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I think my PCP is more excited about my sleeve than I am. I think she felt like a failure that she couldn't keep my weight, diabetes and blood pressure under control. She never brought up the surgery herself, but when I heard about the sleeve and asked her, she referred me to a great surgeon who had helped other patients of hers. She even visited me in the hospital after the surgery (not billing for the visit)! It's great and a shame that all doctors can't be that supportive.

DonRodolfo: where do you get this stuff? Thanks for making my evening.

I always thought the same thing about Weight Loss Surgery -- if I have to diet anyway, why do I need surgery? But after 40 years of yo-yo dieting and failures, I was ready for something else. The difference is that after the sleeve, you're no longer hungry. Medical problems are resolved. The "diet" is no longer a diet -- it is a food plan for someone who eats to live, rather than lives to eat. For me, food no longer has control over me. It's just another thing I do to take care of myself. Because, yes I am worth it. And, by the way, if you had told me 3 months ago that I would be saying this, I would have said you were nuts! Good luck. You can do this. It will be amazing!

I looked up my approval letter from UHC today, and it had the same language, "no guarantee of payment, blah, blah." My surgeon didn't make me pay up front. In fact, when I asked what my part would be, they told me it could be 1,250 -- but to wait until the insurance paid, then see what was left. The insurance paid 44,000 for the surgery and hospital stay. My part was a 250 co-pay for the hospital stay. My experience may be atypical, as I had a bunch of other tests earlier this year which went towards my out of pocket. If your surgeon wants you to pay up front, you might want to check to see if they are a "Center of Excellence" and in network. You might also want to go surgeon shopping. If you are in Chicago, I can recommend mine. Good luck!

About Vitamin D: several years ago I started a new job but was really tired and unable to concentrate (not a good thing when trying to learn new job info). Endocrinologist tested me for low Thyroid and Vit D. Thyroid fine, but Vit D really low. Put me on 5,000 IU of Vit D every day. Wow! What a difference! Energy, concentration greatly improved. Now I call Vit D "my little capsule of sunshine." About A1C: that's so odd that it hasn't moved. Mine was 10.7 before my surgery 8 weeks ago. Will have it tested next month. My PCP is expecting good things. Honestly, I think she is more excited that I had the surgery than I am!

Insulin resistance causes obesity? Interesting idea. That could explain a lot. Thanks for sharing this.

Profect Protein shots are available from Bariatric Advantage or Amazon. They are avail in 25 and 50 gram sizes and a bunch of flavors. I bought the orange-pineapple flavor and mixed with Crystal Light orange flavor. It tastes a bit vitaminy, but if it's cold it's better. It gave me a nice lift. You can also mix unjury strawberry Sorbet Protein Powder in sugar-free Jello, or with Crystal Light.

My grandmother taught me to eat cottage cheese with SUGAR on it! Any wonder I had a weight problem. My grandmother on the other hand was bird-like. Since my surgery I LOVE just plain large curd cottage cheese. Thought the fat-free was nasty, so I am taking the extra 20-calorie hit and eating the 4% milk fat type. I like Dean's.

Bought mine at Bed Bath & Beyond for $49 less 20% which made it about $40. Love it! The whole thing comes apart so gunk can't build up in the base. And it all goes in the dishwasher. Plus it even comes with the straws!

My diabetes was SO out of control before the pre-op diet (I had been on the "dead man walking diet" -- you know the every meal is my last meal syndrome) that the reduction in calories and blood sugar levels hit me like a freight train! I was so exhausted that my PCP and I finally decided that I was just getting used to normal blood sugars after so many months (years?) of high sugars. Good news is that I am down to 1/4 of my diabetes meds and hope to eliminate that soon. About 3 weeks after the surgery, my energy started to return and now I feel good (8 weeks since surgery). Down 30 lbs, walking 2 miles 4-5 times a week and normal blood sugars.

