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Thinking About Getting The Sleeve Done. Help!
Izuri replied to LaDwana's topic in Insurance & Financing
If I could go back to my 21 year old self and tell her to get the sleeve, I would. Absolutely, hands down. BUT I would give myself these tips: 1. Call the insurance company directly. As one person said - different policies under the same insurance company can be very different. Some do not even cover WLS even though UHC in general does. Though people on here are super helpful and you may find that the online guideline is correct, they can be very picky about wording. The best option is hearing it straight from an insurance representative's mouth. Record their name and all the information they give you every time you call. Keep it in a file for if you need to call and reference it later. Follow their directions to a T, your approval will hopefully be much less stressful this way. 2. Find a solid support system. Do you live at home/with a roommate you're comfortable with? Do you have someone able to help you? Even at 25, it had rough days where I really appreciated the help. Not to mention you are young and your hormones are probably going crazy anyway - this is going to make that even worse. Having a shoulder to lean on is irreplaceable. 3. Get used to the diet pre-op. I think this would have been a huge struggle for me when I was younger. I had far less self control than I do now, and I think having a period of time pre-surgery where I was going through the diet to understand the phases would be helpful in creating structure. This includes being able to resist alcohol/other peer pressure stuff. You might have a better backbone than me, but it would have been hard for me to not drink for quite a while when my friends went out. I think if you just make sure you are 100% sure what you're getting yourself into - go for it! Enjoy being young while you're young =) I hope everything works out well for you! Let us know how it goes. -
I realized I have a serious problem - somewhat weight related. I need advice!
Mvpo8961 replied to HunnyBun's topic in The Lounge
HunnyBun I think you need to sort through your cosmetics and set aside the basic ones that you plan to continue to use. The rest empty into the sink/trashcan. If you were an alcoholic you wouldn't keep full liquor bottles sitting around. If you were stopping smoking you wouldn't keep a carton in the cabinent. Next you need to gather ALL your bills. Make a list of each one, the day it is due on, the amount of the payment and the amount of the total bill. Track all of your spending in a journal for a few weeks to month. Look at where you really spend your money. It is usually the five or ten dollars spent here or there that really take you by surprise. Then sit down and make a BUDGET. I know a lot of folks think that is a dirty word but they really can work in your favor. I keep one made up a year in advance. I raise and lower my utility payments according to the seasons, etc etc etc. My budget is made of two columns per month that coincide with paydays. Then you may consider signing up for online banking. If you have your check directly deposited then the night that it is in your account sit down and pay your bills online. Depending on how deeply in debt you are you may need to seek credit counseling. At the very least prioritize you bills, student loans, housing, groceries, utilities (basic necessities) first, other things for living such as car payment if you must have one to get to work last would be credit card companies. Don't eat out except on a special occassion. If you need to look for FREE stuff to do. Just know that most folks are in the same boat or close to it. They may not look like it or spend like it because people really can hide it well. I think all us have been in the same boat at one time or another. But you can overcome this. Myra -
I've posted in here several times about the equilibrium (vertigo like) issues I share with a VSG patient friend. Long story short, I called one of my doctors numbers to get a coordinator who said she experience the same thing and it turned out to be a stomach ulcer! No pain, no abnormal gas, just dizziness a day or 2 after having alcohol. I am wondering how common stomach ulcers are after VSG, what your experiences were like, and how common they are for us? I imagine a lack of pain could certainly be due to a lack of nerve endings- we now have scar tissues where our stomachs were cut! But the dizziness is an odd thing to experience all on it's own.
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I hate to say it but I messed up on my pre-op last Saturday by drinking some alcohol. My surgery is Friday and I'm a little scared that my liver will not be shrunk up enough. Is it possible to just drink liquids for 3 days and have my liver small enough to do the surgery?
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Are you drinking alcohol or having any desserts? Is sugar back in your diet anywhere? Are your protein drinks low carb?
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I am still pre op but from all I have read from those already sleeved ( and my own online research) alcohol should be avoided. First of all, it is empty calories. Second, your absorption rate has been significantly changed, so a very small amount can have a much more intoxicating effect. Basically, you become a cheap drunk. LOL I do understand many people who have WLS swap addictions. They are not mentally able to conquer the demons that caused their overeating, but now they cannot physically overeat. Or they may just have addictive personalities.. Either way they move on to other addictions, be it drinking or gambling or even sexual addiction. That is what the pre op psych evaluation is supposed to determine, if you are ready mentally to be successful. But many of these evaluations are done too quickly and not thorough at all, so I think a lot of folks slip through that would benefit from additional counseling.
