DoubleA

Well, first of all thank you greatly for bringing this subject up on this forum. From my perspective I can tell you that because of the surgery I do NOT believe it is a "blip." Obviously you felt strong enough about the issue to reach out to others for support and with that being said please allow me to tell you my journey, where I'm currently at with alcohol, and what measures I am taking going forward to help myself. I was sleeved 04/25/2013 and to be very honest, I had my first drink on 05/31/2013. I believed that because it was my "birthday" and I hadn't had a drink in 6 weeks, I was somehow justified. I can also tell you that prior to surgery I was a big social binge drinker however I also justified my actions then on the premise that it was only on the weekends and not during the week. Prior to surgery when I completed my required psychological evaluation, the Therapist was very clear with me in telling me that weight loss surgery patients are at an extremely high risk for alcoholism. Yes, I do believe this can be from basically swapping out your eating addiction however I also will tell you its more than likely due to some type of trauma that has happened in your life. I am now approximately 9 months out from surgery and I can tell you that my current alcohol consumption is spiraling out of control. I reached my goal weight at 6 months out and all but told myself I could keep drinking and it wouldn't hurt me much; that was and is a lie. Once your sleeved, alcohol not only has greater drunkenness effects on you, but also quicker damage happens to your liver and memory. I have now begun seeing a therapist on a weekly basis and I believe this is key. Talking about any level of addictions and or relationship struggles after surgery is HUGE! Most of us were NOT mentally prepared to take on this extreme life change and it is vitally important to talk through things with a professional. In the event you or anyone else on here can resonate with any of my entry here, please carefully seek out a therapist immediately. Do NOT wait like I did and then things become magnified. Thanks for allowing me to contribute.

Hello All - My name is Aaron and I am having my VSG done on 04/25 and I just seemed to be somewhat of a "Nervous Ned" that I am not going to be as prepared as I should. I am currently reviewing any and all of the information that was provided by my Surgeons office however I am hoping that someone in VST land has a good list of "Things to Remember/Have" for both going into the day of surgery (i.e. what to pack and take with you to surgery), and also "Things That Are Must Have's" for after surgery. Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can provide me here! Aaron

Great suggestion. Thank you so much for sharing!

Well with Sara being as knowledgeable as she is with the "pre-cert" process and as quick as she is in getting things done, I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got the call from her Mon or Tues of this week coming up. If you experience even the slightest of delays with Cigna, call their 800 number on the back of your card and select option 4. You will be put directly into the pre-certs dept. I called them last Wed morning to make sure everything was going according to plan and they had the approval over to Sara that afternoon. I'm a firm believer in keeping everyone accountable in important matters like this. Let me know once you get your approval and or if you need anything!

Yes I did! Sara called me last Wednesday after only 4 days of sending off my information to Cigna and they APPROVED everything no problem!! I was doing a little dance all day that day and I'm pretty sure that people literally thought I was crazy at work that day This whole process has gone so well and I am just so ready to begin living Life, with a Capital "L!"

Sabrina - This is Aaron M. You work with my wife Karie in the ICU! Thank you so much for telling me about VST. We both hope & pray all goes well for you in just a few short days:) Please let me know how it goes as I will be doing it just a few weeks after you and want all of the advice an insight I can get and especially from greatly educated people such as your self. DoubleA

Yes. Is this Sabrina?

April 25th!! University of Colorado Hospital with Dr. Schoen. Can't wait; I'm looking at this as my new birthday!!