shutterbug33

I agree completely with what everyone has said. I had the sleeve right after I turned 45 and wish I had done it earlier. Look for a surgeon who is with a Center of Excellence for WLS. If you can't find one near you, call my doctor's office in Atlanta and they could possibly help locate one for you. I used Dr. Hart at Atlanta Bariatrics. I felt like I was in excellent hands. Dr. Hart doesn't do lap bands much anymore either - that told me that I was making the right choice with the sleeve.

I agree completely with what everyone has said. I had the sleeve right after I turned 45 and wish I had done it earlier. Look for a surgeon who is with a Center of Excellence for WLS. If you can't find one near you, call my doctor's office in Atlanta and they could possibly help locate one for you. I used Dr. Hart at Atlanta Bariatrics. I felt like I was in excellent hands. Dr. Hart doesn't do lap bands much anymore either - that told me that I was making the right choice with the sleeve.

I agree completely with what everyone has said. I had the sleeve right after I turned 45 and wish I had done it earlier. Look for a surgeon who is with a Center of Excellence for WLS. If you can't find one near you, call my doctor's office in Atlanta and they could possibly help locate one for you. I used Dr. Hart at Atlanta Bariatrics. I felt like I was in excellent hands. Dr. Hart doesn't do lap bands much anymore either - that told me that I was making the right choice with the sleeve.

I think this notion of being to young at 40 years old is ridiculous. I am 38 years old and had my surgery at 37. The idea and opportunity of surgery was there in my early 30's, but I waited because my doctor thought I was young enough to do some effective dieting.
The waiting did nothing but gave me more years of feeling miserable. I wasted my ealy-mid 30's being morbidly obese. I know, some people can have high self esteem while being huge. I wasn't one of them. I became a recluse and his from the world in every way possible.
In the end, I think I wasted many years of my life by not doing it earlier. Years when I should have been in my prime are lost. This is clear to me now since I've had surgery and lost over 115 pounds. I've made so many changes in my health and outlook on life. However, I'm trying to look forward instead of spending time regretting the past. Don't listen to this doctor, its your life and your choice.

Get another opinion. What's he saying... ALL people who get sleeved put their weight back on in 5 years? That's just stupid and wrong! MANY sleevers of ALL ages (band to sleeve converts included) take off all their weight and maintain just fine! It IS possible to fail at any WLS, but from the folks I know (banded and sleeved) the sleevers have MUCH BETTER long term results and half the complications!

Honestly, I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on that. Is it possible that he prefers the more frequent visits (hence more frequent payments) that come with the Lap Band? I hate to think that way but money making is a big motivator for many physicians.

Drinking has been no problem for me. I am 6 days post op. I have been gassy, but had no problems at all with things going down. Just trying to ease your fears a bit!

Hi there. Once you start on your soft foods, you'll feel soooo much better! Remember to eat slowly. Also, the "hunger" might not really be hunger, it might be from the hernia repair, it can easily be confused with heartburn, I know I did. Keep drinking your Water and more importantly, walk walk walk walk... good luck, it DOES get better, you will NOT gain any weight if you stay within your Protein foods and away from sugar, starches, carbohydrates. It gets better and better, you'll see.... Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

I'm an October Sleever - the 14th. I just wanted to tell you guys congrats on your surgery dates and Super Super Congrats to the pioneers of your group.. those that have had surgery !!!
Keep doing that liquid pre op, and do not be scared at surgery, it's such a great decision you guys have made !!!
Hugs all around !

That's nice that you have support, especially family who has been through surgery already!
I live in BC, Canada and in my town I haven't found a support group to go to. :-( so that's too bad!
I can't wait to go through this with you guys and cheer on your success both in the scale and off!
Sheena :-)

Yes, I am interested! My date is Nov. 17 and with the pre-op diet plan coming up, my anxiety, preparing for THE day, etc., it would be wonderful to have support of those going through the same thing especially at the same time.

Shutterbug33, you can do it just think about the end result. I am also having surgery on the 4th. Good luck to us all and God bless.

Happy (early) Birthday!!! Hang in there! You didn't travel this far just to chicken out.
I'm turning 59 later this week and received a call this morning telling me my surgery date was moving up to 11/10 (from 12/8) if I wanted that date. I said YES!!! So ready to get this behind me so I can get past the post-op process. Have to start my 2 week (minus 1 day ) pre-op diet today so there won't be any going out to supper on my birthday , but we'll Celebrate another time.

Happy Birthday and NOOOOO don't chicken out! YOU WILL FOREVER remember being 45 because that year in your life will be GREAT!!!!!! I'm 52 and loving life after so many years of being heavy, not feeling good and not looking good either. I love love love my sleeve WLS and am happy and feel amazingly great!! Stay positive and before you know it, you'll be thin, and HEALTHY!! Here's to many many many more years! Salud!

November 4th! Getting really nervous. Can I really do this?!!

I am turning 45 on Thursday (where does the time go?!) and I'm getting sleeved on Nov. 4...so nervous and I want to chicken out, but I also want the next 45 years to be better than ever.

Hi shutterbug33! Congrats on your date!!! The lifestyle change is a big commitment. I was really concerned about that too when I 1st started considering surgery. Then I hit 308 lbs and that was enough needed for me. Well we're only a week out. I'm very excited!!!

what a great birthday present for yourself!

November 4th! Can't wait☝️☝️????????⏰⏰

I've seen lots of folks on here post before and after pics. Tonight, on a whim, I decided to make one to see if I see more of a difference than I see in the mirror on a daily basis. Holy cow!!! I can't believe the difference! Of course, I know I've lost weight and I know I'm back in clothes that I haven't worn in years. I definitely recommend doing a before and after!
Highest weight 274
SW 251
CW 221 (10 weeks post op)

I

I'm very nervous, but also not wanting to continue down the unhealthy road I'm on!

I just want to be able to shop in regular stores!

I agree with everything FitnFab just mentioned. I know photographers often carry multiple cameras at a time and have to move lights and other equipment. You won't be able to lift more than 10 pounds till 6 weeks post op. I was able to return to work after a week but I have an office job that requires very little physical work. Please remember that everybody's surgery and recovery is different and complications are very real, though rare. You can't plan who will and who won't have complications, so keep a plan B in your back pocket. I'm 6 1/2 weeks post op and my sleeve buddy from the hospital is still being fed through a stomach tube due to a blood clot he suffered after surgery. Not to scare you, but... complications really can and do happen. Wishing you luck and a great surgery and recovery.

Hi, are you going to be lifting heavy objects? If you are you may be a little sore. It all depends on your recovery. The first two weeks were very difficult for me (sore and tired), and at three weeks I couldn't lift anything over 10lbs without some soreness (and I was advised by my doctor not to lift anything heavy until after 6 weeks). I was so tired all the time, up until 3 weeks out. My energy was much better after 4 weeks though.
I think it really depends on you, and your recovery. Everyone recovers differently. Hopefully yours will be easy, breezy.