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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member
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    Default Not sure what to do

    Hi Everyone!

    I just found this site by accident but I'm very grateful that I did. The information has been very helpful. I haven't weighed myself recently but I estimate that I'm approximately 350 lbs. and I'm miserable. I haven't dated in decades and I've never had a really serious relationship because I've been too self-conscious. My self-esteem is in the basement and worst of all, I have an 8 year old daughter who is getting a little tummy. She's my only child so I'm never sure if she's really hungry or if it's something else. I work full time and I'm caregiver for my nearly 95 year old dad. I want to be healthy so I can take my daughter to DisneyWorld and be able to walk the park & ride on the rides. I can't walk too far without getting a little winded and my back & legs hurt when I walk any distance. I want to be around for my daughter but I've not even been able to put her first. I'm really afraid of the surgery in general but it seems that the VGS will be the best way for me to go because I won't have the time to keep getting the lap band adjusted. I'm very lucky that I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes yet and I would really like to keep it that way. I'm tired all the time and don't seem to be able to find the energy to get my house cleaned. How did you know when you hit your "rock bottom" and needed to get the surgery?? Thanks for letting me post and for any responses I might receive.



  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member sandyfromoz's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    sandyfromoz
    Surgery date
    02/09/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr Budak
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last Activity
    01-18-2020 08:33 AM
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    NSW Australia
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    HI there BellaCat and Welcome to our family.Everyones journey is different.Stay around here and read and research, ask anything you want to know.
    CHeers Sandy
    Free Weight Loss Tickers at Weight Loss Center

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  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgeon
    Dr George Hopkins
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Activity
    11-09-2013 03:13 AM
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    Hi Bellacat

    Sounds like you have pretty much hit rock bottom if you are looking at surgery options. I am 19 days post-op and like you I was so scared of any surgery. But mine went really well, I have no pain, no vomiting or anything and have lost 22 lbs so far. And I'm back at work. And I have more energy and I'm smiling more. As Sandy said, do as much research as you can and ask us any questions that you want to. We are all on the same journey, Sheryl x



  6. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member GoofySpice's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    04/11/2011
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Activity
    09-17-2014 03:42 PM
    Location
    California,USA
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    We all have our own reasons and I think most are the same. In a nutshell ... sick and tired of being sick and tired. The little aches and pains that don't go away and are not so little any more. When the little ones in your life love you but don't understand why your bigger than everyone else... when you don't have a lap for them to sit in ... really sucks too
    The real kick in the head is when you honestly try to lose weight and it doesn't work... at all!!! Not even a little bit.
    I think I can safely say that everyone pre & post op have these reasons as a foundation as to why to have WLS.
    All the other reasons are icing and sprinkles on the cake... ( sorry for the tasty example)
    Sitting in <all>chairs comfortably, being able to walk around for fun, being able to get your shoes on without cheating, wearing a nice top instead of a big boxy t-shirt ect,ect,ect.


    P.S. I found this site by accident too ... happy accident


    ***weight loss ticker also includes 23 lbs lost before surgery***

    I am still a member of the clean plate club only now my plate is much smaller


  7. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Lady Di
    Surgery date
    06/13/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Camacho
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Last Activity
    09-13-2017 03:31 PM
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    Quote Originally Posted by bellacat View Post
    How did you know when you hit your "rock bottom" and needed to get the surgery?? Thanks for letting me post and for any responses I might receive.
    Your question when did we know that we needed surgery?

    There is an "old southern saying" "When you're sick and tired of being sick and tired - that's when you will do something"

    What did it take?

    I started having small issues with my health. And I mean small.

    Shoes weren't fitting (feet gained weight)
    Big toe broke and rebroke again because of how i was walking around .

    Both ankles had tendonitist and bone spurs (weight related because of the way I was shifting my weight instead of walking like a normal person)

    Knees pain with swelling and crunching sounds

    Hip pain

    Breathing was labored as I walked any distance.

    Adult onset acne

    Hidradenitis suppurativa (a skin disease that most commonly affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands)

    Skin didn't have a vitality that it once had. Hair was blah.

    Hemroids

    Stress Incontinence (mad dashes to the bathroom)

    BAD BACK (spasms, pain and more spasms)

    But it was my normal BP that started to rise that made me think "If I don't do something about this weight, it's going to kill me"

    Highest weight: 375lbs (Jan. 2010)

    I didn't do a consult about diet and weight loss until Sept. 2010 and I've been on a diet ever since.

