Gijane2012

I love it.....your pics provides me so much inspiration. I can't wait until I'm at that point. We look like different people but we are the same....WOW!

I called insurance company today and found out I am approved to have lapband removed and gastric sleeve. I am so elated. I wanted my surgery ASAP but I have a vacation scheduled so I had to wait until after the vacation. I am disappointed but happy at same time. Waiting gives me an opportunity to get my mind right. I know this will be my last vacation looking like this. I will do a video of my transformation. I have hated being in front of the camera but I know this is purposeful. I need to see this change. I have decided to share this surgery with a select few as I had what I felt to be a public failure with my lapband. I don't anticipate failing but how about a success that speaks loudly on its own. August 23rd is my rebirthday. Thank you God for all you've done and allowing me this blessing. I look forward to this journey of those who have gone where I am going. I look forward to encouraging those who are waiting to get where I currently am. I am so glad this site is here to hear this voice that has been quiet too long. I have to change my profile picture now.............because I am smiling big now.

Ok Ms_Fierce, we gonna all do this together. Our new journey unfolds at the same time.

VST has become my life. I am on here all the time reading (and sometimes writing). This site has been more than I ever expected. In a couple of days, I drift off on a cruise and I am pretty sure I won't have full Internet access the way I am used to. I will write still but in my journal. When I return I will be in day 3 of my pre-op diet. Quite honestly, I went in for my ECG and it showed abnormal results. Now I am praying this doesn't impact my surgery. The cardiologist has to read it today and I will go from there. I almost hate I asked for a copy of the results....it isn't like I understand it. I just read what was written at top....normal sinus rhythm, cannot rule out anterior infarct, abnormal ecg. I mean, I got the document so my pcp could see it on Thursday when I go in. I am near regretful I got it but I am hoping it is nothing beyond something that can get better post surgery. Praying it is not something that would prevent surgery. At the least, if there is something wrong with my heart, that it is something in the beginning and can be address. Overthinking.....got to be patient.

Good info maxskillz. I haven't started my pre-op yet, mine is 5 days. I used to fast a long time ago for a week, 2 weeks and the longest is a month. The first 2 to 3 days are the most challenging but after that (or at some point) you start to feel a high like you can do it all your life. I am hopeful I will experience this when I start my pre-op on 8/18. My biggest challenge is I will be on an 8 day cruise..at least it starts toward the end of the cruise. Good luck but make it fun like Maxskillz. Keep us posted.

BigDaddy lets definitely stay in touch regarding the process. I went in for pre-op consultation today. I had to start process early as I am going out of country the end of this week and will return the week of surgery. Crazy thing is while I am gone, I start pre op diet. I won't be in a "controlled" environment so I hope I am able to work this out....discipline. Thanks SML1997....love and appreciate the support from you and the many other Sleevers or Soon To Be Sleevers. Life is great!!!

I am in divorce proceedings with the Lapband. As a matter of fact, the same day the divorce becomes final, I will marry The Sleeve. The Lapband didn't hold up to its promises, often time having me dehydrated, slimming, or plain vomiting. As committed as I was to it, it wasn't commited to me. Eventually it couldn't even hold its own..................got a leak. When I went to the dr. for counseling, he told me he could repair our relationship or I could go in another direction. I told the doctor, there was no repair, The Band failed me and it needed to leave as soon as possible. He said he could replace The Band, the doctor wasn't listening to me. I told him I gave The Band 3.5 years of my life. The Band made me think I was the problem and all along it failed me and often made me sick than healthy. When the doctor told me about a new Beau in town, I immediately became excited. I wasn't sure if I measured up but the doctor told me he wouldn't fail. He told me the new Beau called The Sleeve was making a lot of women happy........................hmmmmm, and some men. I thought, "Shut the front door." He told me he hasn't met anyone who divorced The Sleeve.....as a matter of fact he said the marriage is permanent. Before I decided to move forward with this marriage, I asked a bunch of questions and researched my soon to be permanent partner. After my due diligence I set the date.....we are getting married on 8.23.12. I know this is a marriage made in heaven, I keep hearing about others who made the same commitment and they have nothing bad to say. As a matter of fact, they said it is a little bumpy a for a few days in the beginning but they couldn't understand what took them so long to see Mr. Right. Yep, so yes, in sickness, or health and until death do we part.......................I am commiting my life to Sleeve.

