Missylaneous

I have Optifast that I could sell you. I bought way too much for the diet I was on. I have all packets. chicken noodle, chocolate and strawberry shake, caramel pudding, fruit drink. I have like 12 boxes I could sell for cheap like $60 for all plus shipping!

Thank you for the over but we have to buy our supply from the surgeon's office. It all has to come from them or they wont accept it as the "licensed optifast program" dumb I know. What did you think of the stuff? ready to drink vs powder etc?

For those having to do the 2 weeks of Optifast as their pre-op diet...what were your favorite/least favorite options? I see there is a choice between the premade shakes and the powders. If I buy the premade shakes it will cost me 336.00! The powder is cheaper. Are the packets worse? Do they taste different? Do they mix well? Any optifast input is appreciated! Thanks

Approved this morning. My date is October 28th at Christiana Hospital in Delaware. :-) Hi fellow October sleevers!

I am 5'9 and would love to be 190. I haven't been 190 since before high school. I have 150 pounds to lose to reach that goal. That number seems so huge--that's another freaking person! Mostly, I want to lose 100 pounds and get closer to a healthy me. I will keep evaluating my progress as I go and keep on trying. Good luck to you!

I have never been more hungry in all my life.

I don't think it is allowed where I am from. Like others have said it is classified as medical waste. It is worth asking your surgeon though he may give you strange looks lol. I would like to see pictures of it it at least. Has anyone seen/gotten photos from their surgery?

Hey Janelle, I'm 27 in Wilmington, DE. So hi neighbor!

Congrats! You look fantastic! I hope when I am sleeved I will be as successful as you!

No he only has the egg tests when he has severe spasms and attacks from his gastroparesis/diabetes and ends up in the hospital. His system is shutting down and he can't keep food in/digest it. But many doctors find RNY to be the "cure" for gastroparesis because of the rerouting of your intestines.

Don't give up. First of all, you have to talk to your doctor. You won't get anywhere if you don't. Being ashamed, nervous, and defeated is what caused most of us on this website to remain obese. Tough love is the only way you will get through. I am pre-op and waiting on insurance and I would switch with you in an instant rather than struggle on my own with no surgical intervention. chicken, tuna, shrimp, ground turkey, soft cheese like ricotta or cottage, greek yogurt, unflavored Protein Powder like Unjury added to any kind of Soup, drink, or puree. There are so many different options to go to Protein first before you cop out and grab food you shouldn't eat. This is what the sleeve is about. It isn't a solution it is a tool. You have to get your brain to sync with your new stomach. And you have to work with that therapist on your head hunger.

I am not sitting on my jolly high horse because I am just as guilty. My head, my demons, my emotions are what throw me into a binge and emotional eating marathon. We all need support whether it is from family, friends, or this forum.

I hope you don't give up--and I hope you work with your therapist and your doctor to get on track with protein and off high carbs. You will get there--just keep trying! :-)

My Dad has gastroparesis and he has had to do that test many times. He calls them radioactive eggs lol. Good luck to you!

I am striking out left and right with free samples. I think we overwhelmed the sample givers.

Hi Melissa!

Thanks for reaching out to us at Spartos!

Unfortunately, we can't send out samples but we have created a 50% discount code that will make it easier to try Spartos. Head toThirstmonger.com and type in the code 'weightcontrol' at checkout to receive 50% off your first order! They even have sample packs of just the sugar free (yellow cap) flavors.

Here is a little bit about Spartos:

- 10 grams of whey Protein isolate

- 4 major electrolytes

- No artificial flavors or colors

- Gluten, soy and caffeine free- Cane sugar or stevia sweetened (most weight loss surgery patients stick to stevia sweetened since it's sugar free)

I hope Spartos helps you in your journey! Please keep in touch as we love to hear from people who find Spartos helpful.

Best,

Melaina

Chike Nutrition sent me an email that they aren't offering any free samples at this time but they have a variety pack for purchase. Boooo. I guess we all bombarded them at once, lol.

