FlyGirl

Hi, I had to have mine removed 10 months post op... I probably should have done it sooner (about 3-4 months out) but I was trying to avoid it. If it's bothering you, it's better to just get it removed.. The surgery isn't too horrible.

Ask you dr for Zorfran for the nausea.. the kind that dissolves under your tounge. If you are getting sick after taking your pills or vitamins try putting it in a spoonful of applesause. Always drink water with electrolites.. Smart Water if you like unflavored, or Zero Vitamin Water/Propel... things like that. Freeze some and eat it like a popcicle. Or pedalyte has popcicles which will help you stay hydrated too. I was very dehydrated after surgery and it was the most miserable feeling I've ever felt. I ended up not being able to keep even a tiny sip down and dry heaved for about 2 days before I went to the ER and found out I had pancreititus. I shouldn't have waited that long. If you can't keep anything down, you'll have to go to the ER. Just being dehydrated can make you feel nauseous so do like other suggested set a timer and take baby sips all the time. Eventually you get back to feeling normal. Good luck & sip sip.

At first I thought I wanted the lap band too, but I am so happy I chose the sleeve instead! I've read about so many people who have gained their weight back with the band or have had horrible complications then require having multiple surgerys to fix all the problems the band gave them. The sleeve is a one time surgery. Yes, i agree the thought of having part of your stomach removed is pretty drastic and scary but think about what can happen with the band... slippage that does require another surgery to fix, scar tissue, your body rejecting it... Most people who have the lap band end up having another surgery to either remove, repair or get a revision to another weight loss surgery. Being a self pay that is something to consider too... Another huge positive the sleeve has over the band is that it controls your hunger. I'm 1 year out and I can eat about 4-6oz of food and I get full and completely satisfied. Good luck with whichever surgery you choose! Keep us posted.

Hi Gina! The hospital gave me one that just wrapped around and velcrod together which was nice because it was adjustable and right after my surgery i was very swollen. It helped me SO much. It's kind of a strange feeling after surgery... the best way I can describe it is that my whole abdomen felt like a bag of marbles... like everything was loose. I wore it all the time, even when I was sleeping. It helped so I could lay on my side without it feeling like everything was moving. That feeling only lasted a couple weeks. I do still wear a "suck it in thing" as I call it... bacially those compression underwear that go up to my ribs. I only wear that because it flattens my belly and helps my love handles go away. Now my mom just had surgery last month in MX and I gave her my wrap they gave me in the hospital and she never used it. She didn't have that feeling that everything was loose... So maybe you won't need it, but very good to have just in case. Good Luck with your surgery!! It's the best thing EVER!!

:cornut: Hi everyone! I had my surgery Nov 16 2010. I remeber feeling just like you all, If you have any questions let me know. I'm almost to my one year anniversary. I started 267 and now 164. So I've lost 103lbs in about 1 year! I still have about 24lbs to go until I get to goal. So just think how awesome you guys will be next year at this time!! :plane: :not_ripe: :party4: :heart: :coolgleamA:

Hi Stacey! I also have BCBS. I have all my dates of everything listed below. I set all of my appointments as soon as I knew what the next step was that I had to do. Just keep all of your information together and follow up on everything. After my info was sent to the insurance I called them everyday to check on the status... (I always got a different person, so I didn't feel like I was being too annoying, lol.) Read all the great info that you can find on this site. It's SO helpful because it seems that everyone has gone through basically the same situations. I love my sleeve and I'm sure you will love it too! It's definatly the best things I've ever done for myself.

Just wondering how much you payed as a self-pay? Where did you have it done? My mom is looking to get the sleeve and just found out her insurance has an EXCLUSION for all WLS. I'm sooo sad for her. So we are going to try to appeal but I'm not sure if that will work if there is an exclusion... If anyone has any input on this we'd really really appreciate it. Thanks

You look great!!!!

Yay, congrats on your date!! Time will fly.. it'll be here before you know it! Those emotions are copetely normal, haha. It'll be all you think about! It definatly was for me anyway. Just try to keep thinking about all the sweet clothes you will be able to buy! And normal size clothes!!!

As soon as I was off pain meds I was ok to drive... but let me tell ya'.. every little bump in the road hurt bad! But then again, I have a very LOW pain tolerance. I stayed on my pain meds for at least a week...

My mom is having her surgery tomorrow morning by dr. Ponce de leon in TJ.. We both have done tons of research and have read every possible thing we could find about him. I'm feeling good about it. I'll post some updates after it's all over... (and I can breathe again!) Good luck with your journey! You will love your sleeve!

I'm 11 months out and still have gurgling and hiccups after everything I eat and almost everytime I drink...

Hi I'm about 10 1/2 months out and still loving my sleeve... down 101 lbs total from my highest weight.

Hope you feel better soon Coops. Once you start feeling better I'm sure that weight will come right off. Pain meds do that to me too. It's frustrating!

You look great Diva! Did surgery hurt really bad? How long did you have to be off work?

Just from looking at other peoples loss and my own experience... It seems like the average is about 10lbs a month. At first it's a lot more per month then it slows way down... For me at about 7 months out I was down around 80lbs now at 10 1/2 months out I'm down 101. In my opinion if you follow what you're supposed to do.. you shouldn't have any problem losing 100lbs. Good luck!

lol, I just bought some of those butt pads from Walmart a couple weeks ago... You can't beat a $10 booty. It looks natural and helps me keep my pants up.

My GI dr prescribed me to take 40mg Omeprazol 2x a day for 6 months. My surgeon said I shouldn't take tums/rolaids or anything like that. But as you know... check with your Dr.. since everyones situation is diffferent.