Katcloudshepherd

I had tried everything and spent a whole lot of money to loose weight--BUT when I went for my insurance approval that money spent paid off because I had documentation that I had tried everything. You'll probably have to fill out extensive paperwork, (I did) on your attempts to loose weight. Your documentation of that fact will bolster your request to the insurance company. I have hypothyroidism and depression and take medication for both. I used food as a drug to numb myself from feeling emotions. After the surgery, I did go through a dark period because I had to find a substitute for the way I was using food as a drug. Since you are seeing a counselor already, that is the absolute best thing you can do before surgery and most importantly AFTER surgery. I saw a counselor after surgery and that is what got me through that dark period, along with exercise and spiritual help through my faith. I wish I could have had the surgery several years ago. I would have truly started LIVING several years ago. Best wishes and good luck to you, Kathleen

A fear years ago I switched to stevia from all the other artificial sweeteners. I'll use them if I have NO OTHER CHOICE. I use Stevia. Some people say it has an after taste. It comes from a plant from Asia--I believe. I've grown them in the summer. They love heat and hate cold. I've never processed the leaves into stevia but they have tiny white flowers when they bloom. I don't like artificial sweeteners because I don't know what the chemical combination will do to my body with heavy long term use of them. I've noticed some food companies are advertising their food is sweetened with stevia. I'll buy those products even if they cost more than the chemical sweeteners. I realize most people on a strict budget don't have that option. For my gut flora, I drink a 1/2 bottle of Kombucha every day. It's a fermented beverage that has to be refrigerated. It has a very slight alcohol content and has a vinegar taste. I'm used to the taste, some people can't get beyond it. It is chock full of pro-biotics. The brand I use costs $3.49 a bottle at Whole Foods. So it's not an inexpensive proposition. I also take a pro-biotic capsule twice a day. I find if I get my Water in every day and drink the 1/2 bottle it helps me to not get constipated. Maybe it's just the water consumption and exercise I do but that's my personal experience. Blessings, Kathleen

4LgrLife_53, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the tip on how to do the injection! I had to give my husband Lovonox injections after he had been hospitalized for blood clots that went to his lungs. He's on Warfarin now. HOPEFULLY, he'll have VSG next year and we can begin living our lives again when he loses a significant amount of weight. Thank you again for the information. It will help me when I have to give him the shots. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you for a VERY informative, excellent article. My brain is very difficult to "re-train" and so easily derailed Kathleen

Hang in there. I don't remember being terribly nervous but I place a lot of trust in the medical technology we have available today. I hope your surgery goes well and you have an easy recovery. Walk, walk, walk after surgery. When they allow you to sip, do so as much as you possibly can. After surgery, you can't drink very much Water at a time so it's difficult to get in the amount you need without CONSTANTLY sipping water or other non-sugar, non-caffeinated liquids. Blessings, Kathleen

I chose the sleeve because it was permanent and I would be forced to change my lifestyle. You still have to watch what and how you eat but for me it has been much easier with the tool of the sleeve. My appetite did come back at a certain point but I'm one of the lucky ones so far. It has not returned with the force it had pre-surgery. Before the sleeve, God help you if you got in my way when I was hungry. If I was tired AND hungry, I might HURT you I'm so glad I did have the surgery. I'm 49 and was looking at total knee replacement because of osteoarthritis. My back is as crooked as a politician. My ortho doc was VERY hesitant to replace my knees before the age of 55 at my pre-surgery weight. Knee replacements only last about fifteen years maximum. The unspoken words my ortho doctor wouldn't say was I was just too heavy to attempt knee replacement at 49. Now, I don't even take noninflammatory pills twice daily as I did before surgery. I can get by with Tylenol and a prescription strength pain killer at night--only when I absolutely need it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this surgery is well worth $20,000. When I was going through the process for insurance approval, my plan B was to self-pay if insurance wouldn't approve the surgery. I would have taken out a loan and made payments if I had to. I paid $600.00 for the 2 night hospital stay and close to $2,000.00 for surgeon's fees. I look at it now as the best investment in myself I have ever made. I wish you good luck. Blessings, Kathleen

Hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly and easily. Blessings, Kathleen

Hello, I'm 49 and I've got lots of loose, saggy skin. I think I may be too old for it to have a chance to "bounce" back. Ironic using that word since, well, that's what my skin would do if I jumped up and down . I've had some Venus freeze done on my neck and THANK GOD it worked. It was worth the $1,000.00 I spent for the five treatments. I use moisturizer that is supposed to firm your skin. I use it religiously every day. Might work better on those that are younger ? I've used Jergen's and I'm using Nivea now. I can't afford plastic surgery to rid myself of my "bat wings". Sure wish I could. I won't feel comfortable wearing tank tops or short sleeve shirts once it gets hot again. . I've been told it costs about $12,000.00 for "bat wing" removal. Oh well. I'll just have to look good with clothes on and not so good naked . I'll take the better health and much less knee and back pain---ANY DAY. Blessings, Kathleen

par1959, I absolutely love your comment: "You will learn exactly what a 1/4 and 1/2 cup a tablespoon, a 4oz piece of meat is without measuring." Man have you got that right!! If you don't learn you'll face the consequences of eating more than your new sleeve can handle. That however is one of the things about my sleeve I like. I cannot eat more than I should without consequences which keeps me compliant and thus keeps the weight off. My appetite is no where near what it was pre-surgery. I crave savory foods now--not the sugar, carbs and fats that I used to. Good luck with your decision. My husband is 65 and is an extremely high risk patient and I pray to God he'll have the surgery in January so we can BOTH get our lives back. Blessings, Kathleen

