LAN2k

I had both anxiety and depression after my surgery in Sept. it was very severe and I had to get help.I am now on a med called Remeron for depression and .5mgs of Klonopin as needed for anxiety. The meds have helped, but I do want to be weaned off soon if possible. The psychiatrist I'm seeing told me that if I were not able to get the help of meds and counciling, that under normal conditions, (if depression wasn't something I've struggled with in the past), it takes about 6 months for the body/mind to adjust after some major change or trauma. This surgery was traumatic for me. I hated the loss of my relationship with food. Not having it as my crutch did a number on my head, but, there were other factors going on that changed my life dramatically and not having food as my comforter really sent me into an abyss. Hope your back to your self soon. In time the depression will pass.

I'm relived for you that your surgery went well. Now you will need to sip, walk and rest...be patient with yourself and the changes as you will see your weight get less and less.

Prudent decision. When it comes to major surgery bells and whistles are essential, especially if you are out of the country. God go with you on your WL journey and keep us posted. Based on what so many others have had to say about Dr. Aceves and his facility you will do very well.

Thanks for posting Tiff if your gonna self pay it doesn't get better that that!

Welcome to the losers bench! I'm glad things went well and you can share this with all of us. Keep us posted as you progress...and remember to walk, and sip frequently.

Very cool!

Congratulations aj and thanks for posting so soon after your surgery...You seem to be doing fine. I do hope you will be up and walking every so often...it is important to prevent blood clotting and eliminate any gas. Keep us updated and welcome to "the losers bench"

I'm in NY so I can't say a thing about your surgeon. You don't have that much weight to lose. Are you aware that with the bypass their is malabsorption? I had the sleeve by 4.5 months I was down 70lbs. I am sort of at a plateau for the last month or so but that's because I have not been exercising at all. Best wishes what ever you decide.

Patience is key as well as persistence. I am in agreement with all the above. It seems likely that your insurance will cover the sleeve providing they get the documentation from your surgeon. It really is the surgeon you should be speaking to. I had no problem getting my surgeon on the phone. If he was in his office and not in the operating room, he would take my call. If he was out I always got a call pronto that day or the next. If your surgeon does not take you seriously then I'd find another. If all else fails and you decide to self pay have you considered Mexico w/ Dr. Aceves? The point is you have other options and at this point I'd bypass this insurance coordinator altogether.

Good point, you had better be sure. I'd go to your local passport authority and get the facts...in writing.

Hey George I'm from NY too, Long Island. My surgery was covered by my insurance and when I saw the statement it cost $15,000.00! I stayed in the hospital (Syosett Hospital) 5 days. If I had to self pay based on what I have read here and elsewhere I would without hesitation have Dr. Aceves for my surgeon.

Come to think of it....NOTHING! How creative your idea is and I just love your ceiling. Each magnet must signify something and to look up at them all must be an intrigue! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your home and heart. That is such a unique thing to do.

I'm 6 months out and the hair loss was huge around the 3 month mark. My hair is still shedding but significantly less. I am taking biotin 2000 mgs. and Evening Primrose Oil. My hair was so thick pre surgery and now it is so thin you can see scalp through it! I am confident it will grow again especially with the summer months ahead. If not I'm thinking of filling it in with hair extensions or just wearing a wig that mimics my natural hair.

I'm so glad you posted your story so far. It's encouraging to us all. Keep up the good work. You know what you have to do and it looks like your going to progress and reach your goals. Looking forward to seeing your before and afters. Best wishes as you continue your WL journey.

I wish you the very best Brenda but I will say that after doing 1 month of research on the band I positively did not want that thing implanted in my body! I would go with the sleeve if I were going to do it again. My insurance covered the entire procedure. My hospital stay was a full 5 days. I used a surgeon local to me in a reputable hospital. After reading months of posts on this message board if I had to do it again and had the money to self pay I would go with Dr. Aceves. His record is impeccable and he has done (if I'm not mistaken) approx. 700 sleeve gastrectomies with 0 leaks! Everyone who has had him perform their sleeve surgery in this and other message boards like OH have reported only great things and they themselves have done exceptionally well after surgery. Best wishes to you whatever you decide. -Lis

Stacey, I am starting to crave food and think about it like old times. I found a terrific tea by Biglow it's Vanilla Hazelnut and it is sooooooooo yummy. I add Stevia to sweeten it I find I don't even need to add milk but a little milk wouldn't hurt. I love it and feel as if I'm having a warm fattening sweet desert.

You sound so level headed and happy. I thank God all is well. I think you are going to do great with the sleeve. All the best to ya-Lis

Apple juice and ice chips worked for me the first couple of weeks...protein was tough I didn't tolerate the stuff I liked pre op but I found a ready made refrigerated Protein nectar called Naked which I can't find any more. It was very high in protein 30gms per 20 oz bottle. I'm on Long Island not so far away from the Bronx! and have a Trader Joe's close by they have come out with these various health nectar in the refrigerated section usually by the yogurt and milk etc. It's the Trader Joe brand but one of them is high protein like the Naked brand. It has a few carbs though but that did not matter to me because the carbs are from whole fruit not refined sugar. I'm telling you this because I couldn't tolerate any of the artificially sweetened clear protein liquids. You may feel differently. Best wishes and prayers to you all! Keep us updated...

aussieaj--praying that things go well for you. Waiting to hear from you...

Congratulations and welcome to "the losers bench"...just make sure that you get up and take frequent walks, frequent sips and you know the rest. Wishes for continued success and great health...keep posting.

As I understood it, the first night gets the baseline and determines if you have sleep apnea. You are back a second time to be observed while you sleep with the mask. That is how it was done when I had my studies. I don't see how it would be done all in one night.

You may cover them with gauze pads keeping them open on 2 sides so that they are protected but the air will still flow through. Let us know how they heal.

That sounds about right but I'm not certain. I had stitches that dissolved in there own. My surgeon only took out stitches where I had drains stitched in, in two places. He pulled those stitches out when he took the drains out about 2 weeks after surgery. My incisions were all closed but still tender at that time and he put a type of tape over them with gauze pad coverings.

Hi Trish, I didn't have a problem with reflux in any chronic way prior to my sleeve surgery. After being sleeved I had maybe 3 episodes at night awakening me from my sleep, but I was not on a PPI at that time which is recommended for several months to a year after WLS to prevent ulcers (due to excess stomach acid production). I decided to take a PPI for the following reasons, 1. fear of ulcers--after finding out that a friend of mine who refused to take a PPI after having the gastric bypass almost died from bleeding ulcers a few weeks after her surgery. 2. Most WL surgeons do put their patients on a PPI as I've already stated. 3. I had/have this over production of mucus and read on a thread here somewhere that sometimes that is an unusual symptom of reflux, like the body's way of protecting itself from too much acid production. I have lost a total of 70 lbs. I've approximately 30lbs to go to reach goal. Aciphex is what I am taking once a day in the AM w/or w/out food as per directions. I tried some others but experienced unpleasant side effects, not with the Aciphex, it's working out well for me. Hope that helps.