RoscoColetrain

Heh. I can either cram my foot into a 12EEE or be comfy in a 13. I expect they'll shrink down some, and I'll have less issues with swelling. But I'll just stick with the 13s. I prefer big rattley shoes.

I didnt ask work, I told them. Theyre being very nice about it, and im being as flexible as possible. But I've decided that health now comes first. A paycheck is nice. Not as nice as not having heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dying young, diabetes, copd....

I've had horrible reflux most of my life. A few months ago after I'd really started behaving food wise for this surgery i ran out of my twice daily ranitidine. And....had pretty much nothing. If I stay away from my known triggers I'm fine 99% of the time. Bit worried about the reflux too, but if it shows up, I at least have practice dealing with it beforehand.

I probably called about 10 places yesterday. i'll find one. Even if I have to start one myself. I'll give actual hospitals a shot today, thanks!

Thanks all Nice to be here, and I definitely get the nice folks vibe.

My experience has been that they give you information, on top of information, on top of more information. I've got an inch thick folder sitting next to me that has forms, and clearances, and nutrition info, recipes, contact info.... It's a bit overwhelming. But it all settles into a groove pretty quick where you find yourself educated and pretty knowledgeable about what comes next, what you have to do, how things are generally going to go. etc. Depending on if you want to share it with your "general public" workmates, etc, you'll get just oodles of questions. When, why, are you sure, where. And a million anecdotes. My aunts 3rd step som 45 times removed on his grandpadaddies side ate a bunch of cabbage....

Congrats! And don't forget to take a deep breath. I've been fighting with my insurance company for the better part of a decade about WLS. I can say be determined... but if ever there was a word that fell short of what it represents, it's that one. You have to know that you're going to walk into whatever they toss at you, shake your head clear and get back up. When you can't do that anymore crawl and bite em on the ankle.

I was a bit further south in 96, so I didn't get to slog through that one up here . Yep, well on my way. Next month is going to be quite hectic. I had a bit of a hiatus in the middle of things due to a scheduling mixup, so the difference in the density of appointments of the early process compared to now is astronomical. It's like I got to work monday, and everything just converged all at once. I'm pretty relaxed about things mostly. It will be a large pain in the butt, just like anything big and hospital related is. No biggie. I can wade through that. However the month I'm taking off I'm spending with my mother. I love her, but she's a female barney fife. I may have to make arrangements for a tequila IV.

Hey all, Names will. Nice to meet ya. Man where to start. Live in south/central wv. Beckley in particular if you're a neighbor. Surgery is scheduled for 1/28 at johns hopkins. And I'm a self pay due to a ridiculous insurance company. Got one final PCP visit for bloodwork, last ekg, etc etc. Last visit in the surgeons office, anesthesiology, then it's sleeve day. Already had to get cardiac clearance and a stress test. Had a (birth defect related) heart attack when I was 19. So I always manage to scare the newbie they send into to plug me into those things. Which is hilarious in a macabre sort of way. I'm pretty tired of explaining it to every white coat I come across though. Started my (latest) process around june. Been a lot of miles and trips to and fro this summer. I'm an IT nerd, so luckily I can do 99% of my job from MD. Taking an tentative 4 weeks off to stay with relatives up there for follow up visits. And by off I mean I'll fix printers from up there instead of down here. Only thing I lack is an "official" support group I can attend. Anyone in my general area know of any? Have a nice one all!