susantorlone

I am a stay home mom, so I went back to work 3 days after surgery. LOL

Another thing to do - to keep your mind off your fears - is to look at Before and After photos of other posters. Very enlightening.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the support...this forum is great!!! I know that deep down this is the right thing for me and its only normal to stress. You hear of all of these horror stories with leaks and ending up in hospital for 3 months and it makes you wonder omg will that happen to me!?!?! I know the risks are small but still very real, but I'm excited for my new, healthier life.

Hi Leah
I think all your questions are relevant and your fears completely normal. If you did not have these feelings then I would be worried. This decision you are about to make cannot be reversed, you can't get a refund, you need to identify that you have done everything you possibly could by diet and exercise first.
Your health obviously is the priority what comorbidities do you have or could possibly develop. I'm 3 weeks post op have had personal trainers / gym etc had a baby and still struggle with the weight loss. The week before my op I nearly killed myself in a car accident because of all the stress, was I making the right decision......
Post op; every day gets better no regrets the first four weeks are the hardest I reckon it's a total head fu** I lost 20lbs in the first week there was no way I could of lost that normally. I'm eating the same as my 2 yr old.
Support systems are paramount this journey will be an emotional roller coaster when they remove your sleeve it plays with your hormones.
Some people will support you others won't, you will find out who your true friends are.
Knowing that I can drop 80lbs, can prevent diabetes and heart disease etc and run around with my 2yr old, get my self esteem back, feels like I have been given a 2nd chance. I'm less scared now feel more in control, remember the sleeve is only a tool not a magic wand.
I wish you every success and happiness.

Awwww...Fred....soooo sweet. Very nice to say. I am so pleased that these posters are looking for answers to the hard questions. Makes it much more easier after the surgery when you have this sorted out!

Leah,
Im 26 as well, well in a month I will be. I was just as worried as you are and had the same questions. I also have been overweight my entire life and was tired of it. On September 9th I got the sleeve and I am currently 7 days post op. I couldn't be happier, I have more energy then I have ever had and I've already lost 15 pounds. Will you have the same experience I have had? I don't know... but I do know that for me I had to make a change so I could enjoy the rest of my life. So far I feel like I have just made the best decision in my life.

I think only you can answer if sleeved life is right for you. Are you tired of gaining weight? Tired of feeling hungry all the time? Tired of people not really seeing u? Tired of always being tired? What do you picture the rest of your life being without this surgery? Those were the questions I asked myself 3+ years ago. Your life does change and food turns into an energy source not something to do of to fill a hole.. But you have to change your mind set. If your going to do it... Jump in whole heartedly!!!!!!

For a few weeks before my surgery I started having second thoughts. I was really scared, mostly of the surgical process itself. However, I'm 3 weeks post-op and really glad I went through it. Even though I still weigh 386lbs (started at 657lbs on 9/20/12), i no longer feel like "the fat guy". I know I'm gonna shed the weight and it won't define me anymore. I have a new found confidence and so much new energy!

Absolutely wouldn't go through with a facility I was not 100% confident in. I've left many medical facilities I was not comfortable in and for rude office staff. Dentists, PCP's ect.
Let your insurance know and ask them if they can tell you an office in your network that is recommended that they can give you ask for a couple and do some research on them and pick a new place.
Most insurance companies will help you if you ask for help.
Good luck!

My surgery was 11 days ago and I am so glad that I did it. The process seems intimidating, but the end results are so worth it!!

Hi!! I was sleeved on June 26,2013. I went to Duke Raleigh where Dr. Phillip Omotosho performed my surgery. Dr. Yoo is a great surgeon also affiliated with Duke. They also both do surgeries in Duke Regional as well. Google Duke Metabolic Weight Loss for more details abt the seminar and meeting the doctor. I had a very pleasant experience with my doctor.

You didn't mention if you were going against your doctor's orders, but I would not be pushing the limits of my stomach this soon. Do you really want to take a chance and wind up in the emergency room because you stretched the staple line or a small piece of food gets lodged in the scar tissue?

Cassie laid it out quite clearly.
I know you wanted to hear from recent sleevers of which I am not but when I considered your statement, "this is such a massive life changing decision" I asked myself, "What has changed in my life?"
Outside of all the positives: health improvements, energy increases, ease of buying clothes, etc., and the negative: occasional heartburn, the only real change that has occured is that I eat less. My stomach talks back to me now whereas before it just put up with whatever I shoved down there and complained later.
The social changes are insignificant to me. My friends understand or they are not my friends and no problem. I have lost no one through this, apparently my friends and relatives really loved me.

Having a doctor and office staff that you trust is beyond important. Not just for the surgery but for all the post op questions. Thank god you cancelled ! can u imagine what would happen if you had complications after surgery? From working in doctors offices and billing co for 17 years the office staff is a reflection of the doctor. If they thought they had authorization and the insurance was giving you bad info they should have done a three way call to clear it up so you could here it.If a doctor lets this type of treatment happen then he is not patient care oriented just financially motivated.

I'm going to get it bound sometime next week and will update with pictures! I'm including enough logs for 6 months, until these food choices are just 2nd nature to me.
I have it set up for 7 days of food logs (including exercise and Fluid intake), then a weekly summary page with reflections, patterns, emotional aspects, scale movement, revelations, and goals for the following week. Then, at the end of the month, there is a Monthly Measurement page to review inches lost over the month, as well as weight loss, and BMI. That sequence goes on for 6 months. In the front of the book are some helpful guidelines... A "cheat sheet" per say, of the guidelines given by my doctor and NUT. I also have a few helpful food portion charts, hunger scale, my depressing before pictures, and some inspirational quotes/pictures, etc.
If anyone is interested after you see the final product, I don't mind uploading the PDF document so you can make your own. No sense in recreating the wheel, right?

My fitness pal app I live by that app so easy and user friendly

Feeling great today! Honestly haven't had this much energy in a long time. Had egg drop Soup today with no problem at all. Looking forward to how things go!

I'd love to get in a group. My email is funmama1@yahoo.com. I'm on fb, but keeping this journey private.

Sassy sleevers on Fb is great, and I have a separate September sleevers group. Just email me your address and I'll add you.
I had surgery Monday. Today is a great day, but it's still hard to get Protein and Water in. I'm on full liquids for a month and I don't think those include mashed potatoes or cottage cheese. But! I'm ok with that because it sounds horrible right now.
Anyone off pain meds? I think I will be by next week.

Weigh in today sleeve 9/3. I've lost 13 lbs!! WOOOT WOOOT

Mine was september 9 yay!!!!

My surgery was the 4th. I have no regrets and am actually seeing results! Best of luck to y'all who are about to undergo the procedure. Your making a life-long commitment that only you can control. A friend told me that I am the master of my weight loss. Nobody else can make this exceptional tool work but me, so just remember that and keep moving forward!!

Congrats!! I feel the same way. I have to push myself to drink.

I am 43 years young!