Sadlers1999

Hi there! Im in pueblo! Got my denial yesterday from hymark! I'm so bummed! I will continue on with the appeal process! I had a band put in in 2005' date=' it prolapsed on me 2 times second time I had it removed! I lost 100 lbs total! It has been out 3 years now and I've gained all weight back! My denial was due to BMI! It's only 38 but I have terrible knee problems due to being overweight! I was aiming for end of April but I guess appeals take at least 30 days! I was wondering if I gain weight before I appeal if that might help? Anyone ever hear of this! So bummed! [/quote']

I hate to say it, but I don't think it's worth it to gain weight so your BMI will be high enough for insurance. It would be one thing if you were only a few pounds off, but do you really want to make more fat cells (which never go away) just to have surgery? You should appeal based on your knees (which could be expensive if you need to replace them later in life), but in the meantime, given our proximity to Mexico, you should check out the forum strands that are written by people who have gone to Mexico because it was the only way to afford surgery without the participation of insurance. While that might sound scary, it seems like there are a lot of people who have been satisfied by their care south of the border. You might also seek advice specifically from those who have had sleeve revisions after lapbands. Seems like that is a growing group and they could probably give you more specific ideas germaine to your predicament. But, as I said at the start, I would not try and gain two levels of BMI weight to quality for surgery. It's just more weight to lose afterwards AND you NEVER get rid of those fat cells.

I didn't buy any Isopure because there weren't a lot of good reviews but I tried it in the hospital and tolerated it well. Kind Nurse Nancy sent me home with two bottles. Today I made calls around to local GNCs and was surprised the first two I called didn't have any the downtown store told me they were just bought out by a local hospital. The third store I called on Leetsdale and Quebec had 8 bottles of the apple Mellon. I only wanted to buy six but as luck would have it they were buy three get one free. Score!

I live in Parker. There is more than one GNC in Parker and the one I go to (next to Safeway) not only has cases of it out, but also refrigerated bottles. I did not like the fruit flavors too much, so the manager of the store gave me her number and when I want to buy a bunch of the tea-flavored one, I can call her so she can add it to her regular order. The buy three, get one free has been going on for a while. In any case, if you have a GNC closer to you than Leetsdale and Quebec, you should ask the manager at your closest location if they can order stuff for you, too, if you decide you want to have some during the first months of recovery.. It's all an adjustment. I had 1/2 a slice of pizza today at 3 months out. I could never have imagined that even last month. However, pizza does not have a lot of Protein, so I am liable to "eat" one meal as a Protein shake.

BTW, re: Protein Shake reviews - I don't even know what to say about them. It's such an individual thing. I bought some powdered Proteins and I barely used them after the first week! I use Greek yogurt (plain) to make shakes and I prefer that. The yogurt needs refrigeration, though, and that is the advantage of the isopure. It travels without refrigeration.

Here is the link to the summer challenge...: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/73185-challenge-1st-day-of-summer-weigh-in/

I participated in the Spring Challenge so I made one for summer...

I would love to be 165 by june 1st. I am currently 184, but since I am a really slow loser, 165 may be a little ambitious. To be honest, given the kind of feedback I get from the doctor and NUT (practically nothing), I really don't feel like i have much control over how much I lose, but dare to dream.

I am home now. No endoscopy just the swallow test with X-ray. Throat a little sore from anesthesia intubation. My surgery was at Rose with Dr. Snyder. I am only having Water Isopure and broth. So far so good.

Isopure really was the only thing that got me through the first month post-surgery. i mean, I was getting Protein from other sources, but not enough. Getting 40 g from that drink saved me. But, I only drink the green tea flavor. Tried a few of the others, but the taste bugged me.

Take it easy!!!!!

Down 51 lbs since surgery. Starting weight 275 lbs' date=' today 224. I still haven't taken my measurements, and I should. I know I've had to have lost a lot in inches. The size 16 jeans I bought about 3 weeks ago, I pulled off unzipped this past weekend. I struggle still getting in my Protein. I gave up the protein bars, made me gain. I try really hard to get my Water in, and most days I do. My surgeons PA and nutritionist both recommended NOT increasing my caloric intake, I was at 500 calories a day up until two weeks ago. But I found when I ate a bit more, 700 cal, my weight started to come off. On days I don't eat enough, the scale will show a pound gain.[/quote']

re: caloric intake - i do think it feels like Russian Roulette, because if our bodies think they are starving, we won't lose. However, if we eat too much, we might not lose either. So, we can listen to the NUT's advice, but if your body loses more weight on a slightly increased caloric intake, then go with it.

