Howdy All.

so I've been on this site since 2006, maybe even posted once or twice (I don't remember if I did or not), but decided to give it another shot. I originally went to Wishard for a few months before life got in the way of everything, but now I'm currently going to Community North. I am in month 5 of my madatory 6 month supervision, though I don't seem to be losing much weight at all even though I've been exercising and my intake has dropped to what it used to be. So hopefully my insurance will push me through quickly (I think they're sick and tired of all my ER visits due to issues that have direct correlation with my weight) and I can get the RNY done in January.

So I'm on here to get opinions, see peoples lives, and get some support. This is actually a pretty big step for me since I'm very independent and closed off to letting other people know my problems and such. So thats me in a nut shell.

Thanks, Jeff.

It all starts with 1 step, 6 months and a lot of luck.  LOL

I'm a VSGer and will be at St. Vincent on Oct 10th to get my sleeve.  couldn't find one that fits at the big and tall mens stores. 

I've had a great road and got approved the first time.  Persistance pays!

 Good luck.

Hey Jeff!
I just had my consult with the doc. Went well but of course I am at the very beginning stages of this process. Glad to have found this board for support too!

I just found this board and wondered if there was much activity. I got my VSG at St. V's with Dr. Diaz on August 10th. I've had a great experience!!

 Hi,

I am post WLS for exactly 3 yrs and if there is one piece of advise I could give to pre op patients it would be to look ahead 1, 2, 3 or more years and ask questions about the rest of your life. I trusted the medical professionals that were caring for me to teach me everything I would need to know. I was mistaken. When you go on Weigh****chers you are given a diet book with exchanges and exact amounts to be eaten, how much exercise to get in and even ways to do it all.
One would think after a major life change like WLS you would be told exactly what to eat, when and how much. It is not true. You get a list of things to avoid but when it comes to specifics there is nothing. You should eat every x amount of hours, don't drink for 30 min before during or 30 min after, don't eat sweets, take your vitamins....but nothing about what exactly you should eat or how much is too much.

Also ask about what new side effects your body might display? For women how does the surgery and weight loss affect your hormones and cycle, for both, what can be done for gas and what causes it ~ because you will most likely experience gas all the time for the rest of your life but no one seems to be able to say what to do about it.

The one BIG lesson I have learned about this surgery is that you need more information to live your life so be sure to ask about EVERYTHING! They are getting paid a very large fee to do the surgery, make them earn it by giving you ALL the information you need. Not just what to do right after surgery.

Good luck to everyone!!!!!

I just had my rny on 9/23/11 at Community North.  The nurses there are great and very caring.  My dr's program does include exactly what to eat for how long, how to transition between phases, what vitamins to take and when.  I had to do an orientation class that was 4 hours long and they sent us home with a binder full of materials.  At 3 weeks out I've lost just under 30 pounds and am now on pureed foods.  My tastes really did change after surgery and protein drinks that were good before surgery, I now can't stand to drink, so I'm saving them for a few weeks to see if I can tolerate them later.  :)    It is a real challenge to get all the fluids in since if I drink too fast I get the foamies (foamy saliva, ick).  So lots of trial and error to see what works and what doesn't. 

Good luck on your journey!  I had to do the 6 month pre-op diet too and the time flew by.  Hopefully it will for you too!