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I had my VSG Tuesday 6/19. I have developed a habit of weighing myself daily. Is this good practice or should I discipline myself to space my weight-in out?

So, I've been lurking for a while and have decided to join the fold. I decided about 10 years ago that I was never going to 'diet' again and would have to either make piece with my size or have surgery. I have made piece to a certain extent, but I have recently made a huge investment in myself by returning to school. I have one more year left. It has been a huge time and financial commitment and I feel like my size will likely hurt me as I seek employment in a competative field. So...for the last year or so I have thought about surgery more earnestly. My insurance expressly does not cover any weight loss surgery so I will be self pay (or self borrow) as the case may be. I live in the Pacific NW and surgery seems cost prohibitive, so I am leaning towards Mexico. I have tons of questions, of course, but mainly I am looking for support as I have isolated myself quite a bit over the years. In that vein, if one tavels to Mx, can you go alone? I don't have anyone to go with. Also if anyone knows of good support groups in the Seattle area that are open to the public I would love to start going and learning. Thanks for your ear.

Ah, thanks :laugh: I meant that mostly in a joking way, but I seriously would like to be at goal by Dec. 31st. That's less than 10 lbs. per month - I hope I can do it! If not, well hey... anything to keep me reaching for it.

jaunderwood - you didn't lose ONLY 40 pounds....turn it around - WOW, you have LOST 40 pounds! That's fabulous!!!! YAY!!! Would you ever in your history have been thrilled with losing 10 or even 20 pounds??? If yes, then Celebrate 40!!! It isn't a race; you will get there. Just believe it and live it - sometimes easier said then done - I know ALL about it!!!

Hello, I would like us to get to know each other, so here's my story... I am 47 yrs old, Married to my wonderful husband Richard for 27 yrs now. I have two awesome sons, Jason 26 and Josh 23. My son Joshua was married last July and they are about to have his first child. The decision to have this surgery was not an easy one for me. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, acid reflux, sleep apnea and side effects from the diabetes. I have seen people get diabetes complications and have their toes, feet, legs removed. Blindness is also a real possibility. I have nerve damage starting in my feet, and sighs of damage in my eyes. I want to be able to play with my grandchild and enjoy my life as I get older. So...... this is why I made the decision to have the surgery. I was on 3 different meds for my diabetes, including insulin. My surgery was 8 days ago and I am off all the diabetic meds, sleep apnea is gone, blood pressure is better. For now I still take the blood pressure med and the med for cholesterol, but am told I will be off them soon. Each day I feel better and better. I have lost 22 pounds since I saw my surgeon in May. 11 since my surgery on 6/19. I am very pleased with the improvment of my health and am told it will get better in the coming months. I would really like to hear from you. Thanks for reading my story. RanayB

So I am one step closer! I was there FOREVER but I think they checked every part of me. I go in 10/2 and my surgery is at 2:15 pm. I hope I don't have to spend the night but with the surgery so late they said it was a possibility.

Thank you for answering my post about depression. So sorry you have to go through this too. It is horrible. I have my good days and bad days I do take wellbutrim and t does take the edge off. I am lke you without my faith that there is a living God who loves and cares about me that I can talk to everyday I would not get out of bed. I have had my Band 2+ years and the Band helped with the weight but not the depression. The weight is not the cause of the depression but a side affect of the depression. But my husband and I agreed the depression is not something I can cure myself but the depression and the weght were too much for me. I was 251 and am now 169 a tight size 18 to a loose size 10, so that does make me feel better. I am still believeing God will not make me live the rest of my life living like this. I am waiting for healing, I know He can and I want it. So you are thinking about the Band? It Is a good thing. I might would have done the Bypass but I was self pay and could not afford it. But now I am glad I went with the Band. With the Bypass I could have lost even more weight but too many risks. I have really had no problems with the band, too tight twice but no biggie they just take some out and I do throw up but always have and no slip or problem. I have been married for 31 years to a wonderful supportive man and have a great son and a wonderful daughter-in-law and the most beautiful grandbabies Olivia 5 and Isabella 2 both blond hair and blue eye and both left handed like my son. They all are the joy I have in this world. I fear my depression will ruin their lives too. I spend a lot of time faking happiness as to not ruin their time. But it is hard sometimes. But I would never want to cause my grandbabies any unhappiness or set a bad example. The oldest one Olivia does know that grandma does get sad sometimes but that it is okay. She is more concerned about my Band, she tells everyone, people in the store, or when we are out to eat everyone, does not bother me. She thinks she can feel the band because she can feel the port really easy. (it is by bra line). She always ask me if I am going to eat something “Is that healthly grandma”. She is so funny. So you see I have a wonderful family my husband and I made, but really no relationship with my family. They are all into drugs and drinking which I do not do. My daddy died when I was 10 and my brother who also suffered from depression overdose last Christmas on prescription drugs, his and someone elses. It was a terrible death he would have never wanted people to see him like that in a coma on life support for 2 days it was terrible but he was one of the saddest people I have ever known but would not accept help. I have been throught 3 years of counseling and learned a lot of coping skills and that I have probably been depressed my whole life but was too busy being a mom to care about myself and kept it all inside. When my son married I kinda lost my identity and it opened the door for the depression to surface. I am gonna stop writing now as I have written a book, more than you wanted to know I am sure. So sorry it took me a few days to answer you but like I said I have my good days and bad days. Cheri

Mine is still a little swollen but not hard. I'm 10 days out.

