jenakaela

Hi Rebeca...if you're worried about your bmi going under 40 after losing the required 10%, no worries. Kaiser will except your highest wt with bmi of 40+ no comorbidities or 35 with comorbidities within 12mos of weigh in. I'll use myself as an example, I have no comorbidities, my wt on record was 316 bmi 46-47 12/19/12, highest wt not on record 322 1/3/13, currently I weigh 287 bmi 42, if I weigh 260 bmi 38 at preop appt or day of surgery, I'll still have surgery because Kaiser accepts your highest wt that qualified you to begin with. I think the qualification process is the same for all Kaiser members across the board, whether you're an out of pocket member or through employment.
I also read that your pcp is not supportive of your decision...that's not kool. You should consider looking into getting another pcp. I found that for me personally, the more supporters you have the better off you are. I didn't tell very many people about my surgery, but for sure when I'm post-op, if I'm asked I have no problems with sharing my journey. I hope the above information is helpful and if you have any questions feel free to ask me.
Lota

I did it! Just got back from my one year post op appointment! Here are the facts:
Day of surgery 299 pounds and a 44 BMI
Today 172 pounds and a 28 BMI.
Was a tight size 24, now I wear a comfortable size 10!
I am 5'9''
Best thing I have ever done for myself.
I do watch what I eat, but I have no regimented exercise. I have bad knees, but stay busy with my 3 daughters...getting ready to go horseback riding in a few hours -
If you are unsure, I am telling you - it is fantastic!
I LOVE to go shopping now.
I have never been sick - not once. No puking for me...but I am a wussy and never "pushed" it,....when I am full, I stop eating.
I do have some loose skin on my upper underside of my arms, my lower belly and inner thighs...but only hubby really sees that, and he doesn't mind:) I have been pregnant 3 times, and I do not know why I was worried about how my stomach would look...it's not like 3 fat rolls were that much more attractive!
I look cute in my tankini
There is nothing I CAN'T eat, but a lot of stuff I shouldn't - so I try to still stay away from most carby things....unless it's an occasional treat. I like to stay around 40g of carbs a day....
If the kids want ice cream at Marble Slab - I don't order any for myself, but I take a bite or two of theirs and feel satisfied:)
My hair is getting nice and thick again - thankk GOD!
My levels all looked good - but I do need to start ub the sublingual B12 again....I am terrible about taking a pill!!
My doctor would like to see me go down to 160 because I like the weight I am at now....he says I will regain some of my muscle mass that I have inevitably lost, and if the lower 170's is were I want to be for maintenance, getting to 160 will assure that!
As always, feel free to contact me if you have specific questions. I don't get on here much anymore - but my personal email is ssmonte72@yahoo.com I WILL respond to you!
God Bless!
Shannon

Hello Sleever People!
I had my surgery January 25, 2010 with Dr. Aceves in Mexico and have never once looked back. I was on this board pretty much 24/7 pre-op and for a long time post op and one of the things that I desperately wished for more of was feedback from people that were "long term" sleevers. We seem to be few and far between and I swore I would provide regular updates... fail!!! And I apologize to any of you that, like me, wish for more of the "big picture" - no pun intended! It's true that we simply get on with life after surgery and before we know it, life has been blowing by and suddenly it's been some fantastic years gone by - you'll see, trust me!
So, the long and short of my sleeve experience has been incredible – there truly are no words to describe one of the absolute best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. I started at 254 and lost exactly 100 pounds well before the end of the year. I ate low carb and drank Protein Shakes forever it seemed. About a year and change after surgery, after maintaining a size 4/6 154# for months, I started gaining – eeekk!!! – I attributed this primarily to nursing school (which I started the same week of my vsg and have since finished and am now working in an ER – whole nuther story!) and grazing all day. Cashews are the devils work, btw!! I was scared and worried but stopped gaining after slowly putting back on 20 pounds. I’ve lost five of that since, am now in a size 8/10 and have been holding there for some time. I truly eat what I want within reason. I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I have been at this weight for over a year now.
I 100% BELIEVE THAT EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS LONG TERM!!!!! So commit to it, the sleeve, while a fantastic tool, WILL NOT solve all of your problems if you aren’t prepared to take care of yourself and having the sleeve makes it easy!! Like any “diet” or whatever, the long term is the trick; you will be able to eat A LOT more as time goes on yet nothing like before. You WILL be able to eat enough and often enough to gain weight if you are not aware. But it’s different. I would have easily gained that 100# back by now, that I know.
So, for me, to compensate for eating so-so, I bicycle competitively and long-distance; average 50 miles every other day at about 19mph. I have a group that I ride with but do it often on my own too. Burns a gajillion calories.
I guess the bottom line is that your life is going to be absolutely incredible post-op BUT, you will always have to be aware of what’s going in and out. The story about the woman who gained all her weight back cuz she would order an xl pizza and work on it all day? I can see that!! Yikes! But, you know what? Don’t buy the stupid pizza!! Easy!!
I wish you all the very best and please feel free to contact me to vent, ask questions, whatever, I’m happy to help and happy to be here for you.
Carol

Very inspiring Jena!

7 months out, 127 lbs down and you haven't even tried Jello yet??? What have you been eating? The hospital was shoving that in my face 24 hours after surgery. In now down 167 lbs in 6 1/2 months and have tried everything under the sun. I have become a firm believer that you can eat ANYTHING as long as its in very careful moderation. I just had a small handful of M & M's and I bet I still lose a half to full pound by the time I weigh myself In the morning. Losen up a bit, it will help you succeed in the long run.

Hello everyone,
Just stopping by to post some before and after pics. I'm still 7 lbs away from goal but I'm totally happy I'm not where I used to be. I give all Glory to God because without Him none of this would be possible. It's been a long journey. My advice to those who are just starting would be to hang in there, your day will come. God Bless you all!!!

