peteyrulz

Because my BMI was also 28, I had my VSG in Mexico on December 2012.
I reached my goal in 6 months and went below goal by 10 lbs,, for a total of 50 lbs. lost.
I have nothing but positive things to say about having this done. My whole life was a struggle with my weight and I had been heavier at various times, but decided to stop the madness!
Menopause, age and a lower metabolism had made it virtually impossible to lose any weight without this surgery.
I am maintaining my weight loss without any issues and determined to keep doing so.
I wear a size 0 and wouldn't give that up for anything!

My main weakness has always been Coke. I love a nice, icy cold Coke on a hot day. My nut asked me what I would miss most...I said my Coke!
I haven't had any soda in over 10 months, & I haven't been sleeved yet. ( thanks A LOT, BCBS!!!) I miss it terribly but I'm pretty darn proud of myself. I agree that small sipped amounts every now & then should be ok. Feeling deprived of anything is what got me here in the first place!

I joined the gym since my husband retired in January and I need something to do besides entertain him......but I do agree that I loose weight when I exercise and it is great for stress. I go there when I'm feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, emotions etc. I find that exercising really does clear my mind and reduce my anxiety level.

I do. I work out 5 - 6 days a week. I don't lose if I don't. Besides I actually feel better when I work out. I do Water aerobics, kettle ball, ride my bike and walking.

I had surgery in jan and by February's end I was off all meds. Was on lexapro and Ativan. PTSD and generalized anxiety. I feel great and a lot more stable.

I've had diet soda, mostly in the form of every drinks, a few times. I work shift work on my feet for 10 hours a day, so sometimes I need a pick me up. I find I need to drink it very slowly, in small sips, but it's doable. Have to burp a lot, but no huge deal. I would definitely avoid full calorie soda like the plague, really empty calories. I'm seven months out tomorrow and almost 100 lbs down. I say enjoy things in moderation, the sleeve is a tool to help.

@@TREVORSMOM
How are you feeling ? Hope you are doing well!

After a year of fighting and waiting and trying and appealing and waiting, and waiting some more, I've decided on Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. Partial self-pay, as he will be repairing my hiatal hernia as well. I hired Lindstrom Advocacy last fall, but it seems they could not help me. Some of my emails have gone unanswered, which surprised me because they were very responsive early on. Maybe I'll never know the final result of the appeals.
Sooo... Dr. Nicholson here I come! Don't have a surgery date yet, I'm hoping soon. I am beyond excited!

This brought tears to my eyes! So awesome & what a beautiful reason!

You can see your collarbone!

My sister-friend called me "soggy bottom girl" because my jeans are too big.

3 years later when you are cleaning out your closet again and you find that one pair of pants you kept to always remind you of your accomplishments! So you step into them and pull them up and let them fall off!! LOL - just because you can! keep it up everyone - staying the course works!!

When you have worn queen size pantyhose all of you're adult life and now wear a size A. Who knew they had a size A

@@TREVORSMOM Good luck!!
Can't wait to hear about your experience. I am so excited for you!

@@Annesia
I'm not a doctor but I'm 99% sure they give you general anesthesia before they put tube in. They take it out before you wake up.
Any pros to add anything? it's been awhile since I've had this done.

I just finished reading a couple of posts and I couldn't do anything but say to myself, "Seriously? Really?"
I know there are going to be some people that will probably what to take my head off for this one, but I just have to ask... Are there really people that frequent this website that are so weak-minded and sensitive that they can be absolutely devastated and sent into an uncontrollable bout of depression over something someone wrote in a thread?
If someone that you don't know, have never met, and they know nothing about you, can cause such an emotional reaction in you, I personally think that you don't even need to be considering WLS at this point. You really should be seeking out the services of a therapist to figure out what makes you give away your personal power to a complete stranger.
I hear people say how "mean" some people are, and how rude others are. People are only to you what you allow them to be, and they can only take control of the power you give them.
I have never testified that I know everything about everything, but to the contrary I'm not dumb as a box of rocks! Bottom line, stop letting the things these people on this site upset you, or even get your dander up. You never know, they may come here just to see what type of drama they can get started. If you find something of value to you, keep it and cherish it. All the rest of this mess is nothing but chatter.
This post may not have been directly toward you, but if the shoe fits, feel free to lace that b i t c h up and wear it.

@@TREVORSMOM omg that's Tuesday! Best of good luck. Very excited for you!

I am very excited for you!! I am having the hernia/sleeve surgery with Dr. Nicholson on March 24th. My experience so far with Dr. Nicholson and all of his staff has been great!

After a year of fighting and waiting and trying and appealing and waiting, and waiting some more, I've decided on Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. Partial self-pay, as he will be repairing my hiatal hernia as well. I hired Lindstrom Advocacy last fall, but it seems they could not help me. Some of my emails have gone unanswered, which surprised me because they were very responsive early on. Maybe I'll never know the final result of the appeals.
Sooo... Dr. Nicholson here I come! Don't have a surgery date yet, I'm hoping soon. I am beyond excited!

