happy1957

Don't wish for a fast response. My information was submitted on Monday to Aetna and I have already received my answer today. My VSG was DENIED!!! I was under 40 BMI in late 2008-early 2009 when working with a trainer and dieting which was just one of my many successful cycles of dieting, exercise but without successful retention. Just another bump in this journey. Had I known the road would be so rough, I would have spent the extra money on some good touring tires.

Hate is a strong word. Kids can make you crazy at times but there is no greater love than the love of a child. Yes, they hate you from age 15-25, but after that, it's another renewed, kinder, stronger, more appreciative love that comes back to you. Don't knock it until you try it. I too had just dogs for ten years before a child, there is absolutely no comparison.

I have been on the journey to the Sleeve since Feb. I have done every class, every insurance requirement, every physician requirement and finally, my EGD yesterday was my last hurdle. I have been focused on the sleeve and nothing but the sleeve. I have a BMI of 39-40 ish. I didn't want any rerouting of my body parts, no mal-absorption etc. I have an artificial shoulder with neck issues and love my Advil since Tylenol does absolutely nothing for me and you can't take Nsaid's with by-pass the sleeve was my only focus. Yesterday my Sleeve world was turned upside down. Upon waking from my EGD I was told that the surgeon had to take 5-6 biopsies of my Esophagus and 1 in my Duodenum, (no explanation why) but that I should go home, research the by-pass and possible make an appointment to discuss the bypass with the surgeon's partner who is a world renowned robotic bypass surgeon. I work in a Dr's office, so I assume that they found something that looked abnormal, possible Barrett's Esophagus? I recently started re-flux medication after I regained weight because I typically get re-flux or nighttime heartburn when I'm heavier. I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed, sad is actually the word that comes to mind. I am smart enough to know that if a surgeon I trust completely, feels the sleeve is a bad decision, then it apparently is a bad decision. Right now I can not even fathom a by-pass since I see so many people who look and feel less than optimum from the results. Is it healthy to accept a surgery you had no desire to have? or do I stay me and accept the fact that I am still on my own as I have been for my entire life.

Thank you to all that have replied to this post with genuine concern!! It looks like I am fine. I met with my surgeon today who said that all the biopsies came back normal without any dysplasia or Barrett's. I am elated! She told me about all the potential risks associated with reflux and the sleeve and many are an educated guess since there is no long term documented histories to go by. She compared my personal issues, the benefits and the risks associated with both the sleeve and the by-pass and said ultimately the surgery type is up to me. I will go with my "GUT" no pun intended since I have been a believer in the sleeve since day one and will move forward with that. Thanks for the support.

Thanks for your replies, I did write this note when I was feeling frantic. This news was sandwiched between two deaths in my family. I have to say this was not a good week for me. I typically am not a person of great anxiety, but this was totally unexpected and I was so focused on the sleeve and as you all know, it's such a long journey and "hope" of a better future is so close at this point. . Long story short. My surgeon called today, they have the results of my biopsies and she wants to see me in her office Monday morning to discuss them with surgery options. The secretary couldn't tell me any more, said that she had gotten an e-mail from the surgeon who was in surgery today, requesting that she contact me. I did feel encouraged with the word "options". Overall, I am in a better place emotionally, have thought about a lot of options and will listen to her on Monday and meet with my regular provider on Thursday to get some more "warm and fuzzies". Thank you all for caring enough to take the time to listen. Does this mean if I no longer am a potential sleever, I am no longer welcome here? :-(

OMG, what do you have for insurance? I would be so upset.. I would definitely give them a prodding. Have they corresponded with you at all? I thought they had 30 day to make a decision. My EGD is Wednesday and then things go off to the insurance company. I do not want to wait many more months. :-( Fortunately my Dr is part of an elite group and has special credentialing, she would not even send it to them for approval until every thing she thought they would want had been done like the EGD and Holter monitor. Good luck, I'd be curious to know the hold up.

Hello ladies or spouses of ladies who have experienced this, I am 54, and am on Estrogen replacement. I have read many stories of how people leave the hospital after surgery and are told to abruptly stop many, if not all medications. I am reaching the age of the natural change of life, although went through surgical menopause at 29. If anyone has had the experience of stopping HRT as part of the surgery, I would like to know the effects. I personally think using old, stored calories is enough of a challenge to start with, yet do I take advantage of this time to stop the HRT? I do not want the effects of menopause (lack of libido, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings etc.) to come crashing down on me on top of all the physical and emotional changes associated with VSG. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, Please, Please explain how that works. I can't find anything on Google Chrome? Thank you!!

Good morning.... What makes me happy as a woman is usually the simple things in life. Make a picnic lunch and head out to a place that has a view, ocean side or even river bank.. Enjoy each others company and just take in the view. No phones (leave them in the car) and just pay attention to one another. Maybe you coul dfind a few wild flowers along the way. Happy Anniversary... ! :-)

Hi Jen.... I weigh 204 and my Dr told me this week that I have to lose 6 more lbs before she'll operate. I think it's more the discipline rather than the actual weight lose. They don't want us to go overboard and eat everything in sight. Good luck!!

