MEAT!! Welcome back, old friend.

Today, for the first time in over three weeks, I ate meat! Real, solid, non-liquid meat! I never thought I would be this ecsastic over chicken lunchmeat. It's just that when you're only allowed to eat liquids, you get real tired of sweet. I've been craving solid protein and today I got some. Give it up for two ounces of smoked chicken deli-style lunchmeat chewed to the consistancy of babyfood!!

It's the little things, kids.

Update: Two ounces of smoked chicken deli-style lunchmeat chewed to the consistancy of babyfood filled me up. Sometimes, there really isn't room for Jello. :)

Post-Op Doctor's Appointment

Today, I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon. Actually, it was with my surgeon's partner, Dr. Christopher Kowolosky.

First thing after being called back, I hopped on the scale. For the first time in a long time, I found myself not dreading the scale! And, as I was about to find out, for good reason. Since starting my pre-op diet three weeks ago, I've lost 33 pounds. Wow. I mean, WOW. That's like a five year old!

So, after I picked my chin up off the floor, I went into the exam room. The nurse asked me a few questions, making sure I was getting my protein and water in. She wasn't concerned that I wasn't up to 60 grams of protein yet; she said at this point 30-40 was okay. She said it was more important to get the 64 ounces of liquids in. Next, she checked my blood pressure which was 108/66. I was very glad to hear this, as the surgeon took me off the beta blocker I've been on for three months right after surgery. The nurse said that it was normal for blood pressure to stabilize this quickly after weight loss. Hooray!

Next, another nurse (I think she was a nurse) came in to remove the staples on my incisions. I wasn't looking forward to this particular part; it just doesn't sound pleasant, having staples removed from your skin. I was surprised; it didn't hurt at all when she removed them. After removal, she prepped my skin with this brown solution so that the sterile strips she applied would adhere better. The whole process took less than five minutes and was completely painless.

The surgeon then came in to ask how things were going, if I had any questions, etc. He took a quick look at my incisions, and said things looked good and to come back in two months. I have to have some labs drawn at that time to make sure all my vitamin levels are good, and that was it.

After my friend Shawn drove me home, I hopped behind the wheel of my car for the first time in over a week and headed to the grocery store to pick up my mushy foods. Another great thing about bariatric surgery: I was in and out of the store in fifteen minutes, and I only spent $34! And I figure what I bought, about half a bag full of groceries, will last about a week to ten days! This is what I picked up:

lowfat cottage cheese
thin sliced turkey and chicken
string cheese
yogurt (no fruit chunks)
individually frozen tilapia and salmon fillets
refried beans
tuna
low fat mayo
and my old friend, beef consomme.








Oh, and I had a 1/4 cup of cottage cheese for dinner! With cinnamon! It was yummy.

One Week Post Op-EGG DAY!!

I'm one week out from surgery and today, I ate my first "semi-solid" food in three weeks: one scrambled egg. It was a damned good egg. It went down and stayed down, so hooray! Tomorrow, 1/4 of a cup of cottage cheese!!



Other Things I've Learned in One Week Post-Op:

* Don't Be a Hero: Don't try to do too much in an attempt to prove to yourself that you're healing. This is a big surgery. Skin, muscle and tissue are trying to heal; let them!

* Incisions, no matter how small or large, hurt. Especially if you try to bend at the waist.

* Isopure Clear Protein is actually grosser than the chocolate protein drinks.

* Pillows make fantastic buffers; take one to work your first couple of days back to cushion your incisions while sitting at your desk.

* Giving yourself an injection of blood thinning medication isn't as hard as it sounds.

* It's much better when your mom the nurse gives you an injection of blood thinning medication.
* Crystal Lite makes much better sugar free popsicles than Good Humor.

* Popsicles, no matter who makes them, suck after eating them for three weeks.

* There is no painkiller in the world that makes you feel as good as your mom tucking you into bed with a kiss on your forehead. Seriously, if Merck could bottle it, there wouldn't be a need for anti-depressants anymore.

Tomorrow is my first post-op appointment where I am very much hoping that I will be released to drive. I think that I will also have the staples removed from my incisions then. Hooray!

Post-Op Update #2

Well, I'm four days out from surgery, and I am doing, okay for the most part.

