happy1957

Thanks to all those that replied. I just heard through another patient that my surgeon whom I have not met yet,uses a 39 bougie. I want the best results with the least complications. That seems rather large in todays VSG world. It appears bougie size is more important that percentage of stomach removed. I am that 5ft nothing lady. Can't wait to see if she offers me information on how she chose that size or if she offers me something differnt since I am no where near the same height as this patient. I'll let you know in August after I've met her.

Good morning, Thank you for your well constructed reply. I appreciate your time and effort. I have since found out that the dietitian is this way to many people. It's not an individual issue. I believe that I am more than prepared for post surgery. I am a diet guru. My last certified trainer taught me so much and in turn I had a thirst for the knowledge, it was always Protein first with him. In fact she said, "I guess there is nothing to teach you" , but I'm very, very, very concerned about your soda drinking. Which I admitted having four sodas in month. It was my understanding from the group nutrition class that if you had high caffeine intake you needed to work on it and cut back. No one ever told me to QUIT. Believe me, I have quit now. I believe it's in my best interest to suck up the last 30 minute appointment with her, meet the surgeon and then after my surgery, release the letter I have constructed to the program coordinator and let her know how I was treated. I have spoken with two others that had her for their pre-op dietitian, but were assigned another after. They too had issues, one to the point it was considered a "failed" visit. We are already at t he mercy of the insurance company, the bariactric program and the surgeon. I dare not rock the boat and have this surgery postponed. I need the help of the VSG and can make this a positive tool along the side of my VSG Talk friends. Thank you again for your reply. Add me as a friend and we can discuss details of our NUTS in private. .. . . uote name='1-4-Many' timestamp='1307916281' post='163176'] Happy - I am not a subject matter expert, just a poster. That said -- I think we had the same first dietitian. Even called a dietitian. (Had no idea what a NUT was when I first started reading here.) My opinion is that you need to know what is safe for your pre and post surgery. You need to understand the pre-surgery diet and the expectations for about 6 to 9 weeks after, depending on how fast or slow they phase you through your steps back to food. If you understand that process, the rest is iffy as to how important it is. Learn the basics. If you are a person who likes to try different recipes, you might check to see if they have any to share. But otherwise, I think the post surgery importance is minimal if you are ready to do this as right as you can. As you read here you will learn there are programs who believe that even veggie carbs are evil, mine wants people to get back to eating veggies as a small portion of their regular diet. So with differences that dramatic between programs, how important can it really be? At the end of the day, once you have safely moved back to food, you will do what works for you. And your stomach will give you some big hints. Good luck. (BTW, I'd love to tell you the details of my first dietitian but it's a bone of contention between me and the program right now. I paid a fortune for 8 appts. (required - 4 before and 4 after) and it was a joke. Maybe someday I'll share, but right now it's that bad that I need to keep it under wraps!)

Hello Everyone. I am very interested in how many folks continue to see their dietitian or nutritionist after surgery. I had a terrible experience my first visit. I have no idea why this person did not let me get a word in edge wise, was rude and spoke down to me the entire time. I felt like I was being scolded like a child. I have another visit with this same person and am afraid to ask for another nutritionist in fear of being labeled and having my surgery put out for months. Yet I do not feel comfortable with this lady. I feel intimidated, belittled and would NEVER ask for help. I would run from her as if she had the plague. I didn't feel she was supportive in anyway. Do I stick with her for the one more visit and walk away quietly, or do I ask for someone else in hopes of getting true support? How important is she after surgery?

Wow, sounds like we are in the exact same stage..I'll add you as a friend.

Hello... I too have Aetna and had the exact same problem. I am going through a "Center of Excellence" who has special credentialing with Aetna. They made me get a letter from my Dr showing that I was "dieting" and working with a trainer during my low BMI period, I had only 3 visits in 5 years and 2 were low BMI's. They assure me that will be ok since I have the documentation, I do have to see the dietitian three months on top of that. Is the Dr. that you plan on using part of "A Center of Excellence"? Good luck...

I have been lurking around here and have learned so much from this forum, but what questions did you "experienced" sleevers forget to ask your Dr. or wish you would have known before hand? Although my surgery is still far away, I'm about half way through the process, my only question is what size bougie will she use and why? I'm sure there should be other things I must ask. I would appreciate your feedback...

