DUBrookie03

That's a great question, I literally noticed about 15 min ago that one of my stab sites has started to itch!! HOpefully others have some good advice! I would normally throw some benadryl cream on but dont think dr would approve.

Hi, I had a hiatal hernia repaired with my VSG this past Monday. I do not know if mesh was used. I have had a little trouble getting things down, but that is most likely due to the extra swelling associated with the repair. Good luck!

I am still on full liquids and there is NO WAY I am going to do anything that I'm not supposed to I will tell you that there is a section on here that has a lot of really great recipies by users for the different stages of diet, you may want to check it out!

Teri do you like tomato soup? I am a HUGE tomato soup person, always have been. The problem is that most all of them have so much sugar that my NUT says it may make me sick. I found that there are some soups in the organic aisle that come packaged in the little box containers that had about 50% less sugar than anything else I've seen. I got one that is tomato and roasted red pepper and i can't wait to try it! How much longer are you on full liquid? I have until Jan 7...

Try some cream of potato with a little garlic and paprika thinned out with skim milk. I have been loving it! I also bought some french onion soup I may have to have that tomorrow

Hey there! I work for JP Morgan and have UHC also, and had to do the same requirements. I too was concerned about loosing "too" much weight. What I did was focus on the diet part, but didn't worry about working out. It worked well for me because I learned that I really enjoyed the taste of healthier food more, and I found that my portion sizes went down a lot. I can sympathize with you on the 6 month feeling like forever though, because it did!! I made it so that I consistantly lost 2-3 lbs a month, but I still ate what I wanted during the 6 months. I will tell you that UHC approved my surgery less than 3 weeks after everything was submitted, and I was able to get my surgery less than 2 weeks after approval. I was sleeved on xmas eve, and I'm now 5 days out and 13lbs lighter. Keep your head up, 6 months is nothing compared to the years of being heavy. You're gorgeous now, so just keep imagining how amazing you are going to look once you succeed. Where are you located by the way? Ohio by any chance??

I agree with Ginger! I count my highest also because I did lose prior to surgery and I think loosing is loosing!

I was intubated for my surgery. My surgeon only does it that way due to such a high % of his patients have sleep apnea which can restrict the airway. They did it after I was asleep and it came out before I woke up so if they hadn't told me they were doing it I would've never known. Hope this helps

Hi Kelly! I hope you get your date soon. I had been having knee issues also, years of sports haven't helped. I got sleeved Christmas Eve 2012 and so far I'm down 13lbs in 5 days. There have been ups and downs but the way I look at it, the aches and pains of healing are much easier to handle than the aches and pains associated with being so heavy. I wish you lots of luck, this site is AWESOME for advice. Keep us posted on your progress

My insurance company and employer do prefer that we use a COE, however we are not required, just have to go somewhere that is in network in order for them to pick up the tab. What they do though is if I decide to use a COE (which I did) once I complete the follow up call with the nurse they deposit $1000.00 into my MRA (medical reimbursement acct). For me, I had already met a $2300 deductable due to carpal tunnel surgery earlier in the year, so not only will the surgery not cost me anything, I'll actually make $1000 that I'll be using to pay off some of the outstanding bills I still have from earlier this year. WOO HOO!

Congrats, and good luck. Will say a prayer for you today! Welcome to the club!!!!!!!

My insurance required a 6 month supervised diet. I had my surgery through what they call a Center of Excellence. There is a whole Bariatric program. I didn't have to do any liquid diet, and I got to eat what I like. My focus was on Protein and portion sizes. I lost 15 lbs before my surgery date 12/24/12 and I've lost another 5 since surgery It's been rough but I know it's going to be worth it!!!!!

I had my surgery on Monday Dec 24th and I also had the worst pain of my life, along with the worst heartburn ever. Today is day 4 after surgery and I'm feeling a little better, however I'm still hurting really bad, especially on the left side and I haven't had the energy to really get up and do anything yet. Hopefully tomorrow I can start walking

Congrats Annie!!! I had my surgery on Dec 24 and I'm down 5lbs in 3 days. Good luck