erp

I was awake for mine. So here's what happens from start to finish: The nurses do the usual, check your BP, heart rate, start an IV and get you prepped. Once wheeled back the Dr. gives you lidocaine to numb the throat, doesn't taste great but it's no biggie. Then they turn you on your side, put a plastic mouthpiece in your mouth to keep it open and strap it around your head with an elastic band to keep it in place. From there the doctor inserts the camera and equipment in to take pictures, dissect a small stomach sample for biopsy and that's it. The whole thing takes 5 minutes at most. Since I was awake, my doc was quick about it. There were only two things that I didn't like but that most never experience because they are put under. The BP cuff was too small and it takes your BP automatically every 10 minutes so that really hurt and left me with bruises (had I been asleep, I wouldn't have felt it) and my body gagged automatically the entire time (again this is why people are put out). I have never experienced a gag reflex that strong in my entire life and it is definately a reflex. No amount of trying to relax could really stop it! Overall though, I was never in extreme pain, at most I would describe the whole thing as discomfort versus pain. I loved the fact that I could drive myself home right after and enjoy the rest of my day. My tummy did hurt after eating off and on for about a week afterward (from the biospy) and like others I had a sore throat. I also had a couple of superficial cuts on the inside of my mouth from gagging with the mouthpiece in. After the EGD, my doc told me that I have a hernia and that I have gastritis. Both are fairly common.

I have heard from others here that if you have loose skin that it can get somewhat better over time. That we lose weight so fast that it takes awhile for our skin to catch up. So I think we have to remember that we didn't put the weight on overnight so our skin may not bounce back right away. The standard I've heard is consider plastics only after a year of maintaining your new weight.

I told a close friend while I was still researching/deciding and asked her not to tell anyone. A month or so later she let it slip out that she told a mutual friend so that nipped it in the bud for me! After that I have only discussed this with my family. I'm telling everyone I work with that I have a hernia-- which is a true statement. If I get asked down the road about my weight loss, I plan to say that I got the hernia due to being overweight- also true- and that I am on a medical program to lose weight- also true. I get enough negativity from my DH about doing this that I am not interested in hearing anyone else's opinions at this point about what I should do for myself.

I have heard good things about Dr. Patchings from my nutritionist. He's not in my medical group so he's not an option. I did end up switching to Dr. Eslami. My surgery is scheduled for next month. Good luck in your journey.

Got my date today. February 20th- OMG! I feel so unprepared and nervous.

I can relate completely. My SO feels the same way. He doesn't think I've put in enough effort and believes this is way too drastic. His feelings are purely concern for me. He has even gone so far as to buy me exercise equipment this past weekend and offer to help pay for a trainer. His opinions are really clouding the issue for me, causing a lot of stress.

Oakleygirl, I am now in your shoes. I opened my mail today and received my approval letter. For so many months I have been working toward this but now that I am here. I too ask myself, is this really what I want. As I read your thread, I reminded myself to pull up my list. I wrote a list of reasons I wanted to lose weight at the outset of this process. I know there is no way without some type of serious intervention; e.g. surgery, magically getting selected for the Biggest Loser that I will lose the weight. Since I don't expect Bob or Gillian to come knocking on my door, I think I have to do this. Of course, I'm scared of the what ifs and the possiblity of complications and I'm also sad. Sad that when it comes to food, I'm not in control. Sad for the woman who wrote that list. If surgery allows me to make food my b*tch instead of the other way around, I think I have to do this. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Dance lessons

Jack in the Box serves grilled chicken strip. They are high in salt but otherwise a good choice.

I had my consult yesterday and was deflated by my surgeon's goal. I weight 242 and am hoping to get down to a normal BMI of 130-135. So I want to lose about 110 lbs. At my consult yesterday my surgeon's goal for me is 160-170. I am dissappointed. Is he saying I won't be successful? I'm 5' 3 1/2" (yes we shorties count the 1/2) at 160-170 I would still be overweight/obese. I worry now that if I get to 160, I won't be able to go any lower. Granted I haven't been 160 since I was a teen but still- I want to be skinny!

Sleeve of Steel, I've read some of your prior posts where you talk about eating higher calories to stay curvy. I think you can make your sleeve still work for you by reducing calories and carbs. Have you tried the famous Lil Miss Diva's boot camp? That might jump start your losing again. Good luck.

