KeeWee

I too hated food before even though I really loved cooking and feeding people, and tasting it. I hated it because I knew every bit of it made me fat, fat, fat. If I ate it and enjoyed it, I then felt guilty because I knew it was going to make me fat.
Now I eat food and it nourishes me. It keeps me from getting cranky. It keeps me from passing out. And by golly, it still tastes sooo good.
Everything tastes as good as it did before. We so thoroughly enjoy the few bites we eat. And I still love to cook. Like the poster above, I too cooked for my kids immediately after and I still got a lot of enjoyment from watching them inhale the food. I still felt good when they told me I was a good cook. And I didn't mind that they had eggs while I drank a shake.
Now, I spend my time crafting sleeve-friendly recipes and sharing them on my blog. Food is still tasty--I just eat a lot less of it, and I feel ZERO guilt. For that alone, I would consider the sleeve.

Good Morning!! I haven't actually had the surgery yet but this is another reason why I am....I am so sick of eating. I would never eat again if it were up to me. I don't crave any food, I don't have any desire for food. I am 5'4" 280 but I eat once a day only to not be weak.
I hate to eat because I never eat the right thing it's just enough of the wrong stuff to meet a certain calorie intake and that's usually only around 800 now and to see the destruction caused by this is disturbing to me...I usually only drink liquids during the day anyway. Since my doctor and I can't seem to build my appetite, I figured this surgery will be great for me. I'm glad you don't miss eating because my fear is to NOT be able to eat it and the wanting to...lol.
Now my small meals will work in my favor!! Super excited to meet my perfect match!!

Hello All:
I just returned from my pre op appointment with my surgeon. I wanted to share with you the questions I asked and the answers I received.
Q. Can I take my capsule (Cymbalta) medication after surgery?
A. Yes, do not stop taking it, but open the capsule pour the contains in something to get it down.
Q. I am allergic to vicodin and codeine. What can I take after surgery when I get home?
A. You will be prescribed something nice and strong, but it will be in pill form and need to be crushed up before taking it.
Q. What is the deal-o with "gas" after surgery? Is that due to the surgeon's technique or specific to the patient?
A. All the gas pumped into you during the surgery is removed while you are asleep. There are three types of pain, 1. incision pain 2. irratation from the gas 3. ..... oh heck I forgot lol
if you did well with your gallbladder surgery, you should breeze through this no problem.
Q. Do you make everyone's tummy the same size or is it based on the patient's orginal tummy size?
A. The stomach size is a constant, determined by the tube used as a "pattern" to guide the cutting. The only variable that is not controllable is the length of a persons stomach.
Q. Is there anything you might find during surgery that would cause me to wake up without being sleeved?
A. 1 in a million chance that there would be anything that would be found during surgery that was not identified during the pre op testing. He has never had a surgery that ended in no sleeve.
Q. Straws? What is the theory behind straws?
A. The straw mystery is a myth. However you can get your liquids down is fine by him.
Q. Weight gain from/after surgery?
A. Yes there will be some bloating and Water retention. Don't bother weighing yourself for a week.
Q. I had to out right ask... do you... or are you going to do a nicotine test?
A. No. "Should I?" lol
I think those were my primary questions as I can remember them. Most of my questions I was able to find answers on the internet or VST.
My surgery is a go for October 22nd. I officially clocked in today at the doctor's -15#'s. I start my pre-op diet on the 9th. And I am super excited and very ready to get this party started.
Thanks for reading.
Bonnie

I also have southern California Kaiser...had surgery 4/6/12 at West L.A.
The entire program was top notch! So much education, glad I did the 12 week Options program and got used to doing food journals and exercise, by the time I had surgery, I had already lost 26 pounds just doing the program.
The surgical team was great and I feel I had excellent care, with no complications whatsoever.
Good luck...I am sure you will be pleased with your Kaiser team of doctors and educators!!!
I had my referral for surgery two weeks after finishing Options!!

Wow, thats great. Theres lots of CA kaiser peeps out here, only a few of us east coasters.
Do a search for kaiser and you'll find lots of info.
allons-y

I have Northern California Kaiser and was sleeved 9 months ago. First you have to go to your primary care provider who refers you to a "weight loss class". At this class they make sure you are serious about changing your life and eating habits. It's a few hours long. If they see you are serious then you move on to the next step, which is another class. Also a few hours long. After that class they give you a date to meet with the Dr that is going to be your surgeon. They also inform you of what your pre op diet will be like and what exercise goals you need to meet. They let you know you cannot smoke, chew gum, or drink through a straw after surgery. If they don't think you are serious they will not give you a date with the surgeon. Once you meet the surgeon he will weigh you and tell you how much weight you need to lose to qualify for surgery. After that is up to you. There is no approval needed for the insurance. I got lucky and didn't have a copay. That is the only thing you might have to worry about. Once you make it to the surgeon though it's all downhill from there. As soon as you meet the goal you will meet with a nurse and a nutritionist. They're the ones that schedule your surgery date. A word of advice. Do not shoot for the goal they give you. If you weigh even one pound over what you're supposed to on the morning of surgery they will send you home and not do the procedure. Try to go at least five pounds lighter than your goal weight if you can. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

I'm screaming from the mountain tops, doing the happy dance. Thank you sweet and wonderful God.. I had bcbsfl submitted yesterday approved yesterday ...
Best of luck to everyone.