Momonanomo

Thank you thank you for posting as a 2 year veteran! It means a lot to us newbies to have the long term success stories check in! Congratulations on your success. I appreciate too your straightforward advice about SO's. It is important to realize that 'S' stands for significant, and they should always feel that way in our lives. I can't imagine getting to a point where I need to put ON some weight, but I sure look forward to the possibility! Sounds like you have managed your weight very well, and I applaud you for it!

WOW!! good job!

Hi! When my time comes I'm going to study this thread in depth: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/ best of luck to you!

Hi I've always heard not getting enough potassium leads to muscle cramps.....maybe that's what it said in the thread you're talking about?

Have you chosen a surgeon yet? What I've done is put it all in the hands of my surgeon's office-- they have experience dealing with the insurance requirements (and interpreting them!) Plus, your surgeons may have a specific "team"of all these specialists that they work with. I think most surgeons have a comprehensive program, and they will navigate you through all this. best of luck!

princesstia, my prayers go with you on your big day. I am so sorry you had to lose your grandma like that. She sounds like a wonderful woman. I have faith that she will be right there with you tomorrow and will keep you safe and strong. best wishes! Keep us posted!

Went to the seminar required by my surgeon this past week. I didn't learn anything I hadn't already heard about in great detail by my own research and by spending a lot of time here on VST The benefit to the seminar, as far as I'm concerned, was taking DH along so he could hear it all. He found it very interesting and informative. Oh! One thing I did learn that I am VERY excited about is that this surgeon does all his sleeves with a single incision through the belly button! That is SO cool!! Wonder if anyone else here on VST has had this? I also found out that my insurance requires a 6 month medically supervised diet. Ugh. Like I haven't already tried aaaaallllllllll the diets out there, supervised or unsupervised. My big thing about this requirements is this: yep I can do the diet, and I will lose weight. I've done it before -- lots. My problem, however, is that I cannot keep the weight off, hence the need for VSG. So what is a 6 month diet going to do except maybe get my BMI down to where insurance might not cover it? I'm sure as we progress and I can speak with a coordinator from my surgeon's office I will figure out more. Maybe there's a loophole or a work-around that we can do. I've been reading a lot of people's entries about insurance qualifications, comorbidities (or lack thereof of as far as the insurance approved list), and employer exclusions. What's frustrating is this: quite a few of us are borderline BMI (39) , have been yo-yo-ing for many years if not decades, do not have comorbidities YET, and therefore may not get insurance approval. My mom said I have a serious case of the "Yets" (I thought she was attempting to speak yiddish there for a minute lol). What she was pointing out is that I don't have high bp -- yet. I don't have diabetes -- yet. I don't have any of the other serious problems that the insurance deems worthy -- yet. But I will soon if I don't do something. My knees and ankles and back already hurt, but I don't see that on the insurance's list. . . actually I may have sleep apnea, but I don't think it's "severe". Will find out when I get my sleep test in a couple of weeks. I just think the insurance companies are being foolish with their requirements in many cases. ANYways. So 6 months. From when I don't know, waiting to hear from the surgeons office to see if the clock has started ticking yet. I think right now they are getting the ball rolling and hitting up my insurance co. Perhaps we can find a loophole or a work-around. I'd like to have this done like, yesterday. I've been regaling DH with stories from the message boards here. You guys are really fun I'm talking specifically about a recent thread entitled: "So, really weird inappropriate question" That was awesome (and informative hehe) Best to all of you out there. Happy holidays!

@rootman -- how very generous and selfless of you! hahaha!

Maybe we should market this?! "Better than prilosec! More effective and definitely more fun!"

omg that is hilarious!

Gosh him saying "They didn't like you back then, but now they do. I was there when nobody wanted you" is super manipulative. Don't fall for that -- just see it for what it is: manipulation. If it were me, I would split with him. And make it very clear that the split is because of his insecure behavior, not because of any weight loss. He's got to stop this jealousy & insecurity or he'll never have a successful relationship in the future. YOU on the other hand, have a chance to be happy in life! Control what you can -- YOU. You can't control him or change him. The best help you can be to him is to tell him the way he's been acting is what has led you to break it off. He may well be a great guy and all that, but he doesn't sound like the guy for you. I strongly encourage you to not waste any more time on a relationship that makes you unhappy. I wasted too many years with a guy who drank too much. Then it dawned on me: Love is supposed to FEEL GOOD! And a couple of years later, I met the love of my life best of luck to you !

