okayestmom

This is the same people my friend and her wife used. Cedar Park Dr. Alan Abando and his wife Dr. Nicole Basa. My friends wife had the sleeve done with them as well.

I used https://texasbariatricspecialists.com/ Dr. Reddy performed my surgery in San Antonio. I was self pay, so I utilized there surgical center center in San Antonio. Most of their patients are utilizing insurance and they have a team of people that help get the insurance companies to pay. They do perform surgeries in Austin, Killeen, and San Antonio. They have two clinics in Austin, one south and one north. I picked them because they are a center of excellence. I will say that their pre-op diet and post-op diet appear to be one of the most strict from reading these boards. I didn't really vet that part because my main concern was making it out of surgery without complications. I had the sleeve done 6/11/18. You do have to buy their vitamins and shake stuff once prior to surgery, but they don't really push it. I also liked that they gave very realistic expectations during the initial seminar. I have a friend who had RNY done through BCBS and really liked her surgeon who is also in Austin, he recently took out her gallbladder as well. Dr. Abando, I believe he is in Cedar Park.

I liked walking my dogs, but my knees got messed up. I have a treadmill that is much easier on the joints, but I get bored too. I don't have a TV in that room, but I set up my iPad on the treadmill and stream Netflix. Instead of looking at how long I have been walking, I just think I'll keep going until the end of this episode, and sometimes I start the next one. When I get to a lower weight I plan on going faster. Right now I am sticking at 2.0 and going for a long time because I believe a re-injury would cause me more delays in weight loss. I also mow the lawn with an old fashioned push mower (we have an acre), so I usually only do the front and hubby uses the riding mower for the rest. I'm still not allowed to lift more than 10 lbs for a couple of weeks, so no weed whacking, but that is great exercise too. It is hard to get up and move when you feel like crap, but once you get started it is worth it and you will feel better!

Belton, Texas (Central Texas)

Liquids only until you see the surgeon for follow up average 21 days, mine is 26 days because of the 4th of July holiday. Diet is supposed to be 2 protein shakes (can be mixed with non fat milk or mootopia), 4oz of clear chicken or beef broth (no creamed soup), unlimited sugar free jello, Popsicle. and drink packages. I added protein water and half a shake because they did not provide a calorie limit and following this diet would have put me at 400 calories including the calories in their vitamins, maybe 450 depending on jello and Popsicle consumption. It wasn't enough to keep me walking without being lightheaded. My calorie intake is now around 700 and never over 800. I picked the surgeon based on surgery success stats and location, never looked at pre-op and post-op diet plans. Sticking to my extra shake version though. They also only want you to drink their shake, I had to purchase their kit with vitamins. I will use up all their stuff, but I also use premier and isopure unflavored. I can't believe they want you to eat the exact same thing for 26 days. This is not a life style change, it is a test of endurance. Ten more days until soft food. No puree stage, just says soft, mushy, moist and to start with yogurt and beans for stage 2. Then at 6 weeks it is regular food. I see now in another section of their binder that it says a minimum of 2 shakes to meet protein goal of 80 grams per day. I guess I am not cheating to bad.

Those baby's are cute! If I remember right boxers tend to drool. But then again my dogs shed everywhere, so I guess it is always something. I really like Henry's beauty marks and one black ear.

