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Anyone from Louisiana who went through Heads Up Program @ PBRC



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I would love to hear from anyone who went through the Heads Up program at Pennington Biomedical. I start the process tomorrow and would love to hear your thoughts.

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Hi! I'm in the study and I had gastric sleeve surgery on October 14th I would love to share my experience and answer any questions you may have.

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Oh, thank you for replying. I would love to hear about your experience. I think my biggest fear right now is what surgery will they choose. The sleeve would definitely be my first choice. How long did it take after your second screening visit to know you were approved and actually have the surgery.

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Oh, thank you for replying. I would love to hear about your experience. I think my biggest fear right now is what surgery will they choose. The sleeve would definitely be my first choice. How long did it take after your second screening visit to know you were approved and actually have the surgery.

My second screening was in July and I found out in September what surgery and I had my surgery in October.

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Hi there! I am a Headsup participant and I had gastric sleeve surgery on October 14th of last year 2014. My surgery was performed by Doctor Michael Thomas.

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@@losing2win you have to be a member of Office of Group Benefits which is a state employee or state retiree health insurance.

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@@losing2win you have to be a member of Office of Group Benefits which is a state employee or state retiree health insurance.

Oooohhhh. Okay, thanks. I think I have found a surgeon! Consultation in three weeks!

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Great. Keep me posted.

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I am 5 days into the liquid diet before the second screening. I have an ugly day tomorrow that includes a 6 mile walk and being away from my house for 10 hours. Panicking on how to stay on track. Did they go through everyday of the food diary at the second visit?

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Hi Ladies! I just received a call yesterday telling me that my name was selected in the last lottery drawing for the Heads up study! I'm scared, anxious, excited... All of course at the same time!! This Thursday May 26th is my first appt for the very first screening. I would love some advice from you. And love to know how are you now, after your surgery.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I was called back in November, went thru the two screenings but it took til this week to get my surgery date. June 21. I'll be doing it in shreveport with dr. Merriman. Did anyone use him?

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I made the decision that the liquid was more a psychological test. And I told myself that I had to really try it to make sure that I would be able to do it after surgery. I'm a giant emotional/stress/happy eater so I figured that if I couldn't do the two weeks that I might not be able to go through it. I got one of the little high power blenders and used ice and extracts when I made the shakes. Put coconut in the vanilla, rum extract in the chocolate, etc. I also did the bullion cubes. After the first few days, it was easier. I only cheated once, a cup of a crawfish Soup. 12 pounds loss.

I also told everyone. A few people were not supportive, but most were. I figured that the more that knew that I was testing myself the better.

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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
      1. This update has no replies.
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