gingersnap

I'm 21/2 weeks post op and I want to lose about 90lbs by my Birthday in January, so a little less than 6months. For those of you who have lost a lot and quickly how many calories a day did you consume, what was your secret for success? My nurse wants me to eat around 1,200 but it seems a little high and I don't think I can lose quick enough. I'm thinking that I need to keep it around 800-900 calories! One year ago today my LapBand slipped and had to be removed and I gained 100lbs in about 9months. Gaining all that weight back crushed my spirt and sent me into depression. Honestly, I'm desperate to get the weight off and restore my life. Too late to worry about stretched skin I already have it. I just want to reclaim my life!

I'm in search of the best Military Treatment Facilities in the country that do VSG. My own PCM states that she would have Gastric Bypass/RNY at a civilian clinic instead of the Sleeve if that meant going to an MTF. That statement made me very nervous as I have always used civilian care for anything serious. I've gone to Wright Patterson as a child for some minor procedures and that would be convenient since I have family in Ohio. I'm researching the MTF option but I'm not sure where this rabbit hole will take me. I currently live in Charleston, SC but would travel if that meant I would get the very best treatment. This is a decision that can't be undone and it has to be done right the first time, no do over's. I've considered waiting for Tricare to cover the VSG but it may take a few years. As I understand it Tricare will follow Medicare and they are in the process of approval but need more data before they can make a decision. If you look back at the time frame for the LapBand Coverage Medicare started coverage in February of 2006 and Tricare did not announce coverage until January of 2008. THAT'S ALMOST 2 YEARS!!!! I simply can not wait that long!

If insurance would have covered it for me when my LapBand was removed my doc would have gladly have done it at 160 lbs and I wish I could have!!! So preventing the weight from coming back on may be a reason.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/04/16/weight-loss-surgery-beat-drugs-for-cutting-diabetes-in-very-obese

I'm in the process of getting my Sleeve done at Fort Gordon in the near future but I live about 3hours away in Charleston, SC. So here is my big question. What if after my surgery I have a medical problem say 6months to a year out and I need to go to a civilian ER. It turns out that say I'm dehydrated from not being able to get in enough fluids because I have the sleeve and I'm hospitalized for two days. Will that be covered by Tricare or would I be taking the responsibility for the cost? I'm sure their are a million scenarios out there but I'm trying to get a grasp of what exactly I'm getting into financially. Because it's not just a health risk but a financial risk too!

I'm one week post op today and I'm so tired of clears and I can't seem to tolerate isopure to get in my protein. I'm ready for some protein shakes. Just curious as to when everyone else made the switch from Strict Clear to Full Liquids?

I was sleeved Aug 20th so 2.5 weeks out and I'm only down 12lbs from surgery. My nurse wants me to eat 1200 cal and that seems like a lot to reach my goal of 100 pounds in 6months. So what was the magic number /weight loss recipe for you to succeed?

I've been very private about my surgery but my darn husband decides he needs to share it with everyone at his work. It's not so such much that he has told them more than he has taken that control of who knows away from me. He has told atleast 4 people at work, now they will likely tell their partners and then 4 more people will know. Who knows who they may tell. I was really hoping to keep this nice and quiet with just my family and a couple of my good friends who have also struggled with weight and/or have had WLS. I just wish he didn't feel the need to share why he is out of the office. But at this point it is what it is!!!

Dr. Choi and Dr. Bandera(assisted) at Fort Gordon, Eisenhower Army Hospital August 2012

WOW....can't believe how many of you started so soon on full liquids. I'm suppose to wait another two days until I start on full liquids but I broke down today and had a Protein shake. I had half of it in one sitting and the rest later. On Clear Liquids I'm getting in about 200-300 calories and hardly any protein. My thought is that if I can tolerate it well why not advance slowly into full liquids. I'll wait another couple of days before do more than Protein drinks. But come Wednesday I'm hitting some yummy soup!!!

I was told that when you lose weight that you can become very fertile and right after surgery, the first year is a bad time to conceive.

I'm on a 2 week liquid diet and just wondering how much weight I should be loosing? I'm on Slimfast Protein with about 950 calories.

Pegsue, Best wishes and many blessings on your journey tomorrow! I'll be looking forward to hearing about your journey!

Thanks! I think there are better protein shakes out there too but they have me drinking 5 slimfast shakes a day which makes my protein total! But I'll get to choose my shakes after surgery.

Emeroldzz: How would you describe the recovery as compared to the Lap Band recovery? I'm really hoping to be on my feet soon after because I have two small children.

I've lost 4lbs in the first week, dosen't feel like I'm where I should be!

Band Removed Sept 2007 and Sleeve Aug 20th....trying to survie the the 2 week pre-op diet!

So after you returned from the hospital how long did it take you to feel confident watching your kids again? I have 3 & 6 year old girls with limited access to childcare. I'll have a family member that can watch them during my hospital stay but that is only three or four days. Being a military transplant my family is not located nearby. My 6year old will be in school and my 3year old dosent' usually need to be lifted, she can do a lot on her own. My husband will likely be back to work and not much help during the day. I would love to hear from other moms of young children what it was like taking on the mom roll again!!!!

Thanks ladies!!!! It sounds like I should be up for mommy duties fairly quickly after I get back from the hospital which is good. My sister who is an RN and a former Sleeve patient is planning on being at the hospital with me and I'm hoping I'll get to keep her a few days longer to help with the kids but that's not a sure thing. My 2 C-Sections and 2 LapBand surgeries went well and I'm praying the VSG will go well too! But DRIVING...oh now how long until I'll be driving again? I have to pick up my daughter from school. I guess I'll have to take it easy on the pain meds.

Woohoo!!! Your attitude is contagious! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for asking that question. My recovery from the 2 C-Sections were a breeze, no pain and the meds worked great. Just hearing that gives me a better idea of my recovery.

Cheri, Thanks so much for sharing your experience and congratulations about the twins! I asked my surgeon and he said that Tricare would cover anything that was an "emergency" but nothing routine. So that put my fears at ease. I just hope he is right if I should ever need it. My biggest fear is needing emergency care due to a leak and ending up with $20,000 bill. Congratulations on your weight loss, are you happy with the sleeve?

If my Surgeon Dr. Choi is correct. He states that if their is an emergency Tricare will cover it. However, they will not cover anything routine and I would have to go to an MTF.

I'm pulling for you and hope everything went well! Would love to hear and update on how you are doing!

I've been following the Medicare approval process because as I understand it Tricare will not cover VSG until Medicare does. The Link Below is the supporting letter sent from American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. Please if anyone learns any more about successful civilian Tricare coverage please share!!! http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/GuidelinesStatements/PositionStatement/ASMBS_CMS_Sleeve_Letter_Oct_28_2011.pdf