StephaC

This review is from another site. It was writing by someone with whom I share the same surgeon.
"We went over the paper work together, he helped ease my nerves and made me feel like I was making the right decision. Before I left his office I turned to him and said 'Dr. Paragi I am putting my life in your hands' he said to me 'You should put your life in Gods hands no mine. I am just your surgeon.' I knew right there that he was right and this was the right decision."
This is probably the most uncomfortable, illogical, and concerning thing I could have read. The "cognitive psychologist" in me knows that it is statistically better for a surgeon's performance to separate from the patient. But you can't just pass the buck! My "patient" side of my wants to scream in complete dismay.

This review is from another site. It was writing by someone with whom I share the same surgeon.
"We went over the paper work together, he helped ease my nerves and made me feel like I was making the right decision. Before I left his office I turned to him and said 'Dr. Paragi I am putting my life in your hands' he said to me 'You should put your life in Gods hands no mine. I am just your surgeon.' I knew right there that he was right and this was the right decision."
This is probably the most uncomfortable, illogical, and concerning thing I could have read. The "cognitive psychologist" in me knows that it is statistically better for a surgeon's performance to separate from the patient. But you can't just pass the buck! My "patient" side of my wants to scream in complete dismay.

This review is from another site. It was writing by someone with whom I share the same surgeon.
"We went over the paper work together, he helped ease my nerves and made me feel like I was making the right decision. Before I left his office I turned to him and said 'Dr. Paragi I am putting my life in your hands' he said to me 'You should put your life in Gods hands no mine. I am just your surgeon.' I knew right there that he was right and this was the right decision."
This is probably the most uncomfortable, illogical, and concerning thing I could have read. The "cognitive psychologist" in me knows that it is statistically better for a surgeon's performance to separate from the patient. But you can't just pass the buck! My "patient" side of my wants to scream in complete dismay.

Sorry, I don't get on here much anymore so I never saw this question. Flax seed should be fine once you're back to a normal diet, but I'd avoid anything like it (including chia seeds) for a while after surgery until your staple line has a chance to heal. Check with your doc though, he/she may have a different opinon.
You're quite welcome! "Onderland" is the magical place that only existed in fairytales pre-sleeve. It's that onderful amazing point at which the number on your scale starts with a "1" - hence the term "One-derland"

Here's a better one. I looked everywhere for a better before. I never liked to take pics, ever!
SD 2/22/13
HW275
SW242
CW195
I've hit my first stall but that's ok. I know it's normal.
Yay to all of us!!

Thank you so much for your detailed review. I am having my surgery in 7 days and I am so nervous. Your experience makes me feel relaxed and gives me hope. Thanks for sharing.

I had my surgery September 22, 2008, after sixteen months of fighting insurance. During my journey, I had checked out three surgeons/programs before deciding on Dr. Neff.
The first doctor was actually a few years ago, after a friend had RNY...I decided I just wasn't ready yet. Then when I decided to research surgery again, I first went to the Virtua meeting. I admit, I was turned off a bit that the surgeon didn't show up for the group meeting. We were told he had a cold. The program seemed fine, but I wasn't sure. A friend suggested I go to Kennedy's seminar and meet Dr. Neff. I am so happy I did.
Dr. Neff is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I say this often, but you can often find a meticulous, wonderful doctor with a poor or so/so bedside manner, or you can find a doctor with great bedside manner, but maybe you don't feel 100% confident when you talk to him/her. In my experiece, it has been rare to find someone that has both, as does Dr. Neff.
Every visit I have had has been with him. I never feel rushed, he always takes the time to answer any questions and always seems genuinely pleased to see me. He has a great sense of humor and is quite witty and a bit sarcastic...which I adore. I remember the first meeting when someone asked "How long do you stay in the hospital after surgery". His response, with a big smile, "Me? I go home that night, spend time with the kids, have some dinner. You, you'll be in the hospital a couple of days..."
The day of surgery, he came to visit and talk again about the surgery and what to expect that day. He left "to get ready" and they came and started my IV and getting me ready "for my part". I didn't get nervous until I got to the OR and they started moving and doing all their stuff..then I looked down at my feet and there he was -- he pinched my foot, told me not to worry and I woke up in recovery.
Dr. Neff came every night to see me, told me everything had gone well. He made sure that I not only had a nutritionist come, and the blood thinners (which I was sent home with as well), pain pills, anti nausea meds but I had breathing treatments, a physical therapist to make sure I could walk ok. He had a special bariatric bed --- and was very upset that it wasn't there originally -- but it was there before I went back into bed that night.
A side note on the bed -- it was an air matress type of bed, that folded up into a chair and then lifted me up so that I didn't have to strain to get in and out of bed.
Never did I feel like I was a bother, it felt like a friend was popping in to say hi. He did absolutely everything to make sure I had no complications, and I had none.
The hospital staff, save one employee, was very nice and kind. They were helpful, supportive and just so sweet. I signed up for an after program with the nutritionist and she's wonderful -- I highly recommend her (Valerie Joo)
Today is my nine month follow up with him...I am down 161 pounds, have lost 30 inches off my waist and hips. I completed a five mile walk for the American Heart Association and my life has never been the same.
I am the smallest I have been since college -- almost two decades ago. This month is my birthday and it will be the first birthday I can remember --- ever-- that I am smaller than I was last year. I can't tell you how exciting that is.
I highly recommend Dr. Neff -- and wish everyone luck on their journey.

just met Dr. Neff yesterday. Love him! The whole staff is great and so pleasant. the nutritionist is great as well. Unfortunately, insurance won't cover for a registered dietician. i did find a nutritionist who is a MD, so he is covered under insurance. I have Horizon NJ Health. Dr Neff told me within 3 months I will have a surgery date! Beyond excited and couldn't have picked a better doctor.

