toler48

To me, the important thing about the sleeve is that the part of the stomach that pumps out all those hungry hormones is removed. With the band, the bypass, the balloon, the stomach remains. I don't know how they stop the hunger pangs. That's why I am having the sleeve surgery. I want control back and feel I will get that with this surgery. Plus, no foreign objects in my body, and the natural openings to and from my stomach are there.

I'm scheduled for Sept 16th. I am SO ready, but still nervous. Guess that's normal. My doctor and his whole staff are wonderful. Make you feel like you are the only patient they have. I'm not stocking up on a bunch of stuff. I've been warned that my taste buds may change. Just have a few basics. Good luck to us all!!!

Sept 16th for me. I don't have to do any pre-op special diet, but may do a couple days just to clean myself out.

WooHoo, got my surgery date!! Sept 16th. Can't wait. It's seemed like forever, now time is zooming!

Thank you all so much! It is wonderful to have the support I get here.

WOO HOO Got my surgery date!!!! Sept 16th Still have a couple of tests to do, but they scheduled me. I'm not nervous yet, but probably will be as it gets closer.

@@Pinkgirl1234 Could I ask why bypass and not the sleeve? Just wondering.

@@laguerr13 You said it! The New Normal. Re-learning, re-thinking. I think the thinking is maybe the most important part. We need to think before we eat.

Yes, correcting a lifetime of bad eating habits needs to be addressed. I do mean a lifetime. I was never taught how to create menus for good health eating when I was growing up. Then after getting married, I didn't create healthy meals, but I was able to keep my weight down running after two little ones, housework and an outside job. No energy to eat LOL My son and daughter, both, are healthy eaters now (both in their mid 40's), but they learned by themselves. Neither has ever had a weight problem, thank goodness. Anywho, back to the subject, I am slowly learning, pre-surgery, to cut some bad stuff. Like no more carbonated beverages, no buying a loaf of french bread and eating the whole darn thing myself. Oh yes, I am a carbo-holic big time. I can pass up the sweets, but oh my, bread and pasta are demons!!

@@CowgirlJane I guess you're right. Anytime you eat empty calories, you will gain. That's pretty much what got me where I'm at. Not eating right, having no control.

Ok, now I haven't had my surgery yet, but, I have a question. How can one regain the weight lost after sleeve surgery? I can see where, after the band, gaining the weight back. After all, the stomach is still there. With sleeve surgery, about 85% of the stomach is removed, taken out, no longer there. The remaining stomach, if surgery was done correctly, cannot stretch back out to the size of the original stomach. It seems to me, IMHO, that in order to regain say 100 lbs, one would have to consume nothing but empty calories, and eat all day long. Can someone explain it to me? How, after sleeve surgery, the weight is regained? Am I missing something?

I'll be going to the new TMC tower for surgery. Dr Monash helped design the bariatric surgery center there. Not too nervous yet, but once the actual date is set, then the nerves will probably kick in. Thank you, I will probably make a pest of myself LOL

Ok, another step closer! Got Medicare approval!!!!! Now start the pre-op tests. I have the esophegal test on 8/31. I am going to ask if they can do a colonoscopy at the same time. I'm a year past due and figure they could do them both at once, meeting in the middle LOL I also have to get clearance from my heart doc, which should not be a problem. Then chest xray and blood work. Sooooo, I'm still hoping for mid Sept for the surgery date. Oh, and I'm not sure if I'm going to have to have another sleep study or not. The office is checking on that. Every step gets me closer!!

Like I said, each person has to do what is best for them. Research, research, research, and talk to peope, watch YouTube, whatever it takes to get you fully informed and comfortable with your decision. My hubby is still not sure about my surgery, neither is my best friend. They both think it is too drastic, that I should try ANOTHER diet. No thank you. That is why I am at the point I am at now.

@@Cococat Worry not, this particular personal trainer is licensed and in fact most of her clients are either elderly or are physically disabled. She is very gentle and very careful about what she has me do. However, I do know what you are talking about. It is one of the several reasons I quit LA Fitness. On my very first visit there, the LA Fitness "trainer" took me around to show me the various machines and exercises I should do. Well, he showed me alright, he pushed me so hard, the next day I could hardly move! Of course I did the stupid thing by trying to show him how in shape I (thought) I was. I didn't last there long. I am very pleased with the gal at Desert Fitness. So don't worry. K? Thank you for your conern though, I do appreciate it.

