babigrl111

Hi guys, I had a difficult time telling my family about my upcoming surgery. I am not very good at communicating in person, but i am great at writing, so i decided to tell my family in a letter/email. I thought i'd post my letter here, maybe it will give someone else the courage to tell their friends/family. The response i received from my family was absolutely 100% supportive, more than i could have ever expected.

I have something important to tell you all, and since I am much better at writing out my thoughts I am sending this email.


I have decided to have a type of weight loss surgery called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (or Gastric Sleeve). I am more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding this surgery, the process, my doctor, etc., but I do not want any negative comments, as this is my life and my decision, and I am not going to change my mind, no matter what.

Trust me when I say I have done a FULL INVESTIGATION into this surgery and my surgeon, gone through all of the seminars, chose the same doctor that has performed weight loss surgery on two of my co-workers (one had the by-pass 8/2010, and one had the Gastric Sleeve 3/2011), and have finished all the required testing (which was an EKG, several blood tests for all Vitamin levels, cholesterol, had an ultrasound of my stomach, gallbladder and liver, completed a psych evaluation, and met with a nutritionist). I have joined a forum called Vertical Sleeve Talk, that has thousands of members all over the world who have had/are scheduled to have this same surgery. I have met a lot of good people, have gotten answers to basically any question anyone could ever think of.

This is not a quick fix, or the easy way out like a lot of people think. Its going to be hard work, but with the Sleeve I will be forced to eat better, and wont be able to eat so much. I've been overweight since at least sixth grade, and right now I am at my heaviest. After this surgery, I will lose 65-75% of my excess weight within one year. My insurance even covers this procedure. Please know that this is not a snap decision I made overnight, I've been thinking about it and looking into it for over a year now.

If you would like to look further into this surgery and the program I chose, my doctor's names are Dr. Quebbemann and Dr. Braverman, and run a center called the N.E.W. Program. Dr. Quebbemann has appeared on multiple television shows including the Doctors, 48 hours, The Early Show, has been quoted in People magazine and USA Today. In fact, here is the link with the surgeons bios and information: http://thenewprogram.com/default/about-us/our-expert-team

Information about the Gastric Sleeve procedure and what its all about can be found here:
http://thenewprogram.com/default/comprehensive-weight-loss-options/surgical-weight-loss/sleeve-gastrectomy

My surgery is scheduled pretty soon, on Friday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m. (the time is subject to changing, I will know for sure the day before). I will be required by my insurance to stay in the hospital for one night, and will be home the next day, able to walk and drive just fine. The hospital I will be at is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (as required by my insurance), and called Tri-City Regional Medical Center. Here is the link with the information on the hospital: http://www2.tcrmc.org/. You all are more than welcome to come visit me while I am there.

I will be telling Brooklyn (my 7 year old) the day before my surgery, that mommy is having surgery on her tummy to make her feel better. I believe once she sees me eating better and losing weight, she will be excited to eat better as well. In fact, Terry (my boyfriend) has already started working out and eating better. This surgery is not only going to affect me in a positive way, but will change the eating habits of the people around me as well. Terry is taking Brooklyn to school the morning of my surgery, and Mom, I was going to ask if you would be able to pick her up that day and keep her overnight.

I AM ABSOLUTELY SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS DECISION AND IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT. However, if that is not the case, if you cant say anything nice then please just dont say anything at all.

Please do use any part of it! Thats why i posted it, in case anyone needed help telling family or friends. I swear i feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and i feel so much better now that they know.

I would try and sell them on craigslist or ebay, or even a yard sale. A few bucks for each piece could result in a lot of shopping money for you to be able to buy some clothes that fit.

Beachwithmybabies, you said it perfectly! I felt the same way. I was happy with how I looked in the mirror, but then I'd see myself in pictures or video clips, and I'd feel incredibly embarrassed and disgusted.
I also never felt I was very heavy in the face and neck. I see the difference after comparing before and after pictures, but somehow when I look in the mirror I don't see any difference at all.
In fact, I feel even more jiggly and wobbly! (That part may be true).

My appointment was not until tomorrow but I went in with a friend whom I referred. I was asked well since you are here today do you want to weigh? I said sure. I got on the scale and was down 8 more lbs. That brings my total weight loss thus far to 35lbs.
Thank God for my sleeve! :xena_banana:

My only concern would be the wedding dress...if you keep shrinking, its going to be hard to get it altered so it fits when you, have no idea how much weight you will lose by then! Good luck and congrats!

