shangefan

Congrats!

I say take it one step at a time. Go to the information session and see how you feel afterward.

I say take it one step at a time. Go to the information session and see how you feel afterward.

Start my liquid diet 2mm ) & I'm freaking excited
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I had my surgery on July 13, 2010 and it truly was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was not an easy one for me to make. I was a widowed dad of three young kids - ages 15, 10 and 9 at the time - and I was really worried about the risks of having the surgery. Ultimately, I came to realize that the staying fat was a far greater risk to my health and put my kids at a much greater risk of being orphaned. IN the end, I did it for them as much as I did it for myself.
Today, two years later, I have lost 120 pounds and have maintained that weight loss pretty consistently (I fluctuate within a 2-3 pound range).
In the past two years, I have gone from:
a size 54 suit to a 44 regular
18 1/2 or 19 inch neck to a 16
XXL Shirt to a M
Size 44 pants to a 34.
I no longer need mediciation for high blood pressure or high cholesterol and I no longer need my c-pap machine for sleep apnea. My back and knee pain have also all but vanished.
Most importantly, I am engaged to a wonderful woman and we plan to get married next summer. I met her just a few months after my surgery and she has been very supportive.
So, I am here to tell all of you who are considering this surgery to do your homework, find a practice where you feel supported and comfortable, but do not be afraid to go for it. If your experience is anything like mine, you will never regret it.
All the best to you,
Brian

I think mashed potatoes are really heavy for a new, unhealed sleeve. I think you should be careful to follow your doctor's orders to avoid complications.

My breaking point was 10 years ago. While I have always battled my weight...my food addiction had taken over my life...I was working 65 hour work weeks in a demanding/stressful career, flying constantly, working through jet lag and time zone issues. My work/life balance was non existent.
I ate on the run or ordering room service and raiding the mini-bar for high carb, high fat, high sugar foods. My Water intake was almost non-existent, I drank diet coke and coffee all day, everyday.
On the outside I was a happy, bubbly, competent, highly successful career woman, with supportive parents, a large group of friends. On the inside I was slowly killing myself, as I ate my way to over 300 pounds.
I bullied myself constantly with negative self talk, that perpetuated the cycle and in turn I began to hate myself.
It wasn't just the way I looked, it was the way I felt. My health issues increased, my energy level hit rock bottom and I had to admit that I needed medical help to get my life back.
I had tried all of the standard weight loss medications and diet plans, which always worked short term for a period of time, until the weight crept back up.
I knew that I needed to have a heart to heart talk with myself and get to a place of understanding to recognize that I am not a failure for having issues with food and being overweight.
I gathered up all of the strength I could find and I got a referral to a therapist to work on the inside, so I could understand why I was self-medicating with food...as I began to work on the inside, I found someone who deserved to feel good, to live the life that I had always dreamed of.
So 8 years ago, I got the Lap Band, and lost almost 140 pounds. I kept 110 pounds off since 2004.
Due to complications, with severe acid reflux, ulcers, and band slippage, I just had the band removed and the revision to the VSG.
I am feeling great. I am down 36 pounds and love my sleeve.
What I can say is that, there is no shame in admitting that you need help to lead a healthier more fulfilling life. It takes courage to admit to ourselves that we can not do this on our own. But each of us makes choices that are right for us individually.
Know that whatever's choice you make it will be the right choice for you.
We all deserve to wake up each day with energy, optimism and an attitude that says, I feel good about the person I am on the inside and one day I will feel just as good about the person I am on the outside.
Know that you are not alone. In your darkest moments, when you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders and you feel desperate and scared, there are many of us, who feel just like you and are coming out the other side, stronger, more empowered and filled with pride at what we have accomplished so far and what we will accomplish in the future.
Weight Loss Surgery may be judged by those who don't fully understand. However this forum is a safe place, a community of courageous, like minded people, who have taken a brave step forward to battle their own demons and take charge of their lives for their own health and happiness.
Obesity is not a failure of mankind, it is a symptom of the world we live in and we can overcome the challenge with determination and self-forgiveness.
For me, my breaking point was really my starting point, to self-discovery and understanding.
I am a work in progress, but I am proud of my work and my progress :0)
Please excuse the typos! I am just learning how to use my new iPad. yikes! :0)

Congrats! I am thrilled for your success and all the good things happening in your life.

I'm so ready!! but I'm also getting a little nervous too. Not about Dr. Almanza or even Mexico... Just the drastic change. Soooooo Ready!!!

