mark hill

I was going to have surgery with Dr. Davitan but they wanted do it at surgery center not hospital so i refused so now considering UC Irvine bariatrics program, anyone have experience with them???

My weight had been getting more and more each yr, i have been disabled for 15 yrs. I turned 52 last Dec. last time i had my weight checked it was 488. I knew i would hit 500 soon. SO i new i had to do something. I have lived in Asia for over 20 yrs and loved it, i would come back to work on a TV Show for 2 mos out of the month. I am a producer/director. I had a great life i had a 5 bedroom house , 2 maids, lots of friends and a wife and daughter. I did not want to live very much any more, i was ready to go i had had a good life, 2 things happened, i saw a friend that did not treat his diabetes and his feet were all gangrene, i had 2 toes turning blue. The 2nd i adopted a new born baby that had basically been thrown out in the street. I was just going to keep him for 1 mo till the orphanage would take him. But after a month we loved him as our own already so decided to keep him and adopt. He was so sweet and loving it was like a breath of fresh air had come into the house and i feel joy in my heart again. When he hugged my neck and said daddy i wanted to live again, not just for my self but for him and my daughter(14). So i decided i would have surgery but it would be a long 3 yr process. I had to immigrate my wife a teacher to the USA this took 1 yr and a half. she came over with out me and our kids and got a job. Their were no teaching jobs so she took a job as a caregiver. A yr latter my daughter graduated elementary school and was now able to come with me. I gave up my house of 18 yr's, all my things, my friends , family and she gave up all of her friends and classmates to move here. Unfortunetly we had to leave our son with his grandma until his paperwork is completed (2 yrs). It was hard to adjust to living in an apt, but i knew i would need the exercise so i got one with a pool. As soon as i came i join the YMCA and went 2 -3 times a week. I applyed for and got insurance but had to wait 1 yr for surgery. The time DRAGGEDDDD on so long waiting and waiting, but the time finally came and i went to a dr and decided against him as he wanted do surgery in a surgery center not a hospital (more money in his pocket, less safe for me) and then found Irvine Medical Center in Orange, Calif. Dr Nugyn Our pool had opened up i was able to do 2 laps only the first day. Now i am doign 30-40 laps a day and can breath better and hold my breath underwater the whole length of the pool , only 1 asthma attack in a mo since i am swimming. Had my first appointment i had lost weight i was 477 the Dr said i had to get to 450 before he would do the surgery. I went on a partial liquid diet and 1 1/2 subway sub a day total of 1200 cal . In 2 weeks i lost 11 lbs so only 16 more to go. I had my Upper GI and my Psch eval at IMC, great people and service. I was cleared today for surgery so have my 2nd appointment next week to do pre op stuff. Its been easy and hard at the same time, it gets hard when the pains start in my stomach and at night not being able to eat before bed. I miss most the Pasta and Olive Garden every Sat. I have slipped a few times and 1 time went out for a steak dinner. It's just one day at a time.

Been a bad 2 weeks, i did my follow up with the Dr to schedule my surgery and he looked at my upper GI and said i cant have lap band, i have a very big hole in my diaphragm (hiatle Hernia) and said part of my stomach is in my chest cavity so they cant do it as it could go out there and touch my heart, and it wont work. I am so bummed out. He said i should have Bypass or or the staples but Medicare does not pay for staples. I refuse to have bypass.

It may have slipped go to your dr right away for xray

Rebecca, May i speak from a mans point of view. AT his age of 50 he is probably going through a midlife crisis , he is douting his secess in life, his work,. his marriage his sexuality. What did i accomplish in my life? is my life meaningful? He may be insecure your losing weight and changing with out him. Men get bored very easily. They want something new someone new to talk too , fantasy. It was a mistake to see w woman Psy because she cant know what a man goes through he should see a man. The problem probably is bordem or he does not love you anymore, i would say give him time if he wants it not set a date or an ultimatum yet. Men HATE That, and if he is not willing budge or try and fix the problem then you have to figure out if its worth it to stay, i assume you are around his age. Men have a hard time talking about their feelings. So its like pulling teeth. You have to question your self to arw you contributing to his restlessness, did you let your self go , do you dress like a house maid, do you ware makeup and perfume , do you try new things for sex. YOu and the man as well have to alwasy try new things to keep the marriage fresh, take a vacation, romantic dinner or walks ? I am bored in my marriage but i stay because of the kids and 16 yrs of marriage. I am 52 so i understand the restlessness at this age. You will know when it is over, no one can tell you but you. I tell my wife if you want to talk to me talk to me but don't nag or my ears close. Hope this helps you understand the other side.

