Tiffykins

From what a few people on OH put out there, the hospital bill was between 40-100K depending on nights in hospital and leak tests done (radiology charges, equipment etc). Grant it, they won't pay that because that's not the agreed contracted amount. The averages were about 20-40K that an insurance company actually pays. My band surgery was billed at around 67K, insurance company paid out about 40K. My band doctor billed them $250.00 per fill, he got paid $109.00. I hope that is what you were asking. For my revision, it was a huge bill.

I was released for alcohol at 3ish months. Doc warned me it's wasted calories so just don't go overboard. I drank Riesling the first time, and it hit me kinda hard and fast, but wore off pretty fast as well. I drink socially now, and have a glass of wine once maybe twice a week. I've tried margarita, and they didn't settle well. But, mixed drinks, rum/coke, and various shots work just fine. My tolerance is like it was pre-op, it doesn't hit me hard and fast, and I can maintain a decent buzz. I don't drink a lot, but when I do, the big plus is that I rarely get a hangover anymore.

LOL you can have her legs, I'll take her ass any day of the week ! ! ! I try to keep the carbs in check, but some days I go way over. I'm just trying to maintain at this point. Luckily, I've not dropped any further.

I would do the same thing, and if it's any consolation I couldn't work out until the end of my 3rd month post-op, and I didn't really bother do much exercising until my 5th month, and even then all I did was 1 day of cardio, 3 days strength training. I walked, and I know exercise is vital, and you'll be able to do much more with every few pounds that drop. My ortho told me once that for every pound we lose, we relieve 11lbs of pressure per square inch on weight bearing joints. I think that is why we get relief as soon as the weight drops. Now, I've never researched what he told me. I was just happy to keep my original knee, and try to lose more weight.

Just going to ditto what the ladies stated above. . . Just breathe, sip, walk, rest and repeat.

I had a nasty knee injury at 14yr of age. Torn ACL, torn meniscus, and my parent's insurance made me do PT before they'd pay for surgery. Well, least to say, I did PT, and it did get "better", but never resolved the issue. I reinjured it 2 years later, and had ACL replacement surgery, lots of PT, a donjoy brace for 2 years. Diagnosed with arthritist around the age of 19. At age 22, I retorn the replaced ACL. Another surgery to go in and clean it up, and found that the remaining portion of meniscus tissue was like hamburger meat, it was removed as were several Calcium deposits. The pain and swelling progressively worsened as I aged and gained weight. I can tell you that once I dropped about 50lbs, I saw a major decrease in knee pain. My right knee is shot as well, but I won't let them operate on it. I could not walk around the mall for more than 30minutes without pain. Squats, lunges were all too painful for to do. Now, I mall walk for hours, I'm shopping, but I'm moving. Squats and lunges still suck, but I do them without wanting to cry. The only time I have any discomfort is right before it rains, and it's nowhere near the pain/discomfort that I experienced at 270lbs. Sorry for the ramble, I just thought I'd let ya know that I've been through extensive knee stuff and have found resolution of the pain and swelling with losing weight. My ortho doc warned me that if I didn't lose weight, I'd have a total knee replacement by the time I was 40-45.

My mom was the same way Lynn. I was disheartened when my mom told me I was reckless for deciding on the sleeve. This site was my lifeline during my research, surgery and recovery stage. The members here were my support system, and for that I am extremely grateful. We'll be here for you as well. I know it isn't the same, but at least you know you aren't completely alone.

Holli, glad to hear you're home and recovering. Each day will get easier. Just keep sipping, walking, and resting.

For y'all considering a revision, I can tell you that I wouldn't let someone put another band in for a million bucks. I was willing to live with some of the band issues, but when I read the stats on reslips, additional erosions, more port issues, I just couldn't risk it. I wanted only one more surgery and be done. The risk for another surgery with another band just scared me. With the damage the band did to my stomach, I honestly don't know if my stomach have supported another band. I know it can be removed, but at what cost. I love that the sleeve isn't reversible, and I honestly don't miss that big, stretchy stomach that allowed me to eat enormous amounts of food. It seems scary and drastic, but ending up fat for the rest of my life, or dealing with another band issue, was even more scary. Keep researching and reading around here. There's lots of stories out there of patients that went through the same thought process.

Thanks for the chuckle this morning. . . I haven't had to have a mammogram yet. My mom has the band and lost 75lbs. She said her mammograms are much easier now. While they aren't pleasant, she said it's easier to manipulate her body into the awkward position for the boob squeeze.

Awwwwwwwwww this is a fabulous post! ! ! Many congrats on all your victories, and I can't wait to hear about all the ones you'll soon be experiencing.

Glad to hear the scale is going downward with the numbers. I eat a lot of meat that's the only way I can manage that much Protein. I try to throw some cheese in with it, or have greek yogurt as a snack. To get my carbs in, I have to graze on crackers/cheese, sometimes I do have those lean cuisine or WW meals that are like hot pockets. I'll eat the insides, wait a few minutes then eat some of the crust. Beans are still a staple in my diet as well. I'll snack on beans and rice. At any given time, I have rice and beans, or rice and chicken in my fridge. I eat tortillas with beans/cheese, or even deli meat with cheese. Usually, I can only eat 1/2 of a tortilla, but I can hit my goals most days. Some days my body craves veggies, and I fall short on protein and might only get in 40g that day. I don't understand, but I figure my body is telling me what it needs to run efficiently. For the first time ever, I'm actually listening to my body and doing it right. I'm also pretty sedentary. Other than running errands, volunteering, and mall walking. I'm trying to get into the work out routine again. Hope that helps.

