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I got mine 2/3/10. Love love love it. No issues except for operator error sometimes. Lol

I've never been under a size 16, I've dealt with my weight basically all my entire life, I've always been the biggest one in my family. I would try all types of diets, including seeing a physician, I would lose 10 to 20 pounds and gain that, that I took off plus 20 more. Lets cut to two years earlier, I was temping at the university of Miami as a medical assistant back in June 2010, then I was contacted by a physician that I knew and respected and trusted, we use to work together. This doctor was getting ready to open her own practice and ask me would I work for her. Cut forward I was going to be her office manager. That did not happen I worked for her for six months and then terminated. I was hurt I started eating then I couldn't find work. I search for a year no work. Now 2012 signed up with the agency worked for 3 months, April 29, receive a call get To the hospital Shon clasped ( my daughter) got to the hospital she is on life support, she coded 4 x's i was right there i never left her side she died the next day my world up side down now, April 30, a day before her birthday. I craved sugar I ate anything sweet, I had just lost my oldest and only daughter. Food became a way of comfort. I went into depression state I didn't want to talk to anyone, I was MAD. Mad at everyone and mostly mad at God. I felt like he didn't care about me anymore he took my child, my baby. I gained a long of weight and didn't care, my husband started to drink more, when I say in was tension in the house it was tension. I'm better now I ask God to forgive me for being angry with him. Know I've got work do. I'm 285 ponds for the last two years its been one thing after another. It has been hell. Now it's time to work on me. Sorry I was so long wined.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Right now, I'm in a holding pattern, because I found out last week that my employer's policy with United does NOT cover any kind of bariatric surgery AT ALL. This, despite me calling UHC on three different occasions and each time giving them the procedure code as well as my group and subscriber numbers. Each time, they told me that our policy covered it at 90% with an in-network doctor. I was going to the seminar with Dr Hitchcock at KC Bariatric, and thanks to the advice of their front office, I contacted my HR to get a copy of the coverage details of our insurance. It was only when I spoke with HR that I was told that our policy doesn't cover bariatrics. Even if I were to have a BMI over 40, and co-morbidities, they will not cover. So right now, I'm stuck. I really want to do this, but self pay isn't an option. I could more easily deal with paying off 10% as opposed to 100%. I kind of don't know what to do next.

[quote name="Lisa ] I know exactly what you mean about just wanting veggie soup!! I remember just wanting to eat a carrot!!! Your frustration is completely normal!!! I swear I was so cranky and angry about not being able to eat that I felt like I could kill somebody!! LOL Isopure is not the best tasting thing in the world. My surgeon MADE ME drink 4 bottles of it before I was allowed to leave the hospital' date=' so once I got home, I nixed it from my diet!! What I ended up doing, was adding unflavored Isopure powder to my broth. I couldn't taste it at all and it kept the broth clear!! Have you tried SF hot chocolate (just mixed with water)?...and how about SF popsicles?...I think I went through a box of popsicles a day for the first 10 days!!! And even though, you're "supposed" to be getting your Protein in...don't stress about it!! Your hydration is way more important right now and, in time, you'll be able to tolerate more and more. And you aren't failing just because you're having a hard time. This journey is THE HARDEST thing I've ever done but it's also been the BEST THING I've ever done. Like others have said, keep your eye on the prize!! It's going to get easier. And once you start eating regular food, you won't think about it so much....your relationship with food will change [/quote'] LOL about the carrot!!!! I told my husband when I was on my preop liquid Protein diet that I wanted to stab him in the neck with a fork for a carrot. He looked at me pitifully and said, "you wouldn't have to get violent! I would have given it to you!"

I had surgery in Mexico. In theory, I follow up online or by phone but I'm not good at that and it is just as easy to use my local doctor. My primary doctor is the one I see at 10 days post surgery and every 3 months to run vitamin levels and labs. That's all I need. My Mexico doctor and nutritionist sent home the post-op diet and I just follow it and email or call with questions. Plus there is loads of info online to help. I don't know why I would need to follow up with a bariatric doc here in the states unless there was a complication my primary doc couldn't handle. Hopefully, that won't happen!

