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I gained 4 pounds during my 3 month weigh ins and I was nervous it would impact my insurance approval. It didnt. My doctor didnt even mention it to me. I had sleepless nights filled with anxiety (for the first time in my life) toward the end of my weigh ins. Once I got insurance approval a weight lifted. Now I have to have the surgery. I am still consumed with this process and can't wait for the actual surgery.

I'm 41 and work 50 hours a week on my feet all day. I used to come home straight after work and put my legs up and cry from the pain in my feet, ankles and knees. When I gave up wheat in November I noticed a great improvement even without weightloss though there was still some pain after my shift. Now it's getting better and better. I now work all day, go for a three mile walk, come home, prepare dinner and THEN put my feet up.. yeah my knees and ankles still do ache a bit but NOTHING like before.

Thanks Cynthia! This is good to know. My brother and his wife have BCBS and they were just asking about this last week.

Praying for you- let us know how it goes- I have 2 more weeks to go!

Actually I can fluctuate between days about 3 to 4 lbs. It is frustrating, I will weigh in at 149 lbs today, and tomorrow I will weigh in at 146 or 150. So I really need to weigh myself l time per week but since I'm doing the maintenance thing, I see a lot of fluctuation.

I have so much scar tissue from having my spleen removed and will have to have drains placed and due to having the lapband it perforated my stomach when it was placed and had to have emergency surgery to remove it 4days after it was placed and high risk of blood clots bc I had one before and high risk for infection apparently bc the surgery will have to be open instead of laproscopic. Since there is so much scar tissue I have a higher risk for leaks which can lead to infection and she told me I could be in the hospital for weeks and b moved to a long term facility if that happens. Just not sure I wanna take any of these risks..having second thoughts

What kind of diet have they got you on. I've not heard of such a low protein diet. That is one thing you should be allowed to have, but I'm not your doctor or nurtionalist. I know when I had the band I was allowed at least 60 grams of protein, 64 oz. water, and a smart one tv dinner or one that is higher in protein and very few carbs. Pretty sure when I get bypass it will definitely be similar, as their shrink brought it up that I should go on it a couple of weeks before surgery, haven't talked with the doctor, that will come on 5/30 after he removes the band. So my answer would be "no" as long as it is lean, grilled, broiled or baked.

I am 1 week post op today and there is no way I could prepare a meal. I feel good, but it takes only a little exertion and I am wiped out. When I scheduled my surgery 3 weeks before Thanksgiving , I called my kids and told them I wasn't cooking this year. They were perfectly fine with it and we are already planning our Christmas meal to be band friendly. Holidays doesn't have to be the traditional foods, the time we spend with family is what makes the holiday!

rivergirl you will see/hear on the board the common phrase.............. "the one thing we all have in common is that we are all different"!!!!! some people are up and around and feeling great almost immediately!!! surgery on Friday, work on Monday all went fine with my surgery/recovery, but.............. i was not ready to do jumping jacks in a week - nor would i want to cook a big meal!!!! i know you are very important - but they can "try" and do for themselves and as "they" say.............. "let em eat cake" !!!!! LOL good wishes with surgery speedy recovery kathy

I had planned on going to Dr (Don't want specifics) and there are many reasons I changed my mind. I researched and can only tell you the facts of what I found out and why I changed my mind. My experience was so great, I believe everyone deserves the treatment I received (best treatment in any hospital EVER). I researched other Dr's but these were the 2 I went back and forth with. I decided that close to the Border was easy in and easy out lol,a nd I was right:) Here is a list of why I changed my mind! #1 Its a small hospital and not a walk in clinic as Dr x has his place in a strip mall and I want to be in a actual hospital. #2 Dr x does 8-14 surgeries a day, My Dr does usually 2 but up to 4. I didn't just want to be a number! #3 My husband came with me and we had our own private room where he stayed with me, Dr x had recovery rooms holding up to 4 patients. I loved my privacy and getting rested the first 2 days with total care for everything I asked for. #4Dr x sends you directly to a hotel to share with (I'm not sure how many beds) but you do have to share, they leave the IV in and transport you every day back to the Walk in Clinic to check you, I personally wanted my own room and stayed in it 2 nights without being moved around, or bothered by another patient. #5 Dr x only staples when he does the VSG, My Dr staples and also sutures to ensure no leaks. I know all have their downfall, but my Dr is 100% no leaks, and just a wonderful surgeon. #6 If you want a private room you must pay yourself, my Dr gives you a private room at a 4-5 star hotel. If your husband (or anyone goes with you they have to pay for an extra room anyways) #7 On the 3rd day I wanted to see the city as I was feeling better and they provide a free shuttle to take you shopping, and bring you what you need, I loved it! #8 As I got back to my hotel it was around 8:30 pm and my Dr came to the hotel to check on me, I thought he was great. #9 I was so well tended to, I wish I could tell it to the world, my Dr is $4500 and with so many more perks now, I figure you save $400, and if you bring someone $800. #10 My Dr is Board Certified, and Dr x is not. In fact my trained Dr x when they studies for Bariatrics! Please feel free to respond, and I also have a FB group that has 350 members from ALL Dr's and if you would like to join please give me your email address and I will be glad to add you. Sorry so long, but you asked lol. You can also feel free to call me if you like, but let me know you are from Verticle Sleeve Talk. Congrats on your decision and good luck PS I choose not to use names, I don't think any Dr's are "bad" Dr's, just different and with different styles for sure. I have friends on my FB who have went to all Dr's! Pics are 21 days out If interested in any Dr's in Mexico contact me as there is alot of information in my Facebook group about several different Dr's:)

In my program we take Flinstone Complete chewables 1, 2 times a day. Viactive with vitD 500mg 1, 2 times a day and not within 2 hours of taking the multi vit/min. B12 sublingual 1 stopper full 2 times a week, Biotin 1, 2 times a day. I have a 3 month lab draw coming up on the 17th of this month. Hope my labs are good but if not adjustments to vitamins and supplements can be made. I get 70gms protein in with shakes every day. 4 oz in my coffee in the morning then 2 shakes throughout the day. 1 of the shakes right before bed to get me through the night. So I start and end the day with protein. I was told I'd be drinking shakes for at least 6 months. Yes I'm sick of them and the pill taking( vits & supplmts) but this is just part of having this surgery. It is a life long commitment. I've not missed an appointment yet either and don't intend to. I want to keep the weight off the rest of my life.