    I've loss 77lbs without surgery. But guess what? - I'm still having surgery (fingers crossed the last week of May)


    All time highest weight: 377 lbs.
    Sleeved (with some minor complications) June 13th 2011 - I weighed 295 lbs!
    Since my surgery I have loss: 85lbs



  8. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  9. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member fingalcrom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    Hi there

    Welcome, first of all!
    My 'rock bottom' moment was just before Christmas. I had been tested for diabetes and fortunately, I don't have it. I realised that this year I would turn 40 and that the years I could get away with being this size were slipping away. I was miserable inside this 'fat-suit'. I just didn't feel like me anymore. Surgery seemed the only real way for me to move forward with my life. I had been able to lose 30 lbs or so but inevitably would put them back on - time and time again. I wanted to break that depressing cycle.
    Having the surgery was the best thing I could have done. I don't have high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems - and the fact is, the chances of me getting these conditions since the surgery have dropped dramatically. I didn't want to wait another 5 or 10 years for these types of conditions to become and issue and for surgery to become more serious.
    Anyhooooo! That is my wee story. I am nearly 3 weeks post op and I am DELIGHTED with the results so far. No one likes surgery or hospitals, but believe me, it is only a few days and now I can see light at the end of the tunnel. LOOK OUT WORLD! HERE I COME!!!!!!!! LOL

    Love
    Lisa xxxxx


  10. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    My sister dies from complications of diabetes. When I was diagnosed, I knew this was it. I am 45 and quit smoking and had the surgery. I do not have any regrets, my family is super supportive as well as most of my co-workers. However, I knew that I made the right decision. No more medicines, no more headaches, no more heartaches of something I can not do. My 10 year old is heavy as well. She is 145. i AM GOING TO CHANGE HER LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS SURGERY



  11. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member MissDeidre's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/02/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Anthony McLuney
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    10-14-2011 08:03 AM
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    Saugus, MA
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    My rock bottom came when, at 32 years old I had a heart attack because of undiagnosed diabetes. This heart attack came 5 days after the love of my life had gotten out of the hospital with her first pulmonary embolism ... and proceeded to be hospitalised 25 more times that year for related issues and breathing issues. When we first met, she was a tiny little size 10 and because of my bad eating habits rubbing off on her, she had gotten up to 200 pounds (ok, that one isn't my fault but being around a bad eater tends to lead to bad eating habits) and I realized that if I didn't do something about my health, I wouldn't be around to help take care of her as we get older.
    She supports me 100% and even goes to the gym with me ... through the process of my getting ready for the surgery, SHE'S managed to drop 25 pounds of her own and I'm SO proud of her!

    Everyone has their own rockbottom ... I found mine ... when you are ready, you will find yours ... and you CAN do something about it!

    Best of luck
    ----
    Sleeved 2 March 2011
    <a href="http://asinglebite.com/">A Gastronomical Journey to Skinny</a>




  12. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    11/11/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Last Activity
    12-27-2015 08:21 AM
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    Canada
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    First-I don't think you need to hit rock bottom to have this surgery. I was 224 lbs but relatively healthy still. A magazine came to our house with an article on WLS. I researched it and within 3 weeks, had my surgery. I hated the way I looked, had tried tons of "diets", some with little, temporary, or no success. I wanted to make a permanent change while I was still healthy and WLS is permanent!
    Second-You will not regret it!!!!!!!!!! Go for it! Don't put it off. Research until you are comfortable with the decision. You will always have some doubts but don't let that stop you. And if you decide to tell anyone-don't listen to their negativity! They will give you an opinion on something they know nothing about.
    I have lost 67 pounds in 5 months. I have 7 more to go until I reach my set goal. I look SOOOOOOOO much better and feel fantastic! People constantly tell me how amazing I look, and I never get tired of hearing it. It's not all a bed of roses, as you will see by the topics on here but it's all worth it!!! I hope you take the plunge and go for it. You will love the results and it will give you a healthier life for you and your daughter.



  13. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member tniagirl's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Janet
    Surgery date
    03/08/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Sanborn
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Activity
    08-23-2011 04:22 PM
    Location
    Tennessee
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    I've been dieting for 18 years, and finally admitted to myself that its not working. Every time I came off a diet, I would gain back more than I'd lost. I was just getting bigger and bigger. High blood pressure, sleep apnea, and horrible self-esteem. It hasn't been easy every day, but I do not regret it. This has forced me to make changes I've know I should be making all along. I am almost 5 weeks post op and have lost 39lbs!!



