KinkySlinky

Oops

What I would do is write a letter with statistics that you can find to help your argument (and make sure they are peer-reviewed articles and not from like wikipedia, also provide resources so they are able to verify the information.) But explain why the sleeve is better for you (lower BMI, you need a RESTRICTIVE procedure, not a restrictive AND a malabsorptive procedure, which might make you lose TOO much) versus the bypass, what steps you plan on taking post op to maintain the weight loss: gym, support groups, nutritionist, etc, how you have struggled for so long, all the steps you have taken to help you lose weight, etc. Just make a veryyyyyyyy compelling argument... The people who review your cases are nurses and physicians... Make a good enough argument as to why the bypass is a bad idea (failure rate, lose too much, more complications), they just might let you do it... Oh, and be SURE to mention that the sleeve procedure is cheaper than the bypass. That'll get 'em! Good luck!

I am most definitely on the fence... I have received approval from my insurance, everything is ready to go.. Just need to schedule a 2nd consult followed by a surgery date.......... I've started logging my food now and everything... I am really starting to debate whether or not I should have this surgery at all...... I am really stressing about it....... I'd like the surgery because it would make this whole weight loss easier in that I could KEEP it off.. But at the same time, if I ever go on vacation and want to eat a meal, then I should be able to enjoy it, you know? I don't even know what to do.. I think I've decided that I will log my food intake and see how much progress I make with that in three months.. if I am able to lose a satisfactory amount of weight, then maybe I won't have the surgery...... I've tried multiple weight loss programs and haven't been able to keep the weight off... I feel that this time might be a little bit different now that I have a son but....... I don't know!!!!!!!!!!!! I really need some advice..............................

Hey everyone! I loved this site as I have been preparing for my surgery... But due to the recent ads, I am going to have to stop coming regularly.. The ads are too much!!! It's taking so long to load these pages that it isn't worth it anymore. And I can't find a way to nix the ads... I will return periodically as needs arise, but not often... I wish you all success on your journeys!!

Ugh... I came back to check to see if this ad issue had resolved.. Nope.. I can understand small ads but these are just overdoing it!!!! I can use the app on my Xoom (Motorola version of the iPad) but it doesn't load the threads that I have subscribed to, which I don't like.. Maybe I will just stick to the app.. It took 6 minutes just to respond to this thread.. and I do have high speed internet... Ridiculous!!!

I JUST saw a commercial for him late at night this weekend I believe...

Interesting... Thanks for the info!! I am going to look in to this more just for knowledge sake!

Well, specifically to VSG... I believe the hormone that gets cut out out of your stomach (ghrelin) plays a huge role in metabolism... When ghrelin is present, insulin production is decreased. So ghrelin causes hunger, you eat, raising your blood sugar, but it also decreases the amount of insulin present so all of that food you just ate has nowhere to go but in your blood because there isn't as much insulin there to carry it to the cells (now in non-diabetics, I don't think this is really an issue because our bodies are able to produce sufficient insulin).. Problem with diabetics is that you already have decreased insulin or your cells are resistant to insulin and do not respond properly when introduced to insulin. Now ghrelin has also been shown to be produced in other places, like the pancreas, but in smaller amounts... I believe this is the basis for weight loss through eating several small meals throughout the day rather than waiting to get hungry... Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by some cells called beta cells... Over time, when you tend to eat excessive amounts or high sugary, fatty foods, your pancreas just can't keep up with the amount of insulin you require, and over time begins to decrease the amount of insulin it produces (which is why some diabetics need insulin later on)... When you exercise, your cells NEED fuel so it eventually begins to use the sugar that's available, thus lowering your blood sugar.. You also tend to eat better when you're exercising and losing weight, so that in itself lowers blood sugar... Fat cells tend to increase insulin resistance which increases blood sugar.. Lose the fat, have better blood sugars.. The whole topic of metabolism is very in depth and confusing, and I have hardly any education about metabolism, even as a nurse... This is just from all of the research I have done on the sleeve so far... Oh, and if anyone finds anything wrong with my info or has any more info to add, please let me know!! I think to simply put it to your dad: Weight loss helps and can completely cure diabetes. I think what should you should also focus on with your dad is the COMPLICATIONS of diabetes... Blindness IMPOTENCE (enough of a complication for some guys ) decreased sensation to your extremities heart attack stroke kidney disease (needing dialysis) amputations If you can think of something, diabetes probably destroys it... What's the worst that can come of this surgery?? You have a slight risk of death?? You WILL die of diabetes... That's guaranteed You might need a re-operation for a leak?? You MIGHT need an amputation at some point with diabetes... You lose weight and then gain it all back?? At least your body had a break for a few years!!!!!!! (It's a lil harder to come up with a good excuse for this lol) You're going to miss your favorite foods??? You're going to miss your penis EVEN MORE than that steak and mashed potatoes when you can't get an erection anymore!!! And you will have a crabby wife due to no sex...... Not being able to have sex ON TOP of a crabby wife?? Oh man.. LOL.. Talk about miserable!!!! Now what's the BEST that can come out of this surgery?? Increased libido AND better, more satisfying sex (again, with the men.... lol) HEALTHY BMI FOR ONCE!! Not having to take all of those ridiculous medications!! CONFIDENCE HAPPINESS Doing activities that you never thought you could!! LONGER LIFE!! More money!!! (through buying less food and not having to go to multiple doctor visits/prescriptions) LOOKING GOOD in that sports car when you have a mid-life crisis!!!! Congrats to you for taking your health seriously and doing something about it before it becomes full blown diabetes!!!! Hope this helps and is semi-convincing LOL Good luck!!!!!!

