KabinKitty

I agree that you could use a support group to deal with your stressful situation with your son. I can't imagine how hard that must be! We can be your support group if you decide on weight loss surgery, but it sounds like you might be helped by some counseling for your dependence on food. You really might find help if you seek out a professional's help or a support group for that also. I wish you the best and hope that things turn around for you soon!!

Fit, I love your attitude and your energy! I know you will kick cancer's ARSE! This is another reason I decided to do VSG......cancer risks go down when you lose weight. I had a scare with a colon incident after having had two polyps during my last scope. I waited for about 6 years to have another one and after watching Dr. Oz go through exactly what I did I decided to get my second one in Dec '10. It took two to be completely checked out, (very long story!) "butt" the doc found NONE this time! I wanted to kiss the nurse when I woke up! hehehe We must be proactive in the fight for our health! Forget embarassament, inconvience, pride, pain or cost....we may only get one chance so I'm taking mine and running with it!!!

I agree with all that WareEagle said, "I think it might not be a bad idea for you to talk to a counselor about your food addictions and make sure you can overcome them with the surgery. You don't sound to me like you are willing to follow the restrictions after surgery and I would hate to see you really mess yourself up. It's like smoking. I have quit numerous times over the last 25 yrs but in October I said DONE... I'm fat, turning 40 and killing myself. At that point I had not done the research on this surgery so I had resolved myself to being fat so I though take out one of the killers and I have not looked back. I was not ready the other times. Good luck on making the right decision for you." After I had my surgery, I vowed to my husband to NEVER try to talk anyone into it. I don't even know if you will read this message, but it may help someone else. I guess since I'm less than a week out and had a great surgical experience I could rant and rave about how I had very little discomfort (haven't taken anything for pain for 2 1/2 days), actually I have no pain at all. BUT this is a life changing surgery and you'd better be ready for that huge change in your life. If you have food addictions, then dealing with them might help you to finally lose the weight by making life changes on your own. I have HBP, sleep apnea and some other issues and I'm 58 years old. I didn't volume eat, I don't have food addictions so for me this was the right step. Please get help for your food issues and deal with that before you make any permanent moves!

Congratulations! I'm happy your day is arriving! If things get hard, just remember your "Sleeve Sisters and Brothers" who have taken this journey before you. We did it and you can too! I completely agree with your excitment about the things you mentioned, "go to a normal department store and be able to buy clothing like everyone else (not go to the plus size part of the store that has nothing cute - it fits on the top and fits on the bottom and hell it's the same the size - imagine that!! I just finally might be able to go to Victoria Secrets and finally buy something sexy". I too want these things, but more than that, remember you are lowering your chances of getting type II diabetes, sleep apnea, HBP and even cancer! Take this gift and use it to lengthen and enhance your life and health! Best wishes and my prayers go out to you!

My surgeon said I would have 7 incisions. I thought the norm was 5?? Also, my surgeon has two IV lines started. I asked the anetheologist why? He said one is for the anesthetic and the other is a back up in case blood or extra fluids are needed. I have to tell you, my surgeon is a perfectionist and does not like to take any chances with anything! My surgery is in 4 days, Wed. Feb. 2nd (ground hog day) and I'm getting my head cold back! I called the hospital, cause he doesn't have an answering service and they contacted him. He said any decongestant over the counter that worked I could take. If I still had symptoms on Wed the surgery would be postponed. I'm getting more Claritin D. It works the best to clear my sinuses!

Are you on a "full liquid" diet? I am, and the Magic Bullet purees anything, it makes even meats like creamed Soup. I puree soup with added meat for my dinners. I would not get enough energy from shakes to have the strength to keep working. Keep your diet varied. You can puree cottage cheese and have yogurt. In between meals I drink juice and I avoid artificial sweeteners...they give me a headache. The surgeon's nurse told us that we are not limited to how much we eat...just what we eat. We're not suppose to starve ourselves. That made me feel alot better about the 2 week diet. I hope it goes well for you!

