cukiemunstr

I got lucky I guess. I just called Richmond and told whoever answered the phone that I didn't really understand Dr. Fisher and wanted a second opinion, they told me that I would have to transfer and I got a call from SSF about an hour later. Good luck!

I didn't have to do any extra classes, in fact, I think I might have slid in under the radar. I didn't think about it at the time, but I never met with the nutritionist. I only did the psych eval and a pre-op class. Everything else was with Dr. Le. That being said, I learned so much from reading forums and other stuff that I don't feel like I missed out on anything.

I had the same problem with Dr. Fisher, only with me it was because I had had abdominal surgery before. It felt like he wasn't really even paying attention to me, just decided for whatever reason he was not going to do it. I asked for a second opinion. When you do that, you have to go to another facility, so I went to S. San Francisco and had Dr. Le. I had my sleeve done on Nov. 29th and am very happy with it. If travel is not a problem for you, that might be an option. And they also put into place a new program, if you travel more than 50 miles, they will reimburse gas, toll and one hotel room for your pre-op visit (1 night), surgery (up to 3 nights for you and a support person) and for your post-op visit. There is a limit on each time of $150. I was 42 miles away so I couldn't get it. I don't know if all facilities are doing this or if it is just SSF. They seem to all have their own programs. If that is something you might consider, what you need to do is call Richmond, tell them you would like to get a second opinion and they will set it up for you. Hope that helps!

From what I have been told, the bullets are not 100% whey Protein so it won't be absorbed as efficiently.

Good luck Amber! You are in good hands! Don't forget to walk, walk, walk and sip sip sip! We will be here waiting to hear how it went. Congrats! :welldoneclap:

I had my appt with him also. And yeah, it was short and sweet. He did tell me he wanted me to take the Emotional Eating class and to let him know when I completed it. I did and when I went to let him know, he was on vacation. He wasn't going to be back until after I had my follow up with Dr. Le, so I never let him know I had done it because Dr. Le gave me my surgery date when I saw him.

It's hard to get your mind around. I was just thinking earlier, there's no way they did it. I don't "feel" different, but then I remember if they hadn't done it, I would be famished with what I have had to eat this week. Oh yeah, maybe they did. When people talked about how great they felt, I really didn't get the full scope of it. I feel awesome, I cannot think of when I ever felt this good. Even with being tired. I can't wait until you can see what I mean. I told my husband, I have to remind myself that I can only do liquids right now, because I feel like I could tolerate anything. But, I know I can't. It's surreal.

He told me he used a 40 on me. At first, I was nervous about it being a bigger one, but I think in the long run, I will be happier with it. I don't want one so small that it's a big issue for me constantly. That being said, there's not just a huge difference in them. Have you seen the comparison chart that keeps floating around on the OH board? It helps put the size difference in perspective, I think.

My first visit with Dr. Le was in August, he gave me a goal weight to get to, I had to come back in Oct, he set the date then and told me to keep working toward my goal or he would cancel. I worked hard at it and got close enough. He gave me my date and had me come in one more time for pre-op classes, meet with him and the anesthesiologist. And it was all done. It feels like it takes forever, but the morning of the surgery, you will be thinking "this is going so fast, what am i doing?" haha

I threw up several times on Day 2, but not since then. Until Day 4 I would have little waves of nausea, but that's all. Now I am doing well. I did have trouble swallowing for about 3 days because my throat hurt from the breathing tube. Now when I drink, it's not bad. If my drink is too big or if I take more than one drink at once, I get a little pinch and then usually burp. That's really all. On a side note, I was telling my husband last night that I feel calmer now. I don't really know how to describe it. I am usually the family worry wart and I stress about everything all the time. But I have felt so calm and peaceful the last couple of days, I have to wonder if there was a hormone that was being stimulated into over-production before. I am really loving this and cannot wait until I get my stamina back up so it will match how great I really feel.

I was told to start as soon as I got home from the hospital. However, I just couldn't I had to really work at just Water. I came home on day 3 and started protein on day 5. It's now day 7 and I did manage to get in 80 grams today, and all of my fluids.

