pamblan

If I can offer any advice, it is this. Go with the surgeon you feel comfortable with, the coordinator is not that important in the long run. Yes, the coordinator can make your stay easier but in the long run, the coordinator is not who is wielding a knife and removing your stomach. Sorry, I know that is graphic but it is the truth. Dr Kelly is a wonderful surgeon and more importantly a kind and caring human being. I would recommend him in a heartbeat even though I suffered a bit of a complication. Contact him directly at this number 619 395-5347, he is truly a great surgeon. Please PM me for more info. Best of luck to you!!

Dr. Kelly did my surgery in August this year. I had a follow up call with him today and he confirmed that he is no longer working with Trish as his coordinator. Trish is still employed at the hospital where Dr. Kelly performs his surgeries so there is some crossover in care. Sara is Dr. Kelly's new on-site coordinator.

Hello 04 Kids....I just sent you a private message. Hopefully talk to you soon!!

My BMI was 32 when I had my surgery on August 22, 2011. You should try speak to Dr. Kelly directly and see what he can do.

Hi Stacey This is so ironic to me that I saw this post today. I had TERRIBLE post op complications from a puncture. I was in hospital for two weeks after I got home (Canada) and then an IV Pump for 6 more weeks that made my life a living hell. Had this question been posed two weeks ago I would have said if I could turn back time I would have never done it. However, today a friend of mine chatted with me about the surgery and much to my surprise my answer to her when she asked, was, that I would do it again. I have regrets that I had a complication. I have come to terms with the fact that I had lousy luck and that it could have happened to anyone and am now seeing the positives about my surgery. I have lost 42 pounds in two months without stepping foot in a gym. This is amazing to me as I had a lower BMI and was told that I would not lose this fast. I know I am the minority as all the other patients who had the surgery at the same time did really well. I think you just have to know that all surgeries run the risk of complications. If you know your body and you think something is wrong, don't do what I did!! I tried to make believe that all was fine but deep down knew there was something wrong. Trust your instincts, you and only you know your body best. I kind of feel this journey was like giving birth. During labor I vowed to never have sex EVER again...but when I held that beautiful little baby all seemed to be forgotten. This is the only thing I can really equate my journey to. Hope this is a help. I wish you the best in making your decision. If you need to know anything further please do not hesitate to PM me. Good Luck!! Pam

I cannot imagine how stressful this decision must be for you. I was very fortunate in some respects, I had a terrible complication but as I am Canadian, I am covered. My post sleeve infection would have cost me anywhere from $100,000 - $150,000 to treat if I wasn't covered. Having said that, I am the minority. Of the dozen of people that had surgery the same time as me, I was the only one with a leak which then led to me going septic and spending three days in an ICU and then two more weeks in hospital. Even with the hell I have been through, I do believe this is an amazing tool. I have lost 44 pounds since the end of August and had a low BMI to start. I think my results are a little "quicker" than most as the IV drug I was on made me horribly sick and queasy...eating and drinking were not possible for almost three weeks. I wish you the very best of luck in making this decision. I haven't posted much on this as I really liked my surgeon and the care I got and I don't want him to experience any backlash. It could happen anywhere, we all just need to be prepared and informed that "crap does in fact happen" . I firmly believe that no Doctor wakes up and says "I am going to puncture a patients stomach today!!" but we are all human and therefore not infallible. If you would like me to answer any more questions, please do not hesitate to PM me. Best of luck!!

Unfortunately I would NEVER put my body through this ever again. That said, I had some terrible complications. I ended up with a leak, a near fatal post surgical infection and an IV 24/7 that is still attached to me and probably will be for the next two months. I get sick all the time, have no energy and generally feel like crap and that is on a good day. I know every surgery has its risks but I never thought this would happen to me. Yes I have lost weight, but I think I would have rather stayed chubby than fight this nasty fight. I know a lot of people have had great success with this surgery and I am so happy for them. If you are considering this surgery, please just know, if you have any complications, it is bloody awful.