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OK, here's a mushroom Soup I make that is absolutely DELICIOUS!!! Even if you are not a mushroom eater, like my husband. And, depending on how much you blend it, it can be more liquid or less so.... I am estimating quantities because I NEVER use recipes per say...But, you can adjust to your own taste. And, you can leave out onion or garlic if you cannot handle it.... a splash of oil 1 medium sized onion, chopped 3-4 cloves, minced 1 1.2-2 cups diced carrot 1 cup of celery 2 cup of assorted mushrooms (shitake, straw, etc) 6-8 cups of beef broth (you can make from boullion) salt and peper Sherry (the alcohol burns off as you cook it, and you CAN leave it out, but I think it is missing something without it) Sour cream Saute the onion and garlic in a frying pan with a little oil, until the onions become translucent. Then place in boiling broth, together with remaining ingredients, except 1 cup of mushrooms. Simmer until everything is tender. Strain the solids from the broth and allow to cool . Place solids and some of the broth in a blender and blend until a creamy cosistancey (this is where you decide how smooth you want it.) Pour this back in the broth, and add the remaining cup of mushrooms. Let simmer for about 20-30 minutes, until mushrooms are tender. Add sherry to taste and allow to simmer for additoinal 15-20 minutes to burn alcohol off. Serve with a nice dollop of sour cream. I am telling you...this recipe is DELICIOUS, almost totally fat free and VERY healthy!!! I make it frequently. Happy drinking!
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McCraven: My NUT told me to wait a year. Her reasons were: 1) Most of us sleevers have a fatty liver. As we are losing weight rapidly our liver is working hard. Add alcohol to that, and our liver has to work harder. 2) alcohol can inflame the stomach 3) liquid calories and could effect your weight loss and the rate of weight loss. Dietbelle: I wouldn't think a teeny tiny sip would would hurt, but I would leave it at just aTeeny sip for the toast. Champagne has the dreaded carbonation and of course the alcohol. A whole glass may not feel good on your tummy. As far as food, each surgeon seems to be a little different. I am allowed to eat solid foods at 6 weeks. He instructed me not to eat red meat for about 6 months but eat what I want with the rule of measured portions, small bites, chew till it dissolves, Protein first and if there is room, the eat some veg. Breads, cakes, etc should be avoided.
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Drinking alcohol
Cape Crooner replied to mcraven83's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This was a big concern for me for social reasons. I stuck my toe in the alcohol waters at around 6 weeks at a party with a very weak (1/2 shot) and diet cranberry juice. Hated it and didn't finish. The next night (another party), I sipped 1 glass of wine over the course of 3 hours with no issues. I have enjoyed a few since then, but I think it's very important to log the calories, eat before you drink, and take an extra antacid before you drink. Interestingly enough, I have lost weight the days after drinking, so the weight loss is not an issue. Keep in mind, wine is 125 calories a glass and vodka/bourbon are around 90 a shot. -
How far out after surgery before alcohol is allowed?
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800 Pound Gorilla in the Room
miz z replied to Gregorio Punderschmidt's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
When I was being evaluated by the shrink, we discussed drinking with the sleeve. The first thing she said was that you couldn't drink for 6 months after the surgery. The next thing she shared was that she was doing a study of the relationship between WLS and drinking. Although the study isn't finished, she's seeing a high correlation between weightloss surgery and alcholism. Her findings are already indicating that it takes much less for a WLS patient to become an alcoholic -- even just 2 drinks. She also said everyone is different. Be careful how you roll the dice! -
I agree ask your doc. I too was told that the only absolute NO NO is carbonation. Period. That means no beer as to other alcohol, i was told I needed time to heal internally and to not get the surgery if I couldn't go 3-6 months without liquor. So check with your doc.
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UPDATE! I am doing much better now. I am losing weight again, walking on the treadmill a bit, and drinking protein again. Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with Alcoholic Hepatitis. I have lots of symptoms including weakness in my legs, fatigue, vomiting, and fogginess in my thinking. Since I quit the wine I can stand up in the kitchen long enough to make myself some tuna salad without vomiting. I still find it very hard to get up the stairs, but that is slowly getting better. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread!
