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I am also a self-pay. I had no other issues other than being overweight and according to my insurance company I wasn't enough overweight to qualify. To start - I went to a bariatric surgeon's seminar, then set up an appointment (free) with the surgeon to discuss if this was something I wanted to. My PCP is still of the mind set that if you do the right thing you can lose weight. I am a new patient of hers so she has no idea of my story. Overweight since 11 and never been able to lose. I went through the hoops of pretending I would qualify for surgery and that helped me A LOT. For 4 months I met with a nutritionist to plan my meals and discuss issues with food, I met with a psychologist (just once), I hired a personal trainer I met with once a month regarding exercise and confirming calorie intake and output and I met with my PCP. In these 4 months I gave us soda and alcohol along with learning to not drink with meals. And to confirm I can't lose weight - I gained 1 pound in those 4 months on a 1200 cal a day diet....go figure. They still filed the insurance request and of course it was denied. Your hospital may have payment plans. I also know of people who have borrowed from their 401K, or even a loan from the bank to pay for the surgery. Best of luck to you!

after the first couple days - creamy soups (strained) - potato was a godsend, lots of sugar free Popsicles, sugar free pudding was too sweet for me, jello was good. My doc told me never to chew gum again, If you swallow it --it can get stuck and they have to go in and do a repair. I'm not sure about mints--even after a month, I don't do mints or any kind of sugarfree hard candy GOOD LUCK

have someone in your house hide the scale. I weigh once a week - my doctor wants me to weight once a month It plays too many mind games - focus on getting in Protein, eating what you should and Water, water, water - the weight will come off, but don't let that scale derail you!!

In my opinion there is no such thing as a normal pace for weight loss. It is whatever your body decides it should be. If you are getting in your protein and drinking all your water - then your body is doing what it needs to do. I've watched people lose 10 pounds in a month and 50 pounds in a month - all depends on what your body wants to do.

I would consider seeing a therapist / psychologist. You want that sugar for some reason - and I'm guessing it isn't because you are hungry Something in there is triggering that want. I have noticed that if I stay strict on Protein I have no cravings, if i add carbs I do. I know it is hard - pre-sleeve I was hungry all the time, craved just about anything that was bad for me. I think it's a good idea to talk to your NUT and Dr, but I would look into talking to a 3rd party to get the root of the sugar craving. best of luck!

Talk to your doctor or your NUT. Protein is essential

I have trouble with spicy - which saddens me greatly. I hope that it will get better as time moves along I had crab salad yesterday (crab meat, low fat mayo and a little old bay seasoning) I thought I was in heaven. I still eat a lot of Soups - trying not to introduce too much new stuff to my stomach all at once. I struggle with deli ham, the turkey sits better. Good Luck!!

soups were my staple for 2 weeks. Cr of chicken, cheese soup, cr of potato - all strained. That really helped settle my stomach - the potato was a Godsend Hang in there - it does get better.

My doctor was very clear - no soda ever again. I can drink if it is flat. Some people on the forum do drink soda in small amounts. I know I won't - once i start I know it will be a problem.

i took one week, worked from home the 2nd week. I wish I would have taken 3. It is very hard to plan full liquid diet at work. I didn't seem to have the time to drink all that I should. I got weak and had to go home early a couple days that 3rd week.

I too had extreme pain in the larger incision - i still have some after 4 weeks if I bend or move funny. Regarding your palpitations - remember that blood is thicker when you are dehydrated and your heart has to work harder to pump that thicker blood - keep up your fluids for sure.

yes--please share any recipes!! Would love to try some of them

I would guess it is gas... walk walk walk. Also remember to sip and not gulp that water

i lost 15 as well, then 5 the week after and now it's 2-3 / week. Keep smiling

I think one of the best things you can do is prepare yourself as much as possible NOW--before surgery. Stop drinking soda and understand that for best results you won't ever have it again. Stop drinking alcohol - you shouldn't have it for 6 months after surgery and even then the amount is very limited Stop drinking during meals. This explains why http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xR0VM3mnsgM (this was the hardest for me) Start exercising - even if it is walking down the street...create new habits. It worked for me to do all these things before. I would also recommend not having food funerals - the more you put on now the more you have to take off. i admit - i did indulge in one item pre-surgery but I didn't go crazy (one sleeve of little chocolate donuts and yes it was heaven) If you plan right you may still be able to have some to the foods you love now--it is all a work in progress and how you want to live. This is all for you - no one else. Figure out what works for you. I have been overweight since I was 11. I tried every diet and nothing worked - I didn't lose the weight. I would do a good job of maintaining the weight while I was dieting but never lost. My sleeve has now helped me lose 27 pounds in 3 weeks. I have no hunger, no cravings, no appetite. My hips thank me, my knees thank me. I am learning to eat all over again-- What my stomach can handle what it can't and how it feels to be truly be full. (after 3-4 bites). I will continue to learn along the way on what works - I can't wait to start really exercising again and seeing where this takes me months / years down the road GOOD LUCK!!!

Miralax - stir it in water--it isn't gritty and it is tasteless.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/08/protein-ice-cream.html This website is awesome

I would look into a class or if you are really committed hire a trainer. That will get you fired up and on track.

I'm a month post-op and I'd say week 2 / 3 are the hardest. I still struggle as I have no appetite and nothing sounds good. I've come to the point where I really don't like to eat. It is hard to prepare food when nothing sounds good. When I do eat it tastes good, but of course, 2-3 bites and I'm done. It is the learning to listen to your body / stomach that I think is the hardest. Knowing what it is trying to tell me

My doctor recommended children's liquid Tylenol for headaches.

Mine is: Don't let good stand in the way of great.

This is one of the safest WLS - on these forums I've read of very few people having complications. And when the complications are there --they get resolved. I was in the hospital overnight and home the next day - no complications. It is life changing. Never did I imagine that I would lose 25 pounds in 3 weeks, I have to clean out my closets every weekend due to the changes in my body. As my doctor said after surgery - OK the easy part is over, now comes the work and boy, was he right. It isn't easy - the first couple days I doubted I did the right thing. After about a week I started to feel like myself - learning my new stomach. The risk is worth the reward. Think about what will happen if you don't take this step. Life is too short to be miserable / unhappy and unhealthy. I wish all of you the best.

I am 4 weeks out and I have to admit -it has been very hard getting Protein and fluids in. I can tell if I haven't eaten enough or had enough to drink. (I have no appetite and have to force myself to eat) It is VERY hard to concentrate not to mention the headaches. I know that age can play a factor as well- I'm 51 and it takes me some time to recover. Keep up with your Proteins and liquids, make sure not to over do it on the day before you TA I think you'll do fine.

I would have someone take you to the ER. Passing out is not normal. And never feel bad about contacting your doctor no matter how many issues - that is what they are there for (and get paid what they do )

I feel somewhat the same way. My surgery was the 19th. I have no hunger, no appetite. I can tell when I need to eat when I start to feel light headed and weak. I Have to force myself to eat. Before surgery I was always hungry and had all kinds of cravings all day long. When I do eat the food tastes good, I just have no desire. I don't regret surgery I've lost 25 pounds-- just such different feelings and new emotions.