Andrew0929

I think saying you had your gallbladder out isn't a bad 'excuse', but I wouldn't say that you're losing weight because of complications from the surgery. People will have a lot more questions then, and probably genuinely worry, especially once you lose 50-75-100+ lbs! If someone told me they had complications from surgery and then they started losing their hair, and lost 100 lbs I'd think it was cancer, fear for their lives and bug them constantly for fear they might die! Seriously.
Your loss won't necessarily be noticable right away to many people, but once it is and the questions start rolling in, maybe just tell people that having your gall bladder out made you want to lose weight so you've been exercising more and eating less. Which won't be a lie! You really will be exercising more and eating less! That's what I've been telling everyone, I'm 10 months out now, and no one knows any better. I, personally, keep it that way. I have told a very select few people, it is a very personal choice and whatever you decide to tell people, I hope you don't tell them you're sick or had complications because they will genuinely be worried sick with concern. Just my two cents.

Fpmr96 I say you do what you are comfortable with. I have lost 25 lbs and I haven't had my surgery yet and everyone at work keeps asking what are you doing, blah blah blah. I am comfortable to say I have made a lifestyle change and I work hard. I keep it very generic. You have the right to privacy and no one needs to know your business!

To each his/her own. Personally, I tell anyone who asks -- and people are really starting to notice now. Think I will have a button made up that says, "Why yes, I had weight loss surgery." Then I am going to hand out cards that show a picture of the VSG and a description, because if one more person asks me if I had a lapband I'm going to lose it!
This is so different for me. I've been dieting for 40 years. And in the past I've always kept diets to myself because I always knew that I would regain the weight as fast as I lost it. I was always on my way up or down. So, now I am committed to succeed, and owning up to the surgery is part of that commitment. Plus I think the more people that learn about VSG surgery, the less stigma there will be about weight loss surgery in general.
This is my opinion. You have to do what is comfortable for you.
Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

I had to tell the ppl I work with. I'm a LPN so it'll effect my work. So far everyone has been encouraging. Of course I've never been one who cares about other ppl's opinions. But like I said everyone from my bosses to other staff is excited with me.

I did not want anyone to know I was having the surgery. I didn't want to be referred to as 'the girl who had WLS'. I hate gossip. I realized, during my pre-surgical program, that I needed a strong support group. I created a private page on FB and invited only the people I felt I could trust with my heart. It worked out great and while on the journey five months later I broke the news to the inlaws and explained why I never told them in the first place.
I tell you this because the old me would have stayed in my closet worried but now, 10days out, I realize I'm going to be okay and it's nice to have people to share the ups and downs with.

I struggled with this but this week I said PUCK it and told folks at work. All were pretty receptive; however, at the end of the day I have to ask myself..why do I need to lie about this and why do I care what others think. That's their issue and their problem..not mine. and I must add when I shared..i felt extremely free if that makes sense...

Lots of people say they are having their gallbladder removed.

I am hoping to keep my upcoming WLS a secret from most people. I hate lying but can't tolerate hearing everyone's opinion
Do you think it's believable to I'm having my gallbladder removed? Then when I start losing weight I was going to say I had some complications with the surgery.

Being scared is totally understandable. This is an elective surgery, after all. Often, the devil we know (current health issues with obesity) is preferable to the devil we don't know (surgical complication risk). I hope some of your fears are eased by the community of folks on this site who are willing to share experiences.

Many of us are in a similar situation. I'm planning to tell very few people. Will tell my boss I'm having gallbladder surgery. When asked about weight loss I will say I eat like a bird and run like a deer, which will hopefully be true.
Andrew

I know where you are coming from. I had to have an implantable defibrillator placed 12 years ago due to a heart condition. I KNEW I have to have that thing put in, to protect my health...and yet I threw up all the way to the hospital out of fear. Surgery is just scary. This will be a surgery that I CHOSE to go into , and that is even scarier! Right now it doesn't seem REAL, as I'm submitting paperwork and getting things lined up. When they tell me when I'm supposed to come to the hospital, I fully expect that I will be terrified and throw up all the way there.
I also know this...I am tired of being fat. I have ALWAYS been fat. As I age, now 44, my body hurts and aches. I feel awful and I look awful. I'm prediabetic, and I had a heart issue that I've healed from but I'm asking an awful lot of that same heart trying to lug around too much. There is rheumatoid arthritis in my family, and I'm doing my body no favors carrying this much weight. The future only holds more pain, more mobility problems, more sadness over how I look and feel, and probably a shorter life span.
I'm going to hold those thoughts in my head even as I throw up all the way to the hospital.
Hang tough!
Cara

