Allan Cameron

Rena's Ragdolls, Love the photo of the kittens, my parents boat was name Ragdoll, though for the toy not the kittens...but hey, it works for me, I love both. Yes I am lucky, but then again we all make our own luck. I am a retired GI so getting this surgery approved was probably easier for me than most. All I needed was a Primary Care Physician to refer me to the Barriatric clinic. And since I had Kidney Cancer last year (lovely Valentines day present), not only did my Primary Care Physician but my Urologist both refered me. It has taken me since 1994 when I retired from active duty to truly understand that I couldn't lose the weight just through diet and exercise. I too have sleep apnea, and among my other medical conditions, high blood pressure. Though the joint issues have been annoying, I am very lucky that none have progressed beyond the problematic stage. I am hopeful that this surgery will have positive side effects for all of the negative health conditions (though I don't think I'll be able to replace the lost kidney). You sound as if you've not taken as long to come around to this decision as I did, even though we are both doing it at the same chronological age...Good Luck and I hope you get approval soonest.

sipping is oh so hard for me, but your comment brings it to the front of my issues list, the few times I have pain are probably caused by me trying to drink too much too fast, must remember to sip...

56 years young and trying to get younger each passing day...had my surgery on June 7th so I don't know that weighing myself yet will mean much. I think I want an active lifestyle, thus the sleeve surgery. Luckily I have not ruined my health with my obesity (yet).

We all learn, and sometimes some of us only learn from mistakes. Sharing our own mistakes with others helps them to make decisions that hopefully will avoid our mistakes, though regrettably many of us must learn by doing even if doing is not good for us...thus I am here as you were a year ago beginning this journey into my new lifestyle.

June 7th was my date, came home from the Hospital on Monday, and today was the first walk outside the house...I hope to be up and around town (at least a trip to the store) tomorrow. Still have a little pain as I drink, but once it gets all the way down to the stomach it seems okay. Off the pain meds for now, still can't sleep on my left side yet, but it will all be good soon...