iegal

Hi; Sure we are at the same place/cost for self pay surgery here in So-cal. You might be better posting this elsewhere within this forum to more responses. if you are willing to travel. Of course, if cost is the total consideration (safety in mind too of course) there are many on VST who have gone to doctors in Mexico. Good luck to you!

Hi NewLife; You are aware VSG surgery can be done with just a little discomfort and not require post op drugs? Oh - I went home (that same day as surgery) with pain drugs to take if needed. Yep, did VSG as an outpatient almost a year ago. I was home that same night I slept in my own bed and did not endure what most on this site do after sugery. Took no pain meds after sugery and didn't require any...and those who know me are aware my motto is "no pain, no pain", not " no pain, no gain." Total wussy here, I avoid pain at all costs. I gained (or lost as it may be) without pain. I had outpaitient surgery for VSG and so did SEVERAL members on this website. Have read from those who did not just use my surgeon but across the country. This is the new trend. The most update to date VSG method is a scarless VSG surgery with one entry point where a tool which looks like a three legged spider goes out. Tool is called a SPIDER. The "DR's" TV show aired VSG sugery in November 2010 again this spring 2011 ... guess you missed those episodes about the latest and greatest VSG surgery when doing research. Suggest you go and watch before responding again. Oh and when you watch...that is my surgeon you will be watching who is "the" go to surgeon when medical companies such as Allergan, Transerix and media outlets including 20/20, Newsweek, ABC, plus more for advice and news for WLS. Even Alex, thecreator of VST web site has even posted about these new procedures and my surgeon. John Hopkins does have information on VSG...I have the diet guide book if you would like me to forward to a copy? No Hopkins surgeons do not use a drain anymore for VSG. Nor does University of CO Weight loss, Dr. Craingle, Cornell University or many other well known institutions or WLS centers I can continue to rattle off. NewLife - I am not here to mock you, nor to have a newbie mock me. Hurt that you would laugh at modern methods you are not aware of yet. Why the attack? As a newbie you are here to gather information, right? Again, I wish you the best.

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Be excited, be happy, be joyful. Tomorrow is your day!

Hello NewLife - I agree the preop diet was torture. But, if you can not handle a two week liquid diet how are you going to handle eating after surgery? Yes, there is a reason behind the preop diet...a medical reason. You are reducing the fatty liver which then makes it easier for surgeon to navigate around your liver. If you take a look at anatomy of where stomach is located, it is partially hidden behind liver. Fatty liver is slippery and lapriscopically surgery is easier when not working with a sliding. A nick of the liver is nasty. Suggest consider doing your own modified preop diet, I would not want a surgeon who takes ANY risks although I hear your surgeon is good. Better safe than sorry is the best you can do. I think the comment about experience is out of context or mistated. Those surgeons who are even more experienced than yours have different methods. At the risk of sounding defensive here - especially to those on this site who respectfully have chosen to go outside US to get surgery. Currently. are more updated accepted procedures than your surgeon of choice uses. Many experienced surgeons (mine included) no longer use a drain, the # of entry points are much less now with smaller entry points, no hospital stay is requred, no pain meds needed, no catheder and so much more (or less). Experience proves - preop diet is needed. Glad you are getting VSG - best wishes. No regrets.

Nice to hear from you so soon...and you are walking too! Yay. Welcome to the losers bench.

Congrats to the both of you! Surgery is just around the corner.

Is this a confessional? Let me start off by saying I love my sleeve tool and know what works and what doesn't for me. I stay with 4 lbs depending on hormones. Yes, I ate a candy bar yesterday...all of it and it was good. Most of the time I make the right choices and restriction provided by sleeve prevents me from mindless overeating. Not feeling true hunger but as mentioned by TexasT/Orgeondaisy before I do have head hunger along with smells and emotions still contributing to my eating patterns. Confident that without the sleeve I would always be overweight and getting bigger every year. Now I know I can maintain but if I wanted to lose a few more pounds, I would need to get back on the diet plan and follow it to the letter.

Sorry no weight loss in a few weeks - you have heard of the dreaded 3 week stall (talking about week 3 not losing anything for a week or two). I have more questions for you than answers. You acknowledge a couple of items - first that you are eating ahead of schedule and next that you are just now starting to walk. Stick to the diet since initally you do not have full signals. Measure everything and stick to food on diet plan provided from your surgeons office. Give your stomach time to heal. Questions: How many calories are you eating a day? How many grams of Protein? How many grams of carbs? How much liquids are you getting in? Are you eating and drinking at the same time? What does your surgeons office say? Are you taking your suppliments? If you were further along - my advice to those who stall is to shake routine - both eating and excercise rountine up a litte. Sounds like you need to get into ketosis. This is your "sweet spot" goal for first several months. If you are really concerned, talk to your surgeon at your one month check up and have them check blood. Good luck!

Hi Indysleever; Ah - the what if's before surgery. I was a self payer for VSG surgery here in US and paid a boatload of $$$$$ for this. Had the same concerns as you...what if this doesn;t work for me...because of all the diets before, all of the efforts, nothing ever worked. Was determined, like you, to follow surgeons diet to the letter. Guess what? Sleeve worked. I was at goal in 5 months. I never dreamed this big and yet here I am - below my surgeons goal, below my goal and feeling great, healthy and looking so much better than before. Today I weight just 5 lbs more than I did in college as a freshman and I weigh less than when I got married. Now saying this, ALWAYS is a big big word. No absolutes in this world of VSG surgery but for most of us on this site VSG has worked. Some are fast losers others are slower losers. No matter which you are - VSG works as long as you work it. No regrets.

