My new Chief is a smart dude! Vast improvement over the last one for sure. Have some pretty cool gadgets and gizmos to use. Problem is vehicles. Chief uses his own personal vehicle. One is in the shop getting majority of a new motor and don't know when it will be back. There is "the beast" that frankly needs to be sent to a demolisher leaving one black and white Tahoe we are sharing. The ISD police department has more bodies than we do!

Glad y'all had a good time and eating buffets did not do any damage.

Last Week 213.8
This Week 212.4

Just got home late last night from a weeklong carribean cruise. Happy as a lark with no weight gain after being surrounded by food 24/7.

Started out last Friday with flight delayed and delayed again because of the worl wide computer crash. But we booked a hotel for one night earlier than the cruise just in case there were problems. We ened up checking in at midnight, but that was ok because a few hours prioe we got an notice from the cruise line that they had to delay the cruise (shorten the trip) by one day due to engine problems. The new intenerary cut out two shore excursion on us also. Sunday we are aboard. Big party on the main deck for a 5pm Bon Voyage. Music blasting, food, drink everywhere. I believe there was lots of skimpy well fitting bathng suiits, but I couldn't really see through my dark sunglasses. Then at 5:00, music, food, dancing.....5:10, music, food, dancing....5:30, music, food, dancing.... Around 6:15 (18:15 for Don ) wife and I decided to go back to our room and wait on our balcony. After an hour of that we wandered arounf the ship, got something to eat and then went back to the room and watched TV. We set sail at 9:30 due to "technical difficulties". But all in all it was very relaxing. Saw some great sights and a few excursions.

I was very nervous about the food and eating. We only ate at the buffet because they had so much variety and you could get as little or as much as you wanted. I sampled just a little of things that interested me, but was never hungry. This was my first major vacation since my VSG in 2016. I'm looking forward to the next!

Good week to all!

Welcome to the community, and thank you for sharing your story. It's courageous to take this step towards improving your health and quality of life.

I'm glad to hear you've done extensive research and spoken with friends who have undergone the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). It's important to be well-informed when making such a significant decision.

Your concerns are entirely normal. Many patients feel anxious before surgery, especially if they haven't had one before. Rest assured that VSG is a well-established procedure with a good safety profile when performed by experienced surgeons.

Regarding your specific concern about catheters - this is a common worry. However, they're typically inserted after you're under anesthesia and removed before you wake up. Most patients don't even realize they had one.

It's excellent that you've found a surgeon you feel comfortable with. A good doctor-patient relationship is crucial for a positive experience and outcome.

As you progress through your pre-surgery period, focus on developing healthy habits that will support your post-surgery success. This includes following your doctor's dietary guidelines, staying hydrated, and incorporating appropriate physical activity as advised.

Remember, VSG is a tool to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Your commitment to lifestyle changes will be key to long-term success.

If you have any specific medical questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to discuss them with your surgeon or healthcare team. They're best equipped to address your individual case.

I wish you the best on your journey. Keep us updated on your progress.

Thank you!