Finding Myself

Thank you for all of your input. I am 5'2 and weigh 190 lbs. I'm not morbidly obese. But I have been this size for about 12 years. I"ve lost 40 lbs twice and gained it all back both times. I admit it : I do not have will power, I am hungry a LOT and I gorge myself. I overeat. It's not even that I eat the wrong stuff - I love high quality food - but I am never, ever satisfied with a half cup of anything. I've battled this for years and that's what made me start thinking about the sleeve. Then I go back to telling myself that I'm crazy, I'm *only* 60 lbs overweight and I should stop being lazy and just find some stupid willpower and stop thinking about cutting my stomach out. Then I think that I've tried this before and if I just watsn't hungry all of the time, I could do it... So is it nuts to think about this with only 60lbs to lose? Yes I am grieving the thought of not going to a buffet and gorging myself. Or a steak house and eating and entire ribeye. Or fried shrimp. I would hope that I would again be able to eat those things BUT with the tool of the sleeve - stop at a few bites instead of a dozen fried shrimp. Is this accurate? My husband thought I'd be off food and on Protein shakes for the rest of my life. We are going on a cruise in Sept. and I'm looking to get sleeve in June. Do you think I could enjoy ANY delectable goodness at that time? What about a sip or two of wine? These are the questions I have that are holding me back. HELP!

Catracks, I just looked that stuff up - really 50 g of Protein in two scoops??? wow! And 35 in the clear ones? I'm gonna check that out tomorrow! I have not had the surgery yet and am considering having it done this June. I am scared. I am a BMI of 35 and worry I'm doing something too extreme for my body size. I also worry about this depression, as my lifestyle revolves around food now and I'm scared of how it will change me! I love extreme, rich foods and I don't want to NEVER eat those things again! I'm feeling emotional about the surgery and I haven't even HAD it. LOL

Great post! Good luck tomorrow! I hope to be there in a couple of month. May I ask why you switched from Dr Kelly?

A self proclaimed Cola addict, I gave up Coke on Nov 23 of last year. It has taken me this long to lose the cravings!!! It really does take that long! I'm hoping to get sleeved soon so that's one thing that's already done.

How long since your sx? I am still deciding if I want to do it or not!

I am anxious to hear your experience also. I am still deciding on the sx and a dr but am considering Dr Kelly very seriously!

Are any of you scared of the other stuff being said about Dr. Kelly? That a patient died under his care (I know that can happen)? But I'm also concerned about this whole drama stuff, that a US coordinator quit working for him, etc etc? Can anybody comment on that? I was getting set to go with Dr. Kelly and still considering it but this stuff has me a little scared... I will say I was and am thoroughly impressed with his phone call to me yesterday and the follow up with his staff, but that doesn't mean it's legit and good... so more input helps.

I would like to know more about this drama and other's experiences with Dr. Kelly. I have had great interaction with he and his staff this week and feel comfortable. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me yesterday. It would be nice to know more information. Does anyone know if there are any citations on his license to practice? I was considering Dr. Garcia first but then that whole medical tourism thing came up, and then I started looking into Dr. Kelly and was very impressed that he took the time to call me and answer my questions...

Love your post and glad to hear it! Can you post what drugs you are on? I'm curious. Still considering the surgery. Kinda scared but getting closer to a decision.

Hello Everyone, I am so glad I found this message board! I have so many questions and it's hard to find one place where you can just have a good conversation! I have a BMI of 35, which puts me below the range for most places in the US. I don't have much in the way of secondary problems - YET. But my cholesterol is creeping up, my knees hurt, etc etc. Problems are just around the corner. I am approx 60-70 lbs overweight (5'2 height). I know this is not quite as much as some people who have gastric surgery, but the reality is that over the last 15 years I have tried several diets that have failed me. Now I am 43 and wondering when I am going to start having problems? So I am considering gastric sleeve surgery. I do not want a lap band at all. I want a tool that will help me with my efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Because I am in a "gray area" with my BMI, I would like to get other's opinions on this. My problem with weight management is portion control. If I eat a healthy portion, I am STARVING still. I am never satisfied. Even when I make good choices, I overeat. This is why I'd like to consider VSG. Can anyone give me some advice and/or their opinion? Thank you.

