sfdavid

OK, as far as telling people, let me first preface this by saying that this is a very personal decision and there are a lot of opinions out there on what to do. Truth be told, there is no right or wrong way--only the way that works for you. My choice was to tell everyone that was important to me about the surgery upfront and I received mostly very positive support and one or two people who really questioned if I was doing the right thing or not. The naysayers shook their heads and just did not understand why I was going to go through with this and at the same time, I know that these same people are dealing with their own weight issues and I believe that me making this decision for myself called out their own insecurities around weight loss and getting healthy. The good news is after seeing the results and learning while I am on this journey, they are now much more supportive. So we know that theere is a lot of ignorance out there around weight loss surgery and especially around the sleeve I feel, that for me, if I remained silent about my weightloss, I was pushing that same ignorance forward by giving credence to the silence and possibly giving people the impression that I was doing something that I was ashamed of. I am just the opposite...I want to enlighten and educate and I do--whenever I can. People are very resourceful. If I didn't say anything, they would find out or at least speculate that I had help and "took the easy way out.". This way, by telling people and educatiing along the way, I can show friends and family how this is tough work and certainly not easy. I felt I could only do this by telling the full truth. I guess I just want to bring the sleeve out of the closet and into the light that it deserves. Sleeve surgery saved my life and I will tell the world. For me, Sleeve surgery did not make weight loss and getting healthy "easy"--it made it possible! David

Hi Darlene, I bet this sleeve surgery will be a breeze compared to two c-sections. The sleeve was an easy recovery for me with little pain and no nausea at all. A little tired for a day or two but that's really it. OK, as far as telling people, let me first preface this by saying that this is a very personal decision and there are a lot of opinions out there on what to do. Truth be told, there is no right or wrong way--only the way that works for you. My choice was to tell everyone that was important to me about the surgery upfront and I received mostly very positive support and one or two people who really questioned if I was doing the right thing or not. The naysayers shook their heads and just did not understand why I was going to go through with this and at the same time, I know that these same people are dealing with their own weight issues and I believe that me making this decision for myself called out their own insecurities around weight loss and getting healthy. The good news is after seeing the results and learning while I am on this journey, they are now much more supportive. So we know that theere is a lot of ignorance out there around weight loss surgery and especially around the sleeve I feel, that for me, if I remained silent about my weightloss, I was pushing that same ignorance forward by giving credence to the silence and possibly giving people the impression that I was doing something that I was ashamed of. I am just the opposite...I want to enlighten and educate and I do--whenever I can. People are very resourceful. If I didn't say anything, they would find out or at least speculate that I had help and "took the easy way out.". This way, by telling people and educatiing along the way, I can show friends and family how this is tough work and certainly not easy. I felt I could only do this by telling the full truth. I guess I just want to bring the sleeve out of the closet and into the light that it deserves. Sleeve surgery saved my life and I will tell the world. For me, Sleeve surgery did not make weight loss and getting healthy "easy"--it made it possible! David

Hey Darlene and Neil...big congratulations to both of you!!! It's really going to happen and your life and health will change for the better forever. I'm so happy for both of you. Stay the course and you will do fine. I was a porky 381 in August of last year when I started the program and now I'm down to 254 and feeling like I can take on the world. I've got a ways to go but i know I will get there. There is no Kaiser requirement of a liquid diet that I know of--I think they would rather you lose on real food so that you learn along the way. The Pre op meal plan really helped me internalize what was most important for success--healthy eating along with portion control. It works. Congratulations again and you both are in great hands with Dr. Alami. He is a SSF favorite. David

Great info sharing, Lee. I would also add that Kaiser South San Franciaco has support groups every week. Tuesdays at 12::30 pm and Thursdays at 6:00 pm. Both are great groups with great conversations and feel free to bring anyone as a support person. With the amount of information flying, it's great to have an extra set of ears to connect the dots. My PCP did not have me ose any weight before referring me to the program. Keep in mind that once in the program, losing weight prior to surgery not only demonstrates your commitment, it also shrinks your liver which makes the entire operation that much safer for you. I think Kaiser has a powerful and proven program compared to many others that rush to surgery. Education and behavior modification are key for success and being on the prescribed meal plan helps set that up perfectly. I love my sleeve and Dr. Le in SSF is awesome to work with. I would do I all over again in a minute. Best luck to you in making this important decision for yourself!!! David

Hey Ness, it's me David from Tuesday group. Sorry to hear that you are not getting better. Those Chinese splits sound real bad. You are so lucky you didnt hurt yourself worse I think your skates might get a little rusty for awhile. I finally talked to Dr. Le about taking IBprofin and he said once in a while and take it with tums. My knees and ankles feel way better with the weight loss but when I get back from a 4 mile walk--I'm in some pain. I took one 800 mg IB and all was fine.

Wow, LisaLisa! Congratulations!!! You did that so fast and I bet you feel so much better, as well. I hope i can be overweight someday real soon. On the surface, that sounds totally wrong to say but as you know...it's the truth. Keep up your great work!