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  15. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member jakh0bi's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Nikkita
    Surgery date
    06/30/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr Lauren Layani
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Activity
    10-09-2013 10:57 PM
    Location
    Newcastle , Australia
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    I dont think i had a rock bottom, I mean i new i was fat, but looking in the mirror i slowly was eating myself to death. I didnt know how to save myself but I new something had to change but i had no idea how that was going to happen. I researeched a little but did not want to know to much for fear of talking myself out of it, So i booked online and flew out of state for 5 days, came back all sleeved, No regrets, even on a bad day it will never go back to where i was. I still have miles to go but i am excited everyday to know the scale is finally coming down. So i say now, if your trying to decide and work out how sick of being miserable you are, Then its time for a change..Permanent and never again go back to the weight or the misery that u are in right now... It was that simple for me..



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  17. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member MollyMc's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/28/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Sashidhar V. Ganta
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Last Activity
    06-03-2013 04:17 PM
    Location
    Round Rock, TX
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    I have had most of the issues everyone else has listed...not the health problems, but no self esteem, sick of the lifesyle i've been living as far as being fat. I am 12 days post op and have lost 23lbs!! I am so grateful I have had this surgery. Yes i do get frustrated at times when I wanna eat, but i tell myself.."food isn't going anywhere"!! I hope you decide to do this for yourself.
    <a href="http://www.gastricsleeve.com/weight-loss-ticker/" title="Click here to create your own Weight Loss Ticker"><img src="http://www.gastricsleeve.com/weight-loss-ticker/MollyMc.gif" alt="Weight Loss Ticker" border="0"/></a>

    <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
    <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10708;442/st/20110328/e/Since+surgery/k/c96e/event.png"></a>

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  19. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member accordingtome's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/14/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Jose Rodriguez
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    09-02-2011 01:12 PM
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    I just became sick of myself. I was beginning to get High Blood Pressure, short of breath and I just couldn't look at myself.

    I became the "fat" Mom. I was tired of always being the fattest person in the room. I was embarrassed of myself.


    <a href="http://lilyslim.com/"><img src="http://sddf.lilyslim.com/35XFm5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="LilySlim Diet days tickers" /></a>

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  21. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Name
    Suzanne Jones
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    Quote Originally Posted by msdw59 View Post
    Your question when did we know that we needed surgery?

    There is an "old southern saying" "When you're sick and tired of being sick and tired - that's when you will do something"

    What did it take?

    I started having small issues with my health. And I mean small.

    Shoes weren't fitting (feet gained weight)
    Big toe broke and rebroke again because of how i was walking around .

    Both ankles had tendonitist and bone spurs (weight related because of the way I was shifting my weight instead of walking like a normal person)

    Knees pain with swelling and crunching sounds

    Hip pain

    Breathing was labored as I walked any distance.

    Adult onset acne

    Hidradenitis suppurativa (a skin disease that most commonly affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands)

    Skin didn't have a vitality that it once had. Hair was blah.

    Hemroids

    Stress Incontinence (mad dashes to the bathroom)

    BAD BACK (spasms, pain and more spasms)

    But it was my normal BP that started to rise that made me think "If I don't do something about this weight, it's going to kill me"

    Highest weight: 375lbs (Jan. 2010)

    I didn't do a consult about diet and weight loss until Sept. 2010 and I've been on a diet ever since.

    I've loss 77lbs without surgery. But guess what? - I'm still having surgery (fingers crossed the last week of May)
    Very well done for that weight loss pre op

    sue x

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  23. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    11/11/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Last Activity
    12-27-2015 08:21 AM
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    333
    Said "Thanks" 1 Times
    Was Thanked 407 Times in 175 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 42 Times

    Default Re: Not sure what to do

    accordingtome: you will not be the "fat" mom anymore....you will be the "hot" mom! lol. I understand where you are coming from. I was there too-for far too long. I used to look great but after my third baby (17 years ago!!!) the weight didn't come off, and it get creeping up over the years. When I see myself now (still a bit to go but almost there!) and look back at pictures, I can't believe the difference! I have had such an amazing reaction from everyone and I can see why cause I don't look like the same person. It's am amazing transformation on the outside, but also changes you on the inside too.


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