Obviously for most of us, when we loose weight we change the way we dress. Different sizes and different cuts, not to mention different choices all have an impact. But what I'm curious about - is how has losing weight impacted your sense of style and fashion? When I was 335 and a size 24, I gravitated towards wide leg pants, fit and flare dresses (always in winter with opaque tights) because it was a favorable profile for my waist-to-hip ratio. I always wore long sleeve tops or dresses (never sleeveless, hated my arms) and also chose a lot of V-neck tops and sweaters. Finding a blazer that wasn't like a box over my top was challenging, so I rarely wore them even though I love the look of a tailored blazer. I never wore heels, they were just too tough on my feet with 14 hour work days and living and commuting in NYC. I never wore any skirts shorter than a midi (if at all) because I didn't like the way my legs looked and I hadn't owned a pair of shorts in 15 years. I didn't mind wearing more form fitting dresses and tops, but it would always be a measured choice with the shapewear that invariably went under it. I tended to lean towards classic, tailored cuts and shopped a lot at Eloquii (avoiding things that were too trendy), Talbots and Nordstrom. Now that I am a size 10/12 and have lots of options, I find myself really enjoying fashion and style. I like the way pencil skirts look on me and I am now comfortable with knee length dresses and skirts. I don't wear shapewear (but I do wear tight shaping panties if I am wearing a clingy skirt). I am starting to develop a kind of sexy professional style that is fun and funky - mixing up prints and pastels, wearing shorter length pants and different shape pants and lots of skirts! I am getting transition pieces at Asos (good bang for the buck, but beware their clothes are sized huge, so order down in sizes). I am still loosing so not buying a lot of clothes - but today I subscribed to Rent the Runway to rent different designer pieces and can't wait to mix it up and create a new sense of chic style with a new me. So how is your new body influencing your sense of fashion? What are you wearing that you never thought you would wear? And oh! don't be afraid to post pics of your new found fashionable selves!

I started drinking decaf a few days after surgery, then real coffee again (the leaded stuff, no decaf! ) at about 5-6 weeks. I'm a little over a year out and I now drink about 6-8...sometimes 10 cups a day. Splenda, a little Hershey's cocoa powder and/or sugar-free vanilla Coffee-Mate. I know, I know...that's a lot of coffee and it's really bad for me and my heart will probably explode and it affects global warming and...whatever! I enjoy it and thus far it hasn't had a negative impact, so I'm drinkin' it! Some folks tolerate it fine and others have issues. Good luck and Godspeed on your journey!

Have a safe calm surgery...see you on the other side! Pre-op 275.9lbs -surgery 10/5 265.0lbs -11/11/12 241.8lbs

I was sleeved 8/24...after a TWO WEEK stall...I am down to 312 lbs!!!!!!!!!! I started at 346 pre op and 331 dos. I am eating around 800 calories a day give or take a 100 calories. I am sooooooo happy to be done with purees, Soups and all that!!! I am eating pretty much what I want PROTIEN first...I have had a cookie but couldn't eat more than one (that is just funny coming from me who could eat 10 before) It seems like I'm eating ALL DAY LONG...but I'm good. Sometimes I think I'm eating too much when I go over 800 calories but then I think I should be eating (with a normal stomach) 1600 calories to lose weight. This has been the best thing I've done...my two week stall at 3 weeks was annoying but I got through it!!! MY SLEEVE ROCKS!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I realized that it would be my last Thursday and today my last Friday and then my last weekend being ruled by obesity as next Wednesday I enter a "whole new world...a dazzling place I never knew...." I wanted to be open and share with you that it is truly hard to think about anything else...I have purchased what I believe is the WLS pantry, I've got the Isopure on board, the C, the Multi, etc. I went to Walmart(since I figured I will not stay in that size forever) and bought really cozy PJs that were originally $16 for the top and pant set and I paid $10 now I have something comfortable to recover in, I was not told to do any pre-op diet...how are you December, January, February sleevers dealing with the upcoming dates? I posted the song from Aladdin below, I think it goes perfectly with how I feel about this new chance at life, I dedicate it to all my sleeve sisters! I can show you the world Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me princess, now when did You last let your heart decide? I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But, now, from way up here It's crystal clear That now I'm in a whole new world with you Unbelievable sights Indescribable feeling Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling Through an endless diamond sky A whole new world (Don't you dare close your eyes) A hundred thousand things to see (Hold your breath it gets better) I'm like a shooting star I've come so far I can't go back to where I used to be A whole new world With new horizons to pursue I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you A whole new world (Every turn a surprise) With new horizons to pursue (Every moment red-letter) I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Anywhere, there's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you A whole new world That's where we'll be A thrilling chase A wondrous place For you and me