I have BC/BS PPO. I was denied because of the experimental/investigational excuse. They now cover the sleeve in Ohio. I had a BMI of around 35, but have sleep apnea and hbp. I asked the surgeon if I lost weight during the 3 month's supervised diet would that disqualify me. He said "no", the only weight we provide them is your starting weight. If I were you I would try to get your surgeon's office involved in fighting with BC/BS. I really doubt you will get anywhere by yourself. I agree with Mini Me that it sounds like some figures got messed up somewhere if you started at 40.5. I wish you the very best!

It's really interesting to read all your posts and see how different everyone's experience was! As I type this, it is Monday evening and my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM. There is a huge winter storm headed this way. They are saying the first part is coming tonight through tomorrow morning. The second part starts Tuesday evening through Wednesday (surgery day) with high winds, freezing rain and over a foot of snow possible. This is the biggest winter storm of the season so far. I've heard forcasters hint that it could be blizzard like conditions. The hospital is over half an hour drive on dry roads. If it gets as bad as they are predicting, I can't see risking hubby's and my life by driving through a blizzard on icy roads. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings and I'll start the day on Clear liquids. Another bump in the road!

K, My surgery is also Wednesday, February 2nd! The coming snow/ice storm that's reportedly going to move into Ohio on Monday night and end some time on Wednesday could delay it. I wish you the very best. It sounds like you have alot of confidence in your sugery team....I feel that is VERY important! We can keep track of each other. Guys usually lose alot faster than gals, so you'll probably fly past me pretty quickly! I have around 80lbs left to lose. God be with you and your surgical team!

Thanks for the good wishes! Flygirl, I started this journey in April 2010, but it seems like years ago! Even when I found out that my insurance didn't cover the sleeve, I proceeded on with all the testing and got a denial last August. God must want me to have this surgery as Anthem in Ohio started covering the sleeve in November. I have a really good feeling about this surgeon and this hospital. They've had a bariatric department for over 30 years. This is the hospital where Dr. Hess was practicing when he developed the DS surgery. I have worked with 4 women he performed that surgery on. They all have malabsorbtion issues, and one died of cancer. Dr. Lalor does alot of RNY's and in extreme cases the DS, but I know he is very supportive of the sleeve. I think he will be doing alot more sleeves as more insurance companies start covering them.

Wow, I will remember that chicken leg story after my surgery. Sometimes with my job I have to grab my food in a hurry. I hate to gulp my food. The past few months I have been trying to take smaller bites and to eat even slower. Guess I will always keep a few Protein shakes in the fridge at home and at work, for those times I have to grab and run, so I can sip slowly and enjoy. I know sharing these kinds of stories are embarassing, but I am so thankful for those who do! It's going be a whole new way of eating, and stories like this should really make us get serious about changing our old habits....even before surgery!

My nutritionist told me to start 2 weeks post-op - Resource Optisource Chewable Vitamins 4 a day (spread out) From 1 week to 3 months post-op - 1200-15-- mg of chewable or liquid calcium citrate **If I choose to take my own chewable or liquid multivitamins, I should be getting 200% of daily min. of Zinc, Magnesium & Vitamin B.

My surgery is in 4 days and I have chosen not to share any details about my surgery with anyone except my husband and one friend. She is overweight and I would like to be a positive influence on her. If I come across someone else who is searching for help I will share my story. I have been losing some weight on my own and I have shared the fact that I've stopped eating gluten with some of my co-workers. I'm hoping they will contribute my weight loss to that. I feel that because this surgery is so personal and is often misunderstood, it's nobody's business! I am proud of myself for making this choice, but that doesn't mean that I choose to share my decision with anyone. Many of my coworkers would be supportive, but I work with alot of women and most of them would NOT be! I feel recovery will be hard enough without putting up with negative comments, people shooting me dirty looks or just snubbing me. I know some people have tough skin and the negativity doesn't bother them, but I'm not one of them. I don't plan to lie. I WILL be eating heathier and limiting my portions. I can share that and not be lying. Our oldest son is in the AF and is being deployed in a few weeks to Iraq for a whole year. If anyone asks why I was off for 2+wks I will tell them that he has been stationed in England and across the country for 14 years. While he is here in our town we wanted to spend alot of time with him...again not a lie. I have chosen not to tell him or our other son (who lives out of state) about my surgery. He certainly does NOT need to be worrying about me! In fact they invited us over for supper in three days (the day before surgery). We accepted, but told him and his wife I will only be drinking Clear liquids due to a procedure I'm having the next day. We need to support one another and not make anyone feel bad for the choices they feel they must make. Haven't you all been judged by others enough for your weight issues? I have and I'm sick of it!! I have felt shame...but NOT for choosing the sleeve!!

