mrsderouen

I am having a consult with Dr. Borland on February 25 (2013) and hoping to schedule it for March 22 (2013) while I am on Easter break from teaching. I have a few questions: Someone said he was not very strict with time frames and food choices...does he give an outline of suggested time frames and food choices for those of us who need them? I will have 12 days to recover before returning to teaching 7th grade English...do you think this enough time to return to work with minimal pain? Do any of you have small children and a husband you have to cook for on a daily basis? If so are you tempted to taste test, nibble, or try the food you are cooking? (I am the person who cooks in the house and I know that won't change after this surgery...I know I never want to be like I am now...and will make it a point to tell myself NO...but I was just wondering how anyone else dealt with that issue.) Is anyone from the Lafayette area who has had surgery with him who would be willing to be my "buddy" after surgery if I need motivation, support, or just advice? Is there a support group after the procedure that I can join in the area of Lafayette that anyone knows of? I think that's it...for now haha!! Thanks for any and all information!!!

Soooo...the school system that I work in has chosen not to include WLS in our policy through United Healthcare. Which in turn means...SELF PAY Has anyone in here had a sleeve done in Louisiana or the USA and had to self pay? If so how much how much round about did it cost? I am not interested in going out of the country to have this surgery...as my mother is in the medical profession and would hear nothing of the sort...not that I wanted to either. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

I chose the sleeve because a bypass is very invasive and it does not allow your body to absorb nutrients as well. The recovery time on a bypass is longer. The sleeve does not involve rerouting in any way. The choice is up to you though...we will all have different reasons...good luck!!

Alright so I can not stand ready mixed Protein drinks because they are too chalky or too sweet. Also blending them is fine...but by the time I finish the drink it has become a soupy watered down mess and it does not entice me to finish! I would rather drink Water than a shake. I love flavored water (I usually make my own by adding fruits to the water, let it steep for a few hours or over night, strain, and enjoy). However with two kids, teaching, a husband who works all the time, and going to grad school full time it is almost impossible to get creative in the kitchen! ALTERNATIVE A company called METROMINT produces non-carbonated, zero calorie/sugar/carb water in many amazing flavors all with 100% pure mint. They are tangy and leave a cold sensation in your mouth. Flavors are: peppermint, spearmint, cherrymint, lemonmint, orangemint, chocolatemint, and goodberrymint. (I WOULD RECOMMEND BUYING METROMINT IN THE STORES RATHER THAN ONLINE ... IT IS CHEAPER AT OUR LOCAL SUPERONE FOODS) Isopure UNFLAVORED whey Protein powder (110 calories, 0 fat/carbs/sugar, and 26 grams protein) to a bottle of METROMINT (16.9 ounces). I have two of these a day. The flavored water makes drinking water a treat and the unflavored protein makes getting your daily intake of protein more enjoyable. Hopefully this helps some of you who just can't stand Protein shakes and drinks like myself!

JasJulesMom, I am a week away from surgery so I am trying to get my body ready to the life change...drinking more Water...smaller portions...chewing 30 times...etc. Putting it into pudding sounds like a treat! I have tried a lot of the Protein powders and pre mixed drinks but they are just too sweet...figured I can't go wrong with unflavored protein. Thanks for the suggestion! Bonnie

On my first consult with my Dr he was going over some of the side effects of the surgery. He said in a very serious voice at the end of his speech, "Bonnie there is one more side effect that I want you to be aware of and I am not kidding when I say this. One of the biggest side effects of WLS is divorce." He explained that some spouses like enabling, some are jealous of the extreme change, other spouses are insecure of their relationship, some WLS recipients step outside of their marriage...and the list goes on and on. It all comes down to security in one's self. Do not think that you have done anything wrong in your decision to have WLS. You are doing what is best for YOU...no one else has to live in your body except YOU. Give your friend space and after a while if you feel compelled to make contact simply ask her to share her concerns about why she doesn't want you to have the surgery. I have not told the person who I consider to be a really close friend because I know that she can be extremely jealous and sometimes cruel behind other's backs (not a quality I like but it is what it is). She is also an average sized person who is constantly obsessed with her own weight and surrounds herself with friends who are all larger than she is (looking at it now I see why). I am not going to tell her because she may smile in my face and act supportive but inside I know it will eat away at her to think that I may end up healthier or smaller than she is. It's all a personal choice that we make and live with. Good luck to you and I hope that this does not affect your decision to go through with WLS!

So I know I am several months late on this thread...BUT I am from Lafayette and I am having my surgery done in New Iberia on March 20. My mom does anesthesia for a lot of Dr Chu's cases; she says she is phenomenal. I would have gone with her but my insurance doesn't cover it so I did self pay through a great dr in New Iberia and I only had to wait two weeks from my first appointment! Avillias did you have your surgery and how did it go? I would love to meet some people from the area to keep in touch with. Chrisi I am a teacher as well; thankfully I could coordinate it with Easter break. Did you have your surgery? Hope all is well!

Good Afternoon! I am scheduled for March 20 Just got all of my post op things ready to go and in order...only have one day of pre op diet thank goodness...it seems that people are ready to give up before they start when they have a two week pre op diet! I am self pay so I went to my dr on the 25 of February and we set the date for March 20. Good luck to all!

How did your surgery go?!?! Hope all is well

LADIES YOU ROCK! Thanks for all of the helpful information!!!!

