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Hello All, Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. I even looked up Borland and Umbach. But today, my insurance was verified and guess what... I HAVE COVERAGE!!! I am so happy that I wont have to self pay. I have a Pre-Op appointment on 01/10/2012. I will keep everyone informed probably in another thread or topic. Thanks again everyone!

I am actively considering the sleeve procedure. I am researching extensively. I have insurance that will kick in on 01/01/14 but I think there might be an exclusion in my policy. Is there anyone from the Houston area that can tell me if they paid cash and what is the price? I would even travel to another state in the US. I am saving Mexico as my last resort but it is still an option. Any info would be appreciated.

I am in soft food now, been struggling a bit with it. Not really because of my sleeve, but more of my own fear. I've been having various soups, greek yogurt, SF applesauce... I tried oatmeal, that went poorly. I ended up in bed with some crazy nausea with that. I tried a baked potato last night and that went fine. Scrambled eggs have also been successful. Next week I hope to move on to some egg salad and chicken salad if I can increase my bravery levels I was sleeved on 6/10/15.

My energy levels are good. They seem better than before surgery. I'm walking 30 to 60 minutes a day, every day for exercise. At work I take 10 minute walks at least four times per day. At home on the weekends I'll take a 30 to 40 minute in the mornings.

I came home the same weight I was pre-op and then started losing weight at about 10 pounds a month at the beginning more came off.

Hi Casey I guess I could consider myself a "third generation bariatric". Grandma, Aunt, Mom, and Dad all had surgery before my wife and I did. My Grandma and Aunt had it back in the 90s (Aunt in her 20s, Grandma in her 50s). Mom had it in early-mid 2000s (40ish age), and Dad had surgery in 2010 (he had just turned 50). With Grandma, Mom, and Dad, they were so heavy for so long that between getting older and having been too heavy for too long and some damage being done, they still had issues with their joints or health. Grandma and Mom have both had knee replacements, despite remaining relatively healthy since their surgeries. Dad had triple bypass heart surgery last year. My Aunt has been relatively healthy. None of my relatives regret the surgery, but I can bet if I asked my parents or Grandma, they'd all probably wish they had their WLSs sooner. I had surgery in 2017, three days before my 29th birthday. Doctors have told me that, despite my lifelong being obese (probably been "the fat kid" since 2nd grade), I haven't done any significant damage. Pre-op I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and a vitamin D deficiency (I live in upstate NY, everyone has a vitamin D deficiency!). And since my surgery, I've trained and completed two full marathons, and have more to come. I was training for a marathon this spring, but COVID-19 canceled that one, as well as another long distance race has been canceled. I feel like I have the rest of my life to do things I've never even dreamed of doing! When I wife and I were dating, she asked me if I had considered it (I was a 380 pound 22 year old) I took what I call a "typical man" position and told her "I'm young enough that I can lose the weight myself", which was true, but I couldn't maintain it, and I never got as light as I am now (230-240 neighborhood, with approx. 20% body fat). Sorry for the long backstory, but I fully support having surgery in your 20s. Probably 95% of the people I've spoken to about surgery say their biggest regret is not having it sooner. Good luck to you!