VERY lucky!! I hope I am just as lucky... My surgeon should be submitting my info soon

My husband was told he would be getting a 32.. and He's 6'4, 375 lbs.. He's pretty muscular as it is... We also discussed the caloric intake for him and if it was feasible to get in enough protein to actually add muscle mass... The surgeon assured us that even with a 32, he would be able to get adequate amounts of protein to increase muscle mass but it's going to be a little difficult.. Surgeon said he had one short guy that "looks like a tornado now from the shoulders down" but takes in about 100g of protein per day... So it's possible with a smaller sleeve, but I guess a little bit more difficult and takes a lil bit more focus?

Good point.. Usually plans will state "physician" supervised diet... Since yours is so vague, I would clarify with your insurance company... I'd hate for you to do all these weigh ins with an NP only to be denied...

It's because your policy is different than theirs.. It's not the insurance company, or even the STATE of BCBS.. The requirements are SOLELY decided upon by your employer.. If your employer didn't require any hoops for you to go thru, then you don't have to.. If your employer wants employees to have a 6 month diet, then it will be required... I have BCBS, and my husband's employer only requires a BMI over 40... What a lot of people don't realize is that the EMPLOYER makes the plan (in most cases), and the insurance company is just there to enforce the plan... But more often than not, the plan is chosen by the employer.. Hope this clears it up some

That made me laugh!! lol

It is NOT wrong... It is YOUR decision who you want to tell... Obviously, there's a reason you aren't telling them... You may already know they won't be happy with your decision and will try to talk you out of it, or whatever... There's clearly a reason you aren't telling them, and you shouldn't have to!!! In the end, it isn't their business... I am not telling anyone except my husband either... No reason to feel guilty.. But if it is killing you, then think really hard about whether or not you want them to know... Because once you tell them, there's no taking it back... If you think they will support you and be happy for you, then have at it!! If they will not be supportive or will say negative things about your decision, then it's probably best to keep it to yourself.... Just my thoughts!!

Interesting to know that it didn't do much for you.. I figured it smelled horrible lol.. Wonder what would happen if you nebulized a strawberry daiquiri or a pina colada or even coconut flavored rum??? HMMMM LOL j/k.... Oh well.. Thanks for trying it out and letting us know!!!! There are die-hard alcoholics that will drink listerine or in a worst case scenario, rubbing alcohol, when desperate...

