angierue

I'm totally feeling the pain! I looooove a nice cold beer. But if being healthy and thin is my trade off, I'm gonna stick to it! Good luck to ya! Can't wait until I'm on the other side!

It's recommended that you wait 4-6 months before adding alcohol back into your diet. Personally, I wouldn't risk it this soon. Your stomach is still healing. I know it's going to be tough for me as well but I like to err on the side of caution, especially after such a major procedure.

Then I'm being they'll submit to your insurance and get your surgery date scheduled. Yay!

Have you not been in contact with your surgeons office or your patient advocate? My clinic actually gives you a little timeline/list of prerequisites that lead up to getting your surgery date.

Soooo... Anyone else start buying cute smaller clothes well before you've even had the surgery? Lol! I don't even have a date yet but I'm already planning ahead. I went to a 3-day music festival this week and went a little crazy buying the cute band t-shirts that I always want but they never have in my size. Well not too crazy, only 2 of them. But I bought them both in a large so that I can use them as rewards for losing weight! One of them seemed so perfect. The front says, "Far From Easy" and the back says, "Worth the Fight". I can't wait to fit into it and the other one. They'll definitely be featured in some "after" pictures. Am I the only one crazy enough to pre-surgery shop??? If not, what did you buy?

I see where people say they've felt more like themselves 3-4 weeks post-op but I haven't seen much on when folks are going back to work. I will only be able to take 1 week off work if I have the surgery this year (I'm trying for the first week of November). Not because I don't have the available time but because I am a manager for a major cell phone carrier and mid-November through the end of the year is obviously a very busy time for us. Plus we have black-out periods for vacation/personal time. I've already cleared it with my DM for the first week of November but if I haven't met all the doctors requirements by the end of October, I'll have to push it back to January (and will most likely take a full 2 weeks off if that's the case). I don't do any heavy lifting and will be able to sit down when needed. The hardest thing will be finding time to eat when we're super busy (like Black Friday). I will be walking around the store a lot and working with my employees and customers. Does anyone have experience with going back to work that quickly and in a similar profession? How difficult was it for you and how did you feel?

I was wondering about that too! I've been taking the women's gummy and the B12 gummy for a while now (well before I started this process and I'm still pre-op). I just recently added the biotin gummy as well. Did anyone have trouble with them post-op and have to switch? I am afraid they'll be hard to digest.

I've got to lose 38lbs, which translates to 10% of my current body weight. I was floored when I weighed in at the clinic and was 380.5. I new I was heavier than I've ever been but I had no idea I'd become that large. I'm down 8lbs so far but it's been extremely tough. I was down 11 but went to a three day music festival last weekend and drank and ate terribly. I've got a 3 day trip to Vegas for bachelorette party the end of this month too. I'm trying like crazy to have the surgery by the first week of November. Otherwise I'll have to wait until next year and I really don't want that. It's frustrating because I'm staying well under 1800 calories a day, usually around 1100, but it's not coming off as quickly as I feel like it should be. But I'm trusting my doctor. If I need to lose these 38lbs to make the likelihood of complications less then I'll do it. I'm going to go when more hardcore after Vegas. If anyone wants to follow me on My Fitness Pal, I'm angierue on there as well.

Four years ago this November, I went about a week with similar symptoms (I'm still pre-VSG). Drove myself to the ER at 5:30pm the day before Thanksgiving, had an ultrasound and confirmed that I had gallstones. ER doc ran some additional blood work and my liver enzymes came back through the roof. He has me immediately admitted. Was NPO for 3 days to get them under control then went in for surgery that Saturday. Woke up in recovery with two different drain tubes and still had my gallbladder. The surgeon said when he got in there, it was so inflamed and that I'd been sick a lot longer than I realized because it at attached itself to the liver with scar tissue. Two days later, discover that a stone had gotten out so had endoscopic surgery to remove it. Two days after that, went back in to surgery to have the gallbladder removed. Three surgeries and nine days later, I'm finally released to go home. Gallbladder issues are no joke. My mom came and stayed with me while I was in the hospital and didn't tell me until I was home, but the doctor said I was extremely lucky. I was very close to organ failure had I waited much longer. Going into VSG, I'm really happy that I already have my gallbladder out and will have one less worry post-op!!

