i1Linda

Hi Barbara -

I was just thinking about you this evening and your surgery just around the corner. I know you are nervous (I was too) but I know it will go PERFECTLY. I hope you LOVE your sleeve as much as I LOVE MINE. Good luck and I will definitely send some prayers up with your name on them. Keep us posted on your journey.

Linda

Hi!

I'm doing great. Horribly busy, rarely on VSG anymore - just don't have the time lately. Just a few pounds from goal, working out hard at the gym, but not making great food choices so probably why I'm not AT goal. Most importantly, I'm living life the way I want, and still slowly losing weight. Now more interestingly, how are you managing post-op? How much weight loss so far? Are you handling "real" food okay? Are you lovin' your sleeve?

Linda

Longhorn - sending prayers up and well wishes your way this morning. Things will go perfectly. Keep us posted on your progress when you can. We will be waiting. Linda

Barbara -

Today's the big day! Cyber hugs and well wishes being sent your way. Prayers be sent up to the Big Guy with your name on them. Things will go perfectly. Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything. I'm in Dallas too and nearby. Linda

Hi Barbara -

Welcome to the forum. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about my experience. I am doing really well. No regrets at all. In fact I wish I had done it years ago. Dr. Nick and his staff are wonderful. Surgery was easy for the most part. It was way easier than a c-section, a little more painful than my gall bladder being removed. At 2 weeks out I had a scare. I was having unexplained back pain. I called Dr. Nick and he had me come in right away just to check things out. Sent me down to have a CT where I got to drink the "yucky stuff". My sleeve was perfect. Back pain ended up being from back spasms - some of our abdominal muscle wrap around to the back. They were still stressed from the surgery ( I went back to work 5 days after surgery) and started to spasm. But Dr. Nick was great and it felt great to know my sleeve was in perfect health.

(cont.)

I too was willing to go to MX to have surgery but my DH was not. He was more than willing to put out the extra $ to have me stay in Dallas. Before I went to Dr. Nick's seminar, I was all set on the Band. After learning about the sleeve and hearing others problems with the band, I thought the sleeve sounded like everything I every wanted in a WLS. I was right. I am almost 12 weeks out have lost 54lbs. I can pretty much eat whatever I want. Just not much of it. I am satisfied with just a couple oz of whatever it is my family is having. Of coarse I have to get my protein in first and my water, but there is nothing really I can't have a taste of. Recently, I have come to the realization that I am a CARB junkie. If I start eating carbs, I want MORE - even though I am not hungry and often couldn't eat another bite. It's really a brain thing, brain and stomach are SOMETIMES NOT on the same page. Lesson learned,for me, limit carbs.

(cont)

I am stuck in a little bit of a stall the last 10 days. My body is not cooperating with my plan this week. It is not possible to consume so many fewer calories than you burn and not lose weight, but apparently my body is defying the laws of physics. No worries, the scale will move, it can't help but move.

Good luck with your decision. I once saw someone write that they were not removing part of a perfectly good stomach, it wasn't good, it was too big. They instead were having the doctor correct a birth defect. The Lord made their stomach too big and the Dr. was correcting it to the perfect size for their metabolism. After having the surgery and living 12 weeks with my sleeve, I couldn't agree more.

Keep in touch,

Linda

Hi Sheryl -

Sorry for the late reply. I've been out of town for work all week. Yes, I stayed overnight for one night (optional 2nd night if I was having problems). I had my surgery in the morning on a Tuesday and was discharged in the late afternoon the following day. Hopefully, I can make the meeting this month. Look forward to meeting you!

Happy 6th Month Surgiversary!!!!

I can't believe it has already been 6 months. Seems like just yesterday. Congratulations on your success!!!

Linda

Dr. Nick had me on the pre-op diet for 2 weeks.

Barbara,

I think if I were you and couldn't be on solids before the Holidays, I would wait until right after Christmas. A week should be fine to recover. I will still tired the second week but was able to make it through each day. On day 15, it was like someone flipped a switch and I was back to my normal energy level. I wouldn't wait much longer knowing what I know now. I wish I would have met Dr. Nick years ago.

