Brian66

I would agree that Roslin can be less than warm and fuzzy, but I could not be more pleased with the results of my surgery. My experience in general is that surgeons are not known for the wonderful bedside manner. As a doctor friend (non-surgeon) once told me -- "there is a reason they cut people up for a living." Having said that, I think Roslin knows what he is doing and I would not hesitate to recommend him. Brian

I just feel like I have to share the events of this week with someone and this seems like a great place to do it. On Wednesday, I had a check-up with my surgeon, Dr. Roslin, and he was really happy with my progress. I am down about 120 lbs since my surgery in July and my blood work looks good except for high triglycerides which I am working on (damn my penchant for cookies!). I am especially thrilled about my blood work because I have struggled with getting my vitamins in and now I feel that I have that situation under control, except for my calcium, but I am working on that too. Dr. Roslin thought I looked "svelte" -- I don't think anyone has every used that word to describe me, so I walked out of the office on clouds. I'd love to lose another five to ten pounds and since I have not really been exercising, I think that is possible with some exercise and some slightly better eating habits. Yesterday, I decided to reward myself with a new suit for work, which I desparately need. I've been trying to avoid buying any until my weight stabilizes, but I really need one. Last summer, just before my surgery, I bought a suit at my highest size ever -- a 54. I hated to buy it and it felt like a tent, but my niece was getting married and I really had no choice. I was shocked and thrilled to find out that my new suit size is a 42 regular and then have the salesman tell me that I should probably have the jacket taken in a little! I honestly thought I would start balling right there in the three way mirror! FInally, after being widowed four and a half years ago, I am dating a really nice woman. I met her in November when I was pretty far along in my weight loss, but I've been honest with her about the surgery since our second date and she has been really supportive and complimentary. I really enjoy being with her We had a wonderful dinner together Tuesday night and I find myself really caring about her and thinking about her a lot and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual. After being so sad for such a very long time, it is a wonderful feeling! I can't be sure that this relationship wouldn't have happened without the surgery, but I don't think my heart and head would have been in a position to pursue it without the newfound confidence that this surgery has given me. What an amazing difference these last 10 months have made in my life! If there is anyone out there who is on the fence about having this surgery -- my advice is to do tons of research, get comfortable with the procedure and your doctor and then, GO FOR IT! If you are like most people on these boards, you will never regret your decision. Thanks for being out there to listen, guys. I can't imagine where I would be without this board to support and guide me! Brian

Welcome Pasquini, I am a 44 year old man and had my VSG surgery on July 13th. I've lost about 120 pounds since my highest weight of 300 pounds and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Good luck to you! Do your research on the procedure and your doctor so that you are comfortable with both and you will do great. Come to this site often. There are some awesome people here and the information you will gain from the experience of others is invaluable! Brian

ToDream, This is a very personal issue and one with which I struggled. Ultimately, before surgery, I told only my mother, my children, my brother and my sister-in-law (my wife died four years ago). I simply told people at work that I was having minor surgery -- "nothing major, just something that needs to be taken care of." I have always felt that it was a very personal matter and I just didn't want to listen to other people's horror stories or opinions about my decision. I did a ton of research and was very compfortable with the procedure and with my doctor. I had the surgery on July 13 and it was late August when people really started to notice -- I had probably lost about 65 pounds by that point. I did tell the truth to family and close friends at that point, but most people I have told that "I am working with a doctor and a nutritionist." Most people seem satisfied with that answer. I am sure that some people have figured out that I had surgery and that's fine as long as I didn't have to listen to their opinions about it. The people I have told have been very supportive (how can you argue with these results), but I am still glad that I didn't broadcast my decision to the world. Good luck to you, Brian

Ultimately, no regrets at all. That is not to say, however, that it has been a complete walk in the park. The first six weeks were more than a little tough as I learned a new way of life with respect to eating and food. Although I expected that there would be a physical adjustment to learning to eat a lot less food, I don't think I was adequately prepared for the psychological adjustment. In the weeks and months following the surgery, I had to come to terms with the fact that many times I was eating out of lonlieness, boredom, sadness, anger, frustration, etc. After the surgery, I had to learn how to deal with those emotions without my drug of choice -- food. The good news is that as the weight begins to drop off (and it will) those feelings were easier to cope with and handle. Today, eight months after my surgery, I can say without a moment's hesitation that this surgery was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Good luck to you. Brian