While my BMI was a bit lower than yours before my surgery, my diabetes was so out of control my surgeon was really worried about complications. I prepared myself for every complication, convinced that I would have them all.
But I had absolutely NO COMPLICATIONS! I didn't even have any pain. I laugh when I tell my surgeon that if I didn't have 5 funny little scars on my tummy, and the inability to eat very much food, I might think the surgery never happened. 'Course the proof is in the 58 lbs lost and diabetes and other co morbidities resolved.
My point is that most people have absolutely no complications. The greater risk statistically to your health is actually in the drive to the hospital. You wouldn't let the drive to the hospital deter you from surgery, would you? Then, don't let the small risk of complications deter you either.
Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

I had surgery on June 19 & my BMI was around 52. I also knew that my risk of complications was slightly higher than for someone with a bit lower BMI, but like famille stated above, a slight increase to an already slight risk is still a very small chance to take. However, choosing to take the risk is a very personal decision we all have to make peace with. But ask yourself this...how much is being obese ruining your life & health now? What are the chances that your weight will lead to health complications that could derail you completely? How often has dieting worked for you? If you had some other health issue that could be helped with surgery, would you hesitate?
I think it's great you are educating yourself about the surgery & the risks. It's definitely smart to understand fully what this process entails & go into it with your eyes wide open. Good luck to you, no matter what you decide!

Obviously, every surgery comes with risks, and I think the doctor would be irresponsible to indicate otherwise. Did he give you any statistics regarding the risk increase? The risk for leaks with this surgery is like 0.02% according to a surgical guide I read last night. Your level of risk might be increased, but what if it made your chances of trouble like 0.03%? I think those are still very good odds. Another thing this article mentioned is that VSG has been used for a very long time as a step-down operation for people with BMIs of >50. RNY and DS have high complication rates in a higher BMI individual, so VSG would be used first to have the patient drop the first hundred pounds and all the comorbidities, then RNY or DS would be done at a later time. As for dieting again instead of VSG? I can't speak for you, but that has worked well for me 0% of the time.
I think it's good that you're aware of the risks that come with WLS, but I think that you should balance those with the risks of remaining obese. Each time I feel frightened by the risks associated with surgery, I remind myself of the awfulness of my obesity and the unbelievably scary risks that come with staying this way. Though there are some on this board who have experienced those complications, there are so many who haven't who express their single regret as not doing this sooner.
That said, you must weigh all the information available to you and make your own decision. In wish you well as you do so.
Here's a link to the guide describing VSG in >50 BMI: http://goodnightsurgical.com/doc/Sleeve_Gastrectomy_Guide.pdf

I would be more concerned about dying myself...lol They asked me what the worst thing that could happen to me with this surgery and I had to reply dying..They felt better knowing I knew there was a slight risk of that happening...
I am one of those people who everything did go wrong...And to top it off I almost died....You have to look at this differently...Are you ready for a change in yourself and your health? Do you want to really live and enjoy the time you have left?
Write down the things you can't do and see if you think it is worth the possibility of complications?
Five months I was in the hospital and 5 months I had nurses attending me at home...Do I regret it?
NO!!! I was just existing before my surgery and was unable to stand for 10 minutes without my back giving out...I can put my grand daughter on my knee very close to me and enjoy that time with her..I can cross my legs now and I walk for hours....I am a person who now finds it hard to sit down for too long..I want to live, live and live.....
If you are like me and you tried it all..And this is what is left..Don't wait! chose well and go forward....I have!

coffee is an important part of my life. I roast my own coffee and have a commercial grade roasting machine in my garage. My hobby is modifying (improving) coffee gear - espresso machines, grinders, and roasting machines.
One of my first questions to my nut was whether I had to stop drinking coffee. She said they used to believe coffee was a problem after bring sleeved but no longer think its an issue. I'm bringing her a bag of coffee to my next appointment and planning to continue my coffee after sleeved . I will ask my surgeon about this on Monday which is my last visit before submitting to insurance.
Andrew

coffee is an important part of my life. I roast my own coffee and have a commercial grade roasting machine in my garage. My hobby is modifying (improving) coffee gear - espresso machines, grinders, and roasting machines.
One of my first questions to my nut was whether I had to stop drinking coffee. She said they used to believe coffee was a problem after bring sleeved but no longer think its an issue. I'm bringing her a bag of coffee to my next appointment and planning to continue my coffee after sleeved . I will ask my surgeon about this on Monday which is my last visit before submitting to insurance.
Andrew

