Cococat

Flutterby - I have been thinking of getting an eyeliner tat for ages. Are there special places that specialize in permanent eyeliner? What is the cost? Rate the pain from 1 to 10. Any ideas? Any recommendations?

Flutterby - Sorry that you had your date(s) changed. Just go with the flow. If he changes it, it's for a good reason. Commit yourself totally to the job of becomming a new you. Let nothing ... not even carbs in their most drippingly sugary, seductive selves break your will to be new and slim again. Carbs are not your friend! They lie! Refrigerators lie! Have a good evening and a great bariatric experience. Got to run. They will be setting off fireworks soon!

Flutterby - The font is hilarious. It should be easy enough to change. Yes, my bariatric experience was very good. In fact, I have never encountered any patients who had a bad experience. Dr. Bass required that we go on an all liquid diet 10 days prior to surgery and I was sooooo committed that it was no problem. My husband was supportive and still is. You can do it!

Flutterby- I had my operation in Sept. of 2014. No complications. Very little (if any) pain. No scars! Do exactly as the doctor says and follow all the great advice you will be getting from his staff. I don't know how the Ft. Myers hospital is but the one in Naples is fabulous.

Flutterby - Dr. Bass is my doctor, too. We may have already met at one of his support group meetings. I was the fat one. HA!

Justajackie - Good luck! Our thoughts are with you.

Joannct1t - How do you like it in Lake City, as opposed to Naples? Just asking.

In the second paragraph, it should have read, "I have at least 40 more pounds to go before I will feel that I got to a goal." When I type too fast, this web site can't handle it, and sometimes I do not check it out for any mistakes before I press, "POST."

ColoradoTJS - Yup to almost everything you mentioned. I was sleeved Sept. 11, 2014. Down 60 pounds. Knees feel great. Mental attitude very good, too. I have at least go before I will feel that I got to a goal. I still crave crappy food too. The first six months, I had no problem, but as I started to feel a lot better, carbohydrates began to "speak" to me again. Carbs are not my friends, but they tempt me. I also have a fear that I will lose my will to fight carbs and will gain weight again. BUT, my high blood pressure has dropped 20 points and my liver functions are a lot better. I just stress the positive things that have happened since the sleeve. I should exercise more.

I don't know what to do about your husband. If he thinks all you have to do is to put your mind to it, he is way off base. There are hunger hormones made in the stomach by certain cells that the operation removes or diminishes. Yes, those cells can grow back, but if you keep to your doctor's suggestions and the Vitamins he tells you to take, you will do well. Living heavy is torture. Being tempted by carbohydrates is torture. It is compounded by those hunger hormones. Maybe HE does not have those hormones, but you and I do. Incidentally, it is well known that men lose weight easier than women do. I think it is because throughout human history, chubby women lasted through periods of starvation on their fat deposits and could reproduce children for the next generation. That feature is no longer so important. Certainly at our age it is not so important. It is more important that we slim down to remain alive and helpful to our grown children and grandchildren. I had the support of my husband who actually was the one to suggest that I get the sleeve instead of the lap band. He said for me to go all the way, thinking about all the alternatives. I am glad he did. Both he and my family doctor advised the sleeve. I babied myself and thought only of myself and recovery after the operation. No problems. My husband does not mind eating frozen dinners. I still get guilty if I don't cook him a decent dinner once in a while. (We had meatballs and gravy tonight, but I eat about 1/3 of what I used to.) And I still take my chocolate Protein shakes (Premier Protein). But I think he also has learned something about healthy eating and chooses Protein over carbs more now. We have gone to my support group and nutritionist meetings together. Maybe if your husband went to some of your pre-op meetings with your nutritionist and support group - if you have them - he might see how difficult it can be for us. Hearing other people's stories can help too. It is miserable and painful to be fat. Then, go to support group of post-op people and notice the difference in attitude and hear the health benefits they report. How can he deny you twenty points down on your high blood pressure?

Toler: I meant, "Klingon." Sometimes this board does not accept the words I type in right. I have to check every word. Missed the "Klingon" mistake.

