Darcia

Surgery scheduled for November 29 in Montreal. So scared, so excited. Looking to connect with individuals in similar starting situation. Experiences? Tips? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Iam soooo happy to hear that you are going with Dr. Gagner. Please tell them I said hello when you go...ESPECIALLY to nurse Azadeh. She is a gift! Iam now just over 4 months in (March 29th was 4th month anniversary) and NO REGRETS, and so far NO COMPLICATIONS. I have lost 47lbs. Iam currently 163lbs and feeling soooooo much better. The worst thing for me is and probably will always be not being able to REALLLLY enjoy a dinner again. Even now, my portions are so so small its crazy. I find grazing the only way to get in the nutrients I need. So, for example breakfast is either a high protein oatmeal, or 1 oz of cheese with apple slices. I have raw veggies with hummus for a mid morning snack. Lunch is soup or leftovers or a protein shake. Dinner small amount of meat with a small veggie. It does suck - no doubt about that but the rewards of being that smaller person I have been dreaming about far outweighs the disappointment of the meal. My biggest struggle is getting in the protein requirements for the day. Some days are better than others. Best of luck on your journey, honestly it is hard at first and I did have regrets the first few days but that quickly goes away as the scale successes make for so much happiness!!! Take Care!

What about the gummy vitamins? Anyone have info on those. They seem to b all I can take. In multivitamin and calcium. I also do 1 vitamin D drop at night.

Best of luck to you on your journey. The first three months are the most challenging but I think after that it's pretty smooth sailing. It takes a lot of time for your brain to catch up to the body! Remember to be patient with yourself.

Christmas dinner was hard, 3 months later dinners are still hard. 5-6 bites and I'm full. BUT I know this will improve over time. I will b able to eat more going forward but for now this is where I am and I am perfectly fine w it. Drinking water has only improved recently. That was tough too. Don't listen to anyone....only your own heart. Iam so much happier and it's all because I took the leap. I have 2 friends who did this over a year ago. They have maintained their weight loss and are completely satisfied with their journeys too - not one teeny regret.

I went to Dr Michel Gagner. Google Clinique Michel Gagner for info. I did NOT have to go in person pre op. I had a telephone conference / consultation call w Dr Gagner. I had all test results faxed to him prior to surgery. I met w him day of. He is amazing and one of the pioneering doctors for this surgery. You would b in exceptional hands. My fee was $13,750.00. It included procedure, anesthetic, one night in clinic and one night in hotel w a nurse. It includes all inquiries that U may need with the doctor for 90 days post surgery. Also includes 2 telephone consults w a nutritionist. One before and one after. I went into surgery at 210lbs. 3 months later - today Iam 40lbs down and sitting at 170.0. This is exactly on track to what Dr Gagner predicted would happen. He said the next 20 should b off by June. Honestly, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY 100% NO REGRETS.

This may be wayyyyy wrong but I will allow myself ONE treat. Either a SMALL cookie or one chocolate. Life is about living and I believe that although NOT ideal, having one will satisfy my brain -which let's face it - offers the greatest challenge when it comes to temptation. HOWEVER, having just said all that, I must admit, I really DON'T want that treat/chocolate. Maybe, just maybe, my treat will be saying "no thank you" and finally -for once-I will okay with that decision. One moment at a time. Be patient with yourself people....this is s journey not a race. [emoji175][emoji173]️happy Valentine's Day -tomorrow- love YOURSELF. Do what's right for you and live with no regrets. If u treat yourself be ok with it and move on, staying the course.

