2goldengirl

My insurance requirements seem to be reasonable and then I have other test that are required by the surgeon. I'm hoping that after doing everything it will be 3-5 months from evaluation to surgery.
I'm older so understand the extra clearance that is being required. Right now I'm thinking positive, but I might have a different opinion later if I am not approved.
Best of luck with your decision.

I prefer sticking with the wonderful, bullying, foul mouthed, tyrannical, well informed, humorous bastards who post on this forum. Served me well thus far.

Blimey! This has been an interesting read on this lovely Sunday morning, and just because Dub mentioned something on another post. It got my curiosity (OK, big standard nosey) antenna twitching! Thought that I'd add my two pennyworth for what it's worth.
I'm Jinty, and I'm an alcoholic. There, I've said it. I've been sober for 12 years with, for the first six years the help of AA meetings and other recovering alcoholics. I received a lot of tough love, common sense advice and several kicks up the arse to get me on the sobriety track. I DIDN'T get mollycoddled, fuzzy love and cuddles or any other pussyfooting nonsense. That is why I am sober today. There were plenty of perfectly nice drunks who went to meetings but who expected their sobriety to come from someone else. Those people usually went back out, back on the piss and a few of them are now dead. They often thought that the old timers with long term sobriety were too tough. They would form their little groups and have their pity parties, commiserate and then pick up a drink. I saw it happen time and time again. I stuck with the winners. Those who had been around for a few years. I stayed well away from newbies who thought that they knew it all because again, many of them fell off the wagon (and back into the gutter) because of their arrogance.
I have a great life because of my sobriety and it's getting even better now that I have taken drastic action to deal with my food addiction in the form of a VSG. To ensure that I keep going in the right direction, I am sticking with all you wonderful, bullying, foul mouthed, tyrannical, well informed, humorous bastards who post on this forum. You've served me well thus far and quite frankly, if it ain't broken then I ain't going to fiddle fixing it.

I did one as well. Didn't feel like I slept much, but enough to learn I stopped breathing 84 times an hour. I also learned that I rarely get to REM sleep (the restorative kind) for that reason. That explains why I was tired ALL THE TIME. Not only do they not want you to stop breathing during surgery, but over time untreated obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to many serious problems, including premature death. For me, that was enough to endure one night in the sleep center, besides, it's not like I really slept better at home....as evidenced by my sleep report afterwards! Good luck!!!
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I know what you mean, OP. One of the hardest parts of deciding to do this surgery was realizing that I was going to have to change how we have fun... because "having fun" means hanging out at the local taproom, drinking beer with all our townie friends, a couple of nights a week. Sometimes it's just a pint of microbrew, sometimes it's a lot more, but we always have an amazingly fun time. I KNOW this has to change. Just like going out for 2-for-1 Burger Night, 50cent chicken wings, or to the Japanese hibachi restaurant will also have to change. But here's the thing: After 6 or so months, these activities will CHANGE but won't necessarily be GONE from your life. As my 22 year old daughter pointed out, I'll still be able to eat, and maybe even drink. It just means that I'll bring a storage container for half my burger, skip the roll (which I already do), and sub a salad or green for the fries. I can order the kid's portions and take some home, or an adult portion and take MORE home. Five wings are cheaper and less caloric than the 15 wings I usually consume. We'll still go out, still have fun. A friend who helped motivate me towards this surgery even still drinks beer. I'm not saying that's necessarily wise, but she'll have one or two 5oz. tasters in an evening instead of 3 or 4 pints of beer. Life will STILL be fun, if this is your idea of fun. You just have to take control of the situation and make it work for you. I, personally, am looking forward to having the other kind of "fun" with my husband again. Through no fault of his, we haven't been very "fun" because I am not at all comfortable with my size or having "fun" at this size. He is a dear sweet man, and I miss having fun with him. We both deserve to have fun again, even at our advanced ages. SO? We'll see...

@ christinamo7:
I never could bake.
Are you telling me that if I just wait for a wee bit longer, I'll be able to bake????
Wow! who knew???

He's scared. That's normal. Obviously you guys have a great relationship, because he's scared it will change. You just tell him although things may change a bit, it will all be for the better. He's going to love the happier, healthier, maybe even sexier (I'm sure you're already quite sexy) you!

@@Sarellen5 My SO and I also spend a lot of time at restaurants/bars, etc. At some point, you'll be able to do that again - you'll just be eating differently / drinking differently. There are alot of restaurants that have options that you'll be able to have once you are out a few months. You'll be able to find other things to enjoy that isn't focused on food. Just keep in mind - you are having the surgery - your husband isn't - so don't get upset if he continues to eat/drink as he does now. Communicate with each other!
Now if that doesn't get your husband on-board, nothing will!

well. I am a hormonal roller coaster in the past early months, so not sure how much *fun* that was for the man, but he's used to me anyway. maybe it was fun sometimes.
our relationship has not really changed but some things are easier, and more fun being together as I get increasingly healthier. (the sex is a lot more fun as the weight comes off)
he may just have a designated driver - but if you two endeavor to work together you can adapt and change so that your marriage is better than it was before. I find 9/10ths of a happy marriage is being flexible, extending grace and forgiving each other.

Your idea of "fun" may have been what got you to 220 pounds, no?
There's other ways to have fun together. Some even involve exercise. (Sex. I'm talking about sex).

So, the words you are using to describe yourself right now include "unhappy with myself," "avoid old friends," "struggle," "excuses," "sad," and "lost friendships" -- and somehow your husband thinks you will be *less* fun? I can't imagine that! You'll have so much more energy and enthusiasm for life (after you get past the post-op recovery phase of course). Fun doesn't mean eating and drinking, it means talking and laughing with your loved ones, enjoying their company, and venturing out to new adventures and old friends. It means being truly happy in your own skin and sharing that happiness and confidence with those around you. I think you know that -- hopefully your husband gets on board soon!

