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Guess it's time to introduce myself...



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So, as the topic says it's time to go ahead and say hello!

I am 29 years old and I am scheduled to have VSG with Dr Thomas Lavin in Metairie LA on Tuesday (9/6). I am starting to freak a little so I've just been doing stuff to get ready but not really thinking about it. I know that its the right choice. I am confident in his ability. Just a little worried about what it will be like after. I know everyone is different and some have swelling and difficulties drinking etc. That and obviously a leak are my main worries.

Now a little about myself. I was banded in April 2003 (also with Dr Lavin) and started refluxing about a year out. I was banded at about 235 and lost to 160 before the reflux started. I freaked out and had the Fluid removed because i was worried about aspiration. I gained about 20lbs and went back to get Fluid put back but the reflux was worse then. So i just had the fluid removed and went on with life and of course gained all my weight back. I also had a beautiful baby boy in 2007. He is almost 4! Time flies!! Anyway while pg with him i developed gestational diabetes that have seemed to stick around. :( So my main reason for doing this is my blood sugar and i really would love to be able to have more children. Minus all the complications of being over weight.

So more about the band --- i just had all the fluid removed and left it that way until last year when i started having horrible pain in my hips. The pain would move side to side and hurt with every step and when i would sit down to go to the bathroom it would be the most horrible stabbing pain in my behind. It was just crazy pain and i couldn't figure out any of the symptoms, as to what it might be. Well i finally after a month of dealing with the pain, went to the ER. They did a CT and it showed that the tubing that went from my band to the port had broken. it was hanging around my hips and moving from side to side! I was seriously freaked so i called my Dr and got scheduled as quick as i could to get it removed.

I had surgery in April 2010 to removed both the band and my gallbladder. I have done well since and haven't really gained anything extra. I am still here around 235-240. I should have been brave and decided to do the surgery then but i was so freaked from the complication with the band, i just wasn't there mentally, i guess. So i have spend the last year worried about my blood sugar and trying to workout and lose weight. Which obviously hasn't gotten me far.

Also on a side note, cant seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the weather turns bad with the hurricane that is threatening. I am supposed to be there for pre-op that morning at 8. labor day is Monday and of course they are closed so guess i will find out when i get there if we are still on..

So all that rambling to say, i am here and nervous and... and... and... !!!

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Sure hope all that makes sense... LOL

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Welcome.. and it all makes sense... I hope things work out for you... I'm doing a medically supervised weight loss program for insurance purposes.. and I hope to have surgery in January...

This forum is awesome, filled with good information and great people... !!

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Welcome! Hey, I am 29 too, and my surgeon is not too far from you, in New Iberia, Louisiana (Dr. Thomas Borland). I'm nervous about the weather too- I live in Mississippi. Hopefully, only rain will be a problem and hospitals have plenty of generators. Praying that everything will go just fine for you ;)

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Welcome! Hey, I am 29 too, and my surgeon is not too far from you, in New Iberia, Louisiana (Dr. Thomas Borland). I'm nervous about the weather too- I live in Mississippi. Hopefully, only rain will be a problem and hospitals have plenty of generators. Praying that everything will go just fine for you ;)

Im from Pascagoula and have lived in Picayune and worked in Metarie! Just thought I would give a shout out! Im in San Antonio Texas now.

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I'm originally from MS!!!! Praying that all goes well as you begin your "sleeve" journey!!!

Welcome! Hey, I am 29 too, and my surgeon is not too far from you, in New Iberia, Louisiana (Dr. Thomas Borland). I'm nervous about the weather too- I live in Mississippi. Hopefully, only rain will be a problem and hospitals have plenty of generators. Praying that everything will go just fine for you ;)

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Welcome! Hey, I am 29 too, and my surgeon is not too far from you, in New Iberia, Louisiana (Dr. Thomas Borland). I'm nervous about the weather too- I live in Mississippi. Hopefully, only rain will be a problem and hospitals have plenty of generators. Praying that everything will go just fine for you ;)

I actually am in MS too! I am in north ms, near Memphis. I am going back to dr Lavin bc he did my other surgeries. I actually was thinking about dr Borland, before decided to go back to my dr. Have you had the surgery yet?

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Im from Pascagoula and have lived in Picayune and worked in Metarie! Just thought I would give a shout out! Im in San Antonio Texas now.

hey there! I am from the baton rouge area, Clinton if you know the area... Thanks for the shout out!

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I lived in Metairie from 2002 to 2005-Hurricane Katrina...now in Birmingham, AL...it looks to just be rainmaker with Lee from what I can see. I watch closely as my daughter still lives in Kenner and my sister is on the West Bank. They will call you on Monday even if it is a holiday if they will be cancelling elective surgery from what I am familiar with in the past. You should be just fine. We will start seeing the rain sometime on Sunday up here. Good Luck.

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I lived in Metairie from 2002 to 2005-Hurricane Katrina...now in Birmingham, AL...it looks to just be rainmaker with Lee from what I can see. I watch closely as my daughter still lives in Kenner and my sister is on the West Bank. They will call you on Monday even if it is a holiday if they will be cancelling elective surgery from what I am familiar with in the past. You should be just fine. We will start seeing the rain sometime on Sunday up here. Good Luck.

hey! Yeah I am hoping that it will, be clearing out by then. I asked the office if someone would call me monday if something happens. They said no, they are closed. But I am guessing the surgery center would make the decision and let me know. Thanks for the well wishes!

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I actually am in MS too! I am in north ms, near Memphis. I am going back to dr Lavin bc he did my other surgeries. I actually was thinking about dr Borland, before decided to go back to my dr. Have you had the surgery yet?

I'm in Central MS, in florence, just south of Jackson. I'm having the surgery on 9/27, but I have already meet with Dr. Borland for the consultation and I love him. I've heard great things about Dr. Lavin too :)

Seems to be a lot of us "Deep Southerners" coming out of the wood works, lol. Everyone brace yourselves for lots of rain this weekend!

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I can't imagine going through that! I just had my sleeve done on Tuesday. I didn't know what to expect as far as recovery but so far I can't believe how easy it has been! I haven't had any issues (knock on wood) and so far have felt no hunger. I know you are probably nervous but overall the recovery isn't bad. Good luck and keep us posted!

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Good luck on Monday, mine is scheduled for Tuesday. Can't wait to talk to you on the other side, the losers bench and hear all about your success. Heck, we can share success stories, tips, etc.

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Good luck on Monday, mine is scheduled for Tuesday. Can't wait to talk to you on the other side, the losers bench and hear all about your success. Heck, we can share success stories, tips, etc.

I am scheduled for Tuesday also! We should definitely keep in touch to support each other!

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I can't imagine going through that! I just had my sleeve done on Tuesday. I didn't know what to expect as far as recovery but so far I can't believe how easy it has been! I haven't had any issues (knock on wood) and so far have felt no hunger. I know you are probably nervous but overall the recovery isn't bad. Good luck and keep us posted!

I am so glad to hear you are doing well!I will be glad for this part to be behind me, past risk and worry! I have a 3 yr old to keep up with! Thanks I will definitely be around to update.

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    • 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.

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        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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