After a year of fighting and waiting and trying and appealing and waiting, and waiting some more, I've decided on Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. Partial self-pay, as he will be repairing my hiatal hernia as well. I hired Lindstrom Advocacy last fall, but it seems they could not help me. Some of my emails have gone unanswered, which surprised me because they were very responsive early on. Maybe I'll never know the final result of the appeals.
Sooo... Dr. Nicholson here I come! Don't have a surgery date yet, I'm hoping soon. I am beyond excited!

I learned that when my body gets less than 900 calories, I stop losing weight, and that did happen to me early in my recovery.
This is a horrible thing to tell someone who is depressed. Just go feel better! Because it's that easy!

@@yoyolifechange11 - Do what you think is best for YOU! WLS is just a tool, you will have to watch what you eat and exercise. If you think this will help set you on that path, then go for it. However my concern is the treatment you are receiving. Shaming you for being less than perfect is not likely to change once you lose the weight. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it shifted to something else. My recommendation is to work on YOU. Whether that needs to be with therapy, marriage counseling, WLS or any combination of that find out what makes YOU happy and healthy first.
I was over 400lbs when I had my surgery . Guess what? I ALWAYS felt pretty! I just wanted to be a healthier me. Do not allow anyone to ever make you feel un-pretty!
PS. - Don't confuse love with control.

girl..I didn't read everyone's comments but just what I have read what you posted to me in MY opinion you can take it for what its worth and I might add I was in a marriage that even though my x wasn't controlling but he made little comments throughout our 20 yrs of so called marriage (which was 1 sided relationship) he ALREADY had no respect and a true love for me as a person and he made the comments to me that he "would LIKE to be able to see my ribs" after giving him 2 beautiful kids I actually felt the guilt and shame and I internalized and it really took a toll on me as how I viewed myself. it took yrs believe me for me to open my eyes to what was going on with HIM. I'm not suggesting ANYTHING but I had alot of MEDICAL issues that PREVENTED me to keep weight off and I yoyo'd for 35 yrs or so! it made HIM feel good to put in them nudges so da speak. I accepted him I was committed to him for life until everything blew up in his face. sounds like to me he truly has issues even with himself I don't intend to judge plz don't take this the wrong way I don't even want to sound like I'm attacking thats NOT what I want to accomplish here, but If I was in your shoes you already can't "seem" to win for losing if you know what I mean in your relationship. I would take your money and invest it in yourself and get my feet back on the ground with or without his blessing or support! your miserable if you don't and it will change your life for the best believe it or not! then time will tell what he decides to do. I have known a few men like that over the yrs. there is hardley ever anything a women can do to please a man like that (Im sorry men!! Im not saying this is all men I know theres a lot of good men so plz don't take offensive) but I was married to a man that in his mind "he THOUGHT he was trying to impress others" he was off his rocker! the mind set he had was NOT right. do yourself a favor and love yourself. I don't know if you both have tried couples therapy ..we tried it and he wasn't willing to make the needed adjustments in his head and EVERYTHING that was wrong with his reactions to ME was all my fault! uhh NOT! have you had a complete thyroid panel including the reverse and I mean ALL thyroid panel? I hope I have helped you in some way or other. If money is not the issue here go and do the best thing you can do for yourself and yea you will hear all the negative garbage and cunning cutting down remarks but ya know sounds like he is already been doing that and its not going to change and it will only beat you down that much more...I really hope you guys can work thru this but sometimes a women has to do what we need to do with or without others support! keep us posted! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

You asked for advice as to what to do so I will offer some:
1) Find a therapist for yourself who can give you further advice about yourself and your marriage.
2) I see you as someone who is being verbally abused in your marriage. Bullied by your husband. That is not okay. It is never okay.
3) I hesitate to recommend marriage counselors because I don't often see them as very effective, but you could look into that possibility.
4) Next time your bully husband says "What exercise are you going to do today" - tell him obesity is a disease and you are looking for ways to cure this disease and surgery is an option. He wouldn't object to a person getting heart surgery if they needed heart by-pass.
5) Tell him the kids need to see a husband and father who is supportive and not verbally abusive to their mother.
6) You seem afraid of your husband. Contact a domestic abuse hotline and ask for advice. Verbal abuse counts too.
7) If you have somewhere to go - like family - consider a separation. Let him figure out what to do with the kids for half the time.
Your marriage is the issue here, not your weight. You could lose all of your excess weight and guess what? You'd still be married to a bully.
I know some of this is easy for me to say. I'm a very assertive person who is not intimidated by anyone. For stay at home moms who have no other income except from the husband/father and nowhere else to go I know it is difficult to leave an abusive relationship. Because whether you admit it or not that's what you're in.
Why won't your insurance pay for this? Why don't you look into getting Obamacare just for yourself? It's subsidized for 80% of the people who apply. Maybe find a part time job in the evenings to help pay for it.
Your post really touched me and I hope you find the courage to do what is right for you.

Don't let one or two ruin your experience. The vast majority of people on here are helpful and compassionate.
The ones jumping all over you are most likely reacting to their own issues anyway.