shanda7182

Im glad that my words could be helpful to you. Definently check out your 401K plan, I was all ready to take "a loan against" mine and pay it back over the course of a few years, however, after I spoke to them over the phone they told me that I qualified for the hardship request because my reason was for medical purposes. I felt finding that out was truly a blessing for me! I mean, it is my money, but they can be so strict with how and when you can take your money. I have not had my surgery yet but I am scheduled to have mine this coming Tuesday, 9/15/09. When I went in for my preop workup, some of my labs were slightly elevated, which required me to recieve some injections, to stimulate my PT and INR values. I am scheduled to follow up with them on Monday to see if my labs have stabilized. For the life of me, im baffled, I have never had such a problem with my labs but like so many have said, nothing is an accident. I am actually at peace with whatever happens at this point. If I go in on Monday and things havent resolved maybe its not meant to be at this time or ever, who knows. But I would love to proceed with the VSG. This whole weight and weight loss surgery thing is such an emotional rollercoaster......its a constant battle. However, I will keep the boards abreast of with my surgery situation on Monday. May I ask, what happened with your lapband (reason for removal), just curious. Otherwise, I really pray that things work out for you. Maybe you can take a hardship out on your retirement. That would be great because you are not required to repay the money.:lol0: I see that you are in Cleburne, TX, where exactly is that? Im in Houston. Please keep in touch. Shanda

Hi, Welcome to the site. I am not a single mother but I am a Christian (hope you dont mind me posting). What you are dealing with is a sticky situation and I see both sides. I have battled with weight all of my life and I have been in some situations, where I have had to make choices about do I give to God or do I do x, y or z. I think you and both know the "biblical" answer to this. But the real answer comes from "what you feel comfortable doing" and can you live with your decision. I made the decision to have WLS, after loosing weight on my on several times and coming to the conclusion that I could no longer continue doing that to myself. I would just say pray, our GOD knows our heart. I took this money from my 401k and some of my savings to finance the surgery. I am taking a risk as well because I will have to be on a super tight budget and I am also planning a wedding BUT I had to prioritize based on what was important to me. Yes my wedding is important but I can marry the love of my life in a box and I would still do it, so I just decided to put my extra money towards making my health and future better for me and my future husband. Here are some option to consider: 1. Have you considered an appeal through your insurance company, many people have done that. 2. Can you take money from your retirement? I was able to take money out on a "hardship" and since it was a medical procedure that I was having, I did not have to pay the money back. (FYI- im only 27 and I figured I would have enough time to build it back up, just throwing out options). So they took a little tax from the money and had it in my acct within 10 days. I would def. advise you to pray about and ask GOD to show you what to do. Sometimes, he gives us a sign or sometimes he speaks through other people. None of us can tell you the right thing but he can, he is our provider, protector, etc. I will keep you in my prayer as well as I am going through some stress right now dealing with my procedure but I am putting it in GODs hands..... Be blessed and let us know:biggrin0:

Hi Daisy, I will know on Monday when I go to the hospital for follow up labs and to have my type and cross done. If everything is on the up and up. I will be sleeved on Tuesday @ 8 a.m. I will keep you all posted.

Congrats on getting a date and a late welcome to VST.com. We look forward to chatting with you regarding your upcoming procedure. Best of luck!

Thank You so much Oregon Rose. They say when two or more are on one accord things happen, in our favor. I believe that what you said will be true as well.

Its okay, Tiff! Sounds like you have alot to look forward to when he comes home. You are going to be one hot couple!:sad0:

Im not in your age group but congrats on getting your sleeve date. Im sure you will be very happy with your results and will be able to enjoy 20+ years of being a normal weight. Keep us posted on your progress!:tongue_smilie:

Welcome GusGus! Glad that you could join us over here, on VST.com. Thanks for sharing insight with me on the other site. Keep us posted on your progress. How are you feeling today? Is the pain gone?

From my research, most people at least say overnight. I know I was told that all of my surgeon's patients go to the ICU (as a extra precaution) right after surgery for 24 hrs, then are transferred to the regular medical-surgical floor for maybe 8-12 hours or so at least. This is mostly for safety and pain control. I was told that I would have a morphine pump directly after surgery, I guess as an outpatient they do oral pain management? I dont know. I wish you all the best in your decision/surgery.

Im glad everything worked out okay for you. Its weird how we can have things "wrong" with us and not even know it. I have not ever in my life had a nose bleed. I would think that someone with a prolonged PT/INR would have at least that. Im starting to think the test results are a fluke. LOL---really, this is bothersome and Im really worried but like we all say, all we can do is take one day at a time and hope for the best. Thanks for your kind words and sharing your experience with me.