The surgeon I am going to doesn't do the band any longer either. I'm not sure about the Bypass. When I first saw him, I had done research on all three procedures and told him I would prefer the sleeve and he said that is what he would recommend for me. I knew I didn't want the band, don't want all that plastic in me, or the poking for the portal with a needle! ICK Besides, the stomach is still there. I also knew that I didn't want the bypass, re-routing my internal organs doesn't appeal to me. Again, the stomach is still there. With the sleeve, you keep the original input to the stomach, you keep the original output from the stomach, it's just the stomach (85% of it) that is removed. AND what they remove is what causes the hunger pangs. THAT is what I wanted. It seems I no longer have any control over my hunger, I never seem to feel full. This new balloon procedure they have come out with, it just doesn't seem like it would work too well. For one thing, the stomach is still there. For another, it's not permanent. Also, what does stomach acid do to that balloon? Do you have to have another one inserted? Just doesn't sound too good to me. Then again, I want this done once. Remove the majority of the stomach, give me a tool in order to get control back. Done BUT, as with everything, each person has to make the decision that fits their situation the best.

Sadly, our secondary ins, United Healthcare, doesn't cover Silver Sneakers or the Gastric Sleeve surgery. Medicare doesn't cover Silver Sneakers. Seems dumb to me, but what do I know. I did check all that out. My Bariatric center is applying to Medicare for the coverage, I was told that in this area, Medicare covers 80%. I am hoping to hear about approval by the end of this week. Desert Fitness costs me about $36 a month, and all the people that work there are really nice. I got a personal trainer for a month when I first started. She isn't an employee of DF, neither are a lot of the PT's. Very reasonable rates too. After I can get back to working out, post surgery, I'm going to do another month with her. You might check it out Patsy.

I joined Desert Fitness at Pantano and Wrightstown. I tried LA Fitness, but never felt comfortable. It's a meat market. I feel a lot more comfortable at Desert Fitness. Most of the members are older, like me. Working out has never been fun, but at least I don't feel like everyone is looking at the fat old lady LOL

Yes, the walking I'm up for. I've been a slug the last two months because of my foot. Have/had a stress fracture in the left foot. Finally getting the boot off Monday. I'm actually looking forward to getting back to the gym. LOL didn't think I would ever say that! The water thing is where I'm going to have to really pay attention. I just don't normally drink very much. I have given up the carbonated drinks but I still don't drink as much as I should. I'll have to hang a bottle of water around my neck LOL along with a timer!

Patsy, I'm on the far east side, at Broadway and Houghton. You can go to my FB page, Cathleen Spiller. Don't have surgery date yet. They have submitted for Medicare approval, I should know in another week or so. I'm still hoping for a Sept date. I am SO ready. I go to Tucson Bariatric, Dr Jeffery Monash. I really like everyone there. Since it's been a year for you, any tips you can pass along?

Can I ask where you got the weight ticker that shows under your posts? I see it in everyone's posts but don't know where to get it.

I'm in Tucson. We have been here since 71. We love it. We have harsh summers but it's the price we pay for our beautiful winters.

I usually drink a lot of Crystal Lite too. I like the Orange but can't find it anymore. I switched to Orange Crush (it's just like Crystal Lite). I also like the Concord Grape by Crystal Lite. I seldom drink plain water, and don't drink anything in anywhere near the amount I should. I think that is going to be the hardest thing for me, getting the fluids in. My doctor's assistant keeps telling me how important that is, and I really do understand it is. They said they even have a room set up for IV fluids in the office. They say it happens a lot, especially here in Arizona, people just not getting in enough fluids. I guess I should use one of the bottle holders I make and just hang it around my neck LOL The possibility of my taste buds changing is why I won't stock up on anything before surgery.

I am wondering something, and I'll ask the doctor also, but, the drinking and eating situation. Is that an on going thing, or later will that change? I think about that every time I eat now, when I take a drink, I tell myself that I'm not going to be able to do that after surgery. Like you, not drinking alcohol will not be an issue, I rarely drink now. I have given up all carbonated drinks already. Yes, I will probably just grab a few bites off my hubby's plate. Thanks

@@HealthyJudy That is fantastic!! You may not think so, but, every little experience like this gives us all a boost. At least it does me. My hubby and I are planning a trip to Vegas in Dec and I've been a little worried about the eating. I'm still hoping to have my surgery in Sept, so I should be on "normal" food by the time the trip rolls around. Told my hubby that this would be a cheap trip as far as the eats go LOL Funny thing is, when we were first married that's what we did, got one meal and split it and it was plenty for both of us. That was the one time in my life where I had control of my weight.