I couldn't possibly be? Anyone else waiting to be Sleeved or just got Sleeved? Be so nice to hear from any of ya!

I will keep you in mind my weight loss has slowed but i think i am now on a weight loss trend again finally it has been warm enough to be out side and be more active. I do hope you are doing well again.

I live in Vegas and am scheduled for the sleeve in st george on july 19

I haven't gotten my date yet! Sent to insurance last Thursday. Started Pre-op diet today!

Oops! Dr Sasse is my surgeon, but now I have been told that he is leaving the practice at the end of the month. I don't have my date yet so if I get a date before the end of the month then I will be getting my surgery by him, but if for some reason it takes longer to get approval which pushes my surgery date into September then I have to choose a different surgeon or go through the whole approval process at dr Sasse's new practice! Ugh so frustrated I feel like I have been dropped through the crack!

Mendif,

Dr. Kozar was my surgeon for VSG. All went well, he is the resident expert and was working with Sasse and others to do more sleeves. I did have a complication, I developed an abscess along the drain line. Now Kozar only keeps them in for a few days (mine was 10) and prescribes antibiotic pre surgery. I have lost over 100 lbs, have loved everyone at the practice. Dr. Sasse did my emergency surgery to remove the abscess and has such a great bedside manner...shocking he is leaving.....

Send me a PM if you would like to chat more. You are the first person I have found from Western Bariatric. I am 9 mos post op and loving life!

Stick with it, it is worth it!

So Sorry Netgellous I forgot you ...on vacation sitting on the Rogue River

Mendif' date='

Dr. Kozar was my surgeon for VSG. All went well, he is the resident expert and was working with Sasse and others to do more sleeves. I did have a complication, I developed an abscess along the drain line. Now Kozar only keeps them in for a few days (mine was 10) and prescribes antibiotic pre surgery. I have lost over 100 lbs, have loved everyone at the practice. Dr. Sasse did my emergency surgery to remove the abscess and has such a great bedside manner...shocking he is leaving.....

Send me a PM if you would like to chat more. You are the first person I have found from Western Bariatric. I am 9 mos post op and loving life!

Stick with it, it is worth it!

So Sorry Netgellous I forgot you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ...on vacation sitting on the Rogue River <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Hi, Happy Camper. I am a new patient at Western Bariatric Institute. I just came from the fashion show. It was a great event. We're you there?

Hi Aurora,

Yes I was in the fashion show...blush blush. It was such a wonderful event. I was the show closer I was in the black chiffon gown and twirled on the stage and was wearing black gloves? I plan on sharing my experience but, we just got home and I am exhausted! Have you been sleeved or are you working with doctor Kozar? Oh Dr. kozar walked with me in the show's finale'

Western Bariatric Center rocks! You will love them all...Diane at the front, Lori the nurse, Cindy a nurse, they have a new..returning nutritionist, Patrick is a nurse...they all are so caring. Darolyn put the show together, she is the Marketing and is super great as well.

What did you think of the show?

Hi Aurora' date='

Yes I was in the fashion show...blush blush. It was such a wonderful event. I was the show closer <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I was in the black chiffon gown and twirled on the stage and was wearing black gloves? I plan on sharing my experience but, we just got home and I am exhausted! Have you been sleeved or are you working with doctor Kozar? Oh Dr. kozar walked with me in the show's finale' <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Western Bariatric Center rocks! You will love them all...Diane at the front, Lori the nurse, Cindy a nurse, they have a new..returning nutritionist, Patrick is a nurse...they all are so caring. Darolyn put the show together, she is the Marketing and is super great as well.

What did you think of the show?

[/quote']

I quite enjoyed it. Yes, the dress was lovely and you wore it beautifully. You are sooo thin! How 'bout that!

We are not sleeved yet. My son and I (we are both having it done) expect it to happen in December so we are doing the testing and all that. When we met Darolyn she was quite taken with my son. He is 6'6" and good looking so she is already expecting him to be in the show next year. Fun to look forward to.

I also enjoyed meeting Dr. Kozar at our consult but it was very impressive to see them all on stage and hear something of their histories. Nice to know we are in good hands.

Hi every one. I am looking for a pcp in Henderson. Sw Vegas so I can get some testing done

I am having mine done in January in Mexico and my pcp was an ass about the whole thing

Any referral would be great

I see your posts are from 2011 but I wanted to respond anyhow, I too had my surgery done by Dr. Kozak. I am 10 weeks out, have lost 40 lb & 15 from PRE surg diet, total 55 big ones, I cant believe it.

