LifetimeLoser

that sucks!. My dr. and his program go by the weight you actually started at. They go through great lengths to tell us not to worry about losing weight. They want us to lose weight so the surgery is safer. I am perfectly healthy besides being obese so I have to stay above the required bmi. According to him, studies show that requiring patients to lose weight before surgery (besides surgery being safer and recovery easier) doesn't do anything for those who have a weight problem...such as showing the dr. we are committed or have the motivation to do it. My dr. and hospital program has a "center of excellence" approval and they seem a little ahead of the times. Try calling your insurance and double checking with them what they require and what weight they take into consideration. I like to get things straight from the horses mouth because people think they know all the time. For example, in the beginning of my process my pcp insisted I had to take all these tests with her for my surgeon. I remember them saying not to worry about it and the paperwork they gave me even had a place to check off that said "test not taken" or something to that effect. She wouldn't listen to me and insisted that this is what they always do. So I did an ekg, bloodwork, urine test, chest x ray...all because she insisted. Come to find out I HAD TO DO IT OVER AGAIN because the surgeon puts a time limit on each test. Like my chest x ray is a month prior to surgery. Sometimes people's information is outdated...just a good idea to check for yourself. You are your biggest supporter.

awesome. January thirtieth here. Keep us updated

There are so many words being said, but all I hear is, "mine is bigger and better than yours." *totally annoyed by the path this thread has taken. I wish I could get my 20 minutes back that I spent reading this.

yep. I love mine! I got it for christmas and just recently started using it. I have just the basic model, but it gets me moving more knowing what I have or haven't done. And it pairs with my fitness pal along with other applications.

awesome

I think education plays a huge deal. Unfortunately, my husband refuses to share what he is thinking. I think he is trying to protect me because he is probably scared to death that something can go wrong. Everyone is different and responds to different information. I have just tried to get him involved. What really helps him is knowing how simple the procedure is. I also wanted him to tell his family so he had someone to talk to if he needed it. All in all, surgery is scary for many people. I think it is a healthy fear. It is okay to be afraid, but hope for the best and know the odds. There is always a possibility of something going wrong, but the odds of that are minor. I mean more people die doing other things like driving cars, getting on airplanes. The odds of dying in a car crash is 5x the number of gastric sleeve. As far as losing too much weight and looking sickly. Well, I'm sure he will love you no matter what. And the doctor will tell you if you are going overboard.

It is definitely not dirt! I had this a lot throughout my life. When I lost weight it would go away. You see it a lot in Hawaii. It is a skin condition that tends to affect those of darker ancestry. I would scrub it and scrub it and scrub it and it would only get red. I have been to the dermatologist for it and he told me it was because of my weight. It definitely does go away as the weight comes off...so no worries.

I went the opposite direction. I told pretty much everyone at work. I am the manager and I wanted my workers to know why I was taking time off. I am also pretty excited about my procedure and have no embarrassment whatsoever about my decision. I stand behind my decision 100% I don't care what anyone thinks about my decision besides myself and my husband because they don't live my life and they don't know my history. Along with that, I know that my weight loss will be significant afterwards and instead of hearing rumors behind my back I'd rather just say it up front and give people nothing to talk about. I've had a few people try to talk me out of it, but I'm firm in my decision. I just tell them straight...you aren't going to talk me out of it. I've already paid for it. I'm already scheduled. I understand everyone is different. I am actually a pretty private person. I don't tell anyone my private business, but in this case I thought it was better for people to understand than to talk smack or judge me. My workers have been pretty understanding. They will ask me questions. They will ask me if I am excited. All in all, they will notice your transformation. I, personally, don't think having weight loss surgery is anything to hide or be ashamed of. Everyday I hear of someone else I know getting it done. And in a year they will just be jealous...and people who talk smack are usually jealous or have no lives, and those peoples' opinions should be the furthest thing from your mind. Just do what you do and be proud of it! Having that extra stress of whether or not to tell them or will they figure it out is a stress that is not needed going through this major life change. good luck

That is a great idea! I never really thought of that! Thanks!

looking for others here on oahu or even the other islands as well. I haven't had my surgery yet, but would like more people to support and help support me. Also when the weight comes off would love to do outdoor things.

Aloha! I start my liquid diet on January 23rd. Dr. Fowler only requires one week. Yes, mine is a single incision through my belly button for my surgery. When I went to the nutritionist she wanted me to try the ketogenx diet plan because I have had much success with the south beach diet. I have not done it. shhhh!!!! Oh and I found out how much the surgeon fee is. It is $2400 so my portion will be $240.