Today is Saturday.......Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and then Wednesday is SURGERY DAY! I don't think it has completely sunk in. Three days ago I had the colonoscopy. The prep went ALOT better since the surgeon dialated the stricture. I kept telling everyone at the surgery center that the doctor "promised" I would not wake up during the procedure this time. The nurse came out to the reception area and informed us that hubby wouldn't be able to go with me. They were extremely busy and space was at a minimun. I got into my lovely hospital gown was seated in a reclining type chair and answered all the same ole questions. The nurse started my IV, I talked to the anetheologist (he was kind of a crazy dude...and funny) and we talked in length about the fact that I would be getting Propofol and that I would NOT be waking up during the procedure! After that I just reclined in my chair and watched TV. The nurse told hubby the procedure would start at 9 and I could be done as soon as 9:20. When the clock read 9:35 and I was still waiting, I asked a volunteer lady if she would please to tell hubby that the procedure had not even started. She was a sweet elderly lady. When she came back she told me she called my hubby's name and he started to JUMP up (bless his heart, he was nervous) and she had to tell him that I was still in the waiting area. The nurse grabbed the back of my lovely gown and had me walk down the hall and into the procedure room. The doc was there (with a med student), a new nurse, a nurse anesthetist and some one else. They had me lay back and they hooked me up with the electronde thingys on my chest. The anesthetist said, "I'm going to give you some Versed to relax you". After a bit I felt a tiny bit woosey and he asked if I felt anything, I said yes, but was listening to the doc explain to the med student about my previous stricture, asking the nurse to get the balloon thingy (as he planned to restretch it) and everything else going on. They asked me to turn over on my left side, and the next thing I new I was in the recovery area and my hubby was kissing me awake. It was rather pleasant! hahaha After that I was asked to please pass air as much and as often as I pleased....so I did. I was given some hot chocolate and soon got to get dressed (with hubby's help) and go home. Yesterday I had an MRI with contrast of my kidneys. The colon surgeon ordered the ultrasound and it showed some differences in the arteries between my right and left kidneys. I don't know any specifics or the results of the MRI yet. I was very nervous when the tech came in with the IV stuff. I told her no one told me I would need that and that I had a reaction to some contrast during a CAT scan before. She told me that it was my choice, that they could do the test without it, but the contrast makes the test much clearer. So, I agreed. They gave me an inflatable type of bulb thing to press if I had any problems while in the machine, but I didn't. I think the head cold I had last week never really went away. I started feeling cruddy again last night. My nose is stuffy and my throat feels scratchy and I'm so tired. I'm back on Claritin D again!

I had an IUD years ago, it was called the Copper 7. I lost it, and didn't know until I got pregnant. After the baby was born and I did some research, I learned that IUD's don't prevent conception. The IUD just prevented any fertilized egg to implant itself into the uterus. I was horrified to think that I probably spontaneously aborted many babies the year and a half I had that thing in. Maybe the newer ones work differently....I hope so!

Wow LowKee, I'm so sorry to hear about what you had to go through. Isn't it very unusual to have a leak that far out? I fear that alot of people having this surgery don't take into account the fact that it is a major surgery. From what I read in my insurance policy (it's Anthem BC/BS PPO-Blue Access) if I self pay for a surgery that they don't cover or approve, then they will not pay for any complications that arise after. It's scary what you have gone through. That is why I waited until Anthem would pay for my sleeve.