I never considered that my feet would get smaller. Clothing makes sense' date=' but I keep having to buy shoes as my feet shrink. WTH?[/quote']

Well, your weight pushes down on your foot spreading it out more in all directions. While it may not recover to a super small size, I am thinking less weight on your foot may mean that things are springing back the way they should leading to a smaller width/length.

Sleeved December 7' date=' 2011. It's been harder after my appetite came back June 2012, the same day that I could start eating solid food again (double whammy) but have never gone up..just not down as fast as I would like[/quote']

I am impressed that it took about six months for you to get your appetite back. i've had mine since about 1 month post-op. It doesn't mean that I could eat just anything, but it means that I would have cravings. That definitely complicates things. Since you are a year plus post op, how close are you to your goal now? Have you made it to a happy place weight-wise? I do realize that for some of us (probably me included), it will take more than a year to get off the weight I want.

Congrats to the Colorado sleevers. I had my surgery 3/18/2013 the first day of the rest of my life.

Are you posting to the forum from the hospital or from home? Where did you have your surgery and how are you feeling today? Day 3 was the hardest for me, because of my throat...not because of my stomach. They did two endoscopies on me and my throat was just so raw feeling. Water hurt. Hoping you are doing okay.

Hi Girls got the call....holy cow...they want me to do surgery this Tuesday...holy cow... 3 appointments all over Colorado today just to get everything done and start my fast on Saturday....holy cow...

Tuesday the 26th? This is a month earlier than you thought it would be, right? Which hospital are you going to again? I know it's not Sky Ridge or Parker....

I'm sure that it's going to be great. Your timing is similar to when I had my surgery. I had mine done just before Christmas and you will be just before EAster. It was a little rough being on liquids/purees when everyone was eating traditional holiday food, but I was still really happy.

I had my 3 mo. fu today and am down 30 pounds. I am disappointed it is not more as I have been stalled for a mo. The nut. told me I am doing great and it is normal to stall but assured me it will come off. So' date=' I am ok with where I am now. have 70 to go. So Sadlers, you are doing GREAT![/quote']

Thanks, Lexy. 30 lbs is awesome, too. We may be tortoises, but we can still "win" the race.

Had my 3-month check up yesterday. I've lost 38 lbs since the day of surgery; 45 since my last pre-op appointment (when I started Clear Liquids pre-op) and 58 lbs since last July when I started the process of taking classes. The doctor told me that most people who are sleeved only lose 60% of their weight. Even though my post-surgery weight loss hasn't been ultra speedy, I am hoping that I better that statistic. I mean, whatever weight has come off has put me in a better place than where I was, but I would like to get to my goal of 140 and stay there. He did tell me that someone my height should be 115-125, but I told him that I did not think that was likely for me. The last time I was in that range, I was ten (5th grade). When I got married, I was 140 and i know I was overweight by chart standards, but i didn't feel it and I dont' think I looked like it either. I felt really healthy.

When I met with the NUT yesterday, she reiterated that using straws and drinking carbonated beverages at this point might not feel uncomfortable, but the gas expands our stomachs and stretches them out quicker. i don't drink anything carbonated, but I have used a straw from time to time. I guess based on her warning, if I want to improve my chances of getting to 140, I will try harder to avoid straws.

Holla! Went to Sea World today with my family. We were there from open until close with my sons (3 & 6 year olds). It's amazing how miserable walking around was 67 pounds ago. Today I could walk around with no problem. I fit on all the rides' date=' even the kid ones, and in all of the chairs. Heck I even fit in the bathroom stall. So amazing. There was a dance party at the end for the kids and I danced the whole time with boundless energy even after having walked around and chased kids for almost 12 hours. This is awesome. I attached two photos. One from today and one from our last vacation in August.[/quote']

You look really cute in your "after" picture. I have four kids: 10, 8, 4, 2 and they are the NUMBER ONE reason I did this surgery because I want to enjoy life with them. My extra 100 pounds never stopped me from doing anything, but it made it so much harder and I am still 'young-ish". I was worried more about the future when having all the extra weight really catches up with you (re: joints, co-morbidities, etc). Love your picture. I'm not as far along as you...maybe only 35 lbs since December...but it's what I aspire to.

I joke that about 20 of the 61 pounds that I lost was 100% ass' date=' lol. I had a big 'ol ghetto booty. Now I'm getting closer to a cute booty! [/quote']

I think I have lost a lot in that particular region as well. I am short, so the weight made/makes me look like Mary Todd Lincoln....less ghetto and more just plain unattractive. i don't think I will get a cute butt out of this, but I will take less butt any day.

I hit my 90 day mark the 5th and I am down 80 lbs. I just started biking and I know I need to get more active. I feel good' date=' but still having some issues with my food intake.