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Sharon- my own grandmother was HORRID to me! Seriously horrid! I was third youngest of 35 first cousins. I was blessed with having 2 parents who actually gave a crap about me. My dad had 7 siblings. Most alcoholics who were lousy parents. My cousins are all awesome. But I digress- if you didn't NEED my grandmother- whether financially, or to "save" you from a bad situation, she had no use for you. And I was that lone person. She was mean, spiteful I could go on and on. She always lived either next door to us, or upstairs from us. One day she came into our house- I was 14- and started railing at me in her usual fashion. Well, that was it. I told her all of the things I felt about her, being mean, whatever, and she stood there and asked my father how he could let me speak to her that way. My father stepped aside and said "Mom, you've had that coming a LONG time". Of course, after she left he chastised me for speaking like that to a grown up, but he stood up for me where it counted!!! Just adding my story. Tell your mom that if she can't live nicely in Your home with Your rules, she is welcome to leave. And then walk away so she can't debate it!
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I've been up and down with my weight over the years. I didn't realize how "up" I had gotten again until we took a family trip to Florida and went to Universal Studios. We went to get on a ride and I couldn't get the shoulder bars to lock into place. So I had to get off while the rest of the family went on the ride. I wanted to die right then and there. I feel your pain. My sciatica had gotten so bad about 2 years after that where I couldn't walk for more than 5 minutes without being in horrible pain. That finally drove me to get my sleeve done. You're taking the right approach. Too many overlook the mental aspect of having WLS. The surgery is a tool. If I really wanted to it would be easy to take up a diet that would lead me to gaining weight back. Food is just as addictive as any drug, alcohol, tobacco, etc. I equate it to overcoming being an alcoholic – you’re never really “over” it. Some days it will be a battle to stay strong. Over time it gets easier and easier and you don’t think about it as much, but there will be times when you have to fight those urges. Some days/weeks are really tough, but as time has gone by it gets a bit easier to fight those urges. I never thought I’d be able to give up smoking and I did. It’s a long journey but having the right mindset will give you all the more success on the other side, and you’re on the right path. Best of luck to you on your journey!
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I was told to do essentially Atkins (lean protein and steamed vegetables) but without any of the crap Atkins fillers (bars/shakes) . That starts today for just shy of 2 weeks, then 2 weeks of the Vitaleph diet. The nutritionist said I need to go from 295lbs to 280lbs by July 6th (current BMI of 44), and zero alcohol from now until then. I'm going to miss a relaxing after work beer with the fiance. For Canadians mostly - On the Vitaleph website its about $360 total for the pre-op and post-op Vitaleph, with $35 shipping. It ended up being about $500.00 to get it to me in Calgary.... but I figured what's the point of a $10,000 surgery if I don't bother to take full advantage and make it all worth it, plus I might appreciate a chocolate shake to break up all the chicken broth lol blah blah blah sorry for the long post 28 Days to go..I'm so happy I'm almost giddy like a child
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What can we take when we are sick?
jwidner replied to ZollDoll's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was told nothing with alcohol Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App -
First, I think you should ask your doctor. A few beers? Think of your poor little pouch and all the gas from those beers coming up to torture it. (:shades_smile:) I don't know if my doctor gave a firm recommendation as to when alcohol was allowed, but especially at this early stage, I don't want to drink a significant number of non-nutritional calories. If he gives you the okay, I wouldn't think of drinking more than a glass of wine or something with no fizz. Then, carry around a water with a swizzle stick, to keep your hands full.
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Getting A Fill Prior To Flying On Vacation?
shues138 replied to armymom2012's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Wow I never knew that! And you know what's funny, I'm the type of person on a flight I have to drink alcohol to wash down my xanax (I have a HUGE fear of flying) and I noticed the last time I was on a plane, it took me forever to finish a bloody mary. Also, fyi, if you don't live in a higher altitude area, that will mess with your restriction. We went on a cross country trip, and when we were at the Grand Canyon (alt 10,000 feet), I couldn't even eat ravioli! I felt like crap! And on top of that it was TOM which restricts me even more. My dad goes "you know the altitude may have tightened your band up" he was right because when we got to Las Vegas, I was fine! Have fun in San Diego! Good luck! -
Alcohol After Lapand
khath0620 replied to Jerseydiva15's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My doc says that an occasional glass of wine or mixed drink is fine but no beer/carbonated beverages. The only thing about alcohol is that there are extra calories... -
Had surgery 1 1/2 years ago, lost 155 lbs, and at 6' 220lbs am pleased with my new body... probably still about 20lbs overweight and despite working out 5x/week still have a lot of loose skin. It was pretty easy losing the weight, but it was torture the whole time. Post surgery eating was a horrible experience - nothing tasted good, I never felt satisfied and I always felt sick after eating and extremely hungry all the time. It was brutal. The good news, though - was that the weight just seemed to melt off. The bad news was that to survive, I would cheat with candy, cake, Cookies etc on the side because they didn't make me feel sick and they felt satisfying, and it didn't seemed to slow my weight loss. Now, the sick feelings after eating seems to be easing. I still have to eat slowly or I will feel terrible, and I still have to have small portions, but my weight loss has completely stopped and I have actually gained 7 lbs from my low. No matter how careful I am with my calories, at levels where before I would steadily lose weight, now causes me to stay flat at best or even gain. Yuk. This is kind of depressing. BTW I have cut out all alcohol now for 2 years, which is very boring and I eat very little, exercise a lot - and am now gaining - yuk, yuk. I feel like I am back where I started, ever day I wake up and say to myself I am going to try to eat even less and exercise more so that I can lose more weight, ie DIET. This doesn't feel sustainable and doesn't feel good. Any words of encouragement/advice or similar experience? Thanks
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Help - my brain is exploding..