I am on full liquids (pre-op) and I'm doing as pumpkin suggested. Make your own soups or just take some shredded chicken or beef with a little broth and some veggies, nuke it and stick in a "Magic Bullet" and puree it...yum!! Just make sure you cook the meat with lots of yummy spices or add them before you nuke it. My hubby LOVES homemade soups so it's been pretty easy for me. Also, Carnation Instant Breakfast strawberry flavor + 2 Tbls Dry Powered Milk flakes and 8 ounces of milk, stir and enjoy 18 grams of Protein. No nasty, awlful aftertaste for hours like chocolate Muscle Milk gives me.

I am currently on a 2 week pre-op, full liquid diet that I will also be on 2 days after surgery for another 2 weeks. I decided (and told the nutritionist) that I would not be living on Protein shakes or powders. I will use them in a pinch, but choose to get my protein from puree meats. At noon today I put some split pea Soup in my Magic Bullet along with some shredded chicken and a little Water. I heated this in the microwave and then pureed it. It was great and very satifying! The other day I opened a can of Campbells Chunky Sirloin Burger soup (didn't have any homemade) and I added some shredded beef, heated it and then pureed it (yummy). As for Protein Shakes I'll use Muscle Milk (ick) or Atkins (ick) when I have no place to heat soup or can't make on of my Carnation Instant Breakfast Shakes (yum). I add 2 Tbl of Non-fat dry milk flakes and 8 oz of milk. This is 18 grams of protein and it tastes really good for breakfast. You can also add egg beaters (1/2 c) to get 12 grams of protein. I get the scoots if I try to just drink all protein shakes and I got sick of all the sweetness really fast!

You might want to ask your nutritionist about this. When I asked her specifically about gummy Vitamins she said they won't give me 100% of what I need. She gave me a list of what they recommend to their sleeve patients....Resource Optisource Chewable Vitamins-4 times a day or Centrum chewable multivitamins-2 times a day. Calcium Supplement-from 1 wk to 3 months after surgery, 1200-1500 mg of chewable or liquid calcium citrate. Just sharing what I was told. Your nutritionist may have another suggestion as per your surgeon's orders.

I just ordered a Jack LaLane Power Juicer. How do Sleevers do with juices made from a mixture of fruits and veggies? Hubby's enzymes are messed up and it caused an episode where he basically passed out at work and ended up riding to the hospital in an ambulance. He spent the night in the hospital and had tons of tests. I've read where if you eat too many cooked vegetables and fruits you won't get enough enzymes. I just want to know if I'll be able to enjoy all the fresh juices too, after I have surgery.

I have Bi-Pap machine that does not blow continuously, but gives me a break to be able to breath out. I could not handle the continuous air pressure. I use a low pressure setting and HOPE to toss my machine out the window also one day soon. Actually I will probably give mine away to someone. Even with ins I had to make monthly payments to purchase mine. I have to take a readout of my Bi-Pap machine usage to my yearly physical. If I have not been compliant enough I won't pass and could lose my job! So, you talk about feeling tied down to a machine, I can really relate to that! It's just one more slap in the face for not being able to lose these extra pounds on my own. I'm happy that you are doing SO well!! My surgery is a week and a half away and getting off hbp meds and the machine are my two weight loss goals. I can identify with traveling with that stupid machine! Tearing it down, packing it up and lugging it around. Mine is an older one too, so it's not tiny and petite like the newer models. I also have a heated humidifier and have woke up to that nasty, hot plastic smell when it ran out of Water. I thought I was gonna get lung cancer breathing in those awlful odors!!

***FEBRUARY 2, 2011*** Dr. Peter F. Lalor @ Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green Ohio

***FEBRUARY 2, 2011*** Dr. Peter F. Lalor @ Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green Ohio

I thought the pre-op and post-op areas were very popular. Where did they go?