630racoon

So happy for you!! Be well, this is the start of your new life!! I am almost there too. Good Luck.

LOL lylabelle, Coco Butter is really great for that!

Bariatric fusion shakes are good for when I first get home from surgery when i am only liquids? 27 grams of protein! Thats good. I am having surgery on the 25th of june. Pamela

Jess, I am not thrilled about having to do 2 weeks of the pro-op liquid diet either but to have the single incision procedure done I much prefer the 2 weeks of liquid over the 5-7 incisions.

Lylabelle, My PA did tell me that not everyone is the ideal candidate for the single incision. She told me that what they look for is patients who Have a body mass index of 40 or less plus 1 or more co-morbities. Has had no prior abdominal surgery. Does not have a lot of central obesity. (stomach area) My BMI is 41 and my weight is all over, I have high Cholesterol, and a bit of incontinence due to weight, which they thing will all correct with the surgery.

Hey all, I read a post yesterday that said it is a good idea to get a back wedge for when I come home from surgery, would like to do that but there are so many different kinds of wedges to choose from and not sure which one to buy. Has anybody purchased one and if so could could you pass on to me which one and why you like it and where to purchase it. Thanks so much. Pamela

Forgot to mention, I also have a 2 week post op diet. Am I looking forward to it, nooooo! But my surgeon told me the smaller you shrink your liver before surgery, the more visibility he has once inside and less chance of complications due to enlarged liver in the way. He is a very reputable surgeon so I have to trust him. Right? There is a reason why they feel you need a 2 week pre-op so trusting your surgeon. All the best and talk soon. Pamela

My surgery is at St Francis hospital in Manhasset NY. Oh so happy there are surgeries so close to mine! We all need to keep in touch, lean on each other through the hard times and share all the great times to come. Looking forward to all our new skinny, healthier lives that we have ahead of us! Pamela

Having surgery june 25th, 2014 anybody else have that date? Cannot stop thinking about it and would love to have somebody to share study cards with before and after Pamela

My surgical PA stressed to me that in this office they insist more on the 2 week because of the single incision my surgeon does, she said that for patients who qualify for the SIGS even a moderate amount of shrinkage makes it easier and safer to move around through my belly button. But yes you are correct, every single surgeon has different feelings and opinions on everything. We just have to trust the one we have chosen to use. Good Luck to you! Did you have surgery yet?

OMG Ginger snaps, your too funny, our kids are funny huh? I never thought of it as medical induced anorexia? She is a smart one your daughter, her wheels are always turning, I can tell. Thats a good thing for the most part. lol Tell your son he has to have a mini birthday cake so there is none left after their done and not enough for you. You know, I would never wish anorexia on anyone but you know its funny, I have always said just once in my life I would like someone to say to me "gain some weight your too thin" LOL Our kids love us and if they are expressing themselves thoughtfully and powerfully then we as parents I believe did a good job raising them. Good Luck to you. Pamela

Bariatric Advantage high Protein Meal Replacement. I got the chocolate and the vanilla, but it comes in strawberry and banana as well. The chocolate and vanilla are the most easiest to doctor up with other flavors, but everyones different. I would definitely ask your surgeon about the single incision, also reduces the amount of pain your in heard when you come out of surgery and stitch is so so small you don't even know you had a surgery. I do know they have to take a look at your belly to make sure the top of your bra line is low enough with your belly to ensure they can fit the instruments through the belly button. Good Luck, please let me know how it goes and if your surgeon can do the single incision. Pamela

Whoooo Hooooo green sleeve! I am having my surgery this June 25th cannot wait to experience what your experiencing! That is amazing!! I know what you mean about seeing ourselves as our children see us, my 15 year old told me that to her I was perfect. Gotta love them hugh? Keep up the good work, add me as a friend and please keep in touch, so after my surgery we can keep in touch and compare shrinking together. LOL Pamela

Thank you so much Ziggy I will look into the Syntrax! I like soup so I know the warm chicken and beef broth will be a great idea for me. Such good ideas from everyone!