I live in Truckee, CA.

Let me know how both of u r doing please. Thank you

Hello,

It is fun to see other Sleevers who have gone to Western Bariatric in Reno, Nv and to Dr. Kozar. The group of folks at that center is what makes it the BEST! I did have my surgery on November 1, 2011. This past year has been absolutely wonderful. You may find (or not) that as time goes by you are on this forum less and less. I remember in the beginning I was on hour after hour, day after day. Today, I do not participate nearly as much. Because mainly, people who are new, find new things together and really you almost form a unique bond. As time has gone by for me, I have learned more to depend on what I have learned here, making me stronger!

With that said, don't mistake me, things CAN and do happen later down the road. Your body will let you know if you are not right. Night before last, I woke up to my feet/legs cramping. I sat on the edge of the bed trying to stretch them out, did not work. So I got up and walked to the bedroom door, when it felt like my toes had retracted and were pointing straight up, it hurt soooooo bad. I bent down to push them down and that is the last thing I remember until I woke up in my husbands arms with him shaking me and asking if I could hear him. Apparently, I blacked out fell on the bed frame on my back, landed face first on the floor and stopped breathing. Long story short including ambulance and a night in the hospital. I was super stressed at work, did not drink enough Water and did not eat right the day before. The tests confirmed I was dehydrated and my potassium levels were low even though I take potassium twice daily. I have not been eating fruit or vegetables to help sustain the potassium in my body.

Ultimately please find a routine and stick to it. Do not think that at 6 months or 12 months post op, you can go back to your old habits because friends it simply does not work. Take it from me my routine had been working, and I took a step backwards. NEVER again. I love my new life, the way I feel and I will always make sure I am doing what I am supposed to.

Good luck in all you do and your journey.

Hi' date=' Happy Camper. I am a new patient at Western Bariatric Institute. I just came from the fashion show. It was a great event. We're you there?[/quote']

I am new patient at WBI as well! Been trying to find people from N NV on here for a week! Dr Ganser is my surgeon. Sleeve scheduled for Jan 16 @ 12:30 at St Mary's.

How are y'all doin? I'm getting scared. I was surprised Dr Sassy left practice as I saw him 2 yrs ago about the band and was denied. It's just over two weeks away and I'm scared! I java had some surgeries before and scared scar tissue will pose a problem- love WBI so guess I just need to keep the faith and press on.

How's it goin for you guys now?

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hello' date='

It is fun to see other Sleevers who have gone to Western Bariatric in Reno, Nv and to Dr. Kozar. The group of folks at that center is what makes it the BEST! I did have my surgery on November 1, 2011. This past year has been absolutely wonderful. You may find (or not) that as time goes by you are on this forum less and less. I remember in the beginning I was on hour after hour, day after day. Today, I do not participate nearly as much. Because mainly, people who are new, find new things together and really you almost form a unique bond. As time has gone by for me, I have learned more to depend on what I have learned here, making me stronger!

With that said, don't mistake me, things CAN and do happen later down the road. Your body will let you know if you are not right. Night before last, I woke up to my feet/legs cramping. I sat on the edge of the bed trying to stretch them out, did not work. So I got up and walked to the bedroom door, when it felt like my toes had retracted and were pointing straight up, it hurt soooooo bad. I bent down to push them down and that is the last thing I remember until I woke up in my husbands arms with him shaking me and asking if I could hear him. Apparently, I blacked out fell on the bed frame on my back, landed face first on the floor and stopped breathing. Long story short including ambulance and a night in the hospital. I was super stressed at work, did not drink enough Water and did not eat right the day before. The tests confirmed I was dehydrated and my potassium levels were low even though I take potassium twice daily. I have not been eating fruit or vegetables to help sustain the potassium in my body.

Ultimately please find a routine and stick to it. Do not think that at 6 months or 12 months post op, you can go back to your old habits because friends it simply does not work. Take it from me my routine had been working, and I took a step backwards. NEVER again. I love my new life, the way I feel and I will always make sure I am doing what I am supposed to.

Good luck in all you do and your journey.

[/quote']

Thank you so much for your posts and advise! Do you go to any groups at WBI or speak? I do class on Jan 8th, last one before surgery & really looking forward to it.