I know im a day late, but thats ok. Yesterday was my 1 month surgiversary.. needless to say its been one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
Thankfully i hadnt had any huge stalls and or complications other than my one trip to the E.R where they couldnt find anything wrong.. lol. Other than that I have to admit its been pretty smooth sailing.
So here are my stats!
5'8"
HW:265/270
GW:250
DoS:238.1
CW:214
FOR A TOTAL LOSS OF 24 LBS.... HECK TO THE YEA!!!!
i think i owe a lot of that to hitting the gym 5 days a week.
I WORK OUT.. WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE ... YEAH!!!!!!!! :purplebananna:

I started exercising a few years before I had the surgery... this was my last big attempt to lose all the weight without surgery. I went to the gym 3 times a week doing zumba & walking. I imagine most people thought I was on the verge of a heart attack because I would be red, dripping with sweat & ready for collapse... People have no idea how difficult it is to exercise with an extra 150 pounds on your back.
After surgery, I waited 2 months before heading back to the gym. I started doing a couch potato to 5K program. I did it more slowly than the program recommended because I really didn't feel like I was going to be doing my knees and ankles much good running on them when I was so heavy. However, I always do intervals. I would walk slow for a few minutes, then walk fast for a few minutes. I increased the amount of time of fast walking until I was eventually doing the whole time at a fast walk. Then I started adding in a slow jog for a few minutes at a time, etc.
I think the exercise has been the biggest factor in my weight loss. For one thing, if I've just forced myself to work out, I tend to follow my eating plan better because I know how much effort I just put in & don't want to undo all that work. I also think it has increased my muscle mass & bumped up my metabolism a lot.

Yep... me too, slow loser! But that doesn't stop me!!! I will get to goal; at least my surgeon's goal and any more will be a bonus! And once I am there, I need to work on my confidence and self image... that is when the REAL GOAL kicks in... I really don't want to look at this as a time dominating thing because the sleeve, for me, is a life long commitment to a long, healthy and fitter life! So, with that said if it takes me another year, so be it!
Just as well I like the scenic route...lol
Good luck to all you on your journeys... =]

I've been a very slow loser but a very consistent loser. I have honestly noticed that during the windows when I am not seeing the scales move my clothes become looser so I no longer pay much attention to any of it. I know I will get to goal. I know because I still have wonderful restriction so if I needed to I could actually still 'diet'. I'm just not opting for that because I'm so happy with the way things are going. I'm fine with slow. I've kept my hair and had decent strength after the first few weeks. So I'm a turtle. But a healthy turtle.

Read that twice and all I got was...wa wa wa wa site didnt work right...wa wa wa wa ...I'll help:)
You are sweet to offer help and I think it is great to have smarty pants around when things like this happen!

My husband just said to me.. " dude he is a guy, he wont care, he is going to get laid I doubt he'll notice"...lol
yes my husband is so sensitive..lol

Sleeve of Steel
i think JewelWithin said it best:
Bring the subject up with taking things to the next level physically, but you're nervous and then explain why.
i had a double mastectomy in 1998. I told my guy i was nervous, and I needed to talk... we've been happily married these past 10 years. (kindof the same?)
kathy

Wow! I am so touched by the postive encouragement here. Your responses are very helpful. I still have not lost more, but I do feel like relaxing about it is the best way to live without measuring each day with the scale. Cheri, you are right! When I stop and think about it, I doubt I got sleeved to end up a year or two from now with only a 27 pound loss. Sooner or later, the weight is bound to come off.

Veda, I think if you'll take a closer look at people's tickers on this site you'll find you're doing just fine! Yes there are people who lose pounds really quickly, but they're generally (1) men (da## their fast metabolisms!), (2) much higher BMI, or (3) much younger. Also, I think most of us have a certain number of "easy" pounds to lose - water retention, or whatever. Those of us who did a pre-op diet got those out off the way already. I started with a BMI of about 37 (before pre-op diet), and I averaged closer to 10 pounds a month loss. 6 months out, I'm in the normal BMI range, and less than 5 pounds from my surgeon's goal, and my losses are slowing a bit.
You should also account for the usual 3rd week stall most people experience.
In short, you're doing great!! I know it's more exciting to see the scale numbers plummet, but honestly, at your weight you've ot plenty of time to make it to goal. This part of your journey is really about developing the new habits with food that will help you STAY at goal in the years to come!! Slightly slower losses help minimize saggy skin too!
Please, don't make yourself crazy trying to speed up your losses. Stick with the plan, get your protein in to help with healing, get some exercise in as you can to keep your metabolism going, and you'll do great!

My surgery is in 3 days and i couldnt be more excited! I've had many surgeries before so the surgery itself doesnt scare me a bit. Its the pain afterward that is a little un-nerving. Oh well, im sure we're all going to do great! Good luck on your surgery!

My co-worker who had the bypass gave me a good tip. She buys Psyllium Husk powder and adds it to her Protein shakes. Its a great source of fiber, plus it leaves you feeling fuller longer (which is especially helpful if you are on a mainly liquid only pre-op diet!). Here's some information on it:
Psyllium husk or isphagula is the covering of seeds grown on the plant, Plantago Psyllium, which flourishes in the Middle East. Psyllium husk has long been recognized as an excellent means of getting more dietary fiber into a person’s diet due to its high fiber count in comparison to other grains. Oat bran, also a good source of fiber, has about five grams of fiber per a third of a cup. Psyllium husk, on the other hand, offers approximately 71 grams of fiber for that same third of a cup.

