wannabehealthy

Hi Amy, I was just sleeved Oct.15th and you are going to love it! Hope all went well today! Keep us posted.

I watched this last night and was completely shocked when they mentioned that we don't "diet or exercise", that really upset me. Like it's just another lazy thing to do- go and get surgery. So false. I am really tired of the prejudices obese folks face, it seems ok to say mean things and belittle efforts. It was like the reporter just didn't understand why anyone would have such a "radical" surgery. A lot of people don't realize that this surgery will someday soon become routine for many people of lower BMI's as a cure for metabolic disorders and diabetes. This is what's on the horizon guys~ I've been reading a lot about this. In the end the VSG will save millions of people from the ravages of disease that they are currently living with. And drug companies will try to stop it. They aren't gonna like it one bit. Well, too bad I say!

Great Job! I can't wait to be 18 lbs down. Sounds like you are doing great. Hang in there and yes it's good to get a lot of wt loss while on liquids. Let us know how solids goes for you, I'm 3 days post op. I'm doing great too, walking, sipping and resting. I'm a bit bored though. LOL. Not much to complain about. Take Care

Hi There! I'm *finally* getting my sleeve on Oct.15th and I have a question my doc has not given me a straight answer on- What did you use for pain after surgery? Are you allowed to swallow pills? What about my thyroid pill? I know I can open up the nexium and sprinkle it on a bit of applesauce, but what about pain pills? Ambien? I need my sleeping pill and thyroid for sure and probably pain meds too. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

I had Blue Cross of CA, Anthem. Mine got denied twice and then I sent it for Independent Medical Review and it got overturned. I have a good appeal letter if anyone needs it, PM me. My surg is coming up Oct 15th!

Still looking for answers. Anyone have any thoughts on this topic?? You need a lot of water to swallow thyroid pills and my doc told me to take it w/a sip of water on the day of surgery. I thought it could get stuck in your throat and swell up that's why the bottle says to drink w/a full glass of water. now I'm not sure what to do.

Hi Tiffy! Thanks for sharing! You are doing great and I'm so happy to hear about your life now and how much you are enjoying it. You inspired me and helped me a lot and now it's almost my turn. My surgery is Oct. 15th at UCLA. It's been a long road but will be well worth it I'm sure. Keep up the good work doll!

Yes, it's true!!!! After months of bad news, finally got the good news, I WILL BE GETTING MY SLEEVE! I must thank with all my heart, sleevejeani (formerly jeaniwantsasleeve) for her help with the appeals and IMR review board process. I could not have done it without her. Also thanks to tiffykins for her help. This board is awesome!! Next step is a follow up visit with my surgeon on Tuesday (they haven't seen me since April) and then hopefully I will get a surgery date-most likely in September. I am excited, scared, hopeful, nervous, happy, worried, so many emotions going on. I feel like I've just won a big prize! I still can't believe it!

Thanks! I will know more details on Tuesday. Hopefully even get a date set! :confused1:

Congrats! Good Job!

Hi There, I'm feeling so down, this waiting process is getting the best of me today. I am currently in process-been denied by Blue Cross Anthem, appealed & waited 30 days-denied again. Now I sent in my IMR stuff to Sacramento, which means another 30-45 day wait for an answer, then IF I am approved, my surgeon requires a pre-op visit 30 days prior to surgery (their rules), so that means Sept would be the most likely first opportunity to get a surg date, that is only IF I am approved. I am hopeful that it will all work out, but to be honest, I am SICK of BEING FAT! I hate that another summer is going by and I don't want people staring at me, I have to wear pants to the beach/pool, I am so tired and lack energy, I get winded easily, I don't want to go anywhere, I am sensitive to the sun, I just am not enjoying life anymore. I won a raffle the other day with 2 lift tickets to Mammoth and the "skinny" girl next to me immediately asks "Oh, do you know anyone who skis?" Obvious that being as fat as I am that I cannot ski! I am sick of the discrimination that I feel because of being fat. I want to be treated like a normal human being. I feel like I have to fight every day to not be those stereotypes that the public think fat people are. It's exhausting. I just want to be me. This is not me. This outer shell of 90lbs is not me. Thank God my husband is supportive. He is my rock. Ok, that is my rant, Thanks for listening!

Hi there, it's been a while since I've been on the board, I've been a busy bee, doing all the requirements for the sleeve surgery- nutritionist, classes, homework, lab tests, physical, psychologist evaluation- all came out good and ready to go, only problem is I have been DENIED the surgery due to Blue Cross Anthem states it is "investigational"! I am heartbroken, but I won't give up. I am determined to fight this all the way to the state level. I believe in my doctors at UCLA and my previous surgeons Dr.Francis and Dr. Leport, as well as my primary care doctor, who has known me for over 10 years, when they tell me that this tool will work for me! I am beginning my research for my appeal and would greatly appreciate any advice, help~ anything that will help me win my case and make this dream for a better life a reality. Time is no factor for me, I am a patient person and will continue with my low-calorie diet and exercise regimen in the meantime. Much Love, Kathy

Thank you so much! I am not going to give up-never! I also received help from another great gal who gave me 2 similar letter, so I wrote my appeal today. I will PM it to you, and if you don't mind, can you read it and PM me any further suggestions? You and several others have been so helpful, I just would muddle through helplessly without you!

Hi There! Having had the LapBand for 7 years myself, I now understand that once the complications start, it's time to move on from the band. I wish I had known that at the time and may have possibly avoided the 4 more surgeries I had due to the lapband complications. If I were you, I'd seek revision-it's likely that the lapband is doing some damage in there right now and the less damage the better when going for revision! Good Luck!!