Welcome and Good Luck Nikki! You are going to love your sleeve. Follow all the instructions from your surgeon and come here often for information and support. It is a great community and has helped me tremendously. You are going to do great!!! Brian

Congratulations. I know I feel a little thrill evertime I wrap a towel around my waist and I don"t have to worry about it falling off. Also, in December, I stayed with my kids at a nice hotel in Dallas and was able to wear the robe provided by the hotel. That was a first time experience for me. First time that one of the "one size fits most" robes really fit me!!! Sometimes it really is the little victories in life that can mean the most to us!! Keep up the good work!! Brian

I'm a single dad to three great kids -- ages 16, 11 and 10. Life has not been easy for them since their mom died four years ago, but they are generally doing great and I am very proud of them. They are probably the primary reason that I had this surgery last July -- I really felt like I needed to get my health under control so that I would be around as long as possible to take care of them and be happy and healthy while doing it. Anyway, last weekend, I came home from shopping and my son was in front of the house playing basketball. As I came into the house, I stopped to talk to him for a minute or two about who knows what. A little while later, my older daughter tells me -- "Dad, I was looking at my window and got a little scared to see some strange man talking to Kevin, but then I realized it was you!" She made my day! Brian

Sounds like you are doing GREAT! Keep up the good work and watch the magic of the sleeve work in your life. Good luck to you! Brian

Thanks for the feedback and the suggestions, guys. That's why I love this board so much. Tiff and Rootman - I love the description of food being a "lover of choice" and needing to change the relationship. I think's that's been very true for me, especially since my wife died four years ago, and I've used food to combat the feelings of anger, lonlieness, sadness, exhaustion. It caused me to gain 35-40 lbs following her death which were really the motivating factor in me seeking out this surgery. In the days immediately following surgery, when I really couldn't eat, I was scared because I had to face some of those feelings without my favorite "friend" or "medication." I suppose it was foolish to think that those habits, ingrained over many years, would die so easily. The good news, if there is any, is that I've become aware of the pattern before I've really started gaining. Now I really need to focus on changing my habits and making better choices. One of the things I really need to do is to get my butt moving in terms of exercise. I have not really done any serious exercsing other than walking in the days immediately following the surgery. I'd love to lose another 10 lbs or so and I have a feeling that exercise, along with the better eating habits, will go along way towards making that happen. I really do feel like I've been given a gift in having the opportunity to have this surgery -- I could never have imagined being in the position of wanting to lose "just another 10 lbs" instead of the 100+ that I needed to lose. I really don't want to blow this wonderful opportunity. As always, thanks for being there to listen. Brian

Hi Guys, I am feeling good about my weight loss - I am down about 115 pounds from my pre-surgery weight and people tell me I look great. I feel great and I am thinner now than I have ever been in my adult life. So what's the problem? I have seen some very dangerous habits developing in the last few weeks and months. When I get home at night - I start grazing. I'll eat crackers and Cookies -- even chips and pretzels sometimes. Never many at one time, but over the course of an evening and on a weekend, the numbers are adding up. Cookies have always been my downfall and they still go down way too easily. I almost feel like, since I am so limited as to what I can eat at a meal, that I have a license to snack with abandon. I haven't been losing much weight lately and it is easy to see why. I am petrified that I will not only stop losing, but that I'll start gaining. Of course, I have a lot a guilt and it brings back a lot of negative feelings that I used to have on the "diet treadmill." Not sure if any of you have any thoughts or words of wisdom, but I just thought it help to voice my feelings and share my "secret." Brian

Congratulations on this wonderful news! You have been such a source of strength and encouragement for so many people on this journey -- it is wonderful to see such a wonderful blessing come your way. God bless you and your family at this exciting time. Keep us posted and don't forget to share pictures along the way! Brian

Welcome Diane and good luck to you as you start this journey! This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! Brian

Congratulations! I was very apprehensive about telling my mother about my plans to have surgery. She was. of course, very concerned but she ended up being very supportive and, like me, she has been thrilled with the results. Good luck! Brian

I was very nauseated immediately following my surgery as well. I found that whatever the anti-gas medicine the doctor prescribed for me really helped reduce the nausea. Good luck! It will get better! Brian

