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Hey all. This is my first post after months of stalking you all. My name is Aaron, 36, living in Mississippi, but Iowa is home. I am off to Dallas on July 17th for my sleeve with Dr.Nick. Very excited but starting to freak! Today was a bad pre-op diet day. Still under my calorie goal, just not good choices. My first cave! The thoughts of doubt I swore off have started to race through my mind, none the less I will push forward. Just need to see some reassurance from this great group of folks! I have the overwellming support of co-workers but not the family. In fact flying solo in Dallas because of that. Though it bugs me, I was expecting it. Anyway been a big boy all my life but ready to move on from my weight and it's developing issues (knees , bp, odd looks!) Before my pre op I was exactly 400. Ugh I wrote that! I am down to 390 since pre-op diet started seven days ago. It has been rough,I fear I'll jack it up... but it happens. When I hit my goal I'm skydiving via a sling shot from a roller coaster!

You all are so supportive of each other so I had to jump in.

Looking forward to being in here and wishing everyone well!

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Hi there!! Congrats on ur upcoming sleeve!! I've gotta say it's the best decision I have ever made! I was terrified just like I'm sure a lot of people were but I am so glad I did it! I had my sleeve done April 9th and have already lost 62 pounds and I feel great!! Best wishes to u on ur journey and can't wait to hear ur updates!

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Hi Aaron, welcome to the boards, Congrats on your surgery date!! Despite your nervousness and emotions of freaking out, you are going to do great. Everyone has nerves that kick in and try to convince you otherwise, but just stay strong. I just love the saying that can be transformed into so many variations. But 'No one said this journey would be easy, We only promise it will be worth it'. Best of luck to you.

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Welcome to the forum being part of this group has been as much a life changer as the surgery.

I had mine on Monday 7/2/12, and still recovering, when they rolled me into surgery I started praying like none other and I was literally trembling in the or... But in retrospect it wasn't as bad as I imagined.

I kept thinking of all the things that could go wrong even though I'm as likely to get in a car crash as have complications.

Don't lose your nerve you can do this I'm a big wimp and I made it lol.

Good luck!

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Hi Aaron! Welcome to the family. :D Freaking out is normal and you'll be fine. The first few days of pre op diet is the hardest. Hang in there for about day 5 and its gets better.

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Hello Aaron, my name is Janelle....welcome!!! I too was sleeved by Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. You have made a great choice! He is amazing, sets you at ease immediately ... As does his entire team. Every person that I encountered told me over and over that he is the best, I am so happy that I travelled from Minnesota to have my sleeve surgery. I was a self pay because my insurance didn't cover the sleeve. The Forest Park Medical Center is top notch, I felt very well taken care of! My surgery was on June 19th and I am just a bit over two weeks out and almost 30 lbs. down. I am excited for you, please keep us posted! Many great thoughts your way and hope for a speedy recovery!!!

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'No one said this journey would be easy' date=' We only promise it will be worth it'. [/quote']

When I start to doubt if I am choosing well to do this surgery, I try to visualize life after surgery in a better place.

I did not always say this, but having this surgery is choosing life for me. I want to live!

Best to you!

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I had my surgery at Forest Park with Dr Frenzel 9 days ago. Great facility and they'll take good care of you.

Don't get frustrated with yourself on bad days. We all have them. You just tell yourself tomorrow is a new day. I had several days during my 2 week Pre-op diet that I ended up eating the Hershey almond pieces but I had much better control than in the past. Instead of eating the whole bag, I just had a few. It does get better & all of us are here to support one another.

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I also had my surg at Forest Park in Dallas. My doctor was Dr.Kim. It was a wonderful place and they will take care of u. I started my prayers from the moment I put the gown on until they knocked me out. Woke up thinking it was all a dream. I live here in the area and if u need company or anything let me know. I had a great support team and you should to. Thanks for sharing your story.

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Welcome Aaron!!!! You'll be happy with your sleeve

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Welcome Aaron, this place is full of great supportive people. Hooray for July 17th! There is a July sleevers thread with some great supportive folks aboard so do join us, and Patrick has started a July sleevers fb group too!

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Hang in there Aaron you will do just fine. Like you, I am currently on the full liquid diet. It will be soooo worth it just keep focusing on the goal!

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Welcome! I'm new here too! Just got the ok from my primary care Dr. And waiting for the next step! Sorry ur family isn't being supportive, my mom wasn't @ first but came around and is now behind me. People on this site have been so supportive and such a comfort and inspiration for me! Please keep us all updated on your progress! I don't have a surgery date yet, and I'm already nervous! Lol! I'm a surgeon myself so I know its pretty safe, just rather be on the other end of the scalpel:). I can tell u everyone is nervous before a procedure! It's totally normal! U will do great!

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Welcome! I'm new here too! Just got the ok from my primary care Dr. And waiting for the next step! Sorry ur family isn't being supportive, my mom wasn't @ first but came around and is now behind me. People on this site have been so supportive and such a comfort and inspiration for me! Please keep us all updated on your progress! I don't have a surgery date yet, and I'm already nervous! Lol! I'm a surgeon myself so I know its pretty safe, just rather be on the other end of the scalpel:). I can tell u everyone is nervous before a procedure! It's totally normal! U will do great!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

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      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

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      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
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