Original post date 12/31/2012...transferred from my google blogger site. My Date for my vsg has been rescheduled for January 30th, 2012 and it can't come any sooner. I am positively overwhelmed with excitement for this huge change in my life. I went through a week of anxiety, but those feelings are gone now and now I am just waiting. I am totally at ease with my decision and can't wait for the weight to fall off and I can get back into hiking, going to the beach, and just being active, but this time I have my daughter to take along for the ride. yipeeeeeee!!!!! The process to get weight loss surgery can be overwhelming. The first things I did research on were doctors, what my insurance covers, and total out of pocket cost. As far as I have figured, my total out of pocket cost is going to be about 3 grand. My insurance covers 90% of most things. The following is a rough break down at what I have paid/will pay. Of course, there are other costs associated with health issues that you must resolve before going into surgery. $400-program fee for Castle Medical Center group. This includes support groups, orientation, meeting with a nutritionist, nurse, and exercise specialist $12-copay for initial meeting with dr. fowler the surgeon $300-cpap machine to fix my mild sleep apnea $110-psychologist testing $40-sleep study $40-blood tests etc. $$$$-chest xray (still needs to be done) $1500-1800 for my 10% of 1 night in the hospital I still don't know how much the anesthesiologist costs. My insurance covers 90% Surgeon Costs My insurance also covers 90% $12-preop appointment with dr. fowler *I'm sure I missed a couple of things here and there, but very small things. Along with this is the items I have to buy for my liquid diet, but it probably evens out with the food I would normally buy anyway.

Ha. I had a dream a few nights ago that I had gotten sleeved, but my dream wasn't comforting. In my dream I kept forgetting that I had my sleeve and would eat too much and then sit there and wonder if my stomach was going to burst (I guess I had just gotten it). Very scary. Have you looked at ghrelin??? The research is still pretty new, but suggests that when a person gets the sleeve...this hormone is reduced greatly. This hormone is part of why a person is hungry. This might help him understand.

this is a repost from my other blogger site on google...I decided I want to use this site more. so don't be confused by the dates. original post date...12/19/2012 My dinner is cooking and my two year old is occupied so here I am. I left off making my phone call to a weight loss surgeon named Dr. Fowler. The basic run down for someone considering weight loss surgery is as follows: call doctor, attend basic information seminar, appointment with doctor, pay program fee, see psychologist, see nutritionist, see exercise specialist, get approved by insurance carrier, see nutritionist again, see the surgeon one last time, liquid diet, and then finally...SURGERY!!! I have done all of this and then some. My appointment date is scheduled for February 01, 2013. According to the surgeon it takes two to three months to be able to schedule a surgery date from the time you see him the first time around. It has taken me a little bit longer because of some "bumps" in the road. I had to get a sleep study done because I might have sleep apnea. I also was diagnosed with a binge eating disorder and was mandated to get help first from a psychologist. I was extremely frustrated with the bumps in my road. I am not a patient person and when I set my mind to something I basically want it now. I didn't want anything to get in my way, but I am relieved at the way things turned out. I turned out having a mild case of sleep apnea and have to use a cpap machine every night. Like everything in life, this was a change that took getting used to. I have been using it only a couple of weeks now, but can sleep through the night with it on and actually sleep through the night. My psychology appointments have proven an asset rather than a burden. My regular sessions with my psychologist have helped with my binge eating disorder and other elements of my life. I have known for sometime now that something must be off if I keep gaining weight and fail every time I try to lose any. I tried to think of what it was because I didn't think I was a typical emotional eater. I was forced to examine my eating. What I discovered was I was an emotional eater. I didn't eat when I was sad or mad, but when things seemed out of control in my life and I couldn't do anything to change it. The feeling of helplessness. Since I was little I always believed that if I put my mind to something I could change it if I wanted to. This feeling of helplessness was quite new to me...well new meaning the past 5 years of my life. As far as my binge eating disorder goes...well according to the book: The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook, most overweight people considering weight loss surgery suffer from binge eating. Great book by the way! I highly recommend buying it. It organizes the wealth of information. It is quite overwhelming coming into this process and receiving so much information. This book definitely helps and puts it in a nice organized pattern. It took me awhile to accept my diagnosis. I just couldn't see past my frustration of possibly having an obstacle to my goal. After about a week, I looked at it with new eyes. If I had a problem, then I wanted to be aware of it and fix it...long term. What I discovered? I did binge eat. Let me just say that binge eating is relative. I can binge eat, but it is way less food than my husband eats, but way more than I normally eat. The more I was aware of my binge eating, the less frequently I binged. I also discovered new elements of self. I consistently found excuses to eat. Thanksgiving, Christmas, a birthday party. These were all excuses for myself to lose control and eat anything I wanted to. I have lived my whole life controlling what goes in my mouth. I wanted to lose control. I didn't want to have to watch what I ate. I didn't want to read food labels. I don't only control food that goes in my mouth, but I control what goes in my daughter's mouth and my husband's mouth. I control pretty much every aspect of my home life and work life. I am always in charge. I am always the responsible one, and my binge eating was my way of letting go. It was my way of being irresponsible and care free. I still see the psychologist. She helps me with general things now. Do I have my binge eating disorder under control? I think so. Just like weight loss it is a daily struggle, but self-awareness is a great tool. I love going to the psychologist. She is someone that helps me see things from a different point of view. I used to be a self-aware, carefree, relaxed individual. I somehow got caught up in all the little things and became the person I am today. I know who I am, but I haven't been her for awhile now and hopefully this path I am on will lead me back to her...the better me.

