SnohoGal98296

Thank you for working on this, even though I am presurgery, I have been using MFP for awhile and have been thinking about getting a matching device. While doing my research on WSL I realized that the logging apps recommend minimum calories counts that far exceed recommended plans for WLS patients for both pre-op and post-op. I think an app directed at WLS patients would allow the User to program in their surgeons specific eating plans, it is a constant on these forums to follow your surgeons directives, most are very similar but some are quite different especially between the different types of surgeries. I think they do this for liability reasons. WLS levels for Protein, hydration, and supplements tracking would be great. I agree with exercise database immaturity comment above, some apps have great excercise but terrible food databases. A successful app would have both. I really like MFPs User generated food database. I very rarely cant find something that I have purchased at my local grocery store. I also like the recipe option. I also agree with measurement options comment, options for smaller measurements would be key. Having a WLS specific app would be AWESOME, I look forward to hearing about the launch!

Thanks everyone, I was put on phentermine for a medically supervised diet 2 years ago. I lost almost 60 lbs. The diet was similar to some of the pre-ops, 1-2 shakes., high Protein low carbs, the weight was coming off and I felt really great. I thought I could persevere on my own and ended up gaining back 80 lbs. I actually take solace in seeing the pre-op success stories, recognizing the eating plan that worked for me during that time. I think I can learn from you guys and be able to do it on my own when it comes to my time. I look forward to the sleeve being a tool I can use to lose weight and keep it off. I am selfpay, wrapping up my surgeon selection in February and hoping to schedule in March...

May I ask if any of your Doctors prescribed phentermine or similiar to help you with hunger on your preop diets?

Snohomish here, investigating all the local Docs

Thanks, I live in Washington where VSG trends $16-18k. I am looking into tourism but domestically only, my family has unilaterally rejected Mexico (or any non-US location). I lived in Prescott for almost 9 years and have family there and in the Phoenix area.

I am ok with it - but I didn't start this thread...

So I am pre-surgery, so my books focus on learning about the procrdure. ..Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, Big Book of Gastric Sleeve, The Sleeved Life. I have had these for awhile and goback to them regularly. .Why We Are Fat, Good Calories Bad Calories (all of Taubes books are great). I would like to get the workbook for emotional eating mentioned above, so I will order that next time I am on Amazon. ..

Nice! I have family in Arizona so thought it might be a good option for travel, thanks though and happy sleevin'!

Were any of you self-pay? If so, how much for VSG?

Hi Patteee, I just noticed that you indicated you were sleeved, you might get a better response in the sleeve section as this area is for gastric plication. I am identified as sleeve, but I am researching all procedures so was checking this section out. ..

I am in the Snohomish area - self-pay, investigating Sleeve and the full monty of DS, hope to schedule surgery around march 2014 after some planned business travel is completed...

Thanks Sheanie, I noticed your value of 9 - when I was diagnosed my value was over 900, and I was caught early, some have values in the 2000's when they are diagnosed. When my Hem-Onc said that malabsorption was the way to go - I have to say I was more familiar with RNY because my cousin had one a few years ago. luckily I found VSG Talk and now BariatricPal which has allowed me to learn about DS. I have two surgical centers that I have investigated and am scheduling initial consults, I hope to learn more soon!

I am pre-op and researching my options - OK here is the boring part: I have a genetic blood disease commonly known as "Iron Overload", medically known as Hemochromatosis. Essentially my body absorbs iron until it becomes unhealthy, damages your organs and can lead to organ failure if untreated. Long story short - I have to have phlebotomies (1 pint blood draws) regularly (every 2 months) for the rest of my life to keep my blood iron levels low (unfortunately they will not use the blood for the community blood supply - not because it is "bad blood" but because it is expensive to manage :-( ). When I mentioned to my current Doctors (yes that is plural) that I am considering Bariatric Surgery they all mentioned that a malabsorptive (sp?) procedure might actually decrease the amount of iron my body absorbs. My Doctors both indicated that RNY (they didn't mention DS) would do the same but I think the sleeve with DS is the better option as it removes a portion of the stomach rather than just detaching some of it...I have been scanning the DS forum because I am interested in DS above and beyond the vertical sleeve, and noticed that a member shared that they need iron injections following DS. So I am curious - is that a regular result of DS? Maybe it is more normal to have to take iron supplements? In either case it would probably just make my iron levels normal and that would be a good thing for me :-D Please note that I am self pay - so I am betting I can't afford DS - I am thinking it is around $20-25K...

Love the Mr. Darcy nickname! what a great post to share McButterpants! Here's to wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Hi Muffinsmomma, May I ask what price you are paying in Las Vegas? I am a selfpay, looking to schedule in March 2014, and researching prices to see if travel is worth it. Many Thanks

Thanks Ginabo, I will check my list, I may have passed over Puget Sound due to some other feedback, but I will double check my notes and give them a call. Three other locations were $18k or higher. ..

Thanks for the tip, I will check that out as an option!

I too will be self-pay, in the Seattle, WA area bariatric specialty clinics are trending around $18-19,000 and the local hospitals are around $22,000.