I travelled on the Sunday to stay in a hotel, hospital for pre-op testing on Monday and op on Tuesday, the co-ordinator met us in the hotel and told us to go and eat in the hotel restaurant and to eat what we wanted. As we had been on a pre-op diet for 2 weeks it was a wonderful treat. I had my op in Europe.

Week four was like a new me. I didn't have much pain, but I did have a lot of nausea. I have never had a hernia surgery so I do not know what the recovery expectations are. Nine days it not very long. I would give it more time and see how you feel. I am sure you will feel better soon. Remember your body has twice as much to get acustomed to. The sleeve surgery alone is a big change to your body. Be patient and hang in there.

I had to lose 15 pounds before surgery as a requirement from my insurance company. I met with my dr. once a month for six months to discuss diet, exercise, etc. It was a very long journey, but finally had surgery two weeks ago.

@rebecca thank you so much!! I read your post and instantly got up to fill my water bottle up! I am definitely going to try this out. Hopefully I see a difference by the end of next week.

I started back in October- but had problems with my insurance and my primary care dr getting them the info they needed. From the time all the paperwork was submitted it took 2 days to approval- that was a week ago Saturday. I called Monday (8th) to schedule things- Surgery is May 7th. So once everything was submitted- one month.

I am super excited and nervous, I got my surgery date right on my birthday. Today I turn 27 and my surgeons office called after 2 weeks of crazy wait, giving me a surgery date of april 9th. Hopefully i.can connect with all April sleevers and share our progress date. My stats are: Weight: 220 Height: 5'2 Bmi: 40 Goal weight: 130 Sent from my S Galaxy using VST

Chapstick phone/charger kindle/ipad facial cleansing pads←I washed my face 3 times a day. I've always been greasy though Antibacterial hand/body wipes←same thing I liked wiping myself down lotion I took tshirts, sports bras,panties, slip on shoes and loose pants. As soon as my catheter was out I was in my regular clothes. They unhooked my iv so I could get dressed up top and I took a "bath" with my antibacterial wipes. Slip on tennis shoes so I didn't have to walk those halls in my socks. Gross hair brush Hair ties soap. I took my own and shampoo and conditioner. The stuff they give you blows.

Never regretted it for a single moment. The first weeks, even the first 3 months were "hard" but oh so worth it. I love my life as a sleever!

Hey guys! I'm making my list and checking it twice for my post-op Vitamins. I've been using a complete Multivitamin for years, but it's a huge pill, so I need to switch to something chewable. I've looked at gummy vitamins at the store, but they are expensive for what you get. Considering my normal vitamins are $8 for a 3 month supply, paying $10 for a one month supply is outrageous to me, and what I've looked they have less vitamins per serving that my current generic vitamins. But looking around, I'm just getting confused about what I need to be taking, and where to get the most for my money... So, please, tell me what you're taking, where you get it and how much it costs. I'm a 32 year old female, what do I need to take? Here's what I was planning for: A multivitamin Biotin B-12 sublingual Calcium with Vitamin D I'd also like suggestions for the calcium/vit D, because I'm not taking that currently, so I don't know what to look for or how much to take. Do I have to take chewables forever? Or can I go back to my pills when I'm fully healed from surgery? Thanks all for the input!

I'm a vegetarian as well. Been veggie for 18 yrs. I was just sleeved last week so I really can't advise you with how long you would need to take off. I an tell you I started at 225 and accent weighed myself. I'm still pretty swollen in my belly but I feel really good today. Exactly one week post op. I'm a hairstylist and am scheduled to start taking clients next week. If I were in your profession I might take an extra week or two off just in case. Good luck with everything.

Hi all! I'm new to the forum and am considering VSG.....I have thought about surgery for years, but have been afraid---surgery scares the heck out of me, but the future seems rather bleak if I don't get this weight off...........the big 5-0 is coming up soon, and it's unsettling.......with health concerns, I don't see getting to a healthy weight happening w/o surgery. I had a sister and a friend who had the bypass a number of years ago, and that just isn't for me. A friend had lapband, and I would prefer not to deal with the adjustments for maintenance. I went to the informational session last night, and meet with the surgeon next week. The procedure is covered 100% and need to go through a 3 month period before the surgery to meet with NUT & Psy.....will find out next week what hoops I have to jump through...........I know one will be my PCP.......I'm not sure if he will be supportive..... Thankfully, my husband of 29 years is onboard with this. Has anyone had Cigna, and were they good to deal with for this process? Thanks for all the helpful info posted on the forum. :wub:

Congratulations Khloe! I had to do the six month supervised diet but fortunately my insurance accepted Weight Watchers and I have been going to their meetings. What date is your surgery? Mine is April 17...one more week!!!

Hi, I'm 2 weeks post-op and have been having heart burn at night. Has anyone else experience this? I've heard that some of the symptoms of night heart burn could mean a slip?? Thank you for any advice.

So far I like this site. I am set for surgery May 3, and just found this today and I am loving it. Good Luck to you!