Doggz109, I am so sorry that your wife is not being more supportive. My wife died in 2007 at the age of 41 after battling cancer for two and half years. I often wonder what she would have thought about my decision to have this surgery. She battled her weight for much of her adult life. She was a wonderful, kind and loving wife, but I often wonder if their would have been some fear/resentment/apprehension on her part at my decision to have this surgery. Now that I've lost 115 pounds, I am sure she would have been thrilled with the results, although I wonder if she would recognize me as I am thinner now than I ever have been as an adult! I will tell you that as the sole parent of my three children, I had some very serious concerns about the safety of the procedure and the risk of leaving them orphans. Ultimately, I decided that the risk of dying slowly from my obesity related health issues was much greater than the risk of having the surgery. I did an awful lot of research and got very comfortable with my doctor and the hospital. I would encourage you to do the same. At the end of the day, I felt like I was taking this step as much for my kids as I was for myself. I want to dance at their weddings and to hold my grandchildren some day and I view this surgery as a way of helping to make sure that these things happen. At the end of the day, as much as you love your wife, you've got to do what is best for you. Keep reminding your wife that you are doing this for her and your daughter as much as yourself Good luck and God bless, Brian

No regrets at all. One year ago, I was tipping the scales at 300 pounds and dealing with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and significant back and knee pain. I was a single dad raising my three kids following my wife's death in 2007 and I was really scared that I wasn't going to be around to see them grow up. Today, after having my surgery on July 13, 2010, I have lost about 115 pounds and all of my health issues have resolved themselves or are well on their way to clearing up. I am dating a lovely woman and my whole outlook on life has changed. Having said all that, I will also say that it has not been a complete walk in the park -- especially emotionally/psychologically. Fortunately, I have had no physical complications to speak of, but I have found the psychological aspects of the complete change in my relationship to food to be more difficult than I would have thought. I really didn't think I was an emotional eater, I thought I was just a big guy who loved to eat. What I learned after the surgery was that I ate when I was sad, lonely, angry, depressed, bored, upset etc. Suddenly, I found myself facing these emotions without my medication of choice -- food and it was not easy. In the beginning, there momentary bouts of "buyer's remorse" when I questioned whether I had really done the right thing, but, fortunately, those feelings were very fleeting. As time moved forward and more and more weight came off, It became clearer and clearer to me that I had made the right decision for me. My advise for anyone who is considering this surgery. Research, research, research - get comfortable with your doctor and the procedure and then, GO FOR IT. All the best to you, Brian

Thanks to those who took the time to reply with their perspective on this issue. Your thoughts were just what I needed to hear. I especially loved the references to all the tools that we use in everyday life that none of us would ever think of feeling guilty about. Also loved the references to glasses, hearing aids and other medical aids that people need and use everyday. Once again, this forum has given me the push I needed to keep moving forward on this crazy journey. Thanks again, Brian

I definitely consider myself a "success story" thus far. I am down about 115 pounds in 7 months. I look and feel better than I have in my entire adult life. I have no regrets and I know that having the VSG was the right decision for me at the right time in my life. Here's the thing -- there are moments when I have guilt over taking the "easy way out" by having this surgery. Intellectually, I know that it was not really easy at all and I know that if I didn't do it I was headed for disaster in terms of my health, but there is some part of me that wonders if I could/should have done it the old fashioned way with diet and exercise (even though I know that was pretty unrealistic for me). Again, I really have no regrets, but I am just wondering if any other sleevers out there have had these feelings. I guess my biggest concern is that feeling like I cheated or took the easy way out will cause me to sabotage my weight loss maintenance. Thanks for any input you can provide. Brian

Joe: I don't have any particular words of wisdom. I generally followed my doctor's instructions and tried to read as much as I could about the procedure and the best post op behaviors. I did drink a lot of Water and other fluids in the beginning. I did a fair amount of walking in the beginning, but I can't remember when I stopped doing so on a regular basis. Other than that, I have really not exercised that much. I am trying to change that and have just started going back to the gym as I'd like to lose another 10 lbs or so. People do tell me that men have an easier time losing than women, so at least we have that going for us. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress. Brian

Yesterday marked 7 months since my surgery. I feel great and hope to lose another 10 pounds. My daughter put together the attached pictures to show the transformation in my appearance. I hope you can view them. Thanks for all the support, encouragement and information I have received on this site. Brian

