Hello all,

I have been prowling around the site off and on for a couple of months and I thought I would finally introduce myself. My name is Krista and I'm a future sleever in IL. I initally thought I would be having surgery in Nov or Dec, but a coworker on maternity leave has pushed my surgery back to at least late Feb. In July I knew there were 2 things I had to do before surgery: 1) Quit smoking & 2) Lose weight. I've managed to make it to nearly 4 months smoke free. Unfortunately, I've gained 20 pounds instead of losing it. However, now that I no longer am afraid I'll relaspe with the smoking everytime I leave my house, I'm ready to get serious about the weight loss. I would love to find someone to help motivate me & who I can help motivate. I really need to be accountable without feeling like I'm being judged. I don't feel like I get much support from the friends I've told about the surgery. They dont' understand why I can't just lose weight with a diet like a 'normal' person, which tends to frustrate me & make me feel like a failure.

Good luck to everyone.

Krista

Welcome to the board and Congrats on quitting!! I've been smoke free for 1 year and 8 months! I too gained a weight with it but now I am sleeved (3 1/2 weeks post-op) and I couldn't be happier!! Good Luck!

Hello all,

I have been prowling around the site off and on for a couple of months and I thought I would finally introduce myself. My name is Krista and I'm a future sleever in IL. I initally thought I would be having surgery in Nov or Dec, but a coworker on maternity leave has pushed my surgery back to at least late Feb. In July I knew there were 2 things I had to do before surgery: 1) Quit smoking & 2) Lose weight. I've managed to make it to nearly 4 months smoke free. Unfortunately, I've gained 20 pounds instead of losing it. However, now that I no longer am afraid I'll relaspe with the smoking everytime I leave my house, I'm ready to get serious about the weight loss. I would love to find someone to help motivate me & who I can help motivate. I really need to be accountable without feeling like I'm being judged. I don't feel like I get much support from the friends I've told about the surgery. They dont' understand why I can't just lose weight with a diet like a 'normal' person, which tends to frustrate me & make me feel like a failure.

Good luck to everyone.

Krista

Krista-

Glad I finally figured this posting thing out. I've been prepping for this VSG for almost 20 months. Went from 336 to 300 and back up to 311. I was supposed to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery. Today, after all the insurance BS, I finally found out that I will have surgery on 1/5/11. One of the things that's helped me lose a few lb's over the past week is going out to GNC and buying some whey Protein powder. We both know we'll be on that stuff for a good 3-4 weeks anyway so why not check it out now. So, I'm trying to replace Breakfast and lunch with the stuff and cutting back on the dinner carbs a bit. One coffee and an apple for a snack. it ain't easy BUT the H2O 9crystal light) will help suck off a quick 12-15 before surgery. Hope u get this.

I would imagine it would be hard to lose weight AND quit smoking. But, now that you've quit for that time good luck on your next goal. If you need someone to talk to, PM me! I love chatting it up with some new sleeve buddies.. whether they're sleeved or sleevers to be like me!

Congrats on quitting...that is awesome! I'm sure that will help during recovery that you are not craving and/or smoking! Oh and welcome!

Thanks for the support. I'm meeting with the surgeon the first week of January, so I'm going to have to push myself and resist temptation through the holidays. However, I'm feeling more positive about my ability to do it today.

Krista

Hi Krista! I am a newly sleeved person here in IL also. What surgeon are you using?

Welcome! Congratulations on quitting smoking and best of luck with the pre-op weight loss. I actually gained weight also when I first scheduled my surgery (lots of food funerals...especially pizza!) , and then on my actual 2 week pre-op diet, I lost some, so I was actually not too far from where I started when I had my surgery. I know you can do it, too. I didn't have to follow a liquid diet, but I did do very low carbs for that two weeks. It wasn't terribly painful, as there are lots of things out there made for low-carb lifestyles. I suggest this kind of diet because it's close to what you'll do post-op, and it's not awful. Good luck to you; I know you can do it! Let us know when you get your surgery date!

Hi Krista! I am a newly sleeved person here in IL also. What surgeon are you using?

I'm going to use Dr. Rosen out of Downers Grove. Who did you use? How has it been going so far?

Krista

I'm going to use Dr. Rosen out of Downers Grove. Who did you use? How has it been going so far?

Krista

Hi Krista,

Dr. Guske from Kane Suburban Surgical Center in Hoffman Estates did my surgery. I never heard of Dr Rosen when I was searching. So we are not that far way from each other Do you go to any of the support groups?

Hi Krista,

Dr. Guske from Kane Suburban Surgical Center in Hoffman Estates did my surgery. I never heard of Dr Rosen when I was searching. So we are not that far way from each other Do you go to any of the support groups?

Dr. Rosen is the only Dr. my regular dr. refers to unles I want to have the surgery in Chicago. I haven't been to any of the support groups. Dr. Rosen only offers them on Thursday nights, which I typically have to work on. What other support groups are in the area? Where do you go and how do you like it? Sorry, you'll find me full of questions as I don't know anyone else who's done the surgery.

Krista

No problems on the questions, happy to help! Here is a list of the support groups offered by my group, all are welcome.

groups

Welcome! Congratulations on quitting smoking and best of luck with the pre-op weight loss. I actually gained weight also when I first scheduled my surgery (lots of food funerals...especially pizza!) , and then on my actual 2 week pre-op diet, I lost some, so I was actually not too far from where I started when I had my surgery. I know you can do it, too. I didn't have to follow a liquid diet, but I did do very low carbs for that two weeks. It wasn't terribly painful, as there are lots of things out there made for low-carb lifestyles. I suggest this kind of diet because it's close to what you'll do post-op, and it's not awful. Good luck to you; I know you can do it! Let us know when you get your surgery date!

Thanks for the encouragement! It's nice to know I'm not the only person who really struggles to let go certain favortie foods... for me its a burger with fries. Its taken a while to convince myself that I deserve to be healthly instead of thinking that I deserve a fast food fix. Did you have any trouble getting approved by insurance?

Krista

Thanks for the encouragement! It's nice to know I'm not the only person who really struggles to let go certain favortie foods... for me its a burger with fries. Its taken a while to convince myself that I deserve to be healthly instead of thinking that I deserve a fast food fix. Did you have any trouble getting approved by insurance?

Krista

My insurance didn't cover VSG, so I went to Mexico self-pay. Sorry I'm no help there!

hey krista!

i am a soon to be sleever in IL. My surgeon is Dr. Salimath in Peoria. Congrats on quitting! my vice was coke. My caffiene was my morning jolt. funny how 6 weeks soda free...i really dont miss it. Welcome and good luck on your journey! feel free to message anytime!

Welcome