FYI - tonight we went out for burgers after a late soccer game (remember, I'm 3 months out). My husband ordered a burger and cheese fries. I ate about 1/10 of his burger and few of his fries. I am still stuffed and satisfied. Technically, I cheated, but only ate about a tenth of what I would have eaten prior to surgery. That's what I love about the sleeve, I can still have it just not much of it.

Hi Rob!

Congratulations on your surgery. I know it is tough these first few weeks post-op, but let me tell you, it gets great!!! Fortunately/unfortunately I can eat anything I want. Not always a good thing. Now that I am 9 months out - I really have to watch the slider foods (crackers/chips). Probably why I can't reach goal. Oh well, I will keep at it and keep busting my butt at the gym. I will get there, slow and steady. Linda

Hi Barbara,

I didn't purchase supplemental insurance - I didn't even think about it. In hind sight, probably would have been a good idea to cover complications if there were to be any. I did use CareCredit - I elected to do the 18 month no interest option.

Thank you so much Sheryl !!

How are you??

Happy New Year Dee Dee!!!

Thanks for the compliments. We had so much fun last night and I LOVED not being the "fattest girl in the room" - not even close. BTW - that's my $15 top with my $74 bra. LOL:)

Thanks! I just wish I could get the girls to stay up there all the time and not sag to my belly buttom. Tummy tuck or Lift - I just can't decide. In the mean time I will have to use lingerie to help with the illusion.

I glad to hear you a feeling better today. I think day 3 was the worst (it was also the worst for my knee surgery). Something about getting all the anesthesia and hospital pain killers our of your system, the swelling is at its worst and your body just generally feels assaulted. But it gets better, then it gets GREAT!

I know it has been kind of rough for you lately. It will get better (I have to believe that, I not sleeved yet). 25 lbs already, that's AWESOME!

Barbara,

Let me know how the seminar went tonight.

Linda

As for Dr. Nick. I really think he is great. His PA and staff are wonderful too. When I went to his seminar he was very personable. He almost tried to "talk you about of it" in a way. He was very honest about what to expect and really didn't push any one type of surgery. He said they each have value for different individuals. Our seminar was over 3 hours long because he stayed to answer every question.

I really liked several things about the sleeve: I like eating what I want and not having a list of "forbidden foods", I like not having a foreign object placed inside me (I'm a constant worrier and know I would always worry that something was wrong with a band), I like not having grehlin and not really being hungry - I do get hungry sometimes, it's just different, manageable, I am never "starving".

FYI - I have heard really good things about Dr. Davidson also. Some of my "neighbors" while in the hospital had Dr. Davidson for their surgeon and seemed pleased also.

Hi Barb,

I would LOVE to meet you for lunch on the 23rd. Let me check my work schedule, but I think it should be fine. Maybe some where in Plano??

Linda

Hi Anna -

Congratulations on your decision. I know it can be difficult deciding on surgery and then picking a surgeon. I love Dr. Nick and his staff. I like that they are close to home and after going to his seminar, I felt very confident is his competency as a surgeon. He didn't try to sell WLS or any one type. He just gives you the facts and lets you decide. He is very passionate about helping people. When I started having back pain 2 weeks post op, he did not hesitate getting me into his office immediately and then downstairs for a CT. I continue to call his office for this and that. His entire staff is so helpful and accommodating. When is your surgery? Keep in touch and good luck..

Linda

Hi Melissa!

Congratulations on your surgery. How is everything going? Sorry I've been AWOL for awhile. Work has been crazy, home has been crazier. We leave for Disneyworld this Thursday, I need a break. I currently use MyPlate (livestrong.com). Another good one is Myfitnesspal.com. I think Tiffany uses that one as do others. The new version of myplate and myfitnesspal are pretty similar.

All I can say is.....what a difference 11 months makes. Enough said.

How's it going today Barbara? Just wondering about you and checking on your recovery. You start full liquids Tuesday?