Hello Lil, I am sorry that you have to endure but another weight battle. May I ask if you know the size of the boogie used. I understand that even as early as four years ago they were using a size 60. I had my first surgeon visit this past week and she mentioned the learning curve that physicians using the sleeve as a stand alone surgery have had to go through. It's still a guessing game in many areas like long term effects on the stomach with acid reflux etc. She did say the new standard size boogie is 32-34 and that the medical world has realized the larger boogie was not as successful. Also drinking while eating can be disastrous from what I've read it allows food to pass through quickly allowing you more room to eat and returned hunger. So many people at this site are successful and maybe their insight may be the tool you need. I appreciate your sharing your story. I wish you the best of luck with continued weight loss and if the by-pass is it what it takes for you to be successful, then your goal should be that. Good Luck!

I have just finished my last nutrition class and am now waiting to be scheduled with the surgeon before insurance approval. Last evening I read a disheartening story on Obesityhelphelp.com about a guy who had lost over 100 pounds after his sleeve and has gained it all back and can eat a full hamburger fries meal etc. I knew there was the possibility of some weight gain especially if you let things get out of hand, but all of it? My question is it because of the size of the bougie. This is not my first concern about this. My Dr uses a 39 which I think is a larger size by today's standards. Most people are getting a 32 or 34 these days. I would like to hear from folks who either have the larger bougie or the weight gainers and their ideas as to why? I'm afraid to go through the risk of this process, suffer with another slooooow weight loss(I'm the world's slowest loser) only to gain it all back. :-(

I bought Creamy Vanilla "Pure" from WalMart and tried my first shake yesterday. I got a little fancy and put it in my "Ninja" with Almond unsweetened milk and ice. It came out like a Wendy's frosty.. very go and not gritty. My intent is to buy some fresh or frozen fruits to add to this. It was truly delicious.

[\I think she means do a dilatation. Sort of stretch the opening to the stomach or the stomach itself by inserting a balloon type instrument and blowing it up. This is done all the time in the elderly who have a narrowing in their esophagus not allowing them to swallow properly.

I am at the stage in my process that after my last nutrition visit today, I have just one more visit with the surgeon, then off for insurance approval hopefully soon after, surgery. I have been purchasing much needed protein products and have read little about this particular item. Has anyone tried this protein teeny weany ? I have read some great reviews at sport sites, I would love to hear your feedback. It's IDS Sports, Grape flavor 42 grams of protein in 3.5 ounces. Check it out. http://www.gnc.com/p...oductId=2830575.

Hello Foxbins....Congratulations!!! Your story is so inspiring. I am 54 and have just finished my last nutrition class. I am planning to continue my journey with my sister by my side , she too is having VSG and we're hoping to schedule them with the same doctor and have the same surgery day. I am a very slow loser and absolutely loved your line "This has been the easiest weight loss I have ever achieved. " My past cycling of dieting, great weight losses, exercising to the extreme at times only to gain all the weight back has to stop. It was a tough decision to admit that I couldn't do this by myself and needed intervention. I want to improve my health and overall well being. Thank you for sharing, not lots of people in our age group..

This is elective surgery? Are you sure the hospital stay is months not weeks? Usually after a week or so they would transfer you to a rehab center. Yikes, I wish you luck.

Mana... your # 12 is my # 1. I am the family photographer, maybe it's because I have NEVER wanted my photo taken.

Sigh!! Cliff hanger... I want to hear the rest. I hope you're doing well and recover quickly.

Thank you for sharing this...very well done.

Thank you for your question. I too have huge sensitivities and get migraines with most sugar substitutes. I recently tried soy milk for the first time and that gave me the worst migraine I've ever had. I had not given thought to the hospital at all. I hope you get some good responses and possible alternatives.

Congratulations on getting your date. Keep in mind this is the rest of your life. Your eating habits at your daughters birthdays in the future may not change all that much from the liquid diet of this year. The important thing is that you become healthier and live a longer life so that you will be able to attend all of your daughters birthday parties for many, many years. You will do fine and this is one small sacrifice for the good of the future. Your daughters will be happy and so wrapped up in their birthday, they may not even notice you not eating. Have a great day!

Is there anyone here that knows or understands why there is a difference in the amount of stomach reduction from one Dr to another. I have attended a seminar- orientation with a local bariactric center, they stated that they remove 90% of the stomach with VSG. I have watched tons of videos and advertisements ranging anywhere from a 70-90 % reduction. Is this physician preference or based on the patients BMI? Wonder how or if this does this effects the outcome of how much weight you lose or how long it stays off. Thank you in advance for your response. Happy!!