Macy6

My surgeon and nutritionist said the magic words to me that made me decide that no matter what I will be very strict to their rules "We are very aggressive with our post op instructions, including post surgery stay in the hospital, post op diet, plus more..... the reason is we have never had a leak or major complication and we don't plan on starting now" I figure why take the chance. I am changing my eating habits now, 8 weeks(ish) pre op, I don't want to look back in 6 months and regret that I didn't make the changes and hit the goals I desire so badly. I graduate this next year and I want to feel awesome walking across that stage..... I was inducted into the International Nursing Honor Society a few months ago and looked at the pictures after, and I was very embarrassed.

Thank you to everyone who wrote POSITIVE posts. I can assure you that if I had my choice I wouldn't be on medicaid, but I will not be bulied or embarrassed to use the insurance the state has determined I qualify for. It has been more than comforting in my situation to have insurance.
I am in the begining stages of the process and I'm being impatient, mostly. I am really unsure how it all works. I was just looking for others who have been there and done that I know that I will get approved, I met all the criteria, I'm just nervous.

I live in Grand Junction, Colorado. How much longer do you have in school? I graduate in December! I am SOOO ready. I am in a 27 month program, and it took me over four years to get my pre requisites, so I have basically been in school forever! My poor kid is 13, and was 6-7 when I went into school, so it is literally all he can remember of me ha ha. I plan to go on for my Masters, but I want to get my son thru high school first. School has definitely been one of my big stressors, and has assisted in a lot of my weight gain. I am ready to have a real job, not having to worry about homework and class times, clinical times, and tuition etc... Feel like putting the exercise effort in etc... Summer should be great for that. Hopefully by the time I hit the point where I am released for more than walking and light exercise, will be around the time I am finishing up school and I will have the time to put into the gym and getting myself back.

First time since 8th grade!!!

Some of mine were: How many surgeries, complication rate, Laparoscopic to open rate (How many times he has started laparoscopically and had to turn it into a full surgery), mortality rate, recommended Vitamins, the weight loss he would expect from me, any recommended readings, websites, educational information etc...

At some future date this will be my success story:
Until age 36, I lived my entire life overweight and my entire adult life morbidly obese. I was literally either the fattest kid or nearly the fattest kid in class every year from kindergarten. I had been in and out of weight loss programs from age 11, all with some success in losing weight, all eventually failing when the minor successes or benefits no longer outweighed the level of obsession required to stay on the diet. There were a few times in my life that I managed to reduce my weight so that I was only obese, instead of morbidly obese. I seriously considered gastric bypass in my mid-twenties, but was ultimately scared out of the procedure. At the time, that was the right decision. I most definitely was not ready.
As I got into my 30's, my life started to change. I increased my education. I became a professional in Public Health instead of working jobs that required little education. I began to realize who I really was. In 2008, my husband and I decided to have our pictures taken as Christmas presents for our family because we had not had our pictures taken since our wedding in 1999. I remember standing at the counter in front of the monitor, trying to select "acceptable" pictures, and just being in tears over how I felt about how I looked in the photos. I decided at that time to go back to Weight Watchers. Giving up and accepting my weight was simply no longer an option if I wanted to maintain my sanity. I cried at the counter while I signed up, again, for the program. I weighed in at 344.2.
I was far more successful this time than I had ever been in previous attempts at weight loss. I began to realize how much easier it was to be successful when I no longer was willing to eat processed food. I learned about Clean Eating and began to structure my diet following those principles. I connected with a group of women at my weekly meeting that were a part of a group of women that trained together to "comPLETE" triathlons. They convinced me that women of all ages and weights participated and that I didn't need to lose the weight before I began to participate. I remember crying on and off during my first "meet and greet". I signed up and compLETED my first triathlon at a weight of 315. Over the next 2 years, I managed to lose 115 pounds.
I continued with triathlon, finding that there really is an athlete inside me, that it wasn't just something I used to do in high school. I even managed not to be last at my first Olympic distance event (.9mi swim, 24mi bike, 10k run) and finished in under 4 hours, still well into the "obese" weight category. My dedication began to wane, some family stressors began to take their toll, and I began to gain weight again. Over the next two years, I gained back about 1/2 the weight that I had lost, and was thankful that at least I hadn't gained it all back.
In the spring of 2013, I started looking into weight loss surgery again. This time, the gastric sleeve was an available option. I did a ton of reading, went to a seminar, and decided I really liked what I was hearing. This time I was ready. From the time I made my first call for a consult with my surgeon, to the time I had all of my requirements met to schedule my endoscopy and surgery, only spanned less than 14 days and I was excited to get the show on the road. I was scheduled for July, 2013, and have lost 105 pounds. I had a belt lipectomy and breast lift, and finally feel like I look like the person I feel I am.
I returned to training for triathlon as soon as I was able after healing from my surgeries and gradually increased my endurance. I found that I had no idea how badly my endurance and capabilities had been hindered by my weight. It turned out that I wasn't lazy, I wasn't weak, and I wasn't really out of shape. I was physically miserable only because I was carrying someone piggyback for every bike ride and every run I had to perform to train. I increased my race lengths until I competed in an IRONMAN.
And now, at long last, I can say "I am an IRONMAN"
What's your success story?