Most of the pain is centered around the largest of the five incisions. According to the surgeon, that is where they do most of the "digging around" so its normal that it should be the most tender. All of the incisions are closed with titanium staples, and then covered with thin plastic bandages. I can shower normally, and the incisions stay dry. The doctor will remove them at my appointment on Thursday.

Right now, I am pretty limited in my activity. My mom and I went for a walk this morning for about 15 minutes, and it really wiped me out. I'm trying really hard to get at least 30 minutes of walking in each day. So far, so good.

Now, getting 60 grams of protein in is another matter. I didn't think it possible, but the clear protein drink (isopure) actually tastes worse than the chocolate. But I'm choking it down, just not all of it. From what I've read, that's pretty normal right after surgery.

I have had quite a bit of stomach discomfort and gas; mostly from the CO2 that they pumped intomy abdomen during surgery. It takes quite a while for it to work its way out. The Gas-X strips help some but its pretty uncomfortable.

So, back to the comfy chair, sipping on water. I will try to go for a walk later; that definitely helps the CO2 rise to the surface, if you know what I mean.

More later...

Two Days out

Well, I did it. I've officially been "sleeved". It's been a long couple of days.

My mom and I arrived at Heartland Spine and Speciality Hospital at 6 a.m. I signed in, and was callled to get registered about 10 minutes later. About 10 minutes after that, a very nice nurse called my name, and took me up to the pre-op area. Once there, she took a quick history, gave me a gown to change into, and a pair of anti-embolism stockings. Let's just say, I looked HOT.

After I was changed, the nurse came back and put an iv in my hand. It was a bit of a tough stick; she said a lot of the gastric surgery candidates have trouble with iv because they are usually dehydrated.

After the nurse left, the anesthiologist came by to introduce himself, and to talk about the kind of gas he would be giving me as well as the anti-nausea patch that I would wear behind my ear. Apparently, these patches are usually worn by people on cruises to prevent seasickness but doctors have started using them for surgeries.

Then, Dr. Hoehn came by to see how I was doing, and to ask once more if I had any questions. My mom showed up shortly after that. She kissed me on the forehead, told me she loved me and that is the last thing I remember before waking up in the recovery room.

Dr. Hoehn had already spoken with my mom and told her the surgery went very well, and that he was very confident that this procedure was going to work well for me.

Then, I was moved into my room. It was a private room, very nice view of a courtyard and very quiet. Which was a good thing, because I was more exhausted than I have ever been in my life. Another nurse came in to take my vitals and to show me how to use the morphine drip pump. The morphine drip pump then became my new best friend.

More later...

T minus 0 Days-GAME ON

On March 24, I made a decision to seriously investigate weight loss surgery. Now, today, almost four months to the date, I'm walking out the door, getting in the car and heading to the hospital to have surgery.

I've researched, I've explored my feelings, I've talked about it, I've blogged about it. I've cried, I've laughed, I've backpeddaled, I've reasoned my way back. I've made lists, I've planned, I've prepared, I've filled out advanced directives. I've given more blood than a broke college student, had 37 different electrodes pasted to my body for a sleep study, and had a foot long tube snaked down my throat. I've been on a liquid diet for two weeks. TWO WEEKS.

And it all comes down to tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.

Most of my close friends know I have a borderline obsession with the television show The West Wing. I've got the whole series on dvd, I DVR the reruns on Bravo eventhough I've seen them all a thousand times, and I still cry when Bartlet gives Charlie the carving knife on the Thanksgiving episode.

One of my favorite episodes was on the other day. The President is preparing for the final debate of his second campaign. His opponent, played by James Brolin, was a thinly-veiled George W. Bush character. As the President was getting ready to walk out onto the debate floor, his wife Abby tells him, "Game on, boyfriend."

"Game on" has become a bit of a rallying cry for me and my mom. Whenever one of us has a big interview, or meeting, or some other challenge, we tell each other, "It's time to stop screwing around. Game on, girlfriend."

So, I guess that about sums up how I'm feeling this morning.

GAME ON.

T minus 1 Day

At this time tomorrow, I will be in recovery, sleeping off the anesthesia, minus about 2/3 of my stomach. Hee!

My mom just texted from the train; she's on her way, on time even, so I'll leave work about two to go pick her up. Then, we'll head home so I can do the magnesium citrate (ick).

We have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. so I'm hoping to get packed and get to bed early.

I am so ready.