I even asked Dr. Le specifically about the Richmond program not allowing protein drinks and he said they should be. He acted like maybe I had bad information or something. His words were "especially in the first couple of weeks, how else would you get enough?" I kept thinking I would take my Richmond binder in and show him, but I never did. I know I noticed a big difference in energy and just generally well being the day I was able to start getting protein shakes in.

The nurse I didn't like was Marc. He might have been having a bad night, but from what I understand, he is new and I wasn't his first complaint. So far I have only had water, crystal light, a Popsicle and a half (my granddaughter had the other half), two pudding packs and about 5 bites of applesauce. I woke up this morning feeling a little dizzy, so I am nursing a protein shake from costco. I actually woke up craving one. Until today, nothing has sounded remotely appealing, so that's a good sign. And so far, I am keeping it down and it tastes the same as pre-op. I was worried about that.

Yes, I had David Le. He is such a great guy. Not just as a surgeon, but I listened to his interaction with his staff and the OR staff and he is just really nice. Not like surgeons I have had in the past. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone. I am so glad I made the switch to SSF. I don't know what to say about your monthly, I don't have them anymore, but from what I understand, a lot of women get theirs with the surgery, even if it isn't time. But I don't have any definitive info for you.

Thanks Amber! Time will crawl until the night before and then it goes wayyyy too fast! I still can't believe I did it!

Hi everyone! I am home and sleeved. I was also there 3 days and 2 nights. I felt GREAT the first day except for the horrible back pain on the left. The second day, I was praying for death. It was horrible. I threw up all day and had a RN that for whatever reason refused to give me meds. I have let them know about it and will be filing a complaint about him. If you go to SSF, I hope you have Ernie as your RN. He is so awesome, I can't even tell you. He is truly the reason I am home today. He spent so much time making sure I was comfortable and got past what the other one had done. Eileen and Evelyn are full of energy and are real cheerleaders. I am really happy about the over all experience. I am really tired, and ready for bed, but I am home and have no regrets. The only problem I am having is I am afraid to eat. After throwing up all day yesterday, I am scared for a repeat. I have been drinking all day and have had lots of Water and some crystal light (apple) I am so happy that you have appts coming up Heather! I am unbelievably excited for you! Lisa, you will do great, It is so worth it!

Aww Thanks Lisa! I appreciate it, I am kind of freaking out here. I will calm down...especially after the valium! I am ready for this.

At orientation, I was 221 and am not 205. I started in Richmond, but asked to transfer to SSF. He wanted me to lose to 200, but I didn't make it. It sure wasn't from lack of trying and he didn't say anything about me not losing that last five, thank goodness. I tried really hard, and even today at Thanksgiving dinner, I hardly had anything. I am determined to not gain any and hopefully lose a little more before I go in Monday.

He did the same with me. He gave me a goal of 13 pounds and told me that his office staff needed to lose more than that. He asked I would be happy with only losing about 30 lbs and told me to come back in a month. I went back, he told me to keep working on losing that weight and then gave me a surgery date. He had me come back in a month ( a week before scheduled surgery) and if I had not lost "enough" he would cancel the surgery. I went on the 23rd and he was pleased with what I had lost and I am a go for surgery on Monday. I think that is his way of making sure you are serious and not making snap decisions.

I also have an appt with Dr. Le on the 23rd. But that's a Tuesday. My surgery is scheduled for Monday the 29th. I had to lose 13 pounds but so far have only lost 8. I have done everything he said to do, and it just does not want to come off. He may cancel my surgery, but no one can say it's from lack of trying on my part.

Yeah November 29th! I can't believe how close it is. I am really glad I got in with Dr. Le. He is really nice and listens to you.

Yay! I am so glad you got in! I really like Dr. Le. I have my surgery scheduled on the 29th. I am getting kind of nervous about it, but excited at the same time.

Thanks for this list, I saved it and will try them when it's time!

Another idea is the add on buttons that you can use to make pants bigger....just use them to go smaller. That works for a drop of several sizes. I got a package of nine buttons for $10.

Congrats! I am really happy to hear it went well for you. And you're right, it will pass and you will be much better off!