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Hi Dan, I met with the Psychologist this morning. I had a very different experience as mine was very supportive of the Sleeve. She encouraged me to read as much about the surgery as possible so that I'd know what to expect. I went into my surgeon appointment last Friday determined to convince him that I should have the sleeve. I had all of my information written up, but in the end, he was the one that told me that I should have the sleeve. I just slipped that little piece of paper back into my pocket. I had a list of questions to ask him about the surgery, recovery etc. He said he was really happy that I was so well prepared and encouraged me to always come prepared with questions for him. I'm going through the Kaiser Richmond program in Northern California. Good luck!!

Tiffy, congratulations on recognizing what a wonderful husband you have. You two look adorable together!

Good Morning! Great to meet some of you at the meeting last night. Now I have faces for Candra, Tamra and Jes. Riley, you sound like you're having the time of your life with all this dating. I can't wait to hop in line and do the same in a few months. Monique, what can we do to help you be accountable and get back on track? You can do this! Ashley, I wrote to you over at verticalsleevetalk in our Kaiser Thread. I rarely go out to dinner, particularly on this 1200 calorie regime because it's too difficult. I went to a birthday dinner for a friend on Tuesday night at BJ's in Concord. They do have the calories on the menu which I love, but it didn't help me much. I watched the table have martini's, beer and wine while I sipped water. My entree was chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli, no desert and even now today I'm still up close to three pounds. I had less than 400 calories before dinner knowing it would be high, so I had one 1800 calorie day in over three weeks of less than 1200 calories. It's so frustrating to eat one meal, gain three pounds and not be able to get it back off. So that's my goal of the next few days, drop those off at the bus stop along with another few pounds! Happy Thursday! Tomorrow I get to meet with the Psych at 8am for me evaluation.

Hey Ash, Now we're gonna be Sleevsters. I'm so happy Dr. Chu thinks you're a good candidate for the Sleeve. Did you like Dr. Chu? You've been losing great. We may be lined up for surgery at around the same time. Oh what fun! :001_tongue:

Good Morning, Just a quick fly-by so that I won't be late for work. I'm going to the Kaiser meeting tonight. I'll be wearing black slacks and a blue and black blouse. I'll wear my turquoise LL Bean type rain parka. I hope to see some of you there!

Rosebud, what a wonderful six months you've had. Congratulations on wearing your success!

Thinoneday, you can do this! The holiday season is going to distract you and it will be over before you know it. You're so close to surgery. Think about how great you're going to look next year for the holidays. You definitely can rock this!

Thank you! I like how that sounds. I've been reading about it on google and it makes me feel reassured about potential leaks to have the reinforcement.

Tamra, Dr. Baggs told me that I won't meet with Robin and Liz until I've met my pre-surgery goal weight. So you're not behind. Congrats on NO COFFEE today! :thumbup:

Congratulations Sarita!

Maria, I'm new here, but I want you to know that reading your story is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I hope that your infection is cleared up ASAP and that you get home to your family where you belong.

Sending good thoughts your way!

Thanks Rcarter. I'm so new at this. It's good to know that my doc does what others do.

Deb, good luck on Tuesday. I too started out wanting a Band but over at lapbandtalk.com I read about the sleeve, then found this place. I am now on board for a Sleeve and I'm delighted. I'm 59 so I understand about being a little older and having surgery. I can tell you that after a life of no surgeries, I had ankle surgery in 2008 and just last month had my gallbladder out. Everything went perfectly. I bet you're going to do just fine. I can't wait until you're posting in a few months how this was the best decision you ever made. Again, good luck with your pre-op!

Tamra, They'll have the scale for weighins at the Wednesday night support group. WTG with that salad for lunch! :willy_nilly: I've done ok today. B. 3 oz chicken L. grapefruit, plain yogurt w/blueberries D. early dinner will be - NY steak and green beans

I just met with my surgeon on Friday for the first time. He said that he performs a leak test in the OR, then an Upper GI the day after. He said that he uses the Buttress to staple method. I'm glad to read that LapSF also uses the Buttress method. I feel like I'm on information overload!

JaneP, I don't think my surgeon oversews. He said that he does a Buttress to Staple. I guess I should research what that is. :bananajump: Congrats on your sleeve working so well for you!

Tamra, back away from Starbucks and the Chicken Shack. They are not helping you achieve your goals. There is nothing there for you that works. Everything we've received from Kaiser tells us not to drink coffee drinks. Give it up now so that you can be successful later. You can do this! :thumbup:

My doctor said that he uses a 40F Bougie. When I asked him how big it would be, he pointed to my thumb. I have tiny hands. Does this sound about right?

