sleevers in Chicago southland

[Sherry77 166]

Yes' date=' Dr. Wallace did a Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) for me, through my belly button. I'm 9 weeks out and have a teeny tiny leetle scar inside my belly button that's visible IN my belly button, and it might show a little bit when I get slender if my skin tightens up. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> He also had to put a liver retractor in at the top of my abdomen, which was a puncture that healed really quick.

There are videos of this kind of surgery on youtube, it's actually pretty cool to watch. You need to have a fairly short torso for them to be able to get the instruments up all the way.[/quote']

How cool.. Dr. Rantis didn't mention this, so I'm assuming I wont be a candidate. Thanks for the info. How would you rate the Kane center post -op care?

[Kat Crowder 34]

How cool.. Dr. Rantis didn't mention this, so I'm assuming I wont be a candidate. Thanks for the info. How would you rate the Kane center post -op care?

Huh. I don't have any complaints, but I haven't really dealt with them much post-op. I was flooded with info at the hospital before I was released. I had a week followup, then a month. There are seminars and support groups on Saturdays in Hoffman Estates which are very inconvenient - I've only been to the one required pre-op seminar, and I really like Dr. Crane the psych. Everyone has been very helpful in offering that I could contact them if necessary (like the nutritionist), but I've had a relatively easy recovery, my weight loss is good, and this forum and the May 2012 Sleevers Facebook group has given me all the info and support I need. I can't really say how they deal with post-op difficulties. :-/

[Nick'sMom 54]

Consult with Dr. Wallace went great. I am too long from breastbone to belly button to do single-incision, but that's ok. Now I wait to hear from the coordinator to set up the psych eval etc.

I've been working with Jason - I think he's the only coordinator they have so he's pretty busy. I would suggest that when he calls you to set up the psych eval, ask him what other appts you have to schedule so that you can get those going. It was my experience that then I went to schedule my dietary classes and my pulminologist appt they were 4-6 weeks out. So the sooner you can try to schedule, maybe the better. My insurance required that I have the psych eval and the predietary class completed before they would approve me. I have my predietary appt 8/8.

[Nick'sMom 54]

Hi all.. I'm getting my surgery done by Dr.Rantis out of Alexian Brothers on July 30th. When you say single incision, is it still done laparoscopically?

Good luck on Monday Sherry77! I'm sure it will all go well. How was/is the preop diet?

[Sherry77 166]

Good luck on Monday Sherry77! I'm sure it will all go well. How was/is the preop diet?

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the Protein Powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

[Kat Crowder 34]

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the Protein powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

I loved the vanilla pre-surgery, but it's wayyyyy too sweet post-surgery. I got the orange cream after surgery and it's my go-to Protein Shake right now. I ran out on Thursday and I just have vanilla and chocolate left.

Good luck!!!

[Nick'sMom 54]

Thanks Nicks mom :-). I'm getting nervous. As far as the pre-op diet ugghhh. Honestly it was hard for me. I only lost 11 pounds over the 14 days so far. It seems like it should be more after drinking only liquid. The Kane center tells their patients to use Bariatric Advantage. I thought the vanilla was sickenly sweet, but the give shake recipes that help. Example: 4oz of diet orange soda, mandarins oranges with the juice drained and 2 scoops of the Protein powder blended with ice (was my fav). It's nice to hear from others in my area keep in touch.

You're going to do great! I will definately keep in touch and please keep us posted on your progress. You are right, it's nice to keep in touch with people in the area and it's a huge plus that we have the same doctor. Take care and we will 'talk' soon

[skye 46]

Anyone sw burbs going to Silver Cross Dr Joyce Aug 20

[LawDiva312 33]

Can't wait to hear how things went Sherry77!

I am working with Jason too. I have psych eval tomorrow, pulmonary appt next week and a sleep study next week - pretty sure I may have apnea unfortunately I can't get in to the dietician until 8/28!! So that's going to cause me a big delay with getting the insurance approval.

Excited to meet Dr. Crane. Everyone's raving about him

[LawDiva312 33]

Any pre and/or post oppers interested in meeting for coffee? If we could get a little group together for a little Q & A that would be awesome. I'd love to meet some people face to face that have gone through this and talk in more detail about the process and life after.

I'm in SW burbs but willing to meet wherever.

[Nick'sMom 54]

Dr. Crane is great. Very gentle manner. Who decided that you had to go for the sleep study? I haven't had to schedule that but when I set my appointment for the pulmonary apt., they asked me about issues re: sleep apnea. I don't think I have it but we shall see.

[Nick'sMom 54]

Any pre and/or post oppers interested in meeting for coffee? If we could get a little group together for a little Q & A that would be awesome. I'd love to meet some people face to face that have gone through this and talk in more detail about the process and life after.

I'm in SW burbs but willing to meet wherever.

I'd be up for it. I'm probably a little north from you but I can meet wherever too.

[LawDiva312 33]

Dr. Crane is great. Very gentle manner. Who decided that you had to go for the sleep study? I haven't had to schedule that but when I set my appointment for the pulmonary apt.' date=' they asked me about issues re: sleep apnea. I don't think I have it but we shall see.[/quote']

I've been concerned for a couple of months that I have apnea because in the morning I feel so tired it's like I haven't slept. I am so exhausted every day I have to take a nap. I wake up with headaches fairly often. So bc of this info Dr. Wallace wants me to have the sleep study done.

[Kat Crowder 34]

I've been concerned for a couple of months that I have apnea because in the morning I feel so tired it's like I haven't slept. I am so exhausted every day I have to take a nap. I wake up with headaches fairly often. So bc of this info Dr. Wallace wants me to have the sleep study done.

Having sleep apnea is one of the comorbidities that "helps" you get approved for surgery. It's also pretty important to know before surgery because it's harder to wake yourself up when you stop breathing after surgery, and the anesthesia and painkillers can exacerbate that.

I'd like to get together, but I'm tremendously busy. I'm in the NW burbs myself.

[Kat Crowder 34]

Hi all.. I'm getting my surgery done by Dr.Rantis out of Alexian Brothers on July 30th.

Thinking of you!