JustSayMoe

I'll second the Premier Nutrition ready to drink shakes. They taste good and are a bargin at costco. I've had the chocolate and vanilla. They aren't super thick either. I had a sugar free shake (I think it was muscle milk) and I just about puked. Sour and chemical tasting. Drank part of one and tossed the other 3 in the package. Muscle milk light are okay, but not as good as the Premier.

Another Dr. Kim sleever here! I'm almost 6 weeks post-surgery. I'm really glad I did this. It gets easier and easier - I promise! Hardest thing for me is getting focused on the exercise part. Tomorrow is "check out some gyms day."
Good luck all of you!!!!!
And remember - post-surgery:
SIP SIP SIP
WALK WALK WALK (and then walk some more!!!). It helps so much with the discomfort from the abdominal gas.
Let us know how you do

You'll be so glad you made the change. And I hope you'll be as happy with Dr Kim and his staff as I have been. Good luck!!

That's a good idea, that pretty much what did....prepare to make the change!

awesome62
I was under the impression that after i was sleeved, i would almost immediately be rid of my diabetes. I was always under control w/my meds, but was hoping to be off of meds.
my WLS was 12/15/11 - hospital took me off my meds til i saw my PHP, he told me too to stay off my meds. i was thinking terrific.
Now after some readings of 130,140 he's thinking he should put me on alittle bit of meds. I will be having my HCG soon, so we will see.
But remember, we will always be considered diabetic.
Some people have better luck though - maybe you'll be one of them
best
kathy

I just told them and my buddies sound alot like yours. But I started with guys I'm going to be gone for a couple weeks I'm having surgery. That stopped the smart ass remakes for a moment until after I told them what it was. They ask me why and I told them I wanted to live it see grand kids and I'm not going to make it like I am now. Had one (which he's terrified of needles) said no bodies cuttin on me I don't care how big I am. But they were actually supportive.

Ladies, before y'all start telling the OP that he needs new friends, you have to remember that men and women communicate differently. This is the means by which a lot of men tell each other they care. The more cr@p they give, the more they actually care. What you are witnessing in the above dialog is actually a very healthy, albeit sophamoric conversation between caring friends.
Llyod nailed the response.

Thanks for sharing, jns! Very funny story! (maybe not at the time!)
When I first met Dr. Kim I thought to myself "geeze he looks so much older in person!" He looks all young and non-wrinkled on TV and on his website! Makeup and airbrushing aren't just for supermodels - LOL!!!

I got diagnosed with severe case of apnea. I got the CPAP and absolutely love it. I feel like a million bucks after sleeping with the machine. Plus another great side benefit is I can fart all I want and not smell it with the mask on. 8-)
I told my wife that when I got home with the machine and rolled her eyes.

Ive had sleep apnea for about 3years now, It takes awhile to get use to the mask but now I can't sleep without it.

I'm a post-op patient of Dr. Kim's (3 weeks post-op). I understand your concerns about Dr. Kim's somewhat reserved personality. However, his staff more than compensates for that. They have been absolutely AWESOME to work with! I've called in with several questions and have never felt like they were rushing to get me off the phone.
When I was researching surgeons, there was one that I liked personally, but he had only done 200 sleeves. Compared with Dr. Kim's 2000+ sleeves, it seemed like a no-brainer.
My conclusion was that I really didn't care so much about bedside manner in a surgeon as I did about skill and experience - that is where Dr. Kim seems to excel.
Not sure why they would make you have surgery at Wise Medical Center unless it's an insurance thing. I had mine at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas (I live in North Richland Hills). You might ask if there is any possibility of having the surgery closer to home. That being said, I'd rather go with a skilled surgeon with a great staff and drive 90 miles than go with a lesser skilled surgeon with a so-so staff just to save a drive for surgery.
Best of luck to you! I can say that without a doubt, I am very happy that I did this!

I'm a pre-op patient of Dr. Kim's and had the same concerns you do. I am well aware of his dry personality and also know that after meeting him once during initial consult I will probably not see him again until the day of surgery. After some consideration, I decided this really doesn't bother me because, as you said, his staff is very competent. They're the ones you will be dealing with during all your pre-op visits. Ultimately, they are the ones who most heavily influence the insurance approval - and how quickly you get that approval - once your insurance requirements are out of the way. Dr. Kim is in high demand for a reason - he's the best WLS in our area and with a complication rate of .01%, there really was no other choice for me.
Just my 2 cents! Best of luck with your decision!

Hi...it's always a difficult decision to pick out a surgeon. I am an RN and I beleive that you are paying this person for their skill, low complication rate and compitence....not his personality. Good luck with what ever path you choose.

Yeah. My UHC insurance requires a center of excellence rating (marketing spin for pre-negotiatied cheapest rates possible). If I go with Nicholson, I go to Presbyterian. If I go with Kim, I must go to Wise. I can also pick Baylor, UT SW, Plaza Medical center in FW, or Medical City Dallas hospital.
Btw, shortly after this post the folks from Nicholson called me two or three times. It's almost like their ears were burning! :-)

Yeah. My UHC insurance requires a center of excellence rating (marketing spin for pre-negotiatied cheapest rates possible). If I go with Nicholson, I go to Presbyterian. If I go with Kim, I must go to Wise. I can also pick Baylor, UT SW, Plaza Medical center in FW, or Medical City Dallas hospital.
Btw, shortly after this post the folks from Nicholson called me two or three times. It's almost like their ears were burning! :-)

My first appt was with Dr. Kim and he wouldn't do the surgery anywhere but Forest Park in North Dallas... I am in Burleson. He told me I should rent a car service if it was "inconvenient" to drive.. Pissed me off... I left his office and went to Fort Worth Lap Band and saw Dr. Adam Smith.. he would do my surgery at Trophy Club Baylor... I could do that.. Turns out that Dr. Kim does surgery at Baylor Trophy Club too.. I have determined that it is whatever is "convenient" for HIM... he tried to tell me that the self pay cost at any other hospital was going to be higher but since he had a owner interest at Forest Park, he could control the costs... He has the same "owner interest" at Baylor.. he is just full of ****... Since he has had so many "famous" patients he has gotten a bit big for his britches..
As for Wise Regional? Damn nice hospital, I know one woman who had hers there and loved it... Personally, Baylor TC was AWESOME 20 rooms is all there is at this hospital... all they do there is Orthopedic and Gastric surgeries... As for Dr. Kim? I wouldn't give him my time much less my money...