T minus 2 Days

I had my last pre-op appointment this afternoon with Dr. Hoehn. He reviewed my labwork and xray from last week; everything looks great. He asked me if I had any questions, which I don't. He asked me if I was ready, and I said "You have no idea".

His nurse also gave me some information on the blood thinner injections that I have to give myself for seven days after the surgery. She gave me a prescription but when I told her I was self pay, she gave me samples!! Hooray! The injections are very easy to do, especially if your mom is a nurse and is staying with you for a week after the surgery. :)

Then, I made a follow up appointment for a week after the surgery to have the incisions checked. Then, I was on my way back to work.

Is this really happening to me in two days? Wow.

T minus 3 Days

It is amazing how much one can accomplish when one is trying like mad to ignore gnawing hunger pains.

In the past two days, I have:
Read 400 pages of a book

Cleaned, scoured, scrubbed, Windex and vacuumed every surface of my living space.

Completed all surgery-related errands including the drugstore, GNC, Target.

Completed all non-surgery related errands including pet store, scrapbook store, dry cleaners and post office.

Paid all of my bills.

Started a new scrapbook for a friend.

Cleaned out my closet.

Watched a Criminal Minds marathon on television.

Seriously, one more week of this, and I would have figured out how to cap the oil well AND gotten the grout in my tub sparkling white.

I am so glad Wednesday is almost here.

T Minus Four Days

Four days to liftoff. And it can't get here soon enough. I know that I won't be able to eat solids after surgery any more than I am not supposed to eat them now. However, after surgery, hopefully, my appetite will not be as ravenous as I am now.

I am trying to keep busy but its been tough. It is ridiculously hot out, so anything outside is pretty much out of the question. I went to the scrapbook store last night, but I didn't want to go too crazy.

Today, I finished up some last minute pre-surgery errands. I swung by the drugstore and picked up a couple of prescriptions, as well as a bottle of magnesium citrate. I found out at the pre-op appointment that I have to do a colon cleanse the day before surgery. It's a bit of an understatement to say I'm not really looking forward to it. I took magnesium citrate once before. It was...not pretty. Eventhough I haven't eaten anything more solid than yogurt in almost two weeks, it's still gonna suck.

If anyone ever tells you that bariatric surgery is the easy way to lose weight, punch them in the throat.

T minus 5 Days

5 Days until Surgery

Last night was a rough night. I am definitely too focused on food right now. But, in my defense, it is EVERYWHERE! Commercials, billboards, restaurants, people in the car next to me eating a pizza (true story)...I can't get away from it!

I guess my solution has been to just lock myself up in my apartment and watch everything I've recorded on my DVR for the past six months. That way, I can fast forward through the commercials.

So, if I don't pick up the phone or maybe I don't call you back, please don't take it personal. It's just that right now, I'm kind of a raging bitch. Trust me, it's better this way. A couple of weeks, and I'll be back to the adorable gal you all know and love.

T minus 6 Days

Six Days To Go!

Six days out, and I'm doing okay. Hungry, but okay.

Funny story: This morning, my friend Shannon was running to Starbucks and asked me if I wanted anything. I said, "A decaf, non fat, sugar free hazelnut iced latte." She said, "Write it down." So I did. Along with "And a pizza." Well, when she got to Starbucks, she just handed the post-it to the barista who promptly laughed and said that Starbucks doesn't sell pizza. Damn. Foiled again.

And the Countdown Starts! T minus 7 days

Well, I'm just one week away from my surgery date, and I'm pretty ready to get the show on the road.


I had my pre-operative appointment today at Heartland Spine and Speciality Hospital where the procedure will be done. http://http//www.hssh.org/. It's a small, speciality hospital not too far from my apartment. A couple of my friends were concerned that I wasn't going to be at a big hospital but I actually think this will be better. Instead of being one of hundreds, I'm one of about 30 patients. There's not as much risk for infection, I'll have a private room that my mom can stay in with me if she wants, and the nurses are very familiar with dealing with the post-operative protocols for bariatric surgery.

At the pre-op visit, I met with a nurse who did a brief medical and family history. She also wrote down all of my medications, past surgeries and hospitalizations. It's a good idea to have all of this information ready ahead of time so you can just hand it over instead of having to remember dates, prescriptions, dosages, etc.