I virtually live on GENEPRO and Quest bars. I find it best to add it to things that are not too hot. I know some Protein powders explicitly state on the label they can't be used at 140 degrees or higher. I don't believe Genepro has that warning but it works better if the liquid isn't too hot and you add it very slowly, stirring as you add and allowing it to disolve. I use Genepro and Quest bars because they are so darned convenient for me. Fast food for WLS I guess you could say. Congratulations on your surgery. Blessings, Kathleen

I get the ABSOLUTE fun of being freezing cold and then BOOM a hot flash and I am sweating. Being a woman going through "the change" after having WLS sure makes life interesting. I also get the joy of "menopause brain". Can't wait until this phase of my life is over. Freezing, then hot, then back to freezing. OY! Blessings, Kathleen

RJ, I hope you're feeling better and out of pain soon. Kathleen

Congratulations on your successful surgery and new life! Very happy for you and hope you continue to find increased energy and better health. Blessings, Kathleen

Good idea with the timer. Eating slowly was something I had to come to grips with. Only threw up once though. The longer I practiced--the better I got at it. As with any habit, it takes time to develop it. So happy you progressed to the pureed stage. I remember how happy I was to be able to eat real food . Blessings, Kathleen

Good luck with your surgery. I was in for 2 nights and boy did I use the morphine pump I was attached to on the second day. Walk, walk and walk. When you can sip--sip, sip, sip. I wasn't able to drink much at a time so I had to be constantly sipping to get my Water in. Blessings, Kathleen

Thenewnic, Congratulations on your surgery and most importantly getting OFF the diabetes meds! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Welcome to the journey down the weight loss road. Blessings, Kathleen

BigGirlPanties, Congratulations on your maintenance!!!! I think that's going to be the next hurdle for me--after surviving the holidays without stuffing myself into a coma. I think that is what I am REALLY grateful for. I can eat just a little taste of the food and BE SATISFIED with it. Thank God and VSG! I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Kathleen

newstartme, I didn't have a revision but I found myself drinking Isopure before my 1st week follow-up appointment. I was drinking the broth--which I'll never be able to drink again and found myself feeling weak. As soon as I drank the Isopure--I felt so much better. Congratulations on your life changing surgery. Blessings, Kathleen

Kindle, Thank you so much for the information!!!! I'm going to try the crabcakes and your suggestions. Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone! So happy that this year I can be SATISFIED with just a bite of food and I won't be eating myself into a coma. Blessings, Kathleen

RJ, Thank you for sharing that. What a beautiful story told by such a beautiful person. You are such an inspiration to me. I pray your surgery goes well. Kathleen

Andrew0929, Congratulations!! I hope to be there soon. I have my one year follow-up with the WLS office on 12/17. So happy for you Blessings, Kathleen

RJ'S/beginning, I hope your surgery goes well. IF ignorance is bliss, why aren't there many more happy people in the world? Blessings, Kathleen

I don't count calories or worry about fat. I concentrate on getting that 64 ounces of Water first, then getting my Protein in. I get a MINIMUM of 60 grams. I keep my carbs as low as possible--although I don't count them so to speak. I just make sure whatever I eat is extremely low in carbs. I find I do much better if I get MORE than 60 grams of protein a day. I live on GENEPRO unflavored Protein powder and Quest bars. I work full time, commute a total of 1.5 hours a day to work/home and my husband is 100% disabled. I just don't have the time to cook. The least expensive source of protein would probably be eggs. I think as far as meats, chicken and turkey are less expensive than beef. Fish, depending on what type, would probably be as expensive, or more so than beef. I haven't been able to exercise this week, I've been sick with an upper respiratory infection. I hope to get back in the pool next week. I haven't lost weight in some time. I think I've hit a plateau. If I don't loose any more--it's fine with me since I'm down to a good size. I'm not worried about a number on a scale, or a clothes size--as long as I feel good and can move well that is my primary concern.

Congratulations!!!!! I'm so happy for you . I'm tall and stuck around the 220's. That's OK for me because I'm tall. You'll be in onederland before you know it I'm just taking it one day at a time. If I get to 200 that's fine, if I don't I'm OK with that too. I don't want to get hung up on a number since I know when I was in the Army I was at 220 and I was good as far as being within the weight standards. Blessings, Kathleen

Congratulations on your surgery. I only weigh in when I see the doctor or once a month. I find it just works better. Blessings, Kathleen