Hello Everybody:

My name is Eric and I am 30 years old from Moreno Valley,CA...Im new to this forum and would just like to say that I have learned a lot from all the materials that are provided on this site and from reading other peoples progress and profiles...This site has definitely helped me get a grip on the life changing experience by going through with VSG and the online support groups are muy bueno.

I haven't had any WLS yet but am in the process of going through it as we speak that's if I can get over the fear of having surgery period...I have never been under the knife before and hate the site of blood and just knowing that I will be forcing myself to walk into a hospital for surgery is still weighing on my shoulders.

I currently have Kaiser Permenente out in Riverside and I actually just received my authorization and approval forms yesterday for WLS at Crown Bariatric in Murrieta,CA with Dr.Suh...I attended and completed the Options Program (12 weeks) at Kaiser Permanante in Corona,CA and have done all the required tests besides the Psych Eval.

My girlfriend (registered domestic partner) actually works for Kaiser so our medical insurance including dental and vision are free of charge monthly along with our son and daughter...I also don't have to pay one penny for WLS either but I still can't come to the terms of actually going through with it just yet since I would rather of done it with diet and excercise but due to my insulin resistance that is really not possible.

I have decided to get the VSG instead of the Gastric Bypass and Lap Band since I have read that its one of the safest methods of WLS and it produces about the same amount of weight loss as the Gastric Bypass without the complications...One of the reviewing doctors at Kaiser suggested that I get the Gastric Bypass but I just refuse to get it since I would prefer the sleeve instead.

I have also been on Phentermine for the past month until I get a surgery date and have lost 7 lbs so far but its only a short term pill...I also have to pay for it out of pocket so it really doesn't do me any good just to be on a appetite suppression pill but it is what it is...I still haven't had a consultation with the surgeon but should be hearing from him soon since I just got approved.

I am currently 5"10 and weigh 287lbs with the highest being 295...I don't have any medical problems besides 40+ BMI along with barely high blood pressure along with mild sleep apnea...Heart disease does run in my dad's side of the family so this is something for me to think about...Hopefully everything goes great throughout my decision and if I do decide to got through with it I will update with progress as they come.

Hispanic Baldy =)

Hi and welcome! I just wanted to hit on a couple of things:

I have never been under the knife before and hate the site of blood and just knowing that I will be forcing myself to walk into a hospital for surgery is still weighing on my shoulders.

Don't think of it as forcing yourself.... walk into that hospital knowing that it's the first day of the rest of LIVING your life and be excited about it, looking forward to getting on with it! Know that you're doing a great thing for yourself. You can't really believe or imagine the changes you'll go through until you experience them but trust me, you're in for the ride of your life.

I would rather of done it with diet and excercise but due to my insulin resistance that is really not possible.

But see, here's the thing... except for the first few months when the sleeve really is doing all the work for you, you WILL be doing it with diet and exercise--the difference is, the sleeve makes it possible for you to DO it that way and be successful with it, through great restriction if you eat right, and a huuuuuuge reduction in hunger. You'll still have to do the work, the sleeve just lets you finally do it and get it right.

Thanks for the kind words

Got called by the surgeon today for my consultation along with 16 pages of paperwork on 05/12.

You CAN do this- it is a gift you are giving to yourself and especially to your partner and your kids.

Look at it this way- you can voluntarily do this procedure in full control of it or end up in the hospital from weight related reasons at times not in your control.

Request a relaxing drug to take at home before you go in-that should help!

And you will find all kinds of love and support here too. We will all be behind you helping you do it.

I completely agree, I was fortunate enough (in an odd way) for this to be my third abdominal surgery in 6 years, so I literally skipped into surgery, and only had a moment of "what am I doing???" literally as I was anaesthetised, by which time I was awake again, and done.

I can honestly say that after the first 24 hours I have NEVER felt a moment of regret over doing this to myself, and the first 24 hours were just sore, not agonising, and I had nothing stronger than a paracetamol after surgery and coped just fine really.

After 2/3 days I didn't even need paracetamol.

I guess it may sound odd, but the way I'd looked at it was that when I knew people who had, say a gastric bug, and had been sick for a few days, and would then say, oh I've been so ill I lost x ammount of weight, I'd always find a little part of me thinking, wow I wish I'd had a dose of that I could cope with a few day's suffering to lose a chunk of weight. Well my sleeve was nowhere near as horrible as that.

Life really can get back to normal very quickly, day one post op I was out of hospital, day 2 post op I spent 8 hours sight seeing around belgium, day 3 I was back home in the UK, and Day 4 I went back to work with no problems.

I'm not claiming to be brave (I am far from it), and I am not trying to underplay the fact that this is still a surgery, but I genuinely wish I'd skipped into that theatre 10 years ago so I'd have known a bit more contentment sooner.

Good luck with your decision.

I just got referred to crown but haven't gotten an appointment yet,let us know how the initial consult goes and congratulations on your journey

Thanks for the kind words

Got called by the surgeon today for my consultation along with 16 pages of paperwork on 05/12.

Walking in under your own steam is so much cooler than having to go by ambulance for something horrible caused by weight related illness! Get it done and get on with your great life! I actually had a great hospital experience... everyone was so nice and professional.

i sure will let you guys know how the consultation goes...still haven't had time to fill out my paperwork due to work but i hope to complete it sometime next week...thats the life of a typical railroader...!!!

Had my consultation with the surgeon yesterday and everything went great...Had to watch a 30 minute video but i didn't fall asleep so all was good...Told me that my surgery would happen sometime in june but i postponed it for later in july since ill be going on vacation...All I have to do now is attend a psych eval next wednesday and attend a seminar and i will be good to go...!!!