Postop

They like you to wait at least 18 mos.

With the DS you can eat all the Protein you want. I know some surgeons feel a 2 step DS is safer. If that's the reason, I can't argue w/the surgeon. However, if you want a 1 step and it's safe; I'd push for it (I had a 1 step). You're reasoning is sound. If you get too thin, ins. cos. are reluctant to approve the 2nd stage of the DS. I had to really push for the DS. I was told the RNY was enough for me (this was before the sleeve alone became so popular). I didn't go back to that surgeon. Another said basically the same thing. I brought in my accordion folder w/all my DS research, etc. It impressed him enough that he agreed I would do well with it and be compliant. Does it have to be that surgeon? Can you come to NYC? Those records are yours. You should be able to get them and/or have a new doctor get them. Wish I could help re: the weight loss preop program; however, it wasn't done when I had my DS almost 10 years ago. If you don't find the answers you need here, I've PM'd you with another site that has a lot of DSers. They can help you out with this and about your policy. There's especially one girl who knows a lot about insurance.

Welcome. Always glad to meet another (soon-to-be) DSer. Happy to hear you have your vits. ready. Hope you have someone to help you out around the house the first week or so. As for me, I was nuts, crazy, excited & panicked the week prior to surgery. I even locked myself out of my apt. twice. The best story I can recall is this one: about 5 days prior to surgery I was eating everything in site. As a matter of fact I'd just bought a box of Yodels (like HoHos for east coasters). At 9PM that night, my surgeon called & told me to stop eating all that junk. I said how did you know? He said he knew me well enough. It was shocking but very funny. The fact that he did that still blows my mind. I have a couple of funny postop stories (in the hospital) but I'll wait till you're done and dusted.

You sound as if you have your info. and research together. Definitely bring it w/you. I brought a giant accordion folder with everything I'd found and learned about why I wanted the DS. I'd even bring a large pill holder if you have one; to show you're ready to comply with the requirements. Perhaps a Protein book illustrating how much protein is in each food. Just as much as you can do to show your doctor you feel the DS is the right surgery for you. Mine didn't feel I needed it. I did.

Congrats! And thanks for a good meeting, everyone.

Yup. BloomingLotus is right. I had to do it, too.

Hey, thanks. I'm sure you'll do it, too.

Sounds pretty normal to me. I was nuts, excited, scared, anxious and hyper before my DS.

It does play w/your emotions. I was happy, excited, terrified, nutty...I locked myself out of my apt. twice the week before surgery.

Hope to make it.

I don't blame you. I didn't want to go for a revision either. You see too many of those. I came in w/an accordion folder that convinced them I was 'anal' enough to keep up with all the vits/minerals/protein requirements.

Interesting position. I have to assume he's had some issues with patients. I have a 100 cc. That's the standard for many surgeons. However, some do 75; some do 125 or 150. They often base it on the patient.

Yeah, sometimes it happens. You get a fever in the hospital. It only lasted a couple of days & then they let me out.

Mine was lap, too & I was only supposed to stay in the hospital for 3 days. Had a fever, though, so they kept me in for 5.

Almost 10 years postop. As I recall, the pain wasn't horrible, but I did have an IV with pain med. that I controlled. Spent 5 days in the hospital and then was off oral pain meds in 48 hours (but probably should've stayed on them for another day or two). I've had tons orthopedic surgeries & my personal feeling is they were much worse. Probably b/c they're bones and such. Always glad to meet another almost to be DSer.

Welcome to the Dark Side. Good thought regarding buying samples. Many people's tastes change after their DS so what you liked before might change for good or change for a while.

9 1/2 years+ out. That hasn't happened to me. I had foods I couldn't eat the first couple of years but then I was able to eat them. Same with dairy. I had lactose problems the first year and then they went. Vomiting was heavy the first couple of years but then not much. Nowadays only if I eat way too much or drink way too much after eating. If I eat too much junk, I'll be in the bathroom; but not something like hamburger or dairy unless I'd eat way too much. I assume you're just eating a normal meal. The full feeling ebbs and flows. Sometimes I feel full quickly and other times I can eat a lot more. Sometimes I'm starving other times I can barely eat my requirements. I'd talk to your surgeon & see what's what.

Sounds good. I'll have to look for it. It's the Lean one, right? I looked at that one & it only has 6 gr./sugar. Some of the others had a lot more.

Welcome. Always glad to have another DSer (or soon to be DSer) join the fold.

Good luck.

Is this the same as the SADI? If so, Dr. Roslin has been doing it for a while. Check obesityhelp. There are discussions about the SADI.

The more Protein you eat and the more Water you drink the better DSers lose. I know it's hard to wrap your head around but it really doesn't seem as if you're eating enough. Since you're a fairly new DSer, I'm not sure how much you can eat so shakes are a good idea. If you can eat, go to it. The DSers I know eat 100-125 gr/protein/day. However, that might not be possible at 4 mos. out. I'd sure eat more than you're eating, now, though. That doesn't look like much. If you want to count calories then go for it. I don't know other DSers who do. That's the beauty of it. We just eat and eat and eat protein. I eat every hour or two. As for exercise, many I know don't do much. I started weight lifting at 7 years out. I added that to walking, but that's about it.

There were 4-5 of us there last night. It was a good time.

Here's the link for Lenox Hill. I'm going to try & get there this month as haven't been since last October. The DSers usually stay in the general meeting for a time & then move to another room to talk on our own.

I lost 45lbs. in the first 9 weeks. So I think you're doing fine. Think about coming to a meeting if you'd like to speak w/other DSers.