Oh wow you must have one hell of a son in law!!!!!!

Geez 48 pounds in 2 months...that's awesome congrats!!!!! I looked at your pictures the other night and I showed my husband I was like look how her shirt fits different...he said oh wow just in two months?!?! He told me today "don't take this the wrong way...but i have been trying all day to imagine what you look like thinner and I can't" haha!!! I can't wait...how long did you have to wait between consult and surgery date? I hear with him it's like two weeks usually.

how did your visit go with dr borland?! I just found out that a dr my mom works with offered to assist dr borland during my surgery...he is a good friend of ours...so now i am super relaxed and excited!!!!

Thanks so much again for the information I am reading and taking it all in and saving it!! I am a teacher so my kids are going to laugh when I pull out a little medicine cup to drink out of hahaha I am not telling anyone at work that I am having the surgery it should be interesting to say the least!!!

Are you tempted to taste the food you cook for others though? I know the mind is willing but the flesh is still week!

Gabby, Thanks so much!!! I am scared of the drains...they just look so gross...I don't do blood and guts very well haha. Are you from the area? How much do you work out and what's your routine? AMAZING JOB ON THE 45 POUNDS!!!!! I am checking out your page after I press post! Bonnie

oh and does he send you to the hotel with drains?? and does he take them out before you go home from the hotel??

Hey everyone!!! I know this forum topic was started last year...BUT perhaps it will email this to each of you. I am having a consult with Dr. Borland on February 25 (2013) and hoping to schedule it for March 22 (2013) while I am on Easter break from teaching. I have a few questions: Someone said he was not very strict with time frames and food choices...does he give an outline of suggested time frames and food choices for those of us who need them? I will have 12 days to recover before returning to teaching 7th grade English...do you think this enough time to return to work with minimal pain? Do any of you have small children and a husband you have to cook for on a daily basis? If so are you tempted to taste test, nibble, or try the food you are cooking? (I am the person who cooks in the house and I know that won't change after this surgery...I know I never want to be like I am now...and will make it a point to tell myself NO...but I was just wondering how anyone else dealt with that issue.) Is anyone from the Lafayette area who has had surgery with him who would be willing to be my "buddy" after surgery if I need motivation, support, or just advice? Is there a support group after the procedure that I can join in the area of Lafayette that anyone knows of? I think that's it...for now haha!! Thanks for any and all information!!! Bonnie

This post is something that A LOT of people feel or think about...but few have the guts to post it and be honest about it! Kudos to you for creating this thread. I am going to my first apt on the 20 of this month...so I cannot speak from experience on the issue but I can offer some insight. My husband works out daily, eats Protein, downs shakes, and has his personal trainers license on top of working off shore almost 7 days a week. In the beginning of our relationship I was about 20 pounds lighter...200 pounds...and he was this muscle bound man who I thought would see me and run (we met online through a dating service). But he didn't...he loved me despite being opposite of him. I gained weight over the next few years and recently had a baby now I am up to 225 and I am only 5'2''. He says no matter what he loves me...but he can't wait until I am healthier (not too skinny he likes some curves) because he wants to do all of the things we see on TV or read about and say "who does that?" I used to fear that he would leave me for another woman who was much more in shape (even though he never showed signs of straying) but now I am secure in our marriage I know that would never happen...but he jokes around sometimes now and says when you are skinny don't leave me for a younger man (he is almost 9 years my senior). I asked him one day if there was any seriousness to that statement and he said yes and no...I have never been SKINNY or THIN...so I do not how it will feel when people notice me or give me attention...he just wants to make sure I can handle it is all. I think you will know if your relationship is healthy or if it is unhealthy just like "writer" did. Follow your heart it won't lead you wrong...but don't jump at the first thing that looks your way either! Good luck!!!!!!

I am new to this forum thing but thank you so much susan for that post!!!

Good morning everyone...my phone beeped all night with notification emails from VST. I was a little disappointed to see some people were making personal attacks on others for their decisions. That was not the intention of this forum. The purpose of this was to hear other's opinions; and as said in the beginning, I welcome them all. My fears and feelings may have been originally made out of misinformation; however, at the time of the post that was the only information I had to go on. Thanks to the help of others there has been some clarity on the idea of drug cartel and mexican police...and it does make sense that these hospitals are more than likely in a more upscale and safer part of Mexico than I probably imagine in my head. With all that said...I think for the peace of mind for my babies and family support I will stay in the US. I really appreciate the information that was provided though and respect everyone's feelings and opinions. Happy weight loss!

Thanks for the information!!!

I wish I knew how to respond to every one individually because I would tell each and every one of you THANK YOU! All of your comments are welcome and taken into consideration. I think I will stay close to home because I have a 7 month old and an 8 year old...my husband works ALL THE TIME IN THE OIL FIELD and is never home. I think my kids would have a complete melt down without seeing me for three or four days straight. I have never been away from my baby either. Plus if I travel I am not sure who would go with me...since I would want my parents to stay home with the kids if my husband was working. I can't wait to start calling around and interviewing the doctors...after all it is like hiring someone for the job! Again thank you so much for the help I really appreciate it!!!

Pelekania, I will do some research; but the website that Tiffany left lists the quote as just under 10 grand...which to me is much less than some of the self pay quotes I have heard recently. I joined this site for information, insight, and suggestions thanks so much!!! Bonnie