Hi CarrieB, I am in the same boat. I was supposed to have revision done 6/30/09- lap-band to bypass (I did not know about the sleeve at that time), but I had too much scarring due to the band. Now it's April 2010 and I'm still trying to get approval for the sleeve. My original doc does not do the sleeve, so she referred me to another doc and now I have to do the whole program thing again (pre-op wt loss, psych appt, dietician, etc.) Talk about waiting! Also, I have slowly regained most all of the weight over the past year and a half (I had to have a complete unfill the last 6 or so months prior to my band removal due to daily vomiting). I pray that my insurance will approve the sleeve and I come through it with minimal or no complications. Hang in there, at least you have a surgery date, that is great. It could be a full year by the time I get a surgery date again. Despite trying to control what I eat and exercising, I find that I go to bed hungry every night and the scale does not move. It's tough. I really need this tool. Take Care, Kathy

You look great! Congrats! I too am afraid of failing, after several lap-band failures myself. My hubby said to me "if this doesn't work for you, you need to be prepared to accept your body the way it is". What he means is, if the surgeon deems that I am not a candidate for the VSG or if they get in there and during surgery they decide it's not an option for me. (like what happened during my conversion from lap-band to bypass in June last year). I am afraid to wake up to bad news again

Hi! It's been a while since I've been online, I was waiting (what seemed like forever) for my surgeon to refer me to an experienced VSG surgeon, and I FINALLY have the consultation appointment this Tues 4/6 at UCLA with Dr.Mehran! I am so nervous, I am scared that they will reject me for the VSG because I am "damaged goods" since I had the band for 7+ years and when they took it out and tried to convert me to the Bypass, my previous surgeon said my insides were too scarred to do the conversion. She did think I was the perfect candidate for the VSG, since they would be cutting out the damaged part of my stomach anyways. Ok, so here's my question: What kinds of questions should I ask the surgeon at UCLA-I don't want to seem like a "know it all" cause I'm not, but I do know a thing or two about the way one feels after weight loss surgery, since I've been through it (and lots of complications). I am so worried that they will reject my case entirely because I am a revision and they have perfect statistics and may not want someone like me to mess up their stats (in case something goes wrong). I attended their seminar and they boast that they are super strict on who they pick to do surgery on- I'm pinning all my hopes on this-I really need this tool ! Since having my lap-band removed I have gained another 10+ pounds and that is with really watching my foods! Sorry to ramble on- Does anyone have some advice on what kinds of questions to ask, or how to let them know just how serious I am? I've got everything organized in a binder, including my most recent labs, and all of my medical history.

Sounds like a fun NYE! Thanks for posting exactly what you ate, that really helps to know what you eat when going out, my hubby likes to eat out and I never know what to order. Sounds yummy!

One more thing: I want to fit into Halloween Costumes. For years I have wanted to wear cute costumes on halloween, but even the plus sized ones are too small! Next Halloween, I WILL be able to wear whatever costume I want! Yay!

10 Things I want to do when I am free from this weight: 1. Wear a dress without my upper thighs rubbing raw. 2. Wear a bathing suit in public (I always wear pants to the pool) 3. Participate in family activities, such as playing basketball, bike riding, going on walks and hikes, going swimming, going to the gym or taking a fun exercise class- all without people staring :thumbup: or feeling so winded that I have to stop within a few minutes.:svengo: 4. Wear clothes that I want to wear, not just the clothes that will fit me. 5. Shop in "normal" sized clothing stores. 6. Paint my toenails myself. 7. Sit on the floor and be able to get up with ease. 8. Fit into airline seats without encroaching on the person's space next to me, also not bump people with my hips when walking in the isle on an airplane. 9. Not have people stare at me so much! (I live in the O.C., where the standard size is 0) 10. Be small enough so that my husband can pick me up! :seeya:

I agree with you, I think a lot of the principles that I learned with the band will come in handy when I do get the sleeve. It's funny, but I really don't care so much about what I eat, I just always look for Protein first!

Sorry to hear about your complications. In a way, it's good this is happening now and your doc is giving you the option of revision. It must be hard to have the band anyways, being afraid of needles (all those fill/unfills!!) I'm sure the revision will go smoothly, as your band was not in for too long. I wish you luck and keep us posted on your decision/revision date.

Congrats on the weight loss! :thumbup:

When they took my band out, they discovered it has slipped too, who knows how long it was like that. I actually went in for revision of band to bypass (didn't know about the sleeve) and they could not do it, due to the 7 years of damage the band had done. So now I am a perfect candidate for the sleeve. Here are my thoughts: I am soooo glad I did not get the bypass. I went into surgery not really sure if it was right for me, but desperate to get healthy. I was scared of the complications associated with rerouting the intestines and reconnecting it elsewhere. I was worried that I would be one of the many who have complications with this-I've had so many complications already. So, in my case, I think it was divine intervention that prevented me from getting the bypass and has taken me to this new road-the path leading to the VSG. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. (reading these boards has helped tremendously) It occurred to me that I have a friend who has an Aunt who is in her 80's, and she had to have the greater curvature of her stomach removed some 20 years ago due to cancer. She lost a ton of weight and has never once had a problem- it the EXACT same surgery as the VSG!! Even though there is not much data and this is considered a "newer" surgery, in fact it's been around for decades, used for many other reasons, such as ulcers, cancer, etc. And then the person lives a "normal" life, just eating smaller portions. No malabsorption, no leakage, no dumping, and virtually no risk of complications later down the road. I've heard many stories of bypass patients dying from complications of the bypass years after their surgery! That scares me! Take your time and base your decision on all the information you can gather on each surgery. I discovered long ago that my doctor doesn't always know what is right for me, but I do.