sfdavid

Hi Gail, It took me from August, 2010 until January, 2011 to have my surgery--so about four months. I could have done it quicker, but looking back on it, I really think taking that much time set me up for success. This way of eating and living was obviously a huge change for me. My total perspective on food and eating and life had to change and that took time for me to really learn and adapt to the new behaviors. In addition, I had to loose almost thirty pounds before surgery. Enjoy the journey and what that time will give you in the long run. All my best to you, David

Hi Vicki I'm also sorry to hear that the band didn't work out for you but congratulations for taking some initial and important steps to get control of your health. I wouldn't rule out a revision from Kaiser. I know at South San Francisco, revisions have taken place--it just depends on your circumstances. One woman in particular wasn't going to go through with her appointment and when she did she was pleasantly surprised with an approval. Like Lee says, make an appointment and see what happens. Wishing you all the best and welcome to VST! David

Hi Lee...I miss you guys too. Life has been very full and it was getting tough keeping up with two support groups. I love both So. San Francisco and the Richmond Kaiser Support groups. I sure wouldn't be where I am today without them. Wow! A boatload of plastics...Lee you are my Bariatric Hero!!! You will be in that bikini by June! Take care of yourself and all my best to you. David

Hi there Heather and thanks for waking us up!!! I'm doing great...what a difference a year makes. Yesterday was my one year surgerversary. I am down 174 pounds with about 10 pounds to go until goal. In the last month, I have not lost a pound but I have not gained either so I'm happy. This was a holiday season like no other where I usually gain at least 10 pounds and feel horrible. I am active and exercising daily...and I really like it. I love my walks...just me nature and my iTunes. I hope you are doing great as well as all the other SSF/Richmond Kaiser patients out there. Take care, David

Yea, right...I wish my bald head hair loss was a result of surgery and only temporary. I'm stuck with it but I love the easy maintenance. That is great that you and your wife are going through this journey together...talk about support! Good luck to both of you!

Hey, Chef i didn't know that was you sitting behind me...you looked great and so did your wife--amazing what a 6 month headstart will do. You are totally turning yourself around. Congratulations!

We are Ll so different but count me in also as one of the fortunate ones. Never have felt sick in six months. Full yes...like I ate too much bet never "lost my cookies.". Hey Lisa...Dr. Le did us good. Best to everyone...it DOES get better!

My go to sanck....Pre sliced turkey pepperoni (in the case with the the lunch meats) laid out on a paper towel, microwave for a minute and a half (depending on the power of your oven) and enjoy. Crispy and spicy like potato chps and very high in protein while low in fat. Even less fat than what the the package shows because in the cooking process much of the fat is absorbed by the paper towel. Enjoy.

Hello Looooosers! Lisa and I both had Dr. Le and he does the leak test while you are on the table-- with that blue dye that I peeed out for two days. He said that he wants to know right away if there is a leak so it can be repaired while he hasmyou open. So no nasty juice for us and no leaks--thank God! David

OK, as far as telling people, let me first preface this by saying that this is a very personal decision and there are a lot of opinions out there on what to do. Truth be told, there is no right or wrong way--only the way that works for you. My choice was to tell everyone that was important to me about the surgery upfront and I received mostly very positive support and one or two people who really questioned if I was doing the right thing or not. The naysayers shook their heads and just did not understand why I was going to go through with this and at the same time, I know that these same people are dealing with their own weight issues and I believe that me making this decision for myself called out their own insecurities around weight loss and getting healthy. The good news is after seeing the results ( down from 381 to 240 since surgery January, 2011) and learning while I am on this journey, they are now much more supportive. So we know that theere is a lot of ignorance out there around weight loss surgery and especially around the sleeve I feel, that for me, if I remained silent about my weightloss, I was pushing that same ignorance forward by giving credence to the silence and possibly giving people the impression that I was doing something that I was ashamed of. I am just the opposite...I want to enlighten and educate and I do educate--whenever I can. People are very resourceful. If I didn't say anything, they would find out or at least speculate that I had help and "took the easy way out.". This way, by telling people and educating along the way, I can show friends and family how this is tough work and certainly anything but easy. I felt I could only do this by telling the full truth. I guess I just want to bring the sleeve out of the closet and into the light that it deserves. Sleeve surgery saved my life and I will tell the world. For me, sleeve surgery did not make weight loss and getting healthy "easy"--it made it possible! David

Me too, LisaLisa...Dr. Le told me to go off my PPI and I tried but I did feel more hunger so I went back on however, I cut myself down to only one a day instead of two and it seems to do the trick nicely. Have fun in "the happiest place on earth!". I'm so jealous!!!