PurpleDiosa

Hi All!! I know it's been quiet in here for the past couple of months, but I was hoping to get the Northern Nevada peeps out and talking again. I have my first consult with Western Bariatric next Wednesday, I'm really hoping it goes well. I have been researching all this since last summer, and now that I have new insurance, I've been told most of is should be covered...we shall see.
Oh, I really do hope this is the right decision!
I have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 4, I work full time, and manage a small home biz on top of that, my biggest concerns are that I won't be able to keep up with all that I have going on during the recovery time.
Oh, and coffee....how WILL I SURVIVE WITHOUT coffee? ?

Having all my evaluation pre req appts today. So far my metabolism is totally normal, so the weight gain problem is MY BRAIN, lol. Everything else is coming out normal and good for surgery. Woohoo!

Having all my evaluation pre req appts today. So far my metabolism is totally normal, so the weight gain problem is MY BRAIN, lol. Everything else is coming out normal and good for surgery. Woohoo!

So, I still do not have a date yet, still going through the doctor's appts and such, but as I was reading through all these posts, and after having a full on grazing day yesterday (after being good all week - damn that superbowl), I had a deep thought this morning:
Why am I freaking out about not being able to eat certain foods again, or having problems with certain foods??? Aren't those the foods that helped me get to the 280 I'm at right now??? I need to wrap my head around the fact that this is LIFE CHANGING - the life I am currently living is NOT HEALTHY, and this surgery will be the kick in the behind to MAKE me make the move to a healthier life - without the option to fall back on my cheating ways a week into it. Hopefully, down the line, after I've LEARNED a healthier lifestyle by forcing this onto my body, I won't have the cheating urges I have now.
I can be hopeful, right? Because I want to be the healthy slim fit person I see in my head, not the tired, painful, overweight person I see in the mirror.

And SandeeD! Congrats on your approval!!

You will!

CAN'T believe it is here... I feel like I have been waiting for ever.. Hope I can do this.. I did have a Band back in 2007 and had it removed in Oct 2013.. I had lost a total of 60lbs with it. I'm hoping for 100lbs with this, and keeping it off. So tired of being the "OB" WORD...I hate when people say it.. I am a care taker for my husband in early Alzheimer's so I have to stay fit for me and him. I want to thank everyone on this board for their SUPPORT and great Ideas...I WILL SEE YOU ALL ON THE OTHER SIDE...as they say.. I do have a small cold, but i'm going anyway. It is the kind of cold that if I went to the doctor he would tell me to go home and deal with it. So i'm on Clear liquids.. and I'm forcing them down hoping to clear everything out... till 12 midnight when I stop drinking. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL THIS WEEK....... Jewelj

Thank you, and that's VERY true - this is a mind game, and I completely get that - I'm hoping that this will help me teach my mind that there is a healthier way to live.

So, I still do not have a date yet, still going through the doctor's appts and such, but as I was reading through all these posts, and after having a full on grazing day yesterday (after being good all week - damn that superbowl), I had a deep thought this morning:
Why am I freaking out about not being able to eat certain foods again, or having problems with certain foods??? Aren't those the foods that helped me get to the 280 I'm at right now??? I need to wrap my head around the fact that this is LIFE CHANGING - the life I am currently living is NOT HEALTHY, and this surgery will be the kick in the behind to MAKE me make the move to a healthier life - without the option to fall back on my cheating ways a week into it. Hopefully, down the line, after I've LEARNED a healthier lifestyle by forcing this onto my body, I won't have the cheating urges I have now.
I can be hopeful, right? Because I want to be the healthy slim fit person I see in my head, not the tired, painful, overweight person I see in the mirror.

So, I still do not have a date yet, still going through the doctor's appts and such, but as I was reading through all these posts, and after having a full on grazing day yesterday (after being good all week - damn that superbowl), I had a deep thought this morning:
Why am I freaking out about not being able to eat certain foods again, or having problems with certain foods??? Aren't those the foods that helped me get to the 280 I'm at right now??? I need to wrap my head around the fact that this is LIFE CHANGING - the life I am currently living is NOT HEALTHY, and this surgery will be the kick in the behind to MAKE me make the move to a healthier life - without the option to fall back on my cheating ways a week into it. Hopefully, down the line, after I've LEARNED a healthier lifestyle by forcing this onto my body, I won't have the cheating urges I have now.
I can be hopeful, right? Because I want to be the healthy slim fit person I see in my head, not the tired, painful, overweight person I see in the mirror.

Yes, the sleeve definitely helps. But the cheating urges don't disappear--this is as much about your head as your stomach. I once saw someone post on here that they could still eat a large pizza all by themselves, but it would now take them 12 hours instead of one. In addition to learning and loving a new and healthier lifestyle, we all need to prepare ourselves for why we eat the way we do. It is an addiction, and even with the sleeve, I have to be very mindful of everything I do and every emotion I feel. I am definitely a food addict. So I watch for my triggers to keep myself on track.
Good luck to you!

