JaneJaneDoe

@Tubbs, I am 45 and 5'4" and weighed 188lb when I had surgery on 12/31/14 (BMI 32)... a mere four days ago (self pay). My final weight goal is somewhere between 135 and 142; I'll just have to see how I feel when I get close to goal. I have yoyo dieted for years. I love to exercise, have run multiple 1/2 marathons, one full marathon, was a certified personal trainer in my 20s and 30s. Then I gained 18 pounds in one year. Was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It's been a huge struggle trying to get and maintain a healthy weight! In 2012, my endocrinologist prescribed phentermine and I was able to lose down to 155, but as soon as I stopped taking it... well, the weight came back and more! Ugh! It was so frustrating. Then I recently had a hysterectomy and my GYN told me I really needed to lose weight. So I went to a health/wellness clinic to have all my blood work done... high cholesterol, pre-diabetic, and they wanted me to do a sleep study (because I snore really loud... my poor hubby wears ear plugs at night to sleep!). Well, I asked the wellness doctor, "if the sleep study shows I have sleep apnea, what will be the next step?" And he said, "Wearing a CPAP machine every night." I cried. Instead of treating a symptom of my snoring (sleep apnea), I wanted to treat the real problem... my weight! So I started researching and talking to hubby. Thankful he was completely on board and even plans to have VSG soon too (insurance will pay for him, so he has to go through six months of appointments). At first I was thinking lap band, but once I educated myself I decided the sleeve would be the best option for me. I had my first visit with the surgeon on 12/5/14 and my surgery was 12/31/14... quick! All that to say, four days ago I had surgery and I am thrilled. Yes, it's hard, but I know this tool will allow me to get to a healthy weight. I have to do the work and it won't be easy, but I am committed. Some research that I've read says that low BMI patients have a great success rate. I hope this has encouraged you to continue researching and meet with a qualified surgeon to see if you are a good candidate. If yes, I would say, "GO FOR IT! Become a healthier YOU!" Best of luck!

I'm the last of the December group. Sleeved 12/31/14. I'm doing pretty well. I was able to have two bowel movements on 1/2/15 which shocked me because I typically constipate very easily. I was thinking it would be a week before I would be able to go. I stayed in the hospital one night. and have only had pain Rx twice (at night before bedtime). I only have one incision that bothers me; the other incisions don't bother me at all. Tried to get out and run a couple errands with hubby today and was fine... except for lack of energy. I know I'm not getting enough protein/calories. I log everything on myfitnesspal app. My weight started at 188 and today was 183.4... almost 5lbs down in three days (I'm 5'4"). Would love to hear updates from all the other December sleeves. Happy New Year!

@@Docgerri ,Yes I was a nervous pre-op. Anticipation is hard! My Surgery was just 48 hours ago, 12/31/14. Stayed one night in hospital. Walked like crazy. On scale of 1-10 (10 being worst), I had pain of a 3 or 4. I have been able to drink Water and decaf tea with sips, eaten broth, eaten a couple sugar-free popsicles. ZERO nausea. ZERO gas pains (I've walked a lot). ZERO pain getting fluids done. Sitting here I am having ZERO pain. I do have pain when I have to roll over in bed or get up off the couch, but I'm not sure I would even classify it as pain... it's more of a tender abdomen and the incision sites. It's been easier than I anticipated. Also, I am one that gets easily constipated, so I was thinking it would be 5 to 7 days before bowel movement. But I pooped this morning... a mere 48 hours post surgery. So in a nutshell, my experience has been pretty good and the odds are that yours will be too! Hang in there and keep us posted.

Hi! I have had three C-sections plus one vaginal birth; I have four kids total. Most recently I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy (In Aug2014, Dr. took tubes, cervix, and uterus). HANDS DOWN, I would DEFINITELY say that the VSG was the easiest for me, just had the VSG on 12/31/14 so it is fresh in my mind. C-sections were hell! VSG has been quite okay for me. Please be cautioned that we all tolerate pain in different ways. Good Luck on your journey!

Praying all goes well. My surgery is at 9:30am tomorrow! I'll be right there with you. Best wishes!

sonosuzy, how are you today? Looks like your surgery was 12/22. I'm scheduled for the sleeve on 12/31 and am freaking out a bit today. It is one week away... nervous! I just have read through and noticed your were feeling the same and wondering how you got through it all. Best wishes!

Oh my goodness, I so needed to see this positivity today!! THANK YOU for posting! My surgery is 12/31 and today I went to the hospital for pre-op blood work, EKG, signing consents, etc. and I kind of am freaking out! Thinking how scared I am and the risk involved. I logged on to see some positive and be encouraged and ... well, it really helped to see your post. THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS! It sounds like you are on a path to better living. You should be so proud of yourself!

