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I just hit my 4 month surgeriversary, and I have had the most wonderful experience so far, and I believe it all started with my choice of surgeon, Dr. Scott Laker out of West Bloomfield, MI. I've never worked with a physician who is so kind and caring, and he will stay and answer your questions, no matter how many or how long. He genuinely seems to care about his patients. The pre-op diet was fantastic; instead of quitting everything immediately and trying to eat healthy, he had me change one substantial thing a month. I can't tell you how much that really helped. The first month was to eat a pound of veggies a day, the second was to eliminate sugars and artificial sweeteners, the third was removing processed foods, and so on. It just made it so easy! Although I was a big girl (259 pounds, BMI 42), he wasn't worried about any weight loss in the 6 months prior to surgery. All I had to really do was focus on following the particular change for the month while continuing to incorporate the prior months changes as well. I did have to do a very mild liver shrinking diet the week before surgery, but even that was no problem. A shake for breakfast and lunch, a sensible dinner, and there was a whole list of veggies I could eat to my heart's content. I love veggies, so that was perfect for me. The day of surgery came and he visited me beforehand, very relaxed and ready to go. My surgery was done exceptionally quickly and he spoke with my husband afterwards at great length to let him know how everything went. Only had to stay the night in the hospital and then it was off to home. He came in on Saturday to visit with me as well before I was discharged. Again, he was in no hurry to leave and only did so after he was certain that all of my questions/concerns had been answered completely. I was eating/drinking before I ever left the hospital and continued to do so at home. No nausea, no gas pain (he did a really good job getting it all out of me)... I have had absolutely no problems of any kind. I never thought it would be this easy. No problems transitioning through the food stages, and I've had no problems eating anything. And to this day I still follow the guidelines that I learned in pre-op; no bad food has re-entered my life and I'm on track. As of this morning when I weighed myself, I'm in onderland at 198 pounds!! Yay, me! I've been back into see him for my 6 weeks, 1 month, and 3 month appointments. And every time I've been in it's always been the same... we talk for a very long time, he completely answers any questions I have and is in no hurry. His main goal is to make sure I'm happy and good. And I most definitely am!! There are no words to tell any of you how wonderful he is. Yes, I know it's a joint effort. He did the surgery and the rest of it is on me. But because he is the kind and caring surgeon that he is, and because he has answered so many questions and provided so much knowledge, my success is absolutely hingent upon his participation. I have no doubt if I had seen a different physician that my success would be different. Maybe better, maybe worse. But I wouldn't hesitate to go through this journey with him again, and if any of you are pre-op, in this area, and looking for a fantastic surgeon, please check him out. You won't be disappointed at all.

I am not in Maryland but I did self pay in Florida. I did not have insurance at the time i decided to get this done. I do have insurance now, and they actually cover all my vitamins and b12 100%. Hopefully I wont have any complications that require something else. For me, I decided to get a credit card with 0% interest for 18 months and that was the end of that. I put the whole surgery on the credit card, and now i pay it off weekly, monthly.. My goal is to have it paid off before the year is up.

I was thrown into instant medical menopause with the removal of my one remaining ovary (twisted and removed in an emergency surgery and my other was removed ten years earlier under the same circumstances). I have never had a single menopausal symptom and it's been over 3 years now. Sent from my moto e5 (XT1920DL) using BariatricPal mobile app

So Samantha do you have a tenative date yet? Sounds like things are falling into place for you.

It was literally the first they made me do on surgery day. Called me back and handed me the cup Maybe the HCG levels were not high enough to detect yet! But that can be scary!

i reward myself with jewelry - earrings and necklaces only (my fingers are getting smaller, so I don't wnat to have to re-size them). As for the cruises - dresses fit for many sizes. I'm down 2-3 sizes in pants and can still wear the dresses I used to wear (especially the belted ones). And dresses are great for a cruise. I buy one pair of black pants in each size (I find ones that aren't too expensive) and am just continuing to wear the tops I used to wear. I did also buy a few pairs of jeans in smaller sizes on super sale after christmas, and those'll last a while.

I've had this same discussion with myself. I'm also afraid of snacking because I don't want to get into the bad habits again. But I also can't eat enough in a meal to get all my protein on most days. I do my best to plan my meals to get enough protein. But, if I don't I only snack if I need extra protein. So my snacks are typically a glass of milk (or sugar free hot cocoa - 1TBL cocoa, 1 packet stevia, milk), sometimes some parm chips, or a stick of cheese.

When your sleeve is new eating may feel like a chore. (did you ever think you would say I don't want to eat?) It's pretty normal to struggle to get your protein and hydration gaol at first. Keep trying to hit it to stay healthy. Your sleeve surgery restriction is still tight. First months will be your best weight loss. The restriction will become less over time. Be prepared for less sleeve restriction. It's strange when you experience this for yourself. Know that it's also normal.

Yes I started having cocktails again about 1 month post surgery. No issues. Was told that with the weight loss I would feel the effects of alcohol faster. I haven't found that to be the case. Since my stomach can't handle as much liquid I now order doubles.

Well congratulations to you, there have been others, I'm sure they will weigh in soon, saw someone just about a week ago, so I'm sure she'll find you. Are you hoping for a little boy or girl? I'm sure between your OB and Bariatric surgeon they'll they'lovely you get the proper nourishment for both of you, it's a little more difficult, that's why they often say wait 18 months so you fully recover, but it is what it is, and God just may have planned this special blessing for you! Hope to be updated as you progress along, God Bless you and the Little One,in the meantime!