tigerbelle

glad all went well...Dr. Bellanger ordered a CT scan for me, and I am still waiting to hear back from him (or Tracy) on the results...the scan results will determine whether he can do my surgery laparscopically or not I prefer to do my surgery at Woman's but for some reason he wants to do my surgery at St. Elizabeth's in Gonzales where he says he has more resources and specialists available ::sigh:: please keep us updated on your progress...even though I am not even scheduled yet, I still like the idea of having someone to post with on the boards who has the same surgeon

LOL..good luck, and hang in there!

interesting...looked different than I imagined...the stomach didn't look as well defined as I thought...I thought the stomach would look more distinct, like the liver did

Lee, I think 920amy had some good advice...I empathize in a small way with what you are going through...I had to be on a clear liquid diet all day Sunday in preparation for a colonscopy I had Monday...just that one day was terrible for me...I was extremely hungry that entire day...I purposely did not let myself be around people, and I had a hard time watching food commericals on TV and seeing food-related articles and ads in my magazines...I got through it by saying to myself that I only had so many hours to continue...in a similar way, I think what 920amy is advising about telling yourself there are only x days left could help a lot...I know that once you have the surgery, you will have a similar post-op diet, but I think that will be different, because then you will be recovering and healing for a couple of weeks, and also after that you have the tool of the sleeve and its physical limitations that will aid you...I pray that you will have the strength to get through these few more days before your surgery

I am finding this thread very interesting and thought-provoking...I do think everybody is different because of the different outcomes, but also because of differing expectations and motivations for choosing WLS...in my experience posting here, I would say at least 90% of those who post are glad they had the surgery even though they have had times of doubt and rough spots...but I would also say that maybe about 75% of those who post were motivated primarily to lose weight to look better or be able to do more physical activities, and those who have lost a significant amount of weight and feel they look better and are more physically fit, seem to be the ones who have no regrets at all...I have no real point in making those observations, other than just providing some feedback from what I've read over the last several months at age 51, while I would find benefits in looking better, fitting better in clothes and feeling more physically fit and able, my primary motivation for seeking WLS is to save my life from the increasingly terrible complications of diabetes and poor circulation--and I am not exaggerating or over-dramatizing here...to me it is almost like a dr is telling me that my appendix is inflamed, and if I don't take it out, it is going to burst and probably kill me...I would be glad to have the surgery and save my life, but I am not going to like it or welcome it...and that is how I feel about WLS...I already regret that things in my life health-wise have lead me to the place where I feel this surgery is my only real chance to get control of the diabetes...but as I've posted already in other threads, I can totally relate and understand the loss of my "friend," my comfort food, the only thing I've found that can actually soothe my anxieties and at least temporarily make me feel better (it's also killing me) I am just particularly frustrated right now, because I have finally made the decision and mentally prepared myself for the VSG and now my surgeon is telling me he is unsure about being able to do my surgery laparascopically because of some unusual physical effects from previous abdominal surgeries...he ordered a CT scan Friday to aid him in making a decision, and I have been calling his office and the lab today--with no one returning my calls If he tells me he has to do the surgery open, I just don't know what I am going to do because that is a game changer for me...even to possibly save my life, I am not sure that I can mentally take the risk of open abdominal surgery--mainly because of the emotional trauma I experienced in 2009 after a risky and complex surgery that resulted in a 3-month hospital stay for me with 2 months additionally home bound under nursing care...the thought of going through something like that again just 4 years later has me enveloped in fear...so I am just waiting on the surgeon to return my call with a decision I just had to vent...to anyone still reading, I apologize for the rambling

I can't believe how long this thread has stayed active...funny that it has nothing to do with VSG or even WLS...just goes to show how much interest can be shown for a thread about men...sexiness...and baldness

don't let that moron's rudeness affect your valid feelings of success...10 years ago I might have thought of some response like "can you be any more redneck?"...but with the psychos and sociopaths out there nowadays, I feel like it is just best to ignore them...no doubt there will be 100 people who compliment you and congratulate you on your success...with a world full of weirdos, you are bound to run into the occasional jerk

wow...congrats and keep up the amazing work

5-6 months wait for a surgery date? wow...your surgeon must be incredibly busy...I think with my surgeon it's only about a 2-week wait once all approvals are done...best wishes to you

great NSV! right now, I cannot run...seriously, it's one of the things that bothers me greatly...I actually fear that I couldn't even run if my life were being threatened...but it is quite inspirational and encouraging to hear your story...thanks

