ObesityHelp

Thankyou so much for your story I too am going to have the sleeve my surgery is scheduled for Nov. 17th and I can't wait.

Thank you for your story. I too had the sleeve done and I live in Davison I am from Lapeer thought. I was sleeved on 8-4-09 and am down 55 pounds. My father is waiting for his date. He is 67. Sherri

Thank you for sharing your journey! I too had the sleeve (September 2008) and have gone from my highest of 369 down to 218 today. I have a ways to go, but it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have a life now, which I haven't for many years. I am so excited for you! Keep up the good work and the positive attitude! Wendy

This is great!! I am going for surgery tomorrow morning.......embarking on a different approach about food...healthier living, and feeling better about myself! I look sooo forward to sharing my success story too! Thanks so much for sharing!

Had VSG on October 8, 2008. I'm down 90 lbs and feel better than I ever have. Absolutely zero complications. David from SoCal

HI...i had VSG done on july 13 2009 and im down 60 lbs and feel better then ever i have a long ways to go good job everyone ...

Having my sleeve tomorrow (11/5) and having the heebie jeebies. I really appreciate all the good news out there regarding this life saving procedure. I am looking forward to posting some results.

I'm having the sleeve on Nov. 18th. Very Excited!

Im wondering what something like this costs? Can someone that has had the Gastric Bypass surgery (RNY) do something like this to help out a little more or is it too dangerous?

The sleeve was the best decision I ever made. Debra, I've seen sleeve prices anywhere from 12,500 to 25,000.

What is the difference between the sleeve and band? Do you lose weight faster on one than the other?

I had my sleeve done about 2.5 yrs ago. I started at 231 lbs and today weigh 124-- I've maintained that for over a year and a half. Come check out the VSG boards here on OH for more info!

what is a sleeve i and rny and it flooped i never lost all the weight i neede to nad the pounds a piling on HELP ME Please i am e yrs out

Having the sleeve December 8th! Good luck to you on your journey!

ok well i was banded in 07- had no restriction with 4cc full, gained 40 more pounds. YIKES....last Thursday i had the lapband removed and sleeve done. i pray this helps me....any advice? they also took out the gallbladder. thanks

I am 5 days post op and feel good. Am looking forward to feeling better, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Already feel soooo much better just getting into the solution and past the surgery which was not bad at all. I was back to work on day # 4.....................

I am frustrated and need some support. Can't get approved until after the New Year as I will have United Health which will cover the gastric sleeve. I have to redo all my tests. Very frustrating. I have Fibromyalgia and am afraid of the pain. No support group near me. I need a support group near Palm Beach Florida. Any help or suggestions?

16 months out. lost 167 lbs and feel fantastic. no side effects. VSG rules!

thanks for all the good info we need to here my storys from people that got the VSG. I want to get it done and so far i'm hearing really good things :-)

Went to the doctor yesterday, considering the sleeve. I am 53 and weight 312lbs. I don't like myself and want to feel better. The doctor I went to has only done 2 VSG in this area, said he did 50 in Florida. Can anybody give me advice about having a doctor so new in the field?

I had the VSG one week ago. I'm feeling great and recovering nicely. My surgeon had only performed 6 of these surgeries, but I whole heartedly trusted him and his expertise. I have a long road ahead of me, and I'm looking forward to a new me!

I am planning on having VSG but need to lose 20lb first. Psychiatric eval tomorrow and then nutrition class this week. Cant wait.

Yay Debbie! Debbie and I had the VSG on the same day in April. I was the 2nd patient and she was the 3rd and our friend was the 4th. We've all done so well since April and we've all kept up on our progress together. It's been fun to have this relationship!

Hi I just read your story. I had the sleeve surgery on March 10, 2010. I have not had any problem. I think this was the best procedure for me. I could walk without the huffing and puffing.

Hi I hope to have the sleeve done, I just started on pre-op journey. I have my psych eval next week. I'm not as concerned about the procdure as much as I am about getting the approval for the sleeve. If there is anyone who has been approved/denied by BCBS Fe deral please share your experience with me I would love to read about it.

Im 3 weeks out have had a sleeve.Im snacking my but off.I hate I did the surgery I paid 15k SELF PAY.This is si heartbreaking I HAVE ONLY LOSE 5 POUNDS IN 3 WEEKS.SW 217 LOST 7 POUNT PER OPT.

