Traci J.

Congrats Carisa, just try to relax and breath. Keep your eye on the prize and you'll be fine. I'm scheduled for 12/19, and not nervous at all. I can't wait for it to be done so I can move on. Good luck and I hope you have a smooth recovery.

I'd buy a wedge pillow so you can sleep in your bed; it'll keep you at an incline.and are pretty comfortable. Hope it clears up for you quickly.

Your surgeon's office will probably code it so it gets covered. You can also call your surgen's office and ask for the ICD-9 code they bill under and call your insurance to make sure that particular code is covered. You wouldn't want to get a bill after the fact....just saying

Hey stink, my aunt had to crush hers and she'd mix it with applesauce w/ a bit of sugar to help cover the taste of the pills.

I'm leveling up on the 19th myself, my preop appt is this thursday. I totally get what you're saying, I can't wait for this to happen. I have a feeling this week is going to draaaaaaag lol

Personally, I wouldn't do the band due to the complications it can cause; and it causes many and some are major. My surgeon said they are trying to get rid of them due to all the complications. I'm having my sleeve on 12/19 and feel it's the perfect choice for me. My advise to you is to do a ton of research, go to obesityhelp.com and you can read forums on each of the different surgeries to see how people do with them. There are hundreds of people that have gone from lapband to sleeve due to complications; so why have 2 surgeries when you can just have one Good luck!

Hi Biddy, we're sleeve sisters. I'm having my surgery on the 19th as well. My husband is against it, he too worries about my dying on the table; but I've gotten great support from my friends at work and family. They just want me to be healthy and happy. This site is fabulous and it's awesome to have people goin through or having gone through all the phases we will be going through. Good luck on your journey and I hope we can stay in touch for support. Here's to smooth recoveries

I am in Beulaville, but am having my surgery at Duke by Dr. Sudan. He's an awesome surgeon....I've done ALOT of research and he is one of the best in the state. Haven't heard a bad thing about him or his admin staff.

I am in NC, but also have BCBS of NC so not sure how your insurance works. BCBS is the easiest insurance to give approval from what I've heard and I had no problem whatsoever. You can look online and find your policy re: WLS or call them and they will tell you what you have to do. Only thing I had to do was get a psych eval, see a nutritionist 1x, and blood work. My surgeon, however, also wanted an EKG, upper GI to check for hernias or other issues he may run into while he's in there, and a chest x-ray. I had all these done fairly quickly. I saw the surgeon on 8/28 and am scheduled for surgery on 12/19, although I could have had it done in the beginning of November. I chose to wait due to my job. Best of luck to you!

Do a search for hair loss, there are plenty out there. From what I've heard it starts around the 4 month postop mark and lasts a couple of months, but some people don't have it as bad as others.

I was told less than 10g of sugar.

Just breath stink! You got this!

I initially wanted the DS but my surgeon didn't think my insurance would cover it due to my BMI not being high enough so I researched the sleeve. My insurance ended up approving the DS, so I just called the surgeon's office and they had it switched to the VSG.....had no problems. Good luck!

Hi Dana, I'm getting sleeved on 12/19. I bought a binder from Walmart for like $5, not sure how it'll work since I haven't tried it yet, but from what I hear they do help when moving alot. Good luck on your journey and I hope you have a quick recovery.

Welcome Cat, you've come to the right place. I myself am having my surgery on 12/19, but have been on this site for several months during my process and have learned so much about the vsg. There is alot of information on here and most people don't mind answering questions. Just keep in mind everyone is different and their processes may vary, so don't compare yourself to others as you go. Good luck on your journey!

Good luck, hope you have a speedy recovery.

wow, 51 lbs. in 3 weeks? that's awesome!

Get some biofreeze from a chiropractors office, rub some on your temples and some along your hairline on the back of your neck. It works great for migraines, and no drugs.

You look great....look at that waist! Keep up the good work!

WTG Nate, we need a new pic now

Congrats! Hope you have it soon and have a quick recovery. Good luck!

Hi Lander, I'm having mine done on the 19th as well. We can suffer through xmas together Hope everything goes well for you and you have a quick and little pain recovery.

Congrats! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

I would mention it beforehand because I know a few people whose Dr's wouldn't treat them afterwards because they were worried about malpractice; plus some PCPs aren't familiar with WLS and don't know what prescriptions, etc. are allowed, which is another reason they will refuse to treat you. My own Dr. told me her friend had lapband and then her surgeon retired; now she can't find anyone who will touch her.

Sorry you've had a such a rough go if it. It sounds like you should find a different Dr. All the procedures you've done should be "transferable" . Do some research on the surgeon and his office; make sure it's an office of excellence....they are the best for a reason. Good luck, and don't give up!