topgun

If you think you are dehydrated, do NOT take any chances. Dehydration can lead to complete organ shutdown and can be fatal. Seek professional care immediately and do not take a chance on your health. I have been there and done that and almost suffered from irreversible kidney shutdown. My kidneys were functioning at less than 10% because of dehydration from a case of the flu when they finally started improving. I was a heartbeat away from dialysis. Call your PCP or get to the ER. Ted

I'm with Kaiser in SoCal and I've just recently received my surgeon's referral after completing the Options program and all of the testing. I consult with the surgeon on Mar. 09 and hope to have the procedure soon thereafter. I started the Options program with an attitude that it was a waste of time but ultimately found it to be very informative. I feel much more prepared for the lifestyle changes ahead. Everything has gone smoothly so far with Kaiser so I hope it will continue. The surgeons they are using have good credentials and I've not heard anything negative about them. I am dreading the pre-op "2 week liquids" diet and I hope it will not apply since I have already lost almost 15% of my body weight since starting the program. My SW was 337 and I'm at 287 now. Thanks, MonkeyNurse and the responders to this post. I look forward to anyone else's comments about Kaiser (especially SoCal, because there are major differences in the 2) because info is hard to come by. Ted

Suzanne is technically correct, but the gossip mill being what it is, you will only stimulate everybody's curiosity by being secretive. When that happens, you are leaving the door wide open to let someone's imagination come up with a big juicy reason why you are undergoing such a secret procedure. That someone who feeds the gossip mill for you will also probably be somebody who is not your best friend and who does not have your best interests at heart. I'd give them a simple answer of some sort and let the matter drop. JMHO By the way, best of luck! Ted

This is my first post on any forum. I am a 64 year-old male and I now weigh 286 lbs. I have just finished Kaiser's 12 week Options Program and I've udergone all of the pre-op required testing. During the Options Program they asked everyone to lose 10% of their body weight and I actually gave them a 15% loss by losing just over 50 pounds. I expect my consult with my bariatric surgeon within the next 2 weeks. I thought I was SO ready for this operation and now I'm having last minute doubts about my ability to make it work. My problem is - and always has been - habitual snacking. During the last 12 weeks I dieted sucessfully by losing the weight, but I didn't really change my eating habits, I only changed WHAT I ate. While dieting, I would go without food all day in order to save my calories for a big dinner of veggies and lean meat, chicken or fish followed by an evening of Snacks, like popcorn, apples, etc. Will the surgery itself help me to overcome this urge to eat all the time or am I just going to feel deprived? Any input from others who may have had similar feelings would be appreciated. Thanks! Ted