You should be able to see any RD who sees outpatients at any Sutter facility. Sutter Memorial is where most of the WLS is done up there. You could call either Dr. Shadle or Dr. Eslami's office and see who they use for RD.

changing your routine is a great idea, and that's what you did. Your body got a bit more fuel and a chance to recover from your workouts. Moving forward, you might try adding another hundred calories to your day, and taking an extra rest day every other week or so. Dong too much can be as hard on your success as too little.

Wait a minute. You say here you are certain that your surgeon "screwed up" and further, you are sure you know why. Because you've "tested" your sleeve, even before you knew you should have.
How specific were your surgeon's postop guidelines concerning volume and over that timeframe?
Were you directed to eat not more than specific amounts? Did you follow those recommendations? Did you tell your surgeon that you'd "tested" your capacity against that of relatives who were further out?
And why, in the name of all we hold dear, did you put an entire 20-oz steak on your plate in the first place? Were you not taught the things we all have - small plates, small volumes, chewing throughly, eating slowly?
You put a 20-oz steak on your plate, eat it, and have the nerve to say your surgeon "screwed up"?
Time for some ownership of your choices. You definitely should talk with your surgeon, and soon - but try listening, rather than jumping to conclusions. I was never banded, so I can't say anything from personal experience about the band-to-sleeve surgery. but undoubtedly your surgeon has information that you need. Ask. Don't tell, ask.

I've always loved myself. I am fun, funny, loyal, sarcastic, blunt, intelligent and have a fabulous family.
The only thing that has changed is that I'm now at a weight that I can do all the things I used to do, but better. And easier. And with less sweat and frustration.
Oh. Yes. One big thing has changed. I look great in skinny jeans.

No one is going to dull my sparkle or the sparkle of ANYONE who has loved themselves a little on this thread.

Wait a minute. You say here you are certain that your surgeon "screwed up" and further, you are sure you know why. Because you've "tested" your sleeve, even before you knew you should have.
How specific were your surgeon's postop guidelines concerning volume and over that timeframe?
Were you directed to eat not more than specific amounts? Did you follow those recommendations? Did you tell your surgeon that you'd "tested" your capacity against that of relatives who were further out?
And why, in the name of all we hold dear, did you put an entire 20-oz steak on your plate in the first place? Were you not taught the things we all have - small plates, small volumes, chewing throughly, eating slowly?
You put a 20-oz steak on your plate, eat it, and have the nerve to say your surgeon "screwed up"?
Time for some ownership of your choices. You definitely should talk with your surgeon, and soon - but try listening, rather than jumping to conclusions. I was never banded, so I can't say anything from personal experience about the band-to-sleeve surgery. but undoubtedly your surgeon has information that you need. Ask. Don't tell, ask.

@@2goldengirl @KristenLe. Thanks very much for your insights. Interesting especially about the Fluid shifts. I was going to contact my NUT this week to ask about the calorie situation. Very helpful information indeed. Thank you!

It's extremely difficult for your body to build lean mass during weight loss. Why? You need a calorie surplus to do so.
What IS very common is for your body (for a number of reasons) to replace fat loss with Water gain, hence the Fluid shifts you''re seeing. Especially in the early weeks of a workout program, there is muscle inflammation (which means water!) as the result of the increased work.
At six weeks out, you are only just at the end of the most major part of your healing. You may be contributing to your still by not eating enough if you are only getting in 750 calories/day. At six weeks out (plus your preop diet), your body has been in a big time calorie deficit that your body has likely slowed your metabolism down to compensate.
I learned this by going and having my RMR tested. I was about nine weeks out at the time. My metabolism was at 60% of what would be expected for my age and gender. The PhD in exercise physiology I worked with exhorted me never to eat less than my RMR each day. Mine is more than 1200 calories - I suspect yours is even higher than that.

Why are you calling out @@BigViffer - he didn't talk down to anyone???!! You are barking up the wrong tree! If you are that insecure that a comment made by some stranger online is going to break your heart and potentially change your mind about surgery - you need to get help. It certainly doesn't seem you have what it takes to go through WLS if you are that sensitive. This is an internet forum - people have different personalities - that's life! It's nonsense posts like this that ends up pissing me off enough to get rude.
Yeah.....I was wondering why she is so pissed at him, too.
Then I realized how bizarre this whole thread has become. I guess a random drive by pie in the face is to be expected.
Again, though, just like with VSGAnn2014.....BigViffer is one of the most supportive members here. I simply can't imagine her getting her panties in a wad over anything he's said.

I don't know about this... i try to be understanding most of the time.. and usually post how MY experience was in regards to the question... But.... sometimes the question is sooooo silly or dangerous that some "tough love" is in order... sometimes i just want to virtually grab someone by the shoulders and shake them.... lol
Yes, we are here to support each other and share experiences... but i will never be the enabler who pats someone on the back saying "there, there little one, i support the fact that you are 2 days post op and trying to eat a huge steak wrapped in a bread roll, smoking and eating a celery stick"
I personally think thats counterproductive... its dangerous and risky... and why on earth someone would test their sleeve that early like that is beyond me! .. therefore i will never be supportive of something like that.
If the person can not take thr basic personal responsibility for their health by understanding the requirements... then they shouldn't complain when someone points out it is wrong.... but majority of the time the poster gets offended... lol the mind boggles

I like you. And I concur with the in person thing. What you see is basically what you get with me. But that comes from being an old hag. I seriously could give a flying toot whether people like me or not.

You had me at "tits".

I think you all need a snickers....

Yep. Pictures, video, we'll take either one.
@@Dub we luv you man.