Justinh125

10 to 11 days is do-able though it might take a few more weeks for you to really start feeling 100%, if that makes sense. At least for me, I felt kind of drained for the first few weeks....I think my body was still healing. Did you mean to say as a mom you were leaning towards the band? Most surgeons seem to maintain that though the band is about as close as you can get to "0" risk, it's long-term numbers don't seem quite as effective. My surgeon basically said he only recommends the band if someone is asking for something with almost zero risk. At the same time, the risk associated with driving your car to the hospital are probably higher than the risks associated with any bariatric surgery. Modern bariatric surgery is very safe, so it's important to keep that in mind. The sleeve has worked wonders for me, but I understand that results vary...and I'm just getting started!!!

These are wise words!!! You will be a patient, but also a "customer" of sorts. You would just be calling to tell them that you want to purchase the "product" that they sell....what business wouldn't want that??

I'd go with the Black Plague....I find it fascinating that modern scientists aren't certain what specific bacteria or virus was responsible. It would be really interesting to see what modern medicine would do, and even more interesting to see if it would quickly eliminate the Plague.

I'm sorry to hear you are ill. On the other hand, if I had to get an ancient disease, I would want it to be scurvy.

What was your starting weight/size? Your size now? That would probably help understand what is going on if you're willing to share.

Not sure if this counts but I've had to deal with a girlfriend feeling insecure once I started shrinking...At the end of the day, I didn't do this for cosmetics. This was not a cosmetic surgery. I did this because I felt like I ran out of other options and was desperate for a solution for a problem that was likely going to lead to my death before the age of 40. I didn't want that, so I took this drastic measure.

I remember reading somewhere that one of the "winners" from one of the early seasons gained it all back plus more. That was always my problem. I hired a personal trainer for a while and also a personal dietician, and took Alli when it was called Xenical. The 3 things combined worked...for a bit anyways...but then I found an excuse to skip a week...then another week, and eventually gained it all back and then some. Mind you, for a while I could do like 100 push-ups and wear those obnoxious tight muscle-boy shirts....I almost had a 6-pack. But I was always so hungry....always all the time.

I saw my doc shortly before surgery on Aug. 13. Yesterday, I saw my (regular primary care) doctor and I've lost 37lbs since then! He was impressed. I was pleased as well...plus no more diabetes meds!! I only wish I'd done this sooner. It was a fantastic decision

If you're self-pay, they'll do it whenever you want, because (ironically,) only the people whose insurance won't pay have to pay the full "sticker price." If you have insurance, they all pay a negotiated rate that is frequently less than half of the listed cost. So with self-pay, they're getting a lot more money from you, and they are much more willing to play by your rules instead of theirs. I got to go 3 months ahead of people who had been waiting much longer than me, but I literally paid the price. I'll still undoubtedly end up saving more than I paid in reduced healthcare costs for the rest of my life. Not to mention not having to shop at "fat men" clothing stores anymore.

I totally forgot about this thread, and now it starts to get good!! I always miss the good stuff.

You have to take it slow at first...remember that the sleeve will be swollen for some time...gotta let it heal.

I loved the way he put it: "Its not bigotry if we deserve it." I was just recently arguing with someone who discriminates against the person that I used to love because of that person's large size. Apparently they don't see it as discrimination because they perceive it as a health issue, even though this person's health is absolutely fine. Thank you for sharing this important article

My surgeon said he didn't care, but I find it too painful unless I drink it reallly really slowly....so maybe I'll have like 1 soda a month or something. I doubt at that frequency anything bad will happen (plus doc's approval).

Go look at a tape measure and measure off about 10-11mm. That the entire diameter of the whole thing....trust me you probably won't feel it at all when you wake up. At least not that part.

I found that Mio tasted pretty good with ice-water to change up the flavor a bit. I still use it sometimes and I'm allowed to eat regular foods now.

Don't eat pizza.

34 French. To determine diameter, divide "French" by pi

For me, pain in that same general area corresponds to acid reflux. I use prilosec, and find it helps me a lot. I actually don't know if this surgery increases or decreases the risk of ulcers. I was kind of surprised that my stomach didn't have any after they pulled it out.

Nice, you're doing great and looking great!!! Keep up the good work and I'm sure you'll accomplish your goals (and also add years to your life expectancy.)

Why, do you think they'd be delicious? LOL...

And I'm the one with the dirty mind? Humbug. While I'm sure you'll find recipes for anything on the internet, something tells me this isn't something you can just go check out at the library, or even Amazon. I mean, I'm sure the internet has recipes for cannibals, but that doesn't mean someone has actually published "The Joy of Cooking your Neighbors."

I found the hunger to return quickly, but not as severe as it used to be (back when I'd order a large pizza PLUS bread-sticks PLUS wings whenever I was "hungry.") At 7.5 weeks, I still get hungry, but a small portion of food will make me very satisfied for a long time. When I get hungry again, I eat again. Hope that helps.

Jared the subway guy lost more than a VSG patient and faster and has no excess skin issues. A lot of it has to do with age.

I think it depends on how much emotionally invested you think you're going to be in the number on the scale. I'm honestly more concerned about my body composition than my weight...I hope to lose fat, but would love to at least maintain or build muscle as I continue to get in shape. I've found that the scale can vary dramatically through the course of the day based on fluids, so I try not to put too much credit into the issue of the scale.

Yeah, the move to pureed foods was really nice for me too. Started feeling much more satisfied. Just wait till you get to real foods