TennJenn

I considered the LapBand first before even knowing about VSG. I was researching the LapBand & I kept reading about complications such as slipping, erosion, getting food stuck...then I discovered VSG. I researched it, compared it to the band, prayed about it, talked to dh, talked to people who revised from band to VSG & I decided that VSG was the surgery for me. I don't have to deal with fills, unfills. I don't worry about complications occurring years down the road (slipping, erosion). I was self pay, so I would have had to pay out of pocket for all fills. I would also be responsible if the band would need to be removed. So VSG made sense all the way around. Do your research, talk to everyone you can about both, and weigh the pros and cons to both. Then make a decision based on what YOU need/want. Personally I feel VSG is the better choice, but everyone is different & needs to make a decision that is right for HER/HIM. Good luck!

Maybe I am remembering incorrectly. I don't know. I do remember being very anxious about getting an answer. Since you sent it Friday, I bet you'll get an answer today or tomorrow. But I am sure Nina wouldn't mind you emailing to confirm that they received your forms.

If I remember correctly, I received confirmation that I was approved within 48 hours. I submitted my application while Nina was on vacation & that is one reason it took a bit longer. They are always so quick to get back with you...usually less than a day. Have you submitted your application yet?

Mac, you are too funny! I guess I haven't gotten to that size where I feel good. I mean I feel better, but I still don't feel thin (no sashaying around here...yet!) Thanks for letting me know I am not alone! I am sure we all will be meeting goal & looking back on this before we know it.

Friday afternoon I experienced severe (I mean extremely severe!) pain under my ribs on the right side & it radiated into my back. It came on suddenly & intensified rapidly. I couldn't stand up straight I was hurting so bad. (I have a very high tolerance for pain, but this kicked my a$$) My dh was home fortunately so he was going to drive me to the ER, but I told him I couldn't make it. DH called the ambulance & within minutes of getting off of the phone with them, the pain just went away. The first thought that came to my mind was a leak! I admit I was terrified. But then when the pain just disappeared, I figured it probably wasn't a leak (especially because I don't have any other symptoms). The paramedics came in & did and EKG...my heart was perfect. They agreed that it didn't sound like a leak since the pain stopped. They said it sounded just like a gallbladder attack. So, I did some research later on it & sure enough that's what it sounds like to me. They said sometimes it takes several "attacks" before anything shows up on the tests. I knew gallbladder attacks were somewhat common in WLS patients, but I'm only 1 month post-op. Anyone have any experience with this? I do plan to discuss this with my PCP...I'm just trying to hold off on going in until my 3 month post-op appointment. We've had a lot of medical issues in the family the past few months & the bills are racking up...It's been a pretty bad year for us this year! :biggrin0:

I had the same thing happen to me post-op! I would dream about eating a chip before remembering that I was on a liquid only diet. The good news is that once I went to mushies, those dreams went away! I have four kids at home & I had to prepare their meals each day...that was very tough while I was on liquids. I had a few breakdowns where I cried, but you know what??? I made it through it & I am 30 pounds lighter just 7 weeks post-op! I did leave the room while others were eating (when it was possible, sometimes it just wasn't). It is tough, but it is only a short amount of time...hang in there.

I'm not a revision from band, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. There are several here who have revised from the band to the sleeve. I'm sure they will chime in and answer any questions you have. Good luck!:001_wub:

We all know kids can be funny. Today my four year old dd said something I found funny & thought I would share. It's not hysterical, but I thought my fellow VSG'ers could appreciate it. :wink0: I had already fed my kids & was eating my lunch. My four year old dd came up to me and politely asked, "Mommy is your tummy hurting?" I was a bit confused by her question because I didn't think I was making faces or anything, but her next words cleared it all right up..." I can eat that for you if your tummy is hurting." :redface1: I guess my kids are learning my new way of eating. They are getting used to finishing off my food. Just thought I'd share.

I love iced tea, so I do have it occassionally. If I make it at home, I make decaf. But if I get it on the go (Chick-fil-A tea is the best!) it has caffeine. Since I am monitoring my blood pressure, I have found that it definitely raises my blood pressure. I know I had always heard that, but since I am not on medication for my bp anymore it definitely shows!

I don't know if it was tape burn, but I had two spots where the tape was that got irritated & itched like crazy.

I'm glad it's okay to eat, too. We keep it in the house b/c I think it's a prefect snack for the kids. And it smells so good popping that it's hard to resist!

I believe it's completely normal. VSG is a life altering surgery. As Bearded mentioned, you will not be able to eat like you did before. You will have to make changes to your lifestyle. Period. For me, I focused on the reasons I needed/wanted the surgery. I knew my trend...lose a few pounds, gain it back plus some. Being only 28 at the time of surgery, I was especially concerned about having surgery. But I knew that I wanted to enjoy the rest of my 20's & I wanted to enjoy my babies while they are still little. I had heard many people say they wished VSG would have been available when they were younger. I've never heard anyone say they wished they had never done it. If you are truely undecided, then I suggest you research a bit more & make a list of pros/cons. If you know in your heart you are doing the right thing but you (like me) worry a lot & your mind is questioning things when your heart knows the truth, then you have to overcome those fears. It is scary. But so was my emergency c/section. But it had to be done so both my baby & I could stay alive and remain healthy...I looked at VSG the same way. It had to be done so I could be healthy. For me & my family this has been one of the best decisions we've made. Mommy is happier & healthier so everyone in the family benefits! As far as pain goes, I have a high tolerance for pain...the pain was barely noticeable. The worst pain comes from gas and is usually short lived. I don't consider the VSG a painful procedure at all. It was NOTHING compared to recovering from an emergency c/section! Can I ask...do you have family support?