I have slipped a few times in the last 2 weeks, had a death in the family and i got depressed at night so i had some sweets. I guess you just have to accept it when you going through stressful situation. Then i have a visitor from overseas staying in my house so you have to take them out sightseeing and out to eat and cook for them. I slipped and went to Olive Garden but just had Soup and salad not Pasta. Unfortunately i took them to yogurt land at wife's request, first time i been there so i slipped again, my daughter said dad taste this red velvet cake batter yogurt, ow go it was so good i was seduced . I try to explain to wife don't tempt me by going places like that and bring sweets home but shes like 100lbs so she does not understand she thinks its all in the mind. I go Dr Tuesday hopefully they will give me my surgery date. I am scarred for the weight check maybe i did not make my requirement of 450 to have surgery. We are having steak tonight so i only had a small salad all day so i can eat the steak. next week i start the treadmill and other word out equipment in YMCA, i been going there for long time but never went to the 3rd floor look at the equipment. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Caryn do what i did , i looked up food online that had no cal, like popcorn Truly Zero Calorie Foods Water is the only true zero calorie food that occurs naturally. Water is a great addition to your diet in a variety of ways. Eight 12-ounce servings of water every day are suggested as a healthy part of any diet. However, it has an added benefit when you're trying to diet to lose weight: it helps fill you up! Water can be frozen into ice and crushed or shaved in order to add a different consistency to your diet. In addition to water, diet soda pop is found in zero-calorie versions. It comes in name brands and generics and is typically sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Quite a bit of debate surrounds these beverages and whether they are healthy additions to your diet because of the artificial sweetener aspect. Experts offer conflicting claims that artificial sweeteners cause health problems or contribute to obesity and some studies show that diet soda may actually contribute to weight gain. Negative Calorie Foods There are several fruits and vegetables that occur in nature that while they have calories when consumed, are said to actually result in negative calories or a calorie deficit after digested. According to this theory, these foods cause the body to extend more calories to digest than contained in their nutritional content. The result would make them zero calorie foods after digestion. If you believe this theory, then these foods can basically be consumed without feeling guilty. They are healthy and provide nutritional content your body needs, but they do contain calories. Keep in mind, also, that even according to this zero calorie theory these foods only have this negative calorie effect when consumed without extras added to them like butter, sugar or dips. Negative Calorie Foods Asparagus Apple Beet Cranberries Broccoli Grapefruit Cabbage Lemon Carrot Mango Cauliflower Orange Celery Pineapple Chile peppers Raspberries Cucumber Strawberries Dandelion Tangerine Endive Garden cress Garlic Green beans Lettuce Onion Papaya Radishes Spinach Turnip Zucchini Eat Healthy

OK i got my Pscy eval done it was a breeze with Dr Franklin at IMC, had the UGI the same day, i am very impressed with how nice and helpful the people are here. The UGI took 35 mins as a was a cooperating PT. I turned my medical records over and got a call 3 days later from the office saying i had been cleared for surgery. I needed to set up my 2nd appointment. I also attended their 2 hr seminar given by Dr Nguyan , the coordinator and nutrionest. Interesting info provided and they brought in 4 pts that had lap band, sleeve, gastric bypass. they told their story's and took questions. I checked my weight i lost 11lbs in 2 weeks, 16 more to go before they will operate. I am up to 30-40 laps a day in the pool. I have missed a few days on my diet as i have a visitor from over seas and need to cook for them and take them out for dinner. I am still doing 1200 cal a day, some times i go over a little as its hard to calculate exact amt. Hardest part i always get hungry at 9-10pm at night and i miss not eating b4 going to bed. last night after 2 hrs of stomach pain i gave up and eat 6 slices of turkey 50m cal and 1 slice cheese 30cal, i skipped the bread, i need to drink more Water as they suggested. Hoping next week they tell me my surgery date is end of Aug.

They have to do a # of operations to get certified and they mist be a real surgeon not say a plastic surgeon that want to do banding. Only choose a real surgeon that is board certified.