I also gave her my completed advance directives and power of attorney for my file. Again, I highly encourage anyone having this or any surgery to complete an advanced directive prior to surgery. I know that this procedure is very safe, and I'm very confident that I will be fine. However, things happen and its best to be prepared. You don't have to go to a lawyer or even a notary; I downloaded mine from this website: http://www.caringinfo.org/stateaddownload.

Lori then went through the timetable for surgery day. I'll arrive at 6 a.m. (!), get signed in and registered, and then taken upstairs to pre-op to get changed into a gown and have my i.v. started. Then, my mom will come up and wait with me until roughly 7:30 when I will be wheeled into the O.R. The procedure is scheduled to last 90 minutes total; that's not the actual "cut" time, however. That's only about 40 minutes. The rest of the time is for setup and anesthesia. At 9 a.m., I'll be wheeled to recovery where I will spend about an hour. Then, up to my room, where my mom will be waiting.

After the history, Lori took a set of vitals; blood pressure, pulse, temperature. Then, she took me to the bathroom for a urine sample, and then to the lab for some bloodwork. This was the worst part; the phlebotomist had to stick me three times to get a good vein, probably because I'm a little dehydrated due to my diet. Otherwise, the visit went fine.

After the labwork, I headed to radiology to have a chest x-ray which about ten minutes. Then, I was on my way to work.

So, 7 days to go...

"Sugar Free" Drinks

UPDATE: A friend pointed out that maybe I was drinking regular Gatorade instead of the sugar free G2. Low and behold, she was right. The labels look deceptively similiar, good people at Gatorade. Sorry about the confusion. Carry on consuming your electrolytes!


So, I've had a bit of an eye-opener this week with regards to sugar-free/zero calorie drinks. I'm on day six of a fourteen day pre-op liquid diet, so I've been drinking a lot of fluids. It gets pretty monotoneous so I've been exploring new drinks like Vitamin Water Zero, SoBe Sugar Free, and Gatorade G2. While they definitely aren't Diet Coke, they added a little variety to my day and got in some extra vitamins, as well. And, zero calories! Perfect.





Then I read the label. Gatorade G2 has 42 GRAMS OF CARBS per bottle! It's sugar-free! Where do the carbs come from??? I don't get it.





The Vitamin Water Zero is a little better; six grams per serving so that's still in the rotation.





So, today's lesson: read the label! Those masters of marketing spend a lot of money on flashy commercials, endorsements, shiny labels and tiny print to try and throw us off the trail, but don't be a sheep! Read the label!

Taste Test #7: WE HAVE A WINNER

And from behind, comes the dark horse, Cappuccino flavored Nectar! I was dreading this one, A LOT. I'm not a coffee drinker per se. I've been known to have the occasional vanilla latte frappuccino, but as a rule, I prefer my coffee fizzy, cold and in a Diet Coke can.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I blended up this morning's breakfast, took a sip, and smiled! It's yummy! Cinnamon, vanilla, mocha; delicious! I think it's the cinnamon; it masks the antibiotic smell.

Just ten minutes later, it was gone. Unlike yesterday's lemon disaster that I was still choking down at noon.

Hooray, cappuccino!

Keeping Busy

Today was the first weekend day of the liquid diet. Or, the first day when I didn't have work to keep me busy and distracted from the gnawing hunger pains.

So, instead of laying around the house, or going to breakfast with my friends, or going to the farmer's market to purchase a bunch of stuff that I couldn't possibly eat, I got creative. I cleaned the house (okay, part of the house), went to get a pedicure, did some crafts and went to the movies.

10 a.m.


















Noon: I've always been partial to the Whore Red shade of polish.





















2p.m.: I crafted a brag book for my friend Ron's new St. Bernard puppy. Don't judge; he has no kids and is a lovely man.





















3:30 p.m.: Well, what would you do if you had a couple of extra hours on a Saturday?










































5 p.m.: GO SEE THIS MOVIE! IN 3-D! IT IS HILARIOUS!!!!





















To eat today, I had:
4 sugar free popsicles
1 8 ounce fat free, sugar free yogurt
1 awful lemon flavored protein drink (see previous post)
2 cups of egg drop soup
lots of water

Taste Test #6: Roadside Lemonade Nectar

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet.

Barf.

End of post.

Give it up for Beef Consomme

After two days of liquids, I know this one thing is true: I am over sweets. Everything I eat, whether its a protein shake, sugar free jello, popsicle or vitamin water, is sickeningly, cloying sweet. Fruit flavored, chocolate flavored, cherry flavored; what I wouldn't give right now for a piece of chicken.

