tisha chapron

Good topic! I was just wondering about this question myself. When I finally made the decision to go ahead and pursue this surgery, I was shocked to find out how much it cost here in Denver, CO. My insurance won't cover this at all. I was quoted $17,500 for the sleeve. The doctor came highly recommended by my best friend and her sister. And when I went to his free seminar I found out he had only done 163 sleeve's. Are you kidding me?! I knew there was no way I could pay that price. And I was so heartbroken. Then I started doing research and found out that I could have 2 very qualified and very experienced surgeons in Mexico do my surgery for $4,700 all inclusive with hotel and transportation, food, etc. Not including airfare. Each surgeon has over 2,000 sleeve surgeries under their belts. Now tell me that's a no brainer. I will be sleeved on July 9, 2013.

I was 322 now I am 239!!!!

I spent so many years hating how I looked in dresses so I just never wore them. I didn't even like wearing bridesmaid dresses, and I wore pants to prom. For the first time ever I actually love how I look in a dress and I can not WAIT to wear this outfit out this weekend. Everyone here has always been so supportive of me so I wanted to share these photos.
Anyone out there on the fence about this surgery, all I can say is it is the BEST THING I EVER DID for myself.

Today I'm registering for surgery and I get my date!

Lots of people post about the food plan aspect of having this surgery, but to me, 90% of the battle is in your head. Follow your doctors post-op diet/exercise plan, figure out what you’re going to pack and where you’re going to have surgery, but work on your attitude toward food as fuel, not as comfort. That is very important. Below are a few questions I asked myself before this surgery. Maybe you are asking yourself the same ones. Please see my answers to them from the perspective of 2.5 years out.
What the hell am I doing???? Well, you are doing what you need to do in order to get healthy. Nothing you’ve tried so far has worked and this looks like it might just be the ticket to reduce that hunger demon and keep portions under control once and for all.
Will I fail again???? Not if you are committed to making a permanent lifestyle change. You are about to permanently cut out 75-85% of your stomach and that is forever, my friends, so you better be ready to commit to this.
Can I lose 100% of my excess weight???? The doctors call 60% a success. Is 60% all you are looking for? Then, by all means, don’t follow your plan and that’s just what you’ll probably lose. If you want to lose it ALL, follow your doctors orders, but know that if something is not working, you can alter your plan to work for you and your individual body…BTW, that usually means restricting caloric intake to something lower than what your doctor may recommend.
Will I still be hungry???? Some people are and some people aren’t. I still have hunger, but it’s not the same as it used to be. It is much milder and just a way of telling me it’s time to eat. It doesn’t make me run to a drive-thru or raid the fridge for ANYTHING I CAN GET MY HANDS ON….Aaahhhhh! It’s not constant like it used to be and it’s much more manageable now.
Am I ready for this???? Were you really ready when you had your first child? You thought you were, but it was just a little different than what you imagined, wasn’t it? Well, this is like that too. Just be as ready as you can be through research and jump on the losers bench and do the best you can. That’s all you can ask of yourself.
Will I miss all the food???? Possibly you will. No more “pig out” sessions. We are used to that and you won’t be physically able to do that anymore. Do I miss it? Sometimes I wish I could eat more because it tastes so good, but then I remember that food is fuel for my body and not something to be used on an emotional level. Try to take the emotions out of the equation.
If you are interested in learning what it’s like to have this surgery (from a patient’s perspective) and become a successful Sleever, click on my website in my signature and check out my book. I wish you ALL health, happiness and a scale that reads the way you want it to read! Go For It! It’s the BEST thing I could have done for myself and I will never regret it.
Deb

Jan. 22: 276 pounds
June 3: 201 pounds
I'm so incredibly happily!!!!!

Take a deep breath and try to relax. It is what it is and you may not be able to change it. I was sleeved last year in July and I'm 7 lbs away from goal. Try to look forward to the end result. This is major surgery and you will find every step of this process is for a reason. Your hard work has only begun and you will always have to work at eating what's right the rest of your life. Have fun with this I did! Good luck!

