former_vbg

I have drank diet soda, specifically Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry from the 2nd or 3rd week post-op and never had any problems. Some think it stretches the stomach, but I've never seen any white papers that back that up. I drink one soda a day, but it also takes me almost all day to drink it. I can't gulp it which is fine, I just like the taste. The carbonation doesn't bother me since I'm not drinking it all at one time. Also, it has not affected my level of restriction either.

Do you mind if I ask how old your dad is? How much weight he needs to lose? What other health complications he had prior to surgery? I'm just wondering what other (if any) factors might have contributed to the problems he has had, especially since you had an uneventful surgery.

I'm going to ditto what others have said that you will be able to eat about anything you ate prior to being sleeved. Although, your taste buds are likely to change and the things that you loved before probably won't be the same once you are able to eat them. Some people (like myself) become lactose intolerant although that seems to be improving as time passes. Please remember that while in time you will be able to eat whatever you want (in smaller moderations), that you will need to focus on your Proteins first, veggies second, etc if you want to maximize your new tool. Treating yourself occasionally is not a bad thing, but depending on where you are at in your journey, understand that depending on how much you eat, will affect the speed of your weight loss and possibly contribute to stalls. Also, if they are your trigger foods that could lead to craving other non-protein/ unhealthy choices, then you are only asking for trouble. Try to wait as long as possible before you start "checking" to see what you can have if its not on your plan. You are in the honeymoon stage and you want to take advantage of that time as much as possible.

I can't find the thread, where is it? Can you have it pinned?

It sounds like you have made really good progress your first month. Remember that stalls are quite common as you transition from liquids to mushies to solids. Your body is adjusting to the major change you just went through. You will want to start exercising as soon as your Dr. permits it, and this will often help stalls, but just remember stalls are a normal part of the process for most everyone. I never counted calories and never intend to. I strictly pay attention to my carbs, hidden carbs like sauces in meats, or salad dressings, etc... I'm sure you aren't doing anything wrong. Just stay the path and start some exercise when you can.

WAY TO GO!!!

That is INCREDIBLE!! Congratulations! You have to be so excited right now! How do you feel?

I'm so sorry to hear about your father passing away. It's difficult to stay on track sometimes when "life" throws us these curve balls. I actually have put on 8# just in the past 5 days of water retention because of a complication from a blood clot I had almost 4 months ago. Talk about frustrating! It really can mess with your head, but I know I just need to stay focused. Celebrate your success and just keep moving forward!

That's still excellent progress! Way to go!! [quote name=georgia728' timestamp='1341405626' post='394734] Well the time is here I didn't get down to my second goal but I almost made my first missed it by a pound starting 283 now 258 :-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I applaud you even doing a challenge being pre-sleeve, not many folks do that. Here's to you welcoming you to the other side.... "the losers bench". Keep us posted once you are up to it after surgery! Good luck!

Great job in your explanation. The only other thing for her just to be aware of- not that she should delay in the insurance process, but with July around the corner, if she is required to do the 6 mth supervised diet, she may want to do what she can to incur most of her costs in 2013 so she can avoid paying out lots of $ towards her deductible and co-insurance in 2012 and then turn around w/her surgery and get hit again in 2013. Finding out what her insurance requirements are will determine whether this will likely be an issue or not.

I wasn't a self-pay, but it was my understanding that the all inclusive fee typically ALSO accounts for what the Dr. has to pay to rent the surgical room and the 1 or 2 nights you stay in the hospital. If not, then I would think that would be a separate fee because the hospital has to get something (anisthesiologist, nursing staff, meds, etc).... Where they pay the hospital out of that one time fee... Am I wrong?

