Introduction- Jill C.

[jcook2]

Hello forum,
My name is Jill and I am still in the investigation/contemplation stage. I imagine that I am like many of you in that I've tried all sorts of diets: Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, phen-fen in the 90s, hcg, plain old starvation, and everything between, without any lasting success. Now I'm 42 years old and my weight is 297lbs, and I am starting to have some health issues. Minor so far...but I am an advanced practice nurse and I can see the writing on the wall.

I have a visit with my regular practitioner on Friday, 3/24, to discuss my creeping A1c (currently at 6.9) and I plan to discuss the possibility of weight loss surgery with her. I have already contacted my insurance company, found a center of excellence and scheduled a consultation with a surgeon (Dr. Dennis Glatt) for 4/12, and enrolled in the bariatric surgery program. I'll have my first "appointment" (phone call) with the program's nurse on 4/6.

I have been thinking about this for a long time, but I have been a little afraid of what feels like an "unnecessary" surgery. However, I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy in January and that allayed many of my fears regarding anesthesia and a hospital experience, and my slowly worsening health issues have shown me that from a risk/benefit angle, the extra weight is more risky than the proven success of wls.

I'm here for support and information. I want to improve my health and be successful, finally, at losing weight. I know that social support can help us reach those goals. I have a personal goal of losing 100lbs by next June (15 months from now)- not sure what's going to happen with surgery dates and such, but even if I have to wait through 6 months of a supervised diet, I think I can do it. My husband and I will have been married 25 years next spring and we're taking an Alaskan cruise to celebrate, and I would love for our portraits to show a healthier and thinner me!

[Sandra3]

My starting weight was 313 pounds and I lost 100 pounds in 13 months (including the preo-op diet, so that's may be 15 months total).

I was in your shoes, I turned 40, my health started to take a turn for the worth and I knew that going that way I wouldn't reach retirement.
It took me a long time to decide to get the surgery, but after doing a one year diet, regain again I knew it was my last option to regain some health back.

So far I feel much better, I'm not that tired and are more mobile. I feel "almost normal". I still haven't reached my goal, and I'm 10 pounds away from my surgeon's prediction. The weight loss did slow down a lot those past months, I hope I will still be able to lose more weight, hopefully 20 or 30 pounds, but I need to have more exercise, and had several set back in that area.

Good luck in your journey! so far even if the first weeks were not a walk in the park, I have no regrets!
Take care!

[Tamera2]

I had surgery 1-24-17 and my surgery and recovery went well. So far since surgery I've lost 49lbs. You have to be prepared to make changes to your diet and increase activity. I exercise everyday and follow a high protein mostly low carb,low sugar diet. I try hard to drink 64oz of water. Best decision and i'd do it again in a heartbeat but its for life not just a quick fix. If you don't put the work in or stop you can regain your weight. My diabetes resolved in a couple weeks time and I'm off 4 meds so far. Good Luck with making an decision and your Journey.

[jcook2]

Thanks for taking the time to reply! Looks like you're doing very well. Our starting weights are similar. I hope to be as successful as you've been.

[Shirl]

✨Welcome!✨

You've definitely have come to the right place, I found reading older threads extremely helpful when I first joined the forum.

If you decide to go through WLS your life will change for the better as reported in 99% of most cases. For me, the risks of surgery were much lower than if I had stayed on the same path.

As you post questions or blog about your journey you will find a fountain of support and sage advice from veteran sleevers, as well as some in their early stages.

If you haven't already watch Dr. Matthew Weiner YouTube channel for what to expect before/after surgery.

This surgery has been the best decision I have ever made, it is by no means an easy way out, it is also NOT a ✨*Magic Wand*✨ that will make weight magically disappear. It takes mindful every day work to stay present and use our permanent tool to be better and healthier versions of our current selves.

Sending you the best of wishes as you embark on this journey!

[Sandra3]

Thanks for taking the time to reply! Looks like you're doing very well. Our starting weights are similar. I hope to be as successful as you've been.

Your very welcome! I'm always happy to help a fellow sleever!
Taking your time to make a decision and also the fact that you are a nurse will help you for sure.
What surprised me the most in the process is the way I lost weight, lots of stalls. I was not expecting it. It somewhere feels like my metabolism changed a lot. Right now I'm wondering if I will be able to reach my own goal, but just the surgeon's prediction (10 pounds) would be nice. Take care!

