EweLewz

LovinCheryl, you brought up an excellent point. I have been in the computer industry since 1983. As much as I would love to throw out my college degree and thirty years of experience, I can't. There are many jobs that keep you physically fit, but it's too late for me to change occupations. Not a lot of companies looking for overweight 50 year old people looking to re-train themselves in a new career. Even if I was lucky enough to find such a job, the compensation would leave me homeless. That's not an excuse, it's a fact.

Best to luck to all sleever's this week. I go on Friday. Not looking forward to the discomfort, but will be happy to have the surgery behind me.

10lbs down, surgery in 4 days. IV heart test appointment on Wed (2/20). ***Interesting Read*** Upon completing my pre-op physical, my family doctor advised me to not lose any more weight, but to hover @ 10lbs lost. He told me of an incident where one of his other pre-op patients lost 19 lbs prior to surgery and his insurance company pulled his authorization for the sleeve procedure! I have no reason to doubt my doctor, but that seems ridiculous!

I also wondered why people who don't drink anymore still consider themselves alcoholics. If an obese person loses his/her weight, they don't refer to themselves as being obese. My cousin, who is in AA said the difference between an alcoholic and a drunk is a drunk doesn't have to go to AA. Congrat's on your weight loss. You've done a hell of a job!

With all due respect, the last couple of replies that blame food as the sole reason all of us are overweight is simply not true. My wife is 5'7 and weighs 125lbs. She easily consumes more than 500 calories a day more than I do. There are many more aspects to weight than calories consumed. The amount of activity we partake in, genetics, medication and body type are all factors. Unfortunately, the war against weight isn't caused or remedied by one factor. Being able to share our specific stories enables us to learn from each other. While the fork represents a major battle, it does not represent the entire war.

Webchickadee - Great post, thank you much! My surgery is in 10 days. I am very much looking forward to resuming life as I once enjoyed it.

An outsider would look at most of us and assume we are all over-eaters. Although many of us fall into that category, I thought a little self reflection could help us correct some of the things we all do collectively that made the "sleeve" procedure our best option. Speaking strictly for myself, this is how it happened to me: 1. I am a computer technician. I sit behind a keyboard eight hours a day. At night, I am a student. The only physical exercise I get is lifting my coffee cup, or walking to the kitchen to make a sandwich. 2. I have Asthma, so working out is out of the question. I bought bicycles for my wife and I to get a little exercise, but it's hard to pedal for any distance when you are having trouble breathing. 3. I eat the most at night, the worst possible time. I never learned to take a few minutes out of each day for myself. 4. I eat out too often. Restaurant portions are obscene, but I have no problem eating every bite. 5. Anxiety - I take medication that is known to pack on the pounds. I made the decision years ago to be fat rather than drive myself nuts. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I'm certain everyone would love to here yours!

ith11 - Wow, online the day after surgery. That's pretty reassuring to the rest of us. Here's for a speedy recovery! Please keep us posted. My surgery is in 10 days.

That's a good question. I asked my surgeon the same question. He replied that leakage is very rare, and only occurs in 1 to 3% of all patients. Apparently, your stomach is placed in a sterile bag during the process. This insures that there are no remnants left in your chest cavity. After the procedure has been completed, air is pumped into your stomach. At this time the surgeon can check for leaks...this process is similar to how you find a link in a bicycle inner tube...placing it under water and looking for bubbles. He told me the procedure won't end until the entire stomach is inspected for leaks.

Best of luck to you Sara! Please keep us posted. Our thoughts are with you.

Starting pre-op diet today (1200 cal's a day). Surgery is scheduled for 2/22. Only have physical and final blood work to do. The EGD left me with a sore throat, which only lasted two days. Hard to concentrate on anything else.

I'm on 2/22. I had my EGD yesterday. Not painful, but no fun. My "Ready for surgery" appointment is tomorrow, then the final blood work. Ready to get the show on the road.

asifitsthelast - It's obviously a slow process, but you will get there. Think about what you have already endured. You're on your way now!

Of course hearing that this rarely happens doesn't help you too much, but you will get through this. I would love to hear an explanation from your doctor as I do not believe any of us has seen anything like it. I am curious if the mistake was made during the procedure, or if it occurred during after-care. Your road is bumpy, but you are in our thoughts.

This has turned into a nightmare. Nothing short of it. However, you will get past this and endure. I would have a rather straight talk with your doctor about all of this, as it seems unusual (compared to what others have experienced). Best of luck on your progress and wishing you a speedy recovery!

I can't thank this site enough for providing a forum to settle my reservations and concerns. This procedure is not a simple one, though I believe my only choice is proceed with it and change my bad eating habits.

Dr. Feiz will sleeve me on 2/22. Now jumping through Dr appointments to satisfy Ins requirements. Surgery will be performed in Marina Del Rey.

asifitsthelast - I too am sorry to hear about your complications. Did the doctor also put you on antibiotics? I received my surgery date yesterday..it will be 2/22. Im glad you have people near you to help.

One week and two days have passed since your surgery. How are you holding up? Are you able to do a little more each day? suffer any setback? How do the stitches feel?

Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted on your progress!

Thats a commute! I used to live in Rancho! @ Haven & Lemon. Have you passed all of your pre-tests yet? schedule a surgery data?

Thanks for the update. Your posts serve as a clear reminder that the end result may be what dreams are made of, but the process to get there isn't "so pleasant". Are you awake long enough to type or be productive, or is the pain still winning?

asifitsthelast - You are a few days post-op now. How are you feeling today? Get any sleep last night?

Beverly Hills, though it's a pain. I live in Canoga Park.

Interesting, I also have Dr. Feiz. I went to the orientation last Saturday, and completed the psych eval last night. His office doesn't waste time. Up next...phone call from a Nutritionist and a "throat scope" procedure. He is very highly rated.