Getting There

thanks for your suggestions! I'm going to try the one on Ray White & N Tarrant. I'm just not sure I'm ready for this body to walk into a 24-Hour Fitness I'm only 3 weeks post so can't do much more than walk right now anyway, but thought I'd start looking for a place now. Would like to perhaps start with some LIGHT weights now for my "bat arms" LOL

Thanks! I'll drive by and check it out.

To what consistency are you blending? Chunkier than baby food?

I was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks pre-op (3-4 Protein shakes/day). The first couple of days we a bit tough but after that I just decided not to let it bother me. From the start of my pre-op diet until now I've lost about 25 pounds. I say about because I quit weighing myself every day......... I have been able to swallow whole pills that are no bigger than an aspirin since last week. Some surgeon's don't recommend it, and it may depend on what the medication is, but I'm swallowing 2 tablets (the size of an aspirin) and 2 Vitamin D pills (a little bigger than a BB) in the morning (along with chewable Prevaid and chewable vitamin and sublingul B12) every morning without any complications. One of the pills I take can't be crushed for example. It's going very well - I know you'll do well too.

I'm 3 weeks post- surgery and just started a 2-week pureed diet. The guidelines are pretty much baby food consistency. I tried some of the jarred baby food meats (turkey, chicken and beef) and there is simply NO WAY I can eat that - even with spices/seasoning added. Also tried pureeing tuna and chicken myself - just can't deal with the consistency. My question is - are all Proteins the same as far as your body is concerned? If I get the Protein recommended at this stage (60 grams minimum) does it matter if it's from dairy sources, Protein powder or Beans instead of pureed meat? Seems to me that it wouldn't matter, but I'd appreciate input from anyone who knows more about this than I do (and that's pretty much anyone

I'm 3 weeks post-op today. I feel great! More energy than I've had in a very long time. I've had no issues with choking, but until yesterday I've been on a liquid only diet. I started pureed foods yesterday and no issues so far. Just make sure you don't cheat and eat foods your stomach isn't ready for. There is a lot of healing that has to happen - even though you feel good and your external incisions have healed, inside you are still very raw and not ready for "real" food. If your doctor hasn't provided a post-surgery diet, ask for one. If he doesn't have one, I'll be happy to share mine and another one I found on-line. I know others on here have also posted their post-surgery diets. Each surgeon seems to have their own ideas about what you should do. Mine is VERY conservative (which I like). Best of luck - you will be fine - and soon you'll be as happy as I am to be healthier and happier

Well doesn't that just figure? It takes a lot of effort to jump through all of the hoops, etc.to get this surgery done. Mine was a bit easier since I was self-pay. When they told me the surgery would be at Forest Park, I didn't even really ask about other options...... Certainly Harris Southlake would have been much closer. You too will learn a lot AFTER the surgery

Dr Kim has privileges at the following: Baylor Grapevine Baylor Trophy Club Forest Park Medical Center Harris Southlake Surgery Center North Hills Hospital Vista Hospital Wise Regional Hospital None are especially convenient to Plano, but maybe Baylor Grapevine or Baylor Trohpy Club? I would go with the combination of surgeon/staff that YOU feel the best about. Otherwise, you may have a negative attitude going into this and you don't want that when you start this journey. You're only driving to/from the hospital once or twice (depending upon where some of the pre-surgery work is done). It's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Heck, how far would drive to your very favorite restaurant for a great meal? LOL

Forest Park was GREAT! The staff was very responsive, caring and attentive. The rooms look more like a nice hotel room than a hospital room - as do the hallways, etc. Best thing? It doesn't SMELL like a hospital!

I'm a post-op patient of Dr. Kim's (3 weeks post-op). I understand your concerns about Dr. Kim's somewhat reserved personality. However, his staff more than compensates for that. They have been absolutely AWESOME to work with! I've called in with several questions and have never felt like they were rushing to get me off the phone. When I was researching surgeons, there was one that I liked personally, but he had only done 200 sleeves. Compared with Dr. Kim's 2000+ sleeves, it seemed like a no-brainer. My conclusion was that I really didn't care so much about bedside manner in a surgeon as I did about skill and experience - that is where Dr. Kim seems to excel. Not sure why they would make you have surgery at Wise Medical Center unless it's an insurance thing. I had mine at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas (I live in North Richland Hills). You might ask if there is any possibility of having the surgery closer to home. That being said, I'd rather go with a skilled surgeon with a great staff and drive 90 miles than go with a lesser skilled surgeon with a so-so staff just to save a drive for surgery. Best of luck to you! I can say that without a doubt, I am very happy that I did this!