Thank you for your reply. I too purchase things ahead of necessity and have already bought protein drinks,powders and bullets for the pre and post diets. I will stop. I have a small,armless,folding camp chair that I used for another surgery that should work fine. I usually find before going to the Drs that I have tons of questions,but usually forget them once in the office. , again thank you

Hi Cindi, My name is Brenda, I too live in Maine, the big town of Oakland. I am at about the half way point to surgery. I have Aetna and they require a few extra steps. So I can't even see the surgeon until after Aug. 11th. I am having my surgery done in Bangor at EMMC. Not sure which surgeon as of yet. We can discuss who has the most experience and how she does it. I would be happy to follow along with you and compare. I've done a lot of research and read anything I can. I believe I have this process down in order to get good results. I am old so that helps .. LOL If you're intersted in an older partner, I'm here.. You may be further along in the process so you may be able to help me? :-) Have a great day!

I agree with you completely, It's a shame that professional people would risk someones life for a mere 20lbs. That is against the law in this country for a reason. Apparently this person didn't have a weight problem but a vanity issue. I can't believe it and it shouldn't happen. Most women after child birth hang on to an extra 20bs for awhile. Sounds like their metabolism is ok, hope they don't run into anorexia issues.

I am not at all trying to scare anyone, I was told by my physician that they lost one patient to a leak, one out of more than 2100 since the bariactric center has been open. Not sure if it were a sleeve or bypass patient. She was 29 years old and had 5 children. She went home, had a undetected small leak , but apparently didn't return to the hospital until it was to late. They were able to fix the leak, but she never recovered. This is the reason they tell you if you suspect something is not right, call and question the nurse etc.

Good morning Amy.... I am sorry that I can NOT answer your questions since I am not a sleever , yet! I'm also twice your age and have no diagnosed underlying ailments other than the fatigue and pain of carrying around 80-90 extra lbs. I have a question for you. In your first paragraph you wrote that things are done really different in Austria.. Please elaborate. Is it the pre-requisites or the surgery itself. I'm very curious as I have found even here in the US that things are different from Dr. to Dr. Thanks, Brenda

Good morning... I am basically a lurker, in the process, but still 3-4 months out. I have two nutrition classes left before meeting the surgeon, then approval, then surgeon again. etc. I wanted to know what you do for work and your age. Ultimately I would like to return to work in one week, but not sure I can do it. .. Thanks, Brenda p

Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I am so excited about the possibility of having this done. Unlike yourself I have been round my whole life, actually the scale makes a little roller coaster ride about every three years. To hear how great you are doing is wonderful!! It gives me extra incentive. :-)

Hi Dadofpeace. I am not a sleever yet. I too enjoy exercise, am 53 and maintain lots of muscle myself. The trainer I last worked with made me consume 25 grams per meal, a minimum of 75 grams daily, but I chose 100 as my goal. It works and I drank Iso-Pure Protein drinks. The least expensive plave to buy it is at the http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/en/query.jsp?x=13&y=20&q=iso+pure&intsource2=main&tab_selection=Vitamins it has low carbs or no carbs depending on hte flavor. Fortunately for me my trainer was a diabetic and knew the ropes for keeping carbs down. Hope this helps. .Chocolate is my favorite and I mix it with Water, saves lots of calories, it's a thin consistency so you could drink it now. Good luck

Good morning Pasquini, It is very early am, I'm sitting here drinking my coffee and I like yourself have been poking around here. I am much older, sailing in the same boat. I just wanted you to know that I feel out of sorts today and your letter cracked me up and gave me a whole new look at what the rest of my day may look like. I am female, 54 and have fought the same 40-50lbs for 40 years and have NEVER reached my goal. The sleeve sounds like the right tool for me since my BMI is on the lower side. I have attended the orientation and first support group meetings. Unfortunately I am in no position to pay for it myself, but if my insurance approves it, I hope to follow through. This venue sure is encouraging. I wish you the best of luck and anytime you would like to throw me a smile. I'd appreciate it.. Have a great day!! Happy.....

I am seriously thinking of having the VSG and am looking for the good, the bad and the ugly. I would like to find the patients that have had this surgery the longest, what the drawbacks are and how have they held their weight off.