CRETE - A Year in Review

Hi

Crete only has a max speed of 63. Look at the pot calling the kettle black lol!

 

I think you missed my point. I'm not ######## about the fact that they're governed slow. Rather, being governed to 62 and being stuck behind someone going 60-61 sucks. Fast enough that you can't pass, but just slow enough to be in your way.

Anyway, route 66 attraction content:

 

I cleared my final hurdle today. I am gonna have a sleeve gastrectomy. I debated about putting it up on here but decided in the end if it spurs someone else to explore the surgery then it may be worth it. I've been steadily gaining weight since coming back from Afghanistan so I decided I will not become that overly large guy waddling up to the truck stop counter with two slices of pizza and four hot dogs. I recently turned 50 and it hit me that I need to do something drastic to help me for the future. I know I can't do this thru will power because I have tried. It's still gonna be a struggle to make healthy choices everyday but soon I will have a physical constraint to help me out.

If anybody has any questions I will be happy to relate my personal experience but please understand you must make your own choices. I am not advocating this step for anybody. I am just trying to be honest about my situation and start a dialogue .

 

I'm using Nutrii-System to lose weight. I started the first of June and am down over 30lbs. I could be down much more but over the last month I've not been strict with following the plan. However I've not deviated too far and have maintained the weight loss. The food is good and I don't feel like I'm starving. The cost is about the same as eating at truck stops, plus it's very convenient. You need a microwave & cooler (but not necessary) to store fruits/ veggies.

 

I will probably have some Nutrisystem on the truck when I go back out. It's packed well, has the nutritional values for the most part and some don't have to be refrigerated. It's just the fact that if I have a stomach to put food into I will...haha

 

BTW if anybody has consistent heartburn/acid reflux/GURD...PLEASE take steps to control it. For me Prilosec OTC took care of mine. That last hurdle I spoke of was a EDG (scope) where they went down into my esophagus because I had a bad Hiatal Hernia. The acid can do some wicked damage (as the radiologist put it) So please take steps to prevent acid reflux

 

Good luck Joe. Is there a weight or BMI that doctors require to do this or is it purely patients choice? Is this procedure significantly different than the lap band? And approx cost? Thx.

 

Thx man! I know my BMI was over 44. I think the low threshold is like 35...sorry not quite sure. Procedure is totally different. The band is placing a device around the very top part of your stomach bottom part of esophagus and it restricts the passageway. The gastrectomy is a stapling of the stomach and a removal of between 60 and 70% of the stomach itself. It only leaves the muscle part of the stomach but leaves you digestive tract in tact. The costs vary from $10,800 to well over $16K. All in all mine will be about $15K because i wanted this particular surgeon. He did my sister about 4 years ago. She lost over 100 pounds and has kept it off.

BTW (and I don't really blame them) but Crete has an exemption on bariatric surgery so this is out of pocket for me. I have been saving about 2 years for this. If I had been smart and was able to do it in one year I would have set up a FSA to help out on taxes.

 

I met a Crete gal running regional out of new kingston. She did the surgical route and had lost over 100. She recommends the lap band except for the need for significant weight loss. Met a guy at the Marietta terminal that had also lost over 100 in approx 6 months. His b/p was dangerously low. He was still taking his b/p meds and hadn't been back for meds adjustment.

 

My surgeon said he's done two lap bands this year. He does one to two bariatric surgeries a day so to only do two lap bands is saying something. He actually discourages it. Back when, my sister insisted on a lap band then had some severe complications resulting in the need for a revision to a gastric by-pass due to the damage caused. ALWAYS consult the surgeon and plan the best course for you! Plus with the lap band there's is always the need for adjustments of the band. My sister's actually slipped causing the damage. My surgeon says that's one of the main reasons he avoids those now days. In Dallas the sleeve is king although he prefers the by-pass due to the ability of reversal/ revisions. Once you take out the stomach with the sleeve there's no going back. However you can still do a by-pass.

Also that price includes several follow up visits and blood work to make sure Im getting the neede vitamins/minerals and to adjust my meds. That dude definitely needs to have a check up if his BP is too low. Heck, just being on a high protein shake diet these past two weeks my BP and heart rate are much improved!