This is an old thread, but I am bored and I Love my dogs. We got Bandit after a family member died his vet records showed that he had mange, but that was treated before we got him. He came to live with us almost 8 years ago. Prior to living with us he was kenneled in the house and on an extended chain in the evening. It took him a while to play nice with the other dogs when they arrived, but I am certain the activity is making him younger. He is the most loyal dog and is always between the outside door and family. I am not sure if he is protecting or trying to keep us in haha. Remi was adopted at 4 weeks old from a rescue shelter in San Antonio by my daughter who was in college at the time. Remi had Parvo and my daughter was sure she would not get adopted because of it. When my daughter finished college She got a job near Dallas, and Remi was just going to stay with us for a while, that was 2 years ago. In her defense, her fathers heart would have been broken if she took her back. Sandy is our first puppy. The school I work at is in a bad neighborhood. The school resource officer ran over Sandy in his car. He managed to not actually hit her, but had to physically pull her out from underneath the vehicle. She was about 3 months old, covered in fleas and had some scars on her butt that looked like they were from shot gun spray. He called animal control, but I told him to call them back and I took her home. I am guessing part pit because that is what most of the drug dealers own in the neighborhood she came from. She was 13 lbs at her first vet visit and she is 72 lbs now. I know the fluffy dog looks big, but he is 55 lbs and hair. Sandy has hip dysplasia on one side but she runs and plays just fine. We give her glucosamine supplements and the vet said surgery isn't necessary. She is the most snugly of all the dogs. She also uses her front paws like hands for hugging and holding on to you. Oddly, although she did chew a few things up, she has never had an accident in the house. My husband said it is because she doesn't want to go back to the hood. She wouldn't make it there because she has a collar, no fleas, and the smell of treats on her breath, she would get mugged for sure!

Surgery 6/11/18. My husband asked me last week what I was trying to do with my "sleep schedule". I was like, well, when I get tired I am going to sleep. I am on a more regular schedule now, but his OCD tendencies crack me up. I have never been a napper, until I started the pre-op diet. I am no longer napping, but still waking up several times during the night. I have also been walking the treadmill longer each day, hoping it will keep me asleep longer.

No coffee for me either, decaf is allowed, but I don't like it. The headaches were real pre-op and I am counting the days when when I am allowed to add it back. Even when I am allowed it is supposed to be low acid coffee, I am not even sure what that is. I just want my morning caffeine in a cup of hot black coffee. Another reason my surgeon does not allow it is dehydration concerns.

If you like the Bariatric Advantage, you might want to price check them at this link. https://texasbariatricspecialists.bariatricadvantage.com/ I believe the price is lower than other places I looked. But I will also be switching at the 3 month mark, just too pricey.

You look great! Thanks for Sharing the pics.

Wow! you did that in a year and 1/2. You look great. Congrats!

How did you guys truly get mentally in a good spot? I think of it like the smoker with emphysema. Some keep smoking, some quit using varies methods to include medications, patches, nicotine gum, or cold turkey. The ones that find a way / tool that helps them quit extend their life expectancy and their quality of life. WLS is a tool that can help you extend your life and improve your quality of life. That being said, I think I would have had a hard time wrapping my head around that at when I was 24. Talking with a counselor prior to making a decision is a good idea. I also agree with summer time if you decide to do it. The bottom line is even if you did not gain another pound your current weight is a health risk.

I was self pay, I have VA health care, but not tricare. My surgeon has a clinic in Killeen (near Fort Hood). I have met several tricare dependents and retirees that are in the process. They go through all the same hoops as Blue Cross etc.

I had my surgery June 11 and will be on clear liquids plus protein shakes until July 6th. Not even any creamy soup, just broth. I added some unflavored isopure protein to my chicken broth and accidentally made it a little to hot. It was the best little lumps I ever tasted hahaha. Kind of like cheese...

Of course you lack motivation. Your body is fighting off an infection right now. Get treatment from your Doctor and then re-evaluate how you feel. One or two weeks of recuperation are not going to sabotage your weight loss efforts. I hope you feel better soon.

the burping is normal, some people get hiccups when the swallow to fast. Walking actually helps.

I had one of these as well, I did remove it myself. Wasn't bad even when I took it out. I took the tylenol with codeine to help me sleep sitting up (gas pain). At least it kept me asleep for two hours at a time. I probably didn't need the codeine for pain since it did nothing for gas pain. It does sort of make you not care that it hurts though...

I used Miralax and then I alternated between diarrhea and constipation, trying benifiber now. It is hard to get in all three doses because you can't take it with calcium supplements. The doses I have gotten in have stopped the diarrhea and constipation. Missed a dose and went back to diarrhea.