In a couple of hours I will meet with Surgeon's office to find out more about what I need to do prior to my 8/23 surgery. I am a little nervous things went too fast and they forgot something. You see, I was there in June when they realized my Lapband was defective. I had that surgery several years ago. The doctor had the patient coordinator submit a request to insurance company to have Band removed and for me to get Sleeved. Once approved, we scheduled this date and surgery date. I was like, "don't I need to do something in between?" Initially they told me no. Well, persistant me called back about a week ago and asked again. The patient coordinator told me I needed my PCP to give me clearance for surgery. I am like, "wtf" and at the same time, like what else will you spring on me. Time is of the essence because at the end of this week I go out of the country and won't return until the week of surgery. I have limited days to do things and I like to plan and be prepared. I definitely don't want to be rescheduled because I did not have a particular test or something. I know when I went through process for LapBand, I had some tests......................just can't remember them. I hope there are no issues. My mind has been focused and on countdown for this date and 8/23/12. I don't think I could reset my mind on a day further away...........I don't want to. I am so fixated on this surgery that I was going to cancel my vacation travels out of the country losing some thousands of dollars. I did not care that is how much I want the surgery. I am like, my vacation won't be televised anyway....I will likely not be in any picture. I am so fixated on this surgery that my decision to have it the week I return back to work is premeditated for "ops, I am not feeling well..........can't make it to work for a few days....must have been something I ate while on vacation." If the surgeon could do it right now, I would. Fortunately I have friends in my life that have been helping me navigate. I was told to go on the vacation, have fun, get my mind right for this surgery. I am like, ok but whatever at the same time. I need to get this body right. My mind is on next year's vacation. I went shopping yesterday for this vaca and I am like, "I'm spending money on clothes I probably won't fit in a month or so from now." I have tried to diet before this vacation but that is the biggest contradiction ever. Yeah, I watched what I ate and did well for a while. At the same time, my mind was on not being able to have food as I know it. I don't know. The great thing is when I am on vacation I actually eat better than at home. Yes, most people come back from vacation with weight gain, I will come back with weight loss. I have digestive issues thus I don't want any problems so since I won't be in a controlled environment, I have to control myself. So, if it was up to me...bump vacation, I could be like many of you reading this blog and having surgery scheduled for 8/09, counting down to this Thursday but nope, I have to wait about 3 weeks....as long as they don't reschedule me, I'm happy.

Thanks Mae......just having a little fun.

Thanks Melissa, Keep in touch regarding your journey. New beginnings........

Good luck to the both of you. My date is 8.23....not nervous yet.

Saramoni, we will be experiencing our weight loss journey together. My surgery is 8.23. I look forward to change and Dooter thanks for letting us know how drastic things may be during the healing process but eventually a new normal will kick in. Good stuff!

Hey, I think it is awesome. What I got in between your words is you put your job first as you were obsessive with your work and that obsession likely led to your promotion (great, dedicated employee). Now, you have done something for you and you are happy. I say embrace it. I do believe it will settle down. You sound like you are a great worker and even if this "slacking" thingee you are doing as you think of yourself is probably minimal in they eyes of "normal" workers. The one thing about "us" is that we barely gives ourselves a break. I say embrace your excitement and you are undergoing your change. I think your work compass will guide you and redirect you if you are falling off the horse too many times. You deserve to be excited about this so don't minimize it or take away from it. I totally relate to what you are feeling......I truly think you will be okay. Hang in there.

Hey, Hang in there ladies. I was obsessed with the approval process. I called the coordinator on a regular basis and the insurance company (BCBSIL). Now, first of all, that obsessive calling (little exaggeration there) is not my typical MO (Method of Operations) however I felt I needed to make it happen. I need to stop waiting on people to do what they are "supposed" to do anyway. I respect professionals as I am one too but even in my work, as good as I may think I am, people will "obsessively" call me for follow up. You know what, they get quicker responses. Remember the insurance company is easier to call because they are an "entity." The same person is highly unlikely to answer the phone, plus, it is the insurance company to want to speak to now. When I did find out I was approved, I asked the insurance company to fax me approval letter and then I faxed it to the coordinator. I save about a week of waiting. I am tired of being passive in this thing called life. I decided to be more involved. The insurance company told me when and what they rec'd from the patient coordinator. They told me when it was under review. Yes, they say a week or so but it really takes them a couple of days. I got stalled a bit because they did ask for additional informaiton. Around that time the patient coordinator was out for a few days (holiday). When I talked to her she resubmitted referral. The point I'm making is make it happen for yourselves. I could not imagine being denied. I said if I was, then I am going down knowing I did what I could to get approved....involved in the process. I also sent my own letter to the insurance company. I don't know if it made a difference or not. I wrote out an Affidavit of My Weight Loss Experience.....had it notarized. I told myself I needed...NEEDED to feel I did all I could to make it happen. I felt obsessive...and I use that word because I have never focused so much energy on something for MYSELF (maybe others but never me). Be encouraged and if you feel something in your heart will make a difference...do it. BCBSIL told me when they rec'd info from doctor's office and that helped me. My patient coordinator had told me she submitted something weeks earlier....and she either didn't (which I believe she did not) or insurance company did not receive it. If I did not not take steps on my own....I could still be waiting.

