Well Rob...I am from West Virginia, but now live in Texas and had the sleeve done 5 months ago. Does that count? I grew up in Raleigh County...I miss it terribly, but I just can't seem to make the move back, there isn't a lot of work there in my husbands field...believe me, if there were...we would be there; he fell in love with the state the first time I took him there 16 years ago.
I love my sleeve! My starting BMI was 47 and just 5 months later I am down 85 lbs and my BMI is 34. I have 34 lbs to go to meet my surgeons goal, and 44 to meet mine.
I had absolutely no problem with the surgery, and was back at work in less than a week.
Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Have you been the the VSG forum? It is located under the surgical forum on the forum pull down.
Good luck with your surgery.
Idgett

Rob, I know how you feel, believe me, at 499lbs I know the feeling of the feet and legs, the knee and hip pain so bad you can't walk, swelling so much you cant wear shoes or socks,sit or even sleep and some knott head telling you to get out and exercise, your just too fat, if you loose the weight you wouldn't have these problems. Most of them never were more than 20 lbs over weight in their lives and eat more than you or I put together. Does any of this sound familiar? Jjust wanted to let you know that you are not alone, someone else out here gets it, I've heard that all my life, just scoot back from your plate sooner and you won't be sooo fat. I am trying to get approved for wls and I can't  wait.

I want to address your nurse practitioner, don't you dare take up for her, if she told you you are just too fat she is incesitive and rude, she may care about your health...maybe....or not... but she does not care about you, your feelings,  you are right to see another care provider, and if this one is not any better, well roll on down the line to anoter and so on till you find the right match.
Sorry, didn't mean to go off or ramble, I'll go now.

Good Luck.
Just another guy whoes too fat

Roger

hello my name is christina and im considering weight loss surgery for the second time. the first time i considered it at the time i was having personal issues. i got all the way past the psychological evaluation and chickend out. mainy because i had a boyfriend that didnt want me to have the surgery and i was going to dr shin at the time and due to my work schedule i couldnt attend the support. i work for camc as a pharmacy technician on evening shift.  i was wondering if anyone had surgery through dr rossi and what he was like and if anyone had the surgery using the insurance through camc. so far my family has been supportive. im just trying to attend dr rossi seminar's but so far my work schedule isnt allowing it where it is on tuesdays.  im 34 have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and starting to have issues with short ness of breath. im too the point now that i now have a wonderful husband that will support me and im too  young to be having all these health issues already. i have been batteling with this for years. any advice would be appreciated

you'll be surprised how fast time will go, yesterday was my 6 month band anniversary and I'm so happy.  I was surprised that so much time has gone by..  Dr Shin is awesome hes helped me stay on track well except for when I didn't go in for a fill   LOL out of laziness.  I let him choose which band for me I ended up with the newest one and I love it.  I feel like I might have more restriction that others but who knows

Vickie - My first appointment was a long one.  I met with the dietician (Bev), the nurse (Vanessa), the exercise physiologist (Keesha) and Dr. Shin.  I didn't get out of there until after 5 pm and met with Dr. Shin last.  He took all the time I needed to answer my questions.  I had a 3-month pre-surgery period to satisfy my insurance.  Dr. Shin tells it like it is - no fluffing, which I like.  Initially I told Dr. Shin to chose the band for me - I had no preference.  After researching, I decided on the latest AP band, if he had no preference.  In fact, I told Dr. Shin that as I was going into surgery. 

Just do your research, Vickie.  Spend the time prior to surgery reading all the blogs and posts, asking questions, and researching.  You want to know what to expect and what questions to ask at your appointments. 

Best of luck! - Pat