It seems I am at the toilet vomiting at least once or twice a day. It wears me out! Some foods I am ok with one time and the next they don't agree with my stomach.

I am 5'6 3/4" and my goal weight is 145. I am currently in between size 16 and 14. I was a size 22 about to bust into a 24. I am seeing the loss now when I put on clothes that are falling off that once were tight.

[/quote']

Sorry to hear about the vomiting. While I guess we were all told it could happen, I don't think it is typical at this stage of the game (with the sleeve). Stay well.

Sleeved 12/28/12

Pre diet 357

Day of surgery. 336' date=' -21

Today 302, -34

Total lost= 55lbs.

I'm 5'10.[/quote']

Wish i were that tall! i hate being short, but there's nothing I can do about it. To add insult to injury, I was 5'4" until i had children. I lost a 1/2" probably because of all the weight on my feet/arches flattening out...

I don't mean to put anyone down but when people post that they have lost in excess of 100 lbs in such short periods' date=' it makes me angry. I wonder why them and not me??? I want to know if I'm doing something wrong and yet I know I'm following my protocol 100%. I just had to post because I don't come on here daily because of this reason. I guess I'm just jealous and petty. Anyone else feel like me???[/quote']

First, the person who posted ahead of you was a guy (who lost 100 lbs in 3 months). That being said, I think there are fewer woman who lose 100 lbs in 3 months with this procedure. It's not impossible, but it depends on their starting weight (do any of these people need to lose more than 100 lbs?), their sex (men do lose more quickly even in this scenario) and their ages. One person posted that she had lost a lot of weight and she was 27. But, these are just generalizations.

I have struggled with the jealousy bug at times, BUT it did give me comfort that my primary care physician told me that more of her patients (who have been sleeved like me) lose "slowly" than not. The unfortunate thing is that people like me don't typically post. But, what is slow anyway? I am 43, the mother of 4 young kids and before this surgery I would go to the gym and the weight barely came off. It was such a depressing feeling to be trying to eat right and exercising and still being fat. Now, if I can get 10 lbs off per month, it seems like a miracle.

I do think that you really have to give yourself the full first year to make a judgement. I have always been overweight, but I will say that the morbid obesity crept up on me with every pregnancy and with hypothyroidism. In other words, I was heavy when I was younger but NOT morbidly obese. It took me a decade to get to be 100 lbs overweight. So, maybe it would seem like a quick fix to lose 100 lbs in 3 months, but on the other hand, why should my body do that? I think if we just stick to our programs and keep our eye on the prize, in 12 months...even if we aren't 100 lbs lighter, we will be in such a better place. And, read all the posts about non-scale WL victories. I didn't have hypertension or diabetes, but my energy is getting so much better.

Sleeved 12/19/12 HW 298

Pre-Diet -18 280

Current -26 254

Total -44

One week exactly to my 3 month anniversary....really trying to drop 6 pounds to hit my 50 pound 3 month goal...if not would love to be 50 down by Easter!

I went on vacation last week...I had seafood every night' date=' but shared with my boyfriend and only had things that were grilled or steamed. A couple bites each night really filled me up with half a side salad...and I saved money!

You all make me feel so much better! At times I think what if I fail and don't loose all the weight, but when I see you are all in the same place as me I feel so much better! Thanks for the inspiration.

***What is everyone's height and goal weight?***

I'm 5'6, goal at the moment is 140....but I'm starting to think that might be too low.[/quote']

My goal is also 140 and I am 5'3 1/2". I think it depends on why you want to be that thin. There was a woman on You Tube, and it was very important for her to wear a bikini. I am doing this for health reasons. I have always been fat (even as a young child in the 1970s and I didn't eat fast food and crap). There was one brief shining moment in my late 20s when I worked in NYC and walked 5-6 miles 5 times a week and got down to 140. According to Weight Watchers, I was still overweight for my height, but I felt good and I think I looked good, too. So, that is why I chose that number. I don't need to be in a bikini.

Well' date=' at the hospital having a chest x-ray. Flu A and B are negative, mono test is negative. I passed out and threw up when they drew my blood, that was amazing. I just want to know what's wrong and make it go away![/quote']

Feel better and keep us posted. Hope they figure out what is ailing you sooner than later.