To the new Mrs. Barr; Congratulations on your wedding and your upcoming trip to Hawaii. Your pics (video) was wonderful and made me feel like I was part of your wedding. Simply lovely. Thanks for such a great ending to my day.

Have you contacted a surgeon yet? If yes, you should be able to get a list of possible complications with that surgeons rate of complications, rate of death, rate of leaks, rate of failure, etc. While it is nice to know that your aunt is concerned but this is an informed decision. You are not going to have an unknown surgery in a back alley. Risks, yes there are risk but they are minimal. Best wishes on your road to a decision!

Yippee for your surgery today. Post as able. Remember to sip, walk and rest as able...repeat often. Hugs!

Oh Lolli - hun, you still have a problem with food. Preop - you were obsessed with food and now, post op you are still obsessed with food. Let me explain. Food used to be your freind and now you view it as your enemy. Logically you know 200 calories a day is killing your self slowly. Only now you use the sleeve to punish your only body since hunger is not felt. Because you do not feel physical hunger does not mean your body no longer requires daily nutrients and calories. Starving the body is the same as before when overeating was out of control You are still out of control. You are guilty still of abuse to your only body causing damage. Now you denying your body of food which is seriously wrong. Agree with other posters, you need to see a pyscholgist who specializes in eating disorders. This doctor will help your find the balance. You need to learn that food is fuel now and a source of living a healthy life. Do you understand your body is not healthy, even if you see yourself as thin? Big hugs to you. Thank you for being brave enough to admit you are lost on your sleeve journey and need help. Keep me posted.

Fuel to the fire - feedyoureye. I am freaked out enough already. Don't want to go back.

HA HA...now just don't get pulled over or the police will never believe it is you. Congrats!

Hi; Glad you are excited for your upcoming surgery. I traveled for work a week after surgery and stayed out of town for almost a week. Overdid it? Probably. 2 months out you will be fine but understand not normal. You will not eat normally and yes, co=workers will notice you are eating differently. If you are not telling those at work (I didn't either) then you will need to tell the truth, but maybe not the whole truth. What are you comfortable with saying if an unwelcome comment comes up? Practice now your responses or better yet, search forum for what other people do or say. Now, about what you will be able to eat. You need to ask your surgeon for a diet plan which they should have. Surgeons differ. A Soup is always a good choice ... well depending upon the type of soup. chicken salad, egg salad or baked soft fish would be an option also. Ask. Feel free to ask more questions. Hope we have helped out. Again, congrats on upcoming surgery.

Yay - tomorrow we celebrate a new you. Thoughts and prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery. Be sure to log in a post an update as you are able. Hugs for you too.

Hmmm, I never had a food funeral. More like kicking out a bad roomate toss...after my surgery even. I like your NUT. Good opinion on food. Funerals are for those who mourn the loss and want to remember all the good times. Yeah, I still am a foodie, like to cook, read the mags for new recipies, devour the food network channel and more. I still like food, just not the volumes of before. Oh yeah - I had a two week strict liquid diet. The headaches were due to lack of sugar and caffine. Yikes. Torture really but the results are so worth it. Keep your eye on the prize. What will you do to start a new you? Suffer for that week? Yep. Temporary headaches? Yep. Battle the ads for food on TV & billboards not to mention the smells of food? Yep. You can do this and keep up a positive attitude. You can see the goal line so stick to your diet, okay? Excited for you and the start of your adventure to the new you.

Still feeling cold at over 10 months out. Better cold than overweight, right? Love my sleeve.

I think "feedyoureye" is also a vegetarian sleever and might be your best source for diet.

20 glasses? How do you stay out of the bathroom and have time to do this? Like anything - you can over do. Call your surgeon or PCP to get solid answers. Drinking too much Water (I do not know how much since I am not a medical professional) can do your body harm. Take a walk and do not stress. Good luck.

Hi Dallas Mom4; I lost 76 lbs so far to reach a healthy BMI - and I started at a lower BMI than you. So with 50 lbs, are you really going to be at a "normal" BMI range? Not knowing your height I can't tell. Agree with other posters - you have to decide what is right for you. I self paid - and yes, if it had been "only" 50 lbs I would do it again. When you carry around an extra 50 lbs, even if you're healthy can have long term effects. Eventually our joints ache, we are not as active, we do not move easily, everyday activities are limiting or tiring and so on. I was considered healthy not having a BMI above 35 nor having two comorbitiies but just KNEW I was unhealthy. My thighs rubbed together when hiking causing ugly rashes. I was out of breath when doing "easy" excercise classes at the gym. I ate all the time and keep gaining 5 to 10 lbs a year. Yeah, I lost with WW only to gain back the weight. Constant yo yo crazing dieting for over a decade which never worked. Thousands of dollars spent chasing a cure when really what I needed was a tool to help me achieve permanent weight loss. The sleeve works. Bottom line - this is an optional surgery with no reversal. Be sure this is for you. It is a life altering surgery - IMO a great choice for me and many of my VST buddies. I wish you the best of luck in your search no matter what you decide.

Big Joe; You and your wife are an amazing couple. You for being a grateful spouse to post thanks. Thanks for the smiles. So, since you have no ticker...how are you doing?

Debbie; It is okay to be concerned tonight. You are on the verge of a brand new journey. I think you are more excited that scared. Be happy and I am waiting to see your post op post. Welcome to the losers bench.