I went into surgery on 6/11/18 weighing 206. Started retaining fluid right away partly from not being able to lay down due to gas pain. They are doing some more heart tests, because of the leg swelling, but it is starting to get better. Yesterday I was 212 and today I was 210. No diuretics yet, because it does appear to be getting better on its own. I log my liquid diet to include chewy vitamins, so I know initially I was at 500-600 cal and now I am at around 700 cal because my protein was low on my labs. There is no way I haven't lost weight. I can tell my T-shirts are not as tight on my belly.I only started weighing because of concern about the amount of fluid I was retaining.

I did the research, made a decision and then told people. I don't care about keeping it a secret, but if someone is of the opinion that it doesn't work I just agree with them that yes, that can happen. I have heard from several people about everyone regains the weight by the 5 year. I have yet to find anyone that personally knows a person this has happened too. I do know it can happen and the sleeve can be stretched, but I plan on following all the instructions, so I am not concerned about these mystery 5 year weight gainers.

I am not sure how the UK works, but in the US if you are located near a University most schools have a Counseling department that do community outreach. This means student counselors that do play therapy either at no charge or on a sliding scale. They are supervised by their instructors. I have seen it make a big difference for many of the younger students I work with. Kids don't generally talk about feelings, they express themselves through behavior when they are hurting (sometimes good sometimes bad). Also, It might be worth going into some temporary debt for a lawyer in order to get some sort of child support (legal temporary custody) while you are waiting for the divorce to be finalized. I'll give a low amount example Child support $300 per month X 24 months = $7200. Lawyer cost $2000 = $5200 spent on children for food, clothing, medical, basic needs, and day care.

They told me prior to surgery that all they had was dissolvable morphine tabs because there is a national shortage of IV morphine right now. When I woke up they immediately gave me the first dissolvable tab. I had one more shortly after that. I also had a tube inserted that delivered anesthetic to my abdominal area for a couple of days. I spent 6 hours in the recovery and then went to a hotel close by for the night. They gave me Tylenol with codeine. I used that the first 2 days, and now just at bedtime. I was only in recovery for 6 hours, but I had a nurse with me or right near me the whole time. They were awesome at cheering me on when I was trying to walk off the gas. I think it is cruel that some people didn’t get any pain meds and or had to wait to get some help beyond the prescribed time. There is a big difference between waiting 5 minutes because IV stuff isn’t available and hoping someone might bring you some relief if they get around to you and are in the mood to be helpful. Ashash1 is a survivor!

The sleeve is a tool that can be defeated, but I think what you are talking about is the need to explore some food addiction issues prior to surgery. It isn't a bad idea, but for those paying by insurance, I can already see that it is data driven, based on the medical and psychological tests of those that have gone before us. Insurance only covers the procedure because they stand to make money by doing so. You stay healthier, less pay outs, you live longer, more premiums collected. Same reason some employers discount your insurance based on gym membership/attendance. I think more psychological follow up on the post-op side is appropriate along with continued nutrition classes. Heck, I have lost weight before and then gained it all back plus some. I saw my Mom have success with RNY and chose to do the sleeve before becoming diabetic and needing a triple bypass like she did. Nobody forced me to be obese, I did it to myself. Four slices of stuffed crust pizza is not a serving nor is one slice a healthy meal, but I knew that when I was eating it. I also know people who can eat that and more and not gain weight.

I just had VSG and Hiatal hernia repair June 11th. I think the only difference is having one incision right under your sternum (just below the bra line on a woman). My biggest issue was the gas pain which gets better each day. I was able to get all my water and protein today. Breathing deep hurt initially, but I think that was related to the gas. I walked over 7000 steps the first night, but I still can't lay down flat, so I am guessing walking helps, but time plays its part as well. Each day I feel better than the last and keep forgetting it has only been 3 days since my surgery.