8 weeks out today. Not a MINUTE of regret. Wish I had done this sooner.

Sorry you are feeling sad. I hope it will pass soon and you will feel like you have been given such a wonderful gift -- a chance for a life you always wished you had had. At least that's the way I feel. Here's my post-surgery story: before the surgery my biggest fear was that I wouldn't be able to go out with my friends and eat baskets of chips and salsa and drink beer. So last week for my birthday a group of friends got together at my favorite Mexican restaurant (yes, I picked the place). I thought i would be really depressed and feel left out. You know what I discovered -- I actually enjoyed my friends more when I wasn't distracted by gorging on chips/salsa/beer. And guacamole actually tastes pretty good when eaten with a fork rather than a greasy, salty tortilla chip! Have you had that experience where some food you thought was your favorite just doesn't taste as good since your surgery? That's what happened to me -- I much preferred the simple chicken enchilada, to my former favorite, meat-filled chili relleno. Who knew!?!

Hi. Great video! I have been sneaking some sips with meals -- to "wash things down." After watching this video, I thought I would actually try not sipping with meals and waiting the 30 minutes after a meal before drinking. So, iPhone, clock, timer on, set to 30 minutes after I finish a meal. No drink with meal, and stop drinking 15-30 BEFORE a meal to allow liquid to clear my tummy before eating. You know what -- I actually ate less! I could not eat the same size portion that I ate before, when I was "sipping." Who knew that the advice to not drink while eating and waiting until 30 minutes after had a purpose? It's so easy to slip up!

Have you had your Vitamin levels tested? Suggest you have your doctor test your thyroid and Vitamin D levels. I was having memory and concentration issues some time back (long before my VSG surgery). My thyroid was fine, but I was really low on Vitamin D. Dr. put me on 5,000 IU of Vitamin D a day, and WOW! Suddenly I had energy and concentration to spare! I call my Vitamin D "my little capsules of sunshine." Warning: don't take 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D without being tested before and after. 5,000 turned out to be too much after about a year and doctor cut me back to 2,000 IUs. Then I had the VSG surgery so increased back to 5,000 IUs as I was low on Vit D again. So now every time I go in for blood tests, I have them check vitamin D, B12, and Iron. Also, I can't harp enough about the miracle of Fish Oil. The pre and post op diets don't usually contain enough good fats -- that's why skin dries out and hair falls out. I am taking 2,000 mg of Fish Oil in Coromega packets. It's a gel pack, orange-flavored and avail at GNC.

Excuse me while I rant: what is this nonsense about "losing weight the natural way?" Every pound I have lost has been lost through my hard work. The surgery didn't remove any weight ( well other than about 2 lbs of my stomach). It's not like they hooked up a vacuum and sucked out the weight. My weight was lost by sticking to a 2&1/2 week complete liquid pre-op diet. It was done by following my doctor's post-op diet (mostly) to the letter. It was sweated off in daily exercise sessions. It was lost by resisting the urges to indulge in slider foods, wheat and sugar. What is "the natural way?" Is it taking dangerous prescription drugs (been there)? Is it reading 100s of diet books? Is it numerous counseling, and weight loss group sessions? Is it starting a new diet every Monday morning, then admitting failure by Tuesday? Is it yoyo dieting, losing 10 lbs, then regaining 20; losing 30, regaining 40, and on and on? VSG is a TOOL. Like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem is a tool. No one looks down their noses at those tools. Why do we put up with people looking down their noses at our tool? End of rant . . . well, for now.

