BettyBoop

I'm almost hoping that I won't like mashed potatoes after the surgery!

Thanks. I was kinda going nuts on what brand to buy. I don't want to buy some and not like it. But that is the chance you take I guess. I went ahead and bought some unjury chicken soup and some Unjury unflavored Protein powder. I also have some Premiere chocolate protein milkshake here and some EAS Protein drinks.... Now I just need to stock up on some Vitamins.

I'm going nuts trying to find a unflavored protein. Is the Unjury any good? I've also looked at Isopure. Any preferences??

We were told in our Option's class, NOT to drink them. There isn't enough protein in them. And to much sugar....

WOW!! That is awesome!! I hope I can do the same. They told me my knee is bone on bone . Right now I am on morphine for the pain. I HOPE I can get off it, after I have the surgery. If not, then at least I can get a new knee.

I surely hope so!! And yes, I've discovered I like exercising!! But it's been rough going this week. And today I didn't get in half of what I normally do....all cause of my knee... Oh and you look fantastic!!!

OMG!! GOOD FOR YOU!! To get down on my knee right now would kill me with pain. I can't put pressure on it like that! Anyway, I am so glad to hear that your knee issue is resolved!! That was just one of the motivators for me to have the sleeve. I know that if I don't do something, I would be in a wheelchair soon! So, I hope I do as well as you did!! Keep it up!!

After what I learned in my Options class at Kaiser, you couldn't pay me to have the band. They take out as many as they put in! So, I hope you do your research before deciding on it! Good luck!

GOOD LUCK! Wishing you the best!! You'll get there and stay there!!

GOOGLE is my friend! Good luck to you!!

You sound like me Heather. I'm looking at 45-50 pounds lost before surgery. But it would be nice for fast initial weight loss..... I'm getting more excited each day!! Oct 25th is my day! :thumb:

Thanks so much everyone for your replies!! I can't wait for the new me!!

Thank you geminhi!! Yes, I've heard nothing but good about him!!

I totally agree with the above. Start a food log. In our Option's group we used one and was told we should use on the rest of our lives. Just do we know exactly what we're eating....

Yeah baby! You can do it!! :thumbsup:

I also belong to Kaiser, the one in Downey. I completed the 12 week Options Plan back in August. I am now set to be sleeved on Oct 25. I followed Kaiser's sensible diet plan that I had learned in their Option's program. It really isn't a diet. It is a way of life. And it really is a lot of food. I never really felt like I was starving. And that is how we have to think about this. I do exercise. And believe me, I was not one to exercise. But I joined a gym and I exercise at least 5 days a week there for at least an hour. Many times even longer. I've found that I like it! And I wish I had started it sooner!! And I do feel so much better afterwards. I've lost more than they asked for to get ready for my surgery. I've lost 45 pounds. From 278 at my highest, to 233 today. I'm going to try to continue to lose up until the day I have surgery. As hard as it is, you must change your lifestyle and lose the weight before surgery. No surgeon will do the surgery if you can't lose some weight before surgery. It is in your best interest to do so. So you can have a safer surgery and be successful for years to come! But you CAN do it! If I can, anyone can! I think the hardest part, at least for me, is I have to do a 2 day liquid diet before surgery. THAT is going to be hard for me I think. GOOD LUCK!! P.S. Also, I did sometimes eat what I shouldn't have. But I would work harder at the gym the next day. Yes, I fell off the horse! But I got back on, and continued eating right. YOU CAN DO IT!!

I am also with Kaiser. The one I go to is in Downey. That is where I attended 12 weeks of the option classes. Since they don't do bariatric surgery there, I am having it done at Kaiser South Bay, in Harbor City. By Dr. Edward Mun, who I understand is one of the best surgeons in the country for this type of surgery. I went in, wanting the RNY, but Dr. Mun thought the sleeve would be best for me because I am considered high risk do to some other health factors. So yes, you do get to choose. But a GOOD doctor will also tell you his/her opinion and help guide you into a surgery that is best for you to succeed! Good Luck to you! P.S. Sorry about the double post! I hadn't realized I had already commented on this thread...

The doctors that I go to, will not perform surgery if you've even gained one pound. If they have to, on the day of surgery and you've even gained a pound, they will cancel your surgery.

Oh my gosh, reading most of your wishes made me teary!!' We really have missed out on a lot. I know I have!! Feeling better is my first and foremost goal! I've always been a fashion misfit. But I do look forward to buying cute, nice clothes for a change! Go hiking with my camera! Again, getting my health back!!

Hello Sweetpea, In order for my insurance to pay for my procedure, I had to take a 12 week course to learn about nutrition and to help us figure out why we over eat. For me, my trigger is night time and the TV. I rarely over eat during the day. I don't eat when I am stressed or down. You have to figure out WHY you eat till your past full. If you don't, then you will gain the weight back. The sleeve is only a tool. If we use the tool wisely, we'll lose and keep the weight off. But the fact is, 5% of us will gain the weight back. I wish you the best of luck!!

I also was a smoker. From the age of 15 till I was 56 when I watched my X brother in law die of pancreatic cancer. I had other family members and friends die due to smoking. But that one really got to me. I had tired quitting at least 7-8 times!! But now I've quit for good and have been off them for about 2 years now. So it can be done!! But just know that, my insurance will NOT bariatric surgery on you if you smoke. They also test your blood to make sure you don't have nicotine in your body. If you do, they will cancel the surgery. Best of luck to you and I hope you can quit!! You can, but YOU just need to be ready.

Sounds great !!! Good Luck!!!

Monty, Then that must be that United Health Care is not covering it for ANYONE. But some health insurance companies that contract with Medicare DO. I also do know that my insurance, Kaiser Permanente through their Medicare Advantage Plan IS covering it. As far as getting it in writing, well, I can't do that. Sorry. I hope you took the time to read the URL I posted. Here is the link I posted in another thread. I'm new here, so I'm getting kind of lost. But this helps explain what is going on with Medicare and why some plans/companies don't cover it and some do. < http://www.obesityhe...atley/#35508730 > I wish you the best of luck!!!!

Here is some more info I gathered by doing a google search. Apparently if you have just plain Medicare, the sleeve is not covered. If you belong to a Medicare Advantage Plan, it maybe covered if the Insurance company itself covers the sleeve! Here is so great info. It is off of another WLS forum. I hope the administrators here don't mind me posting this. If they do, they are free to remove it. Just trying to help people find the answers they need. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4288196/Medicare-DOES-cover-VSG-under-quotsomequot-privatley/#35508730

Monty, I have no idea of the timeline you wanted the VGS. But I don't think this means anyone is being discriminated against. At one time, the sleeve was considered experimental. It no longer is. And MEDICARE is paying for mine through Kaiser's Senior Advantage. I think it is because if this is still happening, it is one's insurance isn't up to speed on what is covered and what isn't. If you think this is bad, wait till Obama Care kicks in. We're all in trouble then! JMO