I like it. I am still pre-op though. I would caution you depending how far out you are. Hot yoga is incredibly dehydrating. If you can't gulp/chug water you may suffer from dehydration or worse. Classes are 90 minutes long and water breaks are regulated. The are warm yoga classes as well, you might want to start there.

I agree, I think is it weird. So many others get a hernia repair or gallbladder out at the same time. I've never had surgery and I want this to be my only one!

I met with my current surgeon yesterday. I asked about hernia repair and gallbladdder. He said that in taking out the stomach is not a "clean" surgery. So he does not do hernia repair during VSG. Anyone heard that before? Same thing with gallbladder, he said not everyone has problems so he doesn't remove it during VSG.

I may NurseGrace, though, I feel like I have so much time and co-pays invested at the moment that I'm stuck. I did inquire about switching to Sutter, but my insurance said it would set me back even longer and I'd have repeat a bunch of the tests. We have open enrollment in June and I will definately be weighing all of my options.

I had no idea Dr. Jossart would do that. He and Dr. Cirangle are my first choice if I have to self pay in the US. Can anyone elaborate on how to get hernia repair covered in the first place?

I have the same problem. My weight has steadily crept up to now where I have a BMI of 41-42. However, my PCP of 5 yrs left my medical group last yr, so I was without a Dr.for a year and my insurance requires a two yr history. There is a blank spot in my records but the trajectory of my weight history makes it obvious that I hit a 40 bmi last year. Any thoughts/advice?

There is a forum topic specifically for complications. There you can hear from VSGers who have had leaks and other post-op complications

I think I'm in the homestretch of the pre authorization process with my insurance but sometimes I just want to say F it and hop on a plane to Mexico! I started this process back in July and have my surgical consult and endoscopy left to do. Consult is next week, endoscopy still waiting for pre-auth. Of course after all of this, I still may get denied. Anyone else have the option to self pay but go through insurance anyway? I'm feeling so frustrated/impatient.

My surgical consult is next week too, so I started this list last week. It's crazy long but I figure that's why it is called, "informed consent." Hope some of these help. What makes me a good WLS candidate? What makes me abad WLS candidate? How do you protect the gall bladder from the side effects of rapid WL? Will you prescribe preventative meds like Actigall? What is your day of surgery and post surgical protocols to prevent clots/pulmonary embolism? What do you do to prevent leaks? What paperwork is submitted to my employer for FLMA and leave time? How long do you write a patient put for recovery? What restrictions, if any, are there upon return to work? How many VSGs have you performed? Do you offer single incision surgery? Do you prescribe a PPI for reflux? How long will the hospital stay be? Do you use drains for VSG patients? What is your complication rate? What are your most common complications? Do you check for hernias or gallstones before or during surgery? How many strictures had you had? How do you prevent them? What is your hospital readmit rate? What kind of post-op follow up is required?

I just turned 39 a few weeks ago. I did not go to my reunion because of my weight. I think that definitely helped spark my decision to pursue WLS. I missed out on the flirty 30s so I'm ready to be 40 and fabulous! I hope to be approved and scheduled for January 2013.

I too have limited who I'm telling. I told my parents who simply listened but kept their personal feelings to themselves. I've told one coworker/friend and she's already told another person so I'm not telling anyone else. I'm simply amazed at how other people think it is okay to share someone else's medical info. I also told my DH but he's not listening. Said I just need to diet and exercise. So rather than argue, I'm just continuing my pre-op testing. I imagine when I get a surgery date or approved by insurance he'll be more open to taking me seriously.

Do a search. I've seen various threads on this topic and post from several vegetarian sleevers. I'm pre-op but I've read there are vegetarian protein supplements like Vega. I've read that most eat tofu and beans for protein. I think it can be done, just maybe not as low carb as so many sleevers on here follow.

I am in Sac and pre-op. I have researched several surgeons. If my insurance covered it, I would go to Dr. Cirangle in SF or Dr. Jossart in Novato. My insurance originally sent me to a surgeon who has never performed a sleeve- if I wanted RnY, he's the man. So now I have switched to Dr. Eslami. He's in S. Sac and very enthusiastic that sleeve will become the new standard in WLS vs. RnY in a few years. Good luck.