Ooooh live me some skinny cow

I totally agree! I actually search for before and after pics on the web because that is what makes me excited. I like to see other people succeed. I will definitely fill out my information and post pics. I am preop...so there isn't much progress, but I WILL FOR SURE

January 30th! Excited for everyone! We all have to update what happens and our progress.

I'm sorry to hear that. It definitely sucks to wait when you want something so bad. I have Hmsa and they were pretty straight forward. I wasn't required to lose any weight, but did have to see a psychologist for my binge eating. I went to an orientation seminar in july 2012 and I got approved in December. My date is january 30th. good luck to you and hang in there.

He is probably afraid of all the attention you will get. I am not a superficial person, but I accept that smaller people get "checked out" more than large people even if they don't have a very nice face. I've seen it over and over again. What you are doing for yourself is making him very insecure. It is very selfish of him, but I think it is also very common. They way you are right now is comforting for him. It is safe for him. Any sort of change...and this is a drastic change will stir up his oh so safe life. I mean think about it. You get the surgery, you eat healthier, you lose weight, you look better, you feel better, you have more energy. your self-esteem triples, your confidence quadruples. It probably scares the sh@t out of him to imagine what will happen when you are that way and he is STILL THE SAME! Forget about it and be strong. Just remind yourself that you are the most important person in your life because without you living everyday nothing in your life would be possible. Good Luck!

totally understand the anxiety. I haven't had my surgery yet...it is January 30th, but I think it will totally be worth it

After I gave birth in 2010, I attempted to lose weight quite a few times. I reverted back to my old fail safe...the south beach diet. This diet has worked for me numerous times and fairly quickly too. I also got a prescription for phentermine from a local doctor. In Hawaii, only one type of phentermine is prescribed, which is the non time-release pill. I used to get it in New York and have only used the time-release capsule in the past. I'm not sure if it was the pill or if it was me, but it didn't work for me this time around. I was able to eat through the symptoms. It wasn't as long lasting and didn't do much for my night time eating. My husband and I purchased an elliptical, but I rarely used that. I even tried to go walking with my cousins, but it was just different this time. Everything was different this time. I couldn't find my motivation, and when I didn't succeed my depression would take over. I have always been able to overcome, but not this time. Worst of all, was the pain. With every pound that added to my frame, I found a new nerve, muscle, or tendon that ached. I had pain when I stood too long. I had pain when I sat too long. My feet, heels, back, arms, shoulders, neck, and everything in between were in constant pain. Eventually my workouts subsided, and I entered the cycle of putting on weight and being in pain. I started to think of other options of losing weight. I saw an old co-worker on my facebook that used to be 400 lbs down to less than 200 lbs. I haven't seen any pictures of her in a long time and was surprised at how much weight she lost. I started searching her facebook page for any clues for her success. Alas, I finally found a discrete post from a year prior about her surgery. That was when I really started to think and wish about having weight loss surgery. I have thought about it when I was lighter, but I have always been what I like to call a "healthy fat person." I don't have diabetes, gout, high blood pressure...nothing. I was now a weight where the doctors would start to take surgery as a valid solution for my problem. I often wished that I wouldn't have cravings about food that was around me. I often wished I didn't always have this problem and that I could fix it somehow where it didn't dictate my life. So in June of 2013 I made my first move towards getting weight loss surgery. I called Dr. Fowler's office.

I guess it depends on how strict you want to be. I worked for starbucks for 12 years (I quit in 2011) and as far as I can tell (assuming things are the same)...here are some tips. Hot teas are okay...just ask the barista which one has no caffeine. The common catch phrase is herbal tea. earl grey, english breakfast, joy, green tea at starbucks all have some caffeine. As far as I remember the ones you are looking for are Calm (chamomile), the mint one I forget the name, and there is a berry tea. They might have some new ones. If you order Iced tea you can get it unsweetened. As far as coffee drinks...straight coffee is your best bet, but has the most caffeine. They have sugar free syrups which are vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, and sometimes they have a "holiday" one. If you don't say sugar free or non fat you will get the sugar loaded one and their drinks are standardly made with 2% milk unless you request something else. Sugar free syrups do take a little getting used to if you aren't used to "that" sort of of flavor. Caramel Apple cider is made with straight apple juice, a very sugary syrup, whip cream, and caramel drizzle on top...I wouldn't ever touch that. They do have smoothies, but keep in mind that they are made with a concentrate and high fat milk, and usually a banana thrown in there...so that is very carb loaded. If you go to a slow store, then talk with the barista, but just keep in mind that a lot of the times they don't really know the answers. If you do go, then just remember to ask for non fat milk and sugar free syrup and you can always get half decaf drinks also...Hope this helps

January 30th! I can't wait!