annagene12

Finding out that I had high blood pressure at the ripe age of 24, I was so shaken up... My father is in acute heart failure in his 60s (overweight), his father died of a heart attack in his early 50s (obese), and my grandmother on my maternal side (normal weight) died from congestive heart failure. I knew that I was going to die very young if I didn't pull it together and stop making excuses.

Hello All, I am a 25 yr old lady, about 3 months post op from VSG. Although I am still a ways off from it, I am already hunting for a surgeon because have a lot of excess skin and generally poor skin laxity. I live in Chicago, but because it is a a major metropolitan area the prices here are really high. I know not to skimp on surgery, but I cannot realistically spend $35k-40k on plastics. I will be financing anyhow, and already have student loans. In a perfect world I would like to find someone local-ish so I can recover at home and easily attend follow-ups. Does anyone know of any decent surgeons in surrounding suburbs or even nearby cities/towns? Anyone with prices they have found? I am open. I am sure a 1ish hour car ride might be tolerable. Or if you know of someone in the city that isn't astronomical. I know there is David Shifrin, but dang his prices on realself are steep and his work is ok but doesn't resonate with me. If I can't find anyone local, I will bite the bullet and travel. So far in my search I have come across Dr. Fisher, and loved his work and I have heard he has decent prices. Anyone else in the USA that wouldn't be more than a 4 hour plane ride? Mexico is out of the question. I want to have a lower body lift, breast lift (maybe extended or with implants depending on what is left at goal), and arm lift. How is recovery from these surgeries if you travel? Does a family member or friend come with you? How do follow ups happen? Would I have to fly back for follow ups, or did you have a local doctor to check out any complications or deal with wound care? Thanks in advance.

Oh gotcha, I didn't realize that about Florida! What doctors are you thinking about?

I am lucky that working from home isn't a big deal. I am guessing that they won't mind me doing it for 1-2 weeks. And I haven't talked to any surgeons yet, as I am still about 35-40lbs away from goal, so feel it is a bit premature to get looked at because I still have a decent amount of fat (although tons of excess skin) I am just thinking a lot about plastics because I know I want it as soon as I can basically, but I am guessing that will be in another 6 months.

@@Djmohr Thanks for the thorough information/ thorough response. Ouch, that sounds very painful. Three weeks is a long time! And I am totally thinking about how to break out surgeries...it is complicated, because I basically can't afford to take a month off from work for recovery twice. I was thinking at least splitting out the breast lift (which I have heard has the easiest recovery) would allow me to go right back to work after 5 or days for phase 1, and would be better than doing all three at once. I also have a desk job, and can potentially work from home for a week for recovery. Whereas the arm lift and body lift will require much longer healing times, although I realize it will make the recovery much more difficult because of poor mobility but I will take a solid month from work. I wish I knew the best way. I have seen folks who do the arms & LBL at the same time, although I realize that isn't ideal, but in terms of timing is better. I haven't heard of anyone breezing through the arm lift and being able to go back to work in a few days. But if that *can* be the case, it might make more sense to do that first.

@@Djmohr, your arms look amazing!!! what was the recovery like with the brachioplasty solo? Did you have to take a lot of time off work?

Thanks all - keep the suggestions rolling in!@@OutsideMatchInside, I do like the idea of recovery houses, but know that with any complications an american doctor will not touch you with a ten foot pole if you go abroad. that is not an acceptable risk to me, alhtough i am sure plenty of people are successful and wish you the best of luck. it just isn't for me. i want to be in my home country for what will likely be the most major surgery i have. I will definitely check out those recommended doctors. I am thinking now that maybe I do the breast lift in chicago separately, and then the brachioplasty/LBL. I think I want the extended brachioplasty b/c of loose skin under my armpits, and having all three of those procedures at once frightens me b/c i don't want to be under for 10 hours. even if a surgeon agrees to it, it seems like a lot to me.

