KS Fort Worth

Thanks for the mosquito reminder, funkeechiggen!

Calcium Citrate is absorbed MUCH easier than carbonate. It's usually a bit more expensive, but well worth it.

My experience certainly does not parallel yours, but the main deciding factor for me in choosing sleeve over band was the virtual elimination of grehlin. Just my opinion, but I think that's why the band fails so many people, because it does nothing to eliminate physical hunger. (HEAD hunger is another matter altogether, and we ALL have to beat that!) If you do decide to go with a sleeve, PLEASE don't be disappointed if your surgeon wants a 'resting' period between band removal and sleeve surgery. He would only suggest that if he was sure it was in your best interest. Good luck on your journey, and I hope you make the healthiest decision for you.

I was sleeved on the 24th, and this morning feel MUCH less bloated. Pretty comfortable, actually.

I know what you mean! I'm 50, and honestly cannot imagine myself thin, as I have been overweight since childhood. But just because I can't imagine it, does not mean I'm not going there!

I'm with you on this one, sister. Very early mornings are usually cool enough to walk. You've done fantastic so far, just get in what you can, stay hydrated, and be patient. Fall will be here soon enough! Goals excellent, but PLEASE don't beat yourself up if you happen to fall shy of one. This is a life-long change, and as long as things are going the right direction that's what counts.

Gongrats! I had 3 months with Aetna, but I took what the nutritionist had to say to heart. I realized that if I didn't come to grips with my relationship with food, that I would not succeed. I know you already know this, but it can't be stressed enough that the sleeve is just a tool. Without hard work and lifestyle changes, we will not succeed. Hope the approval process goes well, and look forward to seeing you on the loser's bench!

11 pounds a month is a very healthy rate! Sounds like you're doing fantastic!

Kudos to Baylor Trophy Club. I was a bit nauseated the morning after surgery, and had my nausea medicine within five minutes!

Dr. Kim explained to me that it lets him see the stomach and the staple line from the inside. I don't know that a man's stomach is bigger, it just seems a reasonable assumption. We may end up with the same diameter, but if men start out with a longer stomach, it must then have a larger capacity.

Those don't sound like horrible quantities. I'm only 3 days post-op, but would not mind eating that much in one go as long as it SATISFIES me. I would much rather have a slightly higher capacity than the complications of a too-small stomach. I've wondered for a while if a man's stomach wouldn't end up with a bit more capacity than a woman's with Dr. Kim, since he uses the endoscope instead of an actual bougie. Curious to hear what Dr. Kim's other patients have to say as well.

Awesome! Inspirational stories like yours help keep us all on track. Keep it up, you CAN do it!!!

My surgeon was Dr. Kim, and I have zero complaints about Baylor Trophy Club. My wife has been in and out of hospitals numerous times, so I do have a basis for comparison. Good luck on your revision!

Day three post op, doing pretty well! Am up to 2 ounces in a go now. I apparently had a hiatal hernia, so I assume it's still a little swollen there, and I have to straighten my abdomen if I'm sitting in order for things to go down, and burps to get up. This is a weird feeling, having to MAKE myself drink something! I'm just not hungry (although a slice of toast does sound tasty. No, I will NOT cheat!). Slept well last night, took the dog on a short walk this morning. Much nicer than walking laps around the kitchen. Will be happy to eat again, but I am patient. One advantage of being 50 I suppose. Going to nominate my wife for sainthood; she's been TOTALLY supportive and helpful! Living the metamorphosis and loving it!

Finally posted my pics, I hope I did it correctly! 2 days post-op and doing pretty well, I think.

If you DO have sleep apnea, it becomes a comorbidity, and increases your chances for approval. I just had my sleeve yesterday, but I lost enough weight since the diagnosis that my apnea is mostly resolved.

When insurance does cover it, it's usually called a pannectomy. This procedure covers only the removal of excess skin, whereas a tummy tuck addresses the muscles of the abdomen. I've heard that some people are able to pony up the difference and get a full tummy tuck.

Passed the swallow test! just finished my second ounce of water. Hopefully get to go home this afternoon. EVERYBODY I've met here at Baylor Medical Center Trophy Club has been nothing short of awesome!

30-40 pounds in one month is not exactly healthy. I suggest you push your surgery out one more month in order to give yourself time to learn to eat more correctly. Less of a shock to the system that way. 30-40 in TWO months is still tough, but much safer IMO. To get there, you MUST 1) make sure you get enough protein every day, every meal if possible, (it really helps with the hunger), 2) limit quantities at EVERY meal (you want to shrink your stomach some) and 3) REALLY cut back on the carbs, ESPECIALLY sweets and any beverages with sugar or alcohol. You CAN do it, but this whole process is as much a mental thing as physical. Good luck!

Sitting in the waiting room at Baylor Trophy Club, procedure scheduled for 8:30. A little nervous, but ready. Got my hair cut yesterday to make it easier to take care of, and had my toenails done. I had the girl put butterflies on the big toes in honor of my metamorphosis. (Will post pictures when I get home...)

WAS a Dr Pepper addict, broke that 3 years ago, thank God. I did not like what I read about how HFCS spikes blood sugar even quicker that table sugar, and the "real" Dr Pepper is too expensive. I gave up sweet tea early this year in preparation for surgery. I weighed my priorities and decided I just cannot afford to get so many calories (especially empty ones) from sugary liquids. The price is too high.

I hate to break it to you, but those ARE emotional issues. I was never a binge eater either, but if I enjoyed the taste of something I had no problem going back for seconds. I also learned to use food as a reward in childhood, and continued that into adulthood. There are times when food can be a PART of a celebration, but I do not NEED a tasty snack after every small victory, or at the end of every week. I do think genetics plays *A* role, but it is not all. This is why the sleeve can only HELP, it cannot CURE.

One of the reasons I rejected plication was. as far as I know, it does nothing to reduce grehlin. If you're really hungry all the time, it would be just too easy to graze.

Surgery is Tuesday, and today is Day 13 of liquid diet. Glad it's almost here because my brain feels like it's running out of gas! Just a few more hours in this workday, and I'm off tomorrow, so I'll be OK. I'm just not sure I could handle more than two weeks of this, trying to maintain a normal schedule. My brain wants glucose...