Good morning everyone. Over and over I read the same thing and while Iam reading Iam nodding my head in agreement wondering WTF happened to my tastebuds when it comes to Water. I agree with you all, it just. Doesn't. Taste. Good. I have tried adding lemons etc. but nothing really helps. Like you, I keep plugging away each day doing my best -which totally falls short of goal. My question is....does anyone know WHY this happens post surgery????? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It is totally NUTS! Something I never expected. I drink pure spring water which I get directly from the natural spring. I LOVED this water before surgery and now.....meh. Lol. My glass is full and will do my best to get it in! However, small price to pay [emoji383] to be on the losers bench. What a great bench it is!!!! [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@MrsPenguin that is my story too. Iam 49, was sleeved nov 29, BMI 35. Iam 36 pounds down. Stopped snoring and my BMI is at 30. Due for blood work at the end of February so will find out about my cholesterol levels then. Feeling so much better both physically and mentally. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Best of luck. I have NO regrets. Would do it again. First month was the worst. Once my brain got caught up with what I did to my body it got easier. Iam down 31lbs 2 months in. Great feeling. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"Thinfarmer" I had my surgery In Montreal but at a different clinic than where you are going. I had it on November 29. Started at 210. Today weighed in at 8 weeks post op and am down 31 lbs. Iam 179 today. post op: I had to get blood work, X-rays, and an endoscopy. The only pre op diet I had was the day before. I could have Breakfast then after that only liquids. I also had a nutritionist telephone call prior to surgery -which the doctor set me up with. It was included w my fee. Also, one nutritional consult after. I had an initial telephone consultation with the surgeon in planning stage. The communication has been fabulous so far. The staff was great and the clinic pristine. Vitamin regime is impt after. They will tell u all about it. BTW - I self paid. Didn't want the hassle of waiting. This journey is NOT easy. There may be a case of buyers remorse after the first day BUT that goes away. Each day is challenging for the first month. However, each day also gets easier. And the scale victories help on the hard days. It's an emotional roller coaster at first bc your brain has no idea what u did to your body and it needs time to adjust. It thinks u can eat. You can't. The best part was after surgery YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY! At least I wasn't. Iam still not really. Water is the hardest thing to get enough of. You will feel like all you do is sip sip sip. But IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. 100%. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@"TrishFB" read my thread above for my experience Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I waited one month. He was awesome. Recommend Canada. If u run into any complications I'm not sure what hospital fees or care is like in Mexico. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Here's a festive idea....1 scoop vanilla Protein powder, 1/2 cup low fat eggnog, 1/2 frozen banana, just under 1/2 cup Water and a few ice cubes. Sprinkle nutmeg on top to complete this healthy festive drink! It helped me today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@bhappy.... your day is almost here! How are you feeling? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a TOTAL food funeral. I was self pay and only had to do a liquid diet the day before surgery. I enjoyed everything without the guilt. By the time I was done, I was indeed done. I was ready. I got all the last minute craziness out of my system. I was sleeved on nov 29th. I am down 14lbs and still not missing all that I enjoyed in the weeks leading up to the surgery - including lots of pizza and ice cream. With the hunger hormone gone the cravings aren't there for me - this no doubt makes it easier. After surgery I had to reset my brain. That is the hardest, but the scale victories remind me that what I chose to do for me is exactly that.... for me, my journey ...and so far has been damn worth it! Do what's right for you under your doctors direction -of course! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It is 2 weeks today. I have lost 14lbs. I feel pretty good. I get tired quickly. Iam sure that is because of the lack of calories going in. This is a process you DEFINATELY can't rush. I had my blood work taken and everything was good. My Iron was very high but that is bc of the blood transfusion. I take my Vitamins everyday and am getting monthly B12 shots at my family doctors office. Iam still on puréed/soft food and am totally ok with that. I like apple sauce, Greek yogurt and Soups. I made a really good lentil soup on the weekend. Lots of Protein. Your day is quickly approaching!!! Next week! Take a deep breath. Know the beginning isn't easy but each day you get physically stronger which helps. Be prepared, ur brain takes MUCH longer to catch up. Your brain has no idea what u did to your body and thinks it can eat. HA! Tricked you brain! The body has taken over this challenge! Lol. Keep In touch. Ask any questions you like, I'm here! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had 2 c-sections. Sleeved on November 29th. C-section recovery much worse! This isn't bad at all. