sfdavid

Hi Gail, It took me from August, 2010 until January, 2011 to have my surgery--so about four months. I could have done it quicker, but looking back on it, I really think taking that much time set me up for success. This way of eating and living was obviously a huge change for me. My total perspective on food and eating and life had to change and that took time for me to really learn and adapt to the new behaviors. In addition, I had to loose almost thirty pounds before surgery. Enjoy the journey and what that time will give you in the long run. All my best to you, David

Hi Vicki I'm also sorry to hear that the band didn't work out for you but congratulations for taking some initial and important steps to get control of your health. I wouldn't rule out a revision from Kaiser. I know at South San Francisco, revisions have taken place--it just depends on your circumstances. One woman in particular wasn't going to go through with her appointment and when she did she was pleasantly surprised with an approval. Like Lee says, make an appointment and see what happens. Wishing you all the best and welcome to VST! David

Hi Lee...I miss you guys too. Life has been very full and it was getting tough keeping up with two support groups. I love both So. San Francisco and the Richmond Kaiser Support groups. I sure wouldn't be where I am today without them. Wow! A boatload of plastics...Lee you are my Bariatric Hero!!! You will be in that bikini by June! Take care of yourself and all my best to you. David

Hi there Heather and thanks for waking us up!!! I'm doing great...what a difference a year makes. Yesterday was my one year surgerversary. I am down 174 pounds with about 10 pounds to go until goal. In the last month, I have not lost a pound but I have not gained either so I'm happy. This was a holiday season like no other where I usually gain at least 10 pounds and feel horrible. I am active and exercising daily...and I really like it. I love my walks...just me nature and my iTunes. I hope you are doing great as well as all the other SSF/Richmond Kaiser patients out there. Take care, David

Yea, right...I wish my bald head hair loss was a result of surgery and only temporary. I'm stuck with it but I love the easy maintenance. That is great that you and your wife are going through this journey together...talk about support! Good luck to both of you!

Hey, Chef i didn't know that was you sitting behind me...you looked great and so did your wife--amazing what a 6 month headstart will do. You are totally turning yourself around. Congratulations!

We are Ll so different but count me in also as one of the fortunate ones. Never have felt sick in six months. Full yes...like I ate too much bet never "lost my cookies.". Hey Lisa...Dr. Le did us good. Best to everyone...it DOES get better!

My go to sanck....Pre sliced turkey pepperoni (in the case with the the lunch meats) laid out on a paper towel, microwave for a minute and a half (depending on the power of your oven) and enjoy. Crispy and spicy like potato chps and very high in protein while low in fat. Even less fat than what the the package shows because in the cooking process much of the fat is absorbed by the paper towel. Enjoy.

Hello Looooosers! Lisa and I both had Dr. Le and he does the leak test while you are on the table-- with that blue dye that I peeed out for two days. He said that he wants to know right away if there is a leak so it can be repaired while he hasmyou open. So no nasty juice for us and no leaks--thank God! David

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 ( down from 381 to 240 since surgery January, 2011) 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 educate--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 educating along the way, I can show friends and family how this is tough work and certainly anything but 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

Me too, LisaLisa...Dr. Le told me to go off my PPI and I tried but I did feel more hunger so I went back on however, I cut myself down to only one a day instead of two and it seems to do the trick nicely. Have fun in "the happiest place on earth!". I'm so jealous!!!

Hiya Lee! I wish I could but I will be out of town until Tuesday. Have a great meeting andi can't wait to hear what comes out of it.

Welcome back to the land of the loosing, Darlene. It just gets better from here and you are going to do great. I hope to see you at Tuesday group sometime soon. Take it slow--it's all about YOU right now! David

You know what I say when I get one of those "you took the easy way out" charmers...The sleeve didn't make my weight loss easy...it made it possible! I truly believe that too. I could nave never done this on my own. I then let them know of all the work that has gone into my program and I hope I have educated them just a little bit about weight loss surgery. My 137 pounds lost includes the 39 I lost prior to surgery but I am real happy with everything. I totally hear you about somedays being able to eat more than others. I find that morning is difficult for me to eat much but dinner is much easier. I can eat about a cup to a cup and a half of food at any one meal--depending on what the food is. Dense protein is much tougher for me to get much in and things like yogurt and cottage cheese are real sliders for me. I'm still hoping we get in the same six month check-up class. It's a group class. Have fun in the Happiest Place on Earth and congratulations on 17 years!!! Aloha, David (Kavika)

Congratulations for being on the right path. I had the sleeve January 6th of this year and my doctor let me start back on 81mg aspirin after six weeks of healing. I still take it everyday. Good luck to you!

Lee, You are doing so great! Each time I see you when we carpool to Richmond group, you look tinyer and tinyer. I owe you and others that went through surgery first a big thank you for always being willing to share all your great knowledge and experiences with us. You helped me make these last five months much easier because of your generous nature. Thank you!

Hi Lisa Lisa my sleeve buddy. Ok I can remember you in the hospital and you were walking like crazy--down to my room and beyond. I wanted to feel half as good as you looked but it was tough. Congratulations on being so close to your goal. You are really doing this! I'm down from 381 to 244 since our surgery in January. That's 137 pounds gone forever! I love walking now and I'm getting in 3.5 miles in an hour. Sometimes I wish SF didn't have so many damn hills! LOL. You inspire me to get more weights in as a part of my exercise program. I go to the gym but pumping iron is right up there with root canal for me. Not my favorite. Keep up your great work. You are awesome and amazing.

Thank you and you're right, I was at the support group meeting on the 24th. I totally remember you now. You are going to be so happy once you have had surgery. Enjoy the ride and know that this crazy journey is all worth it. All my best to you! David

I know, the time has really flown by for me as well. I will also be 6 months out in July. I understand that South SF Kaiser does their 6 month as a group meeting. I think we go over our lab results at the same time.