Scraglycat

Does anyone have any comments or experience with Dr. Hallowell in Charlottesville VA? Thanks in advance, Cat Scragly cat

Very expensive, not that great.

I also was recommended to do a rny. I refused, I didn't feel comfortable with the complications and potential dumping. The sleeve resolves diabetes in 82% of cases, rny only slightly higher. If you go to the section in this site for research on gastric sleeve, look for my post from the bariatric journal. Anyway I had surgery December 11 last year. I had type 2 diabetes, was on insulin and metformin...I am now off all my meds, and a1c is 5.6. God is good :-) love my sleeve.

P.s. You just are doing well :-)

No, don't worry. Your surgeon didn't become a surgeon without a lot of practice :-) I was worried three months ago I had no sleeve, as in the doctor forgot to sleeve me. Haha.. I could drink easily. I really was where you are :-) Then I hit soft and solid food...and wham. I had restriction. When you eat/drink shakes, they can go directly into small intestine...but when you eat dense Protein, it cause your pyloric valve to close and keeps the food in your sleeve...don't worry, this will go away. The size bougie may affect size of sleeve, but very tiny differences.

You guys will do great :-). I worried myself sick, and the surgery was my first ever. But the reality is that the first couple of days flew by, very little pain, was able to drink and now eat well, and have lost 40 lbs in two months :-). And, off my diabetes meds. I love my sleeve, you will too :-)

Hey LisaJ. I am a teacher in greenhouse mgt, I was only really tired and sore for 1-2 weeks...not a terrible soreness, just achey. , I couldn't lift more than 15 lb for 3 weeks per doctor. I bet you will be fine, especially of you could talk to someone and do seeding or transplanting and not so much moving large plants... Btw There is a March Sleeve group you can join, pm me if interested.

Welcome guys! Congrats on your surgeries...I really have liked the Wal-Mart muscle milk...Very good protein...

My doctor also suggested the rny bypass. I was BMI 40, type 11 diabetes, and high bp. The bypass is slightly more successful in the literature at eliminating the need for diabetes meds. I researched and decided to so the sleeve anyway. When I told the surgeon I was scared of strictures and dumping with the bypass, he quickly said the sleeve would be fine. I am 7 weeks out today and have already eliminated my meds for diabetes; no more insulin, glipizide, or metformin. It has been a blessing and a miracle for me. Keep in mind, not all patients reverse their diabetes quickly, I was lucky. But I also was not willing to risk the problems of the bypass.

I enjoyed scrambled eggs, tuna or salmon, pureed chicken, oatmeal, pureed meatballs, string cheese...don't be nervous it will go fine :-) if it makes you feel better, puree the meats with little broth or water

hi Tracy...

hi guys I'm a little late to this discussion, but I was sleeved the 1st of December. I was like you guys terrified of never being able to eat things again, I had enough food Funerals for a lifetime :-) To be honest, I can eat things like pizza and Pasta, but in small amounts. I ate a small slice of pizza a week ago, and it filed me up like a thanksgiving turkey :-)! I personally do not believe that we should be stuck in a life of being deprived of foods we like. don't get me wrong I'm not advocating eating pasta everyday, but small amounts will not affect your weight loss. You will also find that your tastes have changed! I no longer crave Doritos and chips, because I know they can be uncomfortable if I eat more than one. I do crave Protein, oatmeal, and vegetables -of all things! this is not a death sentence it's the beginning of a new life :-) :-) :-)

Hi girl, Don't be scared...I was the same, had diabetes, anxiety, the whole mess... I had surgery on December 11, and the worry was much worse than the surgery!!! I had limited amount of pain, was able to eat to pureee within one week, and I feel better and healthier than ever before! I have diabetes, and have been able to go off of all medication including insulin. this is a wonderful opportunity, and will make your life better and healthier :-)

How on earth does your "psych" know which surgery is best? I am diabetic and had the sleeve, believe me I craved sweets. My tastes have completely changed since surgery...Im feeling better and healthier each day... Best of all, I'm off my diabetes meds! Talk to your surgeon, and ignore the psych...I understand their concerns, but you need to make this decision with your surgeon.