I'm looking forward to the responses because I'm also preop. From what I'm reading here at VST, what you describe is largely the case. Not always, everyone is of course going to be slightly different, and maybe that has to do with how far out from surgery they are. And then there's the issue of true hunger vs head hunger. But as far as real hunger, the hormone grehlin, the hunger hormone, is produced mostly in the lining of the stomach and it's thought to be the culprit for out of control appetite for food. Since the sleeve removes the majority of the stomach, less grehlin is in the body. I know that, for me, this is precisely why I've chosen the sleeve over the other WLS available (well this and some of the complications/side effects that are common with the other WLS and are not with the sleeve)

I'm so sorry that you're hurting! Of course you're nervous, but try not to torture yourself because you don't know what it is at this point. From everything I've heard 4 months should be well past the time that a leak can happen, but maybe someone more experienced can comment on the subject? Try to stay positive, know that we're sending good vibes your way, and keep us posted on what the dr says!

well ya know, all this talk about barely being able to take a sip of water immediately post surgery made me start wondering but it sounds like once the tummy swelling goes down a little bit, it's all good. So maybe no need to refrain completely, but refrain from....ahem...swallowing....for a period of time :wub:

I am sooooo glad you asked this question!

Sounds like you came up with a good strategy for yourself! Planning ahead like that shows your committment. Good job!

love it -- happy shock! That's great! Your body & immune system are thanking you!

That is so wonderful -- all of the things you mention are just absolutely wonderful! I'm so happy for you and so excited for the future. Thank you for posting this. You're an inspiration!

I'm sure your husband was trying to be complimentary and didn't think about the implications of his compliment. Guys don't think like us sometimes I haven't been sleeved yet, but in the past, when I lost 75 lbs, I remember being kinda miffed and resentful when i felt that people I'd always known were treating me so much better than when I had been so overweight. But then I thought -- well maybe it's MY behavior that's different, because I feel good, and energetic, and confident, and they're responding to that. (if only I could've maintained that loss. . . but anyways...) He's always said you are beautiful; respect that he meant it. And have faith that he will be thrilled to see you happy and healthy. And I think maybe the glow of being happy and healthy is what people respond to -- not being 'skinny'. So ...you will be a total knock-out, because you will be happy and healthy! I think major weight loss can mess with our heads a bit and get confusing. I plan to camp out on this forum, and seek support with local groups, and maybe even a counselor one-on-one. best wishes to you, and kiss that hubby of yours -- he loves you and means well!

If it's cold outside, why not try the mall? Lots to look at to distract yourself, it's open long hours so you can go when you want (especially this time of year!), it's well-lit, it's warm and there are lots of places to stop and rest.

Happy New Year indeed! What a great way to start 2013! Congrats and best wishes

I totally agree with bakawaka -- get thee to the mall! Don't shoot for a mile the first time out, just try to do a little more than you've done each time and build on your progress. You CAN do this, don't worry. Enjoy the mall. It is a safe, warm place with lots of resting spots. Just do the best you can -- bet you'll surprise yourself!

Congratulations and a big THANK YOU for continuing to be active on the boards after 2 full years -- it means a lot to hear from someone who has been so successful and keeps coming back to share your wisdom at the 2 year point. You're a true inspiration! Much much appreciated! mahalo!

omg your description is so funny! LOL!!!!!! I think this process will be mostly about trial & error and that maybe as time goes on tastes will change. Maybe eventually you will actually crave fruit punch flavored liquid cow. Ha! No doubt having a sense of humor about it all will be very helpful Best of luck to you!

Thank you SO much for the detailed report -- I try to find & read as many Surgery Day Stories as I can. You are so right to say that knowledge is power -- I agree. I get a little scared sometimes thinking about going under the knife and being under anesthesia. Reading your story was very reassuring. I wish you the best on this new adventure and much success! Keep us posted!