Thanks, Lilly. I had made my decision to go ahead with the VSG knowing that there could be the possibility of having to do it open during the surgery itself....that, of course, is a little different from knowing up front it is definitely not going to be laparascopic...I am not sure but it sounds like you are saying you believe you would have proceeded even if you knew for sure it was going to be the riskier surgery; is that right?

I have a what-if question for those of you who have had the VSG and don't regret it post op...I am going to assume that most, if not all of you, had the surgery laparascopically...if your surgeon had told you that there were certain medical issues with you that would require him to perform an open surgery (definitely more risky and much longer recovery), would that have altered your ultimate decision or the decision process itself? I know no one can answer this definitively, but I am interested in your feedback since you have gone through the decision process

Geri and Terry...those are more ridiculous examples, and I think I've heard them too...it's amazing how many of these people we have all been dealing with in our lives

I take issue with that sentiment...just because someone stays in a relationship with you when you were fat (whether he/she loves you or not) does not mean you "owe" them some sort of loyalty...you say that as if being fat is some kind of moral failure or defect...I could somewhat see your point if you had said something like "he stood by your side when you battled cancer..." also in some cases, like when a spouse keeps changing jobs, it is a deliberate choice being made and not something like getting an illness, gaining weight, getting laid off when your employer goes bankrupt

one surgeon told me that the research hasn't really revealed exactly how WLS--including VSG--affecs ghrelin production and how...like most things about metabolism, hunger and weight loss/gain, there are so many unproven theories out there

this hits home with me...I absolutely HATE the idiotic comments and advice I get from people--even those who know I am fairly intelligent person....like the one recommending I exercise because it will help me lose weight...DUH you idiots...and the comparisons to others..."I had a friend who went on the Pineapple diet and lost 50 lbs.; you should try that"...."if you would just cut back on snacks and only eat vegetables, lean meat and fruits, the weight would just melt off of you"....these people aren't NUTs, but they are nuts!!

TES, I hope I can have your outlook when I am a few weeks post-op...thanks for the positive post

that sounds terrible...I don't want to add to your distress, but are you sure it's an intestinal virus? could it be some post-op complication? I am just concerned about you

I hate to suggest the standard cliche...but have you considered counseling as a couple? I know you are having financial difficulties, but there may be some kind of community center that offers low-cost counseling...or if you belong to some type of church, perhaps a minister or pastor could counsel you...ultimately you must do what is best for you of course...I have never been married, but I do believe that most marriages are worth saving--or at least trying to save...only you will know when you've done your best to make it work...I don't want to be nosy, but do you have children?

I can totally relate to your post...and actually it is one of my fears and hesitations about the surgery...I actually consider eating a good and satisfying meal one of life's greatest pleasures...the problem of course for me is that I over-indulge and have overdone it with emotional overeating...I guess I would love the best of both worlds; i.e., 95% of the time having the sleeve to restrict what I can eat, but maybe once or twice a month being able to eat one of my favorite meals and enjoy it...I fear I will be depressed once I am not able to do that...but I know that the health risks I face without surgery are devastating, so I must be a realist and accept what needs to be done...I wish you the best NurseGrace

good job, both of you...liz, I am curious as to why you are still on meds for diabetes if your a1c is only 5.0...that is a non-diabetic level

me, too...and I also don't find Tim McGraw or Adam Levine sexy...ha

My dr charges self-pay patients about $15K...as with anything, the actual charges are going to be grossed up by the health provider (hospitals for example)...then, if the health provider is in-network with your plan, there will be a discounted charge that the insurance will cover...co-pays and deductibles then figure in depending on your specific plan and coverage...for example, my podiatrist's total charge each visit is around $250...then with the "discount," the billing to my insurance would be around $125, with my co-pay being around $13. Now, if I didn't have insurance for some reason, he would not charge me $250, but something closer to the $125....I think the same idea is involved with the self-pay patients and WLS

