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Any Sleevers in Jacksonville, FL?

Changed2016

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Ruth1ess    494

Ruth1ess
Posted

Hi there! I'm going through the process there now. I just got insurance approval!

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Ruth1ess    494

Ruth1ess
Posted

My surgeon will be Dr. Steven Bowers.

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Changed2016    27

Changed2016
Posted

Hi @@jane13 how long ago was your surgery?

@@Ruth1ess so excited for your approval! My insurance plan doesn't cover anything regarding weight loss, just crazy. So, I am self pay. I have met with Karen my coordinator, ️ her and have my appointment with Dr. Lynch on 4/6 and Dr. Ames, Psych on 4/7. Then meet with nutritionist on 4/11. I'm hoping to have my surgery in June. Did you already take the two session classes? How were they?

I am so glad to meet you both! Very excited to know there are others in my area on the journey. I would love to stay in touch with you both @@jane13 and @@Ruth1ess.

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Ruth1ess    494

Ruth1ess
Posted

Yes, my last class was on 3/9. Dr. Ames is pretty wonderful, she is my favorite part of the team which is really saying something...my first run in with her wasn't the best (I was adamantly against surgery and she gave me some much-needrd tough love).

Honestly with the classes, I learned a lot more on this forums reading back through a lot of threads. They're good for caregivers, though, if you have someone in your life who isn't really quite on board with surgery. It's also a good day to connect with others in your situation.

I would love to stay in touch! I actually work here at mayo Clinic (in Cannaday) so I'm always here. Are you local?

I'm hoping to have my surgery late April, just after finals at school.

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Changed2016    27

Changed2016
Posted

@Ruth1less, yes I am local. I live in the intracoastal west area. In the Girvin/Wonderwood area. My PCP is Dr. Hedges in Cannady.

It sounds like you will be a couple of months ahead of me. I was hoping since I'm self pay, I can speed this process along. But, it's my understanding that the classes are required regardless of insurance. I have heard great things about Dr. Bowers and I am very interested in the new Director of Bariatrics Dr. Elli. I've been reading up on him and I would be very comfortable with him doing the surgery. Plus, I could get scheduled faster with him since he is new. What does the Bariatrician discuss with you that is different than the surgeon consult?

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Ruth1ess    494

Ruth1ess
Posted

@@Changed2016 I'm in Atlantic Beach, I live on the intracoastal off of Mayport Rd, not too far from Dutton Island :)

Dr. Lynch (bariatrician) gives you the run down on surgeries, talks about if surgery is right for you and which is right for you, answers any questions early on in the game. For me, it was a bit different.. again, because I went through the program not wanting surgery, then decided halfway in that I was in (at mayo, they put you through the bariatric program for weight loss, too, until very recently. They stopped medically-supervised replacement shake diets because they don't really work long term). So, I met with Dr. Lynch twice.. the first time, he told me how surgery could benefit me. I imagine it's a little different with patients seeking surgery.

I thought I could speed things along, too (being an employee), but unfortunately there aren't many times that they do the classes. You're at the mercy of their scheduling. You won't have to wait for insurance approval, though, so that may speed things up considerably! I would talk to Karen as soon as you're done with your last class, and ask that they book the consult with the surgeon ASAP. That will move things along for you. I'm also told there is very little wait once you're good to go, because they have surgery spots open all the time. It may be sooner than June depending on when your classes let out and how long you need to do the pre-op diet.

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Changed2016    27

Changed2016
Posted

@@jane13 how long has it been since your surgery? It's so awesome to know there are people right here in my neck of the woods going through, or have gone through the same process. It seems like I'm meeting people daily.

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Go To Topic Listing Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

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    • LeighaTR

      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

      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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      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

        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

      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

        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

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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