Hi, to all WNY'ers!!! I, just know I'm not the only one out there, lol! I'm 6 days post op, overall, doing well!!! So, how's everyone else doing???

Welcome to the site! I was just sleeved by Dr. Caruana at Sisters hospital on Monday. I stayed for 2 nights and am home now doing well. He was awesome and so was the staff at the hospital. Synergy is a great place to go for this I am very happy with the process. Good luck on your pre-op work and approval and hope to see you on the other side soon!

Thank you! Wow you JUST had it done? Please do share your experiences! I have some good and bad feelings about Synergy, which I will speak of later. I'm probably going to pick your brain as you go along your journey but I promise not to bug too much

I was wondering, since many of us WNY-ers are coming out of the woodwork, maybe someone can make a "WNY Group" on here? According to Caruana yesterday, he has "sleeved" more than 400 patients in the area so there's gotta be more of us out there.

I forgot to add my whole process took 4-5 months

My appt is at 2:30 today so you're not too late. Thank you for the information! I hope it does not take 4-5 months til surgery, but it is one of my questions that I'll ask. I met my high deductible already this year so I really need to have the surgery done before the end of the year.

Thank you! Wow you JUST had it done? Please do share your experiences! I have some good and bad feelings about Synergy' date=' which I will speak of later. I'm probably going to pick your brain as you go along your journey but I promise not to bug too much

I was wondering, since many of us WNY-ers are coming out of the woodwork, maybe someone can make a "WNY Group" on here? According to Caruana yesterday, he has "sleeved" more than 400 patients in the area so there's gotta be more of us out there.[/quote']

Lol yep just monday and you are free to pick my brain. The only negative I have about Synergy so far is having to leave vm's and waiting back for an answer. Its also kinda weird how you meet with so many different people. Dr. C himself was very nice and at the hospital he was very caring and held my hand and reassured me. I saw him twice before I went home. I also saw Dr. Caravetta. There is a nurse there associated with the office, Karen and she's awesome. After the 1st day I hardly felt anymore pain and I'm actually getting ready to take a breif walk outdoors. I agree that there's got to be a lot more wny sleevers and a group for us would be nice.

Lol yep just monday and you are free to pick my brain. The only negative I have about Synergy so far is having to leave vm's and waiting back for an answer. Its also kinda weird how you meet with so many different people. Dr. C himself was very nice and at the hospital he was very caring and held my hand and reassured me. I saw him twice before I went home. I also saw Dr. Caravetta. There is a nurse there associated with the office' date=' Karen and she's awesome. After the 1st day I hardly felt anymore pain and I'm actually getting ready to take a breif walk outdoors. I agree that there's got to be a lot more wny sleevers and a group for us would be nice. [/quote']

If I was computer savvy I would start a face book group for us all from buffalo and surrounding areas... but I am not...so if someone does it let me know

I am on Facebook but not computer savvy either.

Hey guys, ok today I'm extremely bored here at work (trying to keep my mind off of "what's for dinner?!"), and I'm kind of a computer nerd so I was messing around looking at the group feature settings... I made a new "group" on here just for the Buffalo/WNY folks. I was testing it out to see how it worked, and was going to delete it but now it won't let me delete it until there are other members

I like to keep my FB separate from anything else I have going on, so maybe this group feature here would be a good way to be a "group" instead of replying to just one long thread (like here), yes? And you wouldn't have to leave this site.

I made it public, so I guess anyone can join without an invite. Click here and join the group if you like, and if anyone wants to moderate or own it just let me know and I can change settings. It could be pretty cool.

I clicked on it an it took me to the play store where applications get downloaded. Does it have to be done on computer? Will try. I wish my job could be boring sometimes why I am stretching my leave. Usually so busy no time to eat.

Hmm... the link should work, I tested it. Did you click on the red type in my post above? That's the correct link.

If you're using your mobile maybe you clicked the wrong thing by accident. Try this instead:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/groups/show/255-buffalo-and-western-new-york/

I am on my computer now and just linked myself, thanks.

I am from Orchard Park and I have my initial consult today with Dr Pham. I am so excited there are WNYers on here! I am new to this whole process. Can any of u please let me know what to expect at this initial consult appt? Also approx how long did it take from consult appt to surgery appt? Is there anything I should or should not say at my appt? My BMI is "only" 36 so I'm praying I will be a candidate for the surgery!! I've tried every diet out there! Thanks so much!