My surgeon requires a 5-10% loss depending on your BMI. I was at the higher end so I'm currently trying to lose 38lbs before mid-October. It's been extremely tough because I had a big trip last weekend (3 day music festival) and then I'm going to Vegas for 3 days the end of the month. I think after Vegas, I'll put myself on a modified liquid plan (2 shakes, lean meat for dinner and green veggies and cucumbers for snacks).

I haven't had the surgery yet but reading your initial post, my first thought was to wonder if you still had your gallbladder. It reminded me a lot of what I felt when my flared up. And my surgeon said it's very common to need it removed not too long after getting sleeved. Glad you're feeling better today but if it starts again, demand the ultrasound.

I've thought about it for years but always thought, "I'm not that bad, I can do it on my own". I'd go on the healthy eating binges and lose 5-10lbs and stall out then gain that plus another 5-10 back. I've always been able to justify my size by saying that I didn't eat any differently than the average sized person but when you've destroyed your metabolism with yo-yo diets, and aren't physically active, it doesn't take a lot to make you gain. However the turning point for me actually came from watching one of my employees... He's larger than me and was recently hospitalized, for the second time, due to his kidneys shutting down. Prior to that, I've watched him struggle just to walk across the store. He can't stand for more than a couple of minutes at a time and suffers from severe edema in his knees and ankles. But even after all that, he doesn't change his diet or even seem to care what he's doing to himself. Seeing that and thinking about how he's justifying his actions to himself made me realize that I'm doing the same thing. I've been lying to myself and I don't, WON'T, end to the same way. So I went to a free seminar and had my first appointment with the surgeon a week later. I'm working toward a first week of November surgery date. If not, it'll be January.

I'm hoping the same as you, Luana! I'm only planning to take a week off work if I'm able to get the surgery this year. If it has to wait until next year, I'll take 2 weeks. I work in retail but never lift anything over 5-10lbs and can sit when needed.

I know there's always the chance of complications and my week off is based on an easy surgery with no major issues. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so my biggest concern is being weak and fatigued easily. My work days are usually around 9-10 hours long. I can take breaks and have a fridge and microwave available. I might get a small blender to keep up there as well.

I initially told just my mom, dad, and a couple of close friends. Then I discussed it with my boss even though I didn't have to. I'm a manager at a cell phone carrier and we have a small store, only 9 total employees. I've told a couple of them but haven't been secretive about it at all. My Water bottle at work even has the clinic logo on it and I use it all day, every day. Lol I haven't said anything on Facebook yet and not sure if I'm going to. I don't have a date set yet so I wouldn't until I know for sure it'll even be this year. I have extremely supportive friends and family and I'm not concerned with their reactions or any negative comments. Anyone who chooses to judge me for my decision can kiss what will be my significantly smaller tookus! Lol

Awesome! Love hearing that. Thanks for the reply!

I definitely wouldn't have purchased anything smaller than the Large. I even tried to get an XL on one of them but they were out. Fortunately, they aren't too fitted so I think they'll when I'm getting close to goal if not before. I'm trying to just remain as positive as possible about this whole experience. I've seen some posts here with newbies who haven't lost as much as they anticipated and I know that can happen to me too but even if it takes me 2 years ore more to get there, I want this bad enough that I will get there. I've been obese my entire adult life. It's time for me to live the life I have always wanted and not the one trapped inside this body.

I wasn't too overly optimistic. I got them both in a Large. I have faith in my surgeon, in myself and will have faith in my sleeve. I will not let this weight continue to control me. I will be successful.