Hey there, I have had the exact same problem at 4 wks out...I was on purees after one week, and now am eating regular food. I called my surgeon's office and talked with the nurse at length. My sugars were going into the 50s after I would eat fruit. Turns out this is really good news for us...the drastic drops mean that our own pancreas are working, and they are over compensating for the small amount of carbs we take in. They told me to avoid fruit the first few weeks and v concentrate on Protein and veggies, or eat protein whenever I ate carbs. They also said that it will calm down and my body week adjust so that I can eat the carbs later down the road....

I did the same, guys, and found it entirely unnecessary...I am six weeks out and can eat almost anything I did before the surgery...except terribly spicy food (I learned that the hard way). My tastes have changed, I absolutely do not crave the fatty, salty stuff...but I don't miss it either... Best of luck to you all :-)

Hello, I was sleeved December 11...I visited the surgeon and he suggested a bypass because I had diabetes...recently diagnosed, but still diabetes...Bypass is about 4-5% better for diabetes resolution... I read about both and was very afraid of the malabsorption and greater chance for strictures (blockages) with the bypass. When I had second visit, I asked for the sleeve, explained my fears, and he thought a minute, and agreed. I have no regrets. Five weeks out, I am off all diabetes meds, including insulin. I am not hungry, apparently the loss of the ghrelin part of the stomach has helped me enormously. I am losing weight and have more energy than ever before. I do think both procedures are lifesavers, and good. But I prefer the sleeve... My best, Beth

Hey there, I was sleeved on December 11th, and although everyone is different, I can tell you my experience...I was so nervous, but it was much easier than expected. They put these little squeeze booties on me the day of surgery for clots, but once I was up walking they took them off. I could drink Water and chew ice fairly normally the second day. At five weeks today, I can easily drink 6-8 oz in a couple of minutes. You cannot gulp without some discomfort, but you can drink normally. Remember, our small intestines are about 20 ft long, so liquids go through the sleeve pretty quickly. I never had nausea until about a week ago...surgeon told me about 1 person in 4 will have trouble with nausea right after surgery. My recent nausea was completely my fault...ate too fast. Not painful at all, but uncomfortably full, and became sick very quickly. As soon as nausea passed, felt fine. I was so scared my life would change forever, and it has. For the better :-), I can still eat things I enjoy, just much less...and not hungry :-) My best, Beth

Hi there, I was sleeved in December, and I was so nervous I cried for weeks...I wrote a will, backed out in my head, and even changed my surgery date once. It was so not worth it! The surgery was quick, and relatively pain free. These surgeons are good, and this surgery has a very low complication rate. The only difficulties I had were some pain when I got home when sleeping or lying down. I did not have nausea, or trouble drinking. I can eat soft foods well, and I definitely have had some full feelings, it is nothing terrible at all. I know you will do well, most of us do. The worry was much worse than the surgery for me :-)

Hello, my name is Beth I'm looking for a mentor/ buddy for December 11. I'm in Virginia...best of luck to all!!! Scragly cat

Hello I am Beth, and an scheduled for December 11. I would live to join the Facebook group if there is one... Scragly cat

I am new to this forum, I have been lurking here and reading for several weeks. I am one of the lucky people who had insurance immediately approve my procedure. from my first surgeons visit, it has only been six weeks. I am 44, have a BMI of 40 w/ diabetes. My doctor, here in Virginia, is one of the best, but I did not feel like I had many opportunities to ask enough questions or feel comfortable with my decision. It was as if I was on an assembly line, next stop, Surgery. My surgery is scheduled for November 6, only 3 weeks away. I am nervous and having second thoughts about this surgery. I have never had surgery before. I am well aware of the risks and dangers of leaks, etc. w VSG. With my nervousness, should I postpone and give another person a chance? I am afraid that with Obamacare this will change my ability to have the surgery. I have a high deductible insurance, self pay, so will be paying for part of the procedure out of pocket. I do not want to wait until the last minute to cancel.... I am most fearful of not being able to take the diet and succeed. I am a binge eater and eat when I am sad, which is often. How hard is it to change your habits??? Cat Scragly cat

Thanks all for your words of wisdom....I know I should be grateful and happy that I have this opportunity... Scragly cat

I am also very nervous and scared. I agree, the more I read the more nervous that I get. I am miserable at the weight I am at, have serious health issues, and am embarrassed to be around others, yet scared to take this step. I wish we could all have a crystal ball for this decision.... Scragly cat

Thank you Cindy and RJ's....I will look into those books asap. I have read all the books and articles I can find, but it I'd good to hear your thoughts. GOD bless! Scragly cat