lordservnt

I wouldn't go into surgery even slightly dehydrated. It is harder to start your IV and for your recovery. Just stick to your pre-op diet because post-op is no piece of cake. It does take motivation to avoid head hunger and not eat junk you shouldn't or graze all day. I would recommend being in the best possible mental state before even heading to your operating room. Sometimes when the doctors see gains and not losses or even holding the same, they wonder if we are going to be able to stay accountable afterward. I have witnessed too many first hand situations where a sleever's weight loss has come to a screeching halt and began to add on because they aren't mentally prepared to make a complete lifestyle change and stop turning to food for comfort or not give in to cravings. I have faith that you will stun your surgeon and do marvelous, just be prepared for the hard work to come.

It may depend on the state you are in. In Illinois medicaid patients must meet all of the surgeons criteria, they do the surgery and medicaid pays for it. No prior authorization needed. Good Luck!

good luck!! What a perfect birthday present!

After going to my psychiatric evaluation, having numerous tubes of blood drawn, EKG, chest x-ray, endoscopy and nutrition consult, I got a surgery date! I also got cold feet. Every possible complication ran through my mind. What if I had to have my stomach removed completely, what if I had a leak, what if what if what if.....So I decided I would give myself another shot at losing this weight. I called the dr and she put me on phentermine. I lost 8 pounds, gained 4 and got discouraged. I quit the phentermine and started Weight Watchers (again). Gained 10 more pounds.....What gives? I did some major soul searching and stalked every complication forum I could find. I got answers to all my 'what ifs' and after much prayer, I am back on track for surgery. I called my surgeons office on Monday the 19th and was given an appointment for Friday the 23rd. I knew this was meant to be if I didn't have to wait until after the first of the year! I'm back on the liquid protein diet (to shrink my liver so it's not oozing all over while he operates) and have to lose 10-20 pounds by January 25th and I should hopefully get another surgery date. This one will be set in stone and ONLY changed or canceled by my doctor. I (re) broke the news to my family (Dad's not so happy, but he wants me to be happy and healthy). Everyone is standing behind me and now I just have to let my boss know. I have realized that I am going to be able to eat anything(my sleeve lets me) I want to, just in smaller quantities. But I HAVE to adopt a healthier relationship with food. It is for my fuel only and it is only an added perk that it tastes good. I really hope that I'm not able to tolerate fatty and unhealthy foods. Hopefully my next blog will include a surgery date (Valentine's Day-ish).

I'm still pre-op, but I have heard from several people that the stalls are normal. Take measurements because you may lose inches when you don't lose pounds. Congrats to you all on your losses!!! I should be joining the Loser's bench in February!

I started at the exact same weight you are now. I had the same thoughts!!! The last time I lost a lot of weight (80 lbs) I felt great but had loose skin. I got worried that it would get worse because I still had 40 to go. I ended up regaining every pound. I started thinking about surgery. Was all ready and had a surgery date. I started thinking of every possible excuse to not have surgery and canceled it. Needless to say, here I am waiting for a second surgery date and relosing the 20 pounds I lost after the first meeting with the surgeon. No amount of loose skin can keep me from being able to cross my legs or bend over. I figure that is what Spanx are for!!!!

It wasn't so much the never having it again, just giving it up for a while before I was able to try it again. My surgeon does the liquid protein diet to shrink the liver pre-op.

Over a year ago I decided to give myself one last shot at weight loss. I did fantastic! I lost 76 pounds in 6 months. Only problem....I regained it all back in 8 months. I had heard about a great surgeon in my area and about the VSG and decided to go to one of his informational seminars. I was sold!! He doesn't just sleeve you and send you on your way, he is so thorough with his pre-op testing as well as the support groups provided. And I found out that my insurance automatically approved the surgery as long as you met the surgeon's requirements. I went to my seminar in May 2011, had my first visit with the surgeon on June 30, 2011. He put me on the fast track...from what I have heard from other patients I could expect to have surgery in as little as 6 weeks!!!!!!! I was given a list of pre-op requirements that I have to complete before I can get my surgery date. I must have a psychological evaluation, nutritionist consultation, EKG, upper endoscopy and biopsy, full blood work up, chest x-ray, follow a 6 week liquid protein diet and attend 3 support group meetings. My liquid protein diet started on July 1, and after only 1 day, I lost 5 pounds. I have my next appointment with the surgeon on July 29, 2011 and will also see the nutritionist. I will be having my blood work, EKG, and x-ray on July 5, 2011. My second support group meeting is on July 12.....This is going so fast but I will be glad to not be uncomfortable and unrecognizable any more!! Through the excitement comes the evil reality that food addiction is horrific to overcome....food is necessary. After surgery I will not be able to have carbonated drinks, caffeine, or carb/fat rich foods so it is recommended that you start practicing this pre-op to get you in the habit. I am doing great so far! I got a little cranky earlier because I was so hungry even after my shake. I had some chicken broth and a glass of water and now I feel better. I realized that this is going to be my reality post-op. I may feel super hungry or have a craving for something I shouldn't have, but I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it or change my mind about surgery (choice 2 is not an option for me). I have been given this gift of a second chance at life and I'm not going to let it pass me by only because I want to eat. I know I will over eat and only feel worse than I had before. So I decided to go through all of the foods that I would not/should not eat post-op and decide if I can live without ever having them again. I was okay until I named a favorite restaurant's rolls....I would really like to have them just one last time before I have surgery and am healed enough to have a bite at a future date. So now I am pondering having a "last supper" tomorrow night with my family. I will probably regret it, and I may even change my mind in the morning and decide we aren't going to do it.

Good luck today to those having surgery!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!