DanaInNewOrleans

I asked this same thing Doxie..... I even asked my surgeon and NUT..... Doc said this surgery completely resets body set points. And because for the first year or so your calories are so drastically reduced your body has no choice but to burn the fat. The key is to make sure you get the tons of Protein in so that your body doesn't burn muscle first before fat. The nutritionist did not mention the reset of body set points....she just said your body has no choice but to burn fat if you are only consuming 500-600 calories a day. I never really got an answer about what effect the extremely low calories will have on metabolism for down the road maintenance. My concern is ok, so when your body eventually gets used to living on 600 calories does that mean you'll gain weight on 1000? The reason I'm here doing this surgery is because I have been unable to lose weight on 1200 calories a day. I finally came to the conclusion that this was my only way...

I feel the exact same way!!! I love to know more about everyone! I always like to see where people are from and what their interests are.... and pictures! Who doesn't love progress pictures??? I plan to post progress pictures because I know how much it means to the pre-surgery ( like me) or freshly sleeved ( who may be going through a rough period and needs to see the "golden ring").... ~Dana

You look gorgeous!!! Congratulations!

Congratulations!! I'm hoping my date will be around that same time!! We'll be able to support each other!!

Hi, Yep, your story is a lot like mine ( and probably most!). A lot of my friends also think this is too drastic. What I try to explain to them is that it is time for "drastic". I have tried everything... I'm DONE with that and I'm READY for this! I'm very scared too but staying fat scares me more..... Welcome to our Novembers club! ~Dana

Hi Aviiva, I must be in the dark about this. I've recently seen a number of posts about negative or unkind members but a lot of it seems to be vague terms. Are there posters here who are spamming? Are there posters here just to make fun? I'm just curious because... well hell, just because I'm nosy! ~Dana

This is just me, but I would be willing to pay (if I was single of course). If you don't want to charge a fee, maybe you could have a "donate" button? It does take a lot of time and effort to develop and run something like that.

Hi Everybody, I'm hoping there are some AETNA Sleevers that wouldn't mind chiming in. My mandatory Aetna 90 day pre-op program will be completed on Nov 14. The office said they submit either that day or the say after. How long does it normally take for Aetna to give approval? Dr. Lavin said he will fit me in immediately even if his schedule is officially full. I'm just trying to get an idea of the time frame for Aetna to approve. Thanks! ~Dana

The girls in the office told me that it usually takes 10 days. I'm sure they tell patients that so that they have more leeway in how long it takes THEM to file it. Aetna has no grounds to deny me - I meet the BMI and co-morbidity requirement. The reason I'm so anxious about rushing the surgery date is because I am supposed to go to NYC for Christmas with my in-laws and I've gained 50 pounds since I last saw them!! I was hoping to get some pounds off before I had to face them.

Hi Ainslee! What a good idea about sorting clothes by size to get ready. I bet we all have a huge range of sizes -- mine range between 14 and 24. Most of the 14, 16, 18s are in huge storage bins in a storage unit. I have a ton!! But sorting them and getting them ready to wear would be a good way to keep the excitement going. Maybe I'll start with the 22s and 20s / 2Xs and then once I actually have surgery in November go to the smaller sizes. Welcome to the Novembers 2012!

Hi OTR -- thanks for the info!

Just curious-- I'm a long way from that point but I was just wondering. I would not want to travel quickly after a major plastic surgery such as breast lift/implant and arm skin removal. I would think you should stay 2 weeks? ~Dana

Hi, Sorry you're having a rough time... but try to look at it this way....as VSTers like to say...........you are on the other side! I really think it's a good way to describe this part of the process because most people start the journey months before, sometime years ...I think of surgery day as the halfway point and climbing down to the peaceful valley is the actual goal..... I'm still on the journey up ( 2 more months).... and now you're finally on the journey down the mountain!! I hope that's not too corny? Hope everyday gets better for you!!!!!!!! ~Dana

Congratulations!! How awesome!

Hi! I know exactly what you mean about pictures....I tried to hide when the camera comes out. And if I can't avoid the camera I try to hide myself behind other people in the picture. And if I can do that I just refuse to look at the picture --- because I know it will just make me more depressed! Yea Novembers!! It cannot get here soon enough!

I'm hoping for that week too! My Aetna 90 day program requirement is up Nov 14.... So technically I can go anytime after that but the office told me that it normally takes about 10 days to get the official approval once the paperwork is submitted. Yeah Novembers!

Hi! Was Dr Lavin your surgeon? Are you in New Orleans?

Obviously I don't read every post and I've only been here for a couple months but I haven't seen one negative about having surgery Mexico. All the posts I've read are glowing-- about the physicians, the service, the care, the after care, the hotel......and again, I'm not reading every single post but the Mexico Sleevers seem to have less complications....or if they do they seem to be short-lived. Of course I know that the percentage of US Sleevers vs Mexico is much higher so I would naturally see more of everything from the US Sleevers but it just seems I haven't seen any negatives from the Mexico Sleevers... I guess my overall impression that is that the experience seems to be just a little easier and just a little more pleasant.... I can tell you this, if I did not have insurance coverage for the Sleeve I think I would be very comfortable going to Mexico. My only concern would be, what if there are complication once you are home.... ~Dana

Hi, I'm using a surgeon here in the US (Dr. Lavin in New Orleans). I had just been reading posts for a few months and had not heard one negative comment from the Mexico Sleevers. And just from my limited time here it seemed like there were less complications (minor or major) from the Sleevers who went to Mexico. Of course, that doesn't mean that there really are less complications --- it could be just that they are many more people here who used US surgeons. But based on the experiences here I would not hesitate to go to Mexico if it was my only option.

Hi, I have a question maybe somebody here knows the answer to. My goal is 160lbs. I'm 5'2 and 268. I realize that 160 is still overweight but I feel it is realistic (and my nutritionist feels the same way). Can I still have plastic surgery to get rid of all the extra skin everywhere? My insurance covers some plastic surgery for excess skin after weight loss -- will they cover it if I'm not at a normal BMI?

I'm just curious about the actual physiological reason for chronic nausea weeks after the surgery. I've already stocked up on Prilosec since I am very prone to nausea and have read many posts here that it works wonders. Since Prilosec works I'm guessing it stomach acid that causes the nausea. But why is the new stomach producing so much acid if you are following the correct diet during the healing period? Again, just curious. I'm an information junkie....

Damn, I didn't even get the Gerber right on this.... I thought sure it was a question dealing with baby food not knives!!

Uh....I give up. I tried... I have no idea ...

Welcome Dubai! That IS a long way!!