smbergie200

My surgical weight loss center sucked! The girl that handled insurance couldn't even get the right documents faxed to the insurance company. I eventually just faxed the missing documents to the insurance company myself. Then after surgery I never saw my surgeon for follow ups - I always got stuck with some fill in doctor. In truth unfortunately most businesses today have zero customer service and suck. Bariatric surgery is a business and they are there to take your money. Don't let a crappy doctors office make you feel like giving up. Be strong and fight for your health! You got this!

Perfectly natural to be nervous. I believe VSG will be the gold standard of bariatric surgery down the road. Your stomach works exactly the way it did before just smaller. I get full now on much less food - and have reduced hunger. Oh - did I mention I would NEVER have been able to lose the weight without this miracle surgery. Your health is the most valuable thing you have. You are making the brave decision to reclaim it. You are worth it and life is too short to be obese, sick, and unhappy. I have zero regrets and would do it over again in a heartbeat.

For me exercise - even a long walk helps give me accountabilty and think twice before swallowing anything high calorie with zero nutrition - aka junkfood. No need to spend hours and hours at the gym either as life is too short to become a slave to the gym, but physical activity is a must for weight loss and maintanance when you hit goal. Gym is healthy - enjoy your new active lifestyle.

I think I remember hearing that good relationships stay together but bad relationships probably don't make it. Bariatric surgery divorce statistics supports this and I myself did end up getting a divorce. My ex and I both got the surgery and realized that besides food we really didn't have much in common. Not to mention I was a pretty crappy husband being obese and miserable in life and that didn't exactly strengthen our marriage either. We remain long distance friends and have moved on with our new skinny lives. I never became a party animal or a model - Im still my self - just healthier and happier. If you find your relationship having issues there is nothing wrong with a little counseling. Not to worry - if its real love and you have a good relationship now you should be ok.

I get alot of comments on my posts that my skin "wasn't that bad". I guess the photos I was using as before plastics didn't quite show the extent of the damage that obesity did to my stomach so I am here to set the record straight with pictures. While I understand that there are much worse cases of excess skin, for me it was unacceptable for me to live the rest of my life looking like I did. I guess I set my standards high - some people can deal with their skin, but I could not so that is why I got my extended tummy tuck. I can now look in the mirror and smile and thats all that really matters. I don't have to hate my reflection and that is a priceless feeling. Heres the pics. food. There will always be reminders with scars and stretch marks, but at least now I can feel comfortable in my own body. Lifes to short to hate how you look. But thats just my opinion.

United States - Miami, Florida to be exact. Cost 5800 dollars and surgery was done in a hospital with an overnite stay.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/71301-my-skin-pictures-speak-a-thousand-words/ This post has some better excess skin pics of me.

5800 dollars was my total price. Im far from rich and saved up for part of it and financed the rest. I'll pay it off in a couple of years.

When I said "two surgeries" i meant my vsg surgery and my tummy tuck - not 2 tummy tucks. My doctor did not need to tighten my muscles because they were not damaged. Unfortunately the doctor doesnt know untill he gets under there and most people need muscle tightening. I lucked out because yes I hear that adds quite a bit of pain to the procedure. He actually said I got a good looking 6 pack underneath so Im pretty excited.

Sure here are some before plastics pics for you.

Long story short - my stinking drains are coming out on there own. The actual white part of the drain is exposed in both drain exits and the suction is gone from my drain bulbs. Of course the wound around the drain is leaking now since the bulbs cant do there job. Ive had these drains in for 3 weeks now and I honestly don't think I can take it anymore. I have to drive 1 1/2 hours to my doctor tommorow so he can do whatever he decides to do. I hope he takes them out, but Im still draining over 100cc per day in each drain. I think I might beg him to just take them out and take the gamble with the fluid buildup. Its been 3 stinking weeks. I honestly just want to cry. Im not in pain - im just sooooooo frustrated. I almost want to rip these stinking things out myself right now!!!!!!!!!!! Wish me luck - Gonna see the doc in the morning.

Alright - my drain tubes exit out the back of my extended tummy tuck making it very hard to get comfortable when sleeping. I guess I slept on them wrong and they just hurt and ache. I looked at the wound and its not infected or anything. Is there any type of cream or technique or magic powers or pointers that can make this more pleasant. Tylenol is all Im allowed and quite frankly its a crummy pain reliver. Thanks for any help. I got to deal with this for two more weeks. But yes - I remind myself - its worth the sacrifice of comfort at the moment. Im gonna stay positive and be a trooper.

With a little trial and error I figured it out. I took square gauze pads and cut a slit about half way down and slid it down over the drain tube and secured with tape. Then I got an ace bandage and wrapped it around my waist a few times to keep things from moving around. So far so good. I start work again tomorrow so I am glad I got the problem resolved. Because I am able to sleep good now I feel my energy returning and am super happy with that.