I got a sleeve (VSG) done 2/18/10. Highest weight was 316 Nov. '09, am 262 now. I always feel full but can tell when my body needs food. The surgery went great. Glad I decided to do it. Sore and tired easily at first but it steadily reduced. Walking and naps helped! I have to drink my liquids, get my protein and exercise in. Working on it daily.

Hello everyone! I'm thinking of getting the sleeve in June 2010. Some doctors require 2 weeks of a liquid pre-0p my surgeon doesn't. Their office is in the top 5% in the country. However sleeve surgery in the States in new. My surgeon has only performed 50 or so as well. I trust them. They did my Lap-band which I cant wait to take out. From what I understand about the sleeve is you need to get most of your weight off the first year because after that you will deffinitly be able to eat more. of course you need to change your eating habits anyway. I like how full you get as well. Lap-band patients differ in that everything you eat goes into the big stomach so you can eat more. if its to tight you throw up to loose you eat to much its a guessing game and I'm still fat! I've heard really good results with the sleeve. We all struggle with the same issues. I also like that the part of the stomach that stretches the most on gastric and band patients is gone. They leave the toughest part of the stomach. if it should stretch again for whatever reason you can have the surgery again and they cut off the excess! Bravo! I'm excited and ready to start living as a thin person.

I had VSG on 2/4/10 after two lapbands (first one leaked) and a difficult removal surgery due to erosion. I was my surgeons first sleeve and I had complete confidence in him. The sleeve is less technical than a RNY and they have all done tons of them. I have lost 35 pounds so far and am thrilled with the new way I eat and feel about food. I honestly think the band is either perfect for you or it is horrible (there's no in between). My surgeon told me he thinks the sleeve will eventually become a standard for WLS as you don't have the malabsorptive factor of RNY and you don't run the risk of of having a problematic (and unsuccessful) band. The band will be reserved for those who desire to keep reversal an option. Incidentally only one insurance covers the sleeve in the US, my surgeon did mine gratis as he knew how much I'd been through and he really wanted to get his feet wet with a sleeve. I am enjoying being a case study of sorts and reporting my journey to my surgeon regularly. Barbersylvia - you can still convert to a RNY, maybe your sleeve isn't tight enough? Good luck everyone!

Hi everyone I'm new to this I am a MS resident and near the Ocean Spring,MS area. I was wondering if anybody new whether or not BCBS of MS and BCBS Anthem covers the sleeve surgery.... And if so how much is usually covered by the insurance companies? Also, how long is the process after the surgery consultation is over?? What NEXT!! I'm ready to start my journey!!! I'm weighin 212 lbs and I'm only 5'1" so I'm like a big butterball I need help!!!!

Hi everyone Im new to, I just had the sleeve 2 weeks ago, I felt weak for 2 days no pain, first week fluids and soft foods second week, had a great doctor Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas. I wanted to go to Mexico but my family was against it Dr.Umbach was only 400.00 dollers more Im glad I found him, if anything should go wrong in the future , I feel safer flying or driving to Vegas

I had the sleeve on April 19. I think it is the best procedure to get. I've lost 25 lbs so far and feel great!

I want to have the sleeve but the surgeon keeps saying my insurance won't cover it, my insurance keeps saying they will if its medically necessary, what is considered medically necessary? I am 37 year old female, 5'3 277 lbs. BMI of 49, diabetic, going through surgical menopause and taking anti-depressants. No children. I need vitamins and supplements because of the menopause, I have tendonitis and need anti-inflammatories. Does this make me medically necessary? I have Blueshield of California PPO. Can anyone answer my questions? Thanks!

My name is Sharon..I had the band 2 yrs. 6 months ago..did great the first year. Lost a little over 50. But after that the band is either to tight or to loss.Having the sleeve hopfully in 2 weeks. Would love to be able to find chat group. Would like specific instructions to find one. Looking forward to losing again. Will I still have the wants to eat after sleeve, since I'm always wanting something to snack on?

I had the VSG done 2.25 years ago, I had tried for years to lose weight and managed to get down from 264 to 218 over a period of 3 years, but it was starting to creep back up and due to back and knee problems I finally decided on WLS after a friend had great success with it. I reached my goal in about 7 months and continued to lose a bit more, finally stabilizing around 135. I fluctuate up and down about 3 lbs or so, but weigh EVERY DAY to stay on top of it! WLS was the best decision I have ever made for my health and was worth every cent of the $10,000.00 I had to pay. Recently I have noticed that my appetite has started to increase and that I can eat more so I am interested in the experiences of others who are around the same post-op time I am. While I don't think I have to worry about gaining back an excessive amount of weight I am certainly concerned about the increase in how much more I can eat. Any comments from anyone out there?

