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Support is what helps us through the good, the bad and the weight loss.

My suggestion is to get "THE BIG BOOK ON THE GASTRIC SLEEVE" by Alex Brecher

It starts from the very beginning and goes through the first year. Excellent resource and very informative. I got it from Amazon and here is the link http://www.amazon.com/BIG-Book-Gastric-Sleeve-Gastrectomy/dp/0988388235/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390750957&sr=1-1&keywords=the+big+book+of+gastric+sleeve

There is also one on the gastric bypass.

Also another book I can recommend is ULTIMATE GASTRIC SLEEVE SUCCESS by Dr Duc C. Vuong

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Gastric-Sleeve-Success-Practical/dp/0615830447/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390751125&sr=1-1&keywords=ultimate+gastric+sleeve+success

Both are excellent and are also available on Kindle.

I think the more informed we are on any major event in our lives it takes the unknown out if it.

3 wks from tomorrow is my surgery. Time is flying.

Just think 1 yr from now we'll be (fill in the blank)................ pounds lighter.

Shersun, absolutely

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As long as you have an experienced surgeon and have trust in him/her that will be a big plus. Read all you can on the surgery and in another post I recommended 2 books that are excellent on the sleeve. Write your questions down to ask to your Dr.

As Jencovi said there are risks in everything but the risk of being obese is a higher risk for our health.

Good luck. We'll all do just fine.

The words of a song by Janis Joplin say Freedom is having nothing else to loose. Imagine how great it will be when we have no more weight to loose. Freedom from (fill in the blank)___________________!

Well, I am new to this group. My surgery is schedule for March 3rd and I am very nervous as I am sure everyone is. I had my physical and history this past week and they had me sign the consent which scared me because of all of the risks. Are most of these risks the same with any surgery? I keep thinking the risks of not having the surgery are higher than having the surgery.

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The correct words from the song are...... Freedom is just another word for having nothing else to loose! What a wonderful gift to ourselves no more weight to loose.

As long as you have an experienced surgeon and have trust in him/her that will be a big plus. Read all you can on the surgery and in another post I recommended 2 books that are excellent on the sleeve. Write your questions down to ask to your Dr.

As Jencovi said there are risks in everything but the risk of being obese is a higher risk for our health.

Good luck. We'll all do just fine.

The words of a song by Janis Joplin say Freedom is having nothing else to loose. Imagine how great it will be when we have no more weight to loose. Freedom from (fill in the blank)___________________!

Well, I am new to this group. My surgery is schedule for March 3rd and I am very nervous as I am sure everyone is. I had my physical and history this past week and they had me sign the consent which scared me because of all of the risks. Are most of these risks the same with any surgery? I keep thinking the risks of not having the surgery are higher than having the surgery.

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My six month doctor supervised diet has come to an end. My surgery has been scheduled for March 11th. I've lost 20 pounds so far, but I'm hoping more will come off during my pre op diet. Getting excited :D

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I agree with the above statements, the opportunity of a healthier you out weights the risk. Congrats to everyone on their pending status.

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I've done my 6 month of pre-requisites for my insurance. I called to check with the Insurance Specialist at the Surgeon's Office if I had everything turned in and he said he had submitted the request. The next day he turns around and he calls me back and says it is APPROVED!

Then I start getting papers in the mail about getting my Endoscopy, the ultrasound for my gallbladder, and a PFT (wanted that in addition to my sleep Study). All that is February 4 & 6. So if all of it looks ok, I'm figuring that my surgery is likely to be the last of February or the beginning of March.

I'm very nervous. It seems like things went from NOTHING to SUPER FAST mode all of a sudden.

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I had my psych eval on Friday. She cleared me, but was worried because I have a lot of anxiety and worry. She said it's just going to get worse after surgery. But I don't think it will be anything I can't handle.

Now I just have to wait for my bariatrician appt on the 7th, then he will refer me to the surgeon for an appointment.

I am also going to a bariatric support group this Thursday. It is a requirement but I am looking forward to it actually.

But we're getting closer! I just try and tell myself everyday... Even though it seems like it is taking forever... Every day that goes by is a day closer.

Has anyone bought all their Vitamins yet? I wasn't sure where to go buy them where they have everything that I need. This includes the fact that most/all need to be chewable.< /p>

Hope everyone is doing well!

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I had my psych eval on Friday. She cleared me, but was worried because I have a lot of anxiety and worry. She said it's just going to get worse after surgery. But I don't think it will be anything I can't handle. Now I just have to wait for my bariatrician appt on the 7th, then he will refer me to the surgeon for an appointment. I am also going to a bariatric support group this Thursday. It is a requirement but I am looking forward to it actually. But we're getting closer! I just try and tell myself everyday... Even though it seems like it is taking forever... Every day that goes by is a day closer. Has anyone bought all their Vitamins yet? I wasn't sure where to go buy them where they have everything that I need. This includes the fact that most/all need to be chewable. Hope everyone is doing well!

i am bipolar and suffer from anxiety. I think if we have support well be ok. I liked my support group meeting a lot. I ordered Bariatric Fusion vitamins. Haven't received them yet Bc I just ordered them. They at a twice a day all-in-one chewable.