I just found out from my insurance company that my case was APPROVED!!!! This is real now! Waiting on surgeon's office to call with a date. So many emotions right now. I know this is normal by reading all your posts who have walked this road already. I'm so excited to be healthy again.

coffee is an important part of my life. I roast my own coffee and have a commercial grade roasting machine in my garage. My hobby is modifying (improving) coffee gear - espresso machines, grinders, and roasting machines.
One of my first questions to my nut was whether I had to stop drinking coffee. She said they used to believe coffee was a problem after bring sleeved but no longer think its an issue. I'm bringing her a bag of coffee to my next appointment and planning to continue my coffee after sleeved . I will ask my surgeon about this on Monday which is my last visit before submitting to insurance.
Andrew

I have all of the same feelings of fear but know this is the right path for me. One more nut visit and my case will be submitted to insurance.
Still pretty effing scared ...
Andrew

Hello all!! It's terribly strange for me to say that in just a few weeks I'll be celebrating my 2 year sleeve-aversery! In some ways it feels like I had my sleeve done years and years ago, and other ways it feels like just yesterday. I thought I'd pop back on because I remember reading these posts before my sleeve and wondering what I was in for. I also remember wondering why there didn't seem to be many veterans on here. If I may, let me give you a little insight on what it's like 2 years later. My highest weight was 342.2 (every oz counts right?) and now I stay between 168 and 171....if you're doing the math...171.1 is exactly half my weight. Odd isn't it? I was never one to really work out. I would walk in the neighborhood, maybe. But working out? No way. I can remember reading posts about people finding the fun in working out and I thought they must be nuts. Funny that I have now become one of those folks. I am at the Y every Mon/Wed/Fri and alternate between Zumba and a strength class. Depending on the week I'll add yoga in on Tues/ Thurs but I'm not always able to fit that in. I've competed in several 5k's and will be doing a mud run this Saturday. The most exciting thing for me is that in August I got my Zumba certification and hope to begin teaching that soon. Two years ago, had you told me that fitness would become this important to me, I would have laughed at you. As for food, I feel as though I eat fairly normal. I do stay away from breads because I don't like the way they feel in my stomach, and for me, one bite could easily lead to 7. Sugars? I do allow myself a very small dessert on Sundays only...my mom cooks a big Sunday dinner for the family and I do allow a taste. My portions are different from where they were in the first few months, but still no where near what I used to eat, or what everyone else is eating for that matter. I still measure deli meat and Proteins just to make sure my portions stay in check. I can tell you that I have zero regrets, aside from the old cliché regret that I wish I had done it sooner. I'm enjoying shopping and feel pretty again...which ladies, let's be honest. Cute clothes do not come with x's or w's attached to the size. I have gone from a 26 and 28 to a 6. It's unreal! Recently I was asked by my doctor to film a web spot for him which later turned into a commercial and 3 billboards (which still blows my mind). I'm posting the link just so that, if you're interested, you can hear a little bit about my story. I'm hoping that any of you who might be on the fence, hear this or read this and trust that it's truly a life saving procedure! Little things like walking up the stairs without getting winded, fitting into a booth, tossing your meds...crossing your legs....all of this is possible! And let me also say this, I swore that even after my surgery I would stick around this board. To help and encourage others, to stay in touch...but let me tell you. I am no longer a sit in the chair and surf the web kind of girl. Our tv is rarely on. I think, the reason why you don't see many old timers on here is because they've found their energy...they're out and about. We haven't left you and we certainly haven't forgotten where we started from....but life is now night and day better. I wish all of you luck in your journey and pray that you have successes beyond your wildest dreams!! The link to my story is : http://www.srmconline.com/weightloss/Pages/My%20Journey.aspx Click on hear my story, I'm Kristin Wishing you all the best!!

I think it's time to move on .... Nothing worse than a mooch and it sounds like that's exactly what this guy is. This will only get worse as time goes on.
Andrew

I feel exactly the same way. I'm pretty confident that I'll lose a significant amount during the first year, but worry that when the restriction subsides I'll plump up again.

I feel exactly the same way. I'm pretty confident that I'll lose a significant amount during the first year, but worry that when the restriction subsides I'll plump up again.