Toler: Yup. I am a (sort of) Trekkie. Anything weird, I like. I never dressed up as a Kingon, never have been green or had a pet tribble, but my cats make hairballs, especially this time of year. Back to your friend - the way she tries to avoid reality in dealing/not dealing with her diabetes, is the same way she is not dealing with her weight. Same pattern of behavior. She just wants you to buy into her point of view - that reality does not count. But reality does count. Her score will be Reality-1, Your Friend-0. Reality always wins. Enjoy your friend as long as she lives, which may not be that long. I don't mean to sound hard, but you have no control over her. I had no control over my father's behavior or health. He lived (and smoked) the way he wanted to. He died at 63 from his third heart attack. Nothing I said or did had any impact upon either my mother or father's attitude toward smoking. You would not believe the fights, the lies, the stupidity of it all. I wish I comfort you about your friend because I know how helpless you must feel. Anyway, back to you: In taking care of your physical self, as well as you can, you are in effect, offering thanks to God for your life. Your friend is not thanking God. She is not valuing what was given to her.

Toler: Your "friend" sounds like my sister-in-law. I have known her since high school and we married brothers. When I decided to get a sleeve, she was set against it. She is larger than I was at my biggest. She still is. She told me every negative thing that could possibly go wrong, including death. I told her I did not want to have to replace my hips as she has had to do, and now her knees are giving her problms. I told her I was not living and that if the operation was a risk for my life, it was one I was willing to take. Her knee has a torn miniscus (Spelling?) now and I am sure her knees will go downhill from here. I finally had to tell her that I was absolutely going to get the sleeve and that her words were only undercutting my confidence and making me fearful. But that I would do it anyway. Expect negative people to come out of the woodwork. They think they are being helpful and they try to give you advice, but they are wrong. They are afraid of your changing and your relationship changing. You can't let their fears affect you. You may find that you will become less close. So friggin' what. Your life will become easier. Your health will improve. Your opinion about yourself will soar. Sure, this might have an effect upon your relationship. Expect her to attempt to sabotage you with temptations. She may do this unconsciously or consciously. Remember: you are doing this for your own health. She is in charge of her health, not yours. Live long and prosper!

You will find all kinds of experiences on this and other boards. Everyone has an opinion, but take your doctor's advice and the advice of his nutritionist and support people first, last and always. Getting the sleeve was a good choice for me. My high blood pressure has dropped 40 points. My cholesterol is down. I look younger, and the pain in my knees and feet has almost gone. Use the first six months after surgey to really lose weight. That is the "golden" period when the fat melts off. There are some who hit a plateau - and I am one. BUT, everyone's experience is different. Most of those who have gone through the procedure came out better for it. Do not let any friends or family members put fear into you, as they sometimes will do. Tell as few people as possible of your decision to get bariatric surgery because the fatties will discourage you (out of their own fear) and others who might (unconsciously or consciously) want you to be fatter than they are. (The sisterhood of the big rear ends will reject you. So friggin' what. Your knees will LOVE you!) You are not alone. Someday in the future, you might say, what many of us have said, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Toler: If you just drink Protein drinks and take your vitamin/mineral supplements, you will lose weight fast. I think the doctor needs to know you are committed to losing weight and can/will follow directions. My doctor said that getting off solid foods and just taking Protein Drinks for 10 days prior would shrink my liver and that would help for the operation. I was on board with everything. He could have told me to wear palm fronds on my head and do the hula and I would have agreed to do anything he said. Fortunately, it did not get that bad. Drop Diet Coke and all carbonated drinks. Forget they ever existed. You are not giving up anything. Don't think of it as "giving up" something. You are getting your life back. You are getting YOU back.

krtcrv - I have not gotten that advice, but it might be right for you. Everyone is different. If I were you I would never touch those things again. They have such a high fat content. But of course, I sneak stuff that I know has empty calories. I don't think your advisors are telling you that you will never be able to eat those things or you will explode, or something. I think it probably has to do with ... "Now that I have your attention, I am going to change your eating habits by forbidding you certain foods. The longer you can resist fatty foods and empty calories, the better." Early after the sleeve operation, ANY spicy food hurts! Don't eat any! But I was sleeved in Sept of last year and I can eat shrimp with a little bit of cocktail sauce (but I cannot take much). I like shrimp. Protein shakes really satisfy. Your advisors know what they want to impress you with - healthy food choices - and if they can break you of your fat/salt/sugar/carbs cravings, you can break the cycle of cravings and lead you to a healthier lifestyle. The cravings diminish as you leave them alone. I don't have the wild cravings for fat/salt/sugars/carbs, but I know if I do not resist them, the old devils will come roaring back - or maybe I am just frightened that they will. I am told that in Europe, most bariatric surgeons let their patients go on to "regular" food when they feel comfortable to do so. Who knows? The European diet is generally healthier, they say, and the portions are smaller. Americans chow down. So, should you eat sausages or hotdogs - no, but ... the sinners like myself still wrestle with them.

