Ms.Cali

No - I had three different dr office check my insurance for approval and final costs - none of them charged me anything to start this process.

Suzy that's exciting to hear! How long where you sleeved when Ramadan came last year? Also, where you able to get in your full Water and Protein intake or did you come short? I would think it would be very easy to fast - almost like cheating - since you don't feel hunger anymore. :-)

I should clarify - the fasting is an obligations on healthy people that can handle. If a person is ill or if fasting negatively effects ones health - than they are exempt for the fasting part. If ones illness is short term, they can just make up the missed days later in the year. If its long term, than there are others ways to make it up - like feeding another person that is fasting...etc. I'm just wondering if anyone found a way to stay hydrated (I live in Vegas and its really hotttt now) throughtouf the day. I must say its my biggest concern. Not too worried about the food part. I'm sure I can rack up the Proteins after sunset.

The holy month of Ramadan is just around the corner. For those of you that don't know - its Islamic month where Muslims fast from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. For those of you that observe this month, how did you handle fasting your first year of being sleeved. I'm 6 months out and already have problems with my water/protein intake. I know people that are ill are exempt from the fasting part, but since I've been 12 years old I've been fasting each year.

That would be great... Thank you. I was sleeved in LA. There were several factors that made me pick a dr in LA and had family to assist in the after care in LA vs. Vegas.

I'm like that too - barely enough energy to do the basics. I found increasing my water intake helps. I really have to work at it - it's an all day thing. Just make sure your drinking your 8 glasses a day.

No that's about 12 miles from me. Not too far at all. Do you when and where they meet? Thank you!

Are you aware of any support groups meetings that occur in the LA area?

What helped me make my decision was on old fashion pro and cons. My cons list was much longer. I had some complication with the surgery but I'm back on track and lost about 70% of the excess weight. Don't let fear be a factor. Make the decision based on the facts on your pro and con list. Your running a higher risk not doing anything about it. Good luck with the decision - that was the hardest part for me.

Mine was delayed 3 months - when I finally got it - it was for 2 days and than gone again for 2 months. It's finally after six months and its back to normal I think.

Surgery date 12-12-12 at 237 pounds. Current weight 171 Total loss 66 and 34 more pounds to goal. I haven't had any real stall, just slow and steady loss.

It is different from one to another. I've seen people leave the next day and other after two days. I had a two night stay, spent one night at home, than came back to the ER for another 4 days. Be patient and follow your drs recommendations. They will be able to control the nausea better than you can at home. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi Jen, if you are still in pain you may need to call your doctor. There is no surgery without some kind of pain, but if the pain is not going away or getting worse I think your dr should know. Dilated is synthetic drug, I read somewhere it is about 8 times stronger than morphine. You want to stay away from these drugs as much as possible - they are highly addictive. In my opinion they should only be used in extreme cases where morphine and similar narcotics aren't enough. Hope you feel better soon!!

You will have moments where you think to yourself WTF did I do to myself. It's okay to feel that way but it will pass quickly. It's not an easy journey the first few months but its worth it. It's a mental battle more than anything.

I hope the pain goes away soon honey! Sorry to hear! It is strange they didn't give you the strong stuff to keep you comfortable at least the first night. My surgery is next week - I need to make sure to have that talk with my surgeon and pain meds.

Thank you - makes me feel better. Appreciate the feedback.

Sludge will ultimately turn into stones. That's what happened with me. I didn't want to remove it in hopes of saving it with juice cleanses. That didn't happen, so a few stone attacks later I decided to get it removed - my surgery is next week. If you're having trouble with it now - you may as well get it removed than suffer through it for months. I still vomit and get nauseous for no reason and I'm six months out. Good luck and wish you a speedy recovery!

I'm 6 months post op today and down 67 pounds (which I think is fantastic). I had complications with surgery where I was hospitalized for weeks. Now I have gallstones and they are becoming too painful to not deal with them. So surgery is scheduled for next week. Because of the complications with the sleeve - I'm terrified I'll end up back in the hospital for weeks again. Mentally and physically I can't handle anymore pain. Anyone had the surgery after being sleeved?? How did it go?

You don't have to travel to get a second opinion. Reach out to another dr - there are excellent ones in Standford and Cedar Sinai in California and I'm sure plenty is the NY area. You just have to send them your test results electronically and they will advise. Just the fact that he is not sure the bump is your mesh or not is very bad sign. He should know exactly what's Going on before he opens you up again. Please please get a second and third opinion before making a decision.

I'm six months out today and still never feel hungry. With a busy work schedule and traveling I forget to get and drink - ugh!

I had same issue - wasn't much food intake therefore nothing to come out. But do check with your dr. if you don't have one soon.

My meds schedules were almost identical - I put reminders on my phone for all of them or I wouldn't have remembered what to take. It's rough in the beginning but it will get better.

I agree - the weight loss is so quick that it takes time mentally to catch up. - make sure you are wearing fitted clothes and not your old baggy ones. - have mirrors around the house so that you are seeing yourself throughout the day. - post some older pics on the mirrors so you see the difference. It's just a matter of time before you accept the fact that you are now thin.

I had that talk with my doctor - he said its just part of WLS - it's temporary and things will go back to normal. But in the mean time he said to try Follicle Nutrient Serum by Osmotics Brand or some similar scalp treatment. I just ordered mine - hoping it will work.

You should go in wearing a red high heal pump, sun glasses, and be all dolled up. Knowing men they probably won't recognize you at first. Act like demanding customer, you worked there so you know what kind of customers make their lives living hell. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of discussing your weight loss or what they did to you. Leave them guessing and wondering. Would drive them nuts. Success is the best revenge.