I am about 19 days post-op, and I'm having A LOT of trouble getting my protein in. I am super picky first of all, and I have a horrible gag reflex to textures and tastes. I have found that I really enjoy the NAKED PROTEIN ZONE drinks; however, after I drink even half, my heart starts racing, and for about 4-6 hours I feel like complete poop!?! I feel nauseated and exhausted, etc. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have anysuggestions? I don't feel like this any other time except after consuming a protein drink... Thanks

Give it a little more time. It will get better. I suggest getting out and walking, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. This will help the gas resolve much faster and you are going to feel better. You are still early out and everone is different in their recovery and weight loss.

I too have had two fills on 5/29 and on 6/26. Total of 6cc's. So far have had very little discomfort with or after the fills. Did not lose much weight the second month but look forward to this next month. The first fill did not have much affect, I was able to eat anything I wanted as well as practically as much as I wanted. Granted, I didn't want as much as I did pre-surgury. As stated before I didnt loose much but I did loose inches, between 10-12 inches in the waist. All good and I also would do it again.

dont feel too bad I thought I could have a last meal closer than what actually happened. I am on 2 Protein shakes a day one protein meal for either lunch/dinner. I was thinking god I would give ANYTHING to have 10 wings the night before my surgery.

WHOOP WHOOP!!! 4 years post op, I am finally getting the scale to move again and my regain is officially gone. I was doing some Keto type eating, but now I'm trying to cut back the fat so it's more like a 'bariatric' type eating, just a low carb, high protein thing. I had been losing nicely for a long time then the scale completely stopped. What I THINK was happening is that my body had adjusted to ketosis and I was probably taking in a little too much dietary fat so I wasn't burning my own fat. Now that I've tweaked it my regain has dropped off and I'm back 'on the move'!!!! Hoping for a good 7-10 lb loss over the next month before I have some medical testing