I haven't paid attention to that, but now that you mention it I do think the stress incontinence has gotten better. I can't remember any episodes since surgery. That would be a blessing! After having 4 babies, crossing my legs while sneezing became normal! It wasn't bad, but enough to be aggrivating.

Update: Gaby emailed back & said I should not worry about it. It's not true that it can get stuck in the staple line & cause problems. So, I guess I can officially stop worrying about it now!

Vegas, you sound very much like my dh. He is a person that never worries and he can't understand why I worry so much about anything & everything. Then again, I don't understand why I do either! I struggle everyday with giving my cares to the Lord. I have gotten better through the years, but it is still a part of my Christian life that I struggle with. As far as emailing Gaby, I emailed her after I read the thread about popcorn. I never thought about it before or while eating it. I emailed her today asking if it was to be avoided. I'll let you all know her response. I've atleast let the popcorn worry pass. Right now I'm worrying about taking all of the kids to the library this afternoon! I'm mainly worried about my 2 year old. He's always loud in there! :lol0:

I confess...I'm a chronic worrier! I can't help myself. My dh says I search for things to worry about. Perhaps he is right. Vegas, thanks. I thought the same thing...once on solids I should be able to eat whatever I can tolerate. That's why I didn't give it a second thought. I've emailed Gaby to be sure, though. Okay, now what can I worry about? :lol0:

Our co-pay is 20% and it is frustrating! It's supposed to be 20% of the allowable, but many times the staff figures our part on the actual charges & thus we end up over paying up front only to wait to be re-imbursed. I like that our pediatrician doesn't collect from us up front, but waits to see what the insurance pays & then bills us. That way I don't overpay...but most offices won't let you out the door until you pay for services "at the time of service". The funniest example I have is when I delivered our last child. A lady from billing came in to my room the night before we were to be discharged & showed us the papers indicating what we would owe. It showed over $1000 being due, but if we paid in full right there they would accept just over $900. Well, I told dh there is NO WAY we would end up oweing that much...I figured they didn't account for the "write offs". I was right; a few weeks later we got the bill from them & it was just over $300 total! Now if we'd have paid the $900, we'd probably still be waiting for a re-imbursement check!

Thanks again, everyone. Today & yesterday have been better. We had several dr. appointments today so dh picked up Chick-fil-A for supper tonight. I ate 1/4 of a chicken salad sandwich (I took off one of the pieces of bread). I guess I did a good job eating slowly & chewing well because it went down great & I never got that stuck feeling. :smile1: I've been trying to choose more moist foods as well. I have found that drier foods don't sit well with my new tummy yet. Anyway, I'm feeling more confident today & actually feeling quite normal (whatever normal is! :laugh0:)

I am so glad you posted this. I was thinking about this a few days ago. Since surgery, I haven't EVER felt the need to pee. I used to get up first thing hurting because I had to go so bad. Now I get up and forget to go sometimes... then when I do I'm like, "Wow! I didn't realize I had that much in there!" Kinda weird!

That is high, but as Mac said they always bill the insurance company high, the insurance company "wirtes off" most of it & only pays a fraction of what was billed. It's ridiculous if you ask me! I loved knowing from the beginning how much my total "package" would cost me. I wish it were the case with all healthcare here.

From what I've seen in my research is the stomach is still swollen & that is the reason it is very tiny during the beginning. I think it takes a while for all of the swelling to go down. I'm not sure it stretches...althought I guess it could a little, but definitely not back to the way it was.

Thanks for the tips! I'll give them a try. Mac-your post made me feel so much better! I really appreciate it. I tend to be a compulsive worrier...so my dh says! :lol0:

Thanks, Vegas. I feel a bit better now. I knew it would be hard, but I never realized just how fast I ate & how little I actually chewed my food until now. I have tried putting my fork down between bites & it helps some. I seriously considered timing my eating...setting a timer for so many minutes and only taking bites when the timer goes off. I know that sounds silly! The one time I did great with eating & felt no discomfort afterwards was when I cut everything on my plate up into "baby" size bites & only ate one baby size bite at a time (something recommended by Dr. Aceves). It all went down well & I guess I ate slower (not sure why, but I did). I've also noticed that I eat slower if I'm busy (like while I'm schooling the kids or on the computer). I guess if I'm simply eating & it's my main focus, I just get carried away. I'm trying so hard to change my habits. That's one thing I like about the sleeve...it's forcing me to deal with some food issues that needed to be dealt with anyway.

That is great, Norma! I think it's very important to have a supportive PCP. Sounds like yours is awesome! :confused1:

cajun- I can't remember where I found that. I just thought it was cute!