Hi all! I'm a self pay who will be sleeved on Monday 2/25/13 with Dr. Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana.

I'm a bit nervous, but I'm really ready! Over the years I've made appt. after appt with different doctors and I canceled everyone before my consultation. I am soooooo glad I canceled all those lap band appts. I have friends who got the band and have had nothing but trouble. Anyway my rheumatologist and my family doctor both suggested the sleeve and I tossed around the idea and prayed over it. It took a few weeks but I called and made the appt with Dr Borland and I had 2 weeks til my appt day (1/21/13) and I didn't cancel, I actually went to the consultation. I liked him on the spot. He was friendly, knowledgable, he answered my questions, understands my condition (I have several autoimmune diseases) and he said he felt very comfortable with me having surgery. The date was set for 2/25/13 for surgery. I had my blood work, chest X-rays & an EKG the following week (2/28/13) and my EKG had a high heart rate (106) so I explained that I had just trekked thru the hospital parking lot, then down the halls, back & forth from X-ray, back to admitting, back to X-ray....I told him "your heart would be beating fast too if you lugged 150 extra pounds around all day" that got a chuckle from him.

So anyway I passed all my Pre-op tests, I've lost 8 lbs since I saw him. I have to do a clear diet for 24 hours before surgery and at 4pm on Sunday I have to drink 10oz of magnesium citrate and then again at 6pm. Nothing to drink that is red or citrus.

I'm ready to be a BIG LOSER!!!!

I've also had to do a liquid diet for 16 days been rough but every day it gets easier. Thank God for SF Popsicles.

Good luck to you all

Hey all,

I'm the 25th sleever and FINALLY got insurance approval on Thursday afternoon. Talk about it coming under the wire. When I went for the final weigh in, I was given additional instrustructions. South Beach-Phase 1 for 6 days. I know that it could have been much worse. I take a capful of Miralax on Saturday, regular S.B. for the rest of the day. On Sunday, South Beach Breakfast, another capful of miralax at noon, then Clear liquids,jello, sf popsicles, Be at the hospital at 7.30 the next morning. I'll be with you all in spirit.

Carol