Elisabethsew

That explanation really means, "I screwed up so I took it out before you sued me".

The best answer is to call the insurance company and ask them. Get the name of the person you speak to and ask him/her to send you the information. Welcome and good luck!

I agree with you. The same 2 people who knew I got the band knew I got rid of the band and revised to a sleeve. They kept my confidence for the 3 years I had the band and have done the same with this surgery. That said, the decision to tell or not is a very personal one. Some people NEED to share and have the support of friends and family. For others, like me, it just added pressure.

Here you go... How To Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms

I was a revision from a band to a sleeve and stayed in the hospital for 3 nights. I went back to work one week after surgery and am an RN. For me, the sleeve was a much easier surgery than the band.

I believe your BF is mistaken. Ernesto will pick you up at the SD airport, drive you through Calixico (the town after SD and before Mexacali), and take you just over the border to Mexacali.

I take a prescribed dose in a Rx pill called Folguard or ComBgen but it's because I have a genetic (MTHFR2+) predisposition to clotting and had bilateral pulmonary emboli a few years ago. It's used to keep my homocystine level <10. You should be fine.

You're not bitching. You're sharing your experience which was a bitch. LOL. I did get a catheter for the band but not for the VSG. Check with your surgeon.

Well, you have no problems now so make sure you take the 2 multi-vits a day and see how it goes.

No, you're not crazy at all. You're young, a mother, a wife, and have every reason to want to live life fully and at a healthy weight. Your first good decision was NOT going back to the one who botched the band. Take the time to read through the different threads on this section of the board. We have people just about to get the sleeve, people revising to the sleeve, and experienced and successful sleeve posters. I had the band and revised to a sleeve 6 weeks ago today and am very happy with my decision. Bands don't work for everyone and, as more research is coming out, we're seeing it's the least successful weight loss surgery in terms of percentage of weight loss. You're doing the right thing but make sure you discuss ALL weight loss surgery options with the surgeon.

Latex allergy is serious. Make sure you ask every person who comes near you if they are wearing latex free gloves. Ask the person who draws your blood if the tourniquet is latex free and make sure the tape is as well. If your surgeon inserts a foley catheter for urine drainage, that needs to be latex free too. Vicodin produces weird side-effects in many people. Itching and vivid nightmares are very common. Torodol is a good alternative.

Wow, I just read through the posts... interesting. The first point I would like to address has to do with education. I hold a Ph.D. and worked hard for it and certainly think I possess common sense. Secondly, I was brought up Catholic. While I don't attend mass every week now, I did for the first 18 years of my life; the formative years and beyond. Ergo, whether I like it or not, I can't deny my roots in the Christian faith. Finally, I've been thinking about the pastor questions. I decided I really don't have any questions for a Rabbi, a Pastor, a Priest, etc. Yes, they studied theology and devoted their life to their religious beliefs but I don't believe that makes them expert. When you get right down to it, they are men and women with their own prejudices. For me, there IS something more than our life here on earth. It's not something I can prove and it's not something I feel I need to prove; to myself or anyone else. I would guess that's faith. I have found this in the Catholic church but I've also experienced it through people of different faiths. I enjoy hearing other perspectives because it challenges my beliefs and expands my understanding. So, I'll keep on living and learning and hopefully, sharing and becoming a better person along the way.

The results mean you have no genetic markers for abnormal clotting which is good. However, you might be allergic to heparin. Alternatives to heparin are lovenox and argantroban. MCHC has to do with the red blood cells. I suspect your RDW was low also (red blood cell size). It's normal for women to have low MCHC and RDW because women lose blood every month. It's a sign of Iron deficiency anemia. If all is normal now, you're good to go! I hope that wasn't too technical. As an aside, they say people who test positive for Leiden Factor V are all related... kind of interesting tid-bit. LOL.

Most MDs only check ferritin, iron, and iron saturation if the hemaglobin/hematocrit are abnormal so it's not part of routine blood work. If you get yearly check-ups with your medical MD, you could ask to have it done.

Many hematologists are oncologists. I don't absorb iron and have to see him weekly for 8 visits to get intravenous iron dextran so don't worry about seeing him/her.

I don't know how much weight you needed to lose but 20 pounds lost since 9/08 does not sound like it got you to your goal weight. Another fill when you're already vomiting does not sound like a good idea.

Welcome. Yes, titanium staples are the standard of care for all surgeons. You'll find a lot of useful info. here and made a good choice in WLS options.

You EARNED the right to wear a 2 piece! Go for it! Have you been to the beach and seen some of the women wearing a 2 piece let alone a bikini? It's NOT a pretty picture in a lot of cases. LOL.

Healing is complete in 99% of patients at 4-6 weeks. My hair thinned out a lot about a 18 months after I got the band and it turned out I had hypothyroidism. Synthroid solved that problem but I only got to the right dose 2 months ago. You should ask your MD to check your ferritin level to see if you have iron deficiency anemia. My hemaglobin was always great so nobody ever checked mine. My cardiologist did and found my iron saturation to be 4% (should be over 15%). After a GI and hematology consult, it was determined I don't absorb iron. I get it intravenously as needed. Are you taking vitamins? You should be taking a B-complex and a multi in the least. I take a prescribed B6, B12, folate combination.

LOL. Isn't it strange how people tell you to lose weight and then think you'll perish when you eat less? My colleague at work told me I was not eating enough (one of two people who know I had the surgery) and I told her I could easily live off my own fat for a year! LOL.

I don't know your surgeon but I got back to my room in the late afternoon after surgery. By 6 AM the next day, I had walked all over the place, showered, washed, and blowed my hair, and felt only slight pain.

I'm willing to answer any of his questions. I'm a critical care RN (for too many years - lol) so I'm used to questions. As for your progress, why not do monthly anniversary pictures. It gives him something to look forward to and you something to share.

Have you looked into other surgeons? WASA can fill you in on Pleatman. Mac had a great surgeon and she's in your neck of the woods.

Excellent! It's funny how we stress out about what others might think only to find they couldn't care less.

Tonight is my "test run" for a first dinner out. My niece is getting her RN pin and we're going to dinner before the ceremony. This time, it's all family! They know I am always trying to lose weight so I plan to follow the same routine as for lunch.... no bread/butter, skip the appetizer, spread the entree around the plate (thanks, WASA), and take a taste of someone elses dessert. I'm also going to skip lunch and just have a soy slender drink so my stomach is as empty as I can get it. LOL.