Filosophia Scandinavia replied to Filosophia Scandinavia's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you so much for answeing, Eurika C! You are right, that decision is difficult. Hearing from other, who have had the surgery - og could give some kind of input. I have trying to read a lot in here, and will probably read all, every thread, before I dicide. "1. I am a person who likes to eat large amounts. I think the restriction will be the most important tool for me. " I hope it is ok for me to ask you these. Large amounts of intake is no longer possible, so it will give you some kind of resticted intake. Do you think, that your urge to eat is so strong, that over time, you could stretching the stomach? And you could digest larger amount over time? What I am thinking about is, that no matter how strong ones feeling of succes is. It is difficult to know, if the old habits will get control over one again. I personally think, that I will do all there is to do, to keep a healthy lifestyle. I have been looking into and working with all the emotions eating is giving me. Mayby the ghrelin reduction will handle some of the appetite "2. I am concerned about the malabsorption of the RNY. I have a brother in law who has done very well so far on the RNY, but I am still concerned. It is important to me to eat as close to a varied normal diet as possible once I have healed and reach maintenance levels." That is also how I feel. What will happen in 20 years from now. It seems logical, that the long time Vitamin and mineral difficiency must be less with a sleeve operation. That is pointing me in the sleeve direction :-) "As for the sweets issue, people can sabotage their surgery by eating high calorie slider foods." Excactly - and how much is too much? I would do anything, but I also more and more see this urge to art like an addiction. Like alcoholism. I know, I need to take care of it every day I have read that 2/3 of the people who have batriatic procedure is have some kind binge eating disorder. " Is this something you are willing to take ownership of and combat? " Yes - ownership is a good word. I need to struggle with after an operation - but I hope the struggle with get just a little easier in some ways. "The sleeve is a tool, and you have to work the tool by following the post surgery guidelines." Yes, and that tool could be so helpful - mayby I am to optimistic, but I see it as I am half way there with this helpertool of mine. THANK YOU AGAIN! -
Update!! I was on vacation for two weeks!! I'm talking about eating out everyday and sipping on alcoholic drinks 24/7 with that and all i still managed to lose 5 pounds making my total weight loss today 67 pounds! My neXt goal is to start walking, running, yoga, zumba, something!!!
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I took small pills from day 5ish after returning home and it was not an issue. I tried crushing larger ones (the ones that are safe to crush, not all are so check with your doc)! but the taste was SO bad I ended up cutting in half and swallowing the 2 pieces. After a couple of months even large pills were not a problem. I take a time release Calcium that's pretty big and it's a non-issue. I DID find that Mucinex gave me kind of a tummy ache when taken on an empty stomach. It's s largeish time release thing and having a couple crackers before hand solved that problem. Alcohol: YMMV, but I don't find that my tolerance is significantly less, (some, yes, there is almost 100 pounds less of me to metabolize it after all), but one drink does not put me under the table as I was led to believe. It's probably as much of a factor that I avoid food\liquid together (it's one of "the rules" AND it makes me uncomfortable to put liquid on top of food so I just don't) so I tend to drink on more of an empty stomach than I used to.
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When in is it safe to have a drink?
terrydumont46 replied to thbrown223's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
i know it's tiring to hear "talk to your doctor", but if something should happen you want your doctor to have your true and complete history. I know with my doctor who I also signed a contract for a year no alcohol surprised me when I told him about my annual Christmas drink. He let me have it! So ask him/her.