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Post op is hard but u could always get a nutritionist here. U should b able to get some info from your family doctor. The "what can I eat" is simply the biggest thought I have. Dr Gagner's office checked in on me again yesterday. I spoke w Azadeh who gave me some great ideas. They want me to get blood work done and I told them my family doctor already set it up. I have to send my results when I get them. I don't know where u r at as a starting point or how much support u think u need. But if everything goes as it should this surgery will become the tool that we finally have to help us lose all the extra pounds we have been carting around for so long. Hunger will not b an issue. That is the BIGGEST asset post op. One day, one moment and one meal at a time!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Bravo Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There is aftercare but minimal is included. I will b speaking to him on the phone at one month post op. Blood work is done at 3,6 and 12 months. I went to my family doctor and she requisitioned blood work for me now bc of the transfusions. U have 2 nutritionist consults included in your fee w dr Gagner. I had the first one a week before surgery by telephone. It was an hour conversation. I did not feel rushed. The second one will b 2-3weeks post op. That one may b more helpful as iam now trying to put into practice what they sent to me on paper. I won't lie, drinking and eating at this early stage is so hard. U feel full a few sips in. It's unimaginable but totally true. So one small Protein Meal Replacement drink I bought takes an hour or more to get in. Iam constantly sipping. No straws! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello BHappy! First of all I must say that dealing w this clinic was excellent on all levels. U may b speaking w his nurse, Azadeh. She is a lovely lady. Tell her I said hello! She has a lucky quarter of mine. Lol. Dr. Gagner spoke to me before surgery and went thru the process. Now for my story. Firstly, in my surgery day I weighed 207lbs. I only had to do a liquid diet the day before, so easy peasy. I stayed at the hotel they set up. It was great and very close. Dr. Gagner said my surgery went perfectly. I was the best one of the three he did that day. HOWEVER, I quickly became a a part of those RARE cases he will tell you about. 1% of patients suffer from a bleed soon after surgery. This happened to me. When they got me up for the first time and Azadeh brought me to the bathroom I guess I pushed to hard when trying to pass urine. I bled from my middle belly site. They were quick to put me in a chair, get me to my bed and call for an ambulance to go to the hospital. Dr Gagner 's clinic is not set up in case a blood transfusion is reqd. Before I left they made sure I was ok, stable and comfortable. They suspected the bleed had stopped but sending me to the hospital was Dr Gagner taking precautions. My well being was his priority. You are in good hands. He accompanied me in the ambulance. It's a blur after that. But I did receive 2 bags of blood to pump up my hemoglobin and give me s good start to recovery. I received all pain meds required and they did a CT scan to ensure the bleed stopped -which it did. Ice chips were essential! Drinking tough. I was hydrated thru the IV so it was ok. My surgery was Tuesday and I didn't actually start walking till Thursday. I was able to go back to the hotel Thursday at 7pm and I caught my flight home on Friday. It was quite the ordeal! Iam happy at home now and figuring things out. It is hard. Expect a wee bit of "buyers remorse". That is normal and that thought passed quickly. Getting the nutrition is is challenging but stick to the nutritional guidelines you will b given and it will b good. For the most part I have broth, Protein shakes, Jello, puréed Soup like butternut squash but very very small amounts. The scale victories happen quickly. Today I was 199.7lbs. I haven't been out of the 200's in many years. The happiness is coming more and more each day. You are in good hands. My case is rare. I guess iam special. Lol. Dr Gagner visited me everyday in the hospital and oversaw my care. Azadeh called my husband twice checking up on me. I have already received a follow up from her. Good luck on your journey. Take it slow. You are making this choice for you for your own reasons. You will b happy with Dr Gagner and his staff. Any questions feel free to ask. Darcia Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We are kindred spirits then....I look forward to Tuesday when I finally can take REAL control of my eating habits. I am self pay - going to Montreal, Ontario, Canada to have it done by one of the pioneering doctors of this surgery. I have had my emotional ups and downs with this decision...but nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I look forward to hitting goal weight. Cheers sister! Best of luck! I'm at 215, I'm only 5'4 so my BMI is higher, BUT...I completely relate to the losing and gaining it back within a few months. And like someone else had said on this thread, I question myself if I REALLY need this surgery (and believe me, people have said "You don't look like you need this"). My body has been adjusting very well to gaining 10-15 pounds a year and keeping it. Anyone remember when Angeline Jolie had a mastectomy even though she didn't have breast cancer yet? I'm getting this surgery for the same reason she did, she knew her chances of cancer were very high too. Both of my parents were seriously obese. My mother had a gastric sleeve a few years ago. I don't want to hit 250, 300 and become even worse off than I am now. Yeah, I have to self pay since I haven't been over BMI of 35 for 3 years (just this past year I hit that mark) . But it's an investment in myself and my future.

I have been following Kate Neal Fitness on facebook. She posts the best workouts. She shows beginner and advanced options -which I love- u can print it out and bring it w u to the gym for ideas w free weights. Check her out! Good luck Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App