I am in a 3 month process for insurance purposes to be able to have the gastric sleeve bypass. So far I have done all the necessary steps to make this happen. my fear is the insurance company saying, "SIKE!" But I am commited and can hardly wait. I'm hoping to have surgery in Dec, 2010. This article gave me the confidence I need to push harder towards my goal! Good luck to all of us!

I was sleeved 10/4/10. I knew the sleeve was right for me when I heard it called the "SEW & GO" surgery. So far I've lost 22lbs and am looking forward to living a healthier lifestyle. My "bypass" friends can't believe how fast I've rebounded and how much energy I have.

I go in for my sleeve tomorrow morning. I can't wait to begin my new journey. I am looking forward to my knees feeling better and being able to do more with my kids!!

Amazing! I had my sleeve with the "Spider" single incision thru the belly button in July...I only have one tiny scar which is barely noticeable now. I am down 51 lbs since surgery and 71 lbs this year, I have lost a small person. I am purchasing clothing in the single digits for the first time in my life...WOO HOO!! My husband told me the other day that he was looking for me in the grocery store and didn't recognize me from behind...that was awesome! I feel great. I have lots of energy and I am so glad I chose the sleeve procedure. I have an excellent surgeon who is one of the most experienced in the nation with more than 8,000 procedures and is a bariatric patient himself. I understand that there are stories about weight regain after Bariatric surgery, I think the key to avoid that is finding the RIGHT surgeon who knows exactly what to do to create the right surgical pouch. The surgeons here often do fix other surgeon's work and help people who have regained their weight. EXPERIENCED SURGEON is the KEY!!

All of you are doing so great, I too am getting the VSG. I can't wait to be the little girl that is inside of me again!!!!

Hi I had Sleeve surgery on aug. 23, 2010. I also had a Hyatal Hernia which was repaired before the Sleeve could be done. It all went well. I would not change it for anything. Start weight was 254 I weigh today 5 mo.post surg. 182. Good weight loss. Do struggle to get all my protein, calories and fluids in. I have not been able to stretch my stomach to the 6 to 8 oz. that my Dr. wants. My problems is, even before surgery, I had a problem with stomach upset with over eating and would vomit. This continues today. I am doing O.K. Dr. said this will get better as time goes on. Like I said, best thing I have ever done. No more Diabetes, no more High Blood pressure. Most of my arthristis pain is gone. The only thing I take any more is the required Previcid, and the many supplements. I feel great, can do allot of things I havent been able to do since I was a teenager. My Kids love it, especially my 7 yr old and 2 yr. old. I have gone from a size 24w to a size 14 misses. What a journey I am on. Thanks for listening.

I am scheduled for my sleeve surgery on 5/25/11. It was good to read all the success stories. I can't wait to begin to feel like I have control of my life, food intake, and future. Thanks again your words are very encouraging.

I wish I could get a sleeve put on to tighten up my pouch but I am with the VA and they do not do those surgeries where I live in FL. It is times like these I wish I had the lap band just to keep the pouch tight...

I had my sleeve done June 28, 2011 and have lost 50lbs so far and I feel great. Having the sleeve done was the best decision for me and I would do it again! Best of luck to all of you who have already had or considering having the sleeve!

I had a sleeve a year ago and have not lost pound ! Need advise

I'm just waiting for the approval from the insurance company to get my surgery. My biggest fear is the vomitting that I hear alot of people talk about. I had to have my gall bladder taken out May 2, 2011 so, I already have an idea of how the after surgery pain will be (hopefully, anyway). Does anyone know how long of a wait I have before the approval goes thru? My dr is not be specific and that's very frustrating cuz, I want this done & over with already!!

Had my surgery one week ago, tomorrow. So far I'm down 16 pounds!! I haven't felt this good in years! I'm not hungry at all - even when my family eats - it doesn't bother me. I was up and walking around the same day of surgery! I am finally optimistic that I'm going to loose my weight and learn the right way to eat. I'm really excited!!

Wow all the coment was good but I want to know more about how you feel after waking up after surgery and days after. How long did you stay in the hospital after your surgery?

Nice article.

Had a lap band put in in Dec 2011. Have lost some weight, but not enough. Mr Dr. was horriable. MEAN AND RUDE. Need help with diet. Any suggestions?

http://www.losingweight.com/question/what-is-the-difference-between-gastric-bypass-and-gastric-sleeve