Hey Sara, Its me Pam....I am here waiting for you!! I am soooo glad I was able to come down a bit early as I got to meet three beautiful ladies who all got sleeved last Thursday by Dr.Kelly. They are all doing amazing. All three of them had next to no pain and/or nausea. They were all completely mobile. As a matter of fact one of the gals was heading home early as she is doing so well. The hospital is lovely. The rooms are a little dated but they are certainly clean. I saw the Hotel today, it too looks fantastic. I am not worried at all anymore. I start getting my tests as early as 0700 in the morning and should be coming out of surgery just as you get here. We are going to be fine. I will be thinking of you tonight!! See you tomorrow sometime. Pam xox

To steal a quote from a friend....I am fully entrenched in the last weekend before pre-op diet food funeral!! I have eaten everything without abandon for the last two days and now feel like CRAP!!!! I start my preop on Monday and think I will slow down the funeral procession after I drink some ice cold Miller Chills tonight!! I think it is only natural for all of us to be on a rollercoaster especially as the day draws closer!! Good luck to you, it is nice to know someone else is feeling the same way I am!! xo

I have my surgery on August 22nd. My BMI is 31.2 and I weigh 198 lbs.....however I hold my weight really well and most people put me at 170ish. I have tried EVERYTHING and spent thousands of dollars on any new fad diet out there. I am excited yet terrified that I will once again fail at this. I am sooo tired of people saying "just eat less and exercise more" thanks tips but I have already tried that. I wish you all the best in your decision...maybe we should start a new thread for us lower BMI types???? There are quite a few of us.

This is such a fabulous topic. When we got married I was overweight and he vowed to love me through thick and thin....or so I thought. 18 months ago I lost a substantial amount of weight, my husband became OBSESSED with my progress. It is all we talked about. Then as per my usual behaviour pattern the weight slowly but surely crept back on and all of a sudden the person who he pledged undying love to changed. He was disappointed and really questioned my committment to my health. I need to add that during the months of weight gain I had opened a new bridal shop and was continuing my current job as a flight attnedant....there was noooooo freakin time for exercise. I felt like a failure and I spiralled into a bit of a funk....well quite a deep funk. The I found out about the Sleeve. Yes, I am doing this for myself first and foremost. Will my marriage survive...I hope so but I have learned that I am a wonderful person whether I am 210 pounds or 150 pounds. I need to do this for my health....moreso my mental health and I will go from there. Thank you for starting this topic. I can really relate to it.!!!

I am on the 22nd as well...Where is the August thread???

I had to look at this picture two or three times to figure out which one was you!! Congratulations, you look fabulous.

OMG that is fantastic!! I am scheduled for August 22nd and I cannot sleep I am soooooo excited. I have picked out 8 dresses to try on mid September....hahahaahha

I am really glad to hear you are doing so well. You and I are very close in our starting weights I am just a little older than you.....hahahah!! I get my sleeve on the 22nd of August, i would love to hear how y ou are doing. Thanks for sharing!! Pam

Hello, I am scheduled for surgery on 22nd of August and have opted to go with Dr. Kelly. My Doctor in Canada did a huge amount of "incognito" checks on both Doctors and strongly recommended Dr, Kelly. She felt his credentials were excellent and was thoroughly impressed with the hospital. Dr. Kelly charges $5500.00. Hope that helps!! Best of luck to you. Pam

Hello everyone, I wish I could tell you all how inspired I am with all of your stories. I am a 46 year old mother of 4 (2 step kids) who has fought with the same 60 pounds for most of my adult life. I am 5'4" and weigh 198 pounds. Nothing depresses me more than watching a UFC fight with my husband and seeing the light heavyweights weigh in at 185......I am 15 pounds heavier than a freakin light heavyweight!!!! So my story is, at 198 pounds, realistically I look like I weigh about 170 lbs. I carry my weight very well as I am quite muscular. Is the sleeve right for me? My BMI is 32 and some health professionals say I am too small...which ironically is something I have NEVER heard in my lifetime!! I feel that this is a very sound and smart solution. Is there anyone else out there that started at about my height and weight that can offer my any insight. I am currently looking at two surgeons, Dr Ramos-Kelly and Dr. Aceves. I would like to lose 60 pounds. Thanks for any assistance. Keep up the amazing work to all you sleevers out there...you give people like me a great deal of hope!!

Thank you so much!! I have decided to go for it and am booked August 22nd!! thank you again for taking the time to reply. Pam

Hello Everyone, I have a question for anyone who started out with a BMI in the 31-33 range. I am 5'4" and weigh 198 lbs, some doctors are saying that I am too "small" for a sleeve????? I have lost and gained the same 60 pounds over and over again. This feels like a great solution. Is there anyone else out there that started around this weight and how have you done post sleeve?? Thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate any input you can give me.

Thank you so much for the response. I am 99% sure I am going to do it....