I know many pre-op patients have questions about the process. Each one of us is different but I thought I'd share my experience around the surgery and recovery in case it is beneficial to anyone preparing to undergo VSG. Based on my BMI, my doctor put me on a one-week pre-op liquid Protein diet. This consisted of three Protein shakes a day and otherwise Clear liquids. The first couple of days were tough, but by day 3-4 my system had gotten over its carb withdrawal and I tolerated the diet fairly well. I also used this time to wean off of caffeine since my surgeon didn't allow any for 8 weeks post surgery. During the pre-op diet phase I dropped 8 pounts, from 285 to 277. On my surgery day, I arrived at the hospital fairly early. The nursing staff prepared me (IV, gown, support stockings, etc.) and I met briefly with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. I was wheeled into the very cold operating room. Shortly thereafter I was given the IV anesthetic and was fast asleep. I woke up in the recovery area. This was easily the most uncomfortable part of the process as I was coming out of general anesthesia, hooked up to everything and now had a wonderful (not!) urine catheter placed. As I came out of the fog, I remember trying unsuccessfully to negotiate with the nurse to remove the catheter as it was very uncomfortable. After 20-30 minutes in this area I was moved to a wheelchair (a surprisingly challenging endeavor) and was wheeled to my room. Once in the room the PCA pump was attached. This helped greatly with my comfort level. I was also allowed to start sucking on ice chips. I did experience some gas pains but they were manageable. The nursing staff got me up to walk within a couple of hours. My particular facility was absolutely wonderful. It is a small satellite surgery facility of a large hospital and is in the same building as the surgical practice. I think most of the patients are part of the weight loss surgery program. On my particular surgery day I think my nurse had two patients, so I was able to get as much attention as I needed. One key item they were monitoring was my blood sugar which was running low. This was surprising as prior to surgery I was a Type-II diabetic with a normal glucose of 115-120. They gave me IV glucose a couple of times and were monitoring it closely. I progressively felt better throughout the day and evening and walked a few more times. There wasn't much sleeping as it seemed like every 10 minutes someone was in the room to do something. The day shift nurse had been bringing me ice chips in a small medicine cup. The night shift nurse brought a large cup of them with a spoon (what an angel!) By about 3am I was able to get myself out of bed and move to a nearby chair, managing all of the lines and connections carefully. I found that the more mobile I was the better I felt. At 5am I was told that we needed to begin preparing for my discharge. This involved giving me a glass of ice Water which I sipped on. It also involved removal of the catheter and the surgical drain, both of which were momentarily painful. I did feel better after that though. One more walk, a visit from the surgeon and his assistant, and I was discharged a little more than 24 hours after arrival. We stopped at the downstairs pharmacy for the liquid narcotic pain medication. At home, day 1 post-op involved mostly sleeping and relaxing. I had to sleep in a recliner for a couple of days to limit suture pain. I used the narcotic pain med a couple times that day. I began sipping and walking, encountering a little pain but nothing unbearable. By day 2 post-op I was feeling much better. On day 2 I stopped the narcotic pain meds and switched to liquid Tylenol. I had been told I could drive as soon as I was off the narcotics, so switching to liquid Tylenol meant I wasn't tied to the house. By that evening I felt well enough to drive myself to a meeting of an organization I'm involved with. Moving slowly but without much pain, it was nice to get out a little. I noticed I had real challenges with capacity of my new stomach for the first couple of days. It seemed like it would only hold a couple of sips or maybe a teaspoon of broth. On day 3 this got better, and by day 4 I was able to drink liquids and even broth and Soup without much restriction. I think this was the post-op swelling going down a little. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I came home Wednesday morning. My first venture out was Thursday evening. I returned to work the following Monday without any real issues but I have a fairly sedentary office job. I have to say that my recovery was quicker than I expected with relatively few issues and no complications. I know this isn't the rule for everyone. I think it helped that despite weight and Type-II Diabetes I was in generally good physical condition which probably made things easier. I'm now about 10 weeks post surgery. I successfully transitioned diet from liquid to pureed to soft foods and then to regular foods. I've experienced two stalls (one early and one now). I've dropped two shirt and pant sizes and am almost ready for a third. I'm still learning how to manage my weight loss and diet while traveling extensively for business. I have yet to get locked into an aggressive exercise regimen but am trying to do so. But overall this has been a totally positive experience and a decision I am 100% happy with.

Are you losing at a rate that works for you? It's a good question... and I'm probably not qualified to answer, but that won't keep me from throwing in my two cents... :eek: IMO, being so tight that you can't get in your calories is a much bigger problem than being a little less restricted. I would *hate* to be restricted to a 1/2 c or so of food in total at a meal. If I choose high quality food- lean Protein, fruits/veggies, whole grains... I can fill my salad plate, eat that and not be full- but not be hungry either. Even with this volume of food- my calories are probably 1200-1500 per day (which has allowed me to lose continuously) since my surgery. The point being that this quantity of food (which is larger than many on here claim to be eating per meal) puts me at a comfortable place- AND I know that I'm getting in enough Fiber, calories, vitamins/min, fruits/veggies etc each day. Sorry for the novel! My doctor and nutritionist recommend eating a small platefull at each meal (well balanced)-- which is about the amount in a Lean Cuisine- which is often about 10 oz. Hope there's something useful in this rambling post of mine... :cool:

dont feel that way. not everyone lose weight the same. where i lost 21 pound my first ten days, but i got freins that just lost 4-10 pounds in the sametime. so you are doing great. we didnt get over weight over night so its going to go away over night. are you drinking alot of Water if not try that. just sip on it all day long. you can also try eat sugar free popcicles and sugar free Jello. keep us posted

I’m scheduled for Wednesday, 12/19!