You didn't ask about this, but it will likely be next on your list regardless of whether you go the insurance route or self-pay, but RESEARCH YOUR DOCTOR. Ask the tough questions, don't be afraid to do so- it is YOUR LIFE. Ask what their complication rate is, look up on the State Medical boards to see what/ if any complaints have been filed against them. Google their name, see what comes up. None of that is full proof that you have a good Dr., so when possible try to find and talk to past actual patients whether its at a support group or online. Also, understand the details of the surgery- not just that your stomach is being cut out, but find out what size bougie your Dr. uses, and using your research decide if that is the size you want. My surgeon used a size 30 bougie. That is the tool they use to size your new stomach. The actual physical size differences between a 30 and a 40 a fairly nominal, HOWEVER, there are some schools of thought that when you start out w/a slightly larger cut stomach, that the stretching that eventually does occur is moreso than w/a smaller bougie. I'm not sure there is a definitive answer on that, but it was something that was important to me. Some surgeons say they don't want to go smaller than "X" size bougie because they think it increases the chances for complications. Like some surgeons think it can create the hour glass syndrome in your stomach which would be like taking a balloon and squeezing it in the middle and preventing anything getting through the middle. A lot of that is technique. Do they sew over the bougie, do they sew outsize the bougie? Do they use staples? Will you have drainage tubes? Much of this is unique to the surgeon. The more you read and read and read, and do your research, you will find that while there are many similarities across the board, the individual technique by each surgeon is often slightly different. I spent 3 solid months reading and researching the different Weight Loss surgeries before I started the insurance process. Fortunately, I didn't have to do the supervised diet and only had to start liquids 12 hrs before surgery. And, of course, we here will all answer whatever questions we can to help you along the way! Good luck!!

I don't know what the percentage is of doctors who accept payments, but I would be surprised to find it that high. They run a high risk of patients defaulting, i.e. not getting paid for their services plus them paying for the hospital costs. I would venture to say most doctors want to be paid up front. There are various companies out there that specialize in medical loans if you decided to go that route. Or, you could take a loan from your 401K (just check to see what your plan rules are if you left your job). Some 401k plans, you have to pay a loan back w/in 60 days of leaving the company. My company lets you continue making payments even after you leave the employer. Each plan is going to be different. Honestly, if you have insurance, I wouldn't be spending my time worrying about self-pay. Take this time and call your insurance company and get the ball rolling there.

You can do it! Just keep some fluids to drink with you as much as possible. Do your best to avoid group lunches or situations where food is just "there" for the grabbing. You will be on the loosers bench soon!

You pay ENTIRELY out of your own pocket. Doctors will give self-pay patients a better rate because they don't have to go through all the paperwork and red tape. Most often you can skip the 6 month supervised diets, gathering of years of weight history, etc. Your doctor will still probably have you do some routine tests like an endoscopy, bloodwork and some other things but not NEARLY as extensive as if you have to jump through all of the hoops and hurdles of getting approved through the ins. company.

All good feedback for you so far, but something else I want to add on cost is that if you go through an approved Dr. in YOUR insurance network, those doctors will have a contracted rate of pay. But, as you seem to already understand there are other things involved in terms of cost. There will be the anisthesiologist, hospital bill, meds, etc. As suggested to you, find an hour sometime to call your insurance company where you can have a list of questions for that rep, document who you spoke to, date, time, etc. Find out what your max out of pocket deductibles are, etc... Each insurance plan is going to have their own requirements as already suggested and be sure you request documentation on exactly what that is. I do NOT suggest relying on any doctor's office because more often than not it will cause you issues with *something* getting missed. You MUST be your own advocate throughout this entire process. This includes the process of getting the surgery. Congratulations on moving forward to a healthier you!

Well, don't feel too bad. I had a similar thing happen to me this past week. I reached my 4th of July goal which put me within 10# of my final goal. I decided to just take a little mini break from being so focused and *poof* I gained 5#. I didn't really overdo it either, ate out a couple of times with friends and didn't eat anything all that bad, ate my Proteins but it was probably the sauces at the Mongolian BBQ that did it mostly. I worry too about regain once I hit my final goal!! Back to the gym for me and back on plan!!!

That's awesome, way to go!!

Congratulations! I had similar experiences too! Thrift stores are your friend!!!

You look FABULOUS! I have way too much loose skin in the abdomen area to ever consider a bikini these days. I have recently started some weight training, but it's gonna take a knife and a skilled surgeon to really make it possible to ever wear a two piece. You should be really proud of yourself!