Well, I am pre-op...so we shall see how my little stunts will bode for me post-op. Day one of the liquid diet, I was GREAT. Until 7pm, I couldn't take another minute and dragged my boyfriend to the nearest Thai restaurant where we split multiple appetizers and Entrees - I feasted on fried crab rangoons, chicken sauté with peanut sauce, pad thai with tofu, pot roast beef Massuman curry, and orange chicken. It was so divine, it nearly carried me through the entire next day. Until I had carne asada smothered in cheese and guacamole. With salsa. And a few chips. *UGH* IT WAS HEAVENLY. But alas, my inner food beast has quelled it's rage and I have stuck to the dreaded four Protein shake a day diet since. TBD for post op. It's not if I cheat, it's when. But I certainly won't beat myself up about it. I'm no ingrate and plan on doing my damndest to lose the weight - so fear not. But I am a mere mortal after all and expect I will behave like one.

I cheated hardcore on the first day. Went out and had a full Thai food meal, appetizers and everything. It was so gross and I knew as I was doing it I was eating well past the point of fullness. I cheated the next day too on some carne asada and avocado. Best steak I have ever eaten LOL. But I told myself that I would never again after that. I reread posts about complications, fatty livers being cracked, longer recovery times, etc and I realized that this wasn't punishment. It was to help me have a safer surgery and if I valued my health I would need the muster up the strength to do this and stop making excuses for myself. I am not going to agonize over it, berate myself, or ask for support. I screwed up, I am not endorsing doing what I did, and all you can do is take it from there. So, since then, I haven't cheated and don't plan on it. It is rough. Really rough. Honestly, the first day was hands down the worst. I went a little crazy and and started to doubt whether I should have surgery. But it passed. I feel much more in control. My hunger has subsided and I am having a lot more savory broths like miso to help me. I too am a HARDCORE caffeine addict, and I really think that my initial craziness was from cutting it off. I stopped cold turkey, caffeine is a diuretic and staying hydrated is especially important for this surgery. You will have headaches. You feel like s***. You will l and irritable. My poor boyfriend...I say if we can get through this anything is possible! LOL. Weaning is prolonging the inevitable. My surgeon said that after surgery very moderate intake is okay but only healed. So, take it day by day. Even hour by hour. You got it girl! Channel you inner warrior goddess and regain self control and finish strong. Ok 7/26 sisters. I boo booed already on my first day of my preop diet. Booooo. Im on a less than 800 cal a day diet. 2 Protein shake meal replacements2water, low carb low sugar kind of diet and well i did great all day. Got home and ate some lean chicken and greenbeans then saw some leftover chili in a bowl. Heated that bad boy up and used it as dip for a large handful of chips!!!! NOOOOOOOOO. ive got to do better. Another question for yall. I know there is no caffeine after surg. I am sooo addicted to coffee and get horrible headaches without the caffeine. Thats the only caffeine i drink. I dont do cokes and stuff. Im thinking inshould wean myself off now so im not ultra miserable after surg. What r you all doing????? And anybsiggestions how to wean myself NOW or just go cold tirkey. Im seriously scared of what ill turn into!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/369205-July-26/page__view__findpost__p__4218032 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Honestly, the liquid diet is agony. There is no way around it. I cheated 3 times, and I will not do it again. And on full meals, not just a little something to tide me over. We are addicts, and our bodies are purging carbs/sugars/caffeine and whatever else is in our diets. Headaches and lethargy seem to be par for the course. The first few days were the worst by far, and I found that after I ate real food I was back at square one. So, if you stick to the diet it will get better. I am begrudgingly on day 5, one week to go. I do miso broth for lunch, or get bone broths that I season with a little Worcestershire or spicy seasonings, lime, lemon, you name it. Anything to make it more bearable. You can also get unflavored Protein to add to soups if you prefer. I have no experience with them, but a lot of folks including my surgeon has recommended them. My diet does not include yogurt, cream of wheat, meat, veggies or any food other than Protein shakes and clear liquids. Blows. Its suckiness is unavoidable but YOU CAN DO IT. Just power through. Get your warrior swag on and swallow those shakes! If they are truly unbearable talk to your nut. I also use almond extract, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to make them more palletable. I even used pumpkin pie spice in a vanilla shake and it was pretty darn good. Also Thom Kha and Thom Yum thai soup broths are indeed mighty tasty - but steer clear of Tom Kha, it is made with coconut milk which is very high in fat/calories.

