WingRider

It is easier to get student loans at a decent interest rate than surgical loans for what is going to be considered an elective surgery. No reason to put off grad school just because of the VSG. Bill

You are right, some people are going to be caffiene sensitive. I get more than my fair share of caffiene from other sources. When I get the type of headache I was referring to in the original post caffiene isn't causing it and won't help it. I have tried that route for years to figure out if caffiene was a culprit or a solution. It wasn't until I stumbled upon a guys blog about the Red Bulls. It works for me when I do get the kind of headache that convinces me that I have a brain tumor. Hopefully that makes sense. Bill

Congratulations. Bill

I have read about the headache that KyHen is describing and agree it could be what you are experiencing. I occasionally will get massive headaches usually focused right above and behind my eye, extending over the top of my head and down the back of my neck. Usually I can attribute it to a lack of sleep and not eating. Nothing will put a dent in it, aspirin, tylenol, excedrine. Even eating doesn't make it go away. I stumbled across a guy's web page that has migraines a lot and he has found that drinking a Red Bull energy drink seems to help. I tried it and I have to agree that it took my headache from an 8 or 9 down to a 2 or 3. It was still there, but at least I could function and get back to do things. If I had the time to do it, I would lay down and take a short nap and it would lessen to a 1 or go away. I keep a couple of sugar free Redbulls in the fridge just in case now. You might want to try it, they now have the small super concentrated energy shots that are not carbonated. Should be easier to drink and have the same effect. I think it has to do something with the guarine and tarine in the drink it increases blood flow. Bill

Keep it up, Thanksgiving will have a new meaning for you. Bill

Sounds like you have the key, all you got to do is use it and unlock that door. Your journey lies before you, it is time to start. Bill

Thank you for letting us know what is going on with you. I have been on a lot of different forums for a long time and it never has really bothered me when members just disappeared, but I was really concerned about you because of the things we deal with here on this board. I am truly relieved to hear that you are recovering, and we will continue to think of you and your journey. Bill

We will be thinking of you and thanking your whole family for what you are giving. Bill

thinoneday, do you wear a brace at night to keep your foot at a 90 degree angle(like if you were standing up)? My doctor has recommended that for me when mine acted up. Bill

I eat when stressed, whether from work or personal drama. I crave high fat high carb stuff when that happens. Bill

I did a google search on her screen name and found three different boards with the same name registered. One involved low carb dieting, one was for lapband, and another talking about switching from band to VSG. I am assuming they were all her. She only posted once or twice on those boards. I know she wasn't doing well, but maybe she is one of those types who just loses interest in forums. I hate it when people do that as it leaves a lot of unanswered questions and concerns. I sent her an email, maybe she will respond. Bill

Has anyone heard from Heftynetty? She has just disappeared from the boards. Last activity was 9/23. Bill

I have the same thoughts. I know that my biggest issue is portion size control. I can make the good food choices, I just can't keep the portions sizes down. I am not a grazer, I eat three times a day and that is it. I know that the sleeve is going to help me control the portion sizes, but I still have doubts in my mind. I worry that I might become a grazer so i can get a steady stream of calories coming in instead of three times a day. I worry that I won't be active, even though I am an active person at heart now(always have been). There are a lot of what ifs, but in the end we are physically changing ourselves. We are altering the way our body takes food and digests it. We are taking away a large producer of the hunger hormone ghrellin. I know the sleeve can be cheated, but if we eat the right foods and become more active, there is no way we won't lose weight. Bill

Ira, I had a sleep study done, two actually, and I am so glad that I did. My energy levels have sucked the last 3 years or so. I would be so tired come 4 o'clock in the afternoon that I would find myself nodding off, even when driving! I have been on the CPAP for 2 months now and I love it. I am not tired during the day, I wake up ready to go, and my mood has been much more pleasant. My family has pointed that out to me. I do hope that after I lose the weight I won't have to use the CPAP, but if I do, then so be it. If you have the syptoms they talk about, tiredness, waking up with a headache, etc. I would suggest doing it. Especially if you insurance is going to cover it. Bill

That is awesome. Tell him hi for me, we PM'ed each other a lot when he was in his waffling stage a couple of weeks ago. I can't wait till it is my time next month. Bill

Isn't weird how so many of us went in thinking the band was the answer, yet after a little research come out wanting the sleeve? My surgeon during the consult for my band procedure told me hands down that the sleeve is what I needed. Ira(shortened it up a bit, hope you don't mind), I am 37 and only wished I had had the opportunity you are seizing at such a young age. It seems to me your motivation is all of the right reasons, for you and your baby. Good luck Bill

I am going to Dr. Almanza 12/29/09. I booked through Shirley Rohr, she works directly for Emmanuel Clinic. I am paying $5000 for the procedure. They are currently running $5,500 with airfare. I was confused by all of the different pricing for the same doctor as well. Glad I found Shirley, going with her was $1,000 cheaper than anyone else booking Dr. Almanza. Bill

Manufacturing employs practices designed to segregate ingredients on equipment that also processes egg, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, soy, fish and shellfish products. I am reading this to say they use seperate equipment for items that are listed. So if your ingredient list does not have shellfish products then you do not have to worry about cross-contamination. If I were you I would be worried about products that do not have this verbage on it somewhere. Bill

I understand that it is frustrating that an employer would opt out of bariatric procedures, but at least you have your other health needs covered. Be thankful for that. I know that as soon as I get my sleeve in Mexico Aetna(my current insurer) will start covering the sleeve procedure. It will just be my luck, but I don't want to wait any longer. Bill

Hello, Fellow Austinite here, I have had a consult with Dr. Ganta. I really liked him, he was to do my lap band through True Results. It was during his consult that I decided the sleeve was better for me. Insurance was going to cover the band. I am self-pay for the sleeve, that is why I am going to Mexico. He seemed really informed about the sleeve and I think he preferred it over the band, as long as you were willing accept the increased risks in the first 30 days due to leaks. He told me he had done about 80 sleeves as of August 09. Good luck with your revision.

Everything happens for a reason is my firm belief. Something wasn't lining up for you. Things will work out and you will get your surgery when time is right. Bill

Good job. I like that ticker. I need to get a ticker going myself. Bill

I fit fine in the bath tub. Problem is there is only enough room left for about a cup and a half of Water.:thumbup1: Bill Seriously though, we can take showers right? At least within a couple of days from the surgery?

Great job Mike, Keep up the good work and you will reach your goal in no time. What does Manga Gastrica mean. Bill

Hello, I can't help you with an answer directly because I am not sleeved yet. I have to wait until 12/29/09. There are days when I am scared or worried, but there are more days that I am excited about what lies ahead after the surgery. Like Tiff just said, the increased number of years of a good quality life I am going to experience are about to increase by 20-30 years. I come to this board several times a day just to read the stories everyone is posting about their experiences. Some experiences are bad(not permanently bad, just setbacks that have to overcome), but the majority of them are good. People are getting thier lives back. If I could speed up the clock and get 12/29/09 here quicker I would in a heartbeat. I wish you luck on your journey as it is your's alone to walk, but remember others have already walked it and there are a bunch more coming behind you.