I really have not taken any Vitamins consistently since my surgery on July 13th. I've been honest with my surgeon, who tells me that this "is really not a good idea." I'm not quite sure what the problem is. Are there any other sleevers out there who will own up to not taking vitiamins? I'm looking for some motivation to get on a Vitamin regimen, but I can't seem to find the motivation within myself. Generally I feel good and I've done incredibly well in losing weight - I am down about 115 pounds since starting the process, but I am wondering if I am going to regret not being more diligent about the vitamins. I'd really appreciate hear some thoughts on this. Thanks, Brian

You have been put in a tough position, but I think the first step is definitely to find a new surgeon who believes in the VSG. In addition to the philosophy, I think you want someone who has more technical I went to my surgeon thinking I would have gastric bypass (I knew I did not want the band) and it was my surgeon who suggested the VSG. I am a single father of three young children, having lost my wife to cancer several years ago, so safety and the risk of complications were my main concern. I felt that I was having the surgery as much for them as I was for me. As I said, I was willing to have the bypass, but I wasn't crazy about someone re-routing my intestines. Once I learned that there was a viable alternative with much lower complication rates, I was sold. Having had the surgery in July and lost just over 110 lbs to date, I am thrilled with the results. It has not been a walk in the park and I have had to get used to a whole new way of handling food in my life, but at least I have not had to deal with dumping and some of the other issues inherent in gastric bypass. If you truly believe that VSG is the right procedure for you (as it has been for so many of us), you need to find a doctor who believes in it just as much, if not more, than you do. You deserve nothing less. Good luck to you. Brian

Hi Didi, Welcome to the forum. Dr. Roslin operated on me on July 13th and I only have good things to say about him and his office, with one minor exeption. I went to see him for my initial consultation in late April thinking I would have gastric bypass. When Dr. Roslin saw that my insurance was Aetna (which had just started covering VSG in February), he suggested this procedure to me. I had seen references to it, but never focused much on it. However, the more I read about it and researched the procedure, the more I liked it. I lost about 15 pounds between the time of my initial consult and my surgery date. To date, I have lost a total of about 110 lbs and I am very happy with the results. I found Dr. Roslin to be kind and very willing to answer my specific questions. I am a single parent of three children, having lost my wife to cancer a few years ago, so I was very concerned about the safety of the procedure. Dr. Roslin addressed my concerns and, after my surgery, took the time to call my home to let my mother and children know that all had gone well. I stayed in the hospital for two nights and saw Dr. Roslin once and Dr. Yatco once. Subsequent check-ups with Dr. Roslin have been brief, but positive. I find that, like most surgeons, once the procedure is done and things are going well, he is more focused on moving on to new cases. I have had no complications and feel very good. I also think that I got excellent care at Lenox Hill Hospital, although it sounds like you are thinking about having the surgery in Westchester. I live on Long Island and my main reason for selecting Dr. Roslin was that I wanted to have the surgery in major NYC hospital. My only complaint with Roslin's office was with Mary Rivera, the surgical coordinator. I got the sense that she was new to the job and I felt like I had to stay on top of her constantly to move my case along. She was difficult to get a hold of by telephone and refused to give me an e-mail address which I found very frustrating. Basically, I made a polite pest of myself to make sure that things kept moving along. Even with those minor delays, I think the time frame for my surgery - from an initial consult in late April to surgery in mid-July was still pretty good. Best of luck to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any specific questions. Best to you, Brian

This past weekend, I was going through some old papers and I came across my childhood medical records. They were on old-fashioned, hand-written index cards on which my pediatrician made notes everytime I visited the office, beginning with my birth in 1966. Of course, my weight was noted for each visit. I came across a notation for one of my last visits to his office - in 1980 - just after I had graduated from 8th grade. I was 14 years old and my weight on that visit was a substantial 185 lbs. I had already been fighting obesity (and losing) for about six years at this point. Imagine my shock when I realized that I now weigh 186 lbs -- just one pound more than I did 31 years ago! It just confirms what I've been thinking lately -- I can't remember ever weighing as little as I do now as an adult. What a miracle! I don't think in my wildest dreams I ever thought I would be here so quickly. It hasn't been a complete walk in the park and there are still days when I miss eating and drinking the way I used to, but, overall, this surgery is the best thing I could have done for myself and my three children. I still have some episodes of trial and error as far as being able to handle certain foods, but I consider it to be a work in progress and I have come a very long way in a very short time. Thanks to all who post here who have given me so much strength and encouragement. To those out there who are considering VSG - don't be afraid - it really works! All the best, Brian