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VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter 05/15/2013



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VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter

Hey Sleevers!

We’ve had floods, heat waves, snowstorms and picture-perfect days. Despite the unpredictable spring weather, we’re sure of one thing: that you’re just as dedicated as ever to your weight loss and health. Like the weather, everyone has up and down days, and VerticalSleeveTalk.com is here to help. Take advantage of our monthly newsletter to get back in the swing of things if you need to! Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter.

Sleever Poll – What is Most Important when Choosing a Bariatric Surgeon?

Member Spotlight – Meet Laura-ven!

Memorial Day Grilling – Celebrate the Sleever Way!

Enjoy the newsletter, and then come on over to VerticalSleeveTalk.com to talk about it and whatever else is on your mind! Feel free to drop us a line anytime – we love hearing from members! See you on the boards!

Sincerely,

Alex Brecher

Founder

VerticalSleeveTalk.com

Sleever Poll – What is Most Important when Choosing a Surgeon?

Choosing the right bariatric surgeon can increase your chances of success with weight loss surgery. What do you think is the most important factor when choosing a surgeon?

  • Surgeon history: lots of experience, good weight loss results and safe surgeries

  • The surgeon’s credentials and board memberships and a Center of Excellence

  • Recommendations from your friends and good patient reviews

  • It “feels” right – you intuitively trust the surgeon and feel comfortable at the facility

  • The postoperative “aftercare” program is thorough

  • Something else. Let us know in the discussion!

Make your choice and then explain it in the discussion using this link!

Member Spotlight: Meet Laura-ven!

Our May Member Spotlight is on Laura-ven from Los Gatos, California. She’s a 46-year-old mother of children who are 16 and 11 years old. She got the surgery so that she’ll “be there to watch them grow up and have children of their own,” but she’s “also looking forward to life with my husband after they leave.” She was on medications for high blood pressure. Her starting weight was 235 pounds. Since surgery in November of last year, she’s lost 58 pounds en route to a goal of 135 pounds. Now, she’s almost out of the obese category with a BMI of 30!

Since getting the sleeve, Laura-ven feels healthier and more comfortable in the world. She no longer tries to “hide” in public, and she’s more comfortable interacting with people. She’s had plenty of proud moments, such as going beach camping with her family and easily completing a steep 5 mile hike! She also loves feeling her husband wrap his arms around her and squeeze the new, smaller Laura! Laura-ven has also been able to get off of her medications. Another victory was being able to throw away unworn pants that used to sit in her closet because they were too small…and now they’re way too big!

Laura-ven still thinks about food, and realizes that you have “to make the mental journey along with the physical one” if you’re going to succeed with the sleeve. She advises members who are struggling with weight loss not to lose hope. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help, and know that not everyone is a "miracle" loser. “This is a journey for life and it takes time”

She came to VerticalSleeveTalk.com to get information before surgery, and she stayed for the support and friendships. Laura appreciates the camaraderie since, as she says, “we are all traveling the road together. I am here to support and be supported.”

Laura, thank you for sharing your advice and story in our Member Spotlight! Congratulations on your weight loss so far, and we’re rooting for you to meet your goals!

Do you want to be in the Member Spotlight? Do you want to meet another member? Let us know! Nominate yourself or another VerticalSleeveTalk.com member by posting on the forum. Or, if you’re shy, just send Alex Brecher a private message. We want to hear from you!

Memorial Day Grilling – Celebrate the Sleever Way!

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the summer grilling season. In your pre-surgery days, a barbecue might have meant ribs, rolls, coleslaw, baked Beans and cupcakes. Wash that down with a few beers or sodas, and hit the sofa to watch TV, and you have a diet disaster on your hands! What can the new, healthy you do?

  • Go lean with Protein. Skip the ribs, hot dogs, beef hamburgers and chicken wings. Instead, opt for grilled chicken breast or fish.

  • Bring your own. If you’re not sure that there’ll be something at the party that’s on your diet, bring your own. You can always bring a dish to share; other people will appreciate the healthy option, too!

  • Stay low-cal. Choose the lower-fat, lower-sugar options, and watch your portion sizes. Skip the slaw and Desserts, and go for watermelon, raw vegetables or corn on the cob – without butter – instead.

  • Watch your fluids. Drink Water or unsweetened iced tea instead of beverages with calories, and of course, don’t drink when you’re eating or within 30 minutes before or after.

  • Enjoy the company. You’re at the party to socialize. Focus on being friendly and enjoying others’ company instead of on your food. You’ll be surprised at how much more you enjoy the get-together!

  • Keep moving. Play volleyball, toss beanbags and go swimming if that’s what everyone else is doing. If you’re too shy to join in a competitive game, such as volleyball, stay involved by refereeing, cheerleading and chasing stray balls. Anything that keeps you moving is better for your weight loss than lying on the couch.

These are just a few tips. Don’t forget to get more ideas and share your own on the boards. Happy Memorial Day!

Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve

Are you looking for more information on the gastric sleeve? Check out our very own The BIG Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need To Know To Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! Written by VerticalSleeveTalk.com founder Alex Brecher, book is for you if you have the sleeve or if you’re considering it or another weight loss surgery. It’s packed with information to take you along your weight loss journey. It’ll help you decide whether to get the sleeve, and guide you as you choose a surgeon, plan for your surgery and recover. If you’re already a sleever, the Big Book will keep you motivated and give you tips to lose weight and stay healthy. Don’t miss it! Order your hard copy or ebook from Amazon.< /p>

That finishes up this month’s newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it, and we’re always happy to hear you feedback on the newsletter or anything else at VerticalSleeveTalk.com! Don’t forget that you can always check out the old newsletters, too. Thanks for reading the newsletter and being a member of our community.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Sincerely,

Alex


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I can't write you back in msg :( its blocked why is this ?

Because that would be like Mick Jagger

(or Justin Bieber depending on your age)

Giving out their personal phone number...

They would never be able to sleep from all the ringing :P

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Because that would be like Mick Jagger

(or Justin Bieber depending on your age)

Giving out their personal phone number...

They would never be able to sleep from all the ringing :P

Lol

Who is he exactly ?

&&&& thanks for writing me honey !

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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