[ghost_ryder]

I entered the process in the same mind set. I knew I needed to do something but was unconvinced that the surgery was right for me. During my information gathering, I found a few PodCasts that really helped to inform me. I listened to as many shows as I could per day then finally decided to keep going. I am so happy I did. If you have the desire, me favorite was Reeger Cortell's show - http://www.weightlosssurgerypodcast.com/

[Donald G]

I first looked into WLS 8 years before I actually decided to have it. I found out at that time that I needed to quit smoking so that put the brakes on for me. Eventually I quit smoking almost 3 years ago now after quitting more weight gain came with it. after I felt I peaked out weight wise I spoke with my PCP about starting the WLS program 6 months later I had my surgery and I couldn't be happier with my choice.

[Christie13]

Welcome Jill! This place is awesome. My advice is to read up as much as you can now. The more experiences you read about and research you do the better prepared you will be for surgery. I liked the info on www.obesitycoverage.com because it is very straight forward.

[sraebaer]

I remember phen-fen! I had a totally unethical doctor I would drive to, out in the country, who would write my prescriptions. Lost ALL my weight. But of course I gained it all back when it was banned for damaging your heart!

You sound very smart, doing all your research. Keep it up. I personally think the sleeve was the most amazing thing I have ever done, lost all my weight and kept it off. Good luck with your decision!

[Ann2]

I second everything positive said above by others.

You can read about my first two years post-op and what I found very helpful to first lose and then maintain my 100-pound weight loss. Just click on the two links at the bottom of my signature block below.

This August will be my third surgiversary, and I'm merrily maintaining at 135 pounds still. Life is immeasurably, immeasurably better than it was 4 years ago when I began to consider WLS.

You sound so smart, focused and sensible -- IMHO, those are traits that make long-term WLS success much easier.

Best wishes to you!

[lil_lisa]

You might get the book "the big book on gastric sleeve" it tells everything from before surgery to after.

[AmandaNavigator]

Hi Jill,

I just had my surgery 3/13 and the first week was a little disorienting but it was really just getting used to a new routine to make sure I got in all my water, protein, and supplements. The weight has been coming off at about 1# a day.

What I am amazed at is how many people I've found have had the surgery that I actually know...yesterday my bookkeeper confided that she had had it 2 years ago and lost 70# and kept it off. We were just chatting about diets and she offered it up--that has been happening regularly to me. I am so happy I did this even though I don't yet have the tremendous losses other ppl here have had (YET--I will!)...the loss of hunger has been a game changer. The only other time I felt like this was after emergency surgery -- I think my body was so focused on healing it didn't have time to make me think about eating extra. I don't recommend it but while I was in the hospital for my emergency surgery I lost 20# in 10 days--and peed every other minute. My surgeon says when your body is healing it needs the water for the metabolic process and you will have a lot of excess fluid as part of the fat-into-energy process. So prioritize water and protein as every other person has said here.

I am also reading The Weight Loss Surgery Coping Companion: A Practical Guide for Coping with Post-Surgery Emotions which was recommended here. It has been very helpful.

Best of luck to you!

Amanda

[Tamera2]

Your welcome. Thank you for the kind words. You'll do good, you seem motivated. Some key things I did was to follow the pre & post-op diet to a T. The first week I took short frequent walks, when I started on fluids I took small frequent sips. It's so important to stay hydrated and move. First walking is to get rid of the gas they put into your stomach than it's to burn calories. I live in Washington State wear it's been raining and been cold so At the Park & Rec Center they have a indoor walking track. I joined second week and walked everyday, Since that's all you can do at the beginning. I bought a Fitbit watch to track my steps. I also Met a friend who had surgery 7-16 and has achieved success so we are now Fitbit friends and we can encourage one another and even have competitions. I now have 8 friends on my profile. Got a good deal at Costco. Some resources that have helped me besides all the veterans on here is Ask Dr Alvarez, his show can be found on here and YouTube. Next one is www.obesity.com. I'm happy to answer any questions. Good Luck with your journey