PdxMan

My insurance didn't cover it either, so I headed to Las Vegas for self-pay. $10,400 I took a second on the house to pay for it and have already realized that much in savings from medical costs and food. Have it all paid off. You say you have 3 kids at home to consider ... do you mean that you can't afford to have the surgery because of having 3 kids at home or you cannot afford not to have the surgery because of 3 kids at home? I have 2 young kids at home and I couldn't afford NOT to have the surgery.

Age and the length of time being obese are factors in loose skin. You have both working in your favor. Your elasticity will be far greater than us old farts who were obese for many years.

Are you drinking them cold or room temperature? The flavor definately changes. Whatever you are doing, try the opposite and see how that works. Make sure you shake it well before and as you drink it, if it sits for awhile, put your thumb over the top and give it a shake.

Depends upon how much skin you are talking about ... What is your BMI? If it is too severe, your insurance will most likely pay for a Panniculectomy as it would be needed for health reasons.

The CPAP machine just takes some time to get used to. Your body is not used to having the glottis kept open by this reverse pressue. Yes, you will have a few nights where your sleep is terrible, but in the long run, it will be totally worth it. I had so much more energy and was able to think so much clearer when I got my machine. Had only missed a handful of days since getting it. I don't require the machine now, being 19 months post-op, but I still use it as I feel so much better with it than without it. Just give it a week, surely you are worth that, right?

Don't worry about the weight loss. If you are committed to your exercise routine, the weight loss will be secondary and will happen. I pretty much choose the alternate route you seem to be embarking on. I became a runner and did heavy cross-training on non-running days. Got pretty good, too, as I was actually able to win my division in several 5K/8K/10K races. Check out my blog, http://vsgrunner.wordpress.com/. I haven't updated it in quite awhile as I have been dealing with a ruptured disc in my back and just had my second surgery 2 weeks ago, but I think the information is relevant. Bottom line, feed your body. Carbs are your source of energy, so don't do a low carb routine. It just doesn't work for serious exercisers. If you don't believe me, look at my signature. All my weight loss recordings are there. When I was thick in my training, I was eating no less than 1,800 calories a day, 180 grams of Protein and no less than 130 grams of carbs. And I lost weight like crazy. Low carb equates to low energy. Try exercising like that ...

Check out this link.

Was that in his signature? Don't have them turned on. If that's the case, give 'em H3LL

I would just get some chocolate protein powder, make it as directed and add PB.

Hmmm ... p!$$ off the surgeon and medical team before the operation ... Yeah ... good luck with that. I had everything laid out before I had my date. Pretty common. I have had 3 surgeries since my VSG, and that is pretty standard. I know exactly what I am paying and what insurance is or isn't covering. It's all in writing. Any confusion, show the paperwork.

I'm just a few years behind you ... Take a look at my pictures in the Gallery under my profile and you can decide for yourself which way I would rather be. For me, it's a no-brainer.

It really depends on your activity level. If you are sitting on the couch at night and behind a desk all day, then I would try to stay around 40-50. As you increase your activity, you will need to increase your carbs to support it. Try to stay with the good carbs from veggies and the like. When I was running, I would try to get in somewhere in the 100 to 130 range. I did this and was able to get under goal.

My name is PDXMan and I am an alcoholic. One of the toughest phrases I ever uttered, but one that has saved my life. As has been mentioned, AA has been the program I have used to keep me sober. You may wonder, "How does AA keep me from drinking?" It doesn't. It shows you how to live life on life's terms. Once you start doing that, you see that you don't need alcohol or drugs anymore. For me, alcohol isn't my problem. I am my problem. Alcohol was my solution. Until it wasn't anymore. If it is no longer your solution, then try finding one that has worked for millions. All it takes is some willingness to make a change. That's it. And showing up ... BTW, it also works for other drugs of choices, too. It's a scary thought, not having your coping mechanism around, but it just might work.

Sugar contains a lot of empty calories, so the answer really lies within you. What are you willing to sacrifice for your weightloss? Early out, I couldn't tolerate anything too sugary. Just didn't taste good. Then, Halloween came around and I started to tolerate it more. I wish that never happened, but ... it is one of my weaknesses. But, I didn't get this surgery to cut out all of my vices, so, I am OK with that. Plus, I was exercising like crazy, so I could afford the extra calories. If you decide to have sugar regularly in your diet, you forfeit the right to cry and moan about losing weight slower than you expect. If that is not OK with you, then you will need to cut out sugars as much as possible. It really is your journey and what your expectation are.

Pre-sleeve, they were great. Post-sleeve, they were too sweet. I drink the Premier Protein shakes from Costco/Sam's Club.

I'm a boy, but the advice I've read and followed is the same. Whenever you feel up to it. Just no gymnastics. Ever hear of scissor position? Works great.

Yup, that is about what I experienced, too. One thing it illustrates for me is how little we actually need to sustain ourselves. What we eat and what are body absorbs are two different things. Even if we sit down and eat 5,000 calories, it doesn't mean our bodies actually absorb all 5,000 calories. Even "normal" people do not absorb all the calories they consume. My wife has always been a healthy, slender weight and I eat about one third the quantity she does. Just went to the Dr and my blood work is fabulous and I feel great. Bottom line, it is time to get into our heads our new "normal". The portions we used to eat is nowhere near "normal" and I am discovering that even "normal" portions are still larger than what our bodies actually need.

Many, MANY folks have found Premier Protein shakes work for them. I, like you, tried several different ready-to-drink shakes and powders. Premier is by far the best one for me. You can get them at costco or Sam's Club. Do a search on this site for Premier Protein. There are many threads discussing it.

I surf the site without logging in sometimes. It depends on the computer that I am coming in from. All these assumptions ... are they doing anyone any good? And if they haven't come back, does it invalidate the story? Do you really think this is the only leak story out there? I can only take it on the word of my NUT, but she told us a story of a patient who died a week post op after eating a steak. Is it true? It wasn't her own story, but I do believe her. Doesn't invalidate the fact there are complications some of which are not as bad as the OP and some are even worse.

Mine was $10,400, cash in Las Vegas (baby!). Stayed at the Golden Nugget ($45/night), rented a car ($150) and enjoyed a little time in the desert. It was great.

Then keep to the facts. Where do they state that it was last May? You are making assumptions. Try to read the story from a non-cynical point of view.

Kendra, everyone should be able to post their stories and not be berated for doing so. This is their experience with the sleeve and while it is very uncommon, it is a risk. People researching the sleeve should know this and be totally informed. While you are stating your opinion, the OP also has the right to state theirs. Everybody's life stories are different. Some people are completely content being morbidly obese. Some people have tried dozens of weightloss options failing them miserably (me). We all have our reasons to either have surgery or try other means to live a healthier life. "Normal" people are usually ignorant of these struggles. I know my wife was and I am quite happy that she is ignorant of these struggles. I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

I am sorry to hear about your sister. Leaks are just one of the known risks of this surgery, and was a risk I was willing to take given the percentages of complications. Everyone has their own reasons for having the surgery and each of us has our own risk tolerance. If your risk tolerance is very low, then I agree, don't have any surgeries. But, for myself, my quality of life was going downhill fast. A complication of a leak or otherwise was just another risk of being morbidly obese. I was willing to take the chance to fall into the 97% of patients who don't have these types of complications. Again, I am sorry to hear about your sister and I will keep her in my thoughts.

I was not covered, either. Took a second on the house. Have it paid off already with all of the medical and food savings. Try to figure a way to pay for it if you can. It was so worth it for me.