I have UHC insurance. There is a requirement for a 6 month weight loss program, monthly visits with your Primary Care Physician, with forms for your PCP to complete. I actually didn't really lose any weight (well I lost 15 lbs using Sensa then regained it). But that seemed to be okay. My BMI was only 34, but I have 3 documented co-morbidities. It took about 2 weeks to be approved. My surgeon's office told me that it could possibly cost me $1250 in deductible and co-pays. But I didn't pay anything upfront. They said to wait until UHC made their payments, and see what was not paid. So far all I have paid is $15 each month for my PCP's co-pay, and the hospital has sent me a bill for $250 as my co-pay for the hospital stay. Everything else has been covered 100%. Everyone's experience is different. It depends on your company's policy -- mine is REALLY good. But I have heard that some companies only pay 50% of the cost. Plus, I had bunch of tests before the surgery that covered my deductible and out of pocket expenses. Best thing to do is call UHC. They were very nice answering my questions, and once I was approved they assigned a nurse advocate to me in case I needed help. By the way, I didn't need help. I had NO complications, no real pain, no problems. 7 weeks out from surgery, 30 lbs down, co-morbidities resolved. Best thing I ever did! Good luck on your journey!

I always lead with my medical problems -- out of control diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. For me, it was either 85% of my stomach, or my feet in a few years. When people ask how I lost the weight, my plan is to say I had metabolic surgery to fix my out of control diabetes. Haven't tried it yet as no one has asked yet. If that doesn't work, well then, I'm old and grouchy, and I don't freakin' care what haters think. They don't live in my body, and they should get their own house in order before judging mine.

I hear you sisters! My face and boobs go first. Why on earth can't the back fat go with it???

I was annoyed about the six month wait also. But honestly, I found needed the time to REALLY make sure this was the path for me (it was). Plus it takes time to get the psych eval, the upper GI, see my cardiologist for a stress and other tests. And, I needed to prepare for my medical leave, get friends and family lined up for after-surgery care, etc. The six months actually passed more quickly than I thought. Hang in there -- your surgery date will be here before you know it!

Tylenol does like nothing for me. I was given permission to take a couple of Advil a day for another medical problem. So I took two. It made me REALLY HUNGRY! New rule: I'm going to have to be near death before I take that again. Hey, you know liquid Tylenol for adults is called Tylenol Cold Sore Throat. It's just Tylenol, no cold medicine. Has an obnoxious mint flavor, but if the pills are tough to swallow, it's an option.

I am 7 weeks out and had 2 glasses of white wine with dinner last week on my birthday. No real problems, no heartburn etc. I ate 1/3 of my dinner so it didn't hit me hard. I did have a headache and was really thirsty when I got home. So then I was up every 2 hours in the bathroom that night. I won't be drinking any wine again anytime soon. Not that I really care anything about liquor -- food has always been my drug of choice.

Today I am reading the book "Hungry", by Allen Zadoff. It was recommended by another VST member. It's not about WLS, rather about food addiction. Written very well, and really funny. "It Ain't Over Until the Thing Lady Sings" by Michelle Ritchie. She had a Gastric Bypass a number of years ago, and as an Addiction Counselor provides a lot of good suggestions for maintaining weight loss after WLS. I am getting a lot out of her book. Other really good books: "Sleeved for Life" by Debra Knowlton "Stranger Here" by Jen Larsen "The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen Cook "Okay, I've Gone Through Weight Loss Surgery, Now What Do I Do?" by Joanne Moff All available in Amazon. Happy reading!

6 weeks since sleeve surgery. Diabetes medication cut to 1/4; blood sugars normal. Blood pressure med cut to 1/4. Down 3 sizes! It's been great --best decision I ever made!

Hi nervous nelly. books helped me. Go to Amazon and look up Gastric Sleeve. You can also buy the Big Book of Gastric Sleeve, put out by the originator of this site. I found that the more I knew, the less nervous I was. I live alone too, so I paid for my sister to fly up from Tennessee. That was strictly for moral support, as I really didn't need any physical help. If I had needed anything (like groceries or driving), my friends would have been happy to help. But I didn't really need anything. I had NO PROBLEMS after the surgery. No pain, never took the pain meds, and I was driving the next day. On the other hand, a cleaning service/person is a nice thing to have. Give yourself a break!