I hit 105 down this past Saturday, 4 months post op. I still have another 100 to go and was feeling down so I made some progress pics and thought I'd share!
Surgery done on 1/5/13 with Dr. aceves.
SW - 375
CW - 269
GW - 170
The leopard print pic is the oldest and the coral picture is the most recent from this past Saturday.
My myfitnesspal username is sarabsleeved, feel free to add!

Macy6, like MichiganChic, I have been overweight my entire nursing career and I have not had any issues finding or keeping a job because of my weight. I, too, am sorry that you had to go through that uncomfortable talk. Good luck!

What a blessing, congratulations!

I finished up my Pediatric rotation a couple weeks ago, during my post clinical with my preceptor she asked if she could get personal with me for a minute. She proceeded to say "I have struggled with my weight my whole life...... now you know where this is going...." I was mortified, I couldn't believe she was having the "weight" talk with me. She went on to tell me that no matter how great of a nurse I am that I will always be judged by my weight, and how people will question hiring me because I may not be able to do my job and its already hard on nurses and I need to start loosing weight.... now" Needless to say I was mortified, embarrassed, sad..... so sad..... I don't want to be this way, I have struggled so long I don't know how to be any other way. I told her I am in the process of working towards weight loss surgery, but I still have another clinical rotation before surgery, and now I doubt myself, I am smart I know I am smart, I know I do a good job, but now I feel like they will doubt my abilities based on my weight. I am mad at myself for not being smart years ago, I am mad at myself for not doing something 6 weeks, 6 months, 6 years ago..... I want people to look at me for the person I am, not the fat I carry. I had my final Psych visit yesterday and told him about the "talk" he said "you know I have always felt unsolicited advice is no different than criticism" in a way yes, but is she right.... yes, yes she is. Should I be looked over for a job, or in a clinical setting because of my weight? No, but will I be.... probably. Will people question if I can do an effective job, yes I suppose they might. I guess I just needed to vent for a minute.....

Wow, I have an issue with this. I can't believe she is brushing off your gallbladder. When I ended up in the hospital with my gallbladder and it was removed my surgeon said my surgery lasted longer than normal because it was hard and days away from gangrene I was lucky I got it out when I did. How frustrating

Oh my God!!!! I made it! I freaking made it into the nursing program! I just received an email! I'm crying, overjoyed, and extremely nervous! I didn't think I would be this emotional! Loving life right now!

A few years (and forty pounds ago) we went to an amusement park in Texas. My friend convinced me to go on a ride that I would never normally go on (I love roller coasters and didn't walk in expecting to have any issues but this particular ride was not my cup of tea) It was two long rows, maybe 15 people a row and they came up and made me move all the way to the other end of the row (because the seats were a little bit bigger) I was mortified but sucked it up because I was more mortified to get off the ride. I refused to go on any other rides, until later in the day my friend made me try the seats they have outside the ride. I found that I did fit in the extended sized seats and did go on more during the day. It has stuck with me and I have not tried to get on a ride since. I graduate from college in December and walk in my commencement next May. My graduation is 4 hours away and I want to take my family and friends who come up to an amusement park while we are there. With an anticipated surgery date being mid summer, I will have a good 9-10 months of loss before graduation! I am thrilled to see the changes!

