Driver Deb

Just got the okay from Kaiser to have WLS. They want to do the RNY bypass instead of the sleeve because of the success rate with keeping the weight off long term. They also said that because my weakness is sugar, it would be better at keeping me on track... I'm guessing because of the dumping that people experience after eating sugary foods. I was hoping not to mess with my intestines and keep my plumbing intact, but I also don't want to have the sleeve and end up having to get that revised into the RNY because it isn't working for me long term. Has anyone else here had their DR. tell them something like this?? Kaiser said they only do sleeves on a few select patients.

I'm not sleeved yet, but I think it is way to early for mashed meat. Maybe try something soft like yogurt or Soup.

And one more thing... get some sugar free life savers or breath mints. They really help keep the oral fixation in check.

I smoked for 27 years. I quit 29 days ago. I used the e-cigarette. You drag on it like a cig but it gives you the nicotine in a water vapor. I used that e-cig ONLY when the cravings got so bad I thought I would give up. It saved the day by taking the edge off just enough to not spark up a real smoke. I used the e-cigarette for 2 weeks when the cravings were the worst. If you can make it 2 weeks, you can make it forever. Just keep telling yourself, TODAY I WILL NOT SMOKE, and don't worry about tomorrow till it gets here. Good luck and be strong.

I have not had surgery yet. I have told immediate family and a close friend/co worker. The psych. evaluation is easy. She wanted to know why I wanted the surgery, if I knew why I over eat, what my life has been like as a fatty, etc. She just wanted to have a conversation with me to gage if I was of sound mind. I did not tell her that I had been abducted by aliens and they said I was too fat and needed surgery.

EAS Protein drinks are made from soy I believe and they are pre mixed with water and yummy. 17g protein and 2 carbs. Sold at Walmart.

I don't see what religious faith has to do with any of this... Just because a surgeon has faith does not make him any better of a doctor or a person. He could believe in fairies and santa claus and still be a very talented and experienced surgeon.

Isn't it a mess ?! The thing is you will end up having to pay all the expenses anyway... If Kaiser finds out you had surgery "out of house" they can refuse to pay for any after care you may need concerning any kind of GI problem etc... Say you develop an ulcer 5 years down the road... they won't cover you. That's why I am dealing with Kaisers crap and jumping thru the hoops of fire, otherwise I would self pay.

Love it !!! Congratulations !!

I will be going to Richmond because I am from Sacramento.

I was wondering who your surgeon was and if you liked them ? What was your time between meeting your surgeon and having your surgery ?

There is always mexico for about 5k to 7k out of pocket...

I know that feeling all too well... 4 years ago I did back out a week before surgery and here I am, back at Kaiser trying to get another surgery date, by the way, I am 40 pounds heavier than I was the first time... I was scared and I talked myself out of it. Now I am heavier than ever and very disappointed with myself. Don't self sabotage like I did.

YOU CAN DO IT !!! I quit smoking 23 days ago using the e-cigarette also. I used it to get me through the first 2 weeks, because those are the hardest. After that, it's easy peesy lemon squeezy !!! I only think about them when I am around someone who smokes, so I get the hell away from them asap. I go days without even thinking about it now. Just make it through one day at a time and the next day is easier.

Thanks for sharing this !!! You just took the biggest weight of disappointment off my shoulders.

Has anyone here had the sleeve and not lost weight? Is there a failure rate?

I am still pre op, but down 11 pounds. Since I have started this journey It seems that I am noticing for the first time, just how many people are obese, and when I see someone who is fit and in shape I think to myself, " I wonder if they had wls?" I don't feel any different about other people, only myself.

I am pre op too. The carbs are so hard to stay away from, they are in everything. I have been on a protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and a lean cuisine meal for dinner. If I need a snack, I eat an apple. I don't eat bread, pasta or rice. I average 1000 to 1200 calories a day. Lots of water with crystal light and I have been walking for 30 minutes every night after dinner. I have been doing this for 17 days and I have dropped 12 pounds. It's not easy, but I have to lose 29 pounds before surgery.

Thanks for all the info, I found out my total oopc on line... I have one more question. How did you get from the information class to the orientation class ? Do you have to go back to the pcp and get referred to the orientation or do you sign up at the info class or what? How will it go?

I am pre op and on supervised diet. I eat an average of 50 to 70 carbs a day and 70 to 90 proteins. I keep protein bars and apples with me wherever I go, in case I feel run down.

Im only on my pre op diet and went from a 9.5 to an 8.5. I thought it must be the cut of the shoe, so I tried 4 different kinds, from sandals to boots and they all had gone down one whole size.

What was your out of pocket costs for the VSG with Kaiser ?

I dropped out of Kaisers program when all they offered was the lap band or the bypass, now that they offer the sleeve I am back in the program. It meant 4 more years of being fat, but I was not comfortable with the rerouting of the plumbing...

I am not sure if she is passive aggressive or if you are sensitive... As a MIL myself, I would be thinking that your husband and kids are "suffering" the same high protein low carbs that you keep in the house and she may be doing it to help the ones out who are not dieting. As a person on this journey too, I know that this whole process becomes somewhat of an obsession and we need to remember that there are others in our lives who are not on this journey with us. Be strong. See it as a challenge to overcome because these kinds of temptations will be around for the rest of your life.

Chin up !! Congratulations and good luck !!