I'm afraid I will forget an important question to ask Dr Ganser or something to bring, do or not do! This is a huge step into a better life, but not without risk and I'm finding myself looking more at risk the past few days. All in all I'm doing this!! I will succeed and be a better me, but boy have I been loosing sleep!! Did you do two week liquid only pre-op? Shots in belly?

How long in hospital? St's or Renown? Good , bad? What did you bring? How long in hospital? My insurance says same day I have to go home- Aetna! What was worst part coming home? Did you have pain pump or just Meds? Did they help? Oh my I must sound like a fool- I'm sorry!

This is so wonderful and scary at the same time!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I see your posts are from 2011 but I wanted to respond anyhow' date=' I too had my surgery done by Dr. Kozak. I am 10 weeks out, have lost 40 lb & 15 from PRE surg diet, total 55 big ones, I cant believe it.

I live in Truckee, CA.

Let me know how both of u r doing please. Thank you[/quote']

Glad you posted! Wow 55 big ones in 10 weeks- you go!!!! That's awesome! Did you have a pain pump if I've Meds? Seems lots of folks have had it. I'm allergic to morphine- and a whimp! Dr Ganser is my doc. St Mary's - what hospital did you use?

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi Tammy and Team Nevada

Sorry for the length of my post but, I feel passionately about my surgery and the outcome.

I live too far away to attend support groups however, I will say that WBI offers much in the way of education, and they have grown with information for Sleevers. I was ummm number 46 for Dr. Kozar I think he has done many more since me more than a year ago. Dr. Gansar used to specialize in RNY, he spoke at my WL seminar and Dr. Kozar had been working toward getting Gansar and Sassy (before he left), more onboard with the VSG. I think doctor Watson specializes in lap band, and it seems they really are moving away from that as an option.

Tammy, if you are at the point your life MUST change because of medical and self image issues and you have done all you can do, then in my opinion time is now and you CAN do this. Just follow the rules, sip and walk in the beginning. Then gradually add as the plan allows. Go from Clear liquids, to liquids, to soft (things that fall from a spoon) like sugar free pudding, thicker Soup, thin cream of wheat while getting your Protein and Water in. You will NOT be hungry. Over time you will get hungry again and hopefully, by then you have retrained your brain and eating habits. Keep the junk out of the house, by removing the temptation it will help you. Losing during the first year is critical. I lost most of my weight during the first 10 months. Keep your eye on the prize and you my friend will succeed.

Now, many on this forum have read I had a complication. I developed an abscess along the drain line, and had to have emergency surgery to remove the infection. Dr. Sassy had to do it as Kozar was on vacation. This was two weeks after my surgery. Kozar no longer keeps the drain in that long and he requires antibiotics prior to surgery. You might want to check with Gansar to see what he does. I then had to undergo cell replacement therapy for about 8 weeks during Christmas last year. But, honestly I am fine now. I have one additional scar about 2.5 inches across right in the middle of my stomach but, compared to some I was very fortunate.

Tammy go in knowing the risks, follow the guidelines, make sure your doctor knows all of your information and I am certain you will post in about 6 months how much better you feel! I watched some home videos last week, and could not believe it was me on the film (rare), today I am active, alive and loving life. No longer do my knees ach, my feet are fine, I can walk...no run up stairs my high blood pressure is gone and I know I will be around to retre with my husband. Before surgery, not so sure I would have been. I will share I had issues only one time last month and I did not eat much that day, and only drank about 30 oz of water. That night my feet/legs were cramping and I ended up doing my face plant and long story short had a stay in the hospital for dehydration and low potassium. So, now I do not get too busy EVER. My water generally I drink 69 -92 oz daily with crystal light peach or raspberry tea and I have no problems getting it in. I feel like recently I have been eating more than I should because I am now taking HRT (patch), but that is much better for me than continued hot flashes . As a result I have put on 7 lbs from my lowest BUT I am very aware and I will increase Protein drinks and reduce some of the other non needed items I have been eating (sunflower seeds, a piece of sourdough bread, cashews), I think I have been testing myself and it is time to get refocused.

I will leave you with, hold yourself accountable by signing up with my fitness pal type program that logs your food, clear your home of junk, hopefully you have a supportive family (KEY), stay positive, follow the food program and talk with the nutritionist at WBI.

Let us know how it goes and good luck in your journey. Many here will say a prayer for your success, I left myself in God's hands and he helped me through my dark times. Today, I ride on the back of my hubby's motorcycle, and absolutely LOVE LIFE!