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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/27/2019
    Surgeon
    Dr. Burpee (that's right)
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Last Activity
    01-02-2021 08:41 AM
    Posts
    107
    Said "Thanks" 146 Times
    Was Thanked 91 Times in 61 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 55 Times

    Default I'm new and almost a sleever

    I'm new here and 5 days out from surgery. Yikes! A little background....I'm 5'3 and 61 years old. As a kid I wore "chubby" sizes and as I teen I felt terribly overweight based on the standards of the 1970's, but in reality had a BMI of about 25. Then I got thin, then I got married and got heavy, then I got divorced and less heavy, then I changed jobs and got heavier, then I got married and got heavier, then I got widowed and got less heavy, then I moved and got heavier. Do you see a pattern here? Controlling my weight had really turned into a problem after menopause in my early 40's. Thankfully no mood swings or hot flashes, but my metabolism seemed to die and my appetite doubled.
    In October I started the process to get gastric sleeve surgery. I'd toyed with the idea for a couple of years. The impetus for this was a couple of things. I'd been traveling in Costa Rica in September. During the trip I had to get a seat belt extender on the plane. I also took a fall and scraped and cut my leg pretty badly. It probably would have happened regardless of weight, but all the extra weight certainly exacerbated it. I also thought I was going to die on a hike up a very steep slick hillside in search of the Resplendent Quetzal (it's a bird, Google it). These things were pretty humiliating.
    Then right after returning from the trip my slightly older sister had a stroke. She's been obese most of her life and has several co-morbidities. As a result of the stroke she'll be using a walker the rest of her life. THAT was the wakeup call for me. I don't want to spend then next 30+ years disabled.
    I went to a bariatric surgery seminar at the hospital and after a lot of thought decided to go for it. I started the 6 month process to get insurance coverage as well as taking care of all the other requirements like EGD, psych clearance and cardiac clearance. I also had an in facility sleep study done. I got insurance approval and on the surgery calendar on June 10. My pre-op visit with the surgeon was two days later and I immediately started the 14 day pre-op diet. With things falling into place and suddenly happening so fast I didn't get a final meal or "food funeral" as I've heard it called. That's OK and probably for the best.
    When I started in October I had a BMI of 41.5. Through diet and a LOT of exercise I lost 36 pounds before the pre-op diet. I think I probably could have lost another 20, but that would still leave me in the obese category. I'm hopeful that being sleeved will finally get me back down and able to maintain a healthy weight.
    Right now depending on the hour I'm swinging between being excited and being terrified. Wish me luck!

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  4. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Dutchie's Avatar
    Name
    Simonne
    Surgery date
    01/03/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Pablo Enriquez Valens
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    07-05-2020 12:35 AM
    Posts
    1,494
    Said "Thanks" 1,206 Times
    Was Thanked 1,222 Times in 797 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 365 Times
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Welcome here!
    You went through a lot in your live...
    But this decision you made is probably the best thing you ever did for yourself.
    I was sleeved at age 63, but I should have done it years ago.

    As for the "final meal", you are not going to die, but you are starting a new life!
    After some time you can eat anything you want, but only small quantities.
    Of course you will have to learn to make healthy choices, but after a while that becomes second nature.

    You will get the hang of it, we all did.
    And don't hesitate to ask us anything you want.
    I wish you luck on your upcoming surgery and new life!
    English is not my first language anymore, so I may and do make mistakes in my spelling, or say things oddly. Please ask me, if you want any clarifications.



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  6. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member DLKnives's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Don
    Surgeon
    Dr. Bernie Hanna
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Last Activity
    10-14-2019 10:46 PM
    Location
    Las Vegas NV
    Posts
    34
    Said "Thanks" 30 Times
    Was Thanked 26 Times in 20 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 5 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Good for you, you will do great! I am 63 and just started the process so I may be 64 before it happens, but like you I have had it with being fat and will do what it takes to be in better shape.


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  8. #4
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    We're the same height, I was sleeved 5 1/2 years ago at 57. Best decision I ever made. I now weigh 133 and am training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in August. Hubby and I just retired and our theory on life is we will do crazy sh_t as long as we can.

    I have a high school friend in an assisted living facility like my 92 year old mom was before she passed away last summer. Senior living or mountain climbing? I'll choose #2!

    My best advice is to keep a positive attitude and have fun. Congrats on your decision!

  9. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/27/2019
    Surgeon
    Dr. Burpee (that's right)
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Last Activity
    01-02-2021 08:41 AM
    Posts
    107
    Said "Thanks" 146 Times
    Was Thanked 91 Times in 61 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 55 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Quote Originally Posted by sraebaer View Post
    We're the same height, I was sleeved 5 1/2 years ago at 57. Best decision I ever made. I now weigh 133 and am training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in August. Hubby and I just retired and our theory on life is we will do crazy sh_t as long as we can.

    I have a high school friend in an assisted living facility like my 92 year old mom was before she passed away last summer. Senior living or mountain climbing? I'll choose #2!

    My best advice is to keep a positive attitude and have fun. Congrats on your decision!