Once upon a time it was nearly impossible for a bariatric patient to keep their protein counts up. We were taught to only eat certain foods and to avoid others. Chicken breast, lean beef, and fish was the rule of thumb. The problem with these foods was that several people had problems eating, swallowing, and digesting them. And we were told that once we hit a certain point, to avoid protein drinks as we needed to be eating our protein rather than drinking it. Isn't it nice to know that times have changed? New research and information has given the bariatric patient so many more options on foods we can eat now to keep our protein levels where they should be. We are no longer restricted to the leanest cuts of meat, but are encouraged to try other cuts such as dark meat chicken, 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef, and (a personal favorite) BACON. Additionally, we are encouraged to eat eggs and shrimp, salmon and pork. And protein drinks (when done RIGHT) are no longer a no-no! How Much Protein Do We REALLY Need and Why Is It So Important? According to most surgeons and nutritionists, we need about 65-70 grams of protein daily. That goes up a little bit if you're recovering from surgery or are sick or pregnant (to about 85-90 grams). Protein is an essential building block of our bodies. When we're losing weight, especially, protein is one of the hardest working macronutrients on the planet. Beyond muscle building, it also helps strengthen our immune system, rebuilds tissue, and can even improve brain function. Additionally, when we lose weight, our bodies burn protein. When we're not getting enough protein, our body takes it from wherever it can get it - typically our body muscle. What's more, it can actually take muscle from our cardiac system! How Can I Get My Protein? Focusing on protein is the #1 concern of many bariatric patients. Of course, eating your protein is the very best bet. Focusing on protein foods with a high protein to fat ratio is the very best bet. Some of the best protein foods are egg whites, chicken breast, and shrimp. Although other meats, poultry, and seafood are also good options. Cheese is another great choice as are nuts and seeds. Beans do give some protein, but many bariatric patients have issues with digesting them. Another good option is the protein drink. Once only encouraged in the early phases after surgery, now many nutritionists and dietitians are encouraging the bariatric patient to include protein supplements in their daily diets. Most contain high (35+ g) amounts of protein, and leave you free to consume other healthy (and needed) foods later on such as vital fruits and vegetables. The #1 suggested protein drink that nutritionists suggest is whey protein. It is, by far, the most digestible and assimilated protein on the market (that means your body can use it a lot easier than other kinds). Sadly, many people can't tolerate whey or stomach it. If this is the case, there are other options available that are almost as easily digested such as egg white protein or vegan (brown rice, pea, and hemp) proteins. If I'm Focusing On Protein, I Don't Have Room For Other Foods, HELP! VITAMINS! You remember those vitamins and fiber supplements the doctor sent you home with? TAKE THEM. It's true that we often have to forgo fruits, vegetables, and whole grains when we're focusing on protein. That's why these supplements are so important to our lifestyle. Remember The Basics! The basics of our lifestyle don't change with time. We still need to remain focused on protein, water, and our vitamin supplements. Keeping these three things at the forefront of your mind will help ensure you successful weight loss, successful maintenance, and a successful lifestyle overall!

So I am very excited that I was approved for the vertical sleeve surgery. I am overjoyed and I have a scheduled date for May 10, 2013 with Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali. Although I will say I am a bit nervous and I have been researching Dr. Aceves and haven't came across or heard any negative reviews about his work. Has anyone had any bariatric procedures with him? and if you did how was your surgery and recovery at the hospital and hotel?

So I may have to pay for 10% of the surgery out of pocket, but I got health insurance through my employer now, which covers the procedure! I immediately called my PCP and had her put a new referral through to a different program and just a couple days later the office called me to set up an appointment! Yesterday I received a bunch of questionnaires to fill out and my consult is on the 30th! I'm glad they got me in so quickly, I'm so ready for this to get going! I'm having issues with my husband's lack of support for all of this. When I told him about my consult next week he said I was wasting my time and being stupid. He said the same when I was filling out my paperwork. I'm not sure what his problem is, but I would think that he would be happy for me. I hope he comes around. Anyone reading this have the same type of problem?

Mine isn't that serious, he just said try to lose 5-10 lbs. if you don't that is okay. So really I just want to get back to where I was at the office.

I can come in here and do back flips and cartwheels.....whooohooooo I LOST 4 POUNDS LAST NIGHT.........WOOOOHOOOOO.......I NOW WEIGH 3 HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE POUNDS.......385...YEAHHHHHH I AM SO HAPPY:lol: 459-389-385-380-375 :wow2: I can't wait to get to 375 that is 10 pounds away. August 15 -3 pounds August 22 -3 pounds August 29 -3 pounds I can do this. :humble: I have enough weight that I can lose 3 pounds a week. OK this is where I get stressed out about adding strenght training and causing muscle gain....whhhhhhhhh breath, muscle burns fat. :Banane10: :Banane20: :Banane20: :Banane20: 3min circuit 9:35

I have never had a bad reaction to lido but you really don't need it. Fills dont hurt without it. I am so freaked out by pain and needles and so I used to get lido before a fill but my doc made me try once to avoid an extra needle and 10 minutes of freak out time and it was fine.

I probably go back and forth at least 5 times a day since I got my surgery date. It's May 10th and I'll probably go back and forth another 5000 times before I just do it. It's the waiting and anxiety that makes it worse. My main thing is the permanency which is the reason I chose the sleeve in the first place lol. That's about 60% of my anxiety. It's scary. It's a major life adjustment. Probably more than marriage. That's how I feel anyway. About 10% is surgery complications. About 10% is fear of failure About 10% is never eating (fill in the blank) again And the last 10% is the effect it will have on my relationships with my friends, husband, new people I meet, my family and what they think of me.