I am all set for today at 10:30. I'm down 17lb from my all time high of 302. Holding on to the knowledge that I will never worry about crossing 300 again is one of the big things that comforts me. I got an unexpected gift with the hurricane , 2 full days at home with my family. We had such a lovely time, and I'll come home to a much cleaner house than I would have otherwise. I'm pretty nervous, but I hope to have great things to post very soon!

I just had my surgery on 5/4. The things I used in the hospital were my chapstick, my cellphone, cellphone charger, license and insurance card, hair brush and elastic, and a pillow to lay across my abdomen. I wore yoga pants and a loose t-shirt and that was also what I went home in. I was provided with non slip socks, toothpaste and toothbrush, things to shower(i did not shower at the hospital). After my surgery which was at 10:30am, I did not wake up fully until 7pm and that was when I was transferred to my room. I walked around that night but I was in and out of sleep most of the time. The next day I walked around a lot and was ready to be discharged in the afternoon. I didn't even have time to watch t.v. good luck with your surgery!

As long as it doesnt have more than 10 calories or contain caffeine. That's what my doc told me.

I am 5 months out. I had a leak 1 week after surgery, had a stent placed and removed 7/19. I really haven't had any problems since then. With my stent I was on all liquids and after it was removed progressed as normal with my foods. The past week I've started having terrible cramping while eating or drinking & it lasts for a while after. I am taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, not overeating, following all the rules. I've had diarrhea daily, mostly in the morning. Thankfully no vomiting or any other symptoms. I had my gall bladder removed 20 years ago so I know it's not that. Has anyone ever experienced this or heard of anyone who has? I'm seeing my Doc Thursday morning.

Oh honey, I feel for you. Remember, every body is different. If you lose slower your skin won't shrink as much and it will be easier to keep it off. You are learning a new lifestyle, being healthy, and doing well with your sleeve. Congrats to you for doing a great job! Your time to be in a size 10 or 8 will come, and you will be the one getting all the praise because your achievement is so much greater. Best wishes to you. We witches have to stick together

First Blog entry: I am so glad this is all available to those of us who are journeying into and through the unknowns of such an important decision as bariatric surgery. I am a 55 (well almost 2/19) jewish woman with a 47 BMI on my way at the end of March to a gastric sleeve/hiatal hernia surgery @ Sibley Hospital here in Washington, DC. I am very interested in sharing about the process: physically and psychologically. I have been on every diet known throughout most of life and lost as much as 92 lbs but it never holds. It is only with my pre-surgery weight management counseling @ Sibley that I have been able to understand and implement eating more protein which seems to stablilize my weight. I am a retired clinical social worker/psychotherapist lookng for insight into the process. Currently, my presurgery tests are scheduled for the end January with surgery at the end of February/begining of March. I am awaiting word now. I would like to hear from others over 50, post menopause, about what the process is like for them. My interest in posting this blog is to engage others in an essential dialogue about what it is like and/or has been like to go through this major life transition. Peace, Chimpati

I attended a seminar with Dr. Hirai on March 3, 2010. Pretty much the same info that I received at the seminar I attended with Dr. Neal at Pacific Surgical back in 2006. Insurance wouldn't cover a band back then, Pac Surgical doesn't accept my insurance, and I couldn't pay out of pocket at the time, so I couldn't go any further... At the end of the seminar I ran up to the front to put my name on the list for a consultation appointment! I hope everything will go smoothly & things will fall into place with the timeline I'm up against. It will be tricky, being a homeschooling mom with a DH who is about to leave for a partial deployment. Ugh.

Dr. Quebbemann in Newport Beach, CA was the first doctor to perform the vertical sleeve using the spider system. :tongue_smilie: http://inyourface.ocregister.com/2010/07/19/weight-loss-surgery-through-the-belly-button/18999/

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My husband has Blue Cross Blue Shield and they paid. It has to be presented as a medical issue. We had to give them a five year history from the primary doctor showing he has been over a certain weight for 5 years or more. Plus he has high blood pressure, sleep apnea and diabetes runs in his family. If you have medical issues over your weight, I do not understand how they can turn you down? Did your doctor present the case properly? My husband just had his surgery this month, 8/10. But it took us a good portion of the year to get the packet together for insurance approval. Oh.. one more thing his primary doctor had to write a letter of recommendation as well. Not sure if this helps.

