Skywalker

Last time I went to costco they had liquid Vitamins that they were giving out samples for. They said they were more easily absorbed by the cells. It might have been this one: http://www.costco.com/LIQUID-reViva%C2%AE-Multivitamin,-64-Ounces.product.11677911.html In any event, I plan to get these for after the surgery, even if they are a little more expensive.

I guess everyone has a different reaction to this. I went out to lunch with my banded friend and she confessed she loves watching people eat, even though she can't eat it all herself. She even asked me to take a couple carbohydrate bites so she could watch me with rapt attention. Strange.

God bless you Katie, and I hope it gets better for you. It doesn't seem fair that insurance would deny a surgery that has such benefits just because someone has multiple complex issues that could cause a weight gain or loss. If I was an insurance company, I would take a holistic look at the person after their six month trial, and if they met all the checklist requirements (BMI, co morbidities, commitment, etc.) just approve it. Hopefully this will turn around for you and start a good momentum...

You've lost 15-25 lbs total in a month. Would you really want to speed that up? That's greater than the safe recommended loss of 2 lbs per week.

I agree; it does seem like there's a disproportionate amount of women. Not sure why that is (maybe they carry their weight differently or place more value on their looks?) I was trying to talk my obese husband into considering these surgical options, but in spite of being miserable because of his weight, he won't bite. Oh well. Best of luck to you getting a male cohort; perhaps one of the search filters or the mods could steer you in the direction of a male sleever?

I didn't know airplanes had different size belts (although I'm blessed to have never had the problem of not being able to fit in just one seat). Is this kind of like how manufacturers can't seem to have uniformity in sizes? There are some male XL sweaters that fit me with space, and some 3XL that are too tight. It's frustrating trying to shop online with all the variance...

It sounds like he might have some emotional maladjustment of his own. You know how they say losing weight can change a relationship (as well as your relationship with food)? Sounds like he has a unique bond with the extra weight, and it's something he's identified with. Maybe you losing this is feeling threatening to him in some way. As for him saying, "Maybe you wouldn't feel the need to go through with this", embrace-the-fat attitude....well, just tell that to the high cholesterol/high fat/high blood pressure and sleep apnea co-morbidities that are marching an eventual death our way. That s***s not made up, and it's not something you can just blow off as mental; they are real problems that are really related to the excess lbs.

Hi, I've taken Phentermine. I had a not very bright doctor prescribe it for me and tell me I would drop weight no problem. My appetite was curbed and I think I lost five lbs or something, but I would lie awake at night with my heart feeling like it was racing. Not a good feeling. I could tell it wasn't good for me. She put my husband on it as well. When he went into the ER (probably not related to the Phentermine) his doctor thought it was a stupid decision of hers and pulled him off it right away. From what I can tell it's basically a hyper-stimulant and about as good for your body as slamming Red Bulls all the time. I'd pass.

How do you feel one week out now? Are you sore or feeling kind of normal?

Snoho, Oh, the things we take for granted over the years. Congrats on that milestone; I'm sure it not only feels great to have more room on the plane, but also to know you are trending downward and it will only get better from here. Once upon a time, I was able to lay across two airplane seats that were relatively empty and use it as a bed fairly comfortably. I remember also being able to bring my knee up to my chest when I was sitting....no longer. I'm either hunched forward or leaned back because of my upper stomach. I look forward to getting those small blessings back.

Thanks for all your input. Update: My last sleep study and CPAP assignment was in 2008 so my PCP's office called today and is working on getting me a more recent one (with more accurate air calibration). I emailed my bariatric surgeon, who said: Both OSA and low thyroid are ok if stable and treated. We have many pts with untreated OSA—but around the time of surgery “we treat everyone as if they have it” with maximal vigilance. I am comfortable that your risks are not notably increased with these two well-managed issues. So I guess he's on top of it. I'll just make sure I have a CPAP to use at home for when I take those after surgery pain meds and zonk out (keep airway open).

Just had a question for anyone who knows--sleep apnea is one of my conditions. Recently I've been making a regular effort to use the CPAP that was issued to me back in 2008. I won't pretend it's easy--sometimes I wake up at 0-dark-thirty half asleep and rip it off my face because it's itchy, bothersome, and blowing air out weird places on the mask. I'm hardly aware of what I'm doing (at the time). I had read that sleep apnea can be a concern with surgery, specifically an article said, "After surgery, you will be given pain killing drugs, which affect normal breathing and reflexes. Airway blockage becomes most dangerous at this time." I was looking into getting a sleep apnea dental appliance, but it's costly and not covered by my insurance. Having only the CPAP, what is the best way to keep myself safe before and after this procedure? Do I bring the CPAP to the hospital with me? Do the doctors monitor this somehow when they're giving me IV painkillers in the hospital? Do I make sure to put it on at home before I take any pain killers they give me and fall asleep? Sorry for all the questions; you guys have been great about information.

Yep, I've talked with them (Victoria) and they seem on the ball and informative. I think I made a great choice with them. They told me that for both Medicaid and the Veterans Administration, approval was doable (although I'm going to politely disagree about the VA; approval with them on almost anything is impossible)

Sounds like a stupid question, but I was wondering about your experiences and if there would be pain after surgery. It would make sense there is--they are cutting some of your body off--but some people I have talked to said it really wasn't that bad. Then again, others said there was significant pain. All inputs appreciated.

Thank you all, very good advice. I'm hearing a lot of moderate pain (but with the assistance of drugs), some gas discomfort, and of course I would guess for some with bands that had grown into the stomach the removal might have contributed to the pain.

That really sucks. I hope it doesn't derail your surgery in any way and one of his equally competent partners are able to follow through with your plan. I remember many years back when I learned that my psychiatrist had been abusing psychotropic meds (and maybe some other things) and died by reckless driving and running his car into a post. We sometimes think doctors are infallible, but they're people with shortcomings and addictions just like us, I guess.

60 lbs in 6 months is 10 lbs a month so about 2.5 lbs a week. That's not bad at all. I would try not to compare yourself to other people, and just know that (in a very, very short period of time) you will reach goal and look great.

I just want to hear some of everyone's thoughts on this. I'm a little discouraged tonight, because my private mental healthcare provider wouldn't write me a recommendation and said I lacked nutritional insight to have the surgery and keep off the weight afterwards. I know that the surgery will shrink your stomach size, and not do anything to one's metabolism or mind. Without going into great detail--I've basically been on some type of diet and exercise since I was 14, and I'm 36 now. Sometimes it hasn't worked so well (the last couple years) and sometimes it's worked great (I won a trophy in basic military training for coming in first in a marathon and kept the weight off for 8 years). I have been on almost every diet from Weight Watchers to South Beach to juicing, but they're not working for me at this point to the extent that I am still hungry. My goal for surgery is to be able to follow Weight Watchers and maintain dietary/exercise changes without being so hungry and feeling deprived. I want a meal of a small bowl of Cereal or a yogurt + apple to satisfy me without stomach growling. Is this the right frame of mind or is there something else I'm missing?

Another thing about a small weight gain like that....are they counting those that became pregnant after the sleeve? Because that's definitely a 22 lb or more gain....

I know the feeling. I'm on about month 3 of a 6 month approval, so I feel the same way. Wish money was never a concern so I could zip through the process and get it done this next month. Good luck and God Bless--looks like we'll both be December sleevers!

If anyone said that to me, I probably could not resist the urge to snap at them, saying something like, "Really? Just diet and exercise. Thank you! I've never heard that before. Not ever." At this point, really, I don't have patience for ignorant comments.