Oceanswaves60 - Why shouldn't it count? Of couse it counts. We are all happy for you.

Bubbletoes: Wonderful report. I am really happy for you. I am glad all went well and that you continue toward your goal. God bless you!

My surgeon's wife is drop dead gorgeous. His other workers are pretty and normal, too, but they never make me feel fat or ugly. All have been 100% great. The nurses at the hospital, though all seem to have a weight problem. Maybe it's the stress. Ever notice?

Hi, LousPeachy, Considering your problem getting in and out of your truck: Tell the people before you set your appointment at the sleep study facility exactly what you told us - that you need a stool placed at a certain place so that you can exit and enter your vehicle. When you arrive at the sleep center parking lot for your pre-arranged appointment, you can call from your parked truck on your cell phone to the sleep study technician inside. Tell her/him beforehand, of course to expect you to call. Hopefully, the sleep study technician will be available to aid you. It's worth a try to arrange this.

On one of the other boards, there was a woman who did not pass her psych evaluation. Apparently, she came off as an over emotional person for going into rants about having to do so much to qualify for surgery. We all go through similar problems, but she went hysterical over her challenges. She went bonkers over everything so I guess the surgeon thought, "Who needs this?" That's my guess. And there might be something important about finding out how excitable and over-reactional a patient might be. Who would want a combative and continually upset person as a patient?

Hi, My doctor sells bariatric vitamins. I know, but they really are the best for me. These vitamins have some sucrose (a sugar) and also some sorbitol. They are chewable and taste so-so (the orange flavor). BUT they are packed with the right vitamin stuff for bariatric patients. I take 4 a day. EX: the Vitamin B 12 is 140mcg or 233% each pill. I take 4 of those a day. The name of the vitamin is Bariatric Fusion. Nothing is cheap, but remember you will be cutting down on a lot of food, so it is not that expensive over all. I also get vitamins in my protein shakes. I prefer Premier Protein because I can get 30g of protein with each shake. I get Premier Protein at Walgreens and they often have sales.

Reallyrosy: Agreed. The Vertical Sleeve is THE thing these days. Isn't it nice to be lucky once in a while? (big smile)

Cathy: Good news! Four months will go by in a hurry. Even in the months leading up to my surgery, I was happy, knowing I was finally going to get my Sleeve. So, be in good spirits. Yes, my doctor also said that I would get the operation that I was best suited for, too. But I think the Lap-Band is not as popular as the Sleeve or the other more complicated operation, the Bypass. One other thing about the Sleeve - you don't have to take vitamins by injection, as you have to with the Bypass. With the Sleeve you can take vitamins by mouth. That was fine with me. I am happy for you. Keep going in the right direction.

Cathy: I was surprised to hear from others on this board that Medicare coverage varies state to state. That was news to me. I would have thought that being a Federal program, that it would have been uniform from state to state. So I hesitate to give you any advice. I can only relate my experiences. I live in Florida and my surgeon said that Medicare here (at his hospital) will pay for one gastric procedure, whether it be a Bypass, Sleeve or a Lap-Band. BUT, if one gets a Lap-Band here and one develops scarring or other complications, although Medicare will cover the REMOVAL of the Lap-Band, it will NOT COVER any other gastric procedure you might want subsequently ... like a Sleeve or a Bypass. That was the reason I went for the Sleeve directly and not the Lap-Band. As it turned out, the Sleeve was the best for me. Also: My hospital is designated a hospital of excellence in gastric procedures. That might make a difference in Medicare coverage, too. Is your surgeon practicing at a hospital designated as a hospital of excellence? If not, maybe you ought to find one and a surgeon who operates on gastric patients at one of those. My surgeon specializes almost exclusively on gastric procedures. He does three or four a week! He has a staff devoted almost exclusively to filling out Medicare and other insurance forms and knows how to navigate those insurance avenues that are puzzling to us patients. He has other staff who are nutrition and support group leaders. We all meet regularly. I can't praise them all enough. I am usually not this lucky. I thank God and my surgeon and his staff.