So, I still do not have a date yet, still going through the doctor's appts and such, but as I was reading through all these posts, and after having a full on grazing day yesterday (after being good all week - damn that superbowl), I had a deep thought this morning:
Why am I freaking out about not being able to eat certain foods again, or having problems with certain foods??? Aren't those the foods that helped me get to the 280 I'm at right now??? I need to wrap my head around the fact that this is LIFE CHANGING - the life I am currently living is NOT HEALTHY, and this surgery will be the kick in the behind to MAKE me make the move to a healthier life - without the option to fall back on my cheating ways a week into it. Hopefully, down the line, after I've LEARNED a healthier lifestyle by forcing this onto my body, I won't have the cheating urges I have now.
I can be hopeful, right? Because I want to be the healthy slim fit person I see in my head, not the tired, painful, overweight person I see in the mirror.

I am only 5 weeks out and am not dealing with real food yet, but I believe that this new tool is helping me to change my relationship with food. For one thing, I used to eat a large qty of good tasting food to anesthitize my feelings. Now, more than a small amount will cause pain. I don't think I will ever see food the same way again.

That's how I felt when I went to my consult in December and set my surgery for February 19. And now I'm only 21 days away! Time is flying!

I'm right there with you - I think I have more coffee than blood in my system - I'm really dreading the withdrawal. I'm hoping to switch gradually to Decaf, then none at all. Right now, since I don't have a date yet, I'm just working on cutting back to three cups a day, next week, on to two cups a day. My coworkers are more concerned about my coffee withdrawal than my surgery recovery, LOL!

I feel you PurpleDiosa. I finally had my psych eval yesterday. I was actually nervous about it for some reason. She said she was sending the report to my surgeon and I'm good to go. A letter from my PCP has been requested for insurance purposes. Now I go next Wednesday to see the surgeon again. We will schedule the EDG and submit to insurance. I have been praying that insurance will be speedy in approving me. I want this now!

I have been waiting for almost a month on this day and its here. I was finally approved for my vsg!! Speechless.

law001: I hear ya! I'm supposed to lose 10 lbs before the surgery, and since I don't know my exact date yet, I'm having a tough time controlling the urge to EAT ALL THE THINGS.

Had my first consult today, but if all goes as planned per my advocate, I should be able to get it done in March. Oh My Holy Cow. I have to set up my psych eval, hoping to get that done in the next week or so, all other appts are set for 2/10 (all day at the doctor's office for testing, nutritionist, the whole shebang done at once), then, as long as everything else goes OK, we can then submit to insurance. Keep your finger crossed!

VSG 06/26/13
HW 328
SW 308
CW 221
5'4
34 years old
Whoop woop I am so proud of myself. I NEVER thought I'd see the day! It's definitely been a challenge but it's been soooo worth it! Things were progressing really well that is until New Year's Eve when I had emergency gallbladder surgery. Although things are fabulous now. Got clearance to return to the gym today by my doc. I've been having rowing machine and stair stepper withdrawals! I cannot believe I actually miss the workouts. It's such an amazing life transformation. Any and all obstacles to over come are completely worth VSG!
Pics are from 6mo out 12/26/13

Down 65 pounds. Love my sleeve!

So all my life I have lied on my drivers license about my weight. Yesterday I was looking at my license and it hit me BAM I'm under the weight on the license! WOW its a first ever! ~~~happy dance~~~
Also don't judge me because I lied.. I'm sure I'm NOT the only one who lies on their license

I have been through anxiety, fear, hope, shame in the last two years.
I have thought about everything you mentioned. I've been through so much and I have to start over with a new surgeon and hospital. If anything my struggle just convinced me how much I want this and that I'm making the right decision.
Good luck to you!

I know the idea of surgery is always a little scary. All I can say in my own experience is that I had been fortunate enough to be a very healthy obese person for 20 years with no need for any surgery except my 2 c sections. The idea of an "elective" surgery seemed crazy to me and I was a bit judgmental about people who had other elective surgeries such as boob jobs, lyposuction etc. as crazy to "go under the knife" without it being a medical necessity. Then 1 day i heard about the daughter of Caroline Manzo on the Real Housewives of New Jersey having lap band surgery and it was like a light switch went off in my head and I began research. Then I saw a female comedian (can't think of her name) who had gastric sleeve which I never heard of before and she looked amazing and lost so much weight and began researching the sleeve. I went to a weight loss surgery informational meeting and there was a doctor their with her fiancé who was having weight loss surgery and she explained her reasons for recommending the sleeve for her fiancé and thats when I decided on the sleeve. Her reasons had to do with the hunger hormone ghrelin and the issues with fills and slippage and other lap band complications.
I had my surgery march of 2013 and it was a great decision for me. I had exercised like a fiend and watched my diet and would loose some weight but then become discouraged when the scale would barely move and return to old eating habits.
Once I made the decision to have this surgery it was like I was on auto pilot and just kept going through each step without worrying and pondering my decision. I walked into the hospital on my surgery date alone (hubby worked so he could take off when i came home from the hospital) and was frighteningly calm and numb to worry. This was so different from the way I normally act that I just knew I was determined and doing the right thing.
I wish you the best of luck and a fast and easy recovery with whatever decision you make.

Actually, this surgery (gastrectomy) has been around for over 50 years. Just not done for weight loss purposes. People have been having complete and partial gastrectomies as treatment for ulcers, cancer and traumatic abdominal injuries for decades. I researched the long term stats (10-20-30 years postop) on these patients when looking at VSG. The biggest thing they found is the issues surrounding Vitamin deficiencies...Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Iron and increased osteoporosis. That is why they want us taking supplements postop. Of course these studies didn't address long term weight loss success, but ultimately that is up to us anyways.