Sounds like you are doing great. No, I don't know anyone or read about anyone who is vegan and has had this surgery. It does not mean no one has and it definitely does not mean you cannot do it. You can. As far as the calorie reduction, you have to take in consideration the stomach size is reduced thus, easier to get full (less calorie intake). Do not overthink this. You've been successful as a vegan which is a challenge in this meat/diary filled world and you will be successful once you have this surgery. Believe in yourself and if there is no one who is a vegan and has had the surgery (which I doubt...they probably haven't posted), then you become the pioneer. Don't fallback now. Yes, you've shown you can lose weight on your own but most of us have done that too....our problems have been maintaining long term weight loss....this surgery will aid in you getting there. Believe in yourself and you shall overcome your fear and anxiety.

Thanks all, I appreciate the support so much. This site is a great sounding board and it is definitely a blessing to me....us. Life is good and will be better.

Hi, This blog is NOT about my frustration with the Sleeve nor my frustration waiting to be Sleeved. I am actually excited knowing I will be Sleeved and the fact that it is August, the wait does not seem so far away (8.23). My frustration is with my life....more specifically my job. In a nutshell, I recently got promoted to a job that puts me in the spotlight of the organization I work at. I am not a person who feeds off everyone knowing my name or having power/control issues. I, like many, just want to do the best job I can do. Well, there is so much resistance from various departments....................I just want to go back to my comfort zone of a job that does not challenge me. Well, and honestly, I believe they don't take me serious as I'd want because of my weight. The fact that yes, I am uncomfortable too with it probably sends that energy out into the universe. I hate people are vain. I feel like the only way for me to truly be heard is to become someone I am not.....a b@#$%. It should not be this way....I am just tired of power struggles with people. As old as I am, I've actually been blessed to not work in an environment like the one I am in now. No, I am not thinking once I get Sleeved, my problems will disappear.....I still have work to do inside out. I am venting and this site has become my venue. I know my life will change and with that and maybe a better/different job will come along. Right now....job, I need the insurance, lol....serve your purpose. So glad it is Friday. In another week, I will be on vacation. I need it. I will use that time to get my mind right. My relationship with food, possible depression post surgery...all those things I've read about. I will be ready on 8.23.12. Thanks for being a venue to release mental frustration.

Hang in there..gonna write more later (computer acting up). Be encouraged.

Hey, Just want to say this site has been my godsend. I have never gravitated to something so effortlessly before. I could read and respond to posts all day. I feel like I can be emotionally naked here. It is give and take. I love VST. I am on FB but I don't post. I am on Twitter but I don't tweet. I encourage newbies to really utilize this site. I know when i had Lapband, I went to their forum but it never resonated with me. I am thankful for Alex for providing us a forum to share. I've had the opportunity to communicate with several people who are having surgery by with same surgeon. I mean, perhaps if I was at surgeon's office I could have had a general conversation with someone in the reception area but lets get real, people are not going to share like they do on this site. Happy soon to be loser, Michelle

Hey, Are you having surgery at Westlake Hospital? I've never been there....always West Sub in OP. What is your pre-op diet, rather, what are your instructions? You have to start it two weeks before surgery? I am wondering if I should call them. I haven't done any testing. I go in 8.6 for pre-op consult but I leave for vacation later that week. I need to find out more information from them because I will be on an 8 day cruise and I get back the weekend before my surgery. I am so tired but being on this site calms me. I've worked all day and all I want to do is read....................but I need to go to bed. Thanks, M

Yes, congrats on you on your surgery today. Also, Nina88, congrats on your 8.01 surgery on Wednesday. We're all soon to be LOSERS, yay!!!!

Hang in there jar312. I haven't had surgery yet but I've read a lot of post surgery posts. It seems like the first day after surgery is worse for pain. The burping as merritt60 indicated will go away over time. It seems like you are experiencing is typical of posts so be encouraged that better days are coming. Wonderful your hubby is supportive of this journey for you. Keep us posted.....feel better.

Awesome...the title itself got me energized. Keep up the great work....sounds awesome. Also, I see you are from Aurora, Colorado.....may God be with you and all the residents of Aurora....that has impacted us all. Keep losing and acknowledging you are not where you want to be but you are far from where you were.......Great job!!!! Love the energy!!!

Hi Amanda, I think you will be fine. Calm down and believe things will go smoothly. Keep with your pre-op diet. I have not had my Sleeve surgery but I had Lapband surgery. I followed the protocol of the pre op and my surgery went smoothly. This is your time so stick to the plan and own "your time"....no need to worry. Make Sunday your best pre-op day. Michelle.

They have chocolate and vanilla....I.bought chocolate....going to get vanilla too.