celticwinter

Im from the area and am in Hamot tonite will have surgery in morning. We go to same Dr office, I have Dr Arreola. This has been an interesting journey, and Im excited for the next stage. We have alot in common including b-days lol. Hope to hear from you.

I've told him the same thing. His non-support is simply his own insecurities and has nothing to do with me. I can only part someone on the back so much! And yes, others have noticed...woo hoo!

I had my surgery on October 8, 2011 with Dr. Aceves and I have never had a post op/follow up appointment. Nor have I called them with any kind of problem. Everything has been fine. I started out a size 24 and now I am a size 8 and continuing to lose. I love my sleeve!

Started pre op diet today 12 days of liquids but I think this is the hardest part. Surgery will be on Feb 13 in Erie Pa. This is one journey that I am really looking forward too.

LOL... Trust us when we say you don't want to really know about most things during surgery. If I hadn't already delivered babies and shed my modesty I would have been mortified when I found out about WLS procedures in the OR.
Best we can do is use humor to cover any humility we may have and laugh laugh laugh

Lol, I wondered why there was 2 extra assistants in the operating room, one to support each boob. ;0)

Lol
Throw them over your shoulder like a continental soldier?
Hehehe

Hey guys!! Congrats to all you fellow February Sleevers! I am the moderator of the February 2013 Social Group so if you want an invite just let me know and I will send you one!!

Well, apparently I joined here back in June but never posted anything, don't remember that, but here we go.
I'm 28, I've been overweight since birth, 12 pound butterball. Played all the typical big boy sports and filled the typical big boy roles throughout my school years. Now, a married father of 3, with aspirations of becoming a patrol officer for the department I currently work for, it was time to jump ship from conventional wisdom and methods as my blood work was getting worse, family history started to bleed over in to my history, thyroid was jacked, metabolism in the crapper, I turned to lap band, and Dr. Kim here in Texas.
I've always been active, I work out lifting at least 4 days a week, and do cardio hard at least 1 day, and do some sustained lighter cardio at least 1 day as well. I'm a certified NSCA-TSAC (Tactical Strength and Conditioning) coach, mostly done for my own gain but also to be able to spread knowledge to others regarding physical preparedness. I'm a competitive power lifter, and hold 2 current records in Texas. I'm an outdoors kind of guy, hunting, fishing, off roading in my big ol' truck, camping, etc.
At my heaviest I was 464, 2007. At that time, I freaked out. I dieted down to around 320 with the help of a doctor on a liquid diet for a long time, but of course, it all came back. I've tried low carb/high fat (which works to drop body fat for a while and adding muscle for me wonderfully) however the weight, of course, came back. I even tried HCG, which is what my doctor felt possibly screwed my thyroid and metabolism up, but it's not totally sure, blood levels changed quite a bit from before, to after HCG.
I went to Dr. Kim and had several consultations and meetings, it was determined gastric sleeve would be the better, more successful route for me, and after reading and collecting my own information, I agreed. So, after a 6 month turned in to a 3 month nutrition class (insurance changed in 2013 with lesser requirements), I was approved 5 days after a submission my Aetna insurance company for a 20,000 lifetime coverage, revisions/emergency treatment not included in that amount. My sleeve date is going to be February 26th at Baylor Trophy Club, TX. Before then of course I have my stomach scope thing, and a pre-op class along with my physical and cardio testing.
I'm crazy excited about things, and the pace in which it has moved along so far. Of course I'm nervous, but way more excited versus nervous about the whole thing. My wife and family have been amazingly supportive throughout the entire process. I guess I've ranted long enough, probably too long to actually read, but I'm long winded at times, especially when typing things out. I'm hoping, obviously, for a smooth recovery and surgery experience, but I'm prepared for things to not be so great from time to time. My Dr, and his staff have been amazing, and have gotten great results from past patients, so we'll see how things go. I'll get some before shots up in my profile eventually, I have some trouble areas I'm worried about for loose skin and such, but I think overall things will work out just fine. Thanks for reading.

Congrats, I'm just beginning...I will be so Happy when I get to where you are...

I was terrified the night before surgery. So hard to explain. Happy at the same time! Its normal hard to explain to your spouse or anyone you just have to go through it and get to the other side!! Good Luck first couple of week are the most overwelming and then you get your act together and it gets easier. I am 7 weeks out.

Congrats! How exciting! I am still on my "have my date high" from last Friday! I will have my surgery on Feb. 20th. It feels so amazing to have the plan and start on the next phase! Best wishes to you!

That's great news! Happy for you! It will be here in no time

Thanks!!!! Hubby's taking a nap and hasnt heard the news yet lol, I was teasing him the other day and asked him what he thought of his wife in a pair of skinny jeans---Im 54 but still young in the heart

I just recieved the call from my doc office and surgery is set for Feb 13, 2013!!!! Im doing my happy dance and my tummy is doing flip flops. I start my pre-op diet on Friday, o what fun but I am going to treat myself to something hot and spicy this week and then down to business. I dunno if I am more excited or scared or if it is just a mixture of both. Let phase 2 of the journey begin

You look wonderful!!!!

I have only told my hubby, son and a good friend. I havent told anyone in my family since they are totally against WLS, my mother's favorite thing to say is chew it and spit it out. My brother is a Dr. and my sister is a NUT for a large insurance co. and both say watch what you eat Sooooo I have basically gone underground so to speak lol and am going under renovation per say, more than just WLS. I will see them in 5-6 months and whether I tell them or not I havent decicded on as of yet or maybe I will let them read it in my memoirs. This is a very personal decision and I dont want any negative influence in my journey.

I have only told my hubby, son and a good friend. I havent told anyone in my family since they are totally against WLS, my mother's favorite thing to say is chew it and spit it out. My brother is a Dr. and my sister is a NUT for a large insurance co. and both say watch what you eat Sooooo I have basically gone underground so to speak lol and am going under renovation per say, more than just WLS. I will see them in 5-6 months and whether I tell them or not I havent decicded on as of yet or maybe I will let them read it in my memoirs. This is a very personal decision and I dont want any negative influence in my journey.

I have only told my hubby, son and a good friend. I havent told anyone in my family since they are totally against WLS, my mother's favorite thing to say is chew it and spit it out. My brother is a Dr. and my sister is a NUT for a large insurance co. and both say watch what you eat Sooooo I have basically gone underground so to speak lol and am going under renovation per say, more than just WLS. I will see them in 5-6 months and whether I tell them or not I havent decicded on as of yet or maybe I will let them read it in my memoirs. This is a very personal decision and I dont want any negative influence in my journey.

Im right there with ya I had mine on monday now the waiting game begins. Here have a Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt Raspberry is to die for. Good Luck on your journey!!!!

Thanks everyone I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to come lol. Have a good one everybody be safe and happy.

Had my last weigh in on Monday now Im waiting for the approval from the insurance company. I feel as if I am pacing the floors waiting for someone to make a major decision in my life. After all these months of needles, tests, running here and there its finally down to the wire. Is the person reading my report having a good day and had their quota of coffee or are they gonna make me jump more hoops to be approved. Well enough ranting Im gonna go back to polishing my shoes so I can do the Happy Dance when I get the approval.