Malaika

Does your insurance cover the sleeve? The sleeve reduces the size of your stomach; however leaves the pylori, so you don't have malabsorption. When I went to my WLS Seminar, the surgeon presented all 3 options - band, sleeve and RNY. He said that if he were in the position of having to have WLS he would definitely go with the sleeve -- it was the "newest bad boy on the block." I have done a lot of reserach and inasmuch as I am self-pay regardless of my decision, I have chosen to go with the sleeve. My surgery date is 6/12/09. If you read the threads on the forum under Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy you can get alot of information ... there are several very knowledgable peoople who have had the sleeve - either virgin sleevers or band to sleeve revision. If you are not 100% sure about which surgery you want, don't proceed until you are. Good luck.

WOO HOO...I'm excited too ... I think DF may be even more excited than me ... he's bummed you're not driving down with us, but understands the situation ... Ernesto is picking us up in Calexico after he picks you up in SD ....:thumbup:

Years ago when I first joined the gym and worked with a trainer, that is exactly what he had me do - 10-20 minutes of cardio; 20-40 minutes of weight resistance, focusing on one area, then another 20-30 minutes of cardio. It worked great and I did drop the weight - along with a sensible diet. Of course, 9 years later, most of the weight is back on, all but 30 pounds. :-(

Tiffany - how is Tasya doing since her surgery? How are you doing? I haven't seen/heard anything from you in several days. Let us know about both of you -- kk?

Thanks Mac. I am having the sleeve and it is my PCP who I have talked to about the surgery. I was hoping to find a local support group; however, if not, I have all of you on here to help me out .. and Rosebud2 lives in Las Vegas, albeit we're on the total opposite sides of town; but there is that little thing invented by Thomas Edison ... I so want June 12th to get here!!!! Dr. Teng who does the LB, VSG and RNY surgeries has a support group very near to me. He did my fiance's hernia repair surgery and my DF knows the girls in the office pretty well, so I am going to have him call and ask if I may attend Dr. Teng's support groups even though he did not do my surgery.

You sound like me -- I eat very healthy for the most part - and if I do have a sweet craving, I can satisfy it with one of those mini candy bars ... I just eat too much and even too much of a good thing can be bad for you ... so my hope with the sleeve is to help me eat less, get my weight off and KEEP it off once and for all. I realize there is work involved, and that is fine with me, as I enjoy doing pilates, walking and bike riding ... I just need a tool to help me limit the quantity.

Well I was informed tonight on OH : "MARY ANN M.'s reply was: I asked around and everyone I spoke to said that no one will touch you after you've had the surgery in Mexico. Have you arranged for a Dr. to F/U with you here? Maybe they have a support group." So do you think it's greed or ignorance?

Try drinking Water in between "meals" - it really helps to fill you up, or at least take away the gnawing feeling. I haven't had my surgery yet; however, I have been on liquid diets before. Hot tea (herbal, if you can't have the caffeine) helps, too. GOOD LUCK - YOu CAN DO THIS!!!!

Probably more out of fear that the same thing may happen to them and if they aren't presently experiencing any problems, the thought that they may, and that they may have to go through another surgery, scares them. Fear is a powerful thing.

I was advised by a few to wait and buy things AFTER the surgery because apparently your tastes change and what you might like before surgery might make you gag afterwards and then you're stuck ... so being as I've never had surgery before of any kind, let alone WLS, I'm taking the advice of those who have. I did buy some Kellogg's protein Water today at Target as it was on clearance, so I'm not out a lot if I don't like the taste.

OOPS - SORRY - Just realized this was The Men's Room ... :laugh:

DEFINITELY check out the "VERTICAL SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY" section of this forum ... there are some very knowledgeable people on there, plus several who have gone from band to sleeve ... I was set on the band; however, after attending a seminar by a surgeon in town -- who said "If I needed to have WLS surgery, the sleeve is definitely the way I would go. It's the new bad boy in town." Plus, after doing my own research and reading all the threads, I am going for the sleeve. My surgery is June 12th with Dr. Acves in Mexicali, Mexico. My insurance doesn't pay for WLS so I am a self-pay; however, I don't have a problem with that and feel that the price is worth my health, my life, and my sanity. They say with the band you only lose about 30-50% of your weight; whereas with the sleeve you lose about 80% (I think those are the numbers, if not exact, close at least) I wouldn't do anything before doing your research and being 100% comfortable with your decision .... Good luck on your decision. Also, if you do end up being a self-pay, it is less expensive to have the surgery in Mexico. Check out this link -- thanks to WASabubblebutt ... it's very helpful... __________________ HOW TO RESEARCH A MEXICAN SURGEON: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/resea...s-101-a-66635/

Will do Tiff ... keep us posted as to how she did/is doing.

