Hello to all,

I'm looking for sleevers in Chicago southland. Would like to get a small support group together. I had my surgery in the north suburbs. The support groups that they have are all on Saturdays. I work alot of saturdays. So it makes it difficult to make it to many meetings. I'm hoping to find some sleevers that live near me. This will make it easier to make regular meetings.

It may also be fun to find others to workout with. If you are in the area and would like to form a support group, please let me know. Thanks Jane

How cool.. Dr. Rantis didn't mention this, so I'm assuming I wont be a candidate. Thanks for the info. How would you rate the Kane center post -op care?

Huh. I don't have any complaints, but I haven't really dealt with them much post-op. I was flooded with info at the hospital before I was released. I had a week followup, then a month. There are seminars and support groups on Saturdays in Hoffman Estates which are very inconvenient - I've only been to the one required pre-op seminar, and I really like Dr. Crane the psych. Everyone has been very helpful in offering that I could contact them if necessary (like the nutritionist), but I've had a relatively easy recovery, my weight loss is good, and this forum and the May 2012 Sleevers Facebook group has given me all the info and support I need. I can't really say how they deal with post-op difficulties. :-/

Consult with Dr. Wallace went great. I am too long from breastbone to belly button to do single-incision, but that's ok. Now I wait to hear from the coordinator to set up the psych eval etc.

I've been working with Jason - I think he's the only coordinator they have so he's pretty busy. I would suggest that when he calls you to set up the psych eval, ask him what other appts you have to schedule so that you can get those going. It was my experience that then I went to schedule my dietary classes and my pulminologist appt they were 4-6 weeks out. So the sooner you can try to schedule, maybe the better. My insurance required that I have the psych eval and the predietary class completed before they would approve me. I have my predietary appt 8/8.

Hi all.. I'm getting my surgery done by Dr.Rantis out of Alexian Brothers on July 30th. When you say single incision, is it still done laparoscopically?

Good luck on Monday Sherry77! I'm sure it will all go well. How was/is the preop diet?

Good luck on Monday Sherry77! I'm sure it will all go well. How was/is the preop diet?

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the protein powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the Protein powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

I loved the vanilla pre-surgery, but it's wayyyyy too sweet post-surgery. I got the orange cream after surgery and it's my go-to Protein Shake right now. I ran out on Thursday and I just have vanilla and chocolate left.

Good luck!!!

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the Protein powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

You're going to do great! I will definately keep in touch and please keep us posted on your progress. You are right, it's nice to keep in touch with people in the area and it's a huge plus that we have the same doctor. Take care and we will 'talk' soon

Anyone sw burbs going to Silver Cross Dr Joyce Aug 20

Can't wait to hear how things went Sherry77!

I am working with Jason too. I have psych eval tomorrow, pulmonary appt next week and a sleep study next week - pretty sure I may have apnea unfortunately I can't get in to the dietician until 8/28!! So that's going to cause me a big delay with getting the insurance approval.

Excited to meet Dr. Crane. Everyone's raving about him

Any pre and/or post oppers interested in meeting for coffee? If we could get a little group together for a little Q & A that would be awesome. I'd love to meet some people face to face that have gone through this and talk in more detail about the process and life after.

I'm in SW burbs but willing to meet wherever.

Dr. Crane is great. Very gentle manner. Who decided that you had to go for the sleep study? I haven't had to schedule that but when I set my appointment for the pulmonary apt., they asked me about issues re: sleep apnea. I don't think I have it but we shall see.

Any pre and/or post oppers interested in meeting for coffee? If we could get a little group together for a little Q & A that would be awesome. I'd love to meet some people face to face that have gone through this and talk in more detail about the process and life after.

I'm in SW burbs but willing to meet wherever.

I'd be up for it. I'm probably a little north from you but I can meet wherever too.

Dr. Crane is great. Very gentle manner. Who decided that you had to go for the sleep study? I haven't had to schedule that but when I set my appointment for the pulmonary apt.' date=' they asked me about issues re: sleep apnea. I don't think I have it but we shall see.[/quote']

I've been concerned for a couple of months that I have apnea because in the morning I feel so tired it's like I haven't slept. I am so exhausted every day I have to take a nap. I wake up with headaches fairly often. So bc of this info Dr. Wallace wants me to have the sleep study done.

I've been concerned for a couple of months that I have apnea because in the morning I feel so tired it's like I haven't slept. I am so exhausted every day I have to take a nap. I wake up with headaches fairly often. So bc of this info Dr. Wallace wants me to have the sleep study done.

Having sleep apnea is one of the comorbidities that "helps" you get approved for surgery. It's also pretty important to know before surgery because it's harder to wake yourself up when you stop breathing after surgery, and the anesthesia and painkillers can exacerbate that.

I'd like to get together, but I'm tremendously busy. I'm in the NW burbs myself.

Hi all.. I'm getting my surgery done by Dr.Rantis out of Alexian Brothers on July 30th.

Thinking of you!

NicksMom and Kat - how about meeting in The Schaumburg area? (and anyone else who wants to join us!!)