Unfortunately I really don't have any secondary illnesses - yet! That's my whole line of reasoning here, for being so extreme. I don't want to wait until I DO get sick before considering this. I figure if I can do it BEFORE I develop problems, then I'll probably be healthier in the long run. Last night I was talking myself out of it, in that it does seem SO extreme. Then I sat down and ate 3 pieces of pizze, half a sandwich and a bread stick before I even took a breath. THIS IS MY PROBLEM! When I get hungry it's like a demon takes over and I eat a huge quantity of food. I should be able to push away and say "enough!" but I don't. I overeat most of the time! IT SUCKS! I'd love to say I could do this and make it work without surgery, but at my age (42) I kinda know that I shouldn't fool myself AGAIN - been down this diet road too many times - so that is why I'm considering this surgery. I see it as a tool to help me maintain a healthier lifestyle. I don't see it as a miracle and I don't see it as a way to drop a massive amount of weight quickly. In fact, I WANT to lose 1-2 lbs a week because I know I'll keep it off and stay healthier. That's how I see this - a wonderful gift and tool.

I've spoken with surgeons from Mexico and a place in Newport Beach, CA. The place in Newport does a VSG as a one day procedure. No staples, only sutures. Sometimes patients stay one night, but that is it. Some of the "better" doctors in Mexico keep patients for several days and use staples and sutures. I am trying to understand the difference. Does anybody know? There seems to be a wide range of differences to the procedure itself. I don't want staples if it's done in the essence of making the procedure faster as opposed to suturing.

Now that I am thinking about it, perhaps the person I spoke to simply did not know what she was talking about! This info is SO helpful. Thank you!!!

That helps a LOT! Dr Kelly has agreed to speak with me by phone tonight, I will get a feel for him and see how it goes. This forum is awesome, thank you all for your help!!

So why do U.S. surgeons not staple?? I was surprised that the Newport Beach place did it as an outpatient procedure! So the staples stay in... What if you ever need an MRI? Sorry but I think if these things.

So why exactly does this happen? I mean, can anyone explain that? Physiologically speaking? How does removal of part of the stomach make it difficult to tolerate high fat foods? (haven't been sleeved yet, still researching!!)

I am nervous about the difference that seem to exist between different surgeons and hospitals. Dr. Garcia's group keep you there for most of the week, while in Newport Beach it literally is an outpatient procedure!! The surgeons in Newport also do not use staples, so I'm not sure about the differences there either (staples vs. sutures). I am going to email Dr. Kelly myself and see what he has to say since I am considering their group anyway. The only way I've found Kelly or Garcia is through a medical tourism site - does anybody have any comments about that????

Does anybody have any input on Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center? Where is this Dr. Garcia located? I am scared to go to Mexico but the reality is that if I have a complication, my insurance won't cover it no matter what. Does anybody have any advice on being scared of Mexico?

TeamBrown, what is your out of pocket expense going to be?? I won't be covered by insurance either and am looking at places in the US and Mexico.

I am considering this surgery, and I would like to ask you all a question related to this subject. Are you all having a lot of hunger? Or are you making these food choices based on what you *need* to be eating? I have been told that things smell really good but you can only eat a bite or two before feeling "full". Is that somewhat accurate? I haven't been sleeved yet but am considering it and trying to get my head around the dietary changes I will need to make.

Hello Everyone, ( actually posted this on the wrong thread earlier so reposting it here) I am so glad I found this message board! I have so many questions and it's hard to find one place where you can just have a good conversation! I have a BMI of 35, which puts me below the range for most places in the US. I don't have much in the way of secondary problems - YET. But my cholesterol is creeping up, my knees hurt, etc etc. Problems are just around the corner. I am approx 60-70 lbs overweight (5'2 height). I know this is not quite as much as some people who have gastric surgery, but the reality is that over the last 15 years I have tried several diets that have failed me. Now I am 43 and wondering when I am going to start having problems? So I am considering gastric sleeve surgery. I do not want a lap band at all. I want a tool that will help me with my efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Because I am in a "gray area" with my BMI, I would like to get other's opinions on this. My problem with weight management is portion control. If I eat a healthy portion, I am STARVING still. I am never satisfied. Even when I make good choices, I overeat. This is why I'd like to consider VSG. Can anyone give me some advice and/or their opinion? Thank you.

Ooh I am so glad I found this forum!!! I am seeing my GP today and I fully expect her to tell me I am nuts for considering this. But I think that the way the US healthcare system sees obesity is backwards. I KNOW how to eat healthy. I KNOW that a 4 oz serving of meat and a half a cup of brown rice is awesome. MY problem is that it's NOT ENOUGH for me. I'm still very hungry after these "normal" amounts. So I see this surgery as a tool to help me focus more on eating smaller amounts of healthy foods. I already love whole grains and lean meats, etc. I also already gave up sodas (stopped drinking all sodas, even diet) in November. So I feel like I'm prepared for the dietary changes and now just need the tool to help me control how much I eat. I am not a junk food person, I eat sweets but not that much, etc etc. I'm thrilled to be considering this! Thank you all for your input!!