Ok first off its a mistake to think that having surgery is going to make you look like Barbi, or being slim will make you happy it wont. YOu have to come to terms with what and who you are. YOU have to accept yourself for who you are, you have to love your self before you can accept love from others. I was a fat kid, picked on in school so i understand how hard it is at your age. If you do surgery and don't change your life style it wont work or will work temporally. It is a life time change but once you do it its not so hard, wrong it is hard but you are worth it. Maybe getting Councillor will help you with the process. This is so important because if u dont and it dont work you will be in a worse spot.

i was 500 ot 510 i have to get to 450lbs to get the surgery, i have lost 24lbs so far i am now on liquid diet and doing 50laps a day in the pool so only 26lbs more it should take me about 3-4 weeks to lose it, i am on 1000-1200cal a day .

YOu have have to do it all on your own you will be stronger for it, if you have support that's great . My wife is negative about everything so i cant count on her for support so i know its all up to me. shes one of these people that's naturally 110lbs and she thinks anyone just has to want to lose weight and it will simply fly away.

COSCO has them they are 1.50$ each i will try them this weekend, i bought some at rIteaid and GNC the vinella taste terrible i now using chocolate fudge, i also using strawberry powder its not as good as choc but i made it into a smoothie with ice and strawberry's so i can drink it now.

I started my liquid diet 3 days ago 1200cal, they taste terrible i am struggling to find a way to make them better, the nutritionist suggested adding fruit. As i need to lose 25lbs before they will band me i am like 6 weeks away so i asked nutritionist if i could substitute 6" subway sub 350 cal for 2 shakes for the 1 week or 2 she said its ok as long as i stay 1200cal a day, i been doing like 1010cal a day i finally hit 50 laps today in the pool. Irvine medical has the nutritionist right in office along with social worker so i don't need to pay for extra for it plus i did it the first day i went in for interview, so all i got to do is UGI and my Psch eval on July 27th 560$ OUCH. Luckily insurance will cover all but 110$ that i have to pay, I am bummed out the office told me the new medicare rule i have to pay a 1000$ deductible, its only good for 2 mos so if i am re admitted i have to pay it again. DAM i am paying 300$ a month for part b as it is. I am shooting for aug 28th my moms birthday, wished she was still with us.

I am hoping for end of AUg, if all goes as planned i start my Liquid diet today.

I went today July 12 for 1st visit, i was very impressed with the place, they had nutritionist, social worker , nurse work with you right their in the office. I pulled my car up to valet parking got a electronic cart right to the building no walking. Saw a resident , then the DR. They gave a lot of info, i have to attend a seminar, get Upper Gi, Psyc consult, and give all my medical records for last 3-5 yrs. He said i have to lose 25lbs to get down to 450lbs, i started at 500lbs i am now doing 20 laps a day in pool and exercising so have lost 25 so far. I will post more after i experience it.

They have liquid meds you can take. Or you can crush up pills in powder with water ask your Dr.

Thailand is your best bet, they are better than Mexico, safer and better Dr's. cost about 6000$, let me know if u want more info about the hosp and Dr.

Both brothers have lost their license and clinic was closed they had not been properly trained to do lap band just wanted money . ONLY get surgery from a board accredited DR.

Previously having worked in ICU & CCU i know all the problems that can go wrong so i am afraid to have surgery. Mostly i am afraid i wont wake up after surgery, i have had a bad experience with a few patients and of all the things that haunt me is sending a patient to surgery and telling them they will be ok and everything will be fine, then for them to die on the table and not come back. I have a daughter 13 and a son 2, i am around 500lbs 52 y/o and disabled, i know that if i dont have surgery i wont last long, that's why i am doing it. My thoughts are should i go for another 5 yrs more than likely or risk surgery and maybe get 10-15 yrs? Was hoping to find a mentor that's works in a Hospital. I cant have surgery till Aug 2011 due to insurance problem.

Thank you , that is true. The Dr said i will be bed ridden in 2 yrs so i guess i dont have a choice.

My BMI is 72 and my Dr in Beverly Hill's is willing to do surgery, he did say gastric bypass would work better for me but i refused i said its lapband or nothing, much less complications. Keep looking..... many Dr's will take payments over 1 or 2 yrs period, dont do it in Mexico, if you have complication dr's here wont want to take care of you.

Good luck