Congratulations!!! I started my whole process in January also. Even though my insurance approved quicker than I thought it would, I've had two surgery dates cancelled because of Endo. My day is finally this coming Tuesday! I can't wait for you to have a date! It hits hard after you do. Don't be nervous! Everything will be alright! Who am I kidding, I'm nervous too. Good luck!

I was so excited for my surgery and I've pretty much told everyone in my life including co-workers about it. My family has been great, but some of my co-workers have been shady. I've even had a few try to tell me that WLS is cosmetic! As if. Now I am not one who cares too much about what others think. But it's super annoying. half of the reason I shared is because 75% of the women I work with are overweight themselves and perhaps hearing my story would inspire them. Instead they hate. Well they will really hate me a year from now when I'm a size 8. Ha.
highest weight = 228 DOS = 219 CW = 203 DOS was May 7th 2013

So, I am just over 10 months post op and down 130 lbs or so, and today was the first time I have attempted a 5k race let alone a 5k obstacle course. A year ago this was not possible, today it was a blast! Not a good picture of me (the guy in the pic) since I am tucked behind the sign but that is not what this is about.....

You will be eating soon enough, and enjoying your foods - albeit in smaller quantities. I'm in the mushy phase and just made the most delicious cauliflower "pizza" ... there are many recipes that are mushy, healthy and simply delicious. You will be more discriminating as to what you eat because you can only have a small amount. Just be patient and things will get better soon. At 3.5 weeks out, I feel awesome!!

My NUT said I shouldn't fear the purée stage. It's easy to combine purée and soft foods. Just chew really good. I sometimes miss pigging out on chips and junk food but all I need to do is step on the scale and u no longer miss it... Nothing tastes as good as 35 lbs gone!

I just called bcbs fed and... i met all requirements and that I'm APPROVED! They submitted the paper work 5/28 and it was approved 5/29 now I just gotta wait until they send the official letter! God is good!

Thanks for all your insight! I need to fo better. Tomorrow is a new day!

I did a similar program with my primary care Dr. and I lost 60 pounds in a relatively short amount of time I would say seven months... And I kept it off for several months but the weight slowly creeped back on.., I am scheduled to be sleeved On June 11th... So I agree with the other people that you can lose weight on a particular program but it's the transition into normal life that is hard to keep the weight off... Having a smaller stomach will limit the amount you eat... which makes maintaining the weight easier... I also think that you know when it's your time to go through with WLS.. For me I was ecstatic when I lost the weight but miserable when the lbs came back on.. Also the hormone gherlin is reduced significantly with the surgery so hunger will also be less... Some Even say they are never hungry after having the sleeve... Which will be a blessing for me Good luck in your decision making process

It was all worth it! Control...

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I did a 2 wk liquid diet. I didnt think it was torture at all, and I lost like 17 lbs!

This time next week, I'll be SLEEVED! So many emotions going on right now.....I'm hoping for an uneventful procedure!
Well wishes to Everyone & continued SUCCESS!
-Molly

I have had almost no pain. I had a single dose of morphine in the recovery room that took the pain from about a 8 to about a 2. After that, just Tylenol. My surgery was the 14th May. There seems to be a broad spectrum of experiences on these boards. I'm also having no trouble getting my shakes and liquids down. I took a 45 minute walk today. I can already sleep on my side.

I posted about this a few weeks ago. The post was well received and I've referenced it a few times since for people having a hard time with the pre-op diet...
Original post: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/78443-the-pre-op-diet-is-not-a-punishment-its-an-opportunity/

Hi everyone so excited just got my approval and surgery date my new life starts July 10 anyone else this date or month.

Check out this video on YouTube:

I am in the exact same boat! Super high BP, hypothyroid which makes it impossible to lose weight on my own! People just don't get it, especially if they have never struggled with weight!

I had an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon, and tomorrow I'll be getting my lab work, chest X-ray, and EKG bc my date is June 11th!!!!! Just wanted to share my joy! Yaaaahoooo!!! lol

So I am getting sleeved at 630am in the the morning and I am super nervous I hope im making the right decision I am his first patient of the day dont know if thats good or bad smh wish me luck