DanaInNewOrleans

Confession -- I LOVE to swim but there is no way I will get in a pool. I'm too embarrassed in front of people. Now, let me lose some weight and get plastic surgery ( I'm getting way ahead of myself!) and then I will go swimming.

HI Sassy! Looks like we're in the same boat! I do plan on walking --even if I have to do it inside my house and go round and round! LOL And I think I will start lifting light weights too. You look fantastic -- I always like reading your posts! Congratulations of 106lbs GONE!! That is awesome-- you're beautiful now and I'm sure you will even more of a knockout ! ~Dana

Sweetums, I hope your mom is doing well. I think I will have to just be more calorie restrictive, even as time goes on. My activity resolves around whether it is Summer or Winter. In New Orleans we have 4 seasons -- Unbearably hot and humid, Not quite as unbearably hot and humid, Cooler but still sometimes warm, Sometimes cold but mostly cool and still sometimes warm. LOL.... The heat is just a killer for MS patients. Fatigue is the other big one for me. We try to take vacations to someplace cool/cold so that I can enjoy them and be active.

Thank so much for the suggestions! Something you said clicked -- my nutritionist said that I have about a year to lose as much weight as possible- then it becomes much harder. She may have been thinking the same thing you said about the 9 month mark and realized I will probably have get the most bang for my buck in first year and then it will be much more difficult, especially because of the exercise issue. I think the weights are a great idea!

Thanks so much TJMOM. I'm happy this surgery has helped you so much! I do clean house and garden (when it is cool/cold outside). And I do plan on walking too (again, once it gets cool). Wish the surgery was tomorrow!

Thank you Derel!!!

Basically my knee is a "complete mess" per my ortho. I will need a knee replacement but I want to lose weight before the surgery so that I will have an easier recovery and rehab.

Hi, I see most people here exercise quite a bit and naturally believe it to be a key to being successful. Is there anyone out there who was successful with only limited exercise? When the weather gets cool/cold I can walk, which I plan to do. I am limited on my exercise options because of the following: (yes, I'm a train wreck!) ACL Tear and Meniscus Tear - Left Knee ( my fat a$$ was playing tennis, which I am now forbidden to do by my ortho) Multiple Sclerosis - I have to avoid getting overheated ( among other reasons) or my symptoms relapse. Lupus - I have to avoid exposure to sunlight I would love to lose enough weight to be able to be more active -- bike riding, hiking....etc (in cold weather) My surgeon and nutritionist are aware of my limitations but did not seem to believe it would affect my ability to lose weight...or maybe they were just being kind and they know I will only have limited success. But a small weight loss is better than no weight loss/gain right?

I just tried the Pure Protein Chocolate RTD shake. I did not care for it much -- it was not horrible but I didn't think I could get down more than a few sips. So I doctored it up and it came out GREAT! Its VERY filling so I know after surgery this will be 3 meals ( at least). I think I will try adding some Unjury unflavored protein powder to boost protein. I've never tasted the protein powder -- I hope it doesn't ruin it! Here is what I did using Hamilton Beach Personal Blender I added the following to Chocolate Pure Protein Shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon Sugar Free Banana Cream pudding 1-2 tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt 1/5 cup of Hood low carb milk 1/2 teaspoon of Coconut Extract 3 ice cubes ~Dana

Ok, I'm sitting here thinking about how I'm so prone nausea that I know I will be one of those that has it for a long period ( who knows - maybe I won't). It got me thinking...you'd think they could put some sort of barrier/protective layer in the stomach -- like an open on both ends balloon that slowly dissolves over a few weeks to get people over the hump during the acute healing period. I'm thinking like an old person... I mean, they can put a man on the moon ( or we can land a robot on Mars...) but can't put a temporary open ended balloon/barrier in a tiny little stomach!! LOL

Hi Karen! Count me in November. Hoping for late November. My 90 day requirement ends on Nov 13th but nurse said it takes about 10 days for approval from insurance.