since I had my initial consultation with the surgeon yesterday, I guess I have officially begun my "journey." I am still very apprehensive about the surgery, but feel like I am at the end of my rope now and that this is the only viable option I have for a healthy life. I know this is a somewhat different attitude than most of you whose posts I've read, but I am just being honest. The surgeon I consulted only does VSG, but his partner does others, like the RNY...after doing research, I think VSG will be my best option, and my doctors seem to agree. I had some hesitation (1) because the procedure is a lot newer than RNY and (2) I wasn't sure that a restrictive-only WLS would be effective in not only weight loss but helping resolve some of my issues like type II diabetes. A lot more people have had VSG since I first started considering it, and the research shows that VSG has almost as high of a success rate in not only weight loss but resolving issues like diabetes as the RNY does. The good news from my consult was that the surgeon believes he will be able to do my surgery laprosopically. I was afraid that that would not be possible since I had abdominal surgery with a resulting skin graft about 3 years ago. He won't know for sure until I have a CT scan of my abdomen, but the chances look very good. Also, he seemed quite confident in his skills and ability to perform the procedure, and he (knock on wood) has not had any patients with such serious complications as leakage. He explained the procedure to me graphically, and that helped me. The bad news is mostly that my insurance definitely will not cover the surgery. I have made some previous posts in the forum about that. My concern is not so much thte initial cost of the surgery (I have been saving up for a while with thoughts that I would have to self-pay). I am just worried about unexpected complications and additional surgeries that could happen and that also wouldn't be covered by my insurance. From past experience, I know that such bills can build up rapidly and to levels well over $100,000. That would be a financial nightmare for me. I keep telling myself, though, that I just need to pray and have faith. It is difficult for me to talk publicly about my weight and related stats, but others have been honest about it on this site, so I feel it might be helpful and supportive for me to also be honest and open about this. I am 5'2", and yesterday at the consultation, I weighed 277 lbs. and had a BMI of 51 (per my recollection). I turned 50 years old this year. I have several comorbidities, including type II diabetes, high blood pressure and poor circulation. I would be happy just to lose 100 lbs. but my goal would be more like a 125 lb. loss...I think I would be comfortable weighing around 150 lbs. More important, though, is that I would be able to get my a1c levels below 7 and be able to get off of insulin and maybe most of my other meds. Because I will be self-pay, I don't have to meet any insurance company requirements and paper work. My doctor requires one visit with a NUT before scheduling surgery and then a follow-up visit with the NUT. Also, I need a letter from a mental health professional as to my psychological readiness for WLS. I have a therapist I have been seeing for many years, so I will discuss this matter at my next session. I am not sure what factors she will consider when making the recommendation. The only other question I am having some difficulty with is the "when." Because I am self-pay with no insurance red tape, the surgeon said the decision of when would be up to me. Here are some of the factors I am considering. The earlier I have it, the less likely I am to lose my resolve, and the sooner I will begin the path to what I pray will be a healthier life. I also have this fear that I will have some more serious complications from my diabetes if I wait too long. The downside to me personally is simply the time of year and overall timing. Fall is my favorite season, and really the only season of year I enjoy. It is also the time when I take my vacation and any personal trips. I am scheduled for a trip to San Francisco in mid October, and I've already paid the deposit for a Caribbean cruise over the Thanksgiving week. I know I could cancel both of these and reschedule for next year, but I was looking forward to these trips. Plus, in trying to be realistic about the future, I don't know how long it could take me to recover from the surgery itself, especially if I should have unfortunate complications. If I delay the surgery until after Thanksgiving, then Christmas is upon us. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and it does sadden me to think of having surgery around Christmas time. I am leaning towards a January surgery date...the new year, new beginnings thing appeals to me. Really that is just about 3 months away so it's not a whole lot of prep time. Perhaps I need that long to prepare. Sorry for such a long opening post. Any feedback of any type is welcome. I am thick-skinned and can't be offended.

I know what you mean, Lee...while generally I can make a decision and feel comfortable with it despite friends and family expressing their own opinions, with something like this, when someone you are close to whose opinion you value has concerns, it does make you doubt yourself