WOW Tiff, lovely new pic/hair cute, its really stylish. So if you dont mind me asking do you have a tendency to bleed or "throw clots". Did they just place you on medication, etc? Is it all resolved for you now. Thanks for the words of concern......I am feeling kinda down right now but also in some ways I feel that whatever happens, it will be for the best. Maybe its a defense mechanism? who knows? But I would RATHER have the VSG than to continue to battle obesity for the rest of my life.:cursing:

Thank you so much KayKay! Thanks, I believe it in too and if its GODS will, which I pray and hope that it is, this will all work out. I mean everything has fallen into place so far: the financial means, getting the time off from work, having my short term disability done prior to just in case I have complications, the surgeon, etc. Thanks in advance for your prayers:biggrin0:

PT/INR measures how quickly your blot clots. If its elevated, which mine is, it takes longer to clot: hence per the labs I have a greater tendency to bleed/bruise. So basically, they dont really like to cut on your without have a close watch on those labs. I have never in my whole 27 years had anything with ANY of my labs and I just had some drawn about 2-3 months ago. This is sooo strange. Everything was going picture perfect, my blood pressure was even in the low 100s systolic, when its usually around 130.

Ditto to what Daisy said. In a few years, you will probably see it level out- as bypass and the band have. Once more insurance companies, start to approve the sleeve, more people will start to hear about it, I remember going to a WLS seminar and the sleeve was not even discussed. I happen to hear about it because one of my coworkers had band complications and had a revision to a VSG, when she returned back to work, she looked really good. That is how I found out about the gastric sleeve.:thumbup:

Check, its done. Thanks for the reminder.

Good to hear that you are doing well. It was greating chatting with you the other night! Much success with your sleeve.

Thats a great idea, daisy, I guess I should have thought of that but strangely I didn't. I guess there is just tons on my mind....One week away until VSG, WOW! Time flies! Thank You:biggrin0:

I tend to pay more attention to protein and sodium intake myself. I want to make sure that im not malnourished nor getting in too much sodium. Thanks for responding.

Actually, i have only been making sure to get my 80-90 g of Protein in as well. I also watch the sodium content with broths because it can add up fast. One broth is usually around at least 600 mg of sodium which is alot if you are hypertensive or prone to retaining fluids (if you consume more than 2 or so per day). Anyway, I would love to keep in touch with you. I will email you at your email address and give you my information. This is Day 2 of my liquid diet- I guess every surgeon is different, I was told to avoid Ensure, who knows, I guess its surgeons preference, I dont really know the reason. I am actually to my surprise VERY energetic! LOL I dont know what....my stomach does not rumble much but I think the key is, I have been drinking those isopure 40g, 0 gram drinks and it has really been making me feel somewhat satisifed. My meal yesterday went something like this: 1st: isopure drink- 160 calories 2nd: broth: 10 calories 3rd: 4 sf jello- 40 calories 4th: isopure drink- 160 calories 5th: broth: 10 calories 6th: 4 sf popsiclaes: 40 calories lots and lots of Water and crystal lite in between times. SO I guess that is not too bad and actually today, my thighs feel slimmer. LOL, maybe its because I have been urinating all day (TMI) I know. Thanks for responding, we will keep in touch!:sad0:

First of all welcome to VST I have not been sleeved yet, however, those fears are normal. But just think about it, getting the VSG is suppose to help decease the ghrelin hormone that produces hunger, some people report little or no appetite. That in itself, is a major plus. Also, it significantly reduces the size of your stomach limiting its capacity. So those two factors are very good! I think as long as we are determined to do well and we work our tool, we will be fine!:biggrin0: Although, it will still be a challenge, we will have a little helper to get us through the tough times. Take Care

Hi Lan2K. We will be sleeve sisters, I am going in the same day as you. WE can do this! Good luck and keep us posted on your surgery and weight loss progress...

Looking good! Great results!! Keep up the excellent work!

I have a weird question, are the protein shakes with water considered clears???

Thanks EVERYONE for the advice. I think I will just stock up on the things that you all have suggested (broths, etc) and order the samples. I am so ready but SO NERVOUS!!! Its unbelievable, I never thought I would be this nervous!! However, I look at all of you guys wonderful progress and im thiinking in a month i could be at least 15-20 lbs less!!!!!

Sounds good, Ive heard alot about EAS protein shakes, I will probably buy those. This pre-op diet is KILLING:cursing: me though and I feel as IF I am loosing my best friend "food". Its sad, you dont realize how much you depend/rely on something until you feel that its about to be taken away. I had a MANY food funerals prior to starting this diet but I just decided to do it early, I was eating too much. LOL But I wouldnt dare cheat on this preop diet, I am a nurse and I KNOW the consequences....so I just have to suffer through this..... Thanks for your post op shopping ideas...