BamaXpress78

Thank you all for the encouragement!

Great job, loly13! 57.4 lbs is awesome...just think you'll never have to see those again. Today is finishing week 10 for me since pre-op, 9 weeks since surgery. I am down 70lbs overall and I already feel so much better having that weight off. As you can see by my tracker, I have a lot more to lose than most on here and I can tell it is starting to slow down some. However, 3-5 lbs a week would not be slow to anyone who didn't have surgery so I guess that keeps it in perspective. Keep up the good work, we're both closing in on that 100lb mark...can't wait!

I had the same fear going into the Dr's office for my followup. I can tell you I was amazed the I felt literally nothing when the nurse pulled them out. I had 4 small incisions with staples (probably 9 staples total). Of course the nurse told me that sometimes it depends on who and how they take them out but I'm sure you will have no problems.

Ok, I've read about the stalls (especially the third week) but for those of you who have lost a lot weight, what was it like early on for you? I think my expectations were that I had so much to lose and was eating so bad before surgery that perhaps I wouldn't have a stall for awhile and lose 7-8 lbs a week for the first 6-8 weeks. Maybe my expectations were too high but when you have 220 lbs to lose the quicker the better. Here has been my weight loss per week over the last 6 weeks. As you can see I had a great pre-op week and first week after surgery but the last two weeks things have really slowed down. I know better than to ask for a pity party on here so what I'm really looking for is insight from someone who has lost 200lbs with the sleeve or well on their way to losing 200 lbs how long it took that first 100 lbs to come off. Hopefully I'll be on here in 2-3 months reporting that the first 100 is gone and on to the second 100. Thanks! Date Weight Weekly Lbs 10/26/2011 440 0 Highest Weight 11/2/2011 435 -5 11/9/2011 435 0 Start Pre-Op Diet 11/16/2011 420 -15 Surgery Date 11/23/2011 408 -12 11/30/2011 401 -7 12/7/2011 398 -3

Congratulations! The video on your blog is awesome! I am ready to run through a brick wall after watching it! Keep up the good work and keep us updated on your progress. Hopefully I'll be right behind you with my first 100 lbs gone in a few more months.

Hi FlawedMan, Thanks for your post! We are almost identical in starting weight and surgery weight. I just had the surgery on 11/16 so it is very encouraging to see how much progress you've made in that short amount of time. As of this morning I am 392 so that puts me at a loss of 48 overall and 28 since surgery. I am hoping to break the 300 barrier by my birthday on May 2nd. If you don't mind me asking what are your eating in a typical day? How many calories?...protein?...water/fluids?...and carbs daily? What are you doing for exercise? Starting Wednesday I can add chicken/fish/ground meat to my diet which should help me with the Protein but right now I'm averaging about 62g protein, 450-500 calories, less than 30g carbs, and about 65-70oz liquid a day. I'm trying to walk about 30min a day but it seems like if I have a day I can't get outside to walk I actually lose more than the days I do walk. Congrats on your achievement so far and let us know when you hit another milestone!

Thanks everyone for the replies! I am glad to report that the past 3 days I've lost a lb a day so things are moving along again. I am still having a hard time getting all my Protein and fluids in to the degree I would like. I'm averaging about 65-70 oz liquid and about 65 grams of protein. I am keeping my carbs below 30-40 daily which has been harder on the soft food stage. Once I add meat in next week I can have a lot more protein options and hopefully that will help. How are you all doing food wise? Do you find that higher liquid/protein/lower carb helps with the weight loss?

