Newbee to forum

[Shirl]

Greetings and Salutations!

I finally decided to look into the gastric sleeve last December after years of trying to loose weight on my own, only to be defeated by some injury or another that would slow my physical activity. I had gall bladder surgery July 2014 and it took me months to recuperate and have gained all the weight plus some that I had worked so hard to loose. I have been at my highest weight since September of last year at 245 lbs. I have lost and gained a few pounds since working with my nutritionist and medical doctor in preparation for surgery approval.

I've been pre diabetic for about 4 years, but each time it gets closer to being full blown Type 2 diabetic.

I started seeing meeting with the medical team in January and have had several meetings with the nutritionist, medical doctor, and I had to have a consultation with a psychologist.

Most likely my surgery will be scheduled sometime in May. I am certain this is the right journey for me, but I have not shared with many people. The few friends I have shared my decision with were not understanding and suggested I try exercising and eating better, I wanted to explode when they suggested that... I did get wonderful response from my oldest daughter, but she was also hesitant at first. She said she'd take the time to care for me post op.

I hope to connect folks who are going or have gone through this process and share this journey together.

Warm regards,

Shirl

[Sandra3]

Surgery is always scary and many people will have a bad reaction if they have no knowledge of how obesity works, and also the stats of diet...I did decide not to share my decision with many people because I knew I would face prejudice, and since I knew what I was doing I didn't really care about what people would think. I have wonderful and supportive friends, my husband is a darling and was really scared but also extremely supportive, he even tried the pre-op diet with me ...not that many days because he stopped and said " how do you do that!!" (hi hi so funny!)....you will find friends here, on the forums, wonderful people who know where you're coming from and who also have the experience of months or years post surgery...you can search the forums (top of the page) or just share a few word/questions, someone will answer!!! good luck and take care!

[RehabNurse]

The few friends I have shared my decision with were not understanding and suggested I try exercising and eating better, I wanted to explode when they suggested that...

I'm in my mid-30s. I've lost and regained the same 75+ pounds multiple times throughout my adult life. I've always been a successful loser of weight but could never keep it off because my appetite returned with a vengeance each and every time.

I was sleeved 11 months ago and my sole regret is not having gotten weight loss surgery sooner in life. A smaller stomach has bestowed upon me a sense of control that I never previously had. And no, I don't miss the 75% of my stomach that is gone forever.

Good luck with your journey to health!

[imsexy1386]

Greetings and Salutations!

I finally decided to look into the gastric sleeve last December after years of trying to loose weight on my own, only to be defeated by some injury or another that would slow my physical activity. I had gall bladder surgery July 2014 and it took me months to recuperate and have gained all the weight plus some that I had worked so hard to loose. I have been at my highest weight since September of last year at 245 lbs. I have lost and gained a few pounds since working with my nutritionist and medical doctor in preparation for surgery approval.

I've been pre diabetic for about 4 years, but each time it gets closer to being full blown Type 2 diabetic.

I started seeing meeting with the medical team in January and have had several meetings with the nutritionist, medical doctor, and I had to have a consultation with a psychologist.

Most likely my surgery will be scheduled sometime in May. I am certain this is the right journey for me, but I have not shared with many people. The few friends I have shared my decision with were not understanding and suggested I try exercising and eating better, I wanted to explode when they suggested that... I did get wonderful response from my oldest daughter, but she was also hesitant at first. She said she'd take the time to care for me post op.

I hope to connect folks who are going or have gone through this process and share this journey together.

Warm regards,

Shirl

Good luck on you surgery I just had surgery myself in Mexico great experience got taken good care of I even believe that I was cared for better then if I would have had surgery here in the state sounds weird but they really do care about their patients.It was so great of care because they have very few patients so it was one on one care. My insurgence would not pay for my surgery in the states so I went to mexico because I was going to be a self pay patient I only payed 4500 dll and people say you get what you paid for not in my case I paid very little and got the best care I could have ask for. I hope you have the same experience and welcome to the forums here are some really supportive people and we can help you walk through you journey as well as they are doing for me as well at this very moment.

[Shirl]

Thank you for all y'all's kind and encouraging words.

I've reading some of the posts on the forum and it sounds like dehydration and getting protein intake are some of the biggest challenges in the first couple weeks. I recently spoke to a colleague about her experience with the sleeve, she had to be hospitalized after a week because she was dehydrated, and couldn't keep anything down. She was about 450lbs+ and about 5'11 if not 6' tall. She has lost about 80lbs in about a years time. My conversation with her left me little scared. I know all of our experiences will be different and some more difficult than others. I'm 5'6" pushing 245lbs now, I am pre-diabetic, I have sleep apnea, my cholesterol is not bad, but my good cholesterol is very low in comparison so that's bad. I have no thyroid problems, my blood pressure is actual low to normal for my size, I tire easy. I'm lethargic mostly. And any recent attempt on exercise flares my back and knee pain.

The surgeon whom I chose for this surgery has an outpatient program which I thought best for me because I don't like hospitals. I believe I would be released after I can keep liquids down and have walked. I live alone, but my eldest said she'd come and stay with me for a few days post op.

I was wondering if anyone has had the sleeve outpatient surgery? What were your challenges at home? Should I look into home health nurse for a few days?

I've also just found a company that produces organic bone marrow broths at ossogoodbones dot com. I just ordered a few samples and will use for the two week liquid preop diet. What are your favorite meal replacements? My nutritionist gave me link to a company that produces bariatric exclusive meal replacements, has anyone tried them: bariatricadvantage dot com?

Of course I'm freaking out and I do not even have a surgery date yet! I'm scheduled for a heart ultrasound and echo cardiogram on April 26th and my MD said he'll clear me then.

Any who, thank you again for your words of wisdom.

[Skinneymom]

Hi, I am also waiting for a surgery date sometime in May with Geofrey Nadzam at Yale, looking for friends who went through it in the area, I'm from East Haven in CT.

[Shirl]

Hi @Sandygirl, on the search bar I entered my surgeon's name and found several folks who had their sleeve surgery done by him. Unfortunately, all of them have not been active for a while after successful weight loss and surgery. I live in Glendale, California, that just about ten miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. I used the "find me on the map" feature to see if anyone in my area was currently active on the forum, unfortunately I did not find anyone in my immediate area of Glendale. One of the nurses at the surgeon 's office was his patient, also during my endoscopy I got to meet other patients.

Even if you can't find immediate friends in your area, there are thousands of folks in this forum who would be happy to answer any questions and be of immense support through this journey, me included ��

Best of luck on your surgery, you will be on my heart and prayers.

[Skinneymom]

Yes, I am finding much support online, thanks so much for getting back to me, I just need to play with the site more, I have contacted a few from CT, I am waiting to hear back from them.