I know when I started this journey, I was going for the band; however, after attending Dr. Teng's seminar, researching on my own, and all of the information I have received from this site, I am SO GLAD that I learned what I learned BEFORE having the band and decided to go with the sleeve instead. Also, thanks to WASa's link about how to research a mexican doctor, and from hearing all the positive things I have about Dr. Aceves and talking to his staff, I feel 100% positive with my choices.

Just tell him you're not that hungry, or that you're trying to lose weight -- if you're like me, everyone knows I'm always on a diet so when I don't eat much or eat weird stuff, no one even comments on it anymore.

I'm 5'8" so if I can get to a 12 or even back to a 10 I'll be THRILLED. I'm not big boned, just tall, although I do have broad shoulders and big feet ... so does my sister and she's only 5'2-1/2" but have never had a weight problem -- she's too hyper and nervous all the time I think she burns it off -- that and she doesn't eat very much or very often .. I don't strive for her size (a 1 or a 3) ... however I do strive to get out of womens (or WIDE as my friend calls it) and into misses. Thank goodness I enjoy exercising. I don't generally have head hunger either ... I truly find eating to be a chore, an necessary evil so to speak, so I am hoping the sleeve will give me the portion control I need as I don't eat bad, just once I get started, I eat too much. If it's not too personal, why do you have to go back and see Dr. Aceves so often? Does he require follow-up visits?

That's great WASa ... I just noticed after all this time you went from a 22/24 to a 4??? How tall are you? The smallest I've ever gotten was a 10 and that was in my teens and everyone accused me of being bulimic or anorexic ... I can't even imagine a size 4!!!:rolleyes2:

Hey Rosebud what side of town do you live on? I'm in Las Vegas too ... NW side ... and yes, it is getting hot here ... I thought we might actually have a spring this year, alas, it appears not ... unless you count the 2-3 weeks where it was in the 50-70s. It would be nice to have someone in town to buddy-up with for support if you're interested.

Yes ma'am! Since my fiance is a professional photographer by trade, I am sure that will not be an issue and will give him something to do as he tends to get bored very easily.

I found Lipton makes individuals packets you can add to your water - in a lot of different flavors - and they do NOT contain aspartame - they are made with splenda. HINT - I also find that one packet in 32 oz of water is plenty sweet enough. They are difficult to find sometimes -- Target is where I get mine and they are with the coffee/teas NOT where the Crystal Lite and other drinks are located. We really like them. Also, my GNC carries Protein packets you can addd to water - you get protein, plus the flavors are good. I don't use any of it regularly as I am one of those weird ones that actually likes drinking water.

Thanks WASa ... do you know what the cost is? Not that it's all that important; however, I'd like to know for planning purposes. We have to work it all out with Ruthi; however, I think we're planning on getting there the evening of the 10th, spending the night in Calexico (or somewhere nearby). What time does the pre-testing start the day before surgery? I know Nina has told me, just can't recall off the top of my head right now). Thanks for the tip on the duty free shopping :-) And Elizabethsew -- thanks for the heads up on the pharmacy, too!

I agree 100% Rosebud. I have been torn about not telling or telling as I don't want to lie to my co-workers, especially those I am very close to. So, I've decided to explain the week off work as the last time my fiance and I will have before fall to take any time off together as he's beginning a new job which will be very time intensive. And, when I get back, I will tell them that I am losing weight under the supervision of a doctor ... which will be the truth as I will be seeing my PCP for follow-up (as he is quite interested in learning about the procedure, etc.) The fact that I have had WLS is a very private matter and should not matter to them one way or the other. There are others, however, outside of work, from whom I don't believe I will be able to keep it from; however, I will cross that bridge when I get to it ... and the surgery will be over with by then and they will be able to see the results ... so what will they be able to say???

Guess I did something wrong ... sorry ... here you go go to www.procapslabs.com, choose women's health and then select cutica. Be sure to read the reviews. I know 3 people who swear by it. I use several other products of his and I really like them. I'll be getting some of the cutica too.

We are more interested iff there is a place to leave our car and have Ernestso pick us up in Calexico ... we're driving, not flying and trying to avoid driving into Mexicali if possible. Do you know if there is a place to leave our car for a few days in Calexico?