Dooter

Oh, to be sure, there are compliant patients with leaks! Sorry, I meant to qualify that...

There you are! Good show. I was just thinking about you this morning, wondering how you're doing. I figured you were just overwhelmed with the new life. Glad it went well.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm still pretty nervous! I've still got 34 days to go.

First of all, I did not let price drive my decision. I am in a self pay situation, but this is a BIG BIG decision, and a few thousand bucks is not going to drive it. (no offense to those who chose Mexico). I started with google and looked for a 500 mile radius or one state over in any direction. Then i started emailing their offices for statistics for VSG like leaks, and deaths, and that kind of thing. I asked dozens of questions to see how they handled it, how concerned they are for my comfort with them. I wanted a doctor that is in the U.S., because we have no legal recourse across the border. If something goes wrong and you try to hold them accountable, they can just deny it and hang up the phone. End of story. (I've read situations like that on this forum.) Most people do fine in Mexico, but I'm not willing to take that chance. And I live right here in NEW Mexico. It would be easy. I am instead, going to Texas to Dr. David Kim. I studied his credentials and experience and tried to dig up bad stuff on the internet, but there's nothing. His stats for leaks are .01% and those are due to patient non-compliance. He also uses an endoscope for a sizer so he can visualize the inside of the incision. I think that's awesome! Ask about their procedures. Things to consider. Hope it helps.

WOW! I've not had surgery yet, so I can't say for sure, but I'd be calling the surgeon at the VERY least! Do they have a weekend emg number?

My surgeon is in Dallas, TX, and his actual stats on VSG leakage is .01% Note the decimal place. This is not a national average, they are Dr. Kim's statistics. This is one reason I went with him. He uses an endoscope for sizing the sleeve so he can visualize the inside of the incision. The very few leaks he's encountered have been from patient non-compliance. These are things to think about when choosing a surgeon, and how you are going to comply when it's done. Hope that helps.

We support you!! We're excited for you!! WOO HOO!!! I've got a couple of downers around me too. It's hard to make them understand. Just come here when you need some happy!!! I just shared my surgery date with 2 close friends. One of them, bless his heart, he's concerned- told me how if you burn more calories than you take in that you will lose weight. And that heart issues need to be dealt with. Anyone reading this right now is either laughing hysterically, or shaking the head with eyes rolling. He did, then say he is supportive of the decision, but still....it really rains on the parade. I'm going on February 13, 2012- Dr. Kim in Dallas So, again- WE know basically what you're going through and are happy and excited for you!

I hope you didn't take that the wrong way- It wasn't like a challenge or anything. I was seriously perplexed! I'd never heard of a size "0" until several years ago. It dawned on me, you're probably also taller. SouthernSleever, you are ROCKIN' those horizontal stripes! Looking good!!

Being cold will be a nice feature during New Mexico summers!! I look forward to that.

LMD, I'm confuzzled- I know it's been at least......let's see.....20 years since I've weighed 170, but I know for a fact that I was not anywhere NEAR a size 6 or a small. I was probably more like a 12 or 14. Have sizes changed that much??? I went into a Chico's to get someone a gift, and all the sizes were 1, 2, and 3! And I know the person I was buying for wears an 8. Has there been a major shift in sizing? What's up with that?

Very good. This is encouraging.

I need to know this information too. I'm about to go for cardiac clearance and I fear that will happen as well. I am generally a calm and patient, soft spoken person until someone starts nattering at me about my decisions for my own health. I may lose it! I think I would ask for either a new technician or new appointment. (if time permitted) Or just say, "thank you, you've made your point, now STOP!"

If you have a good, organic "happy" chicken, you should try the dark meat more often if you can stomach dark meat. It has good Omega 3 fatty acids that your body and brain needs. And it's not dry like the breast. Dark meat is not the criminal it's made out to be.

Hold out your left hand. Go on. Do it. Hold it out. Ok, now SMACK it with your right hand!! Bad girl!! BAD!! No crackers!! Go eat some carrots! JUST SAY NO!!! This is not an option! You've had irreversible surgery! This has been your "tough love interlude." You may return to your regularly scheduled activities... Oh..no no no...DON'T CRY!!!! I was just being funny. (Tough, but funny!) ....and tell that man to stop putting big ol' stumbling blocks next to your snacking hand! I'll say a prayer for you

No, but I'd sure like to feel that sensation just once..."oh noooooo.....I'm toooo skinny!" From what I've read on this forum, there are plenty of ways to make your loss come to a grinding halt. Have no fear, my dear...

Good to know! Not harsh at all. Facts are good.

That's exactly what I want. I want food to NOT be an issue anymore and just something that keeps me alive.

I can't personally answer this question yet, as I have not had surgery, but one thing i found when doing various diets: When you are off of sugar for a while, things with natural sugars taste more delicious than ever. Certain fruits start to taste like candy. You gain an appreciation for food in its purest form. Even carrots become delicious. When our bodies are still screaming for refined sugar, it's hard to imagine, but it's true. A banana can become a heavenly thing! BTW, Tuttle, have you perked up any? You were pretty low the other day...

This is great. Thanks guys. Love the MIL moment!!! Classic! I can't wait to experience ALL of these 'horrors'!! LOL

I've been wondering about that too! I used to make "green smoothies" which were primarily nutrient rich veggies and a fruit to sweeten it up. Dark leafies are high in calcium too. Raw almonds have a lot of calcium too. Can we have those?? They can be thrown in the blender with the veg. Is this ok to do?

Every doc is different, but my patient education packet says I will be able to have ONE cup of coffee or tea per day after I get home from surgery. And I have a VERY conservative doctor when it comes to diet. I'll be on clear liquids and full liquids longer than most I see on this forum. So, if he's comfortable with coffee- I'm drinkin' it!!

Ok. This is good. This is good. The whole thought of the stretching stomach was concerning me a bit. Oddly enough..... In my normal state with my stomach in tact as God made it- I can only hold 2 pieces of pizza and a little salad or 1 piece of pizza and a bigger salad. If I have a coke, I can't finish the salad. I got up to 340 with a fairly small stomach capacity to begin with. This serves as a grave warning about these "slider calories" I keep hearing about. Apparently I've mastered the art of the slider. My stomach growls from hunger all the time, so I can't wait to get rid of some of that nasty Grehlin!! lol Thank you all for all the information you've given- keep it coming! I want to hear it all. I want to go into this with eyes wide open!