BeagleLover

I don't see why you would fail--- from what I have read it is a safe, *effective* tool for losing weight. You've made a good decision for yourself and are now ready to reap the reward.

Best wishes!

I think therapy can be very helpful. A book I have read that is helpful is "Emotional First Aid..." and books by Kay Sheppard. Good luck!

My understanding is that they give you a dye to determine if you have a leak. If there is evidence of a leak, what the heck is he waiting for?!!! Is he hoping it'll go away?! Why do you have to go do anything? He needs to fix this now! Maybe you should go to his office and NOT leave until he fixes it! He has no right to put you in danger.

I actually haven't had surgery yet. SO sorry to hear about all these problems. I hope this gets better soon. What is the surgeon's immediate plan? In the meantime, can they put you on IVs & nourishment?

At a bariatric support meeting, the person heading the group, an R.N., handed out the label for Bariatric Advantage and suggested we use this list to compare other brands against.

I had my sleep study done about a week ago. I had problems from day 1 with the clinic and they just didn't seem like they knew what they were doing. They were a brand new clinic, only had one tech, and kept trying to get me to meet with their doctor to see if I needed to do a study even though my doctor said it wasn't necessary and that I needed to do the study regardless. They are now trying to get me to schedule an appointment with their doctor yet again to go over the results. I remember having my sleep study for my lap band years ago, and I never had to go back in and meet with anyone, they called and gave me the results and I came and picked up the machine. I feel like this doctor is just trying to get appointment copays out of me, and her office is giving me the run around. I contacted my pcp and he is working on getting them to send the results directly to him, but I don't know how long that's going to take and I have my surgery scheduled soon. So am I being irrational about not wanting to meet with this doctor? Also, the only times she is in the office to meet with patients in Mondays and Tuesday afternoons. Where the hell is she the rest of the week? What if I can't work my schedule around that? Ugh! I don't know what to do, I just want to get the results and get my machine, which I'm sure I will get because I'm almost certain I have apnea. Maybe this pre op diet is getting to me :-/ I have had so many appointments for so many different things and I just do not want to go to another friggen appointment to hear something she can tell me on the phone. Thanks for listening to me vent! And any info you can give me on how things went when you got your sleep study would be really helpful. Yeah, I think most specialists want you to come in so they can explain/interpret the results--- sleep study results aren't always crystal. I think the fastest way to get it without going in would be to ask your PCP to get it for you. Hopefully, the PCP has seen enough of them to let you know if there's a concern. FYI - Also, there is another option other than a CPAP machine. There is a mouth device that makes your lower jaw jut out more than the upper jaw. This is done with micro turns over the space of several months (to avoid TMJ) and requires going back for them to check it, and maybe another sleep study to make sure it is working for you as much as hoped. Oh, and they last around 1 1/2 years. The # of visits may not be what you want though.

You look terrific!

I think you are lucky to have found out about this when you were pre-diabetic. My PCP strongly discouraged me from having WLS saying that a particular institution did not do adequate follow up care. I'm ticked off at myself for not pushing forward anway. Most of the damage to the pancreas's islet cells that produce insulin are damaged at the point you are pre-diabetic and cross over to being diabetic. I am hoping that the surgery will make it go away for good, but I'm not so sure for the long term.

I'm 2 1/2 months into the process of getting approved. Assuming I do, Dr. Brebbia will be my surgeon at Washington Hospital Center. What were your impressions of him and the facility?

I'm planning on getting sleeved in early September or October. I know the particulars about the surgery, but don't know why this option is chosen v.s. having a sleeve without plication. Did anyone's surgeon specifically recommend this for a certain reason? Thanks in advance.

You look fabulous! Congratulations on stickin' with it and succeeding!

As far as getting your wife's support, I suggest she go with you to the hospital's informational meetings. I brought my husband, because I wanted his support. Later he told me that, if he hadn't gone, he would not have felt comfortable with my decision.

I have a question about the meetings with the nutritionist. At my 2nd visit, I turned in a log for the prior month. Did you do this? If so, did you get any feedback? Did the nutritionist say what the goal was, or what they would be checking for? Thanks.

welcome! I am an emotional eater too. One book that has helped me lot is "Emotional First Aid..." It goes over setting up your environment for success, what we tell ourselves when we're in the grocery store that leads to taking home something we'd have trouble staying away from. My personal favorite is, "My daughter would luuuuv this chocolate!" NOT. I agree with the earlier posts, find a hospital that has a bariatric program, preferably a Center for Excellence, and go to their informational seminars. So glad you are doing something about your health. Bariatric surgery can help turn the tide towards a healthier life. Best wishes!

I came across this and thought others might be interested: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t2dmcanadasummit.com%2Fppt%2FBuchwaldMontrealTalkMay2010.ppt&ei=wHRzU96UDq7isATUhoLoAQ&usg=AFQjCNHCEBNLXX1Y22yiaD1QaChIm9LRSg&sig2=u8_TfyiGOdkCKq-ewu_Lpw

Wow! You have every right to feel very proud of yourself. Sounds like you're so much healthier!

Congratulations! Your hard work is definitely paying off!

I just got a book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein drinks." I haven't tried any yet, but they look good. Also, google recipe bariatric protein shakes and see what looks good. If you make them yourself, you can make it to your taste. Hope this helps!

You can say to the others that have parked themselves, "This is my house, you are not welcome here. You have to leave." If they don't, tell the police these people have broken in, that they are squatters. The police will remove them. You'd have to prove/show documentation to the police that the house is yours (i.e., lease). From a practical point of view, find the time your sister is someplace else. Get a locksmith to change the locks. Don't give the sister a key. You don't need this! I hope this helps you calm down and relax!

Wowie Wow! All that running?! VERY impressive!

Good to know! Lesson learned here too. Thanks!

I am two months into the process of getting approved. Dr. Brebbia will be doing my gastric sleeve surgery. He does an informational meeting first (in Olney, MD) to explain the different types of surgery. There are also free monthly support meetings for people who are pre- or post-surgery, as well as monthly nutritional meetings. The bariatric coordinator is Kenneth Alexander. The actual surgery will be done at G.W., a Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. I think it's a terrific program.

You have made a *wise* decision to get live a long and healthy long life. The diet will make it possible for the surgeon to minimize any issues during surgery. I know you will be able to do this before and after the surgery. I wish I were as far along as you are and could get it done sooner! Best wishes.

Yes! I go here Medstar Montgomery ON Prince Phillip Dr. in Olney. They have a great comprehensive program. Call the Bariatric Coordinator, Kenneth Alexander. Surgeon: Dr. John Brebbia (do a search of surgeons on Bariatric Pal). All the surgery is done at G.W. in Washington DC, a Center of Excellence.