So I was sleeved 11/16, had 6 days Clear liquids, followed by 8 days full liquids. I am moving on to soft foods and so far I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing is normal or not. Here goes... I tried a scrambled egg with just a splash of FF Milk and put a small amount of shredded cheese on top to melt. First few small bites seemed ok but by 3rd bite I started feeling alot of pressure and discomfort in my stomach. Almost to the point where I had to stand up to relieve it. For lunch, I just made a 1/2 cup of FF Refried Beans with a small amount of LF Cheese on top. Again, first few bites went fine but by 3rd or 4th bite it felt uncomfortable. To explain the "uncomfortable" feeling further, it was as if a fish was swimming around in my stomach and it had too much air in it. I was able to burp a few times and that gave temporary relief but I stopped at 1/4 cup because it just didn't seem right. So did everyone go through a transition like this when you went from liquid to soft? Does it get better or is this just the new experience of eating food with the sleeve?

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I guess I imagined that if I took small bites (which to me is basically about 1/4 teaspoon), chewed really well, and waited a couple of minutes between bites then I wouldn't have any problems. But after thinking it over maybe my bites were a little larger than they should have been and maybe the couple of the bites I didn't wait long enough. I completely get the restriction part and so glad that I have this working for now. I am just going to have to give it some time as far as capacity. Tonight for dinner I boiled and egg and made some egg salad (using light mayo, greek yogurt, and seasonings) and it went down really well not to mention I didn't miss the gobs of full fat mayo I used in the past to make it. Thanks again for all your help and advice!

I was sleeved on 11/16 and I have prescriptions for Nexium (packet) and Carafate. I take the Nexium first thing in the morning and had been drinking liquids about 20-30 min afterward, then waiting 20-30 minutes and taking the Carafate. My concern is I found a comment on a website about Nexium that said you should take on an empty stomach, which I do with exception of a little Water beforehand, and then wait at least 1 hour before taking food. I did not receive any special instrutions on my prescription of Nexium. The Carafate just states to not take an antacid within 30 min before or after taking it and that is why I take it at least 30 minutes after the Nexium. Now in another week I'll start all of my bariatric Vitamins. I cannot get my head around how I am going to space out taking Nexium, Carafate, 3 Calcium Citrate Chewables, 2 Multivitamin Chewables, a B12, all of my Protein supplements, plus food and water. Can someone give me their experience on timing of everything (especially the nexium and carafate) and how to fit everything into a day without having to stop what you are doing every 15-30 minutes to do food, water, medicine, or protein supplements. I mean I work from home and have an advantage in that but still I have to work and can't stop constantly. I just assumed I could break everything down to 4 or 5 events a day plus sip on water throughout the day but that doesn't even seem possible.

Just some random thoughts going through my head before the big day... After jumping through all the hoops required to get to this point I finally have a surgery date for 11/6. I was kind of surprised they only want me to do liquid diet 8 days prior to surgery but I'm not complaining. I have struggled the past week with not eating well but hopefully today I'll get that under control. I really shouldn't complain too much about the hoop jumping because insurance-wise this has been a fairly easy process but I still have that thought in the back of my mind that something is going to happen and they'll say they aren't going to pay. I'm just going to put those thoughts to rest, be positive, and not worry until I have a reason to. It is encouraging that I have found several posters who have lost 200+ lbs. I don't care how you lose it but to accomplish that takes dedication and discipline and I am getting my mind ready for the challenge. This is an opportunity to change my life in the most positive way since I married my wife 5 1/2 years ago. She has been very supportive in my decision to have this done as well as the very few close family members that I've told. I have never so much as been admitted to a hospital, no outpatient surgeries, so I'm telling myself maybe this is a good thing because if it is a very bad experience at least I don't have to suffer through the weeks of dread going into it. Sometimes its good to be oblivious until after the fact. As of now I'm planning to take off 6 days, work 2 days, and then off another 4 days. I would like to keep those 2 extra days to take off around Christmas but I'll use them if I'm still struggling at that point. I work from home so I know I'll have an easier transition than most. I guess that's it for now, I just wanted to get these thoughts out and anyone is welcome to comment. I appreciate the opportunity this sites gives us to see what others have experienced, learned, and allow us to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead.

Thanks Sleevie! I'm sure I'll have that moment of what the %^$ have I done to myself but I'm sure as soon as the scale starts moving in the right direction that will be my confirmation. Good luck on your journey as well.