I think if I am going to inhale anything that's been vaporized, I'd much rather inhale vaporized marijuana than alcohol!!!** LOL... I doubt you get the hangover with vaporized alcohol though, which is a perk... I don't really like alcohol much anymore, why get bloated on something that's just going to make you feel like crap the next day? But yes, similar vaporizers are available for illegal drugs... **I am not advocating weed smoking... Just making comparisons since it was mentioned that it is like drugs

When I said inexperienced, I meant inexperienced with sleeves.. Sorry! It's just a hard choice... I don't know what to tell you!!! I am in Dallas so we have several surgeons that are very experienced in the sleeve (I guess from a buncha self pays??) so this wasn't ever an issue with me.. so it's hard for me to give you any advice other than to tell you what I would do.... So, to answer your question, I would not be comfortable with him as a surgeon to do my sleeve... This doesn't mean he isn't a great surgeon, I just don't want to risk anything... Now, if I was stuck with a surgeon that wasn't very experienced with sleeves but was with bypass... I would begin to research a LOT about the bypass to find out everything I could (as far as surgeon technique, what the surgeon has to do, etc) and then compare it to the sleeve procedure.. I haven't done extensive research on the bypass so.. I'm not comfortable comparing bypasses to VSG... But so far he sounds like he is very open, honest, and upfront about the procedure, risks, his experience, so that's a good sign!!!

Wow... that's a tough call... You're right that someone has to be the "firsts" but I don't know if I would want to be one of the "firsts" you know??? I don't know how to help you other than telling you what I would do.. and I would find another more experienced surgeon.. If you're pretty set on him as a surgeon, ask him what he does to verify there isn't a leak prior to closing you up during surgery... how long will you be in the hospital for observation since he is a little inexperienced... ask how many issues he has had with the 6 sleeves he has done... what materials does he use to suture off the stomach? (staples/sutures together/tissue mesh).. how big is the bougie that he uses... and then ask him what he does for blood clot prevention...

I am just curious as to how the munchies work post op lol..

Did you ever find out about the weed? I am curious to know how it has turned out for you as well..

Man, that's a really tough position.. It's one thing to tell your parents to go screw themselves, it's another when it's your children.............. Has your HUSBAND set boundaries with his kids? When she disrespects you, she's also disrespecting your husband and your marriage, in my opinion.. I'd make sure he's taking care of it because (having a step mom myself) there isn't much you can do that will change her and not possibly piss of your husband in the mean time... I'd probably also tell her (when you're alone of course) "what kind of sick b**** says horrible things to a 3 yr old??".......... Maybe that would help her to realize that her actions are pretty messed up?? Not sure... I'd also forbid her from seeing the three year old if you are not around.. You might also want to consider family counseling... I know a lot of employers offer an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) which usually gives you a certain amount of counseling sessions for free.. If anything, counseling for you, your husband, and your 3 yr old..

This is hilarious!!! I have seen tattoos that women have of a little stick figure with a lawnmower just above their vagina... and they leave a lil bit of hair to show where the "lawnmower" has and has not been... hilarious =) And you are right about the time.. My surgeon said the surgery lasts about 35 mins... I don't EXPECT to have one... They should make you urinate prior to surgery..

Jello is liquid at room temperature, so it is usually permitted on liquid diets.. BUT just to be sure, doesn't hurt to ask your surgeon's office again =)

If you do start your period, trust me.. no one in that OR will care.. i PROMISE you.. nothing to worry about as far as the staff.. it just might be a lil bit more uncomfortable for you being that you will be doing some cleaning during your stay.. but I'd guess that if your body and mind are so stressed out.. you might not start before the surgery...

LOL!!!!!!!!! RARELY..... Unless it's so appalling that we have NO choice but to laugh... but usually, nurses don't care... honestly.. if you aren't comfortable with shaving, then just trim.. We've all let our bush get out of control at some point.. It's just for those that have never tidied up and have a ginormous bush then we might get a laugh out of it lol..And I think I've only had ONE thought that someone should tidy their stuff up out of like 2398948 caths that I've done lol.. Caths are so quick that it really doesn't matter.. She will have inserted it and moved on within about two minutes lol We might discuss things like "EAT THIS" tattooed above your vagina or something else to that effect.. but pubes are rarely a topic of discussion LOL