I live in Grand Junction, Colorado. How much longer do you have in school? I graduate in December! I am SOOO ready. I am in a 27 month program, and it took me over four years to get my pre requisites, so I have basically been in school forever! My poor kid is 13, and was 6-7 when I went into school, so it is literally all he can remember of me ha ha. I plan to go on for my Masters, but I want to get my son thru high school first. School has definitely been one of my big stressors, and has assisted in a lot of my weight gain. I am ready to have a real job, not having to worry about homework and class times, clinical times, and tuition etc... Feel like putting the exercise effort in etc... Summer should be great for that. Hopefully by the time I hit the point where I am released for more than walking and light exercise, will be around the time I am finishing up school and I will have the time to put into the gym and getting myself back.

Wow, I have an issue with this. I can't believe she is brushing off your gallbladder. When I ended up in the hospital with my gallbladder and it was removed my surgeon said my surgery lasted longer than normal because it was hard and days away from gangrene I was lucky I got it out when I did. How frustrating

Wow, I have an issue with this. I can't believe she is brushing off your gallbladder. When I ended up in the hospital with my gallbladder and it was removed my surgeon said my surgery lasted longer than normal because it was hard and days away from gangrene I was lucky I got it out when I did. How frustrating

6 months out and down 120!

And feeling sexy
VSG Date: 2/13/13 SW:285lbs HW:302 5'3 current weight as of 4/16/13: 239 5/15/13: 231yay me

Your post made me smile, but it is good information, I have always been curious what would happen to the black hole lol. I remember when I did my OR rotation for school the nurse telling me that everyone neglects their belly button (as she pulled a pound of fuzz out of the patients belly button) It made me very self conscious, and I keep my belly button very clean, and I plan on giving it a good 5m washing pre op lol.

Just got approval from insurance surgeon date may 8th

Yeah I think there are a number of things that have to do with it. Time of day, certain times of day may be busier and your stuff may move down faster and get missed. Repetition, a lot of questions we all have, have been asked before and sometimes people get tired of repeating (only what I have read) If you do have a question though, I do recommend using the search bar up above and searching for the main topic.... Instead of "Will I have bad reflux" just put "reflux" or "Does anyone have xxxx insurance" just put the insurance name etc... I have found a lot of information. I also recommend finding "friends" a support group that relates to you (I found a nursing support group, because I am a nursing student) I have found a few people who either I have enjoyed following their story, or they have similarities to me. I try to send a note every few weeks or so just to see how they are doing. Hang in there, this is a great group I really enjoy it and I have received a lot of information.

Yeah I think there are a number of things that have to do with it. Time of day, certain times of day may be busier and your stuff may move down faster and get missed. Repetition, a lot of questions we all have, have been asked before and sometimes people get tired of repeating (only what I have read) If you do have a question though, I do recommend using the search bar up above and searching for the main topic.... Instead of "Will I have bad reflux" just put "reflux" or "Does anyone have xxxx insurance" just put the insurance name etc... I have found a lot of information. I also recommend finding "friends" a support group that relates to you (I found a nursing support group, because I am a nursing student) I have found a few people who either I have enjoyed following their story, or they have similarities to me. I try to send a note every few weeks or so just to see how they are doing. Hang in there, this is a great group I really enjoy it and I have received a lot of information.

Yeah I think there are a number of things that have to do with it. Time of day, certain times of day may be busier and your stuff may move down faster and get missed. Repetition, a lot of questions we all have, have been asked before and sometimes people get tired of repeating (only what I have read) If you do have a question though, I do recommend using the search bar up above and searching for the main topic.... Instead of "Will I have bad reflux" just put "reflux" or "Does anyone have xxxx insurance" just put the insurance name etc... I have found a lot of information. I also recommend finding "friends" a support group that relates to you (I found a nursing support group, because I am a nursing student) I have found a few people who either I have enjoyed following their story, or they have similarities to me. I try to send a note every few weeks or so just to see how they are doing. Hang in there, this is a great group I really enjoy it and I have received a lot of information.

My mom has Pickle Juice ice pops

Slightly different but when I was talking to my 13 yo son about the surgery and what I'm working towards he says.... "That's going to be weird.... You aren't going to steal my clothes are you" yes.... Yes.... I desire to steal a 13 yo boys clothes.