My mom suggested I try beef consomme. She said it was salty, and a little thicker than regular broth. Good call mom; it was hot, which was another quality I realized I was missing, it was salty and it was filling. Hooray for consomme!!!!

It's Official

I'm freaking hungry. Only 10 more days to go. Woo hoo.

Taste Test #5-Strawberry Mousse

Today's breakfast is Strawberry Mousse Nectar, and I gotta tell ya, it's not bad. Maybe my tastebuds have finally surrendered or maybe it really does taste good; either way, I think we might have a winner.

So, I made it through my first day of the liquid diet and it wasn't as bad as I thought. Granted, it's just the first day but I'm feeling pretty good.

P.S. The glass is green, not the drink. :)

Taste Test #4-Chocolate Truffle

Here's today's "dinner": chocolate truffle protein drink by Nectar. It's...fine. You know what's funny? I was dreading the aftertaste of the protein supplements, but it's the before taste that's the problem. It's a tinny, vaguely penicillin-ish taste/smell that is really quite obnoxious.

Anyway, it was fine. I've just about finished my first day of liquids-only, and it's not been too bad. I've noticed that I notice food more, if that makes any sense. It is sort of like when I quit smoking; it seemed like everyone everywhere was smoking a cigarette. People next to me in traffic, people at the bus stop, people outside of buildings; it was everywhere.

Now, it's cheeseburger, pies, ice cream, potato chips and cookies. Oy.

P.S. I tried the whole "put the gross protein shake in a fancy glass and it will taste better" thing; hence the wine glass.

P.P.S. Doesn't work.

Lunch-Taste Test #3

Here's what I had for lunch today:

The shake wasn't too bad, as long as it was ice cold. The warmer it got, the grittier it got. I got them at Target, and the brand is Eat Good, Look Good. I think it was $8 for four. 23 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbs so it fits in the parameters the nutritionist gave me.

The yogurt was a good treat. The diet says I can have 1 8 ounce container each day. Plus, it has 5 grams of protein.

All in all, not a bad lunch. We'll see how I feel in a couple of hours.

Taste Test #2- Lemon Tea Nectar

Here's this morning's protein drink: Lemon Tea from Nectar. The cloudy brown color was a bit off-putting, and the antiobiotic smell seemed stronger. I added some ice cubes after blending, and that's helped a bit. I don't think this one is a keeper. It's been about two hours, and I still have more than a third of it left.

The Day of Lasts

So, technically I was supposed to be on the first day of my liquid diet today. I did pretty well; tried my first protein shake for breakfast, and packed up a lunch of sorts that consisted of a ready made protein shake, some yogurt, and a couple of popsicles. I fully intended to sticking to the liquids but the best laid plans...

The thing is, I have some of the greatest friends a gal could ever want. Throughout this entire process of investigation, discovery and soul-searching, I've had entire army of supporters behind me. Hell, one of them is the reason I started down this road again. One long drive to Blue Springs, and one short conversation in a Sonic parking lot later, and I was on my way. (Thanks, Jenny)

This process started about three months ago, and its been a slow but steady one. Starting with the educational seminars (I attended three different classes at three different surgery centers), going through the financing process, meeting with the surgeon, the nutritionist, having the EGD, meeting with a psychologist; it's been a long three months. I finally finished all of the pre-op requirements, and was just waiting, waiting, waiting to get a surgery date.

I had been planning to have a big party at my house with all of my friends; one last night of good food, good friends and good cocktails before starting my liquid diet. Well, when Dr. Hoehn's nurse called me yesterday and said that July 21st was open and that I would have to start the diet today, those plans changed.

Last night, I had dinner with Tim, Leira, Jo and Sidonie at The Peachtree, a soul food buffet with the best friend chicken, macaroni and cheese and corn bread north of Atlanta. We ate, we laughed, we made fun of people; it was a great Last Supper.
http://www.peachtreerestaurants.com/

I had lunch with my work friends, Kate and Shannon, at Spin, a fancy and delicious pizza place. I had a yummy barbeque chicken pizza and a great salad; I'm really going to miss vegetables. :( Then, for dessert, I treated the girls to ice cream from Glace, an artisan ice creamery operated by one of the best chocolatiers in the country. I had a scoop of salted pretzel and a scoop of carmelized banana; it was the absolute best ice cream I've ever had. The perfect Last Lunch.
http://www.spinpizza.com/
http://www.glaceicecream.com/

And to round out the day of Lasts, I met Marisa, Erika and Jenny for sangria and Chuck's Dip at my favorite bar, Boozefish. I haven't been there for a long time, so it was great to see Maja, have a couple of glasses of yummy sangria and revel in the joy that is the spicy, hearty and wholly unique Chuck's Dip. Again, we laughed, we ate, we reminisced. The perfect Last Cocktail.
http://www.boozefish.com/

Thank you, friends, for a perfect Last Day. Now, on to the First Day.

