sleeveme7781

Hello guys! I am writing a blog, and I would like to feature some before and after pictures from people of all different stats (starting weight, height, age, etc) and would like to know if anyone would like to be featured. I included some of my own before and after and have one person volunteer as tribute already, but would like to have more. I know that was one of the biggest things that I searched for when I was looking in to this surgery. The post can be found here... Please email before and after photos to coliveira77@hotmail.com and I will make sure to include yours! I welcome any comments on how I can improve my blog as well! Also, any topics you think I should definitely make sure that I include!

This is mine. I am also looking to feature before and after pictures on my blog. f anyone would like to contribute and be featured, please email me the pictures and your stats (starting weight, current weight, height, age, ect) to coliveira77@hotmail.com. The blog post can be found here if you would like to see what I have up so far! HW: 235 CW: 135 % feet, 3 inches and 38 years old (I had surgery when was 37).

II am 2.5 months post OP and I have lost 44 lbs! I am half-way to my goal and I can't believe how much this is changing my life. I actually feel cute and think about shopping... I feel like my food addiction might just be replaced by a retail one. lol. I have never felt so hopeful about a new year! Cheers "losers"! Loosing has never felt so good! #losersbench #shouldhavedonethissooner

I hate taking vitamins, and I must admit, sometimes I do, but often I don't. I hate them. I justify it because I had the sleeve and it is not a surgery that creates mal-absorption (sp?). Am I crazy? I am only 2 months (tomorrow) post op, and wondering how bad my checkups will be. Is there anyone out there who also did not take their vitamins after getting sleeved, and have no issues with vitamin levels? Anyone who DID have issues?

Have you ever considered just purchasing the capsules and opening them up over applesauce or something and taking them that way? I just bought bariatric pal vitamins and bought the capsules instead of the chewable by mistake. I don't want to loose that money, so that's what I plan on doing.

This would make me loose my job. I'm working on having a filter, but this would be unavoidable. Truly.

I am so sorry that you are having such a difficult time! I hope you feel better soon!

Me too!!! Today I took the canned progresso chicken noodle soup, drained it all and put several carrots and pieces of chicken in it and blended it in a food processor. The consistency was a creamy soup. It went down so good!!!!@

Thank God it is not just me! I am a teacher and I came back to work today. These poor, poor sixth graders. Thank God for educational videos, but I feel like such a crappy teacher. You had your surgery just before me. Let's be buddies.

I ahd my surgery on 10/4... does anyone else chew food and spit it out, just to get some taste and chewing going on??? GAWWWDDDD this is so hard! I want to punch anyone who says this is the easy way out right in their judgmental noses!! My poor kids are feeling the wrath of my hanger... I have never salivated over the thought of scrambled eggs before. The pureed food stage sounds like a dream come true at this point. Anyone else in the same boat as me?

Hi sleevers! I decided to start the process of getting the things checked off my "to-do" list that seem pretty common (nutritionist, psychologist, PCP...etc.) even though I am in the process of waiting for a background investigation to clear for a new out-of-state job. I actually researched the requirements for the VSG for the insurance company that I will be switching to, and started making my appointments. I guess my only concern is whether or not these things will transfer, or if I will have to start the process all over again when my insurance company switches. I will be switching to BCBS Federal (I am getting a job teaching for the Department of Defense) so the insurance plan will be much better (My current one actually does not cover this procedure). Does anyone have any experience with this? Once I decided that this is what I wanted to do, I realized that I do not want to wait several months to get the ball rolling. I want to start the process and get things done. I can't stand being in this body and looking at my reflection for one more day than I absolutely have to.

Hi everyone! I am going to be a self-pay patient, and am seriously considering surgery in Mexico, since it is so much cheaper. Has anyone had any success? Complications? Advice on places that are great or places to avoid? I am so nervous, because I had a friend tell me I was crazy to even consider doing it in Mexico. Am I nuts? Those who have had their surgeries, what did it cost? What did the price include? Most importantly, if you have any complications after you get hiome, then what?

