Catherine Shinn Habhab

I hear ya!! I'm only 5 weeks out and I don't want to exercise :/ I've started taking the back door out of work just so that I will have to walk the full length of the parking lot. For me, one of the problems is, it's winter. It gets dark at 4:45pm. I can't go walking at night. Once I sit down by the wood burning stove, that's it, I'm out. I wish something would inspire me.

Welcome Janice! My doctor puts drains in everyone too. The day after my surgery he removed it. The thing that I am most puzzled by is the pre op diet.....it is not required here (Lebanon) I had plans of eating like a savage the day before my surgery.....but actually I just ate normally lol At 11:45pm, night before my surgery, I ate a piece of chocolate from the family chocolate store!!

Good Luck! Just think, you could be helping others save their lives!

I'm a little over 5 weeks out and I am having a terrible time getting all of my liquids in. Before surgery I didn't drink water....just Pepsi and coffee I'm not craving those, but just don't have enough time in the day to drink that much. When I drink a lot of water I feel fuller than when I eat.

Good vibes coming your way!

Thanks for your story. I hope your difficulties can at least help some other people avoid these types of problems.

I've also been told that I look younger than my age, because fat people fill out their wrinkles!

My own mother used to say that I have such a pretty face. Thanks Mom, I know your intention is in the right place....after all, you did pay for all of the Weight Watchers meetings. The worst is moving to a foreign country where they have no problem at all telling you how big your butt is and actually saying, "you are so fat". My FAVORITE: are you sure that you are American? I thought that all Americans girls looked like the girls on Baywatch. YES, those are his exact words!!

Good Luck! I know you feel like it is years away.....but the time will go, and you will be there before you know it.

my surgeon actually came into my room the night before my surgery and took the money in his hand.....he took $500 on the side.....he took $800 from a friend of mine a month later :/

Good for you! Let your new life begin!

Good for you!

thanks!

that is awesome! what an inspiration you are!

Hi everyone! I'm so happy to find this site. I've been overweight since birth. I used to say that I was the healthiest fat person around....and then it hit. Basically it hit my joints and back. My glucose was 90, triglycerides were 36! Doctors couldn't believe it. Then my ankle gave out, my knee, bone spurs, etc I live in Lebanon....as in Beirut, Lebanon....not Lebanon PA or NH. Actually I live in south Lebanon and had my surgery in Beirut. After reading so much about VSG online, I can tell you that things sure are different here pre and post surgery. I've read that many people go to Mexico and have a coordinator. I had thought that there is no way that I'd go to Mexico for surgery.....but hey most of you wouldn't come to Lebanon either lol. I made the decision that I wanted surgery but couldn't afford it...about $7500 cash. Then I got good news from hubby's insurance and a coworker that had had the surgery and confirmed that our insurance would cover most of it. The insurance coverage is kind of a new thing here......some mentalities believe that this is cosmetic surgery Anyway, I had a consultation with a surgeon and he scheduled that surgery 24 days later. No weight loss program pre surgery, no interviews, no coordinator, no psychiatrist....etc. Unfortunately, with all of the above "NOs" comes; no health food store, no SF syrups, no powdered Peanut Butter, etc This makes food choices quite boring. Just this past year two local companies have been make o% fat flavored yogurts, so I'm celebrating The surgeon here doesn't prescribe Vitamins for the first month and keeps you on liquid diet for the first month, doesn't even mention Protein drinks. I had to go back to work 15 days later, and I knew that I was not going to be pampered, I needed some energy. I researched on the web and started following guidelines of a Dr Chebli from Northwestern University. I drove an hour to find a GNC store and bought whey protein. Today is my one month post surgery anniversary;) At two weeks I had lost 12 kilos, 26.4 pounds. I'm suppose to go for my monthly visit tomorrow, but due to political issues (reminder: I live in Lebanon) I have to postpone till next Friday. Sorry, this is kind of long.....but another "NO" here....no support groups.

I hope everything works out. It's great that you have a supportive boyfriend. I actually postponed my surgery a month. The insurance company said that we could pay a larger portion and that if there was approval (two days post OR), that they would reimburse me. Yeah, right! But I believe that it was all God's plan. I had had such a bad feeling the whole week prior, and people had made strange comments (that gave me the shivers) and I had actually walked around my house the day before thinking that I may not come back and this is the last time I would see my kids, things and my cats! I had planned for a gastric bypass surgery. So, I believe is was a blessing that I had these insurance problems. I changed to the sleeve surgery and I am so happy that I did. Keep your chin up, things will work out the way that they are suppose to be

love your goal rewards!

Wow 20 pounds already! that's great! All of you having surgery during the holiday season are very strong! I would have probably waited til after lol

I have a question about the medication list.....is that forever, or just after surgery? I really need to read this more thoroughly and investigate.

Thanks coolmamma, also good for us living in foreign countries without NUT and good follow up care

I was in the admission office when I discovered that we had an insurance problem, so I understand insurance stress. I will certainly keep you in my prayers. Keep us updated.

you're looking good! can already see a difference in your face and legs!

klperry, my mom swears by ONE pink and ONE blue combination of sweeteners. Give it a try, I like that combination for my iced tea.

I was working as a hotel clerk and hubby was the best friend of our security guard. A lot of the guard's friends came around for the free coffee and leftover donuts lol