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I decided to use my 600th post in VST to shout out my awesome and supportive WLS team at the Midwest Bariatric Institute of Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL...My surgeon was Gerald Cahill and my WL specialist was Kidanu Birhanu...

I'm a very "particular" person about everything!! But, when I email Tony Romeo the program coordinator for info and he told me about the requirements for my insurance... I knew I was making the right decision.. Everyone, from the dietician to the personal trainer to the psychologist handled my questions and requests with professionalism and care... Dr. Birhanu was amazing and even though he sees hundreds of bariatric patients, he makes me feel that I am one of his only ones!!!

Last night I attended an event that my surgeon's office began hosting 8 years ago. The Celebration of Life Dinner/Dance was an amazing opportunity for me to see people who were among their first patients 11 years ago... I feel so blessed and encouraged with people who saw me a month at my 1st support group meeting walked up and encouraged me and complimented me on my weight loss.. They also reminding me that this is a journey, not a race!!!

Just wanted to brag about the awesome people who take such good care of me!!!!

Love and hugs!!!

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Yay! What a lovely post about the WLS team!! :)

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They are awesome!!!!! LOL.. How are you???

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Glad you had such an awesome team. Some are not as fortune.

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I know!! I feel so blessed! I've read posts where people have been mistreated and disrespected.... I'm so glad that wasn't my experience.. That would be a mess!!!!

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I'se WONDERFUL!! LOL :)

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Good for you girl! This is a tough road and we must never forget the people who helped us along the way...I am so thankful for everyone who helped me and continues to encouraged me during my sleeve journey!

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Favoredone, we have something in common! Yay! Dr. Cahill is my surgeon as well. But I see him in Dyer, In.

There was a gentleman there who had his surgery where you did with Dr. Cahill.

I too liked my visit with Dr. Birhahu. Hope I can share more of your satisfaction when I finally have the surgery.

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Dr Cahill did my sleeve as well and I can't explain how great everything has worked out. Lori was/is my dietician and she has been great as well. i don't get on this site much since I've had my surgery, but it has been one of the best decisions of my life. I started out at 342 and am now at 235 11 months later. I feel as if I had nothing done at all except thoe few times i take that one last extra bite. lol...Thanks Midwest Bariatric institute

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That's awesome!!! Do you attend the support group meetings??

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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!
      · 0 replies
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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.

        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
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