Wow you went through it I was sleeved 01-30 I told surgeon don't let me wake up intubated as a respiratory therapist that would freak me out so I know you really have been there and back obviously you are super strong and strong willed I did get admitted to er few days out for dehydration but I'm so gratreful how things went overall still having pain here and there you stay strong it will all be worth it!

I went crazy eating. Was sleeved 2 1/2 weeks after my initial consultation and probably gained close to 10 lbs before surgery.

Thirty pounds since November is awesome!! Nothing to be ashamed of at all! Remember, your bariatric team is there to help YOU. I probably had 10 fills before my band started working for me. Hang in there, you're doing great!

I went for my fill, and they were very nice. They suggested severly limiting my carbs (until you get closer to your goal) and especially limit anything white. So, I am going to do that. Step up the exercise, and we shall see. I now have 4.5 cc in a 10 cc band. So, I am almost half way full? But I will not walk in that office next month with anything but a loss. that's my goal. It may only be a pound (hopefully more), but I am going to be more vigilant thanks, everyone for being so supportive. My surgeon had to leave early which was fine becuase the nurse did my fill. It went great!

Its something I SAY I Can do now, But I wont know I guess until im in the banders shoes lol . I too am a believer in doing what your doc says if it make sense , if it doesnt make sense ask why lol . Ive been in the medical feild for 10 yrs so i can usually tell or feel when something is just absurd. I asked on here because on another board , like i told jack a few ppl told me to get another doc . I thought that was a bit extreme lol Thanks for your comments and help Sherryjo. I am HOPING TO be banded in December if all goes well with finances. Mindy

SheryBery, I grew up in this area, came back after being gone for 19 years for a job with Albertson's HQ. After realizing that was NOT for me...I got a job working for a company based in NC, CA and AZ but I get to work remotely out of my home (which is wonderful and horrible all at the same time). I love the freedom of working at home, but the long hours of staring at a computer screen and being on the phone are a bit exhausting. I have to travel back and forth to PHX to work one week every two months, so that's why I'm considering the surgery there (as there are two physicians that take my ins.). I love this area, but it's not the most diverse area, and being part of a mixed couple with mixed kids it's not the best place for us to be--not the most accepting community. We're considering moving out of Idaho, but haven't finalized our plans yet. So that also is a deciding factor for me, in that regardless of where I move, I'm going to have to go to PHX for work, so it makes the most sense to have the surgery and my aftercare there... So are you an Idaho native? You know I get teased alot about Idaho...when my coworkers found out that the chinese buffet has potatoes on it I thought they were never going to stop laughing!

I too am one of those that get on the scale every morning. I was banded in April '09. Had no weight lost since a week after surgery; so it has been very difficult for me. I even went back to weight watchers. I was having no restricition at all; which made it even harder to eat right. I got my 5th fill on 10/9 and I finally fill the restriction and the scale is going down...thank GOD. I was really feeling like a failure. I had oatmeal and coffee for Breakfast, 2 and a half hours later I'm still not hungry....I LOVE IT. I thank you all for your posts. I have been reading them for a while and it has help me a lot. I congratulate each of you on your weight lost. Keep losing and sharing; people are reading even if we don't make a post.

Last week I went to my Group Session (10/18/07). I was a little skeptical after the meeting about going through with the surgery. I called my Mom and she did not try to convince me otherwise.:help: I decided to get on the internet and do some more research. After reviewing so many entries here at lapbandtalk.com, I am so inspired and decided to call my doctor to start the next phase of getting closed to an approval from my insurance company and a date for the surgery. My husband is behind me 100%. I'm so excited.:clap2:

I'm getting banded on sept 19, it can't get here fast enough.

I had my LapBand removed and revised to sleeve on 10/18/16. Wish I had done it sooner. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A couple years prior to wls I had lost 90 pounds on my own with tracking my food and exercise and I did it in 9 months. I did put it back on the following year after falling into a depression over the death of a parent, the 90 plus 10. The month before surgery I started talking to family/friends about getting serious about weight loss again. If they asked how I was doing it I would say the same way I did last time, tracking my food and exercise, which is true I am doing those things. While I was recovering from surgery I told family/friends that I had the flu and it was kicking my butt. This became the reason I couldn't be social for a while or wasn't up to doing much... still getting over that flu, man it was a tough one. It worked for me.

Even a jump rope at home is bette than nothing. I work out alone, but I jam out while working out. I feel great afterwards. Slowly adding exercise in your daily routine even for 10-20 minutes will have you feeling better.