I'm not quite at my goal yet, but here's a little comparison. The red dress photo is from last night.
I'm currently 5'8" 159 lbs, US size 10. My highest weight is 240 and I wore a US size 18.
Measurements
‎B:43, W:36, H:45
March 28
‎B:41.5, W:34.5, H:43.5
July 3
B:42, W:33, H:42
August 18
B:39, W:32, H:40
October 13
B:37.5, W:30, H:38.5
December 3

I don't have any proper before pictures because I hated (and continue to hate) the camera, but I hope you get the idea from the pictures I found.

Meee!!! Less than 48 hours I am getting sleeved.
December 7th has been my day since for what seems like forever ago and
I seriously cannot believe its here already.

I refuse to hear negativity towards WLS. Those who know me know that I am working my tushie off, literally! WLS gave me a jump start, but it's not keeping the car running, KWIM?
I've told all kinds of people about my WLS. Of course, I have a gajillion cousins and aunts, etc, who all know about the surgery and they'd tell it in a heartbeat. So, once my family knew, there was no way to keep quiet anyway.
I also am of the opinion that the general public's attitude about WLS won't change until those of us who have had it start being vocal about it AND showing that it really does work. Everyone knows "someone" who had WLS and gained all their weight back. I'm thinking it's time people saw some of us who have WLS and don't regain our weight.
Good luck with your journey!!

Babigirl, you will be surprised, the pain is really very minimal with this surgery. For myself, I didn't even take any of the pain medication at all.

Babigrl,
I am so excited for you and just down PCH from you in San Clemente. My surgery is the 14th!
Don't think about the pain. The last stomach surgery I had in 1999 had 6 incisions also, and I never had any pain or took any pain meds. Although I did mention to my doctor yesterday I was afraid of nausea and vomiting cuz I sometimes do that after anesthesia, but he assured me he would have liquid pain and nausea medicine in my IV. You will be sleepy and I am sure your doctor will give you the same type of liquid pain meds if you request it. Just don't be afraid to ask for them if you need them, but hopefully you won't.
I am starting my preop liquids tomorrow!
Good luck and praying for you.
Janet

Protein Shake Recipes
Pina Colada: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 tsp.
coconut extract + ice

Latte (my personal favorite): 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder +
1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee + ice

Eggnog: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 tsp. rum extract
+ ice. Sprinkle with nutmeg

Almond Delight: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/4 tsp.
almond extract + ice

Pumpkin Pie in the Sky: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1
tsp. vanilla extract + 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Apple Pie: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1 tsp. vanilla
extract + 1 tsp. apple pie spice

Peach Pie: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + dash of
DaVinci" sugar free peach syrup + ice

Amaretto cookie: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + dash of
DaVinci"' sugar free amaretto syrup + dash of DaVinci sugar free cookie dough
syrup + ice

Campfire S'more: 1 cup water + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + dash of
OaVinci*· sugar free toasted marshmallow syrup + dash of DaVinci sugar free
German chocolate cake syrup + ice

Mocha: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 1 Tbsp. instant
decaf coffee + ice

Chocolate Mint: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 1/2 tsp.
peppermint extract + ice

Chocolate Banana: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 1/2
tsp. banana extract + ice

Chocolate Almond: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + 1/4
tsp. almond extract + ice


Chocolate Peanut Butter: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
+ dash of DaVinci" sugar free peanut butter syrup + ice

Chunky Monkey: 1 cup water + 1 scoop chocolate protein powder + dash of
OaVinci** sugar free banana syrup + ice

Caramel Latte: 1 cup water + 1/2 scoop cappuccino flavored protein
powder + 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder + dash of DaVinci" sugar free
caramel syrup + ice

Congrats! So exciting! Best wishes for your surgery, let us know how your doing afterwards!

hi babigirl111DOS 12/9/11 - surgery on Friday - WOW i'm envious - yeah, yeah, yeah, i recognize you cuz you started December Sleeves - pretty great are you!! (don't worry i'm not stalking you!!!) LOLOLOL
I know you had gained 8 lbs-now losing 4 lbs is great.
I also have gained weight.(10 lbs) sob sob sob my WLS is 12/15/11 - i was bumped from 12/6 cuz the dr. wanted to change hospital's due to some cardiac problems he all of a sudden discovered. he said all would be fine, just would rather go to a hospital that was better equipped.
Anyways, here's to "all of us" to doing great on our journey.
So, whatever we "gained" in weight, we'll "gain" in experience.
Can't wait to hear about your story, i'm sure you will do terrific, i'll be thinking of you - my turn one week from thursday 12/15/11 - can't wait. kathy