kymbo

Whataburger has grilled chicken. Otherwise keep a Protein Bar in your purse and avoid fast food entirely (a huge adjustment I've had to make for myself). Good luck, I know it's not easy.

Haha. I agree. Not a fan of all if the commercials and stuff. But his skill and staff more than make up for all of that. His practice and people are amazing.

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!!

I don't see anyone bent outta shape. Your opinion just appears to be in the minority. I only see people expressing their opinion. I'm using Dr Kim. I'm NOT being "forced" to buy his shakes. I know others that weren't forced either.
Best wishes and continued success to you and EVERYONE regardless of the surgeon and Protein shake of choice!

Here is a list I came up with to share with a friend who is going for his consultation soon:
* What is your readmittance rate?
* What is/are the typical reason/s for readmittance?
* How many of your patients have had leaks? How long after surgery were the leaks typically discovered? What was the resolution (% healed on their own vs. % needing surgical intervention)?
* How many rows of staples do you place?
* Are the insides of the staples checked, too?
* Do you sew over the staple line?
* Exactly how do you test for leaks immediately after surgery (before the barium swallow test the next day)?
* Is the part of the stomach that is removed also tested for leaks?
* What size bougie do you use to measure the “sleeve?”
* What is the biggest factor in failure after this surgery?
* What is your mortality rate? Of this, what % is attributable to the surgery itself and what % was from pre-existing conditions?
* What type of post-surgery support do you offer? Is there any additional cost for the support?
* Where were you trained? Are you board certified?
* How many sleeves have you performed? Over what period of time?
* At what hospital will my surgery be performed?
* Why do you believe you are the best surgeon to perform my surgery? What differentiates you/your practice from the others in the D/FW area?
* When can I return to work post-surgery?
* Based on your experience, in this practice, what % of excess weight does your average patient lose with the sleeve? How long is the loss maintained? What can I do to increase my success?
* Why do you feel that your pre/post surgery nutrition guidelines are the best? Have you tailored your plans for sleeve patients or do you use the same plan for sleeve, bypass & lapband? If the same, why?

* Do your patients have a support group on FB or via other social media? Other than the formal support group/monthly classes, do your patients have informal support groups? How do I join these groups?
* How much interaction should I expect with you, the surgeon, vs. with your staff? If mostly your staff, what is their training and experience with bariatric WLS patients? Will I typically see the same staff members on my post-op check-ups or will it vary?
* Are your staff members, such as nutritionist, available for one-on-one consultations? If so, what are the charges, if any?

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

I prefer to say vertically challenged! I'm 5'1", started at226, 202 day of surgery on 4/18 and am at162... Wearing a petite 12. Really, my goal is now 115 from 145, I need to lose way more than 17 pounds. Happily chugging, but loss is sssslllloooooowwwwww...

This is my second day at home after surgery on Monday. The gas pains yesterday were terrible, but I took two 45 min or so walks outside as well as some inside and I feel much, much better today. The bloated feeling is down. I have started drinking in 3 oz plastic mouthwash cups which helps me remember to slow down with sips. Harder than I thought. Pain wise much improved. Took one dose of liquid lortab and a gas x strip today. I am not very tired yet. Glad I have two weeks off. Today I swallow my meds slowly. I do have prevacid, another capsule and two b/p pills. My surgeon said ok, but I am still worried. Prevacid meltaways are $600 a month. So, no thank you.
I am attracted to some foods post op that I have no business thinking about. Starting to see what head hunger is post op is all about.
At this point, looking at Fluid intake, some exercise and a lot of rest.
Happy to be on the other side.
I am 5 lbs down since Monday.

I don't see anyone bent outta shape. Your opinion just appears to be in the minority. I only see people expressing their opinion. I'm using Dr Kim. I'm NOT being "forced" to buy his shakes. I know others that weren't forced either.
Best wishes and continued success to you and EVERYONE regardless of the surgeon and Protein shake of choice!

Well, considering how little those hospital gowns cover, mooning isn't out of the question!

Whew! Had to read that twice. Something about a guy "mooning" and walking through the halls threw me off at first. Hahahaha. Best wishes to ya. Ill high five ya if we pass eachother

Good for you! I was a nervous wreck while waiting on insurance approval. I often emailed Summar several times a week (bless her heart) and she was always so patient, encouraging and thorough with me. I hope you will be as confident in your decision as I am. Good luck!