I too was denied by BCBS. It was BCBS PPO of Illinois. It was a total heartbreak. But honestly, I think they deny liberally and assume that people won't fight it. I fought it, and now my surgery is scheduled July 27th. I gave up hope for months and when they submitted my appeal I assumed the worst. And it took MONTHS. My denial was because I have a low-ish BMI (was 38, now 37), and I had mild hypertension and no other significant comorbid issue. Chronic severe back pain didn't count. That was until I conducted a sleep study and it turned out that I had mild sleep apnea, was enough to tip the odds in my favor. Keep your chin up, and talk to your surgeon's team about what you can do to appeal again. They want you to have the surgery too, honestly because they want the money & they want to help you. They are on your side. I had a three way phone call with a BCBS rep, my surgeon's coordinator and myself to find out EXACTLY what I needed to do to win my appeal. I would encourage you to do the same, it was really helpful and I recorded the phone call to protect myself because it came right from the horse's mouth. Good luck!

I also quit caffeine, which is a huge deal for me. The headaches and exhaustion has really been hard to deal with. Dealing with ending both at once has been very emotionally difficult, but I am ready. Just a little more snappy and emotional. I have to get used to people eating food around me that I can't have (like my friends and boyfriend eating burgers yesterday was brutal ) but I keep telling myself "this too shall pass". And it will. And in the end, these very MINOR tragedies will be but a distant memory. Although in the meantime, I am allowing myself to pout as much as I need.

Mine is the 27th (which is awfully close) and lemme tell you...this liquid diet is TERRIBLE. The first day was hands down the worst. On day 3 now of a two week liquid diet. I was dreading this almost as much as surgery itself. I think the liquids after surgery will be way easier.

Hey everyone, I am super new to this, in fact, this is my first post. Forgive the length... I am still at the point where I am leaning towards the sleeve, but not sure. The thing is, I am 22. I have a BMI of 39.4, and have pretty much been overweight/obese my ENTIRE life. I don't remember a time when I could feel my ribs or hipbones...but in this past year, I have hit an all-time high. I had a miserable year last year, and a combination of binge eating and a medication that made me gain weight...I gained 70 pounds. In 12 months...which was beyond devastating. I am off the meds and I have already lost about 35 pounds, but I need to lose at least 100 more, if not 120...and I am terrified of the prospect of failure. Everyday is a struggle and I feel like my daily thoughts are dominated by food, and trying to keep my impulses in check...I am doing much better than I used to, but there are still nights when I binge...My weight has been a source sense of shame and guilt since I was young enough to realize I was overweight. Maybe kindergarten? Frankly, I am done with it. I am done feeling this negativity about myself, and I don't want to incur any major health problems in the future. I also don't want this to be an issue for the rest of my life, I want to move on, be a normal weight and be healthy. BUT, in the same token, I have a lifetime ahead of me. Do I wait for surgery? Do I just do it and realize that my entire life, and my obsessive relationship with food is over? Do I accept that there will be no more Thanksgiving dinners, or pizza and beer with friends, or the comfort of eating terrible food? This is silly that I hold on to this, its killing me...but I have been an emotional eater from a very, very young age. I feel like a drug addict, and I'm starting to panic. Do I give myself more of a chance and attempt to lose more weight dieting? But then insurance won't cover my operation...I am pretty sure I could lose more weight, but my fear is being stuck around 70-80 pounds away from my goal. Forever. Or yo-yoing, forever. I know there are plenty of forums on 'regrets'...but anyone get a sleeve in their early twenties? Or maybe wish they did? Anyone with a sleeve for 5+ years that has maintained the weight? Anyone with comments on long term sleevers? I plan on living at least another 60 years, and that's a long time to live with this. Any thoughts would be much appreciated, and thanks for reading.