Before Pictures-July 7

I'm going to do monthly photo documentation of my progress. I think it will be a good reminder during those times when I want to club a small child and steal her ice cream cone. Just kidding. Kinda.

Taste Test #1-Pink Grapefruit Nectar

I taste tested my first protein shake this morning: pink grapefruit by Nectar. I mixed it in my new bullett blender, adding 2 cups of water per 1/2 cup of powdered whey protein. I made sure to add the water first, then the powder so it wouldn't clump up (thanks, Kate!).

Honestly, it wasn't that bad. The worst part is the odor: there's a vaguely medicinal quality to it, like an antiobiotic smell. It wasn't gritty or especially thick, and the grapefruit taste helped mask the whey flavor. I'll probably try it again, but maybe next time I'll add some ice cubes.

I can already tell my problem is going to be sipping instead of gulping. I tend to shotgun liquids I don't like in order to taste as little as possible. When I have the pouch, that's not possible so I am really going to focus on small sips and not getting frustrated when it takes an hour for me to finish a glass of liquid.

I'll keep you posted!
Kren

Clear Liquids for TWO WEEKS

Tomorrow, I start a two week clear liquid diet. The point of this is to shrink the size of my liver so that the surgeon is able to better visualize the stomach with the laproscopic camera. So, for the next two weeks, my diet will consist entirely of:

* low carb protein shakes (I have to get at least 60 grams of protein each day)
* low salt broths
* sugar free jello, popsicles and yogurt
* crystal lite, decaffeinated tea and A LOT OF WATER.

This will basically be my diet for the week after the surgery, as well, with the exception of the protein shakes. Post-op, I will have to convert to clear proteins, something called Isopure. Starting on Day 7, I can have half of a scrambled egg. I know what many of you are thinking: screw the surgery, just do the diet for a couple of months, right?

So, I stopped by my favorite place on the way home for a little retail therapy: Target. I picked up a bunch of things that I think will help with the next few weeks. Several of the other blogs I've read suggested a few of them; a few of them were my idea.








Bullett Blender: I'm going to use this to blend up my protein drinks. I purchased a sampler pack of various flavors of protein powders that I'm going to try out before committing to a big tub of it. The flavors sound good: iced tea, roadside lemonade, strawberry kiwi, fruit punch, chocolate truffle, vanilla cappuccino. I'll keep you updated on the taste tests.
















Small plates and bowls: One of the bloggers suggested getting small plates and bowls for post-op meals, the reasoning being a smaller plate with look fuller with less food. So, I picked these up. I feel like a giant when I hold them. :)















Sippy Cups: Pre and post-op, I have to get 64 ounces of liquid in each day. However, because my modified stomach can only hold an ounce at a time, it has to be in very small sips. Hence, the sippy cups.
Baby Spoons: Again, these help to control portion and bite sizes so I don't take too big of a bite.

Frankly, I felt like a bit of a idiot buying all these tiny things. However, I think they will serve their purpose. I'll keep you posted.
Kren

July 21st!

Hi everyone:
I promise to make this more comprehensive, but in the meantime, here are a few links about vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the procedure I'm going to have, as well as my surgeon, Dr. Stanley Hoehn.

I did a lot of checking around; I attended three different educational seminars and everyone I talked to said that Dr. Hoehn in the best in town for this kind of surgery. I was impressed with his training, his demeanor, and his knowledge. I was especially impressed with the fact that his practice does absolutely no advertising; they don't have to because their reputation is that good.

Take a look, and please don't hesitate to email me with questions. If I can't answer them, I can point you to someone who can.
More to come!
http://www.kcbariatric.com/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Stanley+Hoehn+kmk.html
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/cmsID,8874/mode,content/a,cms/