Gene1970

How are you feeling today?

Keep focused on th wonderful changes that you have ahead. Know that any pain that you experience will be temporary. Most of all, find something to do today to occupy your mind, stay busy and you will be out of surgery before you know it and on your way to a healthy new life. Good luck tomorrow!!!!!!

Totally agree with you... I would rather take my chances with surgery than die younger than I need to because I'm overweight.

I was happily supprised with how supportive my family has been. Of course the question came up if I had tried to lose weight othe ways and after I told them I had they were good with it. They were always worried about my weight/health and are very happy to know that I'm taking control of it.

I agree... people do judge and I don't really want to be judged or talked about behind my back. Even though we know that surgery is not the easy way out I don't think people that have never been overweight fully get the struggle that those that are face daily.

Did you tell them Pre-Surgery or Post Surgery? I have this fear of telling people because in the past when I have tried to diet and told people I always failed. I know that shouldn't happen with this but still the fear is there.

Great news!!! Are you on pain meds? I'm sure it was nice to get the tray of clears.

How are you feeling this morning? As good as you were last night? Good luck with the test this morning.

good luck to both of you... VERY exciting that today is the day!!! It's a whole new life from here.

Good Luck!!!! Can't wait to hear updates.

Good luck on your surgery today!!!

After years of being unhappy about my weight and multiple attempts to diet I have finally made the decision to get WLS... and hopefully change my life forever. I am a self pay patient and am having my surgery in Kansas City but live in St. Louis. The price difference was too great not to make the trip for the surgery (even though it's a small trip). The down side is that I will not have a local support group, and so here I am... Looking for support. I have read through several of the posts on this site over the last few weeks and have been encouraged by what I have read. I finally made the decision last night to sign up so that I will have some people to talk to about the challenges that I'm sure I will face over the next couple of months. I look forward to getting to know some people on the site. Any words of wisdom are welcomed The Journey begins...

Sounds like going into the office may be the way to go. It's easy to put you off when you are on the phone but you you are in person they may feel compelled to do more for you.

I have been having pains in my right side just under my ribs off and on for over a year now. It normally happens either while I am eating or a couple of hours after. My galbladder is gone, so I know it's not that. One Dr blamed it on IBS, but I also have a fatty liver which I suspect could be a contributing factor. My question is.. Has anyone else had such a pain and did it go away once you started losing weight?

Thanks, that is encouraging. Even the Dr's wont' say it, I do believe mine is the fatty liver as well. I've had a full CT scan of that area and nothing else was fouond. So glad that it went away for you and never came back. My pain sounds like the same, a dull to strong ache.

Good morning Kathy!!! Happy Friday!!! Katie, Don't forget that they will factor in co-morbidities, so even if your BMI goes down, those other risks (if you have any) will not immediatly, so I can't imagine it would impact your approval... I'm sure the Dr's office will give you good guidence.

Great Attitude!!!! You are Worth it... we all are!!! I too have considered getting the surgery for a long time now and I'm so glad that things are finally in the works. It was a hard decision for me because I am a self pay patient, but in the end I determined that having better health and living longer is worth any price.

Modee, It's great to hear that you are doing so well!!! Hearing things like that truly inspires me and keeps me focused on the good things that I will get to experience very soon. Mike, I'm interested to hear more about your hiatal hernia repair and how you are doing with that. I too have a hiatal hernia that will need repaired during surgery. I suffer from horrible acid refux and only hope that it goes away after fixing the hernia. I'm sick of having to sit up in bed unitl midnight waiting for the acid reflux to go away.

Kate, My wife had Lap Band surgery at Des Peres a few years ago and used Dr. Darrin Minkin and was extremely happy with him. I too have met him and actually attended a seminar that he was conducting at Des Peres Hospital. If I were not a cash pay patient I would for sure be using him. He's the founder and director of the program there. Just thought I would pass that along since you haven't decided on a Dr. yet. I too can't wait to share about my Journey and learn how you are both doing.

I have seen a huge drop in my energy levels within the last 6 months, so I know the weight is taking it's toll on me... along with my 1 year old. I can't wait to have the energy to keep up with him.

I'm very anxious to have the surgery. I know that day will be here very soon, but until then it seems like the weeks drag on. I have to keep in mind that I've live with the extra weight for YEARS!!!!... what's a few more weeks. I can't wait to start dropping weight though. It's a VERY EXCITING thought!!!!!

I'm a new user as well, joined just a couple of days ago. I have my first appointment with the Dr. on May 9th and hope to have the surgery sometime in June. I'm 6'2" and starting at 300lbs and hope to get down to 200lbs, maybe less if I can. I too will be looking to the boads for support and words of wisdom as I go through this experience. Good luck sergeant with your surgery tomorrow!!!

What you said Kathy really makes sense... I too have had 41 years to eat any way that I have wanted to, and let me tell you there are plenty of things that I shouldn't have. Now it's time for change!!! I can't wait until I can say that I feel good about my weight. I'm sure once I see the weight coming off it will make the thoughts of eating bad much less. Hi Kate, It's nice to meet someone else in the STL area. Des Peres Hospital is the best in the area for surgery. I would be going there myself if I wasn't a cash pay payment and I didn't find a deal in KC that was $9k less than the cost of the sleeve in STL. What Dr. are you going to see? I too need to update my profile a bit and post a picture, I can't wait to look back and the transformation once I start losing weight.

I can only hope that when I have the surgery that I will lose at that rate... Hearing results like that gets me excited to have the surgery.

Thanks Kathy!!! I'm exicted to be here!!! Nervous, but excited. It's great to hear from someone that has had the surgery so recently and is doing so well. I'm hoping I can have the surgery sometime in June, so I'm starting to think about what I need to change to make the transition to my new life easier. The first thing that comes to my mind is Soda. I'm addicted to drinking soda which I think will be the hardest thing for me to give up, but I figure the sooner I start the better. How have you been dealing with cravings... or have you had many? Gene