Michelle H, Yes he did and I have met and spoken with my NUT, I just wanted to see if anybody had some things that they personally liked that was different that what is in black and white on the take home packet. and thanks so much for your reply and input.

Ok, so maybe the answer is here somewhere in one of the many posts and I don't want to ask a question that may have asked many times before, so if anyone can send me a link to my answer great. I am trying to put together a list of ready at home foods for after my surgery and would like some ideas from all you knowledgeable people who have been there done that already, as to what to stock my fridge and shelves with for when I get home from my surgery ? I know its liquids, and mushies and pureed but some ideas would be great. Thanks, Pamela June 25th surgery!!

OK, so I got my date for surgery yesterday, whoop whoop! June 25th and while I was there meeting with my PA and surgeon, I asked them if had to do the whole 2 week liquid pre-op diet because I have heard of others only needing 1 or a few days ect.... Their surgery rules are a strict 2 weeks 1) because they want the liver to shrink down as small as possible so it is out of the way as much as possible and 2)my surgeon Dr. Shawn Garbar does something called a single incision sleeve through the belly button only, and again the 2 weeks makes sure that my liver is as as small as possible. I don't mind that much, I tasted the bariatric Meal Replacement yesterday that he sells in his office and not so bad plus the nurse told me I could doctor it up with pure vanilla or cinnamon, anything as long as there is no sugar. Good luck to everyone

MzGee, I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow, having read so many posts here about others concerns and experiences I was able to make a list of questions and concerns that I have, hope they will help you. 1. what are the chances of leeks? and what causes them 2. how many incisions will I have? 3. Are there any heavy lifting restrictions, how long? 4. Will I have a drain after surgery? if yes why? 5. Pain management after surgery and when I go home. (I have a very low tolerance for pain, but I am a total wimp lol) 6 Gas pains after surgery, how long and is there anything you can do to minimize them? 7. What have you heard about hair loss, and why? 8. Will I be nauseous after surgery? meds to stop it? I keep adding as I read something else and or something else comes to mind. keep in touch. Pamela

Oh my gosh kitty dream, a year ago I was in the exact same boat as you, BMI of 37 and no co-morbitiies I was so devastated when the doctor told me no. Now a year later, I have a BMI of 40.2 and high cholesterol. I didn't have as much weight to gain as you but it turned out I did gain it and got a cholesterol problem as well. My internist told me that without help he knew that eventually I would reach the point of meeting criteria for surgery, as knowing me very well, it is inevitable for some of us. He was right. Don't give up hope. Good luck to you! Stay in touch.

Hey Denise, I have not gotten a surgery date as of yet. I am scheduled to meet with the PA and then Dr. Garber next Thursday, I should get my date then. Dr. Holover did my endoscopy just this past Tuesday very nice and comforting. Dr. Garber was the only Dr. who would work with my insurance Magnacare, but all the doctors in that group are excellent! It is a great place. Lets keep in touch ok? I will let you know when I get my date. Good Luck to you as well. Talk to you soon. Pamela

Whooooo Hoooooo!!!! I just cannot wait!!!! You look amazing!!!

why did he remove your gallbladder? was it in the way, were you having a problem?

I will be getting my surgery date next week! Woo Hoo! I live in NY on Long Island and my doctor, Dr. Shawn Garbar created a new procedure called single incision gastric sleeve, meaning 1 incision through my belly button no scaring at all. Has been doing his sleeves this way for 7 years now. Not sure why other surgeons haven't followed suit, 1 incision compared to 4,5 and 6,7?

Just saw this, thank you so much! I am very happy to hear you had a good experience with him and his staff, it makes me feel a bit less nervous! I did like him very much and I like St francis hospital too as I have heard nothing but good things about it. Thanks again, Pamela

no, I am from Long Island, NY but June 12th is my birthday! thats a good day to start a new life. I am 3/4's of the way through my clearances, 2 more and I will have my date, I just wish it would come already. Anyway, hope all goes well and is well wilt you. keep in touch if you like. Pamela