VSG4Mag

I love the patches. Move got multi vitamin, B-12, biotin plus and calcium/Vit D. I haven't had any follow up blood work done, but at my first post op appointment the PA said her patients with the patch have had good levels...so I'm hopeful.

Ok! I hope that works out. Keep in mind too, that some insurance requires 6 months of weigh ins. Maybe keep up with that through your primary doctor so that doesn't hold you up. If your insurance covers a nutritionist, see if you can get an appointment with one that will go over the pre and post bariatric diet requirements. That will knock on thing out that the bariatric group will likely need you to do. Plus it is very informative and educating. And maybe find a psych doctor/therapist ahead of time too so you can set it up more easily. My practice DID have everything in house, but many of them were not covered by insurance and I'd have to pay out of pocket a couple of hundred for each. Also, they were very backed up and appointments were tough to schedule for me. I'm excited for you. I was you just last week. ?

Following. I'm new here. Just got VSG last thursday.

Where are you located? Maybe there is a different bariatric group you could try? 2 months is not normal. I think they were a little shocked when in just over 2 weeks I had done the endoscope, cardiologist, Pulmonologist, psych, nutritionist and sleep study. I had just had a full work up by my primary doctor and they accepted those blood tests. I literally left my first appointment and made most of the appointments right in the parking lot. I got lucky because I was able to get into those docs so quickly. The hardest one for me was psych bc there is a long list from my insurance company, but NOBODY seemed to do bariatric clearances. I literally called 20+. I finally called a local bariatric group (mine is an hour + away) and they were able to give me a name.

I had read and watched many videos on Mexico and was totally ready to go. Before persuing that, I figured why not give it a go with insurance? That way at least I can say I tried, and obviously it will be no money out of pocket I really thought Mexico was where I'd end up. I've heard a lot of good things.

Usually signs of sleep apnea are snoring and stopping breathing when sleeping (spouse or friend may tell you if they notice). Sometimes I would wake up sort of gasping for air. Other signs are felling tired all the time (that was mentioned above), falling asleep every time you sit Dow to read or watch a show or Movie. Restless leg syndrome are somehow correlated with it too- according to my pulmonologist. Maybe look into a different practice. My bariatric practice saw me and they had in house pulmonary, endoscope, psychologist & cardio docs. I did that all on my own bc I could get it done quicker by me. I was able to get my surgery done in less then 2 months from my initial visit....meanwhile I was going to Mexico bc I didn't think I would qualify. Crazy. I hope you find a way. I felt the same as you and it's like once I decided this was the route I was taking, I wanted it DONE.

I feel like if you are getting resistance from people who are close to you, then keep it to yourself. But it's your choice I don't see not telling people your personal intentions as lying. I just chose not to share this. I'm like that with most of my personal stuff- aside from my husband because we are partners. I researched and educated myself over the course of a month before my first appointment. Read tons of articles, watches success and failure videos on You Tube and spoke to people who had done the VSG. Then I sat down with the doctor and went for the course of various pre-approval appointments with specialists and spoke to them about my health and the procedure. I didn't need someone who didn't have all the facts and didn't FEEL the way I felt, chiming in to talk me out of it. I had my doubts leading up to the surgery and that was enough for me to deal with.

My initial plan was Mexico. But I figured why not try and see what happens?? I didn't need a referral, so I was able to go directly to the bariatric practice. I have low blood pressure, great blood work and a healthy heart. I was desperate and thought only severe sleep apnea would qualify me, but I only had a mild case. My insurance company said if the doctor (bariatric) wrote a letter stating it was medically necessary, it could be covered. I didn't see the letter, but I have knee and hip pain, some back pain too. Most of my complaints were orthopedic and maybe that with the mild sleep apnea did the trick? im thinking logically, a hip and knee replacement is more money and more recovery with PT. So it's likely in the best interest of insurance to cover this...plus it's preventative. My family has a history of high BP, heart problems and diabetes. Why wait until those develop. I would NOT gain weight! I was so miserable at my weight to begin with, that the thought of adding any more was terrible. Then maintain it?? Probably some skinny person who has never struggled with weight thinks that's great advice. Plus you usually lose 65% of your excess weight (I know the stats may be different, but that's what my doc told me). Tey foe the sleep study. Make sure they know if you have aches or pains. Or any rashes from the excess fat/skin. Good luck.

Did you try through your insurance? thats the requirements of my insurance too, and I didn t have the co morbidities. I was able to get approved bc my doctor said it was medically necessary. I've got hip/joint pain. I do have sleep apnea, but listed as mild at the worst. My BMI was 37

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/how-to-increase-iron-levels-in-your-blood/ this article talks about how to increase your iron absorption. It mentions taking Vit C to help with abstention and talks about certain foods to avoid that may interfere with the absorption. I don't have any personal experience, but hopefully this helps.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I am definitely new to this life and like some of the suggestions about avoiding the subject. I don't like to "lie" it makes me uncomfortable, but so does sharing my personal decisions. I appreciate everyone's perspectives. And as a private person, I will keep this personal decision to myself...except here. Lol. Im glad there is a place where we can turn to others who have paved the path. Thanks again.