Good to know about the Unjury products. I've read that some can tolerate them, but I too wondered about the foam when mixing.

Good Morning! Tina, you're already a success. When is the last time you shed 60 pounds in a year and kept them off? Dr. Baggs told me that anything under a 30 BMI (170) would be a success for me, but hitting 25 BMI (145) would be incredible. Just keep doing what you're doing. This isn't a race, you have the rest of your life to live in a body that you love. Great new pic Tina!! Nicole, nice to see you back! Keeping carbs to fruit and veggies really works for me. You're doing fantastic! Tamra, I said a little prayer for you (spiritual, not religious) yesterday that you wouldn't allow your tiny slip to become a problem. So great to see that you made a salad for dinner last night. If you're going to that Chicken place, it may be causing you cravings. All of those places shoot spices/sugar etc under the skin to make it taste great. Does your home baked chicken ever having you crave it over and over? Costco chicken is the same way. I just want to eat the skin! I try to keep my food pretty simple these days to keep away cravings. Candra, just keep visualizing the deposition takers in their underwear. They're just like you and everyone else, just a tougher job. Please don't let them freak you out. It will be over really soon. Jes, I think everyone is doing the holidays a bit differently this year. When I was in NYC at Thanksgiving, I bought things for my sons apartment to help him decorate a bit. I told him that was Hanukkah, Christmas and Birthday rolled into one. I'll get him the new Nabokov book that's only available in hardbound for his birthday in January and he always gets a new pair of shoes for his birthday. He'll be 36 but it's a tradition that we started when he left home. Those darn classes Adidas etc are so darn expensive that he can't afford them himself while he's a starving grad student. Hey, I'll see you at the meeting on Wednesday night. I think Tamra said she'd go as well. Yesterday I felt bingey all day. I had a ton of mouth hunger. All I wanted to do was eat. I tried to keep it in control by eating some Persimmons that I got at the Farmer's Market yesterday. So at least it was healthy. This morning it was incredible to see the scale go down .8 so I guess I didn't do as poorly as I thought. I think I was having a reaction to hearing from Dr. Baggs on Friday that my surgery goal is 230. Knowing that I was only 4.6 pounds away made it suddenly very real to think about doing this WLS. Before Friday it was just a big thought in the sky with nothing backing it up in the near future. Now it's right in my face. I'm going to really plan my food for today so that I don't eat compulsively. I'm also getting myself down into the gym on the treadmill after reading for awhile this morning. Happy Sunday to everyone!

Congratulations Susan! How great to get to Onederland before the New Year!

Cajun, my doctor put the bug in my ear back in October. I'm so glad she did! I feel like I'm getting ready for the biggest event of my life (other than my son of course). It's interesting to read the plastics thread here. Earlier today I was playing in the mirror and thinking how much I'd like a facelift when I've lost my weight. At 59, my skin has gone through a lot of changes. I'd love to look in the mirror and like what I see. Of course, that may happen without the surgery. I love my body today because it takes me through my day and works very well, but I can see loving it even better with the perky breasts I've never had. :drool5:

Hi Ash, I'm not surprised that most of the people at the meeting were RNY. I pay close attention to those that are still attending meetings. I have a feeling the people who are not following the program as written, might have more trouble getting/staying at goal, and don't show up as much to the support groups. Keep asking those questions. That's what the meetings are for. The next group at Kaiser Richmond is on the 16th, but that's the day of your surgeon appointment. The Richmond room is filled with both pre and post-op people. A few men but mostly women. Richmond is 95% RNY as well, but you have to remember that Kaiser didn't start offering the sleeve until November so there's not many out there. More will start showing up. As far as dropping some pounds, I really slashed the carbs and calories. Last week I was eating 1000-1200 calories a day. I do best losing at 1000-1100 calories a day. I did cheat and drink the Pure Protein 110 calories, 21 gr protein drinks from Trader Joe's for breakfast which helped me keep my calories down. Dr. Baggs told me to knock it off and eat real food. The food plan before and after surgery is the same for all three surgeries. They don't want us using supplements like protein shakes and to keep it real. Let me know how I can help you!

Tiffy, I think you look stunning, radiant and happy. You are one of the people that I've been following in my decision making process for the Sleeve. I see so much physical recovery here on VST. Congratulations on seeing your hard work and dedication to your Sleeve, show on your body.