    Thank you. It’s glad to hear from someone else who has their AARP card. I share your theory on travel. I’m trying to make the more challenging trips while I can, but don’t plan on climbing mountains. I was relieved to get the surgery scheduled as I’m headed to a research station for a field course in polar bear studies the end of October. Choice #2 rocks

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  12. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member WANAGL's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Cyndi
    Surgery date
    12/30/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Robert Marema
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last Activity
    01-09-2020 06:15 PM
    Location
    Hampton Beach, FL
    Posts
    1,640
    Said "Thanks" 1,143 Times
    Was Thanked 908 Times in 689 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 2,250 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Welcome!

    I was 63 when I had VSG 3.5 years ago. I now have a new lease on life! This is one of the best decisions I ever made for myself.

    I was self-pay so I had a short 4 weeks of excitement/nervousness. It’s perfectly normal. I lurked here and read everything I could, watched videos...all of my efforts to learn as much as I possibly could helped me a great deal.

    This is the greatest support group...full of wisdom, encouragement, information and support. Through it all there is a lot of positive attitude and fun.

    Best of luck as you embark on this amazing journey ;-)



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  14. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/27/2019
    Surgeon
    Dr. Burpee (that's right)
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Last Activity
    01-02-2021 08:41 AM
    Posts
    107
    Said "Thanks" 146 Times
    Was Thanked 91 Times in 61 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 55 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Quote Originally Posted by DLKnives View Post
    Good for you, you will do great! I am 63 and just started the process so I may be 64 before it happens, but like you I have had it with being fat and will do what it takes to be in better shape.
    There were times during the process I got frustrated with some of the barriers put in front of me by incompetent office staff trying to get some of the requirement appointments made and submitted to insurance for pre-auth (not at my surgeon’s office, they were great). I hung in there and got it done. It’ll be such a big day for you when you’ve got the go ahead. Good luck!

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  16. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Sandra3's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Sandra
    Surgery date
    01/20/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr W
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Last Activity
    06-25-2020 09:15 AM
    Location
    France
    Posts
    1,363
    Said "Thanks" 290 Times
    Was Thanked 1,067 Times in 752 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 480 Times
    Blog Entries
    62

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Being obese is not an easy life! I was also a chubby kids, became obese with the first pregnancy (gestational diabetes) and I only discovered a few years ago, when I was going to get the sleeve, that meds make me gain weight like crazy. I always felt guilty thinking my food intake was the reason....well, that's not the main reason...my metabolism is a mess...meds push buttons!

    Living overseas from 2003 to 2017, in four different countries, I had to fly often (and far, one of my job was in New Zealand, the other side of the earth from Paris!) flying was always hard, asking for the seat extension so humiliating, or even being in seat so small that I would have bruises on my legs'sides for weeks after. I did fly business when I could but it was not always possible.

    Also had a very bad fall in the middle of nowhere in Colombia, had the print of the pavement on the front of my leg for one month!! was painful but yet the worth was my pride, my friends (older) couldn't help me to get up, we had to ask assistance to people in the street...it was so painful but I was so glad that nothing was broken I didn't even cry!! it was not safe at that time (2010) to travel at night because of the terrorists blocking the roads and kidnapping people..I was just relieved we didn't have to find an hospital that day!

    Each time we moved, I had to hire a crew for the last "deep" cleaning, for the first time, post sleeve (18 months out) I was able to do everything myself when we left Asia... it was not about saving the money but just being back to normal felt so amazing!! (we actually hired someone two weeks before "just in case' who was paid to do almost nothing, but that was fine with me!)
    I would have never imagine that scrubbing the floor on my knees would make me so happy!

    In one year you will be very happy too!! think positive!!
    Best of luck for the surgery!!
    Take care!


    HW : 150 kgs
    09/02/2014 : 142 /1st apt
    01/20/2016 : 134 /surgery
    01/30/2016 : 130 /1st post-op
    02/27/2016 : 126 /2nd
    04/23/2016 : 118 /3rd
    07/16/2016 : 109 / 4th
    10/01/2016 : 103 /5th
    01/21/2017 : 98 /1 year post-op
    February 2017 : 100 lbs lost
    07/22/2017 : 96
    10/21/2017 : 93
    12/22/2017 : 91
    01/02/2018 : 96!! regain (medication)

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  18. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member lorrietime's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    09/25/2019
    Surgeon
    John Johnson, Jr.
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Last Activity
    11-19-2019 06:46 AM
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    26
    Said "Thanks" 12 Times
    Was Thanked 23 Times in 17 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 2 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Welcome! This is a great site to get info and reassurance; going for my endoscopy Tuesday - can you tell me how yours went? I don’t have a surgery date yet, but do believe this is one of the best decisions I’ve made - best wishes to you!



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  20. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/27/2019
    Surgeon
    Dr. Burpee (that's right)
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Last Activity
    01-02-2021 08:41 AM
    Posts
    107
    Said "Thanks" 146 Times
    Was Thanked 91 Times in 61 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 55 Times

    Default Re: I'm new and almost a sleever

    Lorrietime - the endoscopy was easy peasy and quick. I was in and out in (as I recall) less than an hour. But maybe that’s a matter of perspective too because I have a colonoscopy every few years. Anyway...it was no big deal for me. They used propofol as the anesthesia aka milk of amnesia. I like this stuff because for me there are no after effects. They did find and remove a polyp, but that didn’t come as a big surprise to me as I’ve had colon polyps removed. I was also told I had mild gastritis and I did find that a little surprising since I rarely have an upset stomach. I chalked it up to the fact that I’d been eating quite a bit of fresh pineapple which is acidic. Good luck.

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