Telisaswan

Hi. My name is Telisa Swan and I am working toward getting sleeved. My daughter had a gastric bypass six years ago and is down from 500 lbs to a healthy 160. The bypass worked very well for her but I think the sleeve is a better choice for me. I am 5'10, weigh 311 with a BMI of 44.7 and am 44 years old. I don't have a lot of co-morbidities, but I did get a heart stint in 2003. I am self-pay with no insurance and started this process in October with a lot of research. In November I attended two seminars by a couple of different area bariatric surgeons. I really like the surgeon I have chosen but he wants me to lose 10% of my total body weight before he will even schedule surgery. That could take months! I really want to get sleeved as soon as possible so it is a little frustrating. My surgeon charges $23,000 for this surgery and I know I could get it a lot cheaper in Mexico but, at the same time, I want an excellent local support system and all aftercare is included in that price. I will do my best to loose the 30+ lbs. as soon as possible, but it won't be easy (any suggestions?) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know who I am, where I am at, and what is going on for me. You will see me around the forum over the next year or so and I am looking for friends and support in this. Who is with me?! I think this forum is the best, most informative thing I have encountered on the internet. It has already been incredibly helpful to me. Thank you to all of you who have lost your weight, or well on your way, but are still here on this forum to help those of us who are just starting out on our journey. Much thanks!!!

Silence is golden... duct tape is silver.

This woman is ignorant and arrogant, like so many others who are allowed to petal their BS in the media. I will certainly never have anything to do with Marie Claire in the future, except to expose it for what it is.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you!

My name is Telisa Swan and this is my very first blog - ever. It actually took me a couple of days to figure out how to write on this page. I am not the most computer-oriented person on the planet. I have joined this forum because, like everyone else, I have decided I would like to take control of my weight problem in a big way. The Vertical Gastric Sleeve seems like the best way to go for me. My daughter had a Gastric Bypass about 6 years ago and she is doing marvelously well. She weighed nearly 500 lbs. and now weighs a healthy 160. While the GB worked great for her, I feel the Sleeve will be better for me. Currently I weight 311 lbs (down from 325), and have a BMI of 44.7. I have been heavy most of my life. I am a professional tattoo artist and I quite well known in my field. Still, I feel my weight problem has really held me back in my career. The tattoo industry can be quite "looks" oriented and all the talent in the world won't get you featured in the tattoo magazines if you are fat and unattractive. This prejudice is only a little less of a problem for men in my line of work. In reality, ANY person who is overweight in our culture has this kind of problem. You can be the best at what you do, have a charming personality and a sharp wit - but if they don't like how you look, they won't give you the time of day. That said, it is not the only reason that I want to lose the weight (though it is the most painful issue on a daily basis). I really want to be able to live a longer, fuller life. As it is right now I can't do a lot of the things I want to do. I can't fit comfortable on an airplane or ride on a roller coaster, etc. I would love to do some hiking without running the risk of a heart attack (got a heart stint in 2003). I would just like to able to truly LIVE.

That really sucks! I hope they get you in ASAP. Best wishes.

Wow! You are slimming down fast! Thanks for posting this. It is great to be able to see so many people having such success. I can't wait for my sleeve!

I think the "cleansing fast" idea is brilliant. I might use that myself!

Good luck!

Hi Middlesister: I am new here too - this is my very first post. I know exactly how you feel. I too, am missing out on so much of life because of my weight. I don't have a surgery date yet but hope it will be some time in January or February. My surgeon wants me to lose 10% of my weight first, but I am otherwise ready to go. I too, have moments of horror, wondering how it will turn out... is this the right thing to do?.... But I think it will help me get my life back. Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you to this forum and wish you much success. This forum has been a wonderful place for me to come to get answers to the hundreds of questions running through my head. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and will be watching to see how you do. Good luck! Tat2Swan