I am new, just joined today, although I pop on and read some of your posts now and then.
I have a great doctor who just moved from the east coast and he is waiting for his privileges to practice. Hence, my surgery is about 2 weeks out. I will find out the date this week. And Monday I am planning to start the two week preop diet. Originally wanted the lap band, found out I wasn't a good candidate then decided on the sleeve until I changed my mind and wanted the Duodenal Switch. Chickened out of that one, and feel like a flake now. Back to the Sleeve now, and I think I am settled on it for sure.
My story is probably the same as hundreds of you all's...Was thin my entire life, (born a premie at 4#) and started gaining at 19 with the birth control pill, and subsequent pregnancies. Yo yo dieting, start/stop smoking, rich foods, lack of exercise...the usual stuff-- brought me to 350 today. I have recently lost 30 (since March) but am trying so hard to not gain any of it back before the surgery, although it fluctuates daily, mostly in the right direction.
I have been researching wt loss surgery and discussing it with my dear sweet husband (#2) for a couple years. And now, while I am between jobs (got laid off in March) no insurance hoops to jump through since I lost my insurance with the job, the timing is perfect. financing out of pocket so I will take any money saving tips you all can give me. :001_tongue:
I am wondering if anyone actually loses 200 on a sleeve? I am 5'10 large frame and large muscles under a whole lot of fat tissue. If I get down to 150 I am probably looking at being a size 14. Not the 2-8's I see here, but I won't be discouraged. I am afraid of plateauing out. Still, even when I get to 200, I will feel like I have a new lease on life.
Co-morbidities...how much time do you have?
Severe sleep apnea (diagnosed a year ago)
Pre-diabetic with a long family hx of it
Neuropathy in arms and legs
B/P creeping upwards
GERD & Hiatal Hernia
I left some things off, but you get the idea. A ticking time bomb just the same. I used to love cooking, but now I just dread it. And my husband loves eating. He is 6'2 250# could stand to lose about 30 so he has recently been trying to eat better while I am on my better eating habits.
I have two major goals 1.) to be and feel healthier 2.) I know I might be too sensitive, but I am so tired of the cruelty and want it to go away with the weight. I don't know what possesses people to think they can treat obese folks like we're not human, but I am fed up. And after tolerating abuse my entire adult life (even from my first husband) I am so not looking forward to being abused for my decision to do something about it and take radical action. I have heard horror stories of the cruelty for making this decision. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that with me? So I am reluctant to tell many people I am doing this.
Ok, enough of my random thoughts...I'd love to hear from you all.
Anxious to start melting (and scared to death),
~GeorgieGirl1957