I agree with the other posters, there is nothing that I will miss! Things I can't wait for: Not worrying if a chair/ladder/swing will hold my weight. Skydiving. It's something I've always wanted to try but my weight has kept me from doing it. Not using a seatbelt extender on an airplane. I feel so ashamed every time I fly because I have to ask for one before I even get to my seat. In conjunction with that, not trying to make myself as small as possible in order to try and keep the other passenger next to me from feeling smothered by the fat chick they got stuck next to. Shopping in a boutique. I love the cute trendy clothes but they never have anything in my size. Tying my shoes without having to prop my leg up on the bed just to reach the laces. Wearing super cute high heels! I could go on and on. I'm trying really hard to have the surgery by the first week of November because if I can't, it'll have to wait until next January because of my job. The sooner the better because I'm so ready to start living my life the way it's meant to be lived!

I'm hoping for the first week of November but don't have anything set yet. I've got to lose 38lbs (already down 11 of those) and have my sleep study, which is scheduled for October 2. I'm also having my psych eval this month on the 23rd. If everything works out like I'm planning, I'll be scheduled the first week of November. Because of work, I can't go any later than that which means I'd have to wait until January. Fingers crossed I can pull this off!

I've seen several pre-op sleevers mention getting an endoscopy. I've only met with my surgeon once but he never mentioned having to get that done. It's also not listed on the steps required for the surgery. I guess what I'm curious about is why are your surgeons having this done and should I ask about it at my next appointment?

Hi! My name is Angela and I live in Oklahoma. Been overweight pretty much my whole life. Only one "successful" weightloss on my own of around 75lbs through the Metabolic Research Center. But the minute I stopped taking their supplements and eating regular food, it'll all came back on plus now, another 30lbs! I've thought of doing wls for years and just never made the first steps. Recently, I've watched an extremely overweight coworker deal with some extreme medical issues, for the second time in 3 years, that have been brought on by his weight. It honestly scared me to think that that could be me. I always thought I'd go with the band because it seemed the safest to me. But after attending a seminar and listening to the surgeon go over all the pros and cons, I started leaning more toward the sleeve. My first consult with the surgeon validated my reasons so here I am! I'm currently in the early stages of pre-op but I'm super excited. I've got to lose 38lbs before he'll schedule it so that and my sleep study are the only things holding me back. According to my scale at home this morning, I'm down almost 11lbs! My goal is to be ready for surgery no later than the first week of November. I work for a major cell phone carrier so time off after that is impossible until January. Anyone else having to lose before the surgery? I'd love a partner to share meal ideas and successes with! HW: 380.5 CW: 369.9 GW (pre-op): 340 GW (post-op): 180

Yay! Good luck!

Good luck to you as well! I'll be honest, the thought of going all the way to Mexico to have this done and not being near my surgeon afterward scares the crap out of me. His cash pay price is under $10,000 for the sleeve so even with the reduced cost for the procedure in Mexico, after you add in airfare or gas/rental car to drive for yourself, not to mention if you're taking a family member or friend too... Just seems like it would cost nearly as much in the end. The big thing that sold me on this clinic is how much importance they put on follow up and their support groups. You get a year of post op visits with your total cost and they have a $300 package they require (insurance will not cover that) that has 2 years of monthly nutrition and fitness counseling. You can tell they care about your success.

It could also depend on your surgeon. I don't have an insurance requirement but my doctor is having lose 10% of my initial weigh-in weight (38lbs). He didn't give me a time frame to do it in but he won't schedule the surgery until I do that plus the other required stuff like the psych eval and sleep study (only thing left to schedule). Everything else is done or on the books. I've been doing the pre-op diet and am down just shy of 11lbs on my scale at home as of this morning. I'm going balls to the wall because if I can't get there in time to have the surgery by the first week of November, I'll have to wait until January. I work for a major cell phone carrier and can't take the time off after mid-November because of the holidays.