Costco has 18 for $24. They go on coupon every few months for $19. I try to stock up then. If you don't have a membership just but a gift card and you can shop without the membership of you pay with the gift card.

no change of heart either (a little nervous), my only regret i too wish i had this done 10 yrs ago :crying: good luck with your surgery

Thank You all.. In the original post I had talked about how I was having pain in my left shoulder "above the left breast, bellow the collar bone" and how it was down in my left ribs. I had called my surgeons office about it and they said it sounded like normal excess gas pains from surgery "They have some patiants that complain with gas pains 3 months out" They told me to take it easy and if it didn't get better in a few days to call them back. That was Tuesday that I was finally able to talk to them. Friday I called back because I couldn't take them pain any longer. It was to much for me to be comfortable with, and I was already a big cry baby that day because I was hurting all week. Anyway off subject I called the surgeons office back and they told me that if its hurting still then I need to go to the nearest ER and get it looked at it didn't sound like it was gas pains any longer. The first hospital I went to was in our home town. We sat there and waited for hours before finally getting called back and after they took me back they stuck me twice to put an iv in. Finally i went back for what I thought was a complete CT Scan of my abdomin "boy was I wrong" They scanned my heart and the top part of my lungs for blood clots said everything was clear and perfect and that I could go home. The following night "Saturday" we had dinner with hubby's boss and co-workers. I felt ok "still in pain" so I sat back and listened to everyone chat around 8 I couldn't take it anymore we had to go home. By the time we left the restaraunt and got home my temp was 103.2 I took some tyelnol and a cool shower and went to bed. All night long I ran fever as high as 104.7 and as low as 102.9. Finally hubby was able to get ahold of my surgeon and thank goodness for that. He told hubby to bring me straight to the hospital he was calling ahead for test, but he wanted me here asap. That was around 9:30 we live an hour away so I got here around noon. Got checked in and the test started. First on the list was the chest x-ray which showed pneumonia 2nd on the list was blood work which showed elevated white blood cell count. 3rd on the list came around 10 that night and that was the Contrast CT Scan of my abdonimal area all the way down to my pelvis. That is what showed the fluid build up around the diaphragm and the absess on the outside of the lung. It was from that ever so scary OMG What if It happens to Me Leak!! I never knew I had it and never felt any pain in my stomach/abdominal area. It was always in my chest/shoulder and down my ribs all where the pain from pneumonia presents. I am not pleased with the hospital in our home town and will probably never use them again simply because had they found this Friday Night I would probably be typing this at home instead of in a hospital room over an hour away from my family,,

If it really is too difficult you might want to consider shopping online and either having your local grocery store deliver (most areas) or pick up after they've completed your order (this is how we do it as we live in the middle of NOWHERE) LOL. This way you don't have to put yourself in that position. I do it because it is worth my time to pay them $10 to do it for me.

I'm only 2 weeks post op. But I have a trip to Mexico planned in June and I plan on sitting on the beach with a margarita and relaxing, ha ha it may be the same drink all day but I plan on enjoying it. Usually I can down 10 to 12 drinks when on the beach so this will be different but fun anyway

Of course I'm set with Dr. K in Colorado - but, I called all day Thurs & Fri - was unsuccesful in getting someone to accept me for local fills. fillcentersusa is not local for me. So... today, I begin considering going local and paying more. So, I'm posting messages to asking for prices locally (Chicagoland/Indiana). I do have 4 prices here so far. Actually found a couple good prices - just need to know if they will accept my current financing option which is all set and ready. RightWeigh Bariatric in Kentucky charges $12,500 - they also have a location in Indiana - I will call in the morning to see what they charge (hoping its so close to this). Lifeway Bariatrics in Downers Grove & Merriville, IN charge $15,500. Synchronyhealth: $16,000 Midwestbariatrics: $16,211 If any of the lower ones accept my financing and can band me sooner, I'm going to make the switch ASAP to free up that 10/30 date at Dr. K's office.