Hi Anne, I'm so sorry to hear you had to go through that whole ordeal. With the sleeve, there really isn't anything that doesn't work. The post-op diet is pretty similar as bypass, but the sleeve gives you more food options once you progress onto a normal diet. For me, I had a band and it was horrible with that pouch. I knew bypass was going to give me the same pouch, and I didn't want anything to do with that again. Having a full functioning stomach with a pyloric valve is pretty awesome compared to what I dealt with from the band pouch. For me, RNY just was not an option. Main reason being is that malabsorption of calories/fats only lasts 2 years then the body adjusts by growing more villi in the intestine, but the malabsorption of vitamins/minerals is for life. The long term complications with RNY that I have not only read about on the net, but have witnessed with real life friends scared me. I could give you the list, but I'm sure you know what the complications with RNY can be. There are no medication or food restrictions with VSG. For me that was a big plus. I honestly eat anything I want. It's small portions, but I don't have foods that are off limits. Best wishes in your research. Keep us updated on your progress.

Hey there and welcome. I think you would be okay as long as you can get in your fluids. Knowing how hot and miserable it is over there in August due to my husband being over there a few times, your main concern would probably be staying hydrated. Some have issues early out getting in fluids, others have zero issues at all. I know you would be able to take Protein back with you, or order it from amazon. My husband ordered his from there while he was in Afghanistan last year. So, you'd be able to get in protein for energy. If you're in a staff position, and not out in the field, you will be able to stay cooler I'm assuming. Dr. Jossart can help guide you through your recovery, and it's great that you'll have med care over there in case you were to need it. Stay safe, and let us know how your consult goes.

Hey Lynn, we talked on OH, but I just wanted to welcome you over here. I'm USAF Wife over there. There's lots of revision patients over here that post pretty regularly. If you come across any questions, post away, we're here for you.

On one hand, we all love food. On the other hand, we hate being obese and miserable. I think the one thing we all need a little reminding of is that anything can be modified, or tweeked just a little to make it more sleeve friendly. You could make philly cheesesteak crescent wraps, or wrap up the meat, cheese, whiz, onion/peppers, etc into a low carb wrap then slice it into 1-2inch little philly cheesesteak pinwheels. Crescent rolls aren't as dense as normal bread/buns, and while I can't eat a lot of one, it does give me my "pizza fix". I make pizza roll up pinwheels all the time with crescent rolls. You can add anything as the filling and go from there. I know right now you're just kind of sharing your "ah ha" moment. I want to let everyone know that some stuff that I thought I would ever eat again, is completely doable. Not in huge volumes, but doable so the experience is pleasurable.

Ummm, not any worse than me stuffing my bra with one of my husband's sock to try to remember what my boobs looked like Pre-op. . . Or, that I flatten out my baby fat roll on my stomach, turn sideways to imagine what I would look like without it. Oh yea, I got an eye exam a month ago, and still haven't picked out frames. I've been to 7 different frame places here, and all I see is an old lady. That's vain. Calva - I'm sorry if it seems like we're hijacking your topic. I think this is a great topic to think about and discuss because honestly, it's brought a lot of things out that a lot of us didn't think about pre-op.

I read an interesting article on Iron levels, and when people take extra iron. It specifically stated that if we aren't deficient, our bodies aren't going to use it properly. Kind of like a safeguard I guess. I follow this blog, and I follow her on OH because she is well, pretty much amazing. Weightloss Surgery Vitagarten She's always my go to for posts about Vitamins. I'll see if I can dig up the article and I'll shoot it to you. I know you like all the geeky stuff like I do so if I can locate it, I'll post it for you. My multi only gives me 50% of my DV, and I've never popped below normal on my hemacrit, hbg or my iron ferritin levels. But, the real test will be coming up soon at my yearly. They say it can take a year post-op before we get deficient on anything. So, I'm pretty stoked to see if my body has maintained it's levels. At 8 months I was fine, and at 9 months and a couple of weeks I was fine on everything. Holding my breath, and saying a few prayers that all is still well.

LOL my face went from round to oval. I had no idea I had a naturally oval shaped face once the fat was gone. All of the hairstyles for round faces are so not as flattering on oval faces and vice versa. Ohhhhh the problems we deal with when we're skinny LOL.

Yeah, us geriatric sleevesters have it way worse LOL. Just kidding. . . Oregondaisy was like 56 or 57 when she had her revision last year. But, age can have some effect on recovery.

Not everyone does. I promise. Oregondaisy, was a band to sleeve revision, and she had to be told to slow down on her drinking while she was still in the hospital because she had no issues. There's lots of people that have zero issues. Just be thankful, and keep on sipping chickee, You're doing great.