I think the suggestions given to the OP (original poster) on this thread are some things you might want to consider for yourself. Look at what your meal plans are like. Stick to those and cut out the Snacks. If you must have a snack, make them healthy. Start walking if exercise is difficult for you, start with whatever amount you can handle and continue to add to it each week. Set goals mini and longer goals for yourself. There are weight loss challenges going on all the time. Go to the General Sleeve Discussion category. We are just finishing up the 4th of July challenge. I personally find this very helpful. It's totally voluntary, but most people post once a week their progress. Kind of a way to help us be accountable for our weight loss. Hope this helps.

I'm ALL for bluntness when the need arises, but saying someone isn't ready for surgery just because they are struggling w/the pre-op diet is just not fair. I don't hear him saying he isn't following it, but that the occasional cheating is really difficult. That is WHY we have this surgery, to have a tool to HELP us with our will power. I am confident he will do just fine.

You are absolutely right in everything you said. I say that as someone who JUST in the past couple months is able to say I can wear size 4 slacks and size 5/6 jeans and let me tell you- it is absolutely freakin FABULOUS!!! That moment when you realize that you need yet another smaller size and you question in your head, "how can that be...?" and then try that smaller size in the dressing room and you want to throw a party bigger than New Years Eve right then and there, shouting from the roof tops that YOU MADE IT!!! I say this, because that WAS ME!! Unfortunately, I was shopping alone as I usually do, but it was still great! And, you know what, I did call friends and they celebrated right with me!!! Everyone will have their own goals, but I sincerely believe it is ok to want the things you mentioned. Being able to slip into tight spaces because you are so petite. That sliding past crowded seats to sit next to the empty window seat won't bring sighs of despair from those you have to glide past, but rather maybe a few glances at your slimming figure! You go for it! Enjoy it and CELEBRATE IT!!!

Well, 1 year ago today almost to the hour I had my surgery starting out at 271# @ 5'3". What an amazing journey this has been. I can honestly say that I am so glad I did this and how it has improve my quality of life in more ways than I can count. I am now just 10# from my final goal and while it would have been nice to be at goal by now, I am pleased with my progress of loosing 141# in this time. I have been buying thrift store clothes almost exclusively, which honestly isn't much different from my previous shopping habits. I have been able to find some incredible deals, nice clothes at rock bottom prices that nobody at work would even suspect. I have attached a picture taken of me yesterday and that suit outfit was bought at a thrift store just 3 weeks ago for $6!!! Not a thing wrong with it. I'm now wearing size 5/6 jeans, size 8 or 10 petite business suits, size 4 slacks and it is just truly amazing when I look at clothes off the rack trying to wrap my head around this IS the size I wear. As I slide on my size 6 jeans, it still seems so surreal I can hardly believe it's me. As I look back on my journey, I recall the stalls and frustration when my weight didn't fall off consistently, and I would say it was around the 6th or 7th month when I realized I was really going to have to kick up my game to keep that momentum going. I'm not a patient person and didn't want to get frustrated and fall back into my old patterns. So, I started increasing my exercise, and really paying attention to my carb intake, and upping my dense Proteins. I really love the weight loss challenges because they really motivate me to hitting my next target. My next weight loss target will hopefully be my last. Reading through various maintenance threads, I am becoming more and more aware how I know I am going to have to continue to be diligent with maintaining my healthy eating. Do I allow myself treats once in awhile? Yes, but in very small moderation. Fortunately, the sleeve keeps me in check. But, I know it will be up to me to watch what goes into my mouth. Since surgery, I have become lactose intolerant. It happened within the 2nd month, and found out when I tried just a bite of ice cream and oh my.... cramps in the stomach and a quick trip to the bathroom with some bad diarrhea. Never having been lactose intolerant I wasn't really sure this was the sign of being lactose intolerant, so of course I had to test my stomach again and sure enough. It's been interesting learning what things my stomach can handle, what it can't. I am moderately lactose intolerant now so as long as it's not real rich in milk product and it's a small amount I am usually fine, but I am still very cautious. I really don't mind this "side effect" though because sweets/ chocolate have ALWAYS been a downfall for me and so now when I see chocolate, my first thought is the repulsive reaction my stomach will have if I eat it and that's a good thing! For anyone on the fence of whether to do the surgery, or struggling at the start of their journey, just know that it is all worth it! I am happier and more confident than I have been in years. I enjoy the way people treat me better and of course looking better and healthier is certainly a huge factor!!