I am looking forward to having surgery with him on July 9. I have absolutely no concerns. Hey Donna! See you there!

I would do it again in a heartbeat! I had no complications whatsoever and Im very happy with the decision I made.

I have never wanted anyone with me at the hospital..I usually tell them to drop me off at the door and pick me up at the door. I hate entertaining everyone around me. Plus If Im going to have gas like they say....Id rather have it alone !

I know everyone fears this, but I would like to share a small bit of priceless information. You will lose hair, there is no avoiding it. You can take all the Vitamins possible to minimize the loss but it will happen. When I met the doctor I am going to be using at a seminar he explained all of this. After he was finished and we all had horrified looks on our faces, he asked one final question. How many weight loss patients do you see bald? Good question, I look to the other side of the room where all the beautiful, and handsome skinny people were sitting and NOT one of them was bald. You hair is going to thin, but it will come back, and you should Never GO BALD...

I don't know what the percentage is of doctors who accept payments, but I would be surprised to find it that high. They run a high risk of patients defaulting, i.e. not getting paid for their services plus them paying for the hospital costs. I would venture to say most doctors want to be paid up front. There are various companies out there that specialize in medical loans if you decided to go that route. Or, you could take a loan from your 401K (just check to see what your plan rules are if you left your job). Some 401k plans, you have to pay a loan back w/in 60 days of leaving the company. My company lets you continue making payments even after you leave the employer. Each plan is going to be different.
Honestly, if you have insurance, I wouldn't be spending my time worrying about self-pay. Take this time and call your insurance company and get the ball rolling there.

Hey Johnathan!

Wow! That is great. I never realized it happens that quickly. That is my one chronic health issue and I pray that it will be resolved when I have the sleve.

It is late June right now, My name is Aimee... I started this journey about a year ago. I am with Kaiser in CA. I went to ALL my appts. I met with the nutritionist a few times. I attend a support group for Bariatrics at the Kaiser hospital. I have gotten the eating down. I have been exercising faithfully and lost the 24 pounds I was required to. It took me a while but I did it, I worked through my bone spur injury but I am back on track. I currently got the ok to have surgery and I am waiting a call from the surgery coordinator. It has been a long road and tough to make all the appts and demands, but I was determined and did it. I plan on late August for surgery. I am excited and ready.

Donna & Shange
 
Good luck to both of you on your surgery. Can't wait to hear from you both.
 
Johanna

Hi Donna,It really has come more quickly than I expected.
I arrive on the 8th also. I will be coming alone and will be staying at the guest house as well. I toyed with staying at the hotel, but I think life will be easier at the hotel. I also will get to socialize!
I am so thrilled that you will be able to spend time with your mother and sister. I am very sorry for the loss of your step-mother. I would imagine it would be extremely difficult to miss both her and your mother. I hope that your mother is healing well in AZ. Thirty-two years is a very long time.
I look forward to meeting you and your folks!

So am I! I can't believe it is almost time. It seemed so far away for so long!

If you search this site for complications, you'll find complications in all their gory details. If you search for success stories, you'll find them as well. I think those who are having complications stand out more because they are so unusual. We have over 1,000 members here and I can name less than 10 that I know of who have had complications related to surgery. There are probably more, but those 10 stand out because I actively look for them, and have actively looked for them since I saw the first complication post from each of them.
Of those 10, ONE says she wouldn't go through the surgery again after she is healed. All of the others have said they would do it over, even knowing they'd have the complications they had. That speaks volumes to me.
Any surgery is risky. But, statistically, getting in your car to run to the store for milk is way more dangerous than the sleeve surgery. This is what I kept in mind when I decided to be sleeved. Maybe it will help you make your decision.
Whatever you eventually choose, good luck!

i had my surgery with Dr A oct 31 2011 i went alone and i am done 80lbs as of today so 35 lbs to goal. He is great and most of all the staff are great. I plan on going back for plastics in a year or so. I would do it all over again. The key is to get up and move and sip sip sip Fluid and walking is going to make every thing so much better. I was up walking a few hours after my surgery and every time i woke up that night i would get up and walk around up and down the stairs..i wish every one the best of luck..

Why not get a loan from your 401k then you can repay yourself. And at 3% finance charge even better then some banks. You will not be taxed on that since you will be repaying it back and can take up to 6 years to pay if you want it that long. That's what I did!!

Just went in my my consult yesterday and got my surgery date for July 2. I am do excited, it's less than 2 weeks away. I started the preop diet yesterday. It's all going by so fast! Very thankful that my husband, family, and friends have been so supportive.