I'm 3 weeks post-surgery and have been following "the rules" to the letter. As I progress down this path, I'm becoming concerned I will be very disappointed with the average VCG weight loss. I've read many posts and it seems that the high average loss is around 75% of excess weight. At 75% loss, I would be about 30 pounds short of my personal goal. Would love some feedback from those who are several months post-op. What percentage of your excess weight did you lose and are you OK with that? If anyone has lost close to 100% of excess, to what do you attribute your outstanding success? Thanks!

I don't know anything about Dr. Gonzales but I'm very happy with Dr. David Kim. He has an office in Frisco now (in addition to the one in Colleyville). I was a self-pay too....... Good luck!

My doc required it. The purpose is to lose some of the fat around your liver (provides easier access to the stomach during surgery as the liver is somewhat "in the way." The duration may depend on your pre-op weight and other factors as well. I know some docs require longer and some require shorter. The first couple of days weren't much fun, but it really wasn't as bad as you might think....... And the end result will be worth it

I just found some great recipes for shakes and hot beverages at torani.com, davincigourmet.com and monin.com. There are several great sugar-free syrups on their sites that aren't offered in local stores.

Check out Torani.com They do offer Pumpkin Spice in sugar free - and many other sugar free flavors I haven't seen in local stores.

An anti-acid will help with existing acid (my doc recommends 1/day for 6 weeks). A PPI will help prevent the acid from forming in the first place. Sometimes both are used, sometimes only one or the other. I'd check with your doc. The doc and his staff are there to help you. My doc's staff has been AWESOME about answering my questions and providing support.

I get the same burpy feeling - and a bit of a pressure feeling in my chest......

The hunger can be acid. In addition to the PPI, you may also want to take an anti-acid everyday. I was feeling hungry and just added a PPI today. Hopefully it will help. It's important to stick to the diet your surgeon gave you so that heal correctly. It's NOT easy - but guess no one ever said it would be...... It WILL get better!!!!

I started pureed foods today. After a few SMALL bites, I fill full enough and stop. You can add evaporated skim milk to many things to add calories (though I haven't been too concerned about calories yet - I'm focusing on Protein and Fluid intake). Isopure Zero Carb is an easy way to get in 160 calories, 40 grams of protein and 20 oz fluid. Good luck!

Have you tried any of the low/non calorie natural sweeteners like Stevia? There is another one made from monk fruit (don't recall what's it's called. Starts with an "N.". I can't tolerate aspartame (though others I do ok with). Good luck.

Check the price at your GNC. Even with the buy 1, get one 1/2 off, I found that they were less expensive at Vitamin Shoppe. I like the ready-to-drink because of the convenience but they also have powder available. I often split the Isopure into 2 bottles (both 20 oz). I fill both bottles up with a flavored water (many of the Isopure's have a bit of a strange taste to me). I sip on these throughout the day. Gives me 40 oz of fluid and 40 gr of protein throughout the day for only 160 calories....... Makes it much easier for me to get in enough protein and fluid - though I'm struggling to get above about 400 calories/day (I'm almost 3 weeks out and still on liquids only - start pureed food on Sunday!!!!! ).

In Protein shakes, you can add evaporated skim milk or powdered non-fat milk to add protein . For flavor, I love the Torani sugar-free syrups. I also like to add instant decaf coffee, a few drops of mint, almond, or coconut extract. Also try adding a couple of teaspoons of sugar-free flavored creamers (like International Delight). I like the pumpkin Spice creamer in a vanilla Protein shake. Another good thing is Isopure 0 Carb. I like the ready-to-drink bottles. 40 oz of protein in a 20 oz bottle. Some of the flavors are a bit "funky" tasting. I add a few drops of the sugar-free stuff you can add to Water for flavor. Crystal Light or similar works well too (I don't use as it contains Apertame, which gives me headaches). Or pour 1/2 of the Isopure into an empty bottle. Fill both bottles with a flavored water. Sip these throughout the day for 40 grams protein, 40 oz fluids and only 160 calories. Good luck!

Check out http://www.kraftbrands.com/jello/products/pudding/ for lots of great recipes using jello pudding (use sugar free and make with fat free milk).

My surgery was at Forest Park Dallas with Dr. Kim. I can't say enough good things about Forest Park. It doesn't look or feel (or smell!) like a regular hospital. The staff was fantastic! If I pressed the call button, it was answered immediately and someone came to my room very quickly. Not sure how much you'll need wi-fi. The day of surgery you're going to be pretty uncomfortable and sleeping a lot. The day after surgery you'll feel MUCH better (if you walk, walk, walk like they tell you to do). But I wouldn't have been up for much laptop time. Getting positioned to even use a laptop would have been uncomfortable........

I'm anxious to start too, but I'm flollowing my surgeon's advice and waiting to do anything more than walking for 6 weeks. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Waiting 2 more weeks won't matter much in the long run. I figure I haven't worked out in several years anyway