Happy Camper

Thanks Nancy. Good Point. Although the jewlery has been quality as well, I am certain it has hd some level of hard metal that could react with acid or somehting topically on the skin. As I vet through this process in making my decision, I just want to ask all questions that come to mind so I can be certain this is the path for me. Good luck - wow, it looks like you are doing really well on your weight loss. Keep it up! Take care, Sandy

Thank you MNBSleeve! I look forward to connecting as well - I too am very interested in learning to eat healthy. I grew up in a family that was on and off state aid, did not eat healthy at all (grilled cheese because of free butter and cheese). As I became an adult, eating out became a way for my family as I worked a lot. So - I have a lot to "re-learn" about nutrition. Plus, I can eat a lot. I am so glad to hear you are happy with your sleeve. 8 weeks out, energy and happy with your decision is so wonderful. I have been watching the boards - I definately see more happy people then folks with complications which is a good thing. I am very nervous about this since there is not much data on long term complications. I KNOW I will keep the weight off - I just do not want to have long term issues in the future - medically. I hope you continue to do and feel well

Hi Nor-Cal group.Lil Mis Deva, thanks for putting this together. I have been waiting to see if I was "accepted", and just today saw I was a member. I am not too familiar with posting, I do not blog or tweet or have a facebook. Guess just old fashioned or maybe because of all the negative press about social media, still just a little shy. I do want to share my story and I look to you all who have experience and can share with me as I begin my jouney to weight loss and beyond. I am a 45 year old mom of two with a loving and supportive husband. I live near the Oregon border now in a very small town about 3 hours from Redding,CA - I have an ex that I want nothing to do with so I do need to keep things generic there. For me to meet in Sacramento or Vacaville it would not be possible. I do look forward to talking with you all via this forum however. History: My daughter, now 24 had lap band surgery Feb 2010. She had very high blood pressure and they could not regulate it - so she researched and went with the band and had her surgery at UCSF. To date she has lost more than 75 lbs and is off all high blood pressure medicine. Every day I would call and ask what she was eating, how she was exercising etc. I thought for a while that would be my route - so I stayed on the lapband talk forum. I reached out every now and again to vertical sleeve and different bariatric sites looking at RNY. I went to my PCP who now has put me on high blood pressure medicine and supports bariatric surgery. She reccomended the Western Bariatric Center in Reno, NV and since that was a few hours away, I thought I would check it out. I have Anthem of CA insurance and they require you go for Bariatric to certain centers of excellence (not sure if any of you have this insurance and can share), so I began looking into if Anthem would cover me to go out of state. I really needed to get going on this procedure I am 5'11 and weigh 305 lbs. My legs, feet and back can't take the weight any longer. You all know the plantar flaciatius(sorry spelling), knee issues - was in hospital because my low back went out in January and I could not walk but only crawl to wake up my son for school. It was horrible. I am just done at this point. So sorry for digressing, but I get in contact with Western Bariatric Center and attend their seminar. I am now thinking RNY based on Dr. Ganser's class. UNTIL - I go for a consult with Dr. Mark Kozar. He spends 10 minutes with me discussing my life, eating habits etc and suggests vertical sleeve. As I started to research (and complete my tests), it is looking like this is a WONDERFUL option to RNY. The large row of staples scares me a little but.... I have my Phyc and Nut evals to complete and that is all (plus loose 15 lbs and go on 2 week liquid diet) before surgery - oh and nothing from the insurance company until Western Bariatric submits for surgery once my check list is complete - so it could all be for not at this point. This is where I am now. I want to learn from those of you who have been through this; the good the bad and the ugly. What reseach did you do? What helped you to make the final decision to go with VS? I REALLY like the idea of nothing inside of me and not rerouting my intestines. I work a lot, when my hubby and I got together 17 years ago it was a ready made family; I have had many ups and downs in my life as I am sure many of you have had as well; but I need to take care of me now. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,and look forward to building on this support group. Take care, S PS - please feel free to let me know if there is something I need to do to make sure I am "posting" correctly.

Hello, I am not banded..yet. I have my letter from PCP and application completed. After looking at the letter from my PCP, she states in 1987 I weighed 178 (i am female and 5'11" and 45 years old). Through the years have struggled, back pain, knees, feet etc. The letter was dated last week and my weight isnow 300. I have gone through all the options, WW/Jenny/Atkins/weight doctor pills/ on and on. After all of these years of dieting, outside of the surgery nerves - my biggest concern is....hunger. I am so tired of being hungry. I am willing to work hard, I just need to know - please tell me after the band is added to your body, your hunger deminishes. I do not want to be light headed from not eating enough - no more. I know there are almost 600 pages of posts here, I have spent many hours looking - would so appreciate hearing from you, those who have real experience. My blood sugar is near diabetic level, plantar flatiatious, and just this week spent 8 hours between ER and drive home as my low back went out to hear the nurse say "well you know the weight is not helping".... PLEASE, share honestly how the hunger has gone for you. Thanks so much.

Melody, As the tears fall, thank you. I have answered my own question just needed to hear it from ...yes a complete stranger (wow, I have never blogged, do not have facebook etc) you are right....I can't do it without the help. I read this string to my husband, who only supports, does not tell me what to do - reminds me, I am missing a lot of the best years of my life. Congratulations on your weight loss - as I see the numbers, I am encouraged by all of your success. Tomorrow - I will send in the letter and application to UCSF as this is where my daughter went and I would be most comfortable. Thank you - appreciate your sharing more than you know. Sandy

Thank you all for sharing. I am really hearing, the work needs to come from me. And i am willing - but, if I am willing why can't I do it without the band? Especially if the band may not work? I am at the point where I am questioning everything - WHY. My daughter had it done but, she was 23 and certainly did not have the many, many years i have struggled with my weight, in almost a year she has lost 75 lbs. She no longer takes blood pressure medicine etc. i do not want this morbid obesity to kill me and to look at me, with my height I can hide a lot of weight (Peprmentpati, I think you know what I mean). i have a loving husband willing to help me in anyway, i never thought i would get to this point. But, i can't find another way to get off the diet ride. I want to lose the weight, learn what I can eat to stay healthy for me and not gain. Atkins is more Protein if eating less sugar and more protein is it, why hasnt that worked for me? I get tired of simply being hungry and saying the heck with it. Honestly, knowing something is inside of me does bother me - but, if that is what it takes, God help me I need to do it. I look for all stories, I know there is a chance it will not work - then what? Will I sit back and ask, what have I gotten myself into? Do you think it works for more people than not? I feel like i am more ready to move forward that not, but - also feel I need more questions answered. Time is running out for me, my job may end and insurnace is needed so I sit here at 3am, with my lower back still out, asking folks to share with me, to help me understand their stories so I can have that Ah-ha moment and KNOW I am doing the right thing. You all take care - and thank you for sharing again. sandyd

I am looking to hear from folks who have been banded. I hate to bring up anything less than success but, it happens. I really want to learn the pros and cons of it all. My daughter had the surgery almost a year ago, has lost 70 lbs and is doing great. For me, the biggest challenge is I live 10 hours from the hospital and doctor - I am quite nervous about that in the event I need help. If anyone has gone to UCSF and can share experience that would be great to hear. Thank you!