Whew! Had to read that twice. Something about a guy "mooning" and walking through the halls threw me off at first. Hahahaha. Best wishes to ya. Ill high five ya if we pass eachother

Dr Kim may not be outgoing and flamboyant. But that's not a prerequisite for being an excellent surgeon. I chose him because he is one of the best at what he does. His staff is quite friendly and helpful. I'm glad I chose him (thank goodness, cause its probably too late to change my mind if I want to get sleeved anytime soon) lol.

Tomorrow starts my protien shake only 2 week diet. Had my food funeral last night so started the shakes a day early. Day one wasn't miserable Hoping I can keep my mind right for the rest of the two weeks. Surgery on the 23rd! Good luck and best wishes to all of my fellow October sleevers!

I'm scheduled for Oct 23rd. Time is going so slow. I'm sure when I start my 2 week liquid diet, the time will pass even slower. Lol.
Id say to spend your last month waiting for surgery enjoying your favorite foods (in moderation, of course). Unfortunately I've gained 4 lbs because once I was assigned my surgery date I threw moderation out the window. I surely regret it, but am going to rock my pre op diet to try to make up for the past few weeks of poor eating.
Good luck to you!

October 23rd!!
Hi guys! 40 yr old married mom of 1 having surgery by Dr David Kim in DFW! Whoohoo!

Thanks for that Susan. That must have taken a lot of time and effort. Much appreciated!

Sending you home with no pain meds or instructions is just wrong. It doesn't sound like this outfit is a Bariatric Center of Excellance. Please call them and request that they call in a prescription and give you some instructions !
Also, I don't know how you feel about this but I personally would NOT let this surgeon touch me again.

Good luck to you Kadie- may your surgery go perfectly and you have a speedy recovery! Be sure to check out the topic, "what to bring to the hospital". I've started a checklist and there were a few things I never would have thought of (chapstick- lips get chapped, sugar free throat lozengers-sore throat from anesthesia- you get the idea!) The best was a small pillow (or stuffed animal) to press on stomach when coughing, etc. for the 1st few days. I love the "no makeup" comments- but I always need a liitle foundation and lipstick to feel human. Looking forward to seeing how you're doing post-op- be sure to post!

Great news! I'm thrilled for you. I'm sched for 10/23. The excitement often wakes me up at night!

You can check out my signature below to see how I am doing...pretty good I think! I have not been able to start any exercise yet (I had PLANNED on walking daily as well as a free areobics class offered at my school) - but I have a very bad knee! I had hoped the weight loss would have helped improved this problem, but I was dancing in the sand at the beach in June, and reinjured an already bonky knee. I have already had surgery on it once - and it is very frustrating. I am going to go to the doctor this week - hope to get some relief!
Anyway - at 2 months out, I pretty much CAN eat whatever I want, so there is definetly the need for making good choices. I am back at work now - (I am a teacher) - and the regular schedule is helpful. I try to get my prottein in, and limit my carbs! A typical day for me is a greek yogurt for Breakfast (15g protein), a tuna kit for lunch with only 3 of the crackers (19g protein), a string cheese for snack (4g protein), then Protein and veggie for dinner....I am loving Boarshead Bratwurst (18g protein) or Turrkey meatballs. I also LOVE shrimp and fish - so I have a lot of choices.....
Going out is still a little of a challenge - my family went to a chinese buffet - and I ate some chicken and broccoli, a few spicy shrimp and one crab ragoon. ABout 4-5 oz total......I was stuffed! WAY different that what I used to eat! Had about 1/3 of an omelet at Ihop the other day - the spinach, mushroom cheese one - yummy! My friend ate the rest!
I DO struggle to get liquids in - and I make myself drink at least ONE G2 gatorade each day - I think that helps. I take a sublingual B12 once a day and a Multivitamin.....I sometimes forget, but do good most of the time.
I started this journey in tight 22/24 clothes - I am now in an 18. This weekend I cleaned out my closet - and it was amazing to try on some old favorites and have them HANG on me. New underwear are in my future! I have lost over 27 inches all around (neck, waist, thighs, arms) and am looking forward to more.
This surgery can seem so sureal. I never imagined I would wear an 18 again. I did not think it would work for me. I am making good food choices and I am ot starving. I feel good (except for the dang knee) and am so glad I chose this for myself. Prior to the surgery, I would get on this forum and read everyone's experiences - so I wanted to make sure and add mine. I am not on here near as much as before due to work - but if anyone has any questions - I will answer them as I check back in.
God Bless!