Robbiehage

How exciting, congratulations!

I was conflicted before I had surgery, I am SOOO happy now. At 12 weeks out tonight we had a special dinner for my son, I had 1/4 cup of brown rice and about 6 oz of strip steak, and a few bites of green beans, A little later I had about a 1/4 cup of oreo ice cream. I was totally comfortable. Now I NEVER eat like this but I am getting ready to start my period (TMI) and it was a special time for my son, the point is I can eat normal foods (just MUCH less) and I can do it comfortably and I am completely satiated afterward because I am full. I highly recommend the sleeve, I can not imagine that you will not be thrilled too. Best wishes to you!

Pork rinds and beef jerky were on my (very short) list of things that I never ate, now I love them both! I love to blend up some Bush's Baked Beans and dip pork rinds in it. I had no idea that you can buy microwavable pork rinds, definitely need to check that out!

My youngest is 18 and she keeps saying "Ever since you had that surgery there is no food in this house!!!"

I totally accept and respect that everyone does what is right for them, this is a personal journey that is for sure. That being said I tell/told everyone, I even tell the restaurant staff when I am ordering, I usually get an appetizer and they always say "Is that all for you?" and I say "Yes, I recently had weight loss surgery". I was talking yesterday with the only other person in our school district that has had WLS (duodenal switch) and she brought up a good point, she shares her story to help others and educate (I pretty much tell everyone because I can't seem to keep my mouth shut!) but she has had her weight off for 3 years so maybe that helps her to feel secure about telling people.

I work for a school district and we have WLS exclusion, one of our secretaries had the duodenal switch and eventually began suffering from malnutrition and needed hospitalized. They covered her because it was malnutrition, it didn't matter that she became malnourished because of the surgery (the same would have been true for dehydration). Now if this other secretary or I develop a leak I seriously doubt that they would cover that. This same thing was (and still is) a huge concern of mine but I prayed and researched and eventually decided that I was willing to take that risk. I need to go to my primary care physician for blood work and I will expect it to be covered because I was diabetic and had high blood pressure so I will ask my Dr to order the blood work under those billing codes. The fact that I am self pay was exactly the reason that I used a level one Center of Excellence facility and surgeon. You will be in good hands with Hoehn, I took extra care to do exactly what Hoehn said due to the fact that I was self pay. I am so excited for you, tell Hoehn his Columbus, Ohio patient says "hi".

Wow, I could have written this post three months ago! Self pay, refinanced my house, was sure that the surgery would work for everyone but me and scared of the anesthesia more than anything else! Looking back I agree with Cwalker, I have had some surgery and this one was a breeze. I am so happy with my sleeve, relax and enjoy!

Hello, So glad you have found such a fantastic surgeon! I drove 11 hours to have my surgery (self pay & he was having a special price on the sleeve) so I was unable to attend the pre-op classes. The only things I wish I had known before hand is just how quickly you begin to feel better and can drink normally and not sip! Hoehn is wonderful, I could not have asked for a better or smoother experience. I only hit my morphine pump twice (before I walked in the hospital) and never took any of the liquid lortab. I am so glad that I went to him, wish I had more to tell you but if you think of any questions please don't hesitate to ask! Robbie

I am on a SUPER stall! To be honest though I quit working out and I am not tracking my intake, so I guess I am asking for this to happen. I ordered Zumba and am praying that I will find it addicting like so many others on here have! I think I just need to get back to the basics and it will all be fine. I am only 15 lbs til onederland so I really need to kick it into gear!

I agree!!!

I love "tying my shoes without the bows being off to the side" I've always HATED that yet never thought of listing it!

Same with me, I am eating just fine now!

Lis, I am so sorry to hear your diagnosis, no wonder you have been having problems. I can't wait to hear what the gastroenterologist has to say. I will be praying for you.

Oh Tiffy you are so freakin' cute you even looked good in your before pics! Those little brown wedges are to die for too. What a great post I loved reading it, congratulations!

This is such a fun thread! I have lost almost 50lbs and today we went to the zoo, it was HOT and I did not sweat at all! I have the sweetest husband he constantly says "Wow, it is amazing how much weight you have lost" and I noticed that he kept taking pictures of me, and I realized I was allowing him to! Those are some of the fun things that I didn't even know to look forward to. I look forward to: Waking every day without wondering/worrying how I will get my weight off. Moving more freely Feeling better physically and mentally Fitting into seats Not having to pay as much for clothing and Just feeling lighter! I am so happy for all of us!

I just ordered Zumba, wanted to try it at home before I take the "show on the road" so to speak! It looks fun, I am really excited to try, it does look like it would be fun in a group!

Great, I am so glad that I got sleeved. I still struggle with eating too fast but I just love that I can have anything, just not much of it. It is so perfect for someone like me. I just ordered Zumba because I quit getting on my treadmill so I am hoping that this will be fun and I will do it! I am so glad you are doing so well, I LOVE losing weight!

54 Wannalise?? You are whippin' my a$$!

Congratulations Dee, so glad things are going so well for you!

Congratulations on your surgery! I am so glad everything went so well, the first few weeks may be a little rough but you will feel so much better soon. Enjoy your sleeve!

So, so true!! I lose like this; down 3lbs, back up 3lbs, down 2lbs, back up 2lbs, down 3lbs (this process may go back and forth for a week or so) and then it stays off and that is my new "set weight". I think I'm in love with my sleeve! :biggrin0:

A link to Consumer Reports July 2010 article on Protein drinks, some contain arsenic, lead, mercury etc. Yikes! Protein Drinks: Consumer Reports

Wow! Congratulations Gary that is an amazing amount of weight to lose in such a short time and as a fellow "self pay" I agree that it is money well spent! Congrats to you too AJW and Keys Pirate, how exciting!

Thankfully everything has gone very smoothly for me, I only used my pain pump twice in the hospital and took nothing for pain after that and I had no gas pains. In the beginning when I had more swelling and thus more restriction I had a hard time learning to eat slowly but that finally passed. I am SO very happy with my decision to get sleeved, I am sure you will be too!

June 5th will be here before you know it! Congratulations on your date!