Support Group report

Last night was the lapsf support group up here in the northern boonies. Still amazes me that Dr, C drives up here to see us but since there is no barriatric surgeon up here, I guess its because its a good source of new patients.

Anyway, the post op support topic was grocery shopping and eating in restaurants. Not much we don't all know but its always a good review and pep talk.

One thing I was curious about was that last time he said he was doing the sleeve these days a little different than he was doing it a couple of years ago. I asked how it was different. He said he uses a different stapler, does more sutures on the staple line, uses a small scope to check for leaks and generally makes the sleeve as small as he can. Of course I wanted to know if I got the new model 15 months ago and he said yes.

I also tried to ask the question about was there potential for not absorbing protein as well due to less stomach action and he said no, there is no malabsorbtion with the sleeve. I'm not sure I made the question very clear so not sure he got what I was asking and it was late and things were winding up.

Also asked if he thought there were some people who were more sensitive to carbohydrates or had more difficulty with them and he said yes, diabetics. I asked about besides diabetics but the discussion moved elsewhere and others had other questions so didn't really get a clear answer there either.

The other post ops were more recent than me and still in the weight loss phase. Two had bands and seemed to be losing all right, but the other sleever and I know we got the best deal.

Diane

Our meeting is on wed here in S.J.  I haven't seen Dr. "sunshine" in over 2 months.....and 20lbs or so.....heavier!  I'm already below his next "goal" for me!   I should put on a "fat" suit and walk in!  Would be worth the reaction!  I could walk in W/ a box of donuts.......and a big bag of chip...."hey doc I don't know why  I gained weight?"

 
Bring enough for everybody!!!!

Now that would freak him out!

I told you at the Petaluma meeting I went to..... the catering guy was trying to deliver a cart full of muffins and croissants....cokes and sprite to our room !!!

I though Dr.C was steppin it up !......yah right....

frisco

Ha Ha Jimbo, I think you should get the biggest McDonald's malt cup they sell (fill it with crystal light) and walk in drinking it. Smear some orange Cheetos dust on your face.  Plus stuff a few pillows in your shirt. Oh heck, just show up in drag.  In fact maybe we should make this National Play Jokes on Dr, Cirangle Month. Too bad I already missed my chance.

You know, last night Dr. C talked about a patient he had who had lost 300 lbs and who looked completely normal in street clothes. He has talked before about a patient he has who has done really well by observing very consistent habits. While he absolutely maintains confidentiality, knowing your story I think he is talking about you, and he does so with great pride. I think he is really thrilled with how well you have done, as are we all. So you are the one who needs to pimp him a bit with the donut boxes. Just do it.  Can't wait to hear about it.    Diane

OMG LOL. Dr. Sunshine.. LMFAO.  You missed the last two meetings.. he was so mad at me because I couldn't help but debate him with some of the nutritional info. I'm going to be a very good girl tomorrow.  If I open my mouth Elina's going to kick me under the table. :)

 I love playing jokes on people, especially doctors - since I am in the medical field.  Jimbo - I don't know you that well - but I am so impressed.  You must be sooooo proud!!!
Kathy

Thank you!  I am proud.  Even better....I fell Soooo great!  More energy.... less pain......less of that overall...... "I feel like crap today"  feeling.  When you're as sick/huge as I WAS.......you are never 100%........ physically.....psycologically.......emotionally.  Not that I will EVER be "normal".......that ship sailed looong ago!  

Thanks for trying to pick his mind about it anyway!

Diane,
Thanks for posting about Dr C's support groups, I always find the information interesting and really appreciate you guys sharing your data

Dr. C also told me that nobody had ever told him that excess acid was confused with hunger and he also told me that he took most of the stomach part out that made the acid.  I said why do I have reflux now when I never had it pre-op? Grr... he has a really hard time with the ego thing and ever conceding a point.. take what he says with a grain of salt.  

Protein digestion requires a lot of stomach acid, so if you are taking a PPI you are not going to digest as much in the stomach.  Also there are many reasons why you would be producing less of the enzymes that digest protein too, and those need to be considered.

With regards to if you want him to maybe understand your question about carb sensitivity, you might want to ask him about insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and syndrome X.. maybe he's heard of those things.  Mostly he probably doesn't want to answer and expose himself for that debate. 

 I'm happy to answer your questions about that if you like... and if I don't know the answer I'll be sure to tell you.   He sure is a good surgeon though, and I am so happy I got HIS sleeve.