Missylaneous

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 had my pre-surgical clearance appointment today. This is the final appointment with the surgeon where I asked questions and signed surgical consent forms. My patience is wearing thin with all these medical appointments. I know, I know, it is a journey and takes time, yadda, yadda, yadda. I just feel overly anxious and antsy. Especially all the sitting I've done in waiting rooms. My appointment time today was 3:25. I arrived at 3:15 in order to sign in and take care of my co-pay and all that. When did I see the surgeon? 4:30. I still do not have a surgery date as I have yet to receive an insurance approval. I was cleared on 8/27 medically but the office did not submit to Cigna until 9/12. If you were wondering, yes, I called Cigna today to see if they approved yet but my claim is still processing. The recurring theme here is my impatience I brought my ‘sleeve bible’ to the appointment. The 3 nutrition classes, 3 life-skills classes (courses specifically about the sleeve and how to eat), and 2 visits with the nutritionist were informative and produced a ton of paperwork and instruction packets. I appreciate all of the literature I have received and it helped to build my ‘bible.’ I had a few questions for the surgeon about the size of sleeve, blood thinners, medications, leak rate, opti-fast diet, etc. and they were all answered within 10 minutes. So 75 minutes of waiting for 10 minutes with the surgeon and a $50.00 copay. But at least I got my questions answered, right? The best part of my trip happened around 4:00. Just as I felt my blood pressure rising, 2 nuns walked in. You heard me. Nuns. Not just any nuns. Nuns who are getting bariatric surgery. I was really thankful for the laugh and the blatant message from above: Patience is a damned virtue.

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.

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 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!

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!

Those are great tips. I live 10-15 minutes from my gym and need to stop making excuses. I am still trying to get over my issues. When the meat heads are doing their thing and the fit people and 110 pound girls are all running 5 miles and I am struggling to walk 3 miles while sweating to death. But I will get over it. Just breaking myself in!

congrats! great job!