Another future sleever from Calera, AL here. I found out I was approved yesterday. All of my pre-reqs are complete except the nutrition class. Dr. Schmitt will be my surgeon. How are you all doing since the surgery? I've never spent the night in a hospital or even had outpatient surgery but so far I'm not nervous. I think mostly I'm just concerned with the change in eating habits with eating smaller, slower bites and not drinking with meals.

So I took a leap a faith a few weeks ago and went ahead with sleep study and all the other requirements just hoping insurance would not come back and say I had to have a 6 month diet or not cover me altogether. Seems things like this never go my way but I was excited to get the news that not only are there no other hoops to jump through but they have already approved and the approval letter is in the mail. I don't have a date yet but I can't wait, the sooner the better!

I have UHC ChoicePlus as well but after spending an hour on the phone earlier this week and being transferred to 7 different people in different departments I still don't know exactly what my requirements are. No one could tell me anything other than it is on my policy and what the coverage pays toward it. I finally gave up and just told the administrator at my surgeon's office that I'll wait for her to get that info back from my insurance. As far as the 5 year BMI, do you have any comorbidities? I would think that if you do then the BMI requirement may only be 35. Even if you don't know about any now I would do the sleep study because most overweight people suffer from sleep apnea whether they know it or not. Anyway, good luck with your situation I hope it all turns out in your favor.

So I had my initial consultation with surgeon yesterday and all went very well. The only catch was he requested I do a sleep study prior to surgery. I was a little surprised because I don't snore (according to my wife) and I have trouble with insomnia where I can't go to sleep but once I get to sleep I rarely wake up in the middle of the night. I researched my insurance and basically I have $1100 deductible with about $900 left this year so instead of that going toward my surgery, now I'm going to have to pay that toward sleep study plus the surgery copay which does make a difference. Also, based on what insurance told me I should not have to do the 6 month diet requirement. However, I've read enough horror stories on the forum to know that you don't always get the right information. The administrator at the surgeon's office said she would be in contact with my insurance and get the requirements in writing but I'm not sure how long that is going to take. So my fear is if I have the sleep study done now and for whatever reason I have to wait to meet requirements for insurance approval until next year then I'm out the deductible this year plus will have to pay the deductible next year. I have read several posts referring to some other surgeons in the area that do not require the sleep study but I REALLY like the one I have chosen and the hospital he is affiliated with so I hate to change at this point. Has anyone been through this type of scenario before and if so how did you handle it?

Approximately 10 years ago I went to a weight loss surgery seminar and honestly it scared me to the point I decided I could do this on my own (at that time I weighed 330lbs). This past weekend I went back and now after hearing about the VSG procedure I know that it is time for me to get this done. I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow afternoon and have filled out all the paperwork. My main concern is that I haven't really had a 6 month supervised diet with a primary physician. I've tried weight watchers, personal trainer, eating plans, gyms, weight loss clinics, etc and yes I can lose a few pounds quickly I just cannot sustain the weight loss more than a month or two. I am hoping and praying that I meet the requirements, insurance approves the procedure, and by some miracle we can find the money to pay all the copays that will be required. My wife just started nursing school so money is not exactly growing on trees around here at the moment. I would appreciate any feedback anyone has to offer on their experience with UHC insurance and also anyone that has lost A LOT of weight as a result of VSG. I have 200+ pounds to lose and I feel like this is my last chance to turn it around.

Thanks ravenjeh! I hope tomorrow goes well for you too. The good news is I called UHC and my policy does cover wls but at 80% after my deductible. My annual out of pocket maximum was $3200 so at least I know it won't be any more than that. They couldn't really tell me all the "hoops" my policy required but I figure worst case scenario if I have to start going to primary doctor next week for 6 months it may be that long before we could put back the money anyway. I don't think the surgeons and hospitals will work with you like they did in the past on payments but knowing that some people have to pay themselves I'm not going to complain. Good Luck!