I didn't realize you were the beholder of all medical knowledge about bands and sleeves. Obviously my surgeon did not realize this either and failed to consult with you. Thankfully I have my operative pictures and you can clearly see my inflamed spleen laying on my band. Seems like you might need to learn your anatomy a little better because as a nurse I can tell you it is absolutely possible for a spleen to get in the way especially when it swells. I'm so glad you gave me all your divine wisdom here so i guess that just erases everything I went through the past week because YOU have deemed it can't be possible. Are you kidding me??? I didn't post on here to get your approval or permission but obviously you feel the need to give your uneducated rediculous opinions. The fact the the sleeve was unexpected was because the surgeon told me he would not know what he could do until he got in there and if the stomach was to swollen he would only be able to remove the band. Again I must tell him to consult with you from now on because you have all the answers. Would you like to see my operative pictures, reports, hospital records? I wouldn't want you to be misguided. This surgeon did me an enormous favor by handling this but that is what happens in the medical profession when you are a NICE and UPSTANDING person in the field. I'm grateful for this surgeon and he has wonderful bedside manner as well as great operative numbers. He has even called me at home each day to make sure that I feel okay. I didn't say I had an erosion or a slip. I said I had a prolapse so you might want to do your research before you run your negative mouth and make an attempt to call me a liar. The only thing not right here is YOU. Worry about your own journey and I will take care of mine. What would I have to gain to make up a story and post it on here especially when I have already lost my weight ( not 20 pounds). You might want to respond to the other members that have responded to me and have gone through the same thing and let them know that they are lieing as well and that this experience didn't really happen to them. Feel free to not comment to me because i don't waste my precious life on negative and ugly people.

Even though my surgery is this coming Monday, I've been waiting on approval and I just got word from my coordinator.... APPROVED!!!! It finally feels real. I had been scared to get my hopes up because I've had such a hard time with insurance, and after countless hours of the phone, special requests from my PCP, changing hospitals and surgeon, all the fighting is over. Whew, it's really happening good luck to everyone and especially anyone struggling with insurance.

Good luck to all of you...you're all getting sleeved on my birthday! Awesome
Sent from my DROID using VST

Good luck to you as well.
Sent from my DROID using VST

Hey Lota, I'm having my surgery at Kaiser in Fremont also. My Dr is Dr. Dennen. I'm in the beginning stages....gotta loose 26lbs....here we go...
Congrats!....ure day is almost here, can't wait for mine!
Let me know how everything goes.
Rishida

I'm a newbie, but that has nothing to do with it. I couldn't help but laugh all through this thread. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Who cares what anybody thinks........including this post by me. Most people come on here and other forums to help them with their upcoming surgeries by getting "first hand " information from real patients. Then if they stick around after their procedures, it is to offer the same information to other newbies. It really isn't in my mind what anybody thinks of me or my values or even my personality. And that being said, there isn't a chance in h*ll that I'll agree with everyone on here or them with me for that matter. So......everybody shake hands......chill out and and tell me where it hurts......Oh, and just to get my own totally biased opinion into the mix........."The surgery won't lose the weight for me.......eating a whole lot less.....and correct foods.... and exercise and and and and and..... for always.... is what is going to make me lose the weight. And if I don't do it......or if I don't keep doing it......I'll remain fat or put it all back on like I have done in the past. All the surgery will do is help me limit intake......something I have not been able to do in the past. No different then if someone put a gun to my head and said they'd shoot me unless I limit my intake..........Kinda drastic.....but effective analogy. Both alternatives, quite uncomfortable or even lethal. So......as far a I'm (JUST ME....got that.....no one else.) concerned.......I'm the one responsible for losing any weight. Not the surgery.....not any pills.....just me. Yeah sure I don't want any discomfort the tiny little stomach will cause if I eat too much......so I won't. Hence the reason to get the surgery........But still just me responsible for actually losing any weight and keeping it off. Done! that's my opinion. Not meant to be anyone else's and I don't care what anyone's reaction to it is either. I just want to be skinny and healthy ......for whatever time I have left. And what I tell or don't tell anyone is of no consequence to me. Now let's get back to me finding out about the crappy food and drinks I'm gonna have to switch to.

What a great day! I don't get them often because my loss has been slow. I'm literally losing at the exact same rate I was before the surgery. 3 months out and 36 lbs. BUT 1. Today I finally hit Onederland. Yay! 2. I hit my halfway mark. 70 Lbs. gone, 70 lbs. to go.Yay! 3. Went to get my hair cut short today because it has started to fall out and when I walked in the hairdresser didn't recognize me because of the weight loss. Yay! When you're not sure if it shows yet, that's a nice thing to hear. I'm stoked.

Congrats!!!!!!!

I so agree the nervous part of the process will probably be the week before surgery. I have my surgery date for 4/19/13. I have to weigh in on 4/1/13 and take a post op course. I have met my weight requirement and will be so thankful to get my weight in complete. Good luck!

Congrats! I agree, VST has been a LIFE RAFT through the pre-surgical process. My surgery is on 4/22...super excited and yet it doesn't seem totally real yet either. Good luck to you! I'll be right behind ya.

Lota,
Congrats. I'm sure its been tedious with the pre specialists appointments.
I currently am going through my specialists before My appointment with my surgeon Dr. Harai
Rhttp://nguyenadvancedsurgicalassociates.com/advanced-surgical-associates-surgeons/dr-thomas-hirai/
My surgery would be done in San Jose.

Congratulations!!
Hopefully after surgery it will be easier for you. You will be satisfied much easier because of the restriction. Very exciting!! Good luck!!

congrats!

congrads to u and i wish u the best