Jec1,

I too was on the lower end of the criteria to have the sleeve surgery. My comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol) is what qualified me as a candidate. I was sleeved one year ago today. I guess it's my surgiversary. From my initial consult to surgery, it took me about 2-1/2 months. Dr. Carauana was my surgeon and he was wonderful. I will warn you because I was on the lower end of the weight and BMI chart, I am a slow loser. With that said, really stick to your low carb diet. I kinda strayed away, and have found that my weight loss slowed down. At least that's what I'm guessing, but I haven't gained. Since figuring things out, I'm sticking to low carb and find I'm losing more. Good luck to you, and hope to see you on the loser's bench!

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Jec1,

I too was on the lower end of the criteria to have the sleeve surgery. My comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol) is what qualified me as a candidate. I was sleeved one year ago today. I guess it's my surgiversary. From my initial consult to surgery, it took me about 2-1/2 months. Dr. Carauana was my surgeon and he was wonderful. I will warn you because I was on the lower end of the weight and BMI chart, I am a slow loser. With that said, really stick to your low carb diet. I kinda strayed away, and have found that my weight loss slowed down. At least that's what I'm guessing, but I haven't gained. Since figuring things out, I'm sticking to low carb and find I'm losing more. Good luck to you, and hope to see you on the loser's bench!

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This is something I am worried about. Slow losing, if at all. I am high on the BMI (about 48 because I am short). But I've got a super slow metabolism (bad thyroid even with meds) and I usually consume 1300-1500 cals a day (I've been tracking with Myfitnesspal). The cals I do eat are "good" foods, I don't eat junk or processed foods, trying to keep it under 100gm of carb a day. I space out eating something about every 4 hours. Granted I am more sedentary in my life now (mainly because of a lot of pain), but I can't drop any weight as it is now and I'm really being disciplined. I know if I can drop at least the first 20-30, I can get start to get back on my bike and do other exercising like I used to without being so uncomfortable.

After the sleeve, I know calorie consumption will drop to 400-800 or so in the beginning. Which is around half of what I'm doing now. I just don't see how I will lose at a decent pace, if I can't do it now, and this is one thing in my mind that will make me bail on the surgery. Because why should I do something drastic if it's really not going to make a difference? On the other hand, both Caruana and the pharmacist told me that the surgery usually "kick-starts" a bad metabolism and that I should be fine.

Thoughts?

I do not have the answers for you Queencity however eating when you are supposed to and excercise along with the sleeve as a tool can and will help. As for slow eventually your hard work will pay off. I wish you the best my Buffalo sister.

I slowed down because as someone pointed out to me I was maintaining because I got comfortable and stopped eating non-carb foods. Thankfully, I caught on to it and started losing again. I'm just hoping I keep losing bc I have another 30 lbs to go! Best of luck to you.

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Well tomorrow I am to meet my family at Ruby Tuesday's to celebrate my brothers birthday. I feel like its a waste of money for me. It will be my first resteraunt meal since over 6 weeks ago. I like eating at home safer comfort zone.

A couple days ago I told my mom and two aunts about my decision to have the WLS.

My one aunt is ok with the idea, but pushing me to the band (I don't want that) because she thinks it's "safer". I have not heard from the other aunt, but I'm guessing she is against it. My mom, on the other hand, has shot down the idea hard and wants to know why I want to "risk my life" for this drastic procedure, and that I don't need it if I only "put good food in my mouth".... THAT, coming from a wheelchair bound 400+ pound woman who has been obese most of her life, struggling with compulsive eating disorders herself. In fact, all the women on my mom's side have been heavy, riding the non-stop diet wheel most of their lives.

I have people who depend on me, I refuse to be in a wheelchair myself by the time I'm 50, I want to be comfortable again and gain quality of life back for as long as I have left on this earth. I've tried hard my whole life to keep the weight off, it goes then comes right back again. I'm trying hard now and it just doesn't work anymore. The most discouraging thing is that I'm eating way better and around half the volume of what I was over a month ago and I haven't lost a freaking ounce.

For the first time since I've started pursuing this surgery I have an inkling of doubt about it. Will this even work for me, is what I think. I should have never mentioned anything to anyone.

I'm hoping my fellow Buffalonians here who have gone through with it already can give me a little push back in the right direction... ugh