I can DEFINITELY see a difference! And I like the dark hair too!

I wake up and go to bed thinking about this surgery too! It has taken over my life! Based on posts here, it seems like the first four months or so after surgery becomes almost a full time "job" of managing the commitment, attention, time and just day to day "operation" that is required to be successful.

Your story is MY story too! Except for the PCOS making it impossible to lose weight. My issue is a multitude of health issues (thyroid cancer, multiple sclerosis, lupus....) I'm eating about 1200-1300 calories a day and cannot lose weight. I'm scared to death this surgery will be a failure and I will have gone through this for nothing. My surgeon told me not to worry -- that the body resets its "set points" after this surgery. I've tried to find more information about this but have only found short and vague references to the new set point theory. I just don't want to be a failure AGAIN. And of course I jump around from saying I wish I could have surgery in the morning to oh no, what if this doesn't work? What if I have serious complications like I've read a few of theVSTs here -- which are horror stories. What if my nausea ( I just know I will have nausea!!) lasts forever? I go from deep excitement to apprehension a hundred times a day. I think deep down I'm ready to take the risks because I realize it may be my only hope of finally being normal ( at age 49! I've been fat my whole life!)

Hi K, Thanks so much for the encouragement! I see you're also from Louisiana! ~Dana

Wishing you easy surgery and recovery! Wish I was going to surgery in the morning! I still have over 2 months and chomping at the bit!

Now Tabby, you must be joking right? 26 pounds in 4 weeks??? Please please explain how that could possibly be labeled as "slow"!!!??? I'm going to assume that maybe you're a little delirious because you did not have enough calories today!

Hi, I'm so worried about nausea after the surgery. Did they give you anything to help the nausea? I'm dreading it! ~Dana

I cannot imagine going into surgery without someone there- especially my husband. The only time I had surgery before this was when I had my thyroid removed. All my friends surprised me and came to the hospital that morning to be with me and I had about 10 friends waiting for me when I got back. It pissed the nurses off! But it was a comfort to me to have my friends ( a couple spent the night) because I was sick as a dog from nausea.

Hi Everyone, Are there any statistics about the risk factors for gastric sleeve complications? Any long term sleevers here notice any trends? Like say, does a super high BMI have more complications, or are there more complications over 50, or do people with diabetes have more (or less) complications. I'm just wondering if anyone has noticed any trends? One thing I've noticed in the short time I've been here (about 1 month) is that the guys seem to have less complications-- both serious and minor. I read a post here that said that the larger size bougie patients usually have less complications...Do I have a choice or say in the bougie size? Thanks! Dana

I have to chime in here as an Ambien Supporter! In fact, I think Ambien saved my life. I've been taking it for about 7 years. My insomnia reached a critical point -- I've always suffered from it but it got to the point where I was endangering my health from not sleeping. My doc rx'd Ambien and my life immediately changed. I actually slept and slept well. I wake up with no grogginess at all. When I first started taking it I would take it when getting ready for bed -- and I always tinkle before getting in bed. I would sit there tinkling and the carpet looked like it was moving...lol... I always thought it was funny! Then I would go to bed and feel great when I woke up. The only other side effect is something my husband still talks about to this day...and it only happened once...apparently I got a little, uh, lets say less inhibited one night...lol... Both my brothers take Ambien too with no issues. Obviously it affects everyone differently. As for being addicted -- like I told my doc-- who cares? I'm addicted to something that helps me sleep like a normal person. The alternative is to lose my mind and health from not sleeping... So whats worse? My doc said hey, I agree with you. For me, Ambien was a miracle.

My heart sank when I read your first post and now I have a big smile on my face. Such great news. Congrats! Can't wait to hear all the details of your journey!! Dana

This is my suggestion as well. Maybe you make a deposit and then temporarily be assigned as a Self Pay and then let them file with the correct insurance?