I've not had one phone call or unsolicited email from any of the ones I requested. (which was all of them)

That's good to know, thanks! :-)

I am right there with you! I am nervously awaiting insurance approval. This surgery is all-consuming and it is all I think about all day. I feel like my future is hanging in the balance and if I don't get approved I'll plummet to a depression.

I have been checking out this site daily for information as well as researching Protein and drinks and recipes. There is a great thread that was started to include places to get free samples:http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/90613-list-of-bariatric-nutritional-companies-offering-free-samples/page__st__60#entry973054

Basically I am trying to occupy my time with learning and training myself for better eating habits. Good luck to you and I hope you do well!

Good luck to you on your journey!

I hate when others love to remind us that people who get WLS gain the weight back. And? That's life. Right, wrong, or indifferent we make mistakes. I'm morbidly obese so I see it as I can either take a risk and use this surgery as a tool to help me get on the right path and make better choices for myself. If I gain weight back---I will have to start all over again just as I would if I didn't have the surgery. So it is better for me to try to lose weight on my own, fail, then give up and hate myself?

I hope I remain successful once I get the surgery. But I see it as a 2nd chance at life not a cop out or the easy way out.

My husband has always been fit and active. He works 10+ hours on his feet all day, just finished 3 seasons of ice hockey as captain, plays golf, and runs with the dogs. He's 6'1 and seems to have boundless energy. We have been together since we were 16 and now at 27 I am fortunate that he has loved me and accepted me even though I have doubled my weight. For the longest time, he was not supportive. He wasn't mean. He just told me to keep trying with diet and exercise. 4 years ago I considered RNY or lap band. He went to a seminar with me and came out of it even more against it. Since then I've gained 50 pounds. When I was diagnosed with PCOS I tried to explain to him that I needed help and all my doctors wanted me to have this surgery for my health and fertility. After all the ER visits, the D&C, the exploratory hysteroscopy, not being able to get pregnant, and my horrible body issues---he's on board. He told me the root of it all he was scared for me and didn't want anything to happen to me during major surgery. He also admitted he's never had a weight issue and doesn't understand why weight won't come off for everyone like it does for him.

But he's the only man in my life who knows---it has been a roller coaster--but I'm glad he eventually came around and saw the light!

I'm curious. I feel like keeping quiet about it because I don't want to deal with everyone's opinions about WLS and non-stop comments about my weight/diet. I'm generally a private person and don't want everyone knowing my business. I just want to drown out the noise and stay focused on my journey to good health and get support from fellow VSG'ers. Is this odd? Did you tell everyone? few folks? what were their reactions?

I am in the same boat. I'm 27 years old and I've done my best to cut out the toxic people in my life. My Mom passed when I was 19 so eating my feelings and being a shut in helped contribute to my weight. My husband knows and my little sister who lives with me knows. I have told two friends--both slim and petite women. They haven't made any rude comments or anything to me. I decided not to tell my MIL or my husbands Grandmother and cousins. They are all biased against overweight people. To be blunt, they just hate fat people. I've been with my husband since I was 16 and even though I was just chubby back then his Grandmother would pinch my fat and ask me if I had lost weight when she was really being rude because I had gained. I will tell my MIL in the future.

I don't want anyone in my business. I don't want to deal with the negative comments that come from two places: 1. ignorance 2. jealousy. Either they have never had a weight problem and do not understand how I cannot "just get off my a** and do it myself." Or they do have a weight problem and won't make their own life changes so they want to put me down. Later on down the road I will probably be open about it. Right now--this journey is a personal one and the only people allowed on this ride are those who will not put me down.

I decided to tell my father's sister a few weeks ago to gauge her reaction. She asked me if I would actually be able to give up food. In my father's family, food equals love, comfort, and is the center of everything. They are all heavy. She told me good luck but just seemed so shocked that I would willingly give up food. This was while she placed a bulk size bag of candy on the table next to an apple pie and a chocolate cake. So needless to say I will not be visiting her for a while after my surgery lol.

Whatever you choose---good luck to you and I hope you end up surrounded by only positive people!

