Mel1071

Auri - you're fine with your own insurance. Just don't switch plans. I love how the majority of the states that have the highest obesity rates are not on this list. At least 6 of the 10 aren't on the list

Best of luck to her! Excited for both of you!

Just out of curiosity, is this "friend" (and I use this term oh so loosely) overweight/obese as well?

Add me to the group who has never had surgery before. I love when these threads come up because they help tremendously. One thing to keep in mind is not all docs make you wait for the leak test - some do it before you leave the OR. My surgeon told me he felt it was a bit barbaric to make patients wait to drink after all they had been through. Mind you, I'm not sure how the test is done before you leave so I can't answer that.

Wonderful story, Pam! I'm a fellow chef and will be having surgery in December. I have to admit the surgery is scaring me a bit. My body is acting much like yours - everything hurts. Plus I am on meds for high cholesterol, HBP, and have been told I am pre diabetic. My question for you is did you find that having your surgery has compromised your chef abilities -especially in regard to taste? One reason I found the sleeve so interesting is there are no malabsorption issues. Welcome to the forum!

That's a Saturday, isn't it? I'm impressed your surgeon works on a Sat!

My doctor doesn't have an issue with straws. It says right in our surgery manual straws are ok.

Yep - my doc said no gummy anything. I think his concern is the carbs. He wants his patients on 400-600 calories, 60-80 g of protein and 15 or fewer grams of carbs until we hit 75% of our excess weight loss. So 3-5 grams of carbs a day from gummies doesn't play well into that.

That was the great thing about scheduling in September - I got my choice of date and time. Going to be his first surgery of the day.

I was told December was pretty popular since some folks have time off - especially us folks in education. I give my last exam on 12/12 and don't need to be back in the classroom until 1/19. Hopefully that will be plenty of time to recuperate

I think it's a great date too! Woo hoo for the 12/16 gals! (and everyone else of course, but I'm a little biased toward 12/16

I agree. For the longest time there was no action in the December 2013 area and now look at us! I love how almost everyone has at least one person going in on the same day.

Sounds like your diet may be too low in fat

Actually, Premier does make a strawberry flavor - I am on the lookout for it myself. Here's straight from their website: http://www.premierprotein.com/product/strawberries-and-cream-shake/ Their website price is much higher than what I pay for the chocolate and vanilla at costco I've sent them an e-mail asking where I can find it in my area. Here's their contact e-mail: info@premiernutrition.com

Congrats to you!! Here's hoping you get your surgery date ASAP!

I see some doctors have their patients get an EDG and some ask for an upper GI. Can someone explain to me in laymen's terms the difference? I have to get an upper GI and was just wondering what all that entails. I've seen the terms used interchangeably and I don't think that's correct. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for doing that! I sent you my info

I'm not ashamed but as of right now I've only told my husband. I handle it just like I handle any other medical issue I have - I'm not one to tell the world my business, health-related or otherwise. Plus, I don't feel like hearing people tell me their horror stories about a friend of a friend of a friend's experience with WLS. After the surgery I have no issue telling people if I'm asked but until that point I just plan to me my normal self and not blather on about my health issues. I didn't tell people about my high cholesterol, HBP, and prediabetic diagnoses - and I don't plan on advertising what I'm doing to get rid of them either.

Would anyone be interested in doing a December 2013 FB page? We could make it secret so no one sees it but us. Just thinking out loud....

Here's my schedule for my pre-op testing day: 9am - upper GI (light supper the night before and nothing by mouth after midnight - which tells me there may be sedation involved) @ main hospital 11am - pre-op class with nurse & dietician @ clinic After the class - "pre-admission testing, paperwork, labs, and EKG." @ hospital I'm having the surgery at I'll be hitting the doc's office this Thursday so I'll ask them for clarification. Trying to figure out if I need to have hubby drive me or if I'll be ok to drive after the upper GI

I respectfully disagree with that statement. Oil roasting may add additional calories, but many studies have shown that the roasting of nuts actually increases the bioavailability of their nutrients.

Prayers going out for you. May your surgery be un eventful and your recovery swift!

I'm assuming you mean surgery is on October 28 - otherwise you have the world's longest pre-op diet lol Best of luck to you! Look forward to hearing about your experience!

I decided to go with Centennial because their self pay prices were a bit cheaper than Baptist's. A few grand here and there makes a big difference!