renebeau

I got mine 3 weeks ago today. Despite some thrush and a major UTI, I am doing pretty well. I just graduated to soft foods - heavenly!

Yes, I think the sleeve is better than the bypass because you retain all of your original "connections". I would hold out for the sleeve. I had to self pay.

Good luck to you!

Haven't heard from you in awhile - are you doing ok? I'm the same, just getting ready for my New Years' SleEve! And pigging out unrestrainedly! Hmm...what else can I eat! lol

Let me know what's up w/you!

Hi Stratusphr (cool name!),

I am having my surgery at the Journey Lite facility. My surgeon performed the first sleeve there in October. They mostly did lap band and rny before. I am very excited! But now I am getting impatient. I'm totally pigging out every chance I get, knowing that my snarfing days are almost over! I think I am actually getting tired of overeating!

I will be going on a cruise over Christmas (Can you say, Midnight Buffet?), then surgery on New Year's Eve. I am also self-pay, as my BMI is 33...well, maybe higher by the time I get back from the cruise!

My hubby wants me to wait...but I don't. I want to be slim for the summer. We are planning to travel to Europe, and I want to feel good about the way I look, and have the stamina to sightsee.

I am excited for you, too! Hopefully after my surgery, I will have some useful info to share.

Best wishes,

Ren?

Hey, Bambi!

I just replied to your other post before I saw this one! I'm totally thinking about the sleeve all the time! My hubby is still not enthusiastic, but I think he has resigned himself to the inevitability...

I am so happy you are making your way through the process. I hope your insurance approval comes through quickly - we could be sharing the experience together in January!

Congratulations on your "selfish" decision. Who's going to do that for you? No one! In fact, your assertion helps me feel better about my own "selfishness." Thanks for that!

Ren?

My guy does surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the 31st works best for my schedule. I still have some tests to do - EKG, Chem panel, Metobolic panel, and a letter approving me for suegery from my PCP. Good luck with your next guy - I hope he's better than the first guy you talked to.

Also, I'm a self pay, so I don't have to do all the insurance stuff. That's another reason it was quick!

Let me know how it goes!

Ren?

Hey, Bambi!

I love my surgeon. I think you should look around, too. You need one that has done several HUNDRED sleeves with NO leaks! Those are my guy's stats. He's very personable. His kids go to the school I work for, which means I can get all of his home info and phone numbers (incl cell) from my computer! haha

I think this is a huge step to take. Don't be a guinea pig...

My surgery date is New Year's Eve! Of course, when I called DH, he wasn't so good about that date. Oh, well. There's always something, isn't there?

I'll be interesyed to hear about your new surgeon search. Let me know!

Same here. I hear no regrets, which is good, I think. My surgeon consult is this morning. I'll be back with more details!

Men are so weird. My DH is also all about the money. I'm a little insulted that the $ seems more important to him than the surgery itself! (risks, post-op, complications, etc.) I guess it is a safer topic than "How will my life be different?"

My consult is Monday. So excited! I don't want to do any work...just read about the sleeve!!!

Hi deedee. I just realized you had replied to me with a question...I'll get the hang of this eventually! I am still pre-op, but get to meet w/my surgeon Monday. I plan to get sleeved early January. So excited! I'm finding it hard to concentrate at work. I just want to talk about/read about the sleeve experience!

Hey, ready! I am pre-sleeve in Houston, too! I see you are going in tomorrow - good luck and let me know how it went!

I looked up your dr., and I realized that I went to Dr. Wilkenfeld (sp)'s seminar awhile back. He's in that group. I just remember how strict he sounded, like you can never have a piece of bread EVER AGAIN! I did not like his demeanor very much. Of course, that says nothing about Dr. Hollis. I think Wilkenfeld was trying to "weed out" possible underacheivers, to make his stats look better. Just my thought.

Anyway, I appreciate you corresponding with me. I would still like to keep in touch, if you would be willing. I really enjoyed reading your posts and I think we can still support each other! Even if our paths diverge!

I can certainly see why you would want the band if you are thinking about a family I'm way past that! My husband of 5 years has a grown daughter with a baby, so I am now a grandmother at 46!

I am using Dr. St. Laurent. I met w/my PCP yesterday and he's all for the sleeve AND would have sent me to Dr. St. Laurent! So I am feeling pretty reassured in my choices.

Of course, it is a VERY personal decision, and I support you in yours!!!

Still just obsessing about getting the sleeve. I finally told hubby last night that I am wanting the sleeve rather than the band. He says, "Why don't you try eating less and exercising?" Men are so clueless.

Maria,

What part of town do you live in? I am near Tomball. How has your experience been so far? Who did your sleeve? Thank you for replying to my post!

Girl, what progress you have made! I loved looking at your pictures. I see that you have curly hair like me, and that you straightened it in your pictures w/the strapless dress. Looks great - both ways! Congratulations! You are an inspiration!

Ren?

Guess what - now I am thinking about the gastric sleeve...Have you looked at it? It seems easier with no fills...I don't think ins covers it tho, so I am going to see if I can get approved for banding 1st; if not, maybe the sleeve. I see from your blog you are having ins issues, too. I also have Cigna. They suck

Heddy, thanks for befriending me. No date yet, but I am not too anxious as we are going on a cruise for Christmas and I don't want to be banded till after. What good are dessert buffets if you can only eat a couple of bites?

I hope to keep up with you as you renew your commitment. Best wishes! Ren?

OMG I'm such a retard! I just found your reply to me - today! I will figure this site out eventually.

What a beautiful picture you have for your avatar! You are a very pretty lady! (I don't mean for that to sound creepy!)

I am looking into some additional support groups in Houston, as my dr's meets only once per month. Do you attend any?

Again, thanks for befriending me. I was so excited when I got your request - just like a little kid! I am such a newbie!

Holy cow - you are from Houston? Me, too! I actually live northwest of Houston, near Tomball. Thank you for being my first "friend"!