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First post- just wanted to see if there was anyone out there from the Bay Area getting the surgery...researching surgeons. Met with Dr. Crystine Lee today...anyone heard of her?

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I have looked into Dr rabkin in SF, and am attending a meeting for dr cirangle tomorrow. Both were recommended by patients. Dr Rabkin (paclap.com) is more about the DS procedure, but also performs revisions and sleeves. Dr Cirangle (lapsf.com) seems to be on of the pioneers of the sleeve surgery...his name came up in studies I've read. I haven't hears of the Dr you mentioned- are you kaiser?

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I'm using Dr. Rabkin. I also looked at Dr. Cirangle but a lot of people were really unhappy with the way they were treated by him. (Gotta love Yelp, you can find reviews for ANYTHING on there!!) Dr. Rabkin does specialize in DS, but considering the VSG is the first stage of the DS I feel I'm in good hands. Plus, his staff are really friendly and accessible. They also got me in and scheduled right away for an initial consult and surgery. I'm very happy so far.

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Ughhh, that is not good about Dr Cirangle. I am meeting with Dr. Jossart this week- have heard good things...have you? anyone else you know if to consider in Bay area? I never heard of Dr. Rabkin.

I'm using Dr. Rabkin. I also looked at Dr. Cirangle but a lot of people were really unhappy with the way they were treated by him. (Gotta love Yelp, you can find reviews for ANYTHING on there!!) Dr. Rabkin does specialize in DS, but considering the VSG is the first stage of the DS I feel I'm in good hands. Plus, his staff are really friendly and accessible. They also got me in and scheduled right away for an initial consult and surgery. I'm very happy so far.

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Hi Maybe, No I am not with Kaiser- I have a PPO that should cover the surgery. I am meeting with Dr Jossart this week. I know him and he is amazing- so warm and supportive. Hoping he will do the surgery since I know him personally. If he wasn't maybe I should meet with Cirangle or Rabkin. Not wanting the DS, only sleeve, have 100 lbs (40 BMI) to lose but very mixed if I want to do this or not....ughhh keep going back and forth

I have looked into Dr rabkin in SF, and am attending a meeting for dr cirangle tomorrow. Both were recommended by patients. Dr Rabkin (paclap.com) is more about the DS procedure, but also performs revisions and sleeves. Dr Cirangle (lapsf.com) seems to be on of the pioneers of the sleeve surgery...his name came up in studies I've read. I haven't hears of the Dr you mentioned- are you kaiser?

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I started with Dr. Cirangle (he wanted an additional $5750 in "program fees", decided to go with Jossart since they were partners and Jossart is ALL ABOUT HIS PATIENTS. A true pioneer and one of the best Dr.s that I've had the pleasure to meet. He and Cirangle use the same technique and you can see it online on youtube. Dr. Jossart has the expertise and the bed side manner to go along with the experience :D He is AWESOME!! I will be getting sleeved on the 22nd of AUG at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos/San Jose. Jossart comes to SJ a few times a month for his paitients in the South Bay. Good luck!!

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thanks for your reply...so excited for you..how are you feeling? nervous? are you paying out of pocket or insurance? not cool the 45750 in program fees....ughhh

I started with Dr. Cirangle (he wanted an additional $5750 in "program fees", decided to go with Jossart since they were partners and Jossart is ALL ABOUT HIS PATIENTS. A true pioneer and one of the best Dr.s that I've had the pleasure to meet. He and Cirangle use the same technique and you can see it online on youtube. Dr. Jossart has the expertise and the bed side manner to go along with the experience :D He is AWESOME!! I will be getting sleeved on the 22nd of AUG at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos/San Jose. Jossart comes to SJ a few times a month for his paitients in the South Bay. Good luck!!

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I have blue cross ppo. Jossart and Cirangle were recently put on our approved list, thats why I went with them. Started with Cirangle because he shares an office in SJ with a plastic surgeon so I didnt have to drive far. Then, bam - they tell me about this "fee" that isnt covered by insurance. So basically he gets paid the agreed upon fee from my insurance and then the "program fee" from me directly.. Not cool at all. I was devastated.. until I found Dr. Jossart and his excellent staff :rolleyes:

I've been waiting for approval for a month and a half and finally got it today and the office already called to schedule my date, thats how efficient they are. I am on top of the world right now and I don't want to come down. Not nervous at all. I know this is the right thing for me and this is going to change my life and make me feel like me again. There is a skinny chick inside that is dying to get out.. and no, I didnt eat her.. ha ha!!

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How are you doing? is the 1st 2 weeks hell? any complications? so freaked out

I was also sleeved at Kaiser Richmond.... yesterday! lol. I was not in any pain yesterday and didn't really have any nausea either. I was home by this morning and have had a lot of pain around the incision sites whenever I get up to go to the bathroom or to take a walk. Other than that, it has been a breeze! When I am laying down relaxing I don't feel anything at all. I've even gotten in 40 ounces of fluids today as well! It probably just depends on you personally. I have had absolutely zero complications and am already feeling pretty darn good and it's technically only day 1. I know my case is pretty unusual, but it can still happen :)

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LOL...I am worried about whether Blue Shield PPO will approve me. I guess I have to wait until I complete all the tests to find out. I am 42yo witha 40 BMI but healthy with no medical issues (that I know of). Meeting with Jossart on Friday..did you ask him the % of leaks he has had or % of hair loss in patients? just curious

I have blue cross ppo. Jossart and Cirangle were recently put on our approved list, thats why I went with them. Started with Cirangle because he shares an office in SJ with a plastic surgeon so I didnt have to drive far. Then, bam - they tell me about this "fee" that isnt covered by insurance. So basically he gets paid the agreed upon fee from my insurance and then the "program fee" from me directly.. Not cool at all. I was devastated.. until I found Dr. Jossart and his excellent staff :rolleyes:

I've been waiting for approval for a month and a half and finally got it today and the office already called to schedule my date, thats how efficient they are. I am on top of the world right now and I don't want to come down. Not nervous at all. I know this is the right thing for me and this is going to change my life and make me feel like me again. There is a skinny chick inside that is dying to get out.. and no, I didnt eat her.. ha ha!!

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WOW so happy for you, that is amazing. Well keep it up and remember when your in pain that it will all be eventually worth it :)

I was also sleeved at Kaiser Richmond.... yesterday! lol. I was not in any pain yesterday and didn't really have any nausea either. I was home by this morning and have had a lot of pain around the incision sites whenever I get up to go to the bathroom or to take a walk. Other than that, it has been a breeze! When I am laying down relaxing I don't feel anything at all. I've even gotten in 40 ounces of fluids today as well! It probably just depends on you personally. I have had absolutely zero complications and am already feeling pretty darn good and it's technically only day 1. I know my case is pretty unusual, but it can still happen :)

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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