So I've done it! Had my VSG last Thursday 2/23. I've struggled with my weight my whole life. Creeping up to 40 I've seen that since putting a significant amount of weight on over the years, I'm not living the life I want. My kids are not getting the best version of me. But....I don't want to share this with the people close to me. Of course my husband knows and I told my childhood best friend who has shared similar struggles and is interested in this too. But my immediate family, children, close friends and co-workers do NOT KNOW. Has anyone managed to pull this off? 4 weeks prior to surgery I made a vow to cut back and get myself in shape surgery or not. I gave up sugar and then subsequently all processed carbs just before I was approved. Then shortly thereafter started the pre-op liquid diet and just told people I was using my Protein shakes as Meal Replacements. So it's no secret that I'm trying to lose weight...I just left out the VSG part. Truth be told I don't want to explain myself. I don't want people thinking I'm taking the easy way out. I don't or at least I didn't want people trying to talk me out of it...and trust me they would have. I don't want people watching what I eat and asking if I should be eating it, etc. I've seen what people do and say for others who have gone down this road first hand...at work and in my personal life, and I'm just trying to avoid all that. And of course, I'm afraid of failing. I have the can do attitude. I really see myself being a success and I mean life long. But there is that fear from my past failures. Any advice or personal experiences from people who have been down this road would be appreciated.

I haven't told anyone what I was planning and at this point what I have done (4 days ago). I wasn't sure that I would be approved by insurance, but this time around I am determined to lose the weight...for good. Ao after my initial surgical consult early February, I started to cut back on things in my diet. I didn't really see a change. Prior to this I was not a huge junk food addict, I didn't drink soda with sugar and in the past year I have stopped drinking diet sodas. But no change...not even a little. 3 1/2 weeks ago (about 1 week prior to insurance approval), I eliminated All Processed sugar (meaning whole fruit was ok). I saw myself eating chips and pretzels instead...so I eliminated carbs (again carbs from fruits and veggies were ok). I purchased premier protein shakes and started to use them as meal replacement 2-3 times per day and had fish for dinner. This was the perfect Segway into my liquid diet and now post op I'm not going crazy for junk. Several co workers and friends have asked me about the shake and what I was doing...and now they are using them to supplement meals and see a change. My son has eliminated sugar too. All on his own...although my other 2 kids won't -lol. He looks for fruits as a dessert (and although I'm not a big fan of sugar free processed stuff for kids) he has a SF ice pop when he other kids may have something more sugary. It's making my daughter think about her choices...she sees him doing it and is curious...but not there yet. A main point of my choice is to be a better mother and role model for my kids. I want to do everything with them and don't want my health to hold me back. I want them to see that food is fuel, and not a source of pleasure I want to break the cycle that has been created through generations of our families culture and bad habits. One choice at a time.

I'm no expert, but I've been using dōTERRA for about 2 years. Many of the oils have truly helped my mood (I'm pretty happy) but the lemon and orange are really uplifting. The digest Zen was part of my cure for GERD. That and apple cider vinegar. I plan to use it again, I'm only 4 days out from my VSG so I want to be careful. They are very potent. I have used the DigestZen to ward off stomach viruses in my house too. Last year a nasty bug was going around my kids school. My daughter had a lead in he play and I was giving them one drop in a shot of water. They'd have to hold their noses, but they got used to it and knew the routine. Well the play went off without a hitch and I stopped giving it to them...they were throwing up 3 days later! Who knows! Coincidence? I think it helped...I should have kept it going until it was out of the school. Anyway, I've used the frankincense and lavander on my daughters scars (surgical) but it's hard to tell if it helped. She is growing so the scars change, plus they were old (5years plus). But overall I love my oils. I diffuse with them, ingest, use topically and even use them in recipes. The coconut oild oils is great that they have for local areas, but I highly recommend their little set with the three un scented lotions and the oils blends that come with them. Sooo nice on the skin.

Thanks!! You too. I just saw a recipe on You Tube for chia seed pudding good for the soft mush stage. Soak them over night and add protein powder. They said it's full of fiber. I'm going to get some today and try it tomorrow for breakfast. I haven't had anything of real substance so I'm it sure there is anything in there. Lol. ?

Dragoness- I had surgery the same day and feeling the same way. Ive taken benefiber 4 times since I've been home and miralax twice ?

You look great! I was feeling the exact same way before my VSG the other day. I was like, "Am I really doing this?? Should I be??" In the long run I'm sure I'll be confident with my decision and you will too. All your hard work and you should look the way you want! Good luck and looking forward to the "after" pics

I'm in the midst of mine. I was told protein pudding too. Make Sugar free pudding with a scoop of unflavored protein powder. I'm allowed 1 hard boiled egg, 1 protein yogurt, 1/2 cup protein pudding and 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese I just made broth today (going to freeze some for post op) but I had some and it's a nice change