I'm starving right now! I started (on my own initiative) pre-op of two Protein shakes per day plus one low-carb sensible meal. I'm so hungry!!! Surgery is 12/31/14. Pre-op apt is 12/24/14.

http://www.amazon.com/Musclegen-Research-Genepro-Genetic-Tri-Protein/dp/B00K6OSDYA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thanks! This really helps. I am scheduled for surgery on 12/31 and plan to go but things this weekend. Cutting out sugars and starting pre-op diet of 2 Protein shakes per day plus one healthy meal (lean protein with veggies). And lots of Water. All advice is much appreciated!!!!

I'm 12/31 and it does feel like a long wait. Not excited about liquid diet during the holidays, but ready to get this done!

I'm Dec 31st! 16 more days... I guess I'll be the last of the December group and 2014. I am so very ready. Since I'm the last of the group, I'll benefit from all you other December folks and your stories / advice. I have to say, I am so proud of each one of you for making this hard, life-changing decision. This is a commitment to a new life. And, unlike some people say, this is NOT the easy way out. It will have ups and downs... and we will endure and make it to the other side where we will be happy and healthy. We will love life! Congratulations to us all. We deserve this. It's a Christmas gift to ourselves. Blessings to each of you!

Very curious to know if the nausea has gone away for you guys that posted. My surgery is 12/31/14 and I would really like to hear that you all are doing much better and that it was a phase.

You look fantastic! You even look taller in the "after" pic. Keep up the great work! And, thanks for sharing; I know how difficult that is.

My surgery is 12/31... New Year's Eve! I'm freaking out about the 7-day liquid diet for pre-op. Not because of the diet, but it will be during Christmas and much of my family will be around and they don't know (only hubby knows). So, somehow, someway, I hope to stay under the radar!!!!!

@@PALOMA, looks like you are doing really well. I'm mentally preparing for a slow loss. In 2012 I lost 32lbs in five months (on Rx phentermine), but it came right back. I'm thinking I'll lose at a similar pace after surgery. But with that said, I was thrilled to get 32 lbs gone! I am very excited about cleaning out my closet and eliminating some fat clothes... maybe eliminate the first round of fat clothes by March?! I'm self pay too. All together $14,500. At first I was thinking, "no way I am paying that much." But after conversing with hubby and knowing we have paid $10k+ for vacations and furniture, why not for myself and my health? Thankfully, we have the ca$h and he is completely onboard and supportive. I can't believe I will be doing this in 23 days. I am excited and nervous.

@@Zane's Mom, thanks for the suggestion. That is perfect and a great plan to use.

My first pre-op on 12/5/14 went well. I'm scheduled for surgery on 12/30/14!!!! I am 5'4" and weighed 188 (33 BMI). The doctor thinks I am a great candidate and likes that I'm confronting the problem before it spirals out of control and I become heavier. And he also thinks I will be able to obtain great results (obviously I have to follow the protocol well to obtain those great results... so there is still work to do to get to a healthy weight and then MAINTAIN it in lieu of the yoyo). I'm so excited and also a bit nervous at the same time. Requirements for surgery since I'm self pay were: (1) meet with nutritionist (which I did during my first pre-op apt), and (2) have a psych evaluation. As it was instructed, I am to go online to the psych website and take a couple exams. Then I have either a phone call or a facetime with a psychologist. Seems harmless, but I'm still nervous about that. I'll let you know how that goes. I'm also nervous about having to eat a liquid diet for the seven days prior to surgery... that's over CHRISTMAS. I am very fine with the liquid diet. The part I don't like is that I will be around my family and they don't know (only my hubby knows), so I have to try to stay inconspicuous. Not sure how I will accomplish that... that is the nerve-racking part!

Any suggestions on what questions I should ask at my pre-op appointment tomorrow?

My first pre-op appointment is tomorrow (12/5/14)! Excited!

CONGRATS! Definitely treat yourself in a non-food way!

I plan on doing the surgery. Thankfully, my husband supports me. I will NOT be telling anyone else. I have submitted my registration/paperwork via online site to my local Center of Excellence. Have researched this surgeon and he is very competent. I am waiting for them to call me and schedule my first pre-op appointment. I'm ready to move forward and get this done as soon as possible! In the meantime, I'll continue preparing and researching to educate myself on "what's to come" and my new future. I am so ready to clean out my fat clothes, feel better about myself and BE HEALTHY!

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know. I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc. I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters. So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

I plan on being self pay too. Just wondering how long from initial appointment until the surgery for self-pay people. I know it's typical to have a six-month wait when going through insurance, but what about us self-pay people? So, my next question: if you were self pay, how much time between your initial appointment to your surgery date?