Hi Cherice, Congratulations on hitting "normal" BMI status. That is a major accomplishment, for sure and to do it in less than six months--wow! I'm only three months out and I have my follow up with Dr. Le on April 28. Do they do the six month follow up as a group or is that one on one with a doctor? David

Wow, Lisa Lisa...just look what you have done for yourself! Of of all BP meds AND no more CPAP machine..that is major, congratulations. You are doing so great and it seems like your new healthy lifestyle is serving you very well with all your exercise. Keep up your great work and thanks for your inspiration.

...and, if you just can't get enough of group work, there are great meetings every week at Kaiser South San Francisco! Support Group Meetings are held every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. and every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. These are great opportunities to to share, listen and learn beside others going through this amazing life-journey!

Hey everyone...welcom to the new world of "full." I was sleeved on January 6 and for me, the feeling of full post-surgery is very different from "Thanksgiving Full." it just does not feel the same, however, it does the trick in letting me know that it's time to stop and at that point I really do feel satisfied. I know that feeling like I need to burp and that feeling is my full but I resist trying to make myself burp cuz sometimes it just ain't pretty. I hope this helps.

Hey, Lisa Lisa! Nice to see you on here and congratulations on being such a GREAT LOOOOOSER! Wow, you have been so successful and I'm proud of you. I'm down the big 100 since starting the program in September, 2010 and I'm 61 down since surgery in January. I'm doing lots of walking and lots of gym and still eating tons (OK only 1/2 cup at a time) of ground Turkey. My follow up appointment is not until April 28! Keep up your great work. David

I'll be there, Lee. Waiting at Denny's parking lot for my favorite carpool buddies!

Hi Kelly, I'm a Kaiser South San Francisco patient so I can't really help with Richmond info for but here is the link for the post for SSF and Richmond patients. You may want to post your question there as well. Best of luck to you! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6512-kaiser-richmondkaiser-south-san-francisco-sleeve-brothers-and-sisters/page__st__400

Glad you found a calcium supplement that you like. Do you know if these are calcium citrate? Citrate is the type of calcium that most sleevers are told to take for maximum absorption.

Wow! I can't imagine what it will feel like to only being 15 - 19 pounds away from goal. Congratulations and I hope you get there fast. When was your surgery?

Hey Wild...I also go to South San Francisco group on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. They also have a group Thursday evenings and I think a Saturday group, too.

Wow! It's so great to hear that everyone is in major success mode! That is just fantastic and just hearing about everyone loosing helps me to stay on the path. Amber, 2-3 pounds a week is a major victory--keep it up. And Cukie, you totally inspire me. I remember that you were a month out when I was just going in for surgery and you kept on saying no regrets and that made it a lot easier for me to face surgery. I'm so glad that you are so far down. Keep it up Ladies!!! I love being a loooooser!

Hi Mommy, You are right--it's been way too quiet around here. C'mon back all you Richmond/SSF Kaiser loooosers! Sounds like your weight loss is moving right along. Slow, steady and consistent-that's the way to go. Congratulations! I think you will be eating spicy food once again very soon. Chicken made me feel bad three weeks ago and now I'm just fine with it. Our bodies are changing and adapting. Don't give up on foods with a kick! Hey, last night I attended the Richmond support group with some Richmond buddies of mine. I'm a South San Francisco patient and I had a great time at Richmond Kaiser. Very informative and it was great seeing all Ithe newbies just starting their journey. I like how they split the two groups for the first hour (pre surgery and post surgery folks) and then we all get together for the last hour. Like this board, it just feels great to hear and see people that are going through what I am going through.

Great work, LisaLisa! You are so rockin' your sleeve and your life. It's amazing how this surgery (and all the prep for it) changes how we look at living. Food and eating was my focus, now it is totally on getting healthy and I'm loving it. I creeped into the "Twowilight Zone" last week and i now weigh 293. I've lost 49 pounds since surgery and 88 since starting the program. Loving life!!!

Congratulations on making the best decision for your life! You are going to succeed beyond your dreams and know that with every pound you loose, your family is succeeding as well. I'm almost seven weeks out from surgery and I know with each week that I weigh-in, I am building a long and healthy life for myself. Keep up your awesome work.

I was right there with you--short hair and always hot. I had surgery on January 6 and it's like someone turned on the air conditioning-24/7. I'm freezing.

I totally hear you! And no matter how much I try to inform how different the sleeve is from the bypass, they still call it "that bypass thing" or worse, "that band thing". That is one of the reasons I choose to tell folks about my surgery, to help educate on this new, effective and exciting procedure that deserves its day in the sun as well. I'm not always successful but I will keep on preaching the "word of the sleeve".

Dr. David Le out of Kaiser Hospital-South San Francisco. He was great.

My surgeon uses a 40 and I have plenty of restriction. My recovery was smooth with no nausea or any complications. Fluids were easy to get down--just slow and all introductions to food were great as well. Dense Protein is the thing that really gives me that full feeling quickly. At six weeks out, I can eat 1/2 cup turkey taco meat and I'm packed.