bigjoe102

I was not nervous, I was flat out scared. I was afraid of dying on the table, all I thought about was what happend to my wife and my two sons if I die. Then I put in into persective. If I do not have this surgery im going to die sooner or later anyway. I was scared right up to the day of the surgery. The day of the surgery, I was very calm and ready for the surgery. It will be a year on August 16th. I am down from 489 lbs to 263 pounds and feeling great. This surgery has made me a better husband and a better father. Before the surgery they also gave me something for the anxiety and I tell you what, That was great stuff lol I do not even remeber getting rolled into the operating room. If I can do it, anyone can! Good luck! You will be fine! Respectfully, Joe

Awesome! Congrats! You look marvelous.

I am almost a year post op and I eat a half a cup of protein.

Congratulations! There is a wealth of support and info in these forums!

Having a waiting period is good for a couple of reasons. The most important is going to get mentally prepared for the big change that is comming. Post op you are going to loose weight as long as you follow the rules. I lost 85 lbs prior to my operation. That helped me out alot for the surgery. It made it easier for the surgeons to work. I spent alot of time on here gathering information. Good Luck!!!! Go Celtics!

Thank you! You will be there very soon!

My first visit weighed in at 489. Date of operation was August 16th of 2011. Weighed in at 404. As of 080212, I am currently at 263. Total weight loss is 226, Weight loss with the surgery 141 lbs. The pic on the left is as of 072212. the pic on the right was xmas 2011, at my heaviest.

I started my journey at 489. My first consult was back in Dec. of 2011. Between Jan and Sept, I lost 86 pounds on my own by just easting meat and veggies. Surgery weight was 403. I am currently at 279 and feeling great. No regrets! I will actually be volunteering at Fresno Kaiser to talk to people at the first counseling session.

Real quick, How long are you going to be on the diet for?

No not yet. When I get home I will work on one though and try and post tonight. I am currently at 291 and feeling marvelous! lol

Yes I was sleeved at 489.

Congrats! Congrats!

I think everyone who goes thru this gets scared. The day I got the date of my surgery, I was scared. I was scared up to the day of my surgery. Then I was completly calm and could not wait to get it done. The fear you have is short term, the happiness that you will feel after the surgery and after your weightloss will be for a lifetime. You will be fine! Good luck! Joe

Every thought you had, I am sure I had at one time or the other. I was a mess up to the day before my surgery. The main thought I had was that I was going to die on the table and never see my family again. The day of the surgery I was very calm and excited. Before you know it the surgery is over with. I dont know what drugs they gave me but the last thing I remember was been rolled down the hallway and that was it. Good stuff whatever it was! lol Don't let the fear get to you. The future is bright and you will be so happy you did this!

Furby036 I to am a big baby! lol Everyones experience is different. With that said, the only discomfort I had was with the air that they put in you to make sure nothing is leaking. I did not have any pain from the incisions at all. I had my surgery on August 16th of 2011. I started my journey at 489. when I had the surgery I weighed in at 403. Today I am down to 291 and feel great. You will be fine! Good Luck! Respectfully, Joe

I had the shoulder pain for about a week and a half. I did not have any abdominal pain at all. Once you start solid food diarrhea should stop. I am 3 weeks post op myself and feeling good. Just remember all are bodies are different and this is just my experience. Good job! Joe Lopez

I to have Kaiser in Fresno. My surgeon prefers the sleeve also. If you want the sleeve try to get switched to Fresno Kaiser. No matter what surgery you get though. It is not a fix all. You will have to modify your eating habits for this to be a success. Once you see the results, it will be much easier to change. Respectfully, Joe Lopez

N2B8R, I to was scared. I am the biggest baby when it comes to operations. This was my the first time being under the knife ever. I was afraid of dying on the table, you name it I thought it. The night before the surgery I was crying with my wife on the things that scared me. What got me through it was that im doing this for me my and my family. The day of the surgery was not to bad, I had a calmness come over me and I was relaxed. The last thing I remember before the surgery was them rolling me down the hall and the next thing I knew I was in recovery. You can do it! It was so cool for my wife to come home from the store and tell me she bought me a shirt for $4 on sale! lol I kick myself for not doing this earlier in my life. I had my surgery August 16th and have dropped 28 lbs. You will be fine, What you are going through is normal. Take care! You will be so happy when it is all said and done. Respectfully, Joe Lopez

I got a Trek mountain bike of of Craigslist for like 40. The bike holds me up just fine. It was not very comfy at 489 but at 406 it was comfy with a saddle seat also, I could ride for as long as my little six year old wants to. Respectfully, Joe Lopez

The pre op dies is to show the surgeon that you can make changes in you eating habits and to also shrink the liver for surgery. Do NOT put the weight back on. I started the process at 489 lbs pounds in December. I started my diet the first week of January and on the day of my surgery I weighed in at 403. It will make so much easier on the surgeon and a huge jump start for your husband. Respectfully, Joe Lopez

Hey guys, sorry took so long to long in. the surgery went very well. Just had one complication. One part of my stomach lining was will thick. Other than that no problems, I was out in about 2 hrs. The last thing I remeber is getting rolled out of the pre op area and nothing else after that. When I got rolled into the room, I was not in pain from the surgery but more from the air they put inside your stomach. I got to go home the next day, I was a little sore but did not have to take the pain meds for the pain. I did take the liquid medication to just help me sleep a little. If your are thinking about getting the surgery, DO IT! I am the biggest baby and I came out just fine. I was so impressed with Dr. Boghossian, I am going to ask him if I may volunteer speak at the upcoming meetings for people thinking about getting the surgery. Thanks again for all the support and now it my turn to return the favor! Respectfully, Joe Lopez

Well guys today is the day of my surgery. I have gone through all of the emotions happy,nervous,scared as hell and now I am pretty calm. I would like to thank all of you for your support on the forum, To all of those having the surgery in the future good luck! I will get back on as soon as I can hijack a pc at the hospital or as soon as I get home. lol Respectfully, Joe Lopez

GUys, Had my pre op appointment with my surgeon today. I have lost a total of 83 pounds before I get the sleeve! I will be getting the sleeve this Tuesday the 16th. Respectfully, Joe Lopez

Go in today for my pre op appointment with my surgeon. I im excited to see how much weight I have lost on this 2 week pre op diet.

Debbie, So happy to hear everthing went well! Congrats and here is to a speedy recovery!