ever the "action" is! No hotels/motels near by either, right? Sometimes they will let you use their pool--sometimes for a small donation. Some Y's have an aquatic cardiac program. Find out, then ask your doctor for the script. Insurance companies will accept that easier than WLS--the dogs! Good luck, good health and keep us posted on your progress.

Whooo Hooooo!!!! How exciting. Way to go, Girl! I have my last nutritionist visit in two weeks and then it's on the surgery for me on June6th. Did you get a list of the Vitamins we will need to have at home ? Good luck and Good health! Valentina

I think that your wife needs to move in with my SO. If you would, please read my note under the post,"Where is the support?" I know what you are going through and how "alone" you can feel at times. I am willing to "hold hands" with you if you are willing to do the same to get each of us through what we feel we have to do to be healthy again. I love my SO as you say you do your wife, but for their own reasons they just can't reach down and support us in this decision. --and I HAVE decided to have my sleeve. My surgery date is June 6th. I need a support buddy and it sounds like you can use one too. Who knows? By having each other to talk to it just might loosen their "choking" concerns, allow them to relax and be more supportive. Whatcha think? Good luck and good health, Valentina ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mine will be in Middletown, NY at The Crystal Run Health Care. My surgeon is Dr. F. Hamdi.I had a total left knee replacement done there in March, so am familiar with the hospital and some of its staff. It's been a long stretch, but I think I am ready. How about you?

Let's keep in close touch and travel the last few weeks together. What do you say???

Is there a "Curves" in your area?? The women that go there are more "normal". And the place and people are usually very friendly and helpful. OR is there a hotel with an indoor pool that would let you use it a couple of times a week. I know there is a couple in my area that I use. Doing simple aquatic exercises really can help and once again it is fun==and you're mostly under the water---and lighter!! You could also ask your surgeon to write you a script for aquatic PT. Therefore, your insurance co. will pay for you to go!!! What's better than that???

Really, I had my CT release on a Wed. and was back to work plunking on my computer on Fri. The surgery is sooo simple these days. It is just two little holes --one in your palm and one in next to your wrist. A stitch in each and a pressure bandage for a couple of days and guess what? NO MORE CARPAL TUNNEL PAIN!!!!

Hi! I am scheduled to have my surgery on June 6th and was about to post much the same posting as you just did. I would also like to know if my surgeon can write a script for the needed Vitamins so my insurance company will be responsible to pick up the tap for them. My SO is on coated aspirin and has his ins. co. pay for it bacause his cardiologist writes a script for it. Can't hurt. Every penny counts these days. I'll be watching your responses. Good luck on the 7th!!!

Hi! I am from the Middletown area of upstate New York. I am scheduled for surgery on June 6th. There is NO One in my support group that has been or is going to be sleeved. They are all bands or bypasses. I would really like to have supportive chit chat with some one close by. Anyone out there?

Exactly what "prep" are you afraid of?

Thank you ever so much for your post. FINALLY someone understands what I am trying to understand with my SO. Every "other" day he is supportive and I find the roller coaster of emotions not acceptable to my peace. Don't get me wrong, I love the man to bits, but... I have supported him through self admissions,hundreds of therapy visits, med change after med change. If he can't support my decision than that I can deal with. It is this constant changing of his mind that I can't. I guess I will just continue to love the man, and do for myself what I know I need to do--even if it infuriates him to the point of asking me to move out. Then there is my best friend who had a bypass in Feb. She has nothing good to say about sleeving. She is 100% against it. This woman has been my closest friend for over twenty years. I don't understand... I am now thankful to have found this site where I am being welcomed and supported. I thank all of you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am feeling better and my old determined self is around. It's frightening and lonely out here when one has little or no constant support. I am feeling like I have found it here.-----Good luck with your approval. Let us know.-

Thanx! I have a support meeting next Tues. I had two that were required, but am continuing to attend to gather information for myself. I will ask the director if she could put me in contact with another "Sleever". I have to give my surgeon my final answer the week after that. He is of little help with my decision. He,personally likes the bypass as it gives HIM more control of the pouch size. I thank you again, for the suggestion of finding another sleever locally (Middletown, NY) that I can talk with. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a small world. I was the practice administrator for a group of surgeons for more years than I dare to remember. But my surgeons where all Orthopods. I thank you for your input. I am feeling much more confidant with my decision since finding this site. The vast majority of my support group is either Bypass or banded. There is only one person that has been sleeved and she is a wee bit "unique" not even considering WLS. I wish I had some support here at home, but my daughters are both off on their own in other states, and my significant other is not mentally strong right now. I will find support from this site. I know it!!! I have always been a strong individual. I will just have to remind myself of that as I go forward . Thank you again! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had CTS when I was pregnant. The OB swore that once the baby was born, the CTS would resolve. Not true. I have bilateral Carpal Tunnel Release and that is when I received instant relief! I watched the release on the screen in the OR and was amazed! If your CTS pain is severe, do not be afraid of having it released!!! It is sooo simple and sooo immediately pain relieving. I have never regretted it!! Think about it. I get REAL tired of MDs as well as the general public accusing every ache and symptom on being overweight! It's Pain!! Do what is needed to make it go away. If it's CTS then treat it! Get the release. It's an outpt. procedure requiring only two to three stitches. Good luck!

Thank you ever so much. I did the research before I had my first consult with my surgeon. I just have had SOOO many people try to talk me out of it. --and with the lack of continueing support from my significant other, I am feeling very much alone. I only found this site last week and already am finding comfort from it. Maybe, I'm not as alone as I think.

I have a wee chat with God every morning for my fellow WLS partners. I will add your names. Can't hurt. Good luck and Good Health.

Hello. My name is Valentina. I am scheduled for my surgery on June 6th. I have yet to decide whether to have gastric bypass or Vertical Sleeve. I went into this life changing course wanting a Sleeve, but when I mention it to my friends, they have a look like they are sucking on lemons! My daughters support me with whatever I choose to do, but that is not helping. Their love for me is not is question--nor is THEIR support. My significant other fluctuates between supporting me and telling me that I am selfish to only think of myself and not him as he struggles with clinical depression. I AM going to have WLS!! I just need some support that won't make me feel guilty. Right now, I am scheduled for a Sleeve because of the recovery time involved. Is that a wrong reason for the choice over the bypass??? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!

Good God, I hope not! I am 58 and have a surgery date available for June1st. I wonder why is it so difficult to find support for VSG? Everyone in my support group pushes for gastric bypass.