Realself

I was sleeved on 8/8 and I have zero regrets. It is a journey and a tool for life... Take your time in making the decision and I think it is helpful to start making changes with eating habits now if you plan on having surgery in a few months. I hope you find support here on BP and there are a ton of vsg videos on YouTube that are really helpful. Good luck to you with whatever you decide! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I am only one month post op and I had a stall for 2 weeks or so. I lost 20 pounds in my first month. SW 267I was initially upset as I saw many others dropping quickly but I can't complain about 20 as with PCOS and hashimotos thyroiditis I have always lost slow and with surgery I probably couldn't have done 20 in a month. Everyone is different with their own pace. Learning to use the tool and follow all guidelines for best success! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I just had surgery 8/8 I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder since childhood. You are right this is about working very hard mentally and emotionally not just food but on yourself and how you relate to your body. Learning new ways to self soothe without food is very important. Learning how to care for self without food and like others have said listening to what is really hunger. I am on that journey and it is challenging. One day at a time and use every support you can get. Geneen Roth has many good books about emotional eating and relationship with food "When food is love" and "Women, food and God" are two most popular. Goodluck to you! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I just had vsg on 8/8. I must say I expected less pain from reading what others experienced as I consider myself able to tolerate pain. So everyone is different. I woke up in a great deal of pain...mainly pressure and a great deal of gas in my abdomen. Next day was all nausea and I couldn't get through the upper GI in the morning as it made me vomit. I felt less nauseated last evening. Today definitely better but lots of pressure and gas pain. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! Go on Facebook and under the search type BP August 2016 request the group and someone will add you in upon receiving the request Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Yes! Please join as I am on the 8th Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I just joined the August Facebook group! Another great support! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! I'm not sure if you have been diagnosed with an eating disorder or symptoms of disordered eating. I do believe there are many wls individuals who are challenged by compulsive overeating and or binge eating. I have struggled for years and I have been in therapy which is a helpful tool for me. Therapy provided me with more insight and awareness of my emotional triggers with food. If you don't think conventional therapy approaches work there is a good book called "Brain over Binge". I also utilize a medication for binge eating disorder called vyvanse. This Is Not a weight loss drug this is a prescription medication for binge eating. This Medication really helps decrease obsessive thoughts with food and it is a stimulant so I don't have nearly the amount of cravings so therefore I feel more in control with food. I want to emphasize that this is a tool and it may not work for some but I have found it to be very useful in my journey... I am in 3 days into my 2 week pre-op all liquid diet... I am thankful for all the tools I can get Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's awesome! Congrats and goodluck! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Yes, it really depends on your insurance. Magee requires either 6 months medically supervised with a nutritionist or pcp as they have paperwork they need to complete. Once you complete that they require a nutritional assessment and I'm not sure if it has to be done there. Then they will require a sleep study, ekg, chest xray, endoscopy and bloodwork (maybe some other stuff too it just depends on your medical history and so forth) once you get all of that done they send it to insurance for approval and then you get a surgery date! I am going to my pre-op appointment next week which I was told is 3-4 hours long with overview of surgery, post open and more education. Only thing left after that is getting pcp to clear for surgery (require you to have that Within 30 days from surgery). It's a process but it makes sense as it gives you time to shift your eating thoughts/patterns/behaviors to prepare for surgery. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I have only met once with Dr.Ramanathan and he was very nice. He was also very positive which was helpful. I had a slightly negative experience with a nurse or it could of been a physician assistant...she was a little more challenging about my history with my emotional eating and eating disorder in general. No, I was not asked to lose a specific amount. They were happy with my weekly weight loss of about .5 to 1 pound and total of 20 pounds I was able to do during the 6 months with the nutritionist. I recommend seeing nutritionist Kim E. If you are going good to continue at Magee. I have UPMC insurance and they required at least 5 months medically supervised weight loss. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! Awesome! Excited to have others in there area to share support! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That's great! Have you found any support groups that you like in your area? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Awesome! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

After I completed all of the required test (blood work, endoscopy, ekg, sleep study...) then everything was submitted to my insurance and I received approval within 2 weeks. I know every insurance company can be different. When I initially called months ago I was told it would not be covered at all with several calls I received accurate information on everything I needed to do prior to approval. I felt fortunate that the hospital I am having my surgery at was very helpful with this process. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App