Hello from NC

[Truss]

I stumbled on this site, after looking, reading, researching VGS or VSG ?

I found out I'm a candidate for the procedure, ( I really never doubted I was ) and got real interested in October.

I quit smokeless tobacco after using for over 30 yrs. I was told no tobacco, and I thought "No Big Deal". I had no clue the addiction I had. "IVE QUIT".

I decided to continue reading and learning all I could. I went to an educational class about WLS. I found out I knew more than I thought, and was ready to continue.

I got my medical records and paperwork together and decided ITS TIME !!

I'm awaiting my "Phys" evaluation scheduled in January .

I've worked in Law Enforcement for over 30 years, and I've decided since I retired in 2017. I was ready for my next chapter in life. I think my personal preference is the "Sleeve".

I'm going to read some more, just wanted to give a brief intro.

[Sandra3]

Hello Truss,

Welcome on the forum! this is a great place to find infos and support from your fellow sleevers.

And congrats on quitting tobacco, this is a big deal and will help your health a lot.

Not many people chew tobacco in France, I guess it's because no many play baseball but my uncle did, for 40 years, from the age of 14 to 55 when he retired (that was like 30 years ago, now you can't retire at that age, unless you were in active duty like the force or the army).
My uncle was a factory worker and I guess part of the addiction was sharing it with his colleagues because once at home, he stopped it cold turkey.

Of course, like all people with addiction, he replaced it by an other : food. Over 2 years he gained like 100 pounds. So you are doing the right thing considering the sleeve because quitting could put you at risk for more weight gain.

But anyway, long story short, I studied nutrition a few years ago, (I'm not a physician was doing it for myself) but my cousin who's a physician also did follow a special training in nutrition since he does surgeries and noticed several patients did have better outcomes compared to others, and mostly it was because of their diet.
We did "brainstorm" a lot about my uncle "case" because he passed a few years ago, but we think that being more aware of nutrition 30 years ago would have saved his life. That and going to the doctor!! he was never doing any prevention visits, or even just going to the dentist for a check up. He had major teeth problems, and many health issues, and at the end had several cancers linked to tobacco. All that pain could have been prevented in doing a few simple things like better diet, see the doctors for regular physicals etc...

So here is what I would do if I was you:

- take a multi vitamin each day, omegas and get my blood levels tested, because deficiencies can be important for tobacco users. You want to be at the top of your health for the surgery.

- during the physical, do explain the use of tobacco for so long, because the doctors should focus on testing all your nose cavities, mouth (and also see a dentist and get a check up pre-op) but also throat etc.

- if you have surgery overseas you won't have access to the follow up you can get in a bariatric center for example, so it's important to look into the addiction issue. Usually when your surgery is covered by the insurance, you have to meet with a shrink for psych eval.
I did, twice, and that was really interesting, because he did tell me that the most important was to understand how not eating the same things could be unsettling, and for some people they replace one addiction with an other, in that case it might be alcohol. Since you are already dealing with quitting the tobacco, that might increase the risks, but better safe than sorry, just ask for a consult if it's not in your protocol.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Take care!

[Christie13]

Welcome Truss. Read up on the blogs and forum to learn a lot about the sleeve. This is another great site for sleeve info (and other WLS) -----> https://www.obesitycoverage.com/gast...erence-manual/ Best decision I ever made was deciding to get sleeved but at the end of the day you have to decide what is the best decision for you. Ask any questions you have to help you with your decision.

[Truss]

Thanks !!..
I don't do Facebook, and not really all that familiar with these forums. But there's a ton of information on here. I enjoy reading about other peoples journey.

I have found there seems to be more females than males. I think all in all, we have the same struggles.

I look forward to becoming more active as I get more familiar with the forums, and closer to a surgery date.

I've started my diet of high proteins low carb and my multi-vitamin and B-12. Its just so much information.

My biggest fear right now is the actual diet.. I want to be ON POINT !! and diet has always be my struggle.

I have lost on KETO. I know I can do this I just want to move and not get to a stalemate.

I'm 52 y/o and I'm doing this for my health, High BP ; Sleep Apnea : Type 2 Diabetes, no insulin but meds.

And when I retired from Sheriffs Office I went to work at another Corporate facility and had to start on 12 hrs. nightshift and I've gained about 50 lbs. since Jan. 2017.

[AnnieG]

I stumbled on this site, after looking, reading, researching VGS or VSG ?

I found out I'm a candidate for the procedure, ( I really never doubted I was ) and got real interested in October.

I quit smokeless tobacco after using for over 30 yrs. I was told no tobacco, and I thought "No Big Deal". I had no clue the addiction I had. "IVE QUIT".

I decided to continue reading and learning all I could. I went to an educational class about WLS. I found out I knew more than I thought, and was ready to continue.

I got my medical records and paperwork together and decided ITS TIME !!

I'm awaiting my "Phys" evaluation scheduled in January .

I've worked in Law Enforcement for over 30 years, and I've decided since I retired in 2017. I was ready for my next chapter in life. I think my personal preference is the "Sleeve".

I'm going to read some more, just wanted to give a brief intro.

Hello! I'm also in NC, where I had my sleeve 10/2017. My oldest daughter is in Raleigh with DOJ! What small world. Please post any specific questions. Everyone here is awesomely honest and has lots of information.

I was 65 when I had my VGS with minimum issues, and I hit goal at about 7 moths. And I cut down from 17 meds to 4!

[Ann2]

Welcome, Truss.

I'm 4.5 years post-op, have lost 100 pounds and kept it ALL OFF since then. Read the links in my signature block below to see how I made VSG surgery work for me.

You can be successful long-term IF you are ready to change your lifestyle and IF you are ready to finally become healthy again for the rest of your life. You sound very motivated and are likely to be one of those who can succeed at this.

Very best wishes!

Ann