My surgeon is Dr. Neff as well. I started my journey back in October and I'm scheduled for 3/24. He has been phenomenal! Very down to earth and personable. His office staff has also been great. I think I've called his insurance specialist Laurie a million times and she's always pleasant. At my last appoinment with him before i scheduled i had tons of questions and kept him in the room for almost an hour. He never rushed me to go see someone else and he answered everything thoroughly. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon. Good luck in your journey!

So I been browsing this site for a few months now and figured it was a good time for a first post.
I am being sleeved on January 16th by DR. Neff... pending insurance approval which I hope I get soon as the liquid diet starts today...
At this point my mind is all over the place as I have supporters (my wife, kids and close family) and people that question my decision (close friends).. I feel I am doing the right thing to live a healthy life.
I have struggled with weight for many years heaviest being 340 and lowest being 235... I am currently at 282lbs today, and looking forward to losing the weight and putting in the work for the weight to stay off..
Any one else getting sleeved on the 16th and starting the liquid diet today? I started on liquids Monday to get a head start and to get over the headaches that come with lack of caffeine and sugar.
Hopefully I am posting in the correct area...

Go to horizon's website and register. You will then be able to get a list of docs near you.

Hi
Going through process of fulfilling appts. Have a date of 4/29/15 with Dr Strom at Mountainside in Montclair. 5'1" 220 BMI 41, no comorbidities but certainly they are in the wings ( family history). Pretty sure approval won't be a problem.
Have been researching for 2 years. Ok... So I'm getting jittery ( not nervous yet though I've never had any surgery)... I so wanna be successful at this but food has the pull that I'd imagine a drug would. Am a single mom of a 15 y.o outstanding son and I wanna get this right for him - and for me -before he's off to college.
Ok, I've rambled. Hello North Jerseyans ????.

This is phenomenal. I'm at 230 pre-op, & this gives me a lot of motivation!

Wow, those look very delicious. Thanks for sharing

Great Video! Thanks

Or if you eat too much too fast. I used to get the slims but not anymore. I am 3 years out and as far as calories go you will not be at 800-1000 for the rest of your life. Your sleeve relaxes after year 2 to 2 1/2 so then eating is easier almost normal.
I wasn't prepared for the shaking feeling in my legs when I forgot to eat. That freaked me out the first time when I didn't know what was happening.

What happened post-op that no-one told you about or "you just didn't see that coming!"
For me:
Vomited brushing my teeth (didn't see that coming....nurse said it can happen) Water tasted terrible....pre-op Water is mostly what I drank...it took 6 weeks for water to taste sort of normal SMELLS....everything smelled funny.....and often made me nauseous. Also 6 weeks before it was better, still not normal Amount of food.....for weeks my cat ate more than I did and I was jealous the way he wolfed it down! ONLY 300-600 calories......OK, maybe someone told me but I was certain I'd starve to death if I only ate 600 calories for days on end. BUT NO and now I accept that a max of 800 calories now and probably 1000 a day, for the rest of my life will be the new NORMAL!! Didn't see that coming.

The first photo was before I started my two week pre-op diet, last April. I weighed 231.8 at my heaviest, and was wearing a (tight) size 16. The second one was taken a couple of weeks ago, at about 153. I now wear a size 6-10, depending on the brand. Someone else on here posted before and after wearing the same clothes, and I thought that was a good idea, so that's what I've been doing so far, but then thought maybe I should add some wearing clothes that fit too, hence the third photo!

I just got the fitbit charge hr and I really like it,tells me how much time I lost of sleep and many other stuff.

I've had a fitbit flex for over a year...love it.

I got the garmin vivosmart with heart monitor. I bought the garmin because I swim a lot and it can go in the pool and get wet in the rain.
I have used it just 2 weeks. It was great for reminding me to MOVE. If I sit too long it buzzes me to move, so I get up and walk for 5 minutes. It does all the same as fitbit I think. They both link with My fitness pal.
However, I may return it (got 30 days Amazon). The reviews said all activity monitors may not track accurately the amount of exercise. That is my experience. One day I know I got more steps in than it showed, the next I was pretty inactive and it showed a lot more than I did. I can adjust it each day but I"m really not into another device (add it to my phone) controlling my life and time. I also had a hard time getting the heart monitor to work.
I'm not sure it was worth the money.

Taurus lady, and I say this with all intent and truth, . you are the worst kind of irresponsible. If I had my way you would be up on charges for practicing medicine without a license. It is amazing how many obese people become dr oz after a little bit of knowledge. your line that a diabetic eats sugar and had normal blood sugar levels is stupid. when was their last insulin dose? how much was it? what is their baseline sugar? were they type 1 or type 2? what other meds did they take? what else did they eat or drink? what other factors may disqualify them as a research subject? I worked for a heart surgeon who helped develop transplant procedures still in use today, typing up and coordinating research papers, heck its half the reason I became a paramedic. Your information is GARBAGE. and you should be kicked off of the forums for it. Whats your next irresponsible informational post? GMO's aliens, pyramid power? chakra healing? reiki healing? secret government consipracies?

There are some very rigorous protocols for using human test subjects in the US. I applaud your curiosity but if you aren't a trained researcher I would definitely caution you against using people for medical research. I definitely recommend you learn about guidelines for using human test subjects.

Tauruslady5, are you a physician? researcher? Are you in the U.S.? I don't know why but your post sent up some red flags. Are you actually experimenting on people? This sounds irresponsible at the very least. I hope there is more to the story than your post reads to me.