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Hi there, just my two cents...I have struggled with anxiety and depression for many years...I was concerned about the psych eval, and the surgery, and then I visited my regular psychiatrist for a clearance, and he said, "Almost everyone who is obese has depression, whether recognized or unrecognized..." His experience with patients (and keep in mind, he is not a surgeon, but a psychiatrist) is that many of them feel better after surgery...

Fast forward, my surgery was Dec. 11 2013. I have had very little anxiety or depression since the surgery...I feel better than I have in YEARS. I have lost about 30 lbs, and the feeling lighter and less sore has me so happy...I actually feel a sense of relief and hope~! I really wake up happy now, where for years I struggled every day.

Of course, I know that this will not be perfect, I expect to have days/weeks/months again of depression, but I do not believe that just because you are already depressed the surgery will make it worse....quite the opposite in my case...

best of luck to each of you :)

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I've done my 6 month of pre-requisites for my insurance. I called to check with the Insurance Specialist at the Surgeon's Office if I had everything turned in and he said he had submitted the request. The next day he turns around and he calls me back and says it is APPROVED! Then I start getting papers in the mail about getting my Endoscopy, the ultrasound for my gallbladder, and a PFT (wanted that in addition to my sleep Study). All that is February 4 & 6. So if all of it looks ok, I'm figuring that my surgery is likely to be the last of February or the beginning of March. I'm very nervous. It seems like things went from NOTHING to SUPER FAST mode all of a sudden.

I'm not approved yet but am also having my sleep study, endoscopy and hematologist appt. February 4th, 5th, and 6th. Going to be a rough 3 days, but so worth it. They submitted to my insurance last Thursday. I hope it comes back quickly approved.

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Hi there, just my two cents...I have struggled with anxiety and depression for many years...I was concerned about the psych eval, and the surgery, and then I visited my regular psychiatrist for a clearance, and he said, "Almost everyone who is obese has depression, whether recognized or unrecognized..." His experience with patients (and keep in mind, he is not a surgeon, but a psychiatrist) is that many of them feel better after surgery... Fast forward, my surgery was Dec. 11 2013. I have had very little anxiety or depression since the surgery...I feel better than I have in YEARS. I have lost about 30 lbs, and the feeling lighter and less sore has me so happy...I actually feel a sense of relief and hope~! I really wake up happy now, where for years I struggled every day. Of course, I know that this will not be perfect, I expect to have days/weeks/months again of depression, but I do not believe that just because you are already depressed the surgery will make it worse....quite the opposite in my case... best of luck to each of you :)

Awesome!!! I'm hoping I have the same outcome. I know that I'm already more hopeful about the future and excited about the possibilities.

April

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I am having my surgery on the 11th. I have been trying different Protein powders for a while now, but I went to the hospital today for preadmission testing and it all became very real to me.

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i am bipolar and suffer from anxiety. I think if we have support well be ok. I liked my support group meeting a lot. I ordered bariatric fusion Vitamins. Haven't received them yet Bc I just ordered them. They at a twice a day all-in-one chewable.< /p>

Thanks for the info on the vitamins! And you are absolutely right about having support.

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Hi there, just my two cents...I have struggled with anxiety and depression for many years...I was concerned about the psych eval, and the surgery, and then I visited my regular psychiatrist for a clearance, and he said, "Almost everyone who is obese has depression, whether recognized or unrecognized..." His experience with patients (and keep in mind, he is not a surgeon, but a psychiatrist) is that many of them feel better after surgery... Fast forward, my surgery was Dec. 11 2013. I have had very little anxiety or depression since the surgery...I feel better than I have in YEARS. I have lost about 30 lbs, and the feeling lighter and less sore has me so happy...I actually feel a sense of relief and hope~! I really wake up happy now, where for years I struggled every day. Of course, I know that this will not be perfect, I expect to have days/weeks/months again of depression, but I do not believe that just because you are already depressed the surgery will make it worse....quite the opposite in my case... best of luck to each of you :)

This is very reassuring. I of course worry (because that's all I do!!) about all my feelings staying the same, even after the weight comes off. Feelings such as the general unhappiness with myself. I am so happy for you. Keep up the good work!

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I am having my surgery on the 11th. I have been trying different Protein powders for a while now, but I went to the hospital today for preadmission testing and it all became very real to me.

I go the 3rd for all of my pre-op stuff and I'm so excited. Sure, the worry creeps in but I know that this is really gonna save my life. As real as it is, so is sleep apnea, high blood pressure and being unable to walk much Bc of all the pressure from extra weight on my spine and hips. We got this! Chin up :)

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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. 
       
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    • 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
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    • 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
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    • 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 
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    • 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!
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