Here's my list: 1. Finally take that family portrait 2. Not be depressed every time I see my reflection 3. Not (purposely) being the one always BEHIND the camera 4. Being able to wear lingerie for my guy and KNOW that he is turned on 5. Be able to have sex standing up (because he can lift me up) 6. Shopping for pencil skirts and new professional clothes with high heals. 7. Wearing jeans again (it has been 15 years... I refuse to buy anything that isn't yoga pants for fear of what size I truly am these days). 8. Running, working out, and Actually being able to do yoga and bend the way I am supposed to. 9. Being able to cross my legs. 10. Turning heads again, and seeing the faces of people who haven't seen me in a while.

I just want to tell you that you are beautiful! (and your kids are lucky to have you there. I am a teacher, and the only embarrassment as far as kids are concerned, are the parents who don't care enough to show up). I am praying for you sister!

Wow!! That is so fast! I hope I can do the same!!! Did you not have to do a supervised diet?

I love everything about this post! I second every single thing on this list!! (except maybe the horse-riding...I've done that before, and it will interfere with #10.... Couldn't even walk straight for 2 days afterwards.) I'll just list #10 twice.

Yes. I am a girl. (I am trying to even that score and balance your male to female compliment quote )

All I can say is that your wife is one lucky gal!! You are smokin hot dude!

I am about to start a new job working for the department of defense and was wondering if there are any federal employees out there who can 1. point me in the direction of the best plan to select that will cover the sleeve surgery, and 2. what are the requirements? I am trying to get a timeline of how long it will take from initial visit to surgery date, so I can plan accordingly. I will be teaching on a base, so I was hoping to be able to have my surgery no later than the last week of March (spring break) so I could recover for a week and be back to work without missing any days. How likely is that, if my first visit isn't until January? Should I start the process of meeting with a NUT now? Will it count?

I know this might sound like a weird / crazy thing to consider, given the million other things we all think about when considering this surgery.... but I am a bit of a scrooge, and LOVE saving money. I think that one of the natural and AWESOME side effects of having this, is not only that my waistline will shrink...but my food expenses will as well. Has anyone experienced this? Since the biggest areas where I tend to "splurge" the most is eating out, I am guessing that this will save me a lot of money. Can anyone attest to this? How has your budget been affected post-sleeve?

That is pretty lucky! I have heard of grueling all liquid diets for two whole weeks pre-op. "Funeral foods" is hilarious!! I used to call those meal my "last supper" meals right before a diet. Keep me posted about what happens! I want to offer you encouragement if you need someone to talk to! Gosh I'm so excited for you!

I guess that makes sense, since the list goen from high quantity, to high quality! I'll take it. :-)

OMGness!! That is so exciting!! I think it's normal to be nervous. I am sure you will do great! How long have you been on a pre-op diet? Is it for 2 full weeks? how insane is it? Gosh, I wish I was in your shoes!! You got this Cynrey!

Oh wow! Well, I am going from a plan that doesn't cover it at all to a plan that does. I was initially considering having the surgery here and be self pay (for $12,000) and then I decided to go to Mexico ( for $5,500)... so this is definitely the best of both worlds! Getting the surgery domestically, where I will have the proper follow-up, and paying less that $1,000 is definitely a much better deal. The only thing that stinks is that I would get the surgery TOMORROW if I could! Once I decided that I was going to do this, I became so impatient! Thank you so much for all of your advice! You have been a great help! Have you already gotten the surgery? You mentioned you were approved in November. How long before you can actually have the surgery? If you have had it already, how has your experience been?

Thank you so much! That doesn't sound so bad, actually. I will most likely shoot for a summer surgery then. That way, I can recover in peace and not stress with having to go back to work. I was also wondering, how much were your out-of-pocket expenses? and one more thing, if you are at 41 BMI with no comorbidities, and then lose weight during the supervised diet (I can always loose weight. It's keeping it off that's the problem), will that disqualify me? Does the physician / surgeon go with your initial weight or the weight at the time of surgery?