Surgery 12/21

Day of Surgery: 271

Current Weight: 239

-32 lbs

Trying not to be disappointed and frustrated because I am behind most people in stats. But hey' date=' 32 lbs is 32 lbs right? As long as I keep losing I feel ok. My fear is that I will STOP losing...[/quote']

I think you speak for a lot of us re: fears about losing more weight. 32lbs is awesome, though, and you should be proud

Hello December group

Was curious to see if everybody could post Their current weight loss is.... It sounds like a lot of us have had plateaus... But are still slowly losing weight that's great

Patty

Per-started at 296....lost 32 pounds

Surgery I was at 264

Today I am at 222.2 down from surgery 42 pounds

Altogether 74 pounds

Pre-surgery - HW 242 - lost 20

Day of surgery (12/17) - 222

March 7th 191

Total Lost since BEFORE surgery: 51

Loss Since surgery: 31

I am 5'3 1/2" - so for a short person even though I have made it to one-derland, I still look really heavy. But, at least I am going in the right direction.

Someone else said that they put their stats in their tickers, but I am on an i-pad app and I don't see tickers....so don't assume everybody sees the same screen.

Yep' date=' I've been in heaven since my surgery ....being cold sure beats hot flashes! Hope it lasts...

Being cold is definitely a symptom hypothyroidism......it was one of the first symptoms I noticed before I was diagnosed. I developed thyroid cancer (not related to hypothyroidism) and I'm on full hormone replacement (had a total thyroidectomy).[/quote']

Are you old enough to ave hot flashes? You look younger than me in your head shot! :-)

What dosage do you take if you have no thyroid? I am guessing you are on synthroid/levoxyl...

I dontvthink its thyroid for being cold. I stay a lot colder now after surgery and when i was researching it it looks like a LOT of people are staying cold afterwards.

I had problems with feeling cold before surgery. It's just worse than ever now. It is a thyroid issue. My basal temp has been 95.8F in the morning. My husband and I were doing Natural Family Planning and my temps don't even register on their charts!

I have Graves' disease and am on tapezol. Having it has made me question weight loss as well bc since starting meds I've gained 2lbs a month. Ill be sleeved march 20th

It's interesting, because really, once your thyroid is out of whack...one way or the other....weight suffers. I've known people with Grave's that were dangerously thin. It's the opposite of our problem, but it IS a problem just the same. Other symptoms like hair loss, problems with heat regulation, problems with menstruation, etc, etc. are teh same across the board.

When I initially inquired about my own slow weight loss, I wondered if it had to do with the disease; but plenty of people have lost a ton of weight with thyroid issues. So, I guess it's me. I certainly eat right and exercise. I was home-bound today because my daughter has a stomach flu, but as boring as it was, I walked around my house for 10,000 steps and I climbed my stairs 75 times. Slow weight loss is not always a sign that someone is not "doing enough." I kind of get the sense from people taking it off more quickly that I must be doing something "wrong," but my PCP says that there are a lot of people who lose slowly like me. Because it is slow, we don't post as much, but we are a substantial group.

Good luck on the 20th.

I have felt crappy. Always tired' date=' and always cold. My TSH hasn't been this high since I was diagnosed. I hope this helps.[/quote']

Well....I am always cold. I know that is thyroid related. So stupid! I am so heavy I should feel warm/hot, not cold; but I dress in layers because normally I veer towards cold. I even bought a bathrobe for after surgery and I was so happy to have it, because the temp in the house is set to 70, but I was freezing. Nevertheless, I think that is just my permanent reminder of hypothyroidism....just like I have permanent hair loss...It fell out and never came back even with the synthetic hormone.

But, I haven't been unusually tired. Not any worse than before surgery. I am just really glad that they finally caught your elevated TSH and you are getting the meds you need. ((Hugs))

I have lost 44 lbs since my surgery 12/17/12. I have been overly anxious about my weight loss. I expected to lose more by now. I compare my progress to a friend who had surgery a week before me. I lost a net of 7 lbs in February. I follow my diet' date=' exercise, the whole shebang. I have suffered with hypothyroidism for 11 years. My last pcp decreased my dose of synthroid from 200 mcg to 125 mcg some time last year. I had my TSH repeated and it was 14.7. So, starting tomorrow my dose will be higher and hopefully my metabolism will get a boost.[/quote']

Wow! I bet you will see a big difference if your TSH is up to 14.7. How have you been keeping your energy up with your TSH so high? I think the highest mine ever was (back in the beginning before I knew I was hypothyroid...10 years ago)...was between 5 and 6 and I could barely do anything. Just wanted to sleep! I've heard of people with numbers around 20, but they were usually in pretty bad shape (not weight...just in general) when they were that high. In any case, I really think that once you start the new prescription, you should not only get a boost of energy, but I'll bet you will drop the lbs. more consistently.

Currently I'm on 137 mcg, but I haven't been tested since before surgery. I do wonder if anything has changed, but I think my energy has been "good enough" that I can't imagine that my TSH has gone up.

And, for the record, we had surgery the same day, but I have only lost 30 lbs. I am still grateful.