Thanks a bunch for putting this together. It is a great reference. I signed up for as many as I could and messaged those that didn't have a sample form page.

Has anyone been bombarded with emails or phone calls after requesting samples? I am mostly afraid of that happening with Herbalife as I know their sales people are very....passionate. :-)

Happy sampling everyone!

Hi Rayna. I too have PCOS and have never in my life ever had regular periods. I am now 7months post op and down 117 lbs. I know am so regular it's nuts. Every 28 days. I know how hard it is when you want to conceive. I had many issues. I hope you become as regular as me and are able to have the baby of your dreams.

I also have PCOS. I am infertile due to this and it is a huge part of my decision for the sleeve. Did you go off birth control? I am worried about how it will effect my weight loss. I want to get pregnant really bad (obviously waiting until it is safe). How have you done with it?

I also have PCOS but I am pre-sleeve. I am worried about the PCOS affecting weight loss---did it slow your initial weight loss down? I am on birth control for it because if I am not I get my period and it doesn't stop. Good luck to you!

Congrats and good luck! I had my final medical clearance and insurance coordinator submitted for me this past week as well. I am freaking out. Worried if I don't get approved I'll sabotage myself and emotional eat to kingdom come. I am hoping for a positive outcome and the soonest surgery date possible lol. I started this process in March but since I live in a small state the appointments are always filled and most doctors have a 30 day waiting time for appointments.

Here's to hoping we both get good news soon!

I often wonder about this. I desperately want children. Fertility was a major part of my decision making for the sleeve. I have PCOS and do not ovulate. I've been with my husband for almost 12 years, married for 6. We have not been able to conceive. I have to be on birth control because if I am not I get my period and it doesn't stop and I need high hormone doses or a D&C procedure to stop it. I am excited to see if the sleeve will help me conceive naturally--either way--I was told many times fertility specialists would want me to lose weight before they would help me.

That said, I want what is best for the health of my future unborn child. I am not healthy now and would put a baby in danger at this weight. Post surgery--I would put the baby in danger (and myself). My doctor recommends 18 months. I am going to weight a year and then start my research/endo appointments to check my fertility before I proceed.

If you do not want to use birth control (believe me I never did and if I didn't need them for PCOS I wouldn't be on them) you can practice natural family planning. Amazon sells ovulation strips in bulk for cheap (some 50 count for around 20 bucks) I used these monthly to see if I was ovulating. I understand your want to conceive and your reasons for not wanting birth control. But that beautiful unborn baby needs nutrition from you and you cannot provide it that early on. If so---you are defeating the purpose of getting the sleeve.

Either way---good luck and I wish the best for you.

I am in Delaware with Cigna OAP.

Through my surgi center we have to:

• required WLS seminar
  
• surgical consultation
  
• GI endoscopy w/ surgeon
  
• Psych consult (she required me to start weekly sessions with a therapist and see a nutritionist 1 on 1 before she cleared me)
  
• Cardiologist consult (EKG and Echo)
  
• Pulmonologist consult for a pulmonary function test (I also had to have a sleep study as I never had one before)
  
• 3 months of nutrition classes through the joint Weight Loss Institute's program (to satisfy cigna's requirement)
  
• 3 life skills classes about the sleeve
  
• Blood work
  
• Medical clearance with endocrinologist (CLEARED! YAY)
  
• Endo submits case findings back to Surgeon's office. Surgeon's insurance case manager creates/compiles case to send to insurance company (ANXIOUSLY AWAITING AN ANSWER FROM CIGNA UGH)
  
• Then...
  
• Surgical clearance
  
• 2 weeks opti-fast
  

I am so afraid I will be denied. My surgeon's office (Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery) works exclusively with Eugene Dupont Preventative Medicine and Rehab institute. That's where they send you for the visits with the endo, nurse practitioner, psychologist, nutritionist one on one, nutrition classes and life skills classes. So everything stays in one place and is worked on by the same people. I am hoping that will help me get approval. If I have to wait any longer for Cigna to approve me I may explode.