Hello Blogger!! My name is Renada and I am 27 years old I have been obest for about 10 years know. I have read a lot about the lap band surgery and find it a little better that the gastric surgery. i am very scared and I know this is not a drug or a mirical. this surgery will help regulate the amount of intake of foo. And I understand that, I am just tired of the yo-yo diets. I have speat countless amount of money on Slim and Six, Yoga booty ballet, Eat more and lose less, and the bun all, walking and many many more. I have a docotor's appointment to get more information about this. And I wanted to know if I can get some more feed back on what to expect. Renada:confused:

I had my surgery on August 13th, 2007. I thought that was it and the weight would just fall off......boy was I wrong. First of all, I stopped breathing while they were putting me under and had to do a emergency trachiotimy. You would think that almost dying would be enough incentive to be serious about losing weight and eating healthy, well, to my surprise, when I got home from surgery after 5 days in the hospital, I would eat whatever I could tolerate. I did lose about 20 lbs in the hosptial. One day after I had gotten a fill that put me up to 8cc's, I was eating a sandwich (up to that point, I had no trouble eating bread) well my wife and I were enjoying a picnic lunch and the bread clogged me up and I hyperventilated and passed out, scared my wife to death....well, you'd think I would get serious...nope, I really thought that the surgery would be enough...I have lost a total of 48lbs but I know I could do better. I never really feel full, if I chew my food up well, I can eat whatever I want, even bread if I'm careful....I am just frustrated with it. I have 9cc's out of 10 available and I think I shouldn't eat as much as I do...however, I should use this as a tool to not eat whatever I want. Also, I need to excercise, cause I don't....I'm just lazy when it comes to that. I feel like I'm rambling...RT

Yay for you! Good job on preop weight...be prepared if you get on the scale tomorrow you may have some weight gain, just fluids drops off quickly. I was sleeved on the 19th and i am down 10 since surgery. Had pintos n cheese, frozen yogurt and lemadelines tomato soup today. Plus a protein shake....was a good day. Besides the acid reflux which i know will go away this is the best thing ever...you will see....we are on our way! ~kris

MY SIZE 10 WHITE BILL BLASS CAPRIS FIT! I LOVE THEM! I WALKED ALL AROUND YALE CAMPUS W RUBU YESTERDAY. GOT MY HAIR DONE ON SAT THE OWNER OF HEADCUTTERS DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ME. WENT TO GEISS'S OFFICE W CARMELA & NANCY. GEISS,JOANNE, JOY,& KATHY SAID I LOOK GOOD. GEISS TOLD ME I MAKE HIS DAY EVERYTIME HE SEES ME & HOW WELL I'M DOING. WENT TO SUNRISE LAB TO DAY & THE LAB TECH LOOKED @ ME & SAID "HI SKINNY I SAW YOU IN THE DUNKIN DONUTS PARKING LOT & I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW THIN YOU ARE! GEORGIA FROM NEXT DOOR TOLD ME HOW GOOD I LOOK ON SATURDAY

When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it - don't back down and don't give up - then you're going to mystify a lot of folks. Bob Dylan

I had a neurostimulator in my spine for 10 years and just had it removed in November. Mine was an older device that did not have rechargeable capability and given I had lost over 100lbs it was literally sticking out of my lower back, I got it stuck in the slats of a chair once didn't know it and tried to stand up. Ouch!!! Anyway, I wanted to respond because this device literally gave me back my life. I had severe nerve pain running down my leg following lumbar fusion surgery. We tried everything for 5 years and finally they offered me the neurostimulator solution. The first time we turned it on in the operating room it felt magical. The pain was gone and it felt like tiny littles champagne bubbles running up and down my spine and my leg. They work! It only makes sense that they could somehow use it to resolve the feelings of hunger. I do believe in order for long term success a person would still have to deal with head hunger, cravings and the underlying food addiction issues. I know even days or weeks after my RNY, I had head hunger that would make me want to go eat a cheeseburger. I had to learn how to deal with it. Obviously the same diet and exercise will be important as well right? Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

I am a lap band owner i have lost lots of weight. i my life i have been heavy, painfully depressed, theres no such word i can describe of how i felt. I ate and laid around so many years my weight pilled fast i looked at my self in the mirror and cried. But then i talked to my doctor and i was a great candidate for the lap band. i used to weigh 253lb. now im down to 217. And i feel great i can walk rest i feel more confident about my self, i feel pretty. In my life i have